Up Early for Mpls/St. Paul Magazine Weddings

We started the day early this morning, preparing bouquets for a photo shoot for Weddings | Mpls/St. Paul Magazine. They asked for hot and bright, and we gave them just that -- a vibrant yellow and a shocking fuchsia bridal bouquet. Were mohair and wax dipped succulents involved? Well, you'll just have to wait and see.

Blizzard Wedding: Nothing Short of Epic.

Hooray! Finally on this beautiful spring day we have jolly images for you from a technicolor winter wedding during the biggest snowstorm of the year (18 inches in one day!) A testament to the toughness, flexibility and devotion of their friends, families (and vendors!), Debra and Alex literally had wedding guests shovel their driveways with cookie sheets (!!!) to make it to their wedding. The one thing Debra kept repeating during our meetings was that they wanted it to be "fun". And it was. When we came back to tear down after their event, they were still dancing up a storm to an amazeballs band. We ran into old clients and friends, met new clients, and were SO warmly received by everyone involved. It was one of those nights we felt so lucky to get to do what we do.

A brilliant team of people worked on this event including Amy Zaroff Events + Design, the staff at The Depot, and of course Red Ribbon Studio, who captured the vibrant and joyful images you've seen here. For even more of their images of this event, click here.

Thumbs up for new Blu Dot desks

We've been searching high and low for the perfect desks for our office. As if on cue, our hometown favorite Blu Dot is conveniently having a brilliant event. They are holding an online swap meet where people offer up their talents and/or first borns in the hopes of trading for a sweet piece of furniture. At risk of overkill (I also have a strut table in my library) we've got our eyes on their medium strut tables. A pair, back to back, makes a perfect 56" square, which satisfies us to no end.

We're offering a swap for a season of weekly flower arrangements (and we're cautiously optimistic that they'll go for it -- Lord knows that we are their people, and vice versa.) If you want to help our cause, please follow the link and give our offer a "thumbs up" and then check out the other propositions ranging from wildly awesome to downright creepy. Better yet, give 'em your best offer!

Bastian+Skoog is featured in the new South of Canada

There's a new weekly online magazine in town, South of Canada, and this week we are featured as part of their Valentine's Day edition. Read more of our Valentine's tips and general musings here.

Crunch Time: Valentine's Day Edition

Okay kids. For realz. Now is the time to place your Valentine's Day flower orders so that your favorite Bastian+Skoog ladies can whip up something fabulous for your sweetie AND get a few hours of sleep between now and the big Day o' Love. Because Valentine's Day lands on a Monday this year, we need your orders in by Friday the 11th. NO exceptions. Not even if we really reeeealy like you. Here are the deets we need in order to set you up in fine style:

Arrangements start at $50 plus tax and delivery (but wouldn'tcha like to see what kind of luck you'd have with a hundred?) Delivery is $12 within the metro area, or pick up from our studio if you'd prefer.

+ Name, address and phone number of recipient   

+ Date you would like delivery (Sunday is not an option. If you want flowers delivered on Monday the 14th we MUST have your order by Friday the 11th.)

+ Credit card number

+ Billing name/address/phone/email

+ Sentiment for card -- we can hand write your specific request, or we can include a fancy pre-written one from our amazing calligrapher, Queen Quills (while supplies last!)

+ Any flower and/or color requests (Smart kids don't buy roses on V-day. Trust us on this one)

+ Amount you would like to spend before tax and delivery ($50 minimum)


If you'd like to see more of our work, check out our site.
If you need hand holding, have special needs, or just want to say "hi", dial us at 612.333.6450.
If you trust us implicitly, just drop us an email with the above information to studio(at)bastianskoog.com.  Something fresh and fabulous will be delivered wrapped in our signature sexy black paper, and you'll get all the credit.
If you know people who might require prompting for this sort of thing (i.e. spouses, clueless coworkers), please forward or re-post/tweet this message.

 

Radar Favorites

"Best flowers ever" are how we are described by Jen Knoch in her virtual concierge service, Radar's, What's the Deal listings. Check out her recommendations for other great local and independent Valentine's Day events, ideas and retailers including our friends at pH OREM, Mitrebox Framing and Chowgirls.

Bastian+Skoog is featured on Stuff I ♥

We were just informed by our friend and sweet bride, Carla Fahden, that Bastian+Skoog is featured on Stuff I ♥, a blog by the super stylish Quinn Risdall. Thanks ladies, for keeping us in the know!

Valentine's Contest Revisited: Coco de Mer

A couple of years ago we ran a contest offering free flowers for the cheekiest Valentine's sentiment. This year we couldn't help but notice that Coco de Mer is continuing our great idea. We thought we'd take this opportunity to A.) introduce you to (or remind you of) one of our favorite skivvies stockists where you can get little ditties like this one that I'm longing for with the hotsy totsy zipper in the back (hint, hint) and B.) reinspire you for this Valentine's Day with the greatness that was received by a lucky one of our clients from her beau:

Tied up in knots
a bite on the shoulder
i tugged at her hair
e’re my heart ‘gan to smoulder

‘twixt sheets, silken black
lo! - a spank on the bum!
nervous.. am i naughty?
mayhaps too tame?
mayhaps ho-hum!!

then, a crash!$%
my friends,
- a cloud of smoke! -
i hung from the ceiling
prisoner,
to gravity’s heavy yoke

and in this moment she approacheth
e’re my moment of despair
kisses to my forehead
gentle strokes to my hair

she cackled with delight
bit hard on my lip.
candles and oils…
- hey-o! what’s with the whip? -

t’would kiss her
would i could
like a great prince of yore
be kama to her sutra
make her cry out “more! more!”

my situation you see, was desperate but not dire
distance it seemed, sparked my heart’s russian fire

and so, i waited,
bound but still brave
to plot Act II
self cast
as Handsome Knave

So it will go,
through months and years
the drama will unfold
many climaxes - few tears

and as I gaze to the West
I wait for a sign.
for the curtain to rise,
‘tween me and
my heart’s rowdy Valentine. 

It'd be a great day to place your Valentine's Day flower order

Valentine's Day breathing down your neck? We've got you covered. If you'd like to order flowers for your sweeties please place your orders with us by Friday the 11th. Arrangements start at $50 plus tax and delivery (but wouldn'tcha like to see what kind of luck you'd have with a hundred?) Delivery is $12 within the metro area, or pick up from our studio if you'd prefer. 

Give us a holler with this essential info by Friday the 11th: 

+ Name, address and phone number of recipient 

+ Date you would like delivery (Sunday is not an option. If you want flowers delivered on Monday the 14th we MUST have your order by Friday the 11th.)

+ Credit card number

+ Billing name/address/phone/email

+ Sentiment for card (we can hand write your specific request, or we can include a fancy pre-written one from our amazing calligrapher, Queen Quills)

+ Any flower and/or color requests (Smart kids don't buy roses on V-day. Trust us on this one)

+ Amount you would like to spend before tax and delivery ($50 minimum)


If you'd like to see more of our work, check out our site.
If you need hand holding, have special needs, or just want to say "hi", dial us at 612.333.6450.
If you trust us implicitly, just drop us an email with the above information to studio(at)bastianskoog.com.  Something fresh and fabulous will be delivered wrapped in our signature sexy black paper, and you'll get all the credit.
If you know people who might require prompting for this sort of thing (i.e. spouses, clueless coworkers), please forward or re-post/tweet this message.

 

Out of Town Honeys?

Do you have an out-of-towner who deserves something gorgeous for Valentine's Day? We'd like nothing more than to set you up. Bastian+Skoog is part of an elite wire service that allows us to arrange for delivery of flowers (that meet our high standards) across the country. Phew. One less thing to worry about. Contact us for details.

There Will Be Masks

Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) 

Venus Rising from the Sea ('Venus Anadyomene') about 1520

As I write Heidi is busy doing arrangements for the visiting bigwigs who are in town for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts' new exhibit: Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian Painting: Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland. We are also in a heated discussion about what to wear to the 'Bella Naughty' opening party tonight (Saturday February 5th), inspired by the city of Venice and its Carnevale. We've got our heads covered, and that's about it. Suggestions welcome...we'll see you there.

For further details, check out the MIA's site. 

Featured in Minnesota Bride: Museum Weddings

Our sweet bride and groom Jill and Mark who were wed at the Basilica and had their reception at the Walker Art Center were featured in the Spring/Summer 2011 issue of Minnesota Bride as part of an article on museum weddings. Lace/Hanky did such a stellar job capturing the sweetness and fun of this wedding. See more of their ceremony images here.

Our Words of Valentine's Wisdom on City's Best.

We got a foxy write up in a Valentine's Day article this week on City's Best. Oh Lord in heaven, did I really use the word 'harbinger'? Ugh, yes. Yes I did. Nonetheless, it's a lovely little blip of our tips for buying flowers on Valentine's Day and very kind words about our studio from Kristen Aeikens.

Bastian+Skoog is featured in The Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook

We’re so thrilled to announce we've made it into our first coffee table book! The Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook is now out. The book is available online at The Knot Wedding Shop and at Amazon.com. You’ll also find it at Barnes & Noble and Borders (but try your indie bookstore first, please!)

This deliciously red and aqua wedding which was previously published in Martha Stewart Weddings, was photographed by the crazy-talented Liz Banfield. It was a great example of modern floral design working in very traditional spaces (Wayzata Community Church and Wayzata Country Club). We loved the lushness and fine texture of carnations contrasted by slick aqua satin. Divine stationery to complement was created by Watermark.

Aren't our Cosies Cosy?

We promised you sneak peeks of our handknit cosies, and here they are. #swoon  A hug for your vase and clearly something you never knew you needed. Until now. 

And will you take a look at the little cards? Our mind-blowingly great in-house calligrapher Emily Snyder, the queen of Queen Quills, is creating squeal-worthy sentiments that we can attach to our arrangements for you.

Handknit Valentine Cosies

You may not yet be thinking of Valentine's Day, but we at Bastian+Skoog are already up to our eyeballs in it. This year we are employing one of our favorite crafty ladies, Bertie (AKA the mother-in-law of the Skoog), to design and handknit delicious vase cosies for our Valentine arrangements. Flossy magenta mohair and superthick undyed wool are just a couple of options adding gorgeous texture and psychological warmth to our already optimistic fresh flower arrangements. Foxy, Scandi, modern, unexpected: stay tuned, we'll have sneak peeks of the finished designs for you soon.

Bastian+Skoog Sponsors Raccoon Rally #boysbikesyay

We're superproud sponsors of the Raccoon Rally, an alley cat race through Minneapolis, created by Greg at Urban Bean Coffee. Sign up and ride! The event is on Friday May 7th, and ends at the 30 Days of Biking Party, an event not to be missed.

*Note: 30 Days of Biking was inspired by my 30 Days of Yoga. They get all the glory as there were only three of us who did yoga (fistbumps to @MissHQ and @cevono) vs. about a million who are biking, yet we coexist peacefully and have made a lot of new friends in the Twin Cities biking community.

Art in Bloom 2010

Our pal Amanda Hankerson was taking super-sly photos of us today as we did our installation for Art in Bloom 2010 "Hello Toyko" at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. It runs through Sunday May 2nd, but go early for "freshness"! 

Want more preview photos? Check out the MIA's photostream.

Here We Go.

We got a chance to set up a sweet springtime-y fresh event on the stage of the McGuire Theater at the Walker Art Center yesterday. Our event season starts with a bang. Right. Now.

Speaking of the Walker, we're so excited to find out that Juana Molina will be performing there on June 26th with her brand of Argentinian/electronic wickywacky awesomeness. Trust us on this one. We'll see you there.

What's Under There?

There's no good morning like the kind that delivers an email from Agent Provocateur touting their wares. In this case, it's a new bridal collection. Oh, to have another wedding night (or just to pretend).

Posted via email from Bastian Skoog