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A little about what's happening in our big flower world...

Living & Loving Local, A Lavender Wedding | St. Helena, California

When Lindsey contacted me about designing flowers for her and Rico's wedding celebration, to say I was excited would be an understatement. Lindsey is the owner of a wonderful farm-to-table restaurant in town, Backdoor Bistro. Naturally, we have become a pretty big fans of Chef Lindsey, her restaurant, staff, and delectable dishes (the wine isn't too shabby either of course). As Lindsey and I were both starting our new businesses around the same time, we had a few opportunities to work with one another and support local, woman-owned, small businesses. I consider Lindsey a friend, wonderful colleague, and simply a genuinely kind person. 

Lindsey and Rico were married late in May on Rico's family vineyard, Stony Hill Vineyard in St. Helena, CA. They wanted a classic, romantic, fresh, aesthetic that resembled French country chic. Lavender filled the venue from potted topiaries on the dining tables, to the gorgeous dried lavender wreaths that hung on the vineyard doors, freshly cut stems for bridesmaid bouquets, and flower girl baskets filled with dried lavender grains for tossing down the aisle. Silver dollar eucalyptus garland accented the head tables along with tiny sprigs of lavender at each place setting. What was even more special? All the lavender we used in our designs was grown locally, right here in Vacaville. Dried lavender sprigs and wreaths were provided by our dear friend Denise of Girl on the Hill. A lovely lavender farmer and vineyard owner perched a top of Mount Vaca. We also cut several varieties of fresh lavender from the fields of Soul Food Farm on Pleasant's Valley Road owned by another dear pal and colleague, Alexis. Alexis is a truly amazing and hard working farmer raising chickens, grow lavender, and olive trees amongst many other exciting side projects. In addition, we tied in fresh herbs such as rosemary and sage cut right from my home garden. Need less to say, we were elated to be able to source the freshest, most fragrant products right here in our hometown. Not many other floral designers have that luxury outside of Northern California.

Then came the bridal bouquet...Lindsey's bouquet was one of our favorite yet! She wanted a real statement piece that incorporated all California grown blossoms in white, ivory, and lavender with accents of silver hues and green. She wanted something wild, fun, and whimsical but also refined and classic. Fluffy peonies, garden roses, Queen Anne's lace, lisianthus, ranunculas, stock, nigella, dusty miller, and seeded eucalyptus all danced together in this bouquet that fit Lindsey's personality just perfect.

What came together for this celebration, was just magical. Take a look for yourself...

Thank you to Lindsey & Rico for including us in your special day! It was an honor to design for you two! And another huge applause and thank you to Jaimi Lynn Photography for the beautiful images. We LOVE them! Local food, wine, flowers, vendors...This wedding truly featured what Living & Loving Local is all about!

Venue: Stony Hill Vineyard | Photography: Jaimi Lynn Photography | Day of Wedding Coordination: Fearon May Events | Floral Design: The Pollen Mill

 

 

The (Floral) Red Zone

There is this NFL channel the husband watches called The Red Zone. Basically the channel bounces back and forth showing all the important highlights from each game. It actually drives me crazy! As soon as I get into one game, it switches to another and I can never keep up (and here I've digressed once again). Anyway, here is a little (Floral) Red Zone highlight action for what the Pollen Mill has been up to.

We provided the floral designs for this beautiful photo shoot at Vizcaya Sacramento. Photo courtesy of Liz Zimbleman Photography. Aren't these two dreamy?

And one more close-up. Gah! Photo courtesy of Liz Zimbleman Photography.

These centerpieces were created for the wonderful ladies at Backdoor Bistro to celebrate their monthly Winemaker's Dinner. We LOVE Backdoor Bistro and are so excited to watch their delicious restaurant grow into a hometown staple.

And then there was this bright backyard arch...

And this one for a wedding at The French Laundry Culinary Garden.

And this bouquet with the beautiful Brooke for a fall photo shoot with Crystal Lynn Photography, Danielle Lucas Hair, and Brooke Anderson modeling. Photo courtesy of Crystal Lynn Photography.

And Brooke with another fall bouquet. Photo courtesy of Crystal Lynn Photography.

And these dahlias for someone special.

And then these designs for a 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration at the Westin Verasa Napa. Photo courtesy of Crystal Lynn Photography.

And these dining table centerpieces for a wedding reception at Ad Hoc in Yountville that the bees couldn't even stay away from.

Oh, Jen's blue and lavender bridal bouquet was not to be forgotten.

We celebrated the grand opening of Sweet Pea's with a pop-up floral shop.

And our designs made the cover of California Meetings & Events Magazine at Soul Food Farm with styling and Photography by Amber Johnston at My Sweetness Stylized Photography.

And plenty of pretty fall flowers went out for delivery.

And that time when Crystal Lynn Photography & The Pollen Mill joined forces to start their new design adventure Foraging Light. Follow us on Instagram @foraginglight to see what we have coming up. Hint Hint: enjoy our flowers every month through all of 2015. :)

And then there was this welcoming design for the Flourish Health Summit.

This custom terrarium in a vintage glass cage.

And we designed this entryway piece for Bouchon Bistro out of the back of the Prius. #moblieflorist

The Keane's Baby Shower buffet design. Photo Courtesy of Alison Pfaff

Then we took our hand in event planning & coordination, decor & staging, and full floral design for this one-of-a-kind event which included Olympic Games! Delicious catering by The Organic Countertop and furniture/tabletop rentals from Wine Country Rentals. Photo Courtesy of Alison Pfaff

And the temperature decided to drop below 80 degrees for the first time in months. So we made some more moody blooms.

And then it FINALLY rained the day we made this fluffy bridal bouquet.

Last but definitely not least, our boys nailed down a dynasty with one more World Series Win!

Is your head spinning yet? Information overload!

We are so blessed to work with so many great vendors, venues, and restaurants especially our local buddies right here in the 707.

We have much more coming up through the holidays. Keep your eyes peeled for our Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop and Winter Wreaths. We are booking up quickly for weddings & events in 2015. Please contact us ASAP to schedule your consult. As always, thank you for your continued support. Love Locally!