B. B.: wedding

D.I.Y.

The brooch bouquet

11:45 PM

I love all things old, vintage and antique. While searching the web I came across this absolutely darling idea. Instead of a flower bouquet, why not make one from old brooches? Now these bouquets don't smell as sweet as the real thing but they are so beautiful and delicate.

I found these images via Ruffled, who found them via Fantasy Floral Designs.

These (almost) rival Maren's bouquets from Elsabette Design. Yet I still prefer the real deal, although these would make for a beautiful second bouquet.

I bet you could combine the 2, real flowers & vintage brooches to create something exquisitely lovely.

The bride's maid bouquets below are so charming and dainty, wish I were a bride's maid in this wedding. ;)

home decor

welcome, Elsabette Design

8:31 PM

(all pictures used with permission of Elsabette Design)

The absolutely stunning arrangements above were designed and handcrafted by Maren Andersen (MAR- rhymes with car -EN), pictured to the right. Owner and creator of Elsabette Design.

After seeing just a few of her creations I asked her if I could interview her so I could get to know more about who she is, why she began her business and what inspires her.

She was incredibly accommodating and despite the fact we both have the "gift of gab" she emailed me her answers at my request. I am a somewhat overwhelmed and scatterbrained mom of three and as much as I wanted to sit and talk for hours, I knew I'd never find the time. So thank you Maren and I hope to portray the beautiful, whimsical and free spirited person you are in this post/interview.

BB: Tell me about you, where did you grow up? What were you like? What is your favorite book, movie, color etc. ?

MA: "I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, and moved to Utah in the Winter of 1999. I was the quiet, nerdy, artsy, quirky kid. I was either always reading or drawing. My favorite book is a toss up between Ivanhoe, Les Miserables, and Pride & Prejudice - I've read them several times. I love to laugh, and my go to movie for that is without a doubt, A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum.

I am an eclectic girl and my hobbies show that. I garden, make jelly, cook & bake, sew, paint (walls, canvas and paper), belly dance, shop, spend time with my family, take road trips, travel; go to the theater, ballet, symphony, Opera, museums, and concerts.

My favorite color is anything in the red family - pink, salmon, ruby, burgundy, but mostly pink. I love Spring - when the earth starts waking up after Winter. The skies clear up...add to that the hint of fresh green balmy breezes and it's pure invigoration!"

BB: When did you begin your business and why?

MA: "I started Elsabette Design in June 2010 and did my first wedding a month later. I do floral design, Interior consultations, and would like to get into party planning.

I have known my entire life that I had to do something creative for a career. When I skipped school, not that I condone it, I stayed at home teaching myself to sew. When I was younger there was a youth activity at our church for girls - some type of show off your skills and talent thing, and I had two of my friends act like mannequins while I draped yards of fabric on them into some kind of gown. For better or worse my friends still talk about it. As a little kid I wasn't sure who'd want my princess dress drawings, and as a teenager I knew there wasn't exactly a huge demand for toga dresses in real life."

BB: who or what inspires you?

MA: "That's kind of hard to answer. My grandma inspires me because she was a young widow with 5 kids and a 9th Grade education who managed to make ends meet by working hard, learning to sew, and putting her amazing cooking skills to work.

In terms of designers, I always say if I were a man, I'd be Isaac Mizrahi because we have the same curly hair, we both like men, and our favorite color is pink. He is a talented and diverse designer...then again, so is Betsy Johnson, so maybe they both inspire me."

BB: Tell me about your education. Where did you go to school? What did you study?

MA: "Instead of asking me where I went to school and what I studied, the question is where didn't I go to school and what did I study? I started off at a Community College but dropped out to work in a Professional Theater running props and follow spot, then moved up to wardrobe and ended as a stage manager.

I then moved to Utah and attended S.U.U (Southern Utah University) with the intent of studying theater. I changed majors a number of times and then decided I was sick of school, so I moved to the Salt Lake City area and attended LDS Business College and got my AAS in Interior Design.

BB: Tell me about the projects you've done. Do you have any favorites?

MA: " I just finished up Art & Soup, a charitable hospice program's annual fundraiser event in SLC. This is my 7th year helping with that. My ongoing projects are helping with a remodel of a home one room at a time, and redoing the guest bedroom in my own home.

My favorite project? Hmmm...probably helping my friend Sarah with her house remodel while helping plan her wedding reception. Her reception was going to be held at her newly remodeled home as an Open house. It was a Sear's catalog Bungalow kit home in SLC. They were updating and adding on; she wanted her home to reflect her travels to Mexico and Europe with colors and decor that was very earthy and rustic, while at the same time bright and fresh. It turned out amazing. She promises me pictures every time we talk."

BB: Where do you want to take your talents and business? Where do you see yourself in 10 years or so?

MA: "I'd like to get into planning smaller events - meaning right now I'm a one woman crew so to do a whole wedding setup for 500 would be ridiculous for me to attempt right now. I would like to work on smaller events such as Anniversary parties, Bridal or Baby showers, Holiday parties, Birthday parties - things like that. I also don't want to turn my back on Interior Design entirely. I'd love love love to decorate kid spaces - especially in a hospital type setting or for long term care and terminally ill kids."

"Aspirations? In ten years I'd like to be designing - helping make Bride's visions come true, helping to create beautiful surroundings for people to live in. Putting together little parties, getting my hands dirty, breaking the occasional nail, and splattering paint on my jeans. I'd like to have people say, "Oh, you should check out Maren's place - it's called Elsabette Design. I bet she could help you create the idea you have, or at least direct you to someone who can if she can't!"

In ten years I'd like to have expanded my business, added at least one assistant, and become certified, either AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) or ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). I'd like to need a store front with a workplace because Elsabette grew so busy that I just couldn't do it all alone in my basement anymore."

Thank you Maren for all of your time. It was so fun putting together this post and getting to know you even better. I have a feeling that with your talents, you will turn your dreams and aspirations into a reality.

If you or anyone you know would like to contact Elsabette Design you may do so below:

Elsabette Design

Location: Bountiful, Utah

Hours: Mon-Wed 10:00am-6:00pm

Thurs: 10:00am-7:00pm

Fri-Sat: 10:00am-4:00pm

elsabette@comcast.net

Maren: (801) 872-4116

home decor

An upcoming post, I'm so excited!

9:29 PM

Coming soon...my very first interview with a very talented friend of mine. If you or someone you know is getting married stay tuned.

Below is one of Maren Anders' many lovely floral creations. She is a designer and floral artist who listens to what her customers want and delivers (+ more). I was astounded at the quality of her work, she puts so much care and time into what she creates. She has also begun to delve into interior design. Making the world a lovelier place one room at a time.

wedding

1 year later

9:56 AM

While Rozlynn and Thad were in town they ate the top layer of their wedding cake in lieu of their upcoming one year anniversary.

Here are some favorite pictures of mine of this event. I can't believe that within a year Rozlynn set up camp permenantly in Alabama and we added a new person to our family.

Congratulations Roz & Thad. We love you guys and say good riddens to the first year. If you are anything like Steve and I you'll be glad to see it go and excited about the wonderful years to come!

green

The Bridesmaids

11:39 PM

wedding

12:45 AM

Okay, so after hours and hours of endless, monotonous searching on my beat up lap top I finally found a dress for Mimi. She is the youngest of 5 flower girls in Roz's wedding (the rest ranged in age from 5-14), so it was nearly impossible to find coordinating dresses for them all.

Who knows if this will match the other girls, but it will work. :)

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The brooch bouquet

welcome, Elsabette Design

An upcoming post, I'm so excited!

1 year later

The Bridesmaids

B.B.

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