Flowers at Ray's Boathouse for A.

Flowers from a recent corporate open house I did at Ray's Boathouse (by the way, it's a great venue for small--100 or less people-receptions. Beautiful view, amazingly good local seafood, and probably the nicest people working there of any venue around).




Another by-the-way...one bride that I worked with on a Ray's wedding gave their fabulous cookbook as her favors. I love wedding favors that are really meaningful, and these were perfect. Obviously very appropriate for the venue, a huge treat to get as a gift, and they would remind all the guests of the wedding every time they used it in future years. Or as client A. pointed out the other night, they'd even be a perfect gift for parents or others that you'd like to thank.

Just my type

Reader, may introduce you to my friend Veer? Veer, Reader.

Now that introductions are out of the way, it's time for you two to get to know each other. Veer is an amazing resource for graphic artists, anyone that loves beautiful type, or people making do-it-yourself invitation or logos. It's also a site that is just plain fun.



Veer recently sent me their newest marketing campaign...the member handbook for their own secret society. How fun is that? And since I myself have purchased fonts from them, I'm lucky enough to be a member. I'll even share my secret codename...Kitti Casual Navalfluff...but don't tell anyone else because it's secret. Want one for yourself? Get it here.


But all kidding aside, they have amazingly beautiful fonts and graphics for sale. My current fave is the Feel Script, designed by Alejandro Paul. It was just introduced a few months ago, and I've already seen it used in some magazine work (Seattle Homes and Lifestyle must have wanted to get their full $99.oo worth out of the purchase...it was used on the cover of BOTH the March and April issues).

I also love the shoebop font and about a thousand others! (And very few of them are as pricey as the $99.oo Feel Script; I must just have champagne taste in fonts). The fun part is that they have a "flont" tool. Just register with them (it's free) so that you can log in, and then you can try out any font with your own words before you buy. It's a great way to make sure you have the right type for your logo or invites. Veer also has a great selection of images for purchase. Many are very funny, and are just waiting for the right caption. I'm partial to the last.

All images property of Veer.

Elemental trend

As a former chemistry teacher, I love one of the latest trends that's been popping up everywhere--chemical symbols (think Periodic Table) as a design motif. A few of my favorites...

Element rings from INN:itsnoname. Available in three metals, each matching the chemical symbol; silver, gold and platinum. Prices match the type of metal; silver is $255.oo, platinum is $6,6oo.oo.

The just-as-much-fun but much more reasonable priced selection from nicholas and felice on Etsy.

"Geek Magnets" from Anandi on Etsy. She does the "bling" collection shown below, and her dark side comes out in the toxic lead/mercury set.

And the coolest wine label out there right now? Goes to Wines of Substance; a new Washington label being produced by some guys getting some very big recognition. Their website has a fun interactive "Periodic Table of Washington Wines".

Exciting news!

Big news in the world of Fiore Blossoms...last week, I snagged (ok, was graciously offered by the wonderful ladies that run the whole thing) a very coveted spot on the wonderful Junebug Weddings site! I'm so honored to be one of their ten floral designers, and thrilled to be joining such an amazing team and group of talented people. Not to mention all the great taste and style that just oozes from their site!

Check out my new tile on the home page (there are ten that cycle through, so you might have to wait a minute) that Kim Bamberg put together for me, and listing under "plan your wedding/florists". Blair deLaubenfels wrote the nicest review that just warmed my heart!

Thanks Blair, Kim, and Christy! What a treat!

Ceremony piece ideas for M.

Collecting ideas for ceremony pieces for a client getting married this summer in a beautiful tent on the University of Washington campus, with the reception at Pravda Studios. Her vision? Modern but classic, romantic and elegant, chic but not crazy.

What do you think M.?

All pictures/flowers from Square Root Designs in Irvine, California.

Happy Day!

What a fun wedding this weekend! Just a few shots showing Lara's flowers. I loved her colors--vibrant orange, cymbidium green, deep purple, and ivory. I know the photos are going to be so pretty (and mine are always terrible), so I want to wait to get some professional pics back before I show too much.

The Sunset Club was such a beautiful venue (antique Italian chandeliers everywhere!) and her cake was incredible (dark chocolate faux bois frosting with white chocolate curls shaped as birch bark, accented with real twigs and her custom bird cake topper...SO cute!).

Derby Day!

Last year's winner, Street Sense

A good friend was sharing her plans with me for the weekend, which include a great party to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. She's been busy making a hat all week, and I can't wait to see the result. In the meantime, I thought I'd share some Derby atmosphere with you (because really, how could an event get any better? A sense of history, crazy fashion, beautiful horses, and yummy drinks!).

It's tradition at the Derby to wear your most fashionable (and giant!) hat.

A few people get REALLY wacky with their fashion.

"March to the Derby"

The official drink of the Kentucky Derby is the Mint Julep. Here is the classic recipe, along with a few facts (from the official Kentucky Derby site).

The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century. Early Times Kentucky Whisky has been privileged and honored to be a part of that tradition. The Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail has been "The Official Mint Julep of the Kentucky Derby" for more than 18 years.

Each year, almost 120,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are served over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. A feat that requires over 10,000 bottles of Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail, 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint and 60,000 pounds of ice.

The Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail is a staple at the track the rest of the year as well. In fact, the Grade II Early Times Mint Julep Stakes on June 17 at Churchill Downs is sponsored by Early Times.

You can also find the Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail at your local retailer. The commemorative bottles have become collectors items for many, capturing the mood and spirit of the famous Churchill Downs track and Kentucky Derby race. If the Early Times Ready-to-Serve Cocktail is not available from your local retailer, you can make your own with this time-honored recipe:

The Early Times Mint Julep Recipe
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Early Times Kentucky Whisky
Silver Julep Cups
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

All pictures from Kentucky Derby's fickr photostream.

Love Birds

A fun wedding coming up this weekend...the beautiful Sunset Club, a vibrant palette (green orchids, orange roses, purple-black callas...), and fabulous touches in bride Lara's distinctive style. I can't wait to share pictures next week!

I don't want to give anything away ahead of time, so I'm resisting the very strong urge to show you a picture of their super cute custom cake topper by Ann Wood. I'll just show a few pictures of her work for now, and will show Lara and Brad's special creation next week. I'm so glad to have found out about Ann though. Cake toppers are BACK in a big way, and these are some of the cutest I've ever seen.

May Day! May Day!

Today's the day! Of couse, I'm a big fan of the May Day holiday.

I could post directions on how to celebrate, but I think these guys are all the explanation you need. Now go out and do some random acts of flowers!

Photo originally from here.

In case you don't know...

the girls will be dropping by Oprah today! (And they're bringing the Mister along too)