Meet Miss Indiana USA

Our newest local celebrity is Mekayla Diehl of Bristol, IN who is also our 2014 Miss Indiana USA! Flourish Boutique is Mekayla's exclusive clothing sponsor, and we are so excited that she will be representing Flourish well in Baton Rouge on June 8th! We recently had the fun opportunity to take Mekayla off location and do a photoshoot consisting of all things Flourish! 

Mekayla is a self-proclaimed tomboy at heart. Owning a dirt bike, snowmobile, and horse before she ever owned a car. She even mentioned during her photoshoot how much she hated wearing shoes, and that if she could get away with it, would just go barefoot everywhere she went. You'd never know with how stunningly she wears those high heels!

Here Comes The Bride Dress
Flourish Boutique has had the opportunity to work with Mekayla since her crowning at the beginning of November, putting her in stylish clothing to wear all around the Michiana area. We are SO excited that she is now taking Flourish with her to Louisiana!

Flirt With Me Chevron Dress
Mekayla has made many appearances voicing her cause since the crowning of Miss Indiana USA. You may have seen her at the St. Margaret's House Fundraiser, visiting Bashor Children's Home, the Grand Opening at Flourish Boutique, and even heard her appearing on countless radio stations across Michiana! Mekayla's heart lies with bringing awareness to the issue of child abuse and what steps can be made to preventing such. Here is a clip from Mekayla:
"On November 3rd, I achieved my life-long dream of becoming Miss Indiana USA 2014. As a victim of Child Abuse, I have made it my life mission to be the voice of children who are being abused every day; as Miss Indiana USA, I have already made significant strides in prevention and awareness! My next step is taking Child Abuse Awareness to the national level as I compete for Miss USA!"

Your First Love Dress
We are so lucky to have Mekayla as part of the Flourish team and CANNOT WAIT to cheer her on for the crown of Miss USA on June 8th! To support learn more about Mekayla, visit her page here and also follow her facebook page!

Make sure to also follow our Flourish facebook page for updates on Mekayla and what she is wearing. If you are as in love with these outfits as she is, check out our website to get Mekayla's look before it is gone! 

Our Beautiful, Blushing Bride: Brianne!

Wedding bells are ringing at Flourish these days! Our Director of Growth and Development, Brianne will tie the knot in just over a week.  It's exciting to hear about all the special details and of course the wedding fashion.  Plus, many of us Flourish girls will be there to celebrate with her on her big day.  So, it was only fitting that we hold a special Flourish Boutique Bridal Shower in her honor.

This past Wednesday evening, almost all of our team gathered at my house to share dinner and laughter, while we spoiled Brianne with some essentials for married life.  We thought you would enjoy a little behind the scenes peek at our fun night! 

Vanessa's House Decorated for the Shower

The Flourish Girls Visiting and Playing a Game Before Dinner

Who: Brianne, Vanessa, Nicole, Becca, Hilary, Shana, Maria, Emily, Shelby, and Aundrea.  (Ann, Andrea, and Courtney could not make it).

Where: My House

What: Brianne's Bridal Shower

When:  7-10 Wednesday Night

What we ate: Fresh Fruit, Pasta, Mixed Greens with Grilled Chicken, Strawberry Cake & Champagne

Game: Each Flourish girl wrote down their first kiss & Brianne had to guess which girl belonged to each kiss!

What she got: Candles, towels, wine glasses, a friendship sign, coffee mug holder, serving bowl, & more!

Brianne Opening Gifts:  Notice our On Trend Pink Chevron Bag, hehe:)

Brianne Cutting Her Cake

Pink Champagne, of course, for the Flourish Girls!

All the Flourish Girls Present at the Shower:
Top Left to Right: Vanessa, Aundrea, Shelby, Nicole, Maria
Bottom Left to Right: Shana, Becca, Brianne, Hilary, Emily

We even had a special Bridal Shower Playlist:

Chapel of Love by the Dixie Cups

White Wedding by Billy Idol

Wedding Dress by Matt Nathanson

Wedding Day by Casting Crowns

Grow Old With Me by Adam Sandler

You and Me (Wedding Version) by Lifehouse

Marry me by Train

Love Story by Taylor Swift

Kiss the Bride by Elton John

Wedding Bell Blues by the Glee Cast

Most People Get Married by Patti Page

Let's Get Married by Jagged Edge

When We Get Married by the Intruders

Just Married by Marty Robbins

Happily Ever After by He is We

I Love You Always Forever by Donna Lewis

You're Still the One by Shania Twain

We Found Love by Rihanna

Love Song by Sara Bareilles

To Love Somebody by Michael Buble

We Are Man & Wife by Michelle Featherstone

The Cake was definitely a hit too.  It is my mom's recipe.  Below see a picture tutorial and the recipe too.  It was super moist and the frosting is light and to die for!  So if you're in the mood, make a pink, inspired Flourish Cake and tag us in the pix:)  Enjoy!

Flourish Strawberry Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Box Strawberry Cake Mix

1 Box Strawberry Jello Mix

Eggs

Water

Canola Oil

Powdered Sugar

Butter (stick, I used salted by Land of Lakes)

1 Jar of Strawberry Preserves

Fresh Strawberries

1 Tub of Coolwhip

Cake Instructions:

1.       Prepare a regular box strawberry cake and use the directions on back of box. 

2.       After cake has cooled, use a toothpick to pierce cake about every two inches.

3.       Prepare the box of jello, but do not cool.  After jello powder dissolves, pour a little bit of liquid jello into each of the holes in the cake (made from the toothpicks). Do not use all of jello, but rather just enough to pour a little down each hole. If you add to much jello, cake gets too wet.

4.       Put cake in refrigerator for jello to set.

Frosting Instructions:

1.       Use one full stick of softened butter, but not melted butter.  Whip butter until it is light and fluffy in a mixing bowl (about 5 minutes).

2.       Add one cup of powdered sugar to butter and mix on low.

3.       Add approximately ½ of regular size jar of strawberry preserves to frosting in bowl.

4.       Add about ½ small container of cool whip and continue to mix.

5.       Slowly add additional powdered sugar until you get your desired consistency and taste (yes little sneak tasting required:)). Frosting should be fluffy but firm enough to still forms peaks.

Frosting the Cake Instructions:

1.       On refrigerated cake, spread remaining strawberry preserves evenly over cake.

2.       Put a layer of fresh sliced strawberries over cake and preserves.

3.       Add all of frosting on top of the preserves and strawberry layer and frost cake.

4.     Keep cake cool until serving (fridge) otherwise jello will melt.  We served with more fresh strawberries too.

Enjoy!

Bridesmaid Trends for 2013

Wedding season is just around the corner which means brides-to-be are in search for the perfect dresses for their leading ladies. Bridesmaids should be cheering about some of this years trends and the fact that they can actually be worn again!

1. Lace-- even though lace is not a new concept for weddings and gowns, it is typically not seen on bridesmaids dresses. But that is changing this year. Lace is showing up in a beautiful way, plus these colors are fabulous!

"Happily Ever After Dress"

"Paper & Lace Dress"

2. Illusion necklines and sheer-- Adding sheer to a gown brings out an additional element of elegance. The illusion neckline, similar to the "Pretty in Pearls Dress" below has been popular for bridal gowns, but is now makings its move to bridesmaids wear. Sheer sleeves and overlays are also flattering on most figures. And don't worry about being taboo by wearing ivory or black...that too is changing and becoming a trend.



"Pretty in Pearls Dress"

"Say It With Chiffon Dress"

3. One shoulder-- Contrary to the strapless, dresses with one strap add extra confidence on the dance floor, so your maids will stay out there all night. Yet again, this is not a new style to the bridal industry, but it will be one that you see more often going down the aisle. The asymmetrical design is a great feature for ladies of all sizes, while providing extra support.

"New York, New York Dress"

"Sweet As Sunshine Dress"

4. Fancy details-- Sparkles and embellishments are going to make a bigger presence this season. Don't be surprised if you see more elegant dresses, both long and short. For a a more romantic feel for your bridesmaids, these dresses are a gorgeous option. And who wouldn't want to wear these dresses again!




"Sleeping Beauty Dress"

"Dance with Me Dress"