Monthly Archives: August 2011

I just came across this great feature in Flower Magazine with Owner + Creative Director of Soulflower Floral Design, Emily Dreblow and wanted to share it. What I enjoyed most was how editor Josie Capuano highlighted Soulflower’s core values and practices as it relates to sustainable floral design. She also captured Emily’s impassioned journey that led her from social worker to award-winning, sustainable florist.

As an avid reader of Flower Magazine, it is a thrill that they would reach out to Emily for her expertise in the field as I can think of no one better with whom to discuss organic, low impact design. To read the full interview go to Flower Magazine online.

I also wanted to mention that from now through August 31st, $2 from every Flower Magazine subscription will be donated to the American Red Cross as a result of the devastation caused by this Spring’s deadly tornadoes.

Cheers,
Lydia

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Last week we had the honor of sponsoring the WIPA (Wedding Industry Professionals Association) event located at the beautiful Ralston Hall in Belmont. WIPA is a national association that boasts masters and innovators of the wedding industry who are truly genius at what they do. Each event brings a wide range of the best and brightest wedding vendors together for education and collaboration purposes. We had a blast sharing, learning and appreciating great event design with all the other attendees!

Ralston Hall was bursting with creativity and style from cocktail hour to coffee time. Originally the country estate of William Chapman Ralston, a prominent San Francisco financier, construction on Ralston Hall Mansion began in 1864. Comprising over 80 rooms this gorgeous estate is now part of Notre Dame de Namur University. The building’s exterior can be classified as Italiante Villa while the interior incorporates classic 19th century designs reminiscent of Ralston’s early days on Mississippi riverboats. We were in awe of the ornate detailing in everything from the furniture to the windows and doors. It’s always a magical day when we adorn buildings this grand with flowers.

Please enjoy some of our favorite photos from this lovely event from the talented photographer, Julie Kay Kelly.

We went ultra-romantic with dahlias, garden roses and pink peonies in mercury glass and vintage vessels, the perfect compliment to setting and vintage-inspired lounge vignette by Milk Glass Vintage Rentals.

Happy Monday,
Lydia

Venue: Ralston Hall
Event coordination: LVL Events and Weddings
Catering: La Bonne Cuisine
Photography: JK Life Stories
Videography: Kevin Chin Photography
Florals: Soulflower Floral Design
Entertainment: Pamela Joy Jazz
Decor: Well Rehearsed
Linen: Napa Valley Linen
Décor Rentals: Milk Glass Vintage Rentals
Rental: Stuart Rentals
Stationary: The Card Lady
Audio/Visual/Lighting: Enhanced Lighting
Desserts: True Confections
Coffee and Cappuccino Bar: Travelin’ Joe Espresso
Speaker: David Merrell, AOO Events

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Since we love all things pretty and sustainable, our crush on Night Owl Paper Goods was instant! Night Owl is a stationary company dedicated to handmade letterpress cards and eco-chic wooden goodies. Much of their inspiration comes from our #1 inspiration, Mother Nature. They also find design ideas from Swedish and American folk artists as well as those quirky British haberdashers. The wood they use is sustainably harvested and will fully biodegrade. It actually requires less trees to make their wooden cards than it does regular paper cards! Consider these stunning invitations for your special occasion:

We had to share these birchwood table numbers with you. Printed to match your color scheme they can be used and reused for events to come.

And to help keep you organized while you’re planning we love their various jotters which are also made using sustainable wood and 100% post-consumer recycled pages.

Their sweet graphics and environmental practices have made Night Owl fans out of us. Check out their cheerful website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter ~ I promise you will have a hoot!

Cheers,
Lydia

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