tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27104199152889210972024-02-20T17:31:56.057-08:00Adrianne Smith Floral DesignAdriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-85752803440023112282011-02-07T18:36:00.000-08:002011-02-08T11:45:11.452-08:00Love Bunny Up!<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8e_DhullL5LdgX42qCp4SlFCdV9vfuXD-ukWLKx6pYBK7xHsgS3cBx6xAY7LVAS75QGTtzd6JaZKP1l8qwtFQ61n4hpRXjYsyQNK2mE3Ur80PAIoGgprroeoeBW3fm-eaxT3JfpqIbdk/s1600/Bunny3-2010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 304px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571147680623019074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8e_DhullL5LdgX42qCp4SlFCdV9vfuXD-ukWLKx6pYBK7xHsgS3cBx6xAY7LVAS75QGTtzd6JaZKP1l8qwtFQ61n4hpRXjYsyQNK2mE3Ur80PAIoGgprroeoeBW3fm-eaxT3JfpqIbdk/s320/Bunny3-2010.jpg" /></a> Yes, indeedy, it's Valentine's Day once again...a wild and wacky time of year for us floral designers. No matter how much planning, designing and anticipating we all do, it never fails - so many gents wait until the last minute to get flowers ordered. Thankfully, I have a high level of tolerance for this Y-chromosone behavior and know it always comes down to the last minute. It's a bit of a gamble but by some sort of Jedi-knight-magic, I manage to get every last flowery bloom sold. Obi Wan has taught me well.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I have a sweet theme in the works this Valentine's Day weekend...check back Saturday to view our creative efforts. And, lucky me, I even have 2 very special guest elves coming to work in the studio, yessss! And...guys, if you are reading this...deadline for orders is Thursday evening. Got it? </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Good, now get on it - your lovely lady is worth it.</div><br /><div align="justify">For San Diego orders, please contact: <a href="mailto:info@asmithfloral.com"><span style="color:#ff6666;">info@asmithfloral.com</span></a><span style="color:#ff6666;">.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Cheers,</div><div align="justify">Adrianne</div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-7260223210170988362011-02-07T11:12:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:44:21.242-08:00Blog on, I'm back...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUthtFNguxOBJb0_Vn_ijBS72EVnajm_eR4B6EwLTpS_eMlXFMdceMx9ogTYOX0ukA1etugIu0a-ETcIDmo-AEnIl0WGAeP5mfy1v3oYLUsM9INRseIx_eYDNYuSI_v1Axs0rkXZ8HY08/s1600/2333+Laurie+Petersen.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571034032704822626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUthtFNguxOBJb0_Vn_ijBS72EVnajm_eR4B6EwLTpS_eMlXFMdceMx9ogTYOX0ukA1etugIu0a-ETcIDmo-AEnIl0WGAeP5mfy1v3oYLUsM9INRseIx_eYDNYuSI_v1Axs0rkXZ8HY08/s320/2333+Laurie+Petersen.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYHSvUtzHbHl0mQ5QZ1TubbaNOdyPE80uXSdTpN1BMh0l3cfI-yjQViW9SK29R6_gCwA06GbHG-FuyM1EWvhGof-6NQwjhProlIaNcTv4EaDUy86TmslhkRwAM_CgMtqkIfcoIfiDwAY/s1600/2283+Laurie+Petersen.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571032912281096914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYHSvUtzHbHl0mQ5QZ1TubbaNOdyPE80uXSdTpN1BMh0l3cfI-yjQViW9SK29R6_gCwA06GbHG-FuyM1EWvhGof-6NQwjhProlIaNcTv4EaDUy86TmslhkRwAM_CgMtqkIfcoIfiDwAY/s320/2283+Laurie+Petersen.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuKMUjrLcgv4nUblCQSetTyzqFZgli3L4o-30n9WQKEdRn7D4QKB3mriZQAM-Al9AYYThoOKrHjz2UzY_RN915FijmxJEokbfeOAexoJmNgiJ9AtWxdpvnGWXegLAdUyWQqd7BI-RCho/s1600/0607+Laurie+Petersen.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571029101245626466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuKMUjrLcgv4nUblCQSetTyzqFZgli3L4o-30n9WQKEdRn7D4QKB3mriZQAM-Al9AYYThoOKrHjz2UzY_RN915FijmxJEokbfeOAexoJmNgiJ9AtWxdpvnGWXegLAdUyWQqd7BI-RCho/s400/0607+Laurie+Petersen.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Shoots! Been some time since I posted something of interest...being busy is a good thing, right? My good mother always said that idle hands are the work of the Devil. One great thing that kept me occupied at the end of 2010 was flowering up a New Year's Eve wedding for Laurie and Worth, a seriously good vibe, down-to-earth couple from Encinitas. They and their 250+ guests reved up the weekend in style! </div><br /><div></div><div>Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa <a href="http://www.estancialajolla.com/">http://www.estancialajolla.com/</a> was the place to be...and it was rocking with live music until 1:30AM! The ballroom was lit beautifully with ambient violet up-lights and pin spot directional lighting on all of the centerpieces...which, duh, tickles me to bits! A little sparkle was added to give the wedding a touch of New Year's celebratory 'bling' - cracked glass in various forms caught the light perfectly - from the centerpiece bases and votive candles to the groovy escort table in the foyer. Oh, and don't forget the purple LED's...kaboom! Boyd Harris <a href="http://www.boydharrisphoto.com/">http://www.boydharrisphoto.com/</a> and his wife, Robin, got the shots that tell the story. Always a pleasure to work with great photographers... AND, of course, a fine event planner, <a href="http://www.kileywalker.com/">http://www.kileywalker.com/</a>. Kiley and her team were awesome. Makes me want to ring in 2011 all over again.</div><br /><div>Happy New Year, y'all-</div><div>Cheers,</div><br /><div>Adrianne</div></div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-53025019686829754852010-06-15T14:39:00.000-07:002010-06-15T15:39:15.462-07:00Hi, my name is Adrianne and I am a ribbonoholic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv0RGm6n29C_X0rBCZuk6WbyGsphbRxiSmmjPcCP4VGOCKoc6qOQN0iddQQ_Iu793KJF0X7EjvJeg3HxFW04dhESFDVAjy51G93rn7I1pM12RWh2QTMANUb3_eWkWelPYHJBZPTTs_OQ/s1600/P6150094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483131850042731762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv0RGm6n29C_X0rBCZuk6WbyGsphbRxiSmmjPcCP4VGOCKoc6qOQN0iddQQ_Iu793KJF0X7EjvJeg3HxFW04dhESFDVAjy51G93rn7I1pM12RWh2QTMANUb3_eWkWelPYHJBZPTTs_OQ/s400/P6150094.JPG" /></a> Word! San Diego wedding season is in its full summer swing once again, and although the bride is hands down <strong>the</strong> VIP <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">du</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">jour</span>, her sassy sidekicks should never be overlooked. After all, they have probably seen her through just about everything! You know, the usual stuff -from braces and the ugly, pimply adolescent years to studying abroad and moving into her first apartment. Yikes, don't even forget bad boyfriend breakups #1-10! Better get these saintly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">sistahs</span> clad in well-deserved, well-made, colorful attire. Some of my faves include: <a href="http://www.simpledress.com/">http://www.simpledress.com/</a> , <a href="http://www.ariadress.com/">http://www.ariadress.com/</a> and <a href="http://www.jcrew/AST/Browse/WeddingParties/Wedding_Bridesmaid/dresses.jsp">www.jcrew/AST/Browse/WeddingParties/Wedding_Bridesmaid/dresses.jsp</a><br /><br />Thankfully, at this wonderful time of year, bridesmaid dresses come in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sprightly</span> array of colors. Saturated sunflower yellows, aquamarine blues, grassy clover greens, rum punchy pinks - all perfect choices for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">glowy</span> summertime skin. Their bouquets also must make a special statement. That is where I come in - complimenting their zesty attire/flowers with the perfect ribbon wrapped around the stems. I must confess, I have boatloads of the stuff. I am a ribbon <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">junkie</span>. There is no easy fix. French wired, velvet, double face satin, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ombre</span>, vintage, grosgrain and silk, don't get me going - the beast within emerges and credit cards go mad! Oh no, here come the voices again, make them stop! Where is that soup Nazi guy from Seinfeld when I need to be denied..."No ribbon for you!"<br /><br /><div>Cheers,</div><div>Adrianne</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-49281442364594012192010-06-09T11:41:00.000-07:002010-06-09T12:31:20.991-07:00For reals?<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EUTA1j5mx1mZtJyJ2SurgP8p1La49vOWlq9j1vmN6wKmT62qybDVyRtLC0MMd3tqC_N-Dz-_O0Bq8Laf4IdN-YX6nHgSUfnrUA1J6wwU87Fia5JYkjKUs5uy4HZmyk5UHymDWnVZGfc/s1600/629X0691.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480855382667537586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EUTA1j5mx1mZtJyJ2SurgP8p1La49vOWlq9j1vmN6wKmT62qybDVyRtLC0MMd3tqC_N-Dz-_O0Bq8Laf4IdN-YX6nHgSUfnrUA1J6wwU87Fia5JYkjKUs5uy4HZmyk5UHymDWnVZGfc/s200/629X0691.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnd6JmgIDlUIm3YzysTA2UiDxgroikQEXtlhlJUrm9PFKozjS3RYHpvuZ7jA_5VPL6rlUel290F3_hp-sYQXC0YjDIVNLwyVVbBNGibEgFVvFywJO2lsnxDj5V9bpc0YM7n9sAEG9osRM/s1600/ZB7M0299.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480854712443013794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnd6JmgIDlUIm3YzysTA2UiDxgroikQEXtlhlJUrm9PFKozjS3RYHpvuZ7jA_5VPL6rlUel290F3_hp-sYQXC0YjDIVNLwyVVbBNGibEgFVvFywJO2lsnxDj5V9bpc0YM7n9sAEG9osRM/s320/ZB7M0299.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAZvaGG4vk2_5WdZzz_ioutkSSzWvNziXosIloHZwEeEierUxSd6K8aTot3NL1qFCjR8JaA5yB4XR_RpVtPlTVm2CVTfINhasu9Uajk65HsYxMhXPcxrFCK0SR2h6ckqTe_byN_CGkHE/s1600/P5280038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480850576588316466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAZvaGG4vk2_5WdZzz_ioutkSSzWvNziXosIloHZwEeEierUxSd6K8aTot3NL1qFCjR8JaA5yB4XR_RpVtPlTVm2CVTfINhasu9Uajk65HsYxMhXPcxrFCK0SR2h6ckqTe_byN_CGkHE/s320/P5280038.JPG" /></a>For reals?? Yes, seriously - 500 stems of hydrangea!!! Our studio was packed with the prettiness of garden roses, peonies, China mummies, too....aaah! Voluptuous full blooms are what set the stage for Alissa and Zach's vintage Victorian wedding at the Hotel Del Coronado <a href="http://www.hoteldel.com/"><span style="color:#33cc00;">http://www.hoteldel.com/</span></a> . Washed out pastels of champagne, blush, apricot, creamy whites, soft pink and subtle greens were the perfect match for the historic setting. The chuppah was quite an endeavor for my team and I. We designed and constructed an awning style canopy off the existing courtyard gazebo that complimented the hotel's garden surroundings. And, lucky me - snap happy Paul Barnett <a href="http://www.barnettphoto.com/"><span style="color:#33cc00;">http://www.barnettphoto.com/</span></a> was on the job - GREAT images! He is one of San Diego's best wedding photographers and always a hoot and a half to work alongside. Miryam Seid, a recent addition to our fine city from New York, planned all the details perfectly, this gal's got style and then some. Get to know HER! And, the sweet and very talented Erika Firm of Delphine <a href="http://www.delphine.com/"><span style="color:#33cc00;">ht</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">tp://www.delphine.com/</span></a> provided stunning letterpress invitations and escort cards with a quaint leafy motif...a great touch. Did I forget anyone else?? Yes - duh, and the gals at CAKE! <a href="http://www.fabcakes.com/"><span style="color:#33cc00;">http://www.fabcakes.com/</span></a> created a dreamy cake with large "scales" of white chocolate...it was quite unique and a thrill to decorate with peonies, spray roses and, or course, our last stems of hydrangea. Here's to the bride and groom! </div><br /><div>(BTW - If you made it this far in my gushy, rambling post...latest greatest news just in, my lovely friend Rachel called a moment ago, she and Peter are engaged!!! XO to you both!!!)</div><br /><div>Cheers,</div><div>Adrianne<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-10989074995094547132010-03-09T16:10:00.000-08:002010-03-12T07:16:19.868-08:00Springing forward<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8mU8XLr96rz7s2uEDLTPudg0qyL61XB2HA1O7EVnIU8b9WI-6Vd6V75mOihlDFawUxjTEk6HEY15yZR6a9gyotATViAxYraJEKS0ycB5QSSHmw3wdLzbgYVAQbnSiSsD4NXyA2otkg0/s1600-h/_AJS1661.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447763335026891602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8mU8XLr96rz7s2uEDLTPudg0qyL61XB2HA1O7EVnIU8b9WI-6Vd6V75mOihlDFawUxjTEk6HEY15yZR6a9gyotATViAxYraJEKS0ycB5QSSHmw3wdLzbgYVAQbnSiSsD4NXyA2otkg0/s320/_AJS1661.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">With daylight savings being just a few days away, something fantastic has also re-set its seasonal clock around here. The abundant winter rain that dumped this year made our funky succulent-ed entry really bust out with big time juiciness! Once shriveled jade plants, aeoniums, echevarias and aloes are now thick, thriving and fat with moisture. And, along with their new found lust for life, these plants are also hosting a variety of critters. My darling cat "Bones" (aka "Itty Bitty"- not so bitty any more) has made many new chewy friends and has thoughtfully introduced them to the rest of the household; usually when and where we least expect it. Examples - like right after dinner, or at 2:30am via the bedroom window (over my side of the bed, of course) or placed orderly next to my gym bag where her victim lays maimed, wiggly or dead as a door nail. </span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Her favorite new friends include: earthworms, some up to 6" long; alligator lizards, usually missing a limb and/or tail and the real fun novelty of late is a 3" long potato bug, ewww! This link should do the trick for those unfamiliar with this elusive, mysterious bug-thing... </span><a href="http://uploadwikipedia.org/wikipedia/ommons/1/1e/mahogany_Jerusalem_cricket.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#339999;">http://uploadwikipedia.org/wikipedia/ommons/1/1e/mahogany_Jerusalem_cricket.jpg</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> . </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Darwin, my friend, I guarantee our crazy coastal niche would have impressed you! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">But seriously now - cats, critters and natural selection aside, the important thing to share with my blog followers is that I often harvest succulents from our rain-soaked front yard. I find they make a fine ingredient in many a floral recipe. From boutonnieres to centerpieces - their effect is stunning, surprising and always invites both touch and comment. Heck, talk about shopping "local', eh? Lucky me! Oh, and my cat too. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Photo courtesy: <a href="http://www.barnettphoto.com/"><span style="color:#339999;">http://www.barnettphoto.com/</span></a></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Cheers,</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Adrianne</span></div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-52398757746031854702010-03-06T09:20:00.000-08:002010-03-06T10:38:46.024-08:00Window shop<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAfnt724KxE34H7uxBCf4PF4j2QDB27yHXvAcsw3JY4hi_jSwd2J31RBlo9Z5zuDZYQ0MWLPA4OvTJsjjiTTXy1j7WoI2XN_GME5q6J_2CsYj0kDIrbpIFW-zSIqdqiOE8ArgT26mz8U/s1600-h/P2250034.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445589064196861474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAfnt724KxE34H7uxBCf4PF4j2QDB27yHXvAcsw3JY4hi_jSwd2J31RBlo9Z5zuDZYQ0MWLPA4OvTJsjjiTTXy1j7WoI2XN_GME5q6J_2CsYj0kDIrbpIFW-zSIqdqiOE8ArgT26mz8U/s320/P2250034.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Whenever I need new ideas for floral creations, I look to window displays. In college, my favorite art classes were Color Theory and Exhibition Design...so no surprise that I find new color trends in their retail settings down right fascinating. Some people watch gobs of TV (my husband refers to this gizmo as the box with the little people inside), I watch out for color relationships -everyday! Yes, I totally agree, nerd alert. </span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">One of my favorite places in Southern California to go "window shopping" is Anthropologie </span><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.anthropologie.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> . For those not familiar, this is a women's apparel/home furnishings store specializing in the modern-bohemian-chic aesthetic...amazing textiles, fashion designs, unique jewelry/accessories and inspired store displays. Beyond the impressive use of color, their merchandising gurus often focus attention on repetitive textures and shapes. Last week when I saw their recent display utilizing two other of my favorite things - recycled products and bicycle wheels - I blew a micro chip getting super snap happy with my little green camera (ask my pretty gal pal, Dawn - think I may have embarrassed her!). The tops of plastic water bottles were cut into flower blossom shapes, then airbrushed and splattered with mixed pastel colors </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">, then layered and mounted on to chrome rims and spokes of old bicycle wheels. And then lastly, layered upon themselves...so damn clever!!! Check this YouTube video to get the gist of it. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBmXMol9Qus">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBmXMol9Qus</a> </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have always wanted to teach art. Perhaps someday my crazy class will be called 'Color Theory - Recycle Scratch and Sniff 101' - a course combining light industrial design, recycled goods, methods & materials and lots of glorious colorama! </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Are you in or are you out?</span></div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Auf Wiedersehn,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Adrianne</span>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-54840678814451665522010-02-17T15:14:00.000-08:002010-02-17T17:01:00.037-08:00Channeling my inner Bollywood<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVyK8JiQPt79704upysdnOwf8Z1yZ7bczlAGhh-YxX6JenRcCdL7k99KanppFfLcS102Cydeq9GXj33NG3l1zO6NFSgpeHLWUMHiHj_ONx7pknWB5d1-vQcQWFiQ6lw8xTphHLnadG-k/s1600-h/BollywoodWed2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439376261336719570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVyK8JiQPt79704upysdnOwf8Z1yZ7bczlAGhh-YxX6JenRcCdL7k99KanppFfLcS102Cydeq9GXj33NG3l1zO6NFSgpeHLWUMHiHj_ONx7pknWB5d1-vQcQWFiQ6lw8xTphHLnadG-k/s320/BollywoodWed2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVC70GRZprs9kkY9NPugjWtUzg6OIgNSrd3BnXpiF6rTFmrX20eObkMiu0snSUgnyYt17eWxl9g13R-DodE3xq7ZDzmyp8og_W6weFs4G05sb9IuGAEPa23plBhyphenhyphenmqRmV7QLrktduTmw/s1600-h/BollywoodWed1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439376257202701010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVC70GRZprs9kkY9NPugjWtUzg6OIgNSrd3BnXpiF6rTFmrX20eObkMiu0snSUgnyYt17eWxl9g13R-DodE3xq7ZDzmyp8og_W6weFs4G05sb9IuGAEPa23plBhyphenhyphenmqRmV7QLrktduTmw/s320/BollywoodWed1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Every time</span> I eat Indian food something funny happens. Well, besides my brow perspiring from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">punjab</span> heat, I swear my type 'O' negative blood turns Hindi positive! That joyful song from "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Slumdog</span> Millionaire" goes off loudly in my head, my pasty pigment changes to a lush caramel-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ish</span> toffee color, I am clad in a fine silk sari (green, of course) and my wrists are jangling with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">copious</span> silver bangles. Alas, I am awakened upon leaving the restaurant to the bland reality check: Adrianne, you are merely an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">American</span> mutt, a mixed up specimen of German, English, Irish, French and Cherokee. Kind of hard to extract any inspired sensual experience from that bag, boo...courtesy of Mom and Dad's collective <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">gene pools I suppose</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hmmm</span>.<br /><br />Thankfully, on occasion, I do luck into creating flowers for an Indian bride and/or groom. The jewel tones, spicy hues and unexpected textures of the culture really flip my global lid. </div><div>Event coordinator, Kelly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Aull</span> of Mint Weddings <a href="http://www.mintweddings.com/">http://www.mintweddings.com/</a> brought 2 fine clients my way, Pamela and Craig...she being Indian and he, French Canadian and THEY = foodies! All the tables were named after exotic spices, <strong>so</strong> <strong>cool</strong>. Custom chocolates made with cardamom, chili and curry were abundant, while clove-spiked orange pomanders were placed on everything that stood still and don't get me going on about the cake - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">doi</span>!! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Artero</span> Photography <a href="http://www.artero.com/">http://www.artero.com/</a> captured the event at the San Diego Natural Natural History Museum <a href="http://www.sdnhm.org/">http://www.sdnhm.org/</a> where the most beautifully dressed Indian women of every age swirled about the dance floor - a rainbow blur of brilliant <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">turquoise</span>, saffron yellow, marigold orange and watermelon pink. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Aaaaaaahhh</span>, such magic!<br /><br />May my next dinner at "Monsoon" transport me straight to a steamy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Bollywood</span> movie set via a creaky bamboo rickshaw with sassy mango <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">lassi</span> in hand. I could get used to that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,<br />Adrianne </div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-82662479456010759722010-02-01T13:51:00.000-08:002010-02-01T15:35:05.142-08:00Valentine's Day - what's that?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzN0-D6pDBBNtYvKpQlM5PKHJ_bmqPBWdqpNNc7S4Xqq1ID4Cfqcq6VsY_sWHOzK3vQMhi5vdNvhR5TYXeArtX5zLWTJuscCNjH5832BUMlHy3KCB8UJtluHkHNy-jQ8XrwMj27JNolU/s1600-h/Vday+blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433420724875649410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzN0-D6pDBBNtYvKpQlM5PKHJ_bmqPBWdqpNNc7S4Xqq1ID4Cfqcq6VsY_sWHOzK3vQMhi5vdNvhR5TYXeArtX5zLWTJuscCNjH5832BUMlHy3KCB8UJtluHkHNy-jQ8XrwMj27JNolU/s320/Vday+blog.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000000;">Right, the questions of all questions...what is the origin of this lovey-dovey holiday?<br /><br /></span><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Lets go back to 270 A.D. During this time the iron-fisted emperor, Claudius, was enlisting men to fight in his mighty, manly wars. These poor, sensitive male recruits, however, didn't wish to leave their sweethearts to wage battles in far away lands. This angered the feisty Claudius, hence he forbid any marriages to be performed and cancelled all engagements - the nerve! </span></p><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Cue in Valentine, a popular and kindly priest, who secretly arranged marriages within his church. Claudius, armed with a anger for this sort of romantic, gooey disobedience, promptly jailed Valentine and sent these poor love struck men to fight in his bloody wars. </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Here is where my little funky history lesson gets interesting. Now the <em>People Magazine</em> twist on all this was that while incarcerated, Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter, hmmmm. </span><span style="color:#000000;">He wrote her woozy, swoony, beautiful love letters signed, "from Your Valentine". Awwww! Basically, he made a martyr of himself...and, so naturally, he is known as the patron saint of lovers and for those wishing to marry. Hence, a holiday was born!</span></div><br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Sooooo, get on it love struck lads - a romantic expression speaks volumes! Got flowers? For San Diego ordering information, please send an email inquiry to: </span><a href="mailto:info@asmithfloral.com"><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">info@asmithfloral.com</span></strong></a><span style="color:#000000;">. </span><span style="color:#000000;">We'll get you set up for sweet love this Valentine's Day.</span></p><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Cheers,</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Adrianne</span></div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-83564080521543560232009-11-30T12:13:00.000-08:002009-11-30T13:34:27.968-08:00'The Road Not Taken'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkod4BI4ncHcxuROm367s_t63P7deBqlVOR9hA6SjknkjuJW2nGQszgL-kfG3XXcQn-PecYIh9dtSQmtU30Icmz3m_b0Y8Gj9WP4MKoWdWkXrYISL9fTMghJ02EdqEtOp4qmtTU7Is7k/s1600/PB260007.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 276px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 401px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410004398811034114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkod4BI4ncHcxuROm367s_t63P7deBqlVOR9hA6SjknkjuJW2nGQszgL-kfG3XXcQn-PecYIh9dtSQmtU30Icmz3m_b0Y8Gj9WP4MKoWdWkXrYISL9fTMghJ02EdqEtOp4qmtTU7Is7k/s320/PB260007.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1l0L_vFkLMNVR2tcE1d-muIu8yjSBRLXksEHF3hkNnwmc-V8QOPrzp91zedZSkgAhBQoxPS5om6a6P9Hm58q0AlmPL6KLy_RWyW-HmT-sGX_S-GlpjbUJOP1VbGPZb0aBtLdCtziWWXg/s1600/PB260005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409999082572195538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1l0L_vFkLMNVR2tcE1d-muIu8yjSBRLXksEHF3hkNnwmc-V8QOPrzp91zedZSkgAhBQoxPS5om6a6P9Hm58q0AlmPL6KLy_RWyW-HmT-sGX_S-GlpjbUJOP1VbGPZb0aBtLdCtziWWXg/s400/PB260005.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost</div><br /><br /><div>I awoke Thanksgiving morning to a brisk and invigorating invitation. A fine day for fresh air before the traditional pig out...and Bothe Napa Valley State Park was calling us. With my husband, my best pal and 3 other friends hoofing it upward on a spongy path - we found ourselves in the shadow of a north-east facing ridge; tree covered with redwoods, maples, sycamore, manzanita and a myriad of mysterious oaks - not my usual acorny suspects from Southern California. It had rained earlier that week, and a dampness hung to the golden leaves littering the trail and creek bed. Moss clung to every thing dead, decaying or free from direct sunlight. Textures so fern-ladden and fuzzy I swore I was on some kind of Trekkie planet...you know the one with the "tribbles"? Or, in that weird fantasy film "Legend" with once naive Tom Cruise (pre sofa stunt on Oprah and the Scientology) and scary Tim Curry (from Rocky Horror Picture Show) as the evil beast, cue in the unicorn! AND, then along came the fungus! Seriously, we may have seen 30 different varieties of mushrooms...it was quite magical and mysterious. Was I really there or was it just a beautiful dream?</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Cheers,</div><br /><br /><div>Adrianne</div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-82754677365347641692009-11-17T17:32:00.000-08:002009-11-17T18:13:46.668-08:00Gad zukes, Scooby...these are real mums!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKPKgr1IRwo9hscxp3b5rctCohzfk52zbNDWgI_U9xE3-fFAvlV4wsVR3ccfd0DTvKptsCcnSL5jv8PlWtqoP0I7PH9i8t25DritAukVi8qeEOwyYY6rI7CF5OBvs3uQIvn7GjQ3zPmo/s1600/NOV.+2009PB040001+(68).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405255366108888914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKPKgr1IRwo9hscxp3b5rctCohzfk52zbNDWgI_U9xE3-fFAvlV4wsVR3ccfd0DTvKptsCcnSL5jv8PlWtqoP0I7PH9i8t25DritAukVi8qeEOwyYY6rI7CF5OBvs3uQIvn7GjQ3zPmo/s400/NOV.+2009PB040001+(68).JPG" /></a> Ok - I am so fired up... Exquisite Weddings Magazine table top decor photo shoot countdown, less than 20 hours!<br /><br /><br /><div>I had such a freak out when I saw these 6" diameter China mums (a.k.a. - "chrysanthemums grandes") last week. When I picked them up from my wholesale floral peeps today I may have popped a vein in my eyeball and said, "Zoinks!" They are so frickin' fat and gorgeous. Mustard colored, and I don't mean "French's Mustard"...FYI, that's not real mustard. "French's Mustard" is only legal to those US citizens under the age of 12 who, sadly, via the disgraceful permission of their weak parents are allowed to slather this stuff onto their hotdogs! Thankfully, this sad and forbidden condiment does not exist if you were blessed enough to be born and raised in Europe, right? Heck, they even let their fine Euro youth sip wine at the ripe age of 12! So, the mustard yellow I am refering to is "dijon-esque", a sophisticated muted Euro-yellow w/a hint of grey meets apricot at a swinging, yet spicy party - do you know that of which I write? Hope so. More photos to follow...tomorrow is going to be so groovy delicious, I can taste it! </div><br /><br /><div>Tonight, I shall dream of REAL mustard colored mums - aaaaahhh. And, maybe, of cyclist George Hincapie too...hee hee. Look him up google style :-)</div><div>HINT: Someone needs Scooby snack!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Cheers,<br />Adrianne</div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-32970054855631398722009-11-17T17:31:00.001-08:002009-11-17T17:31:44.088-08:00gad zukes, Scooby! These are real mums!Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-10491317913021281462009-11-09T15:33:00.000-08:002009-11-09T20:20:13.199-08:00a-MUSE-ing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4b5NKuX6PmlfMyCEnIAc-PkDIzJDE7dZLx8LJO8LpX32nbP-8n0J3G6YnvXvJxxu-OmVAKiakDlnEnUH6aBMjKXWGeBdOAglLTpP6bN6wsGVtqCTr1BHvK-Ql2Rm5ehgM7UIwymNquE/s1600-h/PB090033.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402321949231865970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4b5NKuX6PmlfMyCEnIAc-PkDIzJDE7dZLx8LJO8LpX32nbP-8n0J3G6YnvXvJxxu-OmVAKiakDlnEnUH6aBMjKXWGeBdOAglLTpP6bN6wsGVtqCTr1BHvK-Ql2Rm5ehgM7UIwymNquE/s320/PB090033.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family:georgia;">I love this four letter word, <em>muse.</em> When a muse speaks to me, it is in a very LOUD and clear voice! So much so that I will suddenly spasm violently, bug my eyes out and say silly things like "oooh, oooh, oooh!" or "OMG, word!" or "bloody brilliant!" Yes, when inspiration strikes not only do I lose most motor skills, but I become possessed by a zombie state madly sketching and taking notes on a cardboard box top or the like; totally fixated and mesmerized by an invisible force. If someone enters the studio zone whilst I am lost in my state of muse, and speaks to me - I usually scream and collapse under buckling knees; BTW I do startle VERY easily. Ask my husband or any ASFD team peep, it's really kind of spooky.</span> <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">My amusing muse of the week is birch branches; mossy ones, leafless ones, "Blair Witch Project" ones - you get it. An upcoming photo shoot for Exquisite Weddings Magazine </span><a href="http://www.exquisiteweddingsmagazine.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">http://www.exquisiteweddingsmagazine.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> has me giddy with anticipation. I am teamed up with master event planner Mary Noble of </span><a href="http://www.marynoblesclassicweddings.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">http://www.marynoblesclassicweddings.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> ... going to be beautiful, birch branchy and amusing, just a gut feeling!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Cheers,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Adrianne</span>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-51767495659170474922009-11-05T17:06:00.000-08:002009-11-05T18:24:41.751-08:00Got pesto?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hyxo_cj3iuz1UgSWh9J6_tJpAUq3iUj8CQWYLqqSv5t4KEFhSg9Y9_zLiWtj81Mmf89wLqNB0lBmC3Oi3DUF2dcCIhuYOD8k8hr2BXVEXP7iiQtZvA9cSo3WZYGDI9AgIhouiqeIp38/s1600-h/August2009+later+014.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400809594212760546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hyxo_cj3iuz1UgSWh9J6_tJpAUq3iUj8CQWYLqqSv5t4KEFhSg9Y9_zLiWtj81Mmf89wLqNB0lBmC3Oi3DUF2dcCIhuYOD8k8hr2BXVEXP7iiQtZvA9cSo3WZYGDI9AgIhouiqeIp38/s320/August2009+later+014.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Having a real farmer for a father growing up certainly had it's perks. We always had great home grown veggies - squash, artichokes, tomatoes, chard, beets, snow peas...rolling with the seasons, it was ever changing and exciting to see what came up next. Note: I was the harvester while Dad did all the real grunt work. I think he liked it that way being the veteran green thumb that he was.</div><br /><div>Fast forward to 25 years later. My husband and I finally live at a place convenient for a raised planter bed. After our first "box farm" was born, I was filled with mulchy glee! I did, however, have this inner fear...that what if after all our efforts I somehow manage to kill everything!? Afterall, I do work solely with cut floral; not living, breathing green plants. Voila, magic occurred - we grew 3 types of tomatoes, Japanese eggplants, Padron peppers de Espana, herbs and sunflowers! Damn, I was good! To protect the fruits of our labor, I battled evil caterpillars and other buggy vermin daily...and, hell, looked I won! Summer has come and gone, the box farm is a mess of dead vines and withered limbs but the one thing that keeps on thriving are 2 fat daddy sweet basil plants. I became a pesto factory this year...and here's my recipe, eat up.</div><br /><div><strong>BOX FARM PESTO</strong></div><div> </div><div>3 cups loose packed basil leaves</div><br /><div>3 cloves of crushed garlic</div><br /><div>1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted</div><br /><div>1/4+ cup good olive oil</div><br /><div>juice of 1 lemon</div><br /><div>sea salt</div><br /><div>fresh ground pepper</div><br /><div>1/2 cup of grated Parmasen cheese</div><br /><div>Place all stuff in blender and puree the heck out of it. If too thick, scrape down the sides of blender and add more oil and/or lemon juice. Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking. Sometimes a dash of crushed red pepper flakes gives it edge. Serve with warm pasta or on top of grilled fish or chicken. Store in fridge for up to a week.</div><br /><br /><div></div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-44632103933324551382009-11-05T15:42:00.000-08:002009-11-07T09:26:28.452-08:00The team, my peeps<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvl7Ne37JfR5DUUyuKlUJFIuCQJ_dvj3dX_SItwFHYMNaAK4nb8CrOWa7FFNbbeOxaAzjyJpjj9_aGpxLEgY3gAFj7tUf52cR_amBwTY7ugb5jDT1wUFiXXkDEYAFMzAR6w493IZxhxs/s1600-h/PA100101.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400788516362095970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvl7Ne37JfR5DUUyuKlUJFIuCQJ_dvj3dX_SItwFHYMNaAK4nb8CrOWa7FFNbbeOxaAzjyJpjj9_aGpxLEgY3gAFj7tUf52cR_amBwTY7ugb5jDT1wUFiXXkDEYAFMzAR6w493IZxhxs/s200/PA100101.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family:georgia;">The kind of work my team and I do is quite physical. We are constantly moving heavy objects, being sliced and poked by spiny thorns or branches, plunging our manly hands in and out of water, cleaning and prepping mysterious equipment and accessories often with volatile chemicals and did I mention we stand on our feet for 8-12 hours at a time whilst designing? So, what's the upside of being floral designers? Creating beautiful things, duh! </span><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">ASFD teammate, Heather Rose (check the name too, no foolin'!), is a gift. Seriously intuitive and nurturing to the core...she always finds the best use of each other's talents and time, then quickly executes 20+ stunning centerpieces, sweeps up floral shrapnel like a windswept faerie and, on occasion, even makes us all lunch! A loving wife and mother of 3 kick-ass teenage kids, she knows how to keep wheels in motion. And in the 11th hour, when team ASFD starts to melt, she promptly puts "The Best of Blondie" CD in the tune box. What's not love about this woman? She is filled with great mojo and is purely precious to the core. Get to know her.</span></div><br /><br /><div>Cheers,</div><br /><div>Adrianne</div>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-31155788245647604122009-11-05T13:14:00.000-08:002009-11-05T14:26:13.379-08:00Going the Distance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbrzAs8oXuen1so538-5PWztC33h9QVbhngq-CG5HKPT4tSHrusFpweRWM627FWwUXRKOEITUz-5tWtP05zsSz4XNQXJXYZH8M3h12fv8JW4swa1DBDXyoqFYKe6sM98dep38jhbZ4_4/s1600-h/Michele+Coulon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400747812006160754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbrzAs8oXuen1so538-5PWztC33h9QVbhngq-CG5HKPT4tSHrusFpweRWM627FWwUXRKOEITUz-5tWtP05zsSz4XNQXJXYZH8M3h12fv8JW4swa1DBDXyoqFYKe6sM98dep38jhbZ4_4/s320/Michele+Coulon.jpg" border="0" /></a> The event industry is filled with many talented vendors who provide a great array of services. Some of these people are quite accomplished at their chosen trade. And, then there are others that go the extra mile....going the distance to bring us something absolutely amazing. Of these I am so TOTALLY impressed with cake & pastry wizard extraordinaire, Michele Coulon.<br /><br /><br />I met Michele nine years ago at Rancho Valencia Resort <a href="http://www.ranchovalencia.com/">http://www.ranchovalencia.com/</a> while setting up a wedding. Not sure who said it to who first, but it was along the lines of, "Hey, I love your clogs!" Sensible shoes happen for sensible people BTW. Shoes aside, what this dear woman can create with butter, flour and sugar is seriously some kind of voodoo or black magic - she creates addiction! Tip - try her dense Meyer lemon cake - it'll really send you!<br /><br /><br />In addition to wedding cakes, specialty desserts and pastries, Michele Coulon Dessertier <a href="http://www.dessertier.com/">http://www.dessertier.com/</a> is also a super charming cafe in La Jolla offering French bistro-style fare that focuses on incorporating local and organic ingredients into her cuisine. Go the distance and make a reservation, you won't regret it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Cheers,<br />AdrianneAdriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710419915288921097.post-86670664950429874132009-11-04T16:08:00.000-08:002009-11-04T17:08:57.835-08:00<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0S3xtkQXvAv7yMLoGhbCBqmEy6htcRfcM9uz4ybkW6P7PeeKDPIhGyf0s8vjHGZV5sbtykDUI8YmtGM5l4CLfrVTyVdtC3a_BleZoaGQ6Z2BiuOOFMK1WwhYwlzT_TjXjIlIC-hl4Bw/s1600-h/bauman_lauberge_0062.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400414520757519906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0S3xtkQXvAv7yMLoGhbCBqmEy6htcRfcM9uz4ybkW6P7PeeKDPIhGyf0s8vjHGZV5sbtykDUI8YmtGM5l4CLfrVTyVdtC3a_BleZoaGQ6Z2BiuOOFMK1WwhYwlzT_TjXjIlIC-hl4Bw/s400/bauman_lauberge_0062.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">OK</span>, here goes. I am a "floral designer"...would you like my definition? </span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>floral designer -</em> noun; 1. a person who specializes in the beautification of events and special occasions with the creative use of the fresh floral and/or plant material as her medium; 2. an artist whose purpose is to support various environments and venues by selecting color palettes and chosen natural textures to enhance a celebratory atmosphere; and 3. a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">visionary</span> of botanical delights.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">In a nutshell, I am all about the end result...a thoughtful, beautiful <em>fete <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">du</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">jour</span></em> (my definition again = "party of the day") that is truly unforgettable.</div><div align="justify">And...I welcome you to my blog.</div><br /><br />Cheers,<br />Adrianne<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">photo by:</span><br /><a href="http://www.baumanphotographers.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">www.baumanphotographers.com</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>Adriannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15998831951480479893noreply@blogger.com0