We have come across photos of the 2012 movie remake of “The Great Gatsby” leaked out onto the internet and we are excited for this epic motion picture to be released by Christmas 2012. The revival of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel seems timely since the theme of class ties in with our recent “Occupy Wall Street” moment. It may even be worth it to pull out a copy from your bookshelf and reread the classic before seeing the movie.

They say movies never compare to books. That may be so but books do not give you visuals of elaborate costumes and set design. We look forward to seeing the characters in debonair suits and 1920’s sparkly glamour. Also, from the first peeks, the garden party set already looks fabulous, and since the movie offers it, we can ogle it all in 3D.

For more information, see a January 16th NY Times article discussing the 3D feature, and for more cast photos on their set in Australia, see here.

(Photos from NY Times and the Internet)

Trying to get away from another sticky NY summer? Take a night stroll at The Highline first.

The Highline, beginning from the entrance at Gansevoort St and now newly expanded up to W. 30th St. on the west Side of Manhattan, remains an inspiration for us. The new features such as a water park, new amphitheater seating, and an elevated ramp in Section 2 may be quite a treat already, but don’t miss The Highline past sundown, when all the lights come on throughout the elevated garden.  Below,  please view our photos from our visit. For more information, go to: http://www.thehighline.org



Indulge the botanical geek in you by visiting Harvard Museum’s exhibit, “The Glass Flowers”. The collection is blessed with over 4000 accurate glass models of plants by Rudolph and Leopold Blaschka.

Here are the Harvard Museum’s FAQ’s on the Glass Flowers:

Are they really glass?
Yes, the models are made entirely of glass often reinforced internally with a wire support.

Who made the Glass Flowers?
The models were created by father and son Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka, nineteenth century glass artisans who perfected their family craft. Their lineage of jewelers and glassmakers trace as far back as the fifteenth century.

How were the models made?
The parts were shaped after the glass was softened by heat. Some models were blown. Colored glass was used for many, others were “cold painted” with a thin wash of colored ground glass or metal oxide(s) and heated until the material fused to the model.

When were they made?
The models were made from 1887 through 1936.

Where were the Glass Flowers made?
The Blaschkas’ studio was located in Hosterwitz, near Dresden, Germany.

Why were the models made?
Professor George Lincoln Goodale, founder of the Botanical Museum, wanted life-like representatives of the plant kingdom for teaching botany. At the time only crude papier-maché or wax models were available.

The life-size models include 847 species, with remarkably accurate anatomical sections and enlarged flower parts. Since the Glass Flowers are always in bloom, tropical and temperate species may be studied year-round.

Mrs. Elizabeth C. Ware and her daughter Mary Lee Ware financed the collection and presented it to Harvard University as a memorial to Dr. Charles Eliot Ware, Class of 1834.

During the Spring 2011 fashion shows last year, we saw that the fashion runways were all decked out with flowers and plants. This Spring, plenty of the fashion ad campaigns feature flower power as a common theme. Check out the beautiful ads by Herve Leger, Fendi, and Mulberry.

We just got back from our buying trip in Asia and boy are we glad to settle down at home now. Even though that means we come back to the dead of winter in New York. When snow-bound at home, what else can you do but grab some hot cocoa and curl up with the magazines and books?

To my delight, Gwyneth Paltrow graces the cover of the January issue of Instyle Magazine. I’m sure the jury will be out on her new movie “Country Strong” but she sure makes a good fashion icon. While Mrs. Martin always looks svelte and fashionable, the Instyle article caught my attention because I adore the styling of this photo spread. I sure do want to live in this glamorous denim Country twang world. The photographs are by Michelangelo Di Battista and the scenes are styled by Laura Ferrara. Both people I feel the need to research/stalk from now on. I am inspired by the beautiful antique blues and tans in this spread.

(Photos from the Internet.)

Have you seen “The Good Wife” on CBS? We were introduced to this hit show by our customer Gerald Palumbo from Seasons. Gerald is their set floral designer and he’s been using CFD’s Silk flowers to make arrangements in the fictional law office of Lockhart and Gardner. We are fans of Gerald and his genius with color.

Aside from the beautiful set, this also happens to be a terrific show! What a treat to see our Silk flowers on TV, and to enjoy the great writing and characters.

Catch “The Good Wife” on CBS on Tuesdays at 10PM.

(Photos below are from episodes shown on Hulu.com)

Fall is usually a pretty busy time for us. It is the peak time for holiday orders as well as the time for us to put together products for next year. It is especially fortunate that we work right next to fresh flower and plant suppliers. Everyday, we walk past brilliant seasonal flora on our way to our store. One of our most recent projects is to capture this Bittersweet berry color below in artificial form.

Happy Summer!

Stop in to check out our new Summer color series of Hydrangeas!