I've written and deleted this post about 5 times. I was attempting to write a year end review post about everything I learned in 2014 but ended up boring myself half to death droning on about how crucial it is to invest in quality linens, which would probably have bored you to death, so let's just say it's highly important and leave it there.

Other than linens (and quality candles - I even won't start) I kept coming back to the idea of connection and how integral it is to learning itself. But then my inner loner was like - don't think about that or you'll end up having to leave the house and go talk to people! That made me think of my old dog Kobi. They say you can learn a lot about a person from observing their dog. Kobi functioned very independently. He was sweet but not affectionate. He was a genius escape artist obsessed with boundaries. If there was a way out, he would find it and run. I got Kobi before I got married. When I got married I had to stop running away.

This was a real game changer my inner loner.

About a year and a half later Kobi died. The house was so quiet. And I felt so lonely. Almost immediately we adopted Bella. Bella is a pack animal through and through. Highly social, affectionate and aware of her surroundings. Engaged. Connected. My inner loner was horrified. But I noticed that voice had become harder and harder to hear. I'd finally joined a pack and it was changing me. Before I knew it I was boldly leaving the house and making new friends. Next thing I knew I was leaving the state and investing in relationships with other florists. Studying under them, working for them. Learning from them. That's when I really started to learn about flowers.

So I guess that's what I've learned this year. The value of connection. The strength of the pack. I'm not sure how I went from aloof siberian husky to clingy australian shepherd in a year's time, I just know I'm grateful for the transformation.

Speaking of flowers and dogs, I had the opportunity to work with flower magazine and Hand in Paw on a shoot that is featured in this month's issue of flower which is on newsstands now. Here is a link to a preview on their website: https://www.flowermag.com/article/best-in-flower-show/

Happy new year, friends.

Photos: Holly Carlisle

Event Planning and Coordination: Mariée Ami