Category Archives: Eco-minded

Featured: “50 Miles” flowers ~ the local movement reaches the floral industry

April 24th, 2012

Check out Soulflower in the {San Jose Mercury News} this week! We definitely recommend reading this article if you are a Bay Area locavore in the wedding planning process as it covers local, sustainable floral businesses from Santa Cruz to Walnut Creek. In their interview with Soulflower’s owner, Emily, she responds to the question at the heart of the matter and offers sound, sustainable advice.

“[I]t’s not a clear-cut choice for eco-conscious consumers. Do they buy flowers grown organically in South America and flown here using polluting jet fuel, or do they buy conventionally grown local flowers? As a way of giving back to the local community when imported flowers are used, she recommends that clients donate their arrangements to charities that can use them after the client’s event is over, or purchase carbon offsets”

Soulflower harvesting hydrangea from Annadel Estate Winery in Sonoma

Visit the {San Jose Mercury News} for more of Emily’s interview and to learn about the local flower movement.

Locally Yours,
Lydia

Featured: Green Girls’ Day In Rue Magazine

March 29th, 2012

This time of year when rain showers may be keeping you indoors, you can get into the spirit of Spring by hosting an eco-themed DIY crafts party for your best girl friends, co-workers or bridal party. What better way to bring a group together than bonding over sweet treats, tea and crafts? This time last year, the fabulous ladies behind our favorite online publication {RUE Magazine} teamed up with {Acme Party Box Company} to create a Green Girls’ Day In.

We chose to bring the outdoors in by harvesting blooming branches that are everywhere this time of year. Locally sourced pink ranunculus and tulips are must haves for green girls. And who can resist the beauty and fragrance of pink peonies? We hope you are inspired by these cheerful images!

To learn more about this sweet Spring event by visiting {Rue Magazine} .

Happy Spring,
Lydia

Press: We’re in the San Francisco Chronicle today!

February 8th, 2012

It is always a pleasure to be mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle! Today’s Datebook section features a front page article on local-minded, eco-savvy floral designers and our practices around locally grown flowers. For the full article, go to {SF Gate}.

DIY Desire

January 25th, 2012

We love well-executed DIY projects here at the Soulflower studio. Toss in a sustainable design that incorporates succulents and we are besides ourselves! This succulent pallet table was made with discarded table legs, a couple shipping crates, and a little DIY determination from Megan and Matti of {Far Out Flora}, a groovy blog that documents their adventures in native California vegetation. Not only is this design gorgeous and ecofriendly, it’s portable too!

To learn how to make your own succulent pallet table follow the tutorial on their blog {Far Out Flora}. Be sure to share the finished product with us!

Happy DIYing,
Lydia

St. Anthony Foundation 60th Anniversary Gala

December 16th, 2011

We are reminded of the many things we are thankful for when we reflect on the work done by {St. Anthony Foundation} . Their mission is to feed, heal, shelter, clothe, lift the spirits of those in need, and create a society in which all persons flourish. Since its inception the foundation has served over 37 million meals to the needy. Last year, we worked with Adam Straus of {Straus Events} to produce the 60th Anniversary Gala for St. Anthony Foundation. The event was held in a tented pavilion in the Fulton Street Plaza between the San Francisco Main Library and Asian Art Museum. Straus Events managed the street closure in downtown San Francisco as well as designed and executed the full event production.

An olive branch was chosen as the focal point of the design, symbolic of peace and prosperity, reinforcing the mission of St. Anthony Foundation. An accompanying Tuscan color palette attributed to St. Francis of Assisi and 14 large images of people aided by St. Anthony Foundation were created to highlight the impact of historic service. In the dining tent we transformed the tent poles into elegant olive tree sculptures with birch bark and olive branches, all adorned with softly lit lanterns. Each place-setting had a small olive branch wrapped in a gold ribbon, an offering of peace and connection in the breaking of bread with St. Anthony Foundation. Special thanks to {Photography by Emily Payne} for providing the amazing event design photos below.

This event captured the humble elegance of Franciscan values and we enjoyed bringing meaning to this event with our work. To view more images from the St. Anthony Foundation 60th Anniversary Gala, please visit us on {Facebook} and our blog for {fun behind the scenes}.

Peace and Prosperity,
Lydia

Venue: Fulton Street Plaza (between Asian Art Museum & SF Main Library)
Event Producer: Adam Straus, {Straus Events}
Catering: {McCalls}
Photography: {Drew Altizer Photography}, {Emily Payne Photograhy}
Tenting: {Classic Party Rentals}
Lighting: {Impact Lighting}
Rentals and Linens: {Blue Water Party Rentals}
Valet Parking: {Soiree Valet}

Soulflower on Brooklyn Bride

October 12th, 2011

A lovely Spring wedding we did earlier this year was recently featured on the ultimate modern wedding blog {Brooklyn Bride}.

When the bride, Amanda first came to the Soulflower studio it was to attend one of our fun flower classes. One thing led to another and she asked us to provide the florals for her upcoming wedding. The next time she came to the Soulflower studio it was to join us in hosting a private flower class as a thank you to her bridal party. You may remember it from a previous {blog post}. We toasted to Amanda, played a little bride trivia, and everyone left with their own centerpiece, stunning if we might add as you can see below.

The ceremony and reception were held at the {White Palace}, a beautiful, modernized Victorian home that served as the perfect backdrop for white and coral florals.

Visit our Facebook page to see the entire wedding album featuring photography by {Steep Street}.

Cheers to great friends and great memories,
Lydia

Catering: Nopalito
Beverage: NOPA
Photography: Steep Street
Month of Coordinator: One Big Fish Green Events
Venue: White Palace SF

Getting More From Your Flowers

September 14th, 2011

Photo courtesy of {Silvana Di Franco Photography}

Guests often ask us what will happen to the flowers at the end of an event. We are happy to report that there are many options and one of our favorites is to donate them to local schools and organizations. How can you become a part of what will happen to your wedding or event flowers at the end of the night? One popular Bay Area planner asked us just that. Here is an excerpt from the blog interview Emily gave to Michelle of {Dream A Little Dream Events} on how to make your wedding day a time to give.

Emily has graciously offered this advice to couples interested in donating their arrangements:

-Be realistic about the amount of flowers you are donating. Smaller organizations may only be able to accommodate 5 to 8 arrangements.

-Contact the organization in advance to ensure the donation is something they can accept as certain fragrant flowers are discouraged. Examples include lilies, hyacinth and varieties of blooming branches.

-If your vases are rented make sure the arrangements are transferred to inexpensive vases or mason jars prior to delivery.

For the full article and the rest of Emily’s tips, please visit the {Dream A Little Blog}.

Happy Donating,
Lydia

Flower Magazine interview with Emily

August 16th, 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

Night Owl Paper Goods: What a Hoot!

August 5th, 2011

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

Amanda + Wolfram on Style Unveiled

July 28th, 2011

It is always a pleasure working with amazing couples like Amanda and Wolfram. We are thrilled to have their story told on Style Unveiled and here is a sampling from their feature.