PRINCESSES & POSIES CONTEST

THE ‘WHY’ BEHIND THE CONTEST

It seems like the world has been so busy striving to return to “normalcy”, running and rushing about in all directions. How important in spite of the haste, to lift up our eyes and seek for beauty.⁠

⁠Sharing the belief that "It is truly useful since it is beautiful" (quote from the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry) and delighted by all the joy spread through the Tea Party contest, we, Charlotte sy Dimby and Shari Ford, dreamt of pursuing the celebration of all things beautiful.⁠

We imagined this new Princess and Posies creative challenge as a way to strengthen bonds with Charlotte sy Dimby families, to highlight the tenderness of the fast fleeting years of childhood and treasures of nature.⁠ Little girls had to pose in one of our designs in a flower garden or holding a flower.

The winner will be gifted a portrait painted by Shari from her submission!

Before revealing the winner, we would like to present our Princesses and their Posies. Gorgeous children from all over the world, from the United States to Australia and as far as Japan and Mexico!

THE PRINCESSES & THEIR POSIES

ALYSIA⁠ @sierrahayden

The story behind the photo : It was taken in front of a planter built by my husband and painted by me! While waiting for roses to grow, I pictured my favorite pink flower : Alysia holding a bouquet in front of it.

An inspiring floral account : @david_austin_roses, my all time favorites roses.

LOLA AND STELLA @ellalexis

The story behind the photo : The girls and I have a special place where we stop to take photos, on our walks to and from dance class. It is a beautiful stone walkway, with flowers & greenery that line it. It is picture worthy at every season.

If childhood was a flower : Fields of daisies because they symbolize innocence, purity and fun. 

An inspiring floral account : My friend Tiffany, who designs the most beautiful wreaths. I have been following her from the very beginning and watched her success blossom from Tiffany’s Wreath Co. to her newest collection, House of Lola. @tiffanyswreathco.

MARIA ELISA @perlalr

The story behind the photo : The photo was taken at my mother-in-law's house, which has its patio decorated in a very Mexican style with lots of good lighting. She is a very kind person and helped me to make María Elisa look straight at the camera! It was a nice family moment.

If childhood was a flower : It would be a daisy, simple and beautiful, fun, free, small and happy.

An inspiring account : @bornonfifth, I love her style and the beauty of each photo.

LEOLA @mrshaleyprice

The story behind the photo : I shot Leola’s garden photos for her 4th birthday. Her third year of life has been the most magical year yet with her little personality starting to bloom and all the magic and innocence of childhood on full display. My goal was to capture all of that in her 4th birthday photos. She requested “the prettiest, twirly pink dress” for her birthday and I immediately knew I wanted to get her the Netti. It is beautiful, intricate and delicate with just the right amount of flare and sass…just like our gorgeous Leola.

The photos were taken at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte botanical gardens which is a truly magical place and gives you the feeling of stepping into a fairytale every time you visit.

If childhood was a flower : It would be a magnolia blossom. Absolutely beautiful, larger than life, magical, pure white like the innocence of childhood and almost as soon as it blooms it’s gone, fleeting just like the childhood years.

An inspiring floral account : @windsongflowers : a momma of 3 little girls who lives in our town and has a true gift with growing flowers and sharing them with our community.

AUBREY - @sismyhre

The story behind the photo : Surrounded by flowers and wearing her beautiful dress, Aubrey had no trouble finding her inner princess! After her photo shoot, we took the lovely bouquet of roses to her great grandmother, who was delighted to be visited by royalty!

If childhood was a flower : It would be a Forget-Me-Not. Delicate and brilliantly colored, creating memories treasured in our hearts forever.

An inspiring floral account : @floretflower

ELLE ROSE JOLIE @ellerosejolie

The story behind the photo : The picture was taken in the street where we live. Elle loves the flowers, she always points at them when we are doing our walks. Inspired by the beautiful Charlotte sy Dimby dress she was wearing that day it seemed like the perfect moment to take a photo. We were trying to discover the colors of the flowers with Elle. She felt really special.

If childhood was a flower : All children are different kind of flowers and together they make this world a beautiful garden! 

An inspiring floral account : @venusetfleur. They create so many beautiful pieces. We have them at home too, the scent is amazing.

ANNA ALICIA @mariellevherk

The story behind the photo : Taking time for a fresh flowery smell, on our weekly stroll through the park!

If childhood was a flower : A blossom because children blossom in the warmth of their family’s love.

MAEVI @samantha_derrider

The story behind the photo : The moment she was playing the piano I will never forget. Music is very important in our family and the environment was so magical with the flowers. The photo was a lucky shot because she is too young to really pose!

If childhood was a flower : It would definitely be a peony bud! It blooms from a tiny bud to a spectacular and impressive bloom with so many layers. Peonies deserve the greatest love, care and attention to mature. Just like children!

Elena @elena_in_jp

 

The story behind the photo : At the foot of Mt.Fuji, we found the lovely rose garden!

ELIZA @rocky_topp

The story behind the photo : Eliza's photographs were taken in a neighborhood in Madison, MS in the USA. It was a special photo shoot as she just turned two, so we did a “Tea for Two” theme with this beautiful dress that I had saved for the special occasion!

If childhood was a flower : A peony would describe childhood because it is so rare and beautiful and has a short blooming season!

An inspiring account : Your Charlotte sy Dimby account brings me joy because I love dressing my little girl up in beautiful dresses!

ARABELLA @bellarosetoombs

The story behind the photo : This photo is the first sight you’ll see when you arrive through the entrance on our island. The most beautiful hydrangeas with the white picket fence and a view of the lake - it’s heaven!

If childhood was a flower : I would think of it as a rose. It starts off with a small bud and there are some thorns; however, it grows into big fragrant blooms that are the joys of watching a child develop their sense and personality.

An inspiring account : @rosegarden_flowers

MIRANDA @mirandaisabel_r

The story behind the photo : Our pictures were taken at NC state university. That day we were celebrating 4th of July. I picked red roses and your beautiful navy and white dress to symbolize our flag.

If childhood was a flower : Miranda would be a pink roses because she’s such a lovely and happy little girl. Pink roses are also a symbol of grace and innocence.

MARIN @tiffanycs_s

The story behind the photo : Marin’s portrait was taken in the small town of Fredericksburg, Texas at the Fredericksburg Herb Farm. Her grandmother, Bunny lives there and we had our portrait session play double duty, our children and full family portraits with the new additions, my niece, Birdie and my son, Everett “Rhett”. We are a family that loves to cook and eat and with flowers being sparse in Central Texas in late summer due to the heat, the herb garden seemed perfect. It was incredibly fragrant. Marin had the best time posing and twirling in her “princess dress”.

If childhood were a flower : It would be daisy. Happy, friendly and easily made into crowns and necklaces for hours of imaginative play.

An inspiring floral account : @stemsofatx. Abby was the florist for our wedding almost 8 years ago. She is kind, creative, talented beyond words and such a go-getter. I love her account. Her beautiful arrangements make me smile and want to throw extravagant parties every weekend. It was amazing to work with her. She listens and does anything and everything she can to make your floral dreams come true. It’s no wonder that her business has grown and become such a success. I cannot say enough good things about her.

ADELINE @marilynlangford 

The story behind the photo : We took our photo at Landa Library and Garden which is one of Adeline’s favorite places to visit. We used a small bouquet we put together for my mom’s birthday party, which made the photo even more special!

If childhood were a flower : I believe childhood would be a sunflower. Bright and playful, but still just beautiful to watch!

An inspiring floral account : @willowcrossleycreates. Absolutely love her arrangements and fun tutorials!

AURORA @burlingtonbear

The story behind the photo : The picture was taken in our garden at home to celebrate the launch of Charlotte & Burlington and my daughters 6th Birthday. Aurora was lucky enough to wear the beautiful lavender Charlotte dress which the doll wears and asked for a Charlotte & Burlington tea party. She is holding roses from the garden which had just been picked. 

If childhood was a flower : Well it would quite simply be a rose, the beautiful Chandos Beauty, it blooms from the beginning of the summer until the first frost. It was the rose my mother picked and brought to my hospital room when I had just given birth to my first daughter. It reminds me of my little girls, how fleeting childhood is but how beautiful and innocent too. 

An inspiring floral account : @Thomas Berolzheime and @JuliaBerolzheimer

EMMA @scb8586

The story behind the photo : This photo is taken at our favorite park to take family photos at. This specific path is off away from everyone so the kids can truly explore and be “kids”. We were inspired by this flower and area because it matched Emma’s dress and a point were she naturally became genuinely interested in her surroundings.

If childhood was a flower : A red tulip because it symbolizes passion. Emma always goes about life with passion in everything she does. Even if it is with a simple hug in the morning, helping put away dishes, or playing with her brother.

An inspiring account : Charlotte sy Dimby because we have found a unique clothing line that brings out Emma’s unique and beautiful personality as well as established a lasting connections to the Charlotte sy Dimby family.

MIA @julja6a

The story behind the photo : This photo was taken in our backyard in June when our beautiful hydrangeas are blooming with all shades of pink. This is Mia’s first Charlotte Sy Dimby dress so it is so special for me. I have been wanting to get the dress for a long time and finally ordered one for her second birthday. 

If childhood was a flower : All flowers are beautiful in their own way, just like children, so I wouldn’t be able to choose. All I know is that childhood, just like a flower, is beautiful and needs a caring and loving environment to flourish. 

AMELIA & SCARLETT - @raisingnolagirls

The story behind the photo : The photo was taken in our flower garden, a place that has been a source of so much joy for both me and the girls. We love to cut flowers and bring them to teachers, neighbors, anyone really. 

If childhood was a flower : It would be a rose. If I have learned anything this week, it's that children are resilient, much like roses. They are beautiful and appear fragile, but are much stronger than we can imagine. Like my roses, my children have not only survived, but thrived after a storm that has devastated most of our state. 

Inspiring floral accounts : @whitneycaves , @flourishandflutter , @omasgardens , @cathybgraham 

GINGER - @gingerlynnsboutique

The story behind the photo : Ginger's photo was taken on our church camp grounds. It has a beautiful garden, which Ginger since she could talk has told me she wants to be a put church gardener. She sees beauty in the tiniest blooms, and Gods artwork in each bloom.

If childhood was a flower : I believe, it would be lily of the valley. They start small and bloom into delicate intricate blooms. They spread through the garden, like a child grows through childhood blooming, growing a learning.

CATE - stephcparks

The story behind the photo : We took our photo on a weekend walk in a local community garden. The garden and non-profit horticultural center include a historic home, roses, irises, vegetable beds, a formal herb garden, and programs and activities for children. It’s free for everyone to visit and we love going on walks through the beautiful paths to see what’s in bloom. 

If childhood was a flower : It would be a California poppy. They are resilient, exuberant, and fleeting - they cannot be kept in a vase, but must be enjoyed as they bloom in the sun. 

Inspiring floral accounts : I love following fellow Californian Grace Rose Farm, as I adore the beautiful old-fashioned roses they grow and it’s also incredibly sweet to watch them raise their little girl in a world filled with flowers! I also love it when @TheHuntingtonLibrary shares photos of their garden - visits to their Southern California garden as a child are largely responsible for my love of flowers!

MAISARA @moukinina

The story behind the photo : Our photos were taken on one of our daily nature walks around our neighbourhood at dusk, in these first days of Spring, with a backdrop of beautiful dark pink camelia japonica and its distinctive emerald green foliage. Maisara holds some pale pink azalea, one of my mother's favourites. Maisara and I adore flowers and our walks are a time we treasure together, exploring and identifying the flora we find around us. 

If childhood were a flower : For me it would be the cherry blossom. The blossoms of the cherry tree are exquisite, precious and delicate and yet they also have an ephemeral quality. Just as childhood is a time of great, fragile beauty, it is also fleeting- the spring of childhood turns to the summer of adulthood all too quickly. As such, we should take every opportunity to appreciate, celebrate and treasure childhood, as we do the short weeks of cherry blossom season.

An inspiring floral account : One floral Instagram account that gives me enormous pleasure is @flora.forager. I adore the stories she tells with flowers, her extensive knowledge of flowers and their language and her whimsical, fantastical artworks. It's often hard to believe that they are all created from flowers! Accounts like this inspire me to continue sharing my love of nature and flowers with Maisara and to continue my own life long education.

MAYA - @lid.mar

The story behind the photo : I photographed her in my favorite area in Nashville. After moving from NYC in the middle of the pandemic, Belmont became my little Oasis of peace. We would come a couple times a week as a family, either to enjoy a picnic, or their rose gardens or simply to walk among the beautiful grounds of Belmont university. Kids loved throwing coins in the fountains, or running in the grass barefoot. A year later it is much busier but we still love it!

If childhood were a flower : Maya would been a Lilly of the valley. This flower symbolises absolute purity, youth, sincerity, and discretion. But most importantly, it symbolises happiness- and that’s what Maya is, happiest little tender flower!

Inspiring floral accounts : I absolutely love @gracerosefarm and a second one is @naugtyteas - it’s tea styled with flowers. Absolutely gorgeous account!

THE WINNER

The jury elected Maya as a winner. Thank you to all princesses who took part! Shari Ford will soon start painting the winner's portrait. We will document the process.

Follow Shari on Instagram.