MODERN DAY FLORAL » EMPLOYEE/DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT

Karen is engaged!

jenn — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:00:08 +0000

Another Modern Day Floral lovely lady is engaged! Can you believe it? Miss Karen is getting married June 20th. Karen’s style is retro-chic style with just a touch of girly glam.

Last winter Karen slipped in her driveway and broke her ankle. She walked around with a bright pink cast and for the longest time Frank refused to sign it. Then one day, out of the blue, he decided to sign the bottom of her foot. She wasn’t able to read what he wrote so she had him take a picture of his message. This is what it said….

“Will you marry me?”

The ceremony and reception will be held in the Brass Works Building. The rest of the details will be left in suspense but I’ll leave you with this image…beautiful, lush, magenta peony! Congratulation Karen and Frank. We are so excited for you two!

Employee Spotlight: Erin

erin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:20:00 +0000

Hello! I’m Erin, Jenn’s assistant

image courtesy of Harrison Studio

I have been with Modern Day Floral since May of 2008, though sometimes I feel like it has been years I’m fortunate enough to work with some of the most incredible and talented men and women in the industry along with the best clients anyone could ask for Thanks to everyone for helping me LOVE my job!!!

(yes – that is me in the background making sure the tiniest detail was 100% perfect…)

Image courtesy of Lizzie Photo

This past May, I graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design right here in downtown Grand Rapids with a BFA in Interior Design. Since there are SO many parallels between interior design and event/floral design, I find myself using my education on a daily basis. Once in awhile, I get to dabble in AutoCad or draw perspectives for presentations and clients!

Just some randomness about me…

- I am engaged (as of September) to my best friend, Joe We will be getting married next August and can’t wait to start our lives together!

- I am completely obsessed with Thursday night television It is such a great way to kick off Friday!

- If I could live off crab rangoon, chocolate chip bagels and popcorn I totally would

- My favorite vacation spot is Maui with Rome closely following…

image courtesy of Harrison Studio

So that is me in a nutshell

Thanks!!!!

Erin

Employee Spotlight: Lauren

jenn — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Hi, I’m Lauren! I’ve been working at Modern Day since…March? Boy time flies by fast! That’s probably because I have so much fun here. Everyday is something new for me, I do everything from writing publications to setting up events to selling flowers. There isn’t a part of this job that I don’t enjoy and that’s probably because everything that MDF does turns out absolutely stunning. Jenn, Erin and the designers amaze me every time!

Okay more about me, hmmm, well I’m originally from the U.P. and no I don’t have a Yooper accent (I hide it well). I moved to Grand Rapids to attend GVSU where I received a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and Public Relations. When I’m not at Modern Day working on weddings, I’m at home planning MY OWN WEDDING! Eeeee Check out our blog!

My wonderful fiance, Brent, and I rescued a fabulous little beagle, named Quincy, from the Humane Society. She is 20 lbs of pure energy! When I’m not working on our wedding plans or walking Quincy, I’m figure skating. I’ve been skating since I was 4 and I still coach beginning skaters and give private lessons at Kentwood Ice Arena.

images courtesy of Photography by Phrene

Designer Spotlight: Karen

jenn — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:25:00 +0000

It is about time to introduce another fabulous member of the Modern Day Floral design team!! Karen has been working with us for two years now and brings a calm, creative flavor to the table. I knew when I met Karen that she would bring great ideas and crafty tips… someone we definitely needed in our growth. Without further ado…

Hi. I’m Karen. I have been working with Modern Day Floral for two years now and have been designing flowers since high school. Since I don’t want to date myself, we’ll just leave it at that!! In the past several years, I’ve made more bouquets, corsages, gift baskets, ect than I could ever begin to describe. And I loved every second of it!

In my spare time I like to sew, bake, make salsa and beautify my house! Everyone teases me about being a “Martha Stewart.” Over the last few months, I’ve been going through the process of adopting a baby. Being a mom has been something I’ve wanted for a very long time and I’m hoping everything works out! It will be quite a full house though We have a dog, four cats, a step child, a nephew who lives with us part time, frogs and a snake (boys will be boys!). Can’t wait to have a new addition of our household!!

image courtesy of Jen Kroll Photography

My favorite part of floral design is making the bouquets. Mostly because they are one of the most important and remembered parts of a wedding… I always feel a level of joy and satisfaction when I get to pass off the bridal bouquet. I really love what we do! Not to mention to fabulous product we get to work with!

Lauren’s Birthday celebration

jenn — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:59:00 +0000

After hours and hours of designing (with lots more to go!), we took a break to celebrate Lauren’s birthday, coming up this Saturday. Since Lauren is working on her birthday (we love you!), we decided to celebrate a few days early… we all needed the chocolate cake sugar buzz too!

from left to right: Lauren, Rueben, Erin, Karen and Emily (I’m taking the picture on my iPhone)

We love our MDF family… however, we’re missing a few people in this picture!

Shout out to Charlie, Jonathan, Ernie, Laurel, Marilyn, Ryan, Kayla and Aaron!!!

Erin is Engaged!

jenn — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:59:00 +0000

Our Erin is engaged! Erin’s boyfriend, correction fiance, proposed to her on their 3 year anniversary this past weekend. Erin and Joe decided to take a must-needed vacation to the Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. Erin and Joe left Friday evening and drove like maniacs because Joe insisted they make it for the sunset. They raced into their room at the inn, took a quick look around and headed down to the beach. After the gorgeous Northern Michigan sunset, Joe started talking about their anniversary, the future…never having any doubts… and looking forward to other special dates for the two of them (Erin had a hard time remembering the exact words because “it was happening, it was really happening!”). Then all of a sudden he was on one knee with the most gorgeous ring!

They spent the rest of the weekend, just the two of them, kayaking, hiking and celebrating their engagement. Congratulation Erin! You are wonderfully talented and a joy to work with. We are all looking forward to the wedding details!

Happy Birthday Karen!

jenn — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Karen, one of our lovely designers is celebrating her birthday! Barb of Sweet Cakes Design whipped up some yummy little lemon squares to help us celebrate!

Lauren is engaged!!!

jenn — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Lauren, our fabulous PR gal over here at Modern Day Floral, got engaged last week to her boyfriend, Brent, of two and a half years! Last week she was on a mini vacation to her hometown in Houghton, MI when he popped the question.

Here is the story… it was their turn to make dinner, but Brent and his brother bailed to “go four wheeling”. As Lauren was wrapping up dinner, they roared in after their little trip After innocent glares during dinner, Brent convinced lovely Lauren to go for a walk. He spotted some tiki torches down the beach and insisted they go find out what was going on. After trying to convince him to “let it go”, they made their way to “crash the party.” Upon their arrival… Lauren was trying to figure out what was in the sand. After reading the message in rocks about a dozen times, she started to tear up from being so happy! Brents comment as he held out the ring was, “Will you, will you, will you?!” After she could finally catch her breath to say yes, he asked her if she could handle being a Hanson Let the adventures begin!!!

This custom ring was specially designed here in Grand Rapids at Siegels Jewelers.

Congratulations Lauren!!! We’re so excited and happy for the two of you… and I’m sure the girls have already started brainstorm how we’re going to make your wedding as fabulous as you are!!

Designer Spotlight: Emily

jenn — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:44:00 +0000

I am privileged and excited to introduce myself as a member of the Modern Day Floral team. I knew I wanted to be a part of this venture when it was in its infancy. When I came across the enchanting window display Jennifer had put together, I realized something fresh had come to Grand Rapids. I was struck by her creative gift. Thus, my beginning at Modern Day Floral!

Along with floral design, one of the great joys of my life has been traveling. It has been a delight to experience flowers from all over the world. This includes the humble cactus flower to the most exotic blooms in the outback of Australia! By the way, if you ever have the opportunity to travel to Australia (maybe with an unplanned stop in Fiji!), be sure to check out EVERYTHING! It’s great to experience the hospitality of the locals! I love being such a free spirit!!

Knowing I enjoyed being creative, I pursued educating myself in floral design. I attended Phil Rulloda’s School of Floral Design in Anaheim, California to make sure I was learning from the best! Jenn encourages the staff to continue their education and always remain fresh. I am confident that my knowledge and love of flowers will better serve you at Modern Day Floral!

above image courtesy of Dusty Brown

Why we LOVE what we do!

jenn — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:18:00 +0000

They say a picture says a thousand words and in this case I think it says everything! So often as designers, we don’t get the opportunity to see the faces of the ones we touch. When Karen finished this bouquet, I knew it was only fitting that she be the one to present this unbelievable beauty to our bride Nina. Of course, Erin, my assistant, and I were there to capture the moment..are you kidding me we wouldn’t have missed it!!!!!

Nina stared at the bouquet for a good minute before asking if Karen would help her with holding the bouquet – which was too cute!

After our initial consultation and seeing pictures of Nina’s dress it was obvious that no standard bouquet would do! The waterfall bouquet was designed to work perfectly with the ornate details of her dress. It is very important when selecting a bridal bouquet that it compliments the prettiest part of the dress. Also adding embellishments like pearls, crystals and other non-floral elements can really accentuate the dress bringing the entire look together.

This dramatic bouquet was a combination of Black Magic and Charlotte roses along with James Story orchids, red hanging Amaranthus, Italian Ruskus and finished with stunning crystals and an amazing brooch. The bouquet was designed in large bouquet holder. The unused cut rose stems were used to wrap around the plastic handle giving the bouquet that European Hand-tied look. This technique also makes the bouquet easier to carry because lord knows this beauty weighed a cool ton! :) I’m sure the maid of honor is still cursing us!