Urban Poppy: in the garden

On Being Mom May 03 2019, 0 Comments

I am an older mother, blessed with babes at age 42 and then again at 45. Sebastian and Sabine, both named after Italian martyrs; especially fascinating as I am not Catholic but they seemed to resonate with both saints. In my early twenties I, like many women my age contemplated having children but as my years climbed higher and I approached my late thirties, I was resigned to being that cool gypsy, artistic aunt that lived all of the world and spoke different languages. Returning from a year abroad teaching in S. Korea I announced to my bewildered parents I wanted to start a band and do something with flowers. And then Maui and Russell came along, with a return to S. Korea, Bali, marriage at the US Embassy in Seoul, Tokyo for his birthday and thoughts of returning to the States. Urban Poppy was born and then the miracle of two children (with two more little miracles I believe wait for us in heaven) came several years later. I was a mother (to be continued...)

5 Flower Bouquets for 5 Different Kinds of Love February 05 2019, 0 Comments

5 simple flower bouquets to show all kinds of love.

Urban Poppy Is Hiring July 24 2018, 1 Comment

Greetings from Savannah, GA! Urban Poppy Shop is now accepting resumes for experienced retail sales associates.

ESSENTIAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Proven ability to deliver excellent on brand client service standard and ability to demonstrate best practices
Proven ability to sell, utilizing product knowledge, brand inspiration and design/decor
Solid communication and interpersonal skills
Willingness to ask questions and seek solutions; a self starter
Social media (Pinterest/Instagram/etc), mail chimp
Must be a "clean freak"; organizational skills paramount

QUALIFICATIONS:

1 year of retail or relevant sales experience in floral/interior/home furnishings, relevant retail brand or client service industry
Excellent communication skills, willingness to engage with clients
Ability to work in a team environment
A Proactive and friendly approach to customers and work
BA (minimum) preferred (ideally in design and/or business)

If you are excited about this opportunity, please email urbanpoppy@gmail.com. Please include your resume and portfolio, if applicable, along with a cover letter telling us why you are the one to for this role.

Although floral/garden experience is a massive plus, a green thumb is an absolute must :)

May Showers and Flowers May 21 2018, 0 Comments

And some of you will say, "but surely you mean April showers?" The reality is that we here Savannah have been experiencing somewhat of a drought over the past month or so and last week's deluges have been a boon. The grass is looking bright and green and our garden has taken off by leaps and bounds.

What amazes me is that we are almost into June. Most of my these days entries seem to be me marveling at how quickly the time is marching by. Flowers keep me in check when it comes to seasons although we do have the luxury of getting many flowers all throughout the year. Spring is full of pastels and fall ruby colors. Late spring and into early summer I love the classic timelessness of whites and greens.

They're cooling composition are the perfect transition into a hot summer and they, like white linen have a soothing, cooling effect when things start to heat up.

March: Going Out Like a Lamb March 19 2018, 0 Comments

It's amazing that we have passed the Ides of March and are rounding the corner for the end of this beautiful month. Without waxing too poetic, March seems to be going out like a Lamb, especially as it is Easter Weekend with the loaded symbolism of this season.

It has been a time of digging, planting, seed starts and building of low tunnels (most of this, I might add, has all been done by Russell, my husband). I have been content to play with the kids and our "pet" chickens: Luna, Blondie, Ruby and Rosy.

Spring is simply my favorite time of the year. Granted, as an April baby I am a bit partial, but there's nothing like this time of year for a flower child.

The Perfect Holiday Gift: Francoise Weeks Savannah Workshop June 28 2017, 2 Comments

Summertime June 08 2017, 0 Comments

A busy spring yields to a quieter summer and this is a lovely season for us to refresh ourselves and our brand. There are so many wonderful things in the works at Urban Poppy that it's difficult to refrain from shouting in from the rooftops.

Although everything is in full bloom here in the south, this season Urban Poppy is working on her root system. We are building an amazing team, lovingly called our "flower tribe" as coined by Erin of Floret Flowers. We hope to have an updated website by the end of August that will tell you more about our history and who we are as a family and tribe as well as where we are heading.

The world of locally grown, organic flowers is rocking and we can't wait to share all of the talent that is making its way to the low country with new flower farmers, designers and workshop lecturers.

Please stay tuned and grow with us as we continue to bring beauty and nature home :)

Anissa

Valentine's Day January 14 2017, 0 Comments

It's amazing to think we're exactly a month away from that special day hallmarking Love. Valentine's Day has always been a favorite holiday of mine even before I became a floral designer.

My mom always make it extremely special with homemade heart shaped biscuits and tart cherry jam from our little cherry tree in the backyard. Sweethearts were passed out to little classmates and if we looked hard enough, darling little violets would be poking there heads out and mom would help us make nosegays in tin foil and paper lace doilies to give to our teachers (lucky teachers!)

One might argue that Love shouldn't just be celebrated one day and I agree, but the nostalgia and sweetness behind the holiday is what continues to inspire me to create little gifts and flowers wrapped in love. Sweet nothings that whisper the sender's love.

Autumn UP Wedding + Event Studio Internship July 07 2016, 0 Comments

At Urban Poppy we are always on the lookout for energetic and fun individuals with a great eye for design. Interns play a vital role. . .

The Change of Seasons May 19 2016, 0 Comments

It seems that most of my blog posts and letters these days start with an exclamation of sorts of my marveling where the time has gone. Seasons come and they go . . .

Urban Poppy February Floral Workshop February 15 2016, 0 Comments

The weather weaves back and forth from warm to chilly and blustery this month but the groundhog is promising an early spring. As brisk as it is, the camellias . . .

Because It's January... January 28 2016, 0 Comments

Because it's January, my mind is wandering to gardening and digging and planting sweet little seeds full of surprises. Maybe because it was a teasing . . .

Thanksgiving Travels November 22 2015, 0 Comments

My husband, baby, dog and I just returned from a chilly, autumnal walk and it finally feels like the holidays are being ushered in. The packing, cleaning and closing up our home for the cross country trek is upon us and we're so excited and grateful to have family and home.

A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Pray for those who are traveling but have no home. Pray for those who feel they have little to be thankful to be for. Kindly remind yourself and others of all of our many blessings and to give thanks on a daily basis.

Happy Holidays and peace to you all!

Sophisticated Southern Wedding: Style Me Pretty July 31 2015, 0 Comments

A big congratulations to Taylor + James on their wedding and their beautiful feature on today's Style Me Pretty

We were so excited to be a part of their gorgeous day! And many thanks to all the vendors below:

Summer Breezes and Shells Underfoot May 29 2015, 0 Comments

This has been the balmiest May in Savannah I can remember. Breezes continue to linger through our backyards and tickle the back of my neck. The sky hurt my eyes because it seemed extra blue today. You should see the pants I have on; blue batik that look just like the shells above had been crushed. Such blues! Memorial Day I hung out at the shop redecorating with our beautiful indigo -china blue dishes, rugs, pillows and other home decor. What a fresh start to one our family's favorite season. Over the next week I'll be photographing our wares and we'll place them in our Summer Blues section. We'd love to see you all at the shop, especially if you're on your way to the beach. We just might follow you out there. (Cover photos of blue china and shells courtesy of Elle Decor and One Kings Lane via Pinterest)

Spring Baby April 09 2015, 0 Comments

It's why I like the dirt, why I rubber-neck when I drive past a highway median covered in wild flowers, why pollen covered, furry bees humming away all make me happy. I'm an April baby and as carpe diem as they come. Sure, there was the occasional late season snow storm on my birthday in good ol' NYC, but down here in Savannah, I'm already feeling behind on my raised beds.

But no fear, I made six little succulent boxes this morning, plopped down on the concrete in front of the shop, planting away. When I left later that afternoon, Taryn and I realized we'd sold five of them! Poor me! I guess I have to play in the dirt some more tomorrow ;)

Happy Spring and happy gardening!

Anissa

Is Spring on its Way? February 28 2015, 0 Comments

The groundhog did not lie this year and although we haven't seen much snow in Savannah, we've had our fair share of dreary, wet, cold + dark days. It made me happy to put little pots of sunshine outside of the shop in the form of daffodils. Their happy faces defy the steely sky.

But this native New Yorker still is a wimp and catalogs with sunny blue skies and waving palm trees showcasing summer bikinis and warm sand seem far, far away.

So, we're bringing spring inside with beautiful big ficus trees and the ever hip fiddle leaf fig. The succulents and terrarium plants are keeping cozy inside and we're building out our den (so to speak) with some fun, fresh and beautiful new products. When the sun finally does come out, you'll want to stop by the shop and "get your spring on". (photo courtesy of http://bloesem.blogs.com)

Christmas Cookies December 15 2014, 0 Comments

Nonnie's southern sugar molasses cookies... step away from the Christmas cookie tin!! ... sigh.. it never fails, I bake, and I eat more than I give away. My mother had the same problem. She confessed to baking batches of these as a teenager and hiding them under her bed away from her sister.

Both my mother and her's before me, would mail batches of these "crack-cookies" perfectly round, in recycled Pringles cans to our college dorms. Oh, how we wanted to be generous with our new found freshman friends! But the chewy, melt in your mouth sugar and spice were not parted with that easily.

And yes, I have just returned from a Christmas party where several sweet older southern gentlemen friends of mine lingered around the tin, eating one after another, reminiscing how it tasted just like home. And I was happy and I resisted snagging the tin and bringing it greedily back with me. Besides, I still have over a dozen sitting snugly on my stove.. make that less that eleven.

Getting Excited For Fall October 24 2014, 0 Comments

So here in Savannah it finally feels like fall. Chilly nights and nippy toes and noses and animals curling in a bit tighter with us on the bed; yup, it's officially autumn.

It's rare we do not have a wedding on Saturday and I've been itching to work on our website and play with tremendous flowers, weeds, dried branches off the railroad track and any other odd organic piece I might forage. (I am certain I am part squirrel).

Stay tuned and have a gander at what's new for the fall. We're "cooking up a storm" in our flower kitchen and can't wait for you to see what we're up to. Time for my cozy bed.. I'm the last one up. Good night!

A Sunday Morning September 14 2014, 0 Comments

I had to check the clock first as soon as I typed the title to see if it was indeed still morning. It is.. for another thirty minutes. Russ just went to return his way-too big Tonka toy of a truck that was a loaner since his is in the shop, but man, it could haul three weddings worth of rentals I'm pretty certain.

Thinking about this odd-in-between weather here in Savannah where Summer and Fall are arm wrestling and neither one seems to have the upper hand.

We're ready for a mountain trip, crisp apples and funky colored gourds and crunchy leaves.. We need a little trip.

The photo above was from an autumnal, colorful photoshoot we did with Mackensey Alexander and Ivory + Beau last year.. It captures the mood I'm in this cloudy, restful Sunday.

Summer Friday Happy Hours: 4pm-6pm July 23 2014, 0 Comments

At last.... July 23 2014, 0 Comments

Although we still have a lot of work to do, we're thrilled to finally have our online shop be live! We've been busy in the shop too with a wonderful, full spring wedding season making way for new products and flora to our botanical boutique's growing collection.

If you're in Savannah, we'd love for you to come by and say hello and "adopt" an airplant or succulent, or two. Our workshops are soon to be announced and we think you'll love them :)

How Exciting! December 06 2013, 0 Comments

We are so thrilled to introduce Urban Poppy, the store!

These past four years have been quite an adventure in the world of weddings. We find that the demand for excellent design lasts in weddings and beyond. With our backgrounds in interior design, graphic design and fibers, our love and passion for all things beautiful + living, a botanical boutique proved to be the perfect next step.

If you're in Savannah, please stop by and say hello. Otherwise, it is our hope that you'll get to see a little into our world through browsing and shopping our online store and following our little journal.

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