THE WONDER THAT IS BABY'S BREATH

"The fruit does not fall far from the tree", couldn't be more true with Kim and her endearing parents, Eva and Ken, who, during the course of the planning, I have gotten to know very well and like so much as they are as kind and thoughtful as our beautiful bride.

January of 2011 was the month and year Kim and her mother, Eva signed me up for her florals a year and 2 months prior to the event. Since then, while our colors remained the same, our design and flowers have evolved into my current obsession, Gypsophila - Baby's Breath- "Million Star" to be specific. We were on the same wavelength. YES! The challenge was to make this unassuming flora to shine giving a  modern, soft and romantic feel. It did not disappoint..

Foyer silver urn with an overflow of hydrangeas, Ecuadorian roses

stock, spray roses broccoli hydrangeas and of course Million stars that overflow ever so ligthly.

Delicate bunches of gypsophila adorned the mantle

I love...bunches of Gypsophila (baby's breath) a top a cylindrical vase with

laser cut paper appliques

Silver compote of hydrangeas, roses, anemones, freesias and spray roses

Bridal Bouquet of garden roses, freesias, calla lily, sweet peas, Ecuadorian roses

A towering yet delicate cake with exquisitely embellished with white

sugar candies by "Branching Out Cakes"

ROSES Part one

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet."

                               William Shakespeare


So true, but since I have started a career in floral design, there had been probably a dozen rose trends and breeds that have come and go. It's become quite a challenge just keeping up with names and colors. For some time "Black Magic: was the star, before that there was the "Sterling" a fragrant lavender rose and the "Fire and Ice" which is a two tone red and yellow-range rose. After fire and ice came "Ambiance" then "Circus" both breeds in a similar shade of "fire and Ice" These days a Rose doesn't seem to have the time to shine until a new rose comes out to overshadow it's uniqueness, color and novelty.

So if you are a rose lover and planning a wedding, guess what, you are in luck, because no matter what shade a bridesmaids dress you choose, most likely, there will be a rose that will compliment or  "close enough" shade to match your color selection. A rose is the one type of flower that has the widest variety of shade and hues

Flowers and plants follow fashion trends. Remember the "Green" (color) trend, I believe gave birth to "Super Green"  and "Green Tea" roses. Purple is very hot right now, I predict we will see a new breed
of rose that will be darker than all the shades of lavender avilable now.


HERE ARE  ARE FEW OF MY FAVORITE ROSES AND THEIR NAMES:

\

QUICKSAND 

My new obsession so delicately beige ( color of sand really!!) You can gaze at it for hours.

MILVA

A WARM HUE OF ORANGE

(THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF MILVA - A DARKER ONE AND SLIGHTLY LIGHTER SHADE OF ORANGE

PIAGET

(A garden rose variety, this is more vibrant in person )

BEAUTIFUL HOT PINK GARDEN ROSE

FREE SPIRIT

EXQUISITELY HYPNOTIC TWO TONE ROSE. FROM GOLDEN WARM YELLOW TO

ORANGE- AND OPENS INTO A BIG BLOOM

TWO ROSES HERE

BABE- A DEEP ORANGE SPRAY ROSE

AND

MALANGA- A BRIGHT TRUE ORANGE ROSE

IGNACE

vibrant two tone spray rose in wild orange and sizzling pink

takes my breathe away!!

CHERRY BRANDY

Turmeric and dark pink

                                                                           FREEDOM
                                                             The new queen of Red roses
                                                            To me a perfect shade of Red

WEDDING FAIRE- SANTA CLARA 2012

The last time I had participated in a Wedding Faire was way back 1995-6, I believe, if my memory is serving me right, whenever it was. IT WAS a long... long time ago. But when the poised, very elegant and sophisticatedly calm, Renee Monroe of Wedding Faire - Santa Clara, contacted me to ask if I were interested to do a showcase for 2012 Faire to include and featrure  Mr. Preston Bailey, among other high profile bridal industry professionals,  I couldn't resist.

I knew then I would be working with Sue Leggett of Classic Party Rentals who happens to be half a mile down the road from the studio. Still in a Holiday celebratory mood. I opted with creams, whites and silver for a clean and rich look. Sue and I , as we have done many times before met and came up with a mis -match of china and glassware that worked so well together. Then, it was my turn to compliment this ensemble with my florals.

As I am still in my geometric and  "bling " phase, I opted to re-create what I had done for my sister Carmen's home for her 25th year partnership (business) with husband Romeo Rojas, that was featured in a coffee table book 'Decorating with Flowers" by Roberto Caballero, Liz Reyes and Luca Tettoni.

Flower wise, I embraced the most unfavored flowers of the last decade, which actually are doing a big comeback. Carnations, and Daisy pompom. and of course my favorites, spray roses and my new love "quicksand"  a sand colored, Ecuadorian rose. Paved them into rounds , squares and rectangles added some bling and we have my own verison of Floral Lamps!!

With the help of the latest Pico's Angels recruit, Susan Lee Kelly, of "Three Sisters" and Jennie Shim of "7th Dimension" at Town and Country, it made it very easy and fun to put all these together. Thank you again Angels!!!

The first day of showing was quite exciting as Susan Kelly, with camera in hand, and I literally harassed, well approached in a respectful manner,  Mr Preston Bailey himself. I was very impressed with his humble and pleasant demeanor. Not only is he talented he seems to be a very good human being.

So here are snapshots of that adventure..

HOLIDAY INSPIRED NUPTIALS

 I feel that there is no better time for a wedding than the Holiday season. Everyone is in the merriest and celebratory mood than any other time of the year. On the other hand, this may only be true to mild weathered states and tropical regions of the world.  The Bay Area for example has a spring like fall and a mild start to winter. Well, depending if it is a "La nina" or El nino" year . Hawaii is another popular destination wedding place and is  the unofficial " go to get married at" for the Japanese market. (on a short vacay years ago in Oahu, I probably saw 7 brides one weekend carrying an RTW bridal bouquet.) I don't recommend the latter.

Recently I had the opportunity to really mesh Christmas and wedding into one floral center piece that  speaks both Holiday and romance. Flocked branches, roses, crystals, pine cones , holiday greens and we have an arrangement worthy of an event 8 days before Christmas.

Here are a few images:

FROM CUPCAKES TO FOOD TRUCKS

Everything changes and evolve with the times and with it is a small unconventional group of innovators and trend setters. Just a few years back Cupcake was a fresh idea and considered edgy (for lack of better word) as it replaced the traditional wedding cake. Now,  it is a practical, pretty and has become quite a common, delicious and well accepted alternative.

Well, besides the cupcake revolution, there is another reception option that is gaining popularity, which I personally think is cool, trendy and quite unexpected simply because it is such a nouvelle concept. (for a wedding reception that is ) FOOD TRUCKS and as it is popularly known  "TACO TRUCKS!!!

Gourmet taco trucks , food trucks or  mobile food eats have become very popular in the last year or so with the OTG (Off The Grid). Mobile eats and a few others organizing  food truck events all over the bay area, where several food trucks are gathered  giving the people several selections ranging from pizza, to banh mi, gourmet cupcakes to all ethnic versions of a taco.After talking to a few of the truck operators , I realized that these  latest ventures are extensions of established catering companies that have taken to the road to reach a market yet untapped.

I just booked my first Food truck catered wedding reception next year and I couldn't be more excited and looking forward to it.

Should  you consider the idea, the process I tell you could be fun and yummy. Best way to go about it is to research food truck events in an area near you. Sample dishes from trucks whose menu and food offerings appeal or intrigue you and believe me, you will not easily run out of food ideas and options.You might want to go to several, as there are many to choose from. Once you have selected your favorites, grab their card, call the office or visit their websites for more information. Some do full catering service and some can park their trucks at your reception venue where your guest can order, well, just ask for what they want. Nice huh?

Here are a few info in their own words..

                         PACIFIC PUFF- YUMMMM - Tried their chocolate chocolate puff - I die!!!!!

CHAIRMAN BAO BUN TRUCK

PEONIES AND SPRAY ROSES AT VILLA MONTALVO

IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO OR SHOULD I SAY ONE CAN BE INSPIRINGLY CREATIVE WITH AN EVENT THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE MUCH YET STILL DEMANDS THE ELEGANCE AND SOPHISTICATION ALL BRIDES DESERVE ON THEIR SPECIAL DAY. WELL ,THE GROOM AS WELL. THE ANSWER: USE THE MUCH SOUGHT AFTER, CLASSICALLY BEAUTIFUL BLOOM  WITH AN ENTICINGLY SUBTLE FRAGRANCE THAT LEAVES ONE WANTING MORE, THE UNOFFICIAL QUEEN OF BRIDAL BLOOMS: PEONY

PEONIES HAVE ADORNED AND INSPIRED FLEMISH AND RENAISSANCE ARTIST'S RENDERINGS. AS WELL AS ARTISANS FROM THE SUNG DYNASTY (960-1279) YUAN DYNASTY 1271-1368 AND THE YUN DYNASTY IN THE 17 CENTURY. THAT ENCHANTING ALLURE HAS LASTED TO THIS DAY AND THE MILLENNIUM., CAN YOU SAY "CLASSIC"?

JUNSHIEN INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY HAS BEEN VERY GENEROUS IN SHARING THESE AMAZING IMAGES OF LINDA AND RICAHRD'S WEDDING SHOT AT THE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS  OF VENUE VILLA MONTALVO , IN SARATOGA.

Linda's bouqet as featured at:

http://peonyhotline.com/index.php/About-Us/peonies-in-designs.html