India Inspirations

So have you seen it yet?? Slumdog Millionaire - the movie that is going to kick it later today at the Oscars? (yes I have the Oscars on my calendar every year! - more to come on that...).

I highly recommend you squeeze this gem into your tight schedule - it is a winner. It is a visual fiesta (or shall I say Diwali), the music is awesome - and oh yeah - the story is pretty good too.

Though much of India is devastatingly poor, it is so rich with color and interest that you just can't help being drawn in by wonder and amazement. There has been a growing vibe over the last few years, starting with the raging hit Monsoon Wedding, Born into Brothels and now Slumdog, infusing rich texture and color into the landscapes of design.

Again, the elements are integrated to bring interesting and festivity to weddings and events even though they may not be Indian in origin. I love this whole concept! Luscious flowy fabrics for example are a wonderful and relatively inexpensive way to add a whole lot of color and ambiance to a wedding. Gold accents are very much on their way to the forefront again, even in wedding invitation design.

Check out these fabulous little elements that we have available, to infuse some fun color and India inspirations into your wedding day: Lotus candle holders, wire lanterns, glass votive cups, incense sets (great favor for guests) and paper fans adorned with gold.

Addition to the Love List - Hannah Hartnell

One of my Divine Brides of 2009 (check out our Album of Alumni on the panacea Facebook page), was telling me about her wedding gown designer - the studio, the stately gray whippet on the vintage velvet sofa, the personalized service and exquisite attention to detail and the woman’s dedication to giving back – and I was hooked. The name sounded remotely familiar to me, but I wasn’t sure how I knew it.

Google saves the day! (how did I figure ANYTHING out before Google – oops! That really dates me huh?) None the less – WOW… I meandered around the site and immediately emailed Hannah to see if she would let me post some photos of her fabulous designs on our blog – and she emailed back – from a beach in Mexico. Green light and delight! Why Hannah Harnell that is – has designed gowns for the likes of Barbra, Gweneth to name a couple of hot ladies. She is a standard at the Academy Awards with a look that is a stunning mixture of old Hollywood Glam, mixed with Vintage Chic and tossed with a smidge of eclectic full throttle goddess. She uses sumptuous fabrics and delights in the details of perfection.



What I love – she is a woman that supports the community and the women around her. You will not find these gowns on the pages of all the bridal magazines on the newsstands – they’re too special for that. But if you are looking for the special care and personal attention - what will make you look amazing on a day that you want to be gorgeous – Hannah is your choice. Check out her website, visit her design studio in Santa Monica and watch for her splendor on the red carpet of the Oscars.

Industry Play Date - Wine Tour 2

OH DEAR!!! So wonderfully fun to take a day off and roll with some of my friends from the wedding industry in the Grapeline Van through the back roads of Paso Robles to taste a little vino.

This time we spent time at Dunning Vineyards, Adelaida Cellars, Carina Cellars. Some my favorite people were along for the fun - and to say we had fun is a serious understatement! Mary Allegreta from Villa Toscana, Paul and Linda Della Pelle from Fig Leaf Video Productions, Beau and Misfabulousity (aka Melissa) Kramer of Kramer Entertainment, and my creative soul sister Jennie from Trumpet Vine Catering were a few in the group. In our "research effort" to "taste the black cherry notes" we sampled some really great wine and made some new friends along the way.

If you haven't checked out this up and coming wine region - you are missing out on one of the great experiences of California. Many on our destination brides, put together fun tours for their guests as a treat the day before the wedding for everyone to mingle and bond before the big day. I can't imagine anyone not really enjoying this.

For more information on the Paso Robles Wine Region - check out PasoWine.

Ode to V Day...

Red Roses, chocolate, champagne, fabulous undies and candlelight - all the things we have been taught that are necessary for romance. Really? It's all so cliche to me. OK granted I've been with the same wonderful guy for the past 17 years - and yes we still do some of that stuff.

Actually Valentines Day was one of the tipping points for me when we had first started dating. I was recovering from a delightful case of mono and said guy had spent hours at my apartment making me Campbell's condensed soup and toasted bagels (we were in college OK?!). I remember Brian bringing take-out Chinese over along with a beautiful willow basket of plants (African Violet and Maidenhair fern) and a wonderful book about window box planting.

In my mono haze, I was pretty stunned - no chocolate (I don't like it - I know - weird!), no fresh cut flowers (I do my own) and a book - always a hit with me - and about gardening - Helloooooo!!! It was pretty clear to me that he "got me". And really this was only two months in - it could only get better from here - right?

It has - and we have settled into a very comfortable and happy tradition of low key Valentines celebrations that usually include take out Chinese. It works for us and I wouldn't have it any other way.

And so (you may wonder why I rattle on and on) these little traditions and quirky details are the things that can bring your wedding day personality and make it uniquely you. They are the inspiration of fun design details - find ways to incorporate them and you and your guests will end your wedding with some beautiful memories.

Sunday Gratefulness List...

So it's really Sunday, (I know I promised to do this on Fridays!) and I really want to keep the good energy going - so... this week I'mgrateful for:

• Color - it is the thing I find most beautiful in life
• My incredible 2009 brides - they are growing everyday and I have a wonderfully inspired group this year
• New friends - in the community and on Facebook
• The Rain - it makes the color more intense and provides a good excuse to work from home
• Old friends - here, there and everywhere - you are my family
• Opportunity - it is around every corner, though some days you have to look a little harder
• Always a sturdy cup of caffeine
  
• My family that keeps me grounded and motivated
  
• Shoes!! The more the merrier.
• My iPhone - my constant companion, I don't know how I lived without you

Boutique Express Wedding Packages

This is year we hope to help all brides with all budgets have beautifully styled blooms at their weddings. We have put together three fabulous packages that provide everything any bride would need to cover the basics - in style.




















Timeless Roses, Classic Callas and Market Mix bouquets provide incredible value while giving brides a multitude of color options and styled details. Though we have been known for the past 10 years for providing larger scale all inclusive floral and decor elements for weddings and events - this is an opportunity for us to give every bride an option.

The Boutique Express Packages include all the personal flowers for the wedding party and family and there are several Simply Beautiful centerpiece options that can be added on, starting at only $18 per table including the rental of our beautiful glass components or recycled BlumeBoxes. The possibilities are endless - the detailed beauty is memorable.

Check it out!! Your personal Boutique Express Package can be reserved by calling us at 805/595-7795.