Christmas is coming.

Hey Orange County followers!  I'm now taking orders for your Christmas arrangements.  Want a simple paveed centerpiece for your dining table?  A showy entrance design for your foyer?  A trio of petite vases for your coffee table?  Shoot me an email and we'll plan whatever you want.

Here's some helpful info:
*Minimum order is $150.
*Free delivery within Laguna Beach, $10-$20 otherwise (depending on distance).
*Deliveries will be made on the 23rd and 24th.

PINK!

Here's a few photos from a pink and brown wedding with some lime green details that I did up in San Francisco back in August.  For this bride, everything that we created for the ceremony served a purpose for the reception as well... a great way to make your flowers go the extra mile.

Pomanders from the ceremony doubled as centerpieces for the reception:

The place card settings and some blush pink spray roses greeted guests as they entered the venue.

Bridesmaids bouquets became centerpieces:

As well as the bride's bouquet on the head table:

A shot of the wedding party:

The sweetest bride ever, and how to talk budget with your vendors.

Back in August, I had the pleasure of working with one of the most grateful, warm-hearted people I've ever come across.  She approached me with such a respect for my work as a designer, and knowing clearly that she'd like to hire me.  Her "but"- she was on a budget, and would I be willing to work with her on it?  My answer: Absolutely.  Times are tough these days, but weddings are still happening, although on a smaller budget than they might have been 5 years ago.  Because M approached me with such gratitude it was easy for me to say yes and make her budget work for her; I wanted to, simply because she was such a joy to interact with.

Although I've only encountered a very small handful, you'd be surprised at how many brides (or their mothers) take the bullying route when talking cost.  Some people seem to think that playing hard ball is the surest way to get a vendor to negotiate with you; I'll tell you that for me, that is the opposite route to take.  To be frank, you risk coming across as someone who will be difficult to please and even more difficult to work with.  And while work may be scarce for some, I will pass on a job if I get a sense they're going to be a pain in the you-know-what all the way down the line.  I love my work, as I imagine most wedding vendors do.  We want to create something beautiful for you and make you happy simply because we understand how important a day it is.  My point: don't be afraid to be nice while communicating your budget and needs.  Here's a great article on the topic from Brides.com that's much more informative and eloquent than I could ever be.

Here are a few photos from M's wedding, photography by Amanda Bevington.

Renegade's Holiday Craft Fair - December 18 & 19.

Not too long ago I thought I lost my camera, but it turns out my lost camera was under the seat in my car this whole time!  Pretty typical of me.  So now I have a huge back log of photos from the past few months.  The first is from the LA Renegade Craft Fair back in July.  I'll be doing the Renegade's SF Holiday Fair this year on December 18th & 19th and am super excited about it.  There's always such a good turnout, and despite the fact that I keep doubling my inventory I manage to sell out of everything in the first day (so get yours quick!).  Hopefully this year I'll get it right with 400 terrariums.  Woah that's gonna be a lot of work.  Oh, and a side note to SF'ers: This year the Fair will be at the Concourse Exhibition Center, not Fort Mason.  Here's the link if you'd like more info.