Rustic Boho Layer Cake with Fresh Flowers

If you know me personally, you're well aware I'm like an little old lady who loves tending to her summer flowers. Unfortunately living in my loft, I'm unable to have flower beds anymore but I'm still finding ways to incorporate pretty greenery and lovely live flowers into my life.

This was my first experience designing a cake with real, fresh flowers. It was great & it was nerve-racking...but I highly recommend doing it. 

The layer cake is white cake with vanilla buttercream. I frosted only in-between layers and the top of the cake. Keeping the sides unfrosted provides the rustic boho look. It gives off an unperfect vibe, which I love. Decorating with buttercream (instead of fondant) and embracing it's messier quality, is my absolute favorite.

DESIGN TIPS

Pick a variety of flowers

I chose some vibrant peachy orange/pink roses as a main focal. As supporting cast, I wanted greenery. I used killer lime green mums and leafy eucalyptus stems. All 3 plants have a very different look which gives variety to your creation. The varying visual texture makes it more interesting to look at.

Layer and Pile it On!

Don't be shy here. Why not heap on the flowers? Go for it and make a statement. I started with a blanket of rose petals and then placed a group of flowers on top as discussed below.

Create a Focal Point

I grouped a large rose, some sprigs of eucalyptus and a few mums on the top of the cake. This arrangement grabs your attention and creates visual interest. In one spot lower on the plate, I also gathered a few blooms to make it look like a cascading effect. 

Dealing with the natural & fresh aspect was challenging. The eucalyptus and mums are quite resilient while the Roses are quite delicate and will wilt a little more quickly. I had a couple of back up roses for a quick replacement after I arrived to my destination. It's good to keep all the flowers in water and then place them on the cake at the absolute last minute.

All in all, it was a fun experience. I just had to go with the flow and learn as I went along. The flowers were gorgeous and made for a lovely presentation. I can't wait to give it another try and experiment with different flowers.

You Are In Control Of Your Time

A week or so ago, I was going outside to relax and enjoy the sun. Someone very special to me stressfully said they wished they had time to do such things and they needed more hours in the day. I was so saddened by that statement but understood it completely. I used to let phrases like that spill out of my mouth as well...I used to believe it as truth. But luckily the truth is, each person controls how they spend their time and what they value. Some people really believe that needing more time is just a fact of life...but don't buy into that lie! Prioritizing your time is key.

Simplify Your Life 

I broke free after having a string of meaningless jobs which consumed my days. At the time, I thought these jobs were just life & that's what others around me told me. (wrong) I thought I had to keep showing up each day because "that's just what you do" (wrong) and especially because it was paying for the lifestyle I had created.

I knew there was more to living. The lifestyle I was aiming for started shifting. Wanting things became unnecessary when all I wanted was to take charge of my life and how I got to use my time.  So then I started to prioritize my time and live simpler. The less things you want, the less time you spend stressed out wanting. Note, the key is wanting less and realizing what is / isn't needed in life. If your focus is the pursuit of things, it will be a never ending chase and that has no value nor does it lead to personal growth.

Design A Life You Love

After making some major changes in life, I now spend my time doing what I love... creating...and I do so on my own schedule and my own terms. I work on various projects from my jewelry/accessory line to graphic design work. I can pick clients I align with. I'm happy to work with them and they are excited to work with me. It's a beautiful thing. I'm in control of my creative work, it's up to me to make it fulfilling. Even better I'm seeking a simpler life all together. I moved to a simpler and smaller space. I got rid of so much that I owned and now I'm surrounded by less clutter. That kind of beauty and freedom is far greater than anything.

There becomes a time when you're deep in meaningless routine, whether you're stressed or just lacking personal growth, you need to ask yourself: what do I spend the majority of my time doing? Does it align with my values? Is it necessary? What do I enjoy most? Dig deep and then take action.
Regardless of where you're at, you can simplify your life & create a life you love.

I'm enjoying working with these neutrals, neons and pastels. These colors make my heart flutter just a smidge. I've been making a bunch of these pom pom pins as wedding accessories for a rad NY couple. I truly hope they enjoy these little pops of colorful fun as much as I do.
For these pins, I've combined several elements; poms, beads, and fringe. Also, each one is totally unique. My favorite way to style one of these pins is to rock it on a handbag. Perfect little (yet bold) accessory!

What an inspiration! Nathalie Lete is an artist from Paris, she mixes and plays with all sorts of mediums, from illustration and ceramics to textile and paintings. Her work might be very familiar to you...She has designed lines for Anthropologie, including the 2 pillows pictured. I think my favorite part of her work are the textiles. I love the experimentation with texture and extreme use of color. Check out her work on her site, www.nathalie-lete.com

Wood plant stand, good quality, $10...SOLD! I snatched it up and skipped home. My plan was already in mind. Metallic gold. I'm always wanting to add metallic pieces to my house. Built in 1921, it's full of character and dark wood. I've added bold colors throughout with the perfect amount of neutrals to balance it all...and anything metallic gives it that extra glam factor.
(Paint: Krylon Metallic Gold Spray Paint)

The 2013 NOTO fashion show was so much fun. I had several of my jewelry designs in the show...I loved getting to see them "in action" on the runway. I am a firm believer in detail...the details always make the design complete. This is true when I'm designing a jewelry piece and also when I'm putting together an outfit. My current collection plays with a mix of materials...there's anything from leather, parachute cord, acrylic chain to clay. I love a good challenge and experimenting with all these different materials. This collection is currently for sale downtown Akron in NOTO. Be sure to check it out!

I've been hard at work lately coming up with some new styles for my line, AC | Design.

I love designing...getting to experiment with color and texture, it's truly my passion. Above, is my wildly colorful pom necklace which features removable pom pom keychains. The scarf is an upcycled t-shirt with crocheted stands added in for texture. The bottom pic features new spring pieces, which will be out in local shops and in the online shop SOON! Get it all at www.acdesignshop.com

Craziness!...It's been awhile since I've posted! So what have I been up to? One design project I've been working on is the identity for a new Yoga Studio in Strongsville, OH, Yoga Central. It's been a blast designing for the studio. Here is a sneak peak of the initial designs. 

Ahhhh! The (original) Letter People! I grew up with these guys in the late 80's. I have mad love for these 1968 illustrations. The photo is of my vintage Miss A poster print that I've had since kindergarten. I gotta frame this thing. The collection of the original Letter People illustrations are just crazy cool designs. They use vibrant colors and play with shapes, lines and patterns. I can't wait to incorporate this look into a future project!

I have a beautiful attic space that I have yet to transform the 3 years I've had my house. It's no doubt my fav part of the house. The only things that's been holding me back are the extreme temps up there but that's another story. I'm starting to plan and take the plunge of utilizing this amazing space! Below are some inspiring images and little notes I've added for my initial ideas...

original image found here

original image found here

Above are elements I already have that I need to plan into functional and organized areas. The goal is to have a workspace, photography space, conference/lounge space and storage space...we'll see how this works out. I must get organized!

original image found here

I have a similar little cubby place with windows....love the workspace central to that.

Looking forward to putting ideas into action!

Pattern and design LOVE! Inky Co offers on trend designer paper goods (stationery and gift wrapping). Not only do they have a well designed product offering, their simple packing and website really makes this company stand out. I'm looking forward to seeing what new collections they come out with next.

illustration of the bf and I

DESIGN CRUSH: Izziyana Suhaimi Embroidered Art

Illustrated embroidered art by Izziyana Suhaimi. Love the bright pops of color with textural detail

my handmade jewelry line, AC | Design, at Crafty Mart downtown Akron, OH

Bright and colorful home accessory design from Jonathan Adler

Honey Bee’s Soap…handmade by my friends Leigh and Paul Hughes. Beautiful soap, packaging and photography! Check out their shop.