Creating a tradition to savor…and to share.

A must have for this holiday season! I just picked one up today at Dreamy. Seriously, this candle makes the best present, but I promise you'll pick one up for yourself too. Check out the whole Thymes collection.

Holiday Blooming Calendar

{source: terrain at home}

::::The Inspired Bride::::

The Floral Lab is on it's 1st wedding blog!!! The Inspired Bride is an awesome wedding blog providing inspiration for a hip and modern wedding. Thank you to The Inspired Bride for highlighting Kate and Daniel's wedding day.

Special thanks {again} to Carter + Cook, Posh Paperie, and He & She Photography. You're all so fun to work with and your energy is infectious!

None of this would have been possible without Kate and Daniel. You're wedding day was stunning and full of love. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it!

Kate + Daniel, Point Loma

McCullough Park at Point Loma Nazzarene Univeristy was the backdrop for the stunningly beautiful and intimate ceremony of Kate and Daniel. I had the opportunity to work again with the girls of Carter & Cook and Posh Paperie and got to meet the super rad photographers, Randy and Erin, of He & She Photography. Kate and Daniel's love for each other was captured with ease. I especially loved all the details of the day.

I love this picture!

Ashley + Dave, Rhode Island

First came the invitation, then came the question: "Want to do our flowers?" The answer was of course, "Yes!" How awesome is Ashley's fuschia bouquet?! Set against the wall of graffiti, her flowers really pop! It's one of my favorite photos to date captured by friend and noted photog, Kevin Trimmer. I also love how Ashley's bouquet was the perfect accessory to her shoes! The ceremony was held in Conanicut Battery National Historical Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island. A short walk down a tree lined path and you arrived at the ceremony site. The backdrop, the most amazing and beautiful old tree. The reception was held in the Kinney Bungalow at Sunset Farms in Narragansett, Rhode Island. It was a perfect fall day. Congratulations Ashley and Dave!

Bach Flower Essences

"The actions of certain flowers, shrubs, and trees that grow in the wild raise our vibrations and open our channels for the reception of the Spiritual Self to flood our natures with the particular virtue we need, and wash out from us the fault that is causing the harm. They are able, like beautiful music or any glorious uplifting thing that gives us inspiration, to raise our very natures to bring us nearer to our Souls, and by that very act bring us peace and relieve our sufferings."

~ Dr. Edward Bach

So for my birthday, I enrolled myself into an introductory Bach Flower Essences class. Upon entering the class and meeting the instructor, she muscle tested me. What? Muscle test? I had never heard of such a thing. I held out my arm and without hesitation, she asked, "Are you tired?" My reply: "Yes" and "wow." Then she went in her bag of flower essences, pulled out the olive essence, and placed two drops in my mouth. With that....I was sold! This is fascinating stuff, flower essences and homeopathy.

I enjoyed the class very much, but did not act on impulse when the instructor passed around the sheet to enroll in the Bach Flower Essence Level II class. I practiced self restraint, passing up the purchase of the pack of 36 flower essences. Level II starts Monday, so I have to decide stat if I'm moving on to a more in depth study. I do have the laboratory to make the floral healing concoctions.......

More to come.

reduce, reuse, recycle

Wedded 'Bliss'

A sketch from Monique Lhuillier's soon-to-be-launched, less expensive bridal dress line. Photo courtesy of Monique Lhuillier

Ok girls....time to get excited. If you are like me, you have pulled wedding dress inspiration from the amazing Monique Lhuillier. Inspiration because her dresses are beautiful but slightly out of reach financially. Well, she has done something so lovely....she's appealing to the masses with her new 'Bliss' line of dresses. The line will offer the same trademark styles but the price will range from a reasonable $2,300-3,500. 15 available styles will be available soon at Monique Lhuillier retailers worldwide.

Friends and crazy good photographers, Kristin and Jared Spencer, are currently in NYC bridal fashion week. A whopping 42 runway shoots! If they snap some shots of the line, I'll try and get a picture to post.

As promised

Here are some of the fabulous photos from the Out of the Box event captured by the very talented Julie Dentt of Journey of the Lens. Thank you again to the girls at Posh Paperie, Sweet and Saucy Shop and Wine Steals Point Loma. A very special thank you to the creative team of Carter and Cook Event Company for asking me to join them for such a fun event.

Picturzzzzz

Long overdue pictures from the DWR in-store event.

My deconstructed store bought bouquet from Seaside Market, plus some left over orchids and callas.

Test tube vases at checkout with a single calla lily.

More callas.
The glamorous white phalaenopsis orchid under the much desired cellula chandelier.

Succulents! Love em.

The extras....awww.

creative minds

I had the pleasure of creating a centerpiece for a tablescape designed by the incredibly creative team of Carter and Cook. The intimate event, which took place at the Wine Steals in Point Loma, was an opportunity to meet some of the industry's up and coming elite. The girls of Posh Paperie were on hand to display their custom holiday cards, gift tags, and invitations. Guests devoured custom desserts from Sweet and Saucy Shop that tasted as good as they looked. The whole evening was captured by the lovely Julie Dentt of Journey of the Lens. Please take some time to check out these amazing businesses and the talented girls behind them! Pictures to follow...

97 degrees

Yup, 97 degrees is the forecast for Saturday. Designing for a whimsical wedding of white and pink. Picked up the flowers and they look amazing. I cannot wait to see it all come together. I made freestanding shepherd hooks for this one and I'm pretty excited to showcase them. I researched them to no end. It blows my mind that they aren't readily available for those brides having a ceremony on a patio or indoors. Lots of blogging about the idea and no action. So yeah, I got all DIY and made my own. New business venture? I think so. Booyah!

Design Within Reach+The Floral Lab

Flowers, modern design, and wine....oh my! I am super excited and honored to take part in such a fantastic event. It's going to be one amazing night, so I hope you can make it.

Get Your Bid On

The Rancho Coastal Humane Society Animal House 2009 Auction is Officially Open!

So what are you waiting for?....Bid for a floral arrangement designed with fresh seasonal blossoms by The Floral Lab now!

Whether you're looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for the special someone, or looking to add a little adventure to your life, you're sure to find something in the auction catalog. Every bid helps support a great cause.

View all items here.

eames lounge chair update

An amazing find for an incredible deal, a few bucks spent to get some broken parts repaired, some patience, a tiny bit of elbow grease and its back to perfect condition!

O'Natural

The La Jolla Woman's Club set the scene for a fabulous luncheon held for employees of Kashi. They will be launching a natural lifestyle curriculum website. It's really cool and kind of a big deal. It will have tasks and activities and a wealth of information about natural lifestyle.

I created simple and natural arrangements. The lows designed with hydrangea, Queen Anne's lace, lady's mantle, chamomile, tweedia, and mint to add greenery and a subtle scent. The highs designed with calla lilies, curly willow branches, and hydrangea.

all things paper - all things unique

For all of your paper needs, check out the neighborhood press blog and etsy store. Lori's little niche is combining fabric, sewing, and paper. Each of her designs is unique to each client and made of the finest quality paper. Made by hand and super cute!

my hidden oasis

One of my favorite places to go relax and regroup, Bergamot Spa in Leucadia, has moved. I went to check out their new location on Vulcan and I was really taken back. I knew the new location would be just as amazing as their first, but it was even bigger and better than I imagined. Picture #1 above is where they do all of their nails. Off the left side of that building is where they do hair. Picture #2 above looks onto the grounds with the future site of the yoga studio to the left. Picture #3 captures a massage hut and meditation hut, both over a huge koi pond.

After a tour of the new grounds, it was off to what will eventually be their yoga studio for my 90 minute massage with Natalie, who I highly recommend! I pulled my power thought card and it couldn't have been more right on! I'll admit, I fell asleep during the massage. It was wonderfully relaxing.

Go check it out for yourself. Be prepared to leave the daily stressors at the door.

Jackie's Retirement Party ~ San Diego Yacht Club 08/15/09

Possibly maybe one day.....