Today, I encourage you to go beyond your comfort zone.

Have you ever felt like you weren't ready for something, so you didn't do it? Or wanted to try something new, but opted out because you didn't want to mess up? 

I recently spent a month exploring Maui and there were several times I found myself feeling unsure and afraid. A 10-mile warrior hike - am I even capable? What if I sprain my ankle? What if we get driven off private property?  First time snorkeling (in the ocean I might add) - what if I embarrass myself? What if I panic? Maybe I won't be able to breathe properly. What if I get attacked by a shark? 

Our minds can seriously go THERE, to all the dark places and through all the ‘what if's’…that usually never happen btw.  So why do we allow our minds to crush our dreams? How often has fear stopped you from saying yes? 

A wise person once said, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

This became my mantra during the trip. And I have to tell you, completing that hike was EXHILARATING. Snorkeling in the ocean was BREATHTAKING…in the best way possible! Beyond my comfort zone and out of my element, I experienced nature in new ways and got lost in those moments.  I felt the reward of growth on the other side, along with genuine joy, pride, and confidence from moving forward, despite being afraid. Saying yes was BEYOND WORTH IT!

There is something about familiarity that brings humans peace. We like our creature comforts. Yet, as in nature, there are seasons and cycles to be enjoyed and variety that we get to experience in each new day. 

So today, I invite you to try something different. Take a different route to work, pick up a hobby, do something you've always wanted to but haven't, try a food that you've never tasted, walk through fear. Just dip your toe in…even if only for this moment, for this day. Say yes, and see where it leads you.

Take a deep breath and trust that you've GOT THIS!  🖤

Peonies - A tour of Styer's Flower Farm

During a recent visit home to the east coast, I was lucky enough to attend Styer’s Peony Festival. What a delightful treat right in Chadds Ford, PA! 😍

This is the 3rd year they've opened their flower farm for tours. I strolled endless rows of my favorite flower in all of her glorious colors. The shades, the smells, the number of photos I took… each blossom was prettier and more interesting than the next! The flower farm has 25 acres of more than 55,000 peonies in bloom! It was pure peony heaven 🌸

Not only is the peony flower glorious, simply witnessing her lifecycle from a tight bud to a stunning lush bloom full of petals and personality is awe-inspiring. One of the things I love most about the peony is her short window of availability, which makes this coveted flower even more special.

I even got an insiders peek into the family farm, which was magical. The barn that they use as an event venue and the beautifully overgrown and dilapidated greenhouse was my favorite. This instagram post explains why it was a dream setting for me.🌿

The Styer’s Peony Festival happens in May and I hope you find an opportunity to visit next season! In the meantime, treat yourself to some of their flowers online. For now, also enjoy some of the highlights I captured from this perfect flower-filled day! ✨

Spring Tribute

With open arms, Spring, we welcome you.
The hibernating of winter is behind us, it is now time to awaken, to be reborn.

It is a new season, with fresh blossoms.
Ideas are bountiful, and there is expansive space for growth.

With an invigorating energy in the air, we become excited for Spring’s gifts.
There is hope and anticipation for the possibilities to come.

All of nature has been lying dormant. We are rested.
We are rejuvenated, and we are ready to take on a renewed energy that comes with the changing season.

Birds chirping, bright colors appearing, blooms expanding.
The time has arrived for nature to become more alive — and that includes us!

Spring is here. How will YOU blossom?

A Guide To Fresh Florals (2 of 3)

We’ve all been there, wanting our beautiful flowers to last as long as possible. This blog, brought to you exclusively by Huntress Florals, will bring you both simple and practical tips to help you keep your blooms looking fresh and lasting the longest amount of time.

This is part two in a three-part blog series. Click HERE for part one!

First things first, once you arrive home with your flowers, prepare your clean vase with room-temperature water.

When buying from HUNTRESS, you won’t need flower food, as we only use the highest quality product that has been professionally processed in our studio.

However, if you buy from the grocery store — feel free to drop that flower food in. Follow packet instructions for the appropriate amount.

Next up, unwrap the florals, discard any rubber bands and clear plastic wrapping. We repurpose or recycle all of these materials, and encourage you to recycle as well :)

Avoid bacteria by removing any leaves that may fall under the water level in your vessel.

Give your stems a fresh cut — about 1-inch off the bottom at an angle, allowing them to drink more water. We all get thirsty after long travels!

Next, arrange your flowers intuitively — we like different heights to add dimension. Maybe cluster similar flowers as they tend to grow in nature.

Play around and don’t overthink it!

The flowers will tell you what to do. Create something YOU find pretty! Happy SLAYing! 💐

Stay tuned for part three of this blog series.

A Guide To Fresh Florals (1 of 3)

Here at Huntress Florals, a question we frequently get asked, is how to keep your flowers fresh and long lasting. Well — you’ve asked, and we’ve delivered!

We present to you, a guide to fresh florals, a series all about how to help your florals last a good long while.
This is part one in a three-part blog series.

While at the market, when selecting florals, look for stems and buds that aren’t damaged, moldy or wilting.

Also, tighter blooms mean they're fresher and have more time to fully open.

Be mindful not to hold a bunch of flowers over others. If you see rose petals that have brown spots, it’s usually from water dripping onto them!

Choose blooms in various shapes, sizes, and textures to enhance your design. Select a color palette that blends well together, while keeping in mind your seasonal theme and the area you plan to display them.

And MOST important, follow your heart! Pick the buds that make you smile. Flowers are already beautiful on their own. You really can't go wrong or mess this up!

Stay tuned for parts two and three of this blog series.

Five Year Reflections | Happy Anniversary, Huntress!

In case you missed it, Huntress Florals celebrated its FIVE YEAR anniversary this past weekend, on December 11, 2020.

WOW! How has it ALREADY been five years?? And yet, it’s ONLY been five years?!

I’ve been working in the events industry for about 20 years now, and have had an open floral business for seven of those. There have been many highs and lows throughout the journey, but one thing remains the same — Huntress is all about you and me, us.

Huntress would be nothing without ME and my heart behind it. It was my decision to follow a dream, to reconnect with my true self, that has made Huntress what it is today. I’m thankful for so many amazing people who have walked beside me along the way.

And, Huntress would be nothing without YOU. Your constant support, encouragement, and love for what I do keeps me inspired and moving forward, especially during challenging times.

I am so very grateful…
Grateful to be a part of your story.
Grateful that you are a part of mine, part of OURS — the story of Huntress.

Looking back, I see how much I have opened my heart, found courage, and fought for myself — my true, authentic self and a life with meaning. And here I am. Here WE are.

As I reflect on Huntress over the years, here are just SOME of the fond memories that come to mind —

• The start of it all, with a friend and business partner that I connected with in floral design school. The business began so effortlessly and came together naturally in those early days.

• Learning the trade from a long list of incredible teachers and mentors over the years. They really helped shape and then expand my knowledge of floral design, business, and the industry as a whole.

• I am thankful for the friendships that have been built through various Huntress partners… buyers, wholesale vendors, other florists, event planners, DMC partners, photographers, makeup artists, networking groups, industry colleagues, and so many more! Florals have been the common thread between me and so many other amazing creatives, and I am thankful to flowers for connecting us in wonderful ways.

• The honor of working with amazing wedding clients. Being part of their love story on their wedding day, and then slaying for them as time moves forward too, is incredible. Watching both their love and families grow over the years is a unique experience that I cherish!

• The amazing retail customers that have become true friends over the years. The loyalty of our clients-turned-friends is humbling and encouraging, especially as Huntress continues. And, the way that these friends refer their own friends and families to me, has expanded my network in the most heartfelt ways.

• My corporate clients. Afterall, it’s my background and a joy to bring event visions to life year after year. I enjoy focusing on the creative aspect these days and the freedom we’re given to infuse our style and elevate their experience as one to remember.

• Acknowledging that I’ve been able to continually innovate and make forward progress with Huntress. Over the years, we’ve evolved, shifted, and grown, providing more expanded offerings (like Flower Therapy), giving back through flowers (#cgfloralfinds and Hospice of the South Coast), making connections (@strangerswithflowers), aligning in our purpose more fully, and so much more.

Flowers are a tremendous gift! …and they’re such natural and insightful teachers, too.
Everyday flowers remind me of beauty, grace, strength, resilience, and life. These are our guiding principles and those I come back to when I need to be reminded of my being and the heart of Huntress.

Over the years, I have tried, and stumbled, and tried again. I’ve learned that it’s all about resilience and strength, coupled with beauty and grace, to make up this messy and awe-inspiring thing I get to call life.

To celebrate this life and the five years of Huntress with us, we’re offering an Anniversary arrangement! This unique arrangement will be available to you in one of our square wooden vases, as the traditional five year anniversary gift is wood!

For the remainder of December and throughout January, help us celebrate all that Huntress is, by requesting our anniversary arrangement in a wooden vase, during our biweekly offerings. Purchase on our website for $55 or email us to customize for more.

THANK YOU for being part of the Huntress story!
I’m honored that you are here.

~ Jen
Owner and Chief Creative, Huntress Florals

PS — enjoy a blast from the past! Have fun flipping through some Huntress photos that have been snapped over the past five years…