Valentine’s Day was lovely here at Apartment 46. While we did a lot of beautiful bouquets, we were also happily surprised to see so many people get creative with their gift-giving! I feel the same way most people do about the “Enforced Day of Love” (why is there just one prescribed day?), but if you’re going to participate, then taking a little extra time to do something out of the ordinary makes it much more worthwhile for everyone involved.
I Heart Twigs
With 2009 neatly tucked in behind us, it’s time to get started on the path ahead – financially, emotionally, physically – it’s another chance to start fresh. Along with renewed hope for the future, I find that I am newly inspired to examine, create, and share. If you have never been artistically or decoratively inclined, there is never a better time to start than now. While I’m not saying I want you to rip out the fireplace and re-tile the shower, I am saying that every single person I know has some creativity buried somewhere inside.
Cup O’ Love
I’m not a huge fan of teacups. Giant collections of mismatched china can be beautiful, but since I am not prone to shabby-chic moments, you won’t find any rose-covered dandies in my home. I was inspired to create teacup gardens when I saw something similar at a nursery I love.
The Garlikov Naming Ceremony
I was incredibly honored to be asked to design flowers for Julie and Andy Garlikov’s daughter’s naming ceremony. Though I am not well-versed on important Jewish traditions, I knew that it was an intimate day where family and friends would come together to celebrate their child.
Adam and Jessica – Married September 2009
Adam and Jessica were married at Ardenwood Farm in Fremont, CA.
I was introduced to Jessica by her awesome sister Melissa, who kept me calm and smiling while we worked together in a rather nightmarish Menlo Park office – but let’s save that story for another day…
Japanese Vintage
I found this incredible vintage handmade Japanese vase at an estate sale and have been wondering what would look best with its muted colors. I was so excited to get the deep red button Dahlias at the Flower Mart this past week and thought it would be so cheerful mixed with pink ranunculus, clover and orange baby roses. I can’t wait to experiment with new looks!
Fresh Things
You may already know that I do floral arrangements and garden design, but you may not know that a lot of the flowers at the shop come from my organic garden. I still make a weekly trek to the Flower Mart, but only to buy staples and comb the buckets for strange and uncommon blooms.
Axel and Angela – May 2009
Valeria and Angela were registered as domestic partners in San Francisco on May 28, 2009.
Wendy and Sheldon – Married December 2008
Wendy and Sheldon were married on Dec 31, 2008 in Half Moon Bay on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
As an homage to Wendy’s Taiwanese heritage, I incorporated Asian peonies. To reflect her personality, style and spirit, I used the brightest, boldest and bravest color I could find – hot pink – and wrapped it in a deep burgundy silk Offray ribbon. The bride, wearing a stunning column dress accented her look with a Gardenia in her hair.
I made boutonnieres for the groom, the bride’s father, and the groom’s father as well as corsages for the bride and groom’s mothers.
I made varying sizes of pink and white arrangements to be scattered around the beautiful old railroad station house where they held an intimate reception dinner.
Wendy and I have known each other for almost 15 years. It was such an honor to be able to provide flowers for her special day!
Melisa
Jamie and Chris – Married October 2008
Jamie and Chris were married on a bluff in Redwood City overlooking the beautiful Crystal Springs Golf Course on October 2, 2008.
For her bouquet I used antique blue and purple Hydrangeas, black Calla Lilies and Chocolate Cosmos as her anchor flowers. I wrapped the stems in a sumptuous sea green woven silk Offray ribbon.
Jasmine branches by the boatload were draped along the fence and archway and accented with two symbolic butterflies where the bride and groom stood for the ceremony.
A custom-made green basket festooned with ribbon and butterflies and was filled with dried Hydrangea petals for her flower girl to scatter down the white walkway.
I did a Gardenia corsage for the groom’s mother and boutonnieres for her groom, the best man, and the groom’s father. Smaller, complimentary bouquets were made for her two attendants and wrapped with satin gray ribbon. I also provided beautiful Gardenia blossoms for Jamie and her attendant’s hair.
Melisa
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