Blog

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

Winter Wonderful at Park Winters | Park Winters, Winters, CA

Stacy and Calvin have a love for life, and each other, that is contagious.
As soon as Stacy reached out to us for design, we knew this was going to be one beautiful event. Her sweet, calm nature and classically romantic taste makes her not only easy to love, but a dream to design for.

Stacy and Calvin along with the assistance of the powerhouse ladies at Alluring Events & Design, selected clean, classic, and romantic decor for the event. Long linen runners with charcoal ticking stripes drawn across rustic farm tables and simple gold votives with a sprig of rosemary tied together the design. The flowers a soft, muted palette of blush pink and silver foliage paired with tiny accents of marsala and plum that popped in the overcast dimmed lighting. Each design included soft blooms with billowy petals such as ranunculus, hydrangeas, anemones, sweet pea, roses, and stock. Lush silvery eucalyptus garland with blush garden roses alternated placement throughout the dining room. We were just so in love with the overall design and feel of Stacy and Calvin's beautiful celebration of love.

Take a peek for yourself...

Aww...They're just so good together! Thank you Stacy & Calvin for including us in your special day! Many wishes of happriness to you both on your forever journey.
And to all our vendor friends who works with us on this dream wedding, you guys are the best!

Yountville Wedding with Moody Winters Hues & Texture | Yountville, CA

Brian & Jonathan are such a fun-loving, sweet, and stylish couple. When we first met, they said they had no clue what kind of flowers, table decor, and staging they were looking for. Just a few mood boards and blog reviews later, we settled on a palette of moody winter hues combined with mustard-colored candles, mixed metallic vessels, natural leather accents, and graphite grey linens. The overall feel was modern and unique with a touch of to mystic whimsy.

Their exchange of vows were held on a cool and rainy evening this past January at the Ad Hoc & Addendum culinary garden. Their sweet ceremony was followed by fine dinning (including Ad Hoc's famous fried chicken) inside the restaurant. Brian & Jonathan invited their closest friends & family to share in their celebration for an intimate event unlike any other.

We were also asked to design for their welcoming reception and rehearsal dinner on the night prior to the wedding. We filled the beautiful Groezinger Estate at Villagio Inn & Spa. White, crisp flowers in simple glass vessels adorned the bar, dinning room, hearth, and welcoming area.

Photography of their special weekend was captured by the groom's exceptionally talented friend & photographer Chantal of Pasagraphy (http://www.pasagraphy.com/)

Enjoy!

Welcoming Dinner & Rehearsal Reception at Groezinger Estate, Villagio Inn & Spa

Exchange of Vows & Reception Celebration at Ad Hoc & Addendum Garden & Restaurant

Brian & Jonathan~ Thank you for including us in your special day! We loved working with you both every step of the way. Watching our plans come to fruition from just a mixture of ideas was some true magic. I appreciate your trust in my vision and allowing me full creative license. I wish you both much laughter and joy on your journey together as married men! This was the BEST wedding to kick off 2016. XX

Venues: Rehearsal Dinner at Greozinger Estate at Villagio Inn & Spa | Wedding Ceremony & Reception at Ad Hoc & Addendum | Photography: Chantal of Passagraphy | Planning & Onsite Event Coordination Thomas Keller Restaurant Group Event Planning for Ad Hoc & Addendum | Calligraphy & Guest Tags: Laura Lambrix Designs

A Fine Wine & Dining Wedding to Remember | Bardonesso & Ad Hoc, Yountville, CA

Michael & Emily are such a sweet and talented couple. Both Ivy league alumni with with careers in investment and finance, they delight in spending their down time running marathons, enjoying delectable foods, and sampling fine wine. Planning their wedding from New York, Emily reached out to me with a few requests: bright, cheery, seasonal flowers, lots of texture with a touch of blush and jewel tones. They wanted their wedding celebration to feature the fine food from Chef Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc kitchen as well as the many wines their guests would taste from near and far.
Their August ceremony was located at Bardonesso Hotel & Spa followed by a garden dinner at nearby Ad Hoc & Addendum. The evening ended with dancing back at the Bardonesso ballroom. Their style exuded classic sophistication with noteworthy personal accents. Each floral centerpiece differing in color and texture from the next for a unique presentation. A personalized logo incorporating Ad Hoc's token pig dancing with a city mouse adorned their menus, signs, and stationary. Tables were named after marathons they've completed together. This was one of our favorite celebrations of the year. The gorgeous images of the event were captured by Matthais Photography of San Francisco. Here's a peek...

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Emily & Michael~ Congratulations again! Thank you for including us in your special day. We loved designing your flowers and the photos bring us so much joy to see you both enveloped in love. You were a true pleasure to work with right from the start. Many wishes to a wonderful life together filled with laughter, love, and plenty of fantastic wine. Cheers!

Ceremony Venue: Bardonesso Hotel & Spa | Reception Dinner Venue: Ad Hoc & Addendum | Photography: Matthais Photography | Hair & Make-Up: Carrie Aldous | Floral Design: The Pollen Mill

Rustic Celebration of Love at Chateau Montelena, Calistoga, CA

When Kelsey reached out to me and said their wedding was to be a held at the infamous Chateau Montelena, I screamed. This venue is one of my favorite wineries in the Napa Valley. My husband and I are members and frequent the location for its beauty as well as its delectable wine. Maybe you've seen the movie Bottle Shock, the story of Chateau Montelena putting Napa Valley on the wine map for its award winning Chardonnay? The location is nothing short of stunning. Even more, the venue is only open to family for weddings. My mind went...sweet bride, great style, down-home country couple, perfect private venue...um, yes, Major Score!

Kelsey and Kevin are avid nature lovers. Don't be put off by Kelsey's tiny frame and sweet smile, she can hunt and fish with the best of the boys. They wanted their wedding to be a reflection of the things they love; their close family, friends, & the great outdoors. Simple, classic, elegant, but not snooty, rustic, wispy, fresh from the land...just beautiful with a touch of nature's whimsy. Kelsey collected feathers from their hunting adventures for each floral design. The designs featured subtle earth-tones paired with soft ivory, white, and blush. Against the lush green backdrop of the Chateau, the flowers really popped. Just take a look for yourself at the images captured by the ever talented Mindy Aagard of Sweet + Marie Photography...

Gasp right?! These two are just so gorgeous! The camera loved them.

Kelsey and Kevin~ Thank you for including us in your special day. You two are so kind, easy-going, and fun to work with. The love you have for one another is contagious and was written all over your faces on your wedding day. Everyone present was so fun-loving and sweet to us, welcoming us with open arms. Kelsey, I will never forget your adorable reaction when I delivered your bouquet. You stole my heart! Thank you again for being awesome people, period.

Mindy Aagard of Sweet + Marie Photography~ Lady, you sure know how to make it hard for me to pick out photos to share. The photots are not only gorgeous, but capture their personalities so well. Thank you for always taking the time to shoot our designs in the most beautiful light and staging. I adore you (and Laurie) and cannot wait for more weddings together in 2016. XO

Venue: Chateau Montelena, Calistoga, Ca | Photography: Sweet + Marie Photography | Floral Design: The Pollen Mill

August on the Vineyard Wedding | Vine Hill House, Sebastapol, CA

What started off as a misty morning turned into the perfect summer setting for Jenna & Tom's August wedding. Overlooking the vineyards with juicy grapes ready for harvest, Jenna & Tom celebrated their nuptials along with some of their closest friends and family. Their wedding was all about the details...confectioners cookies depicting their coastal origins, monogram door decor, vintage crystal vessels from Jenna's grandmother. Each detail carried with it a little part of Jenna & Tom's love story. It was truly a special day honoring two of the sweetest lovebirds.

The first time I met with Jenna about designing for their wedding, her face beamed with pure excitement. Her true adoration for Tom shown bright in her eyes each time she spoke his name. Just the kind of excitement I've come to really appreciate in my career. Jenna wanted her floral designs to feel romantic, timeless, and fresh from the garden. Simply classic with some whimsy. Even her floral crown was as timeless as those worn during the days of the original Woodstock.

We dosed their wedding in summer's floral delight...dahlias! Accompanied by garden roses, flowering basil, waxflower, vibernum, lisianthus, Bells of Ireland, and scabiosa their flowers took on an English garden aura. All tied up in navy and white ribbon for the men and Silk and Willow hand-died ribbon for the ladies. It was just so much fun! Take a look at their dreamy photos captured by the talented Mindy Aagard of Sweet + Marie Photography.

Jenna & Tom~ Thank you for letting me play a part in your special day! I love when clients turn into friends and you two are some of the best. Thanks you for giving me creative license to design something special just for you. I know you two are in for some fast and furious adventures together. I hope we can hold hands over a glass of scotch soon. So much love to the two of you. Congratulations! XX

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

Bright & Classic Park Winters Wedding | Winters, California

Stephanie & Scott were married on a warm spring evening at the gorgeous Park Winters. This fun couple reached out to us looking for floral designs that were clean, bright, classic, with a "fresh from the garden" ease to them. Each arrangement contained touches of soft silvery green, lime green, and white fluffy blooms, & whimsical movement pieces. Stephanie & Scott's celebration included their closest friends and family for a genuine, intimate celebration. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your special Day Scott & Stephanie! Everything was just perfect.

Venue: The Inn at Park Winters, Winters, CA | Event Planning & Coordination: Alluring Events & Design | Photography: Sweet + Marie Photography | Floral Design: The Pollen Mill

Being an Island.

“Feel your emotions, Live true your passions, Keep still your mind.”― Geoffrey M. Gluckman

This week I was able to spend a few hours with some of my dearest lady friends. Strangely, these are people I've only known for the last year or two since starting The Pollen Mill. Each of them own a small business as well. All completely different fields of work, but self-employed none the less, and all have been in business for much, much longer than I.

Over wine we talked shop (taxes, payments, paperwork, and all the crap), life (kids, friends, husbands, girlfriends/boyfriends, sickness, travel, parents, death), and moving forward (with our businesses, with people we love, with plans), and just that urge to take the next step & keep going.

One of the hardest parts about working alone is feeling like you are an island. Don't get me wrong, standing in my studio in elastic waist pants and smelling glorious flowers isn't really something to complain about... But, that feeling of being alone so often that you forget how to have an adult conversation, it's just the weirdest thing. Sometimes it feels like I can take on the world without a question. While other times I feel like the world just has it out for me. You know, it's just kind of how it goes; feast & famine all at the same time. One thing stands out from my visits with theses ladies... true passion, a kind of passion that words don't really explain. The kind of passion where you wake up at any hour to do the silliest tasks like make that one little edit to a photo, search and pull the tiniest of weeds, or just checking in on a client to make sure they are feeling ok. Meanwhile, forgetting to eat meals, working so much you have to call your mom and say "Yes, I'm still alive." Those things that make us real people, fighting our own fights, with relationships of all levels. True passion and in exchange, real customer service. It's not something you can put a price on.

You've heard me tout over and over again about strong, successful women who have my back. They're real. They inspire, they teach, they support, they bounce ideas back to me. Real, no bullshit, friends who when they say "you're doing such an good job," I actually believe them. Because they know what it's like to be an island. They know how much bills, taxes and paychecks come and go. But more than anything, they hug you after a glass of wine and say "thank you, I needed this."
So, I guess my entire post today is a quick thank you to those people who are full of passion, share their passion, and keep this little machine going. You are appreciated.

PS- I feel I should come clean... 76% of the plants in my yard are dead, like crispy and brown. I can claim that it's because we are in a drought and I'm conserving water. But in real life, it's simply because of neglect. So don't feel bad. Even the floral designer's yard looks like royal shit. And I can't lie, it's pretty embarrassing.

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 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… — 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 … — 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!

Soul Food Farm Photo Shoot | Vacaville, CA

Last weekend we were blessed to take part in a photo shoot at Soul Food Farm on Pleasants Valley Road here in Vacaville. This place, is just, phenomenal. Every time I step foot on this property, I feel like I turn into a child again and want to skip, roll around with bare feet, and talk to the chickens and trees (ok, so maybe not much has changed and I still regularly do all of these things but yeah, it really brings out the hippie spirit).

Alexis, the owner of Soul Food Farm has a beautifully comforting spirit. She is easy to talk to, even easier to love, genuinely caring and very supportive of our little community. Not only is Soul Food Farm a working farm raising chickens, lavender, and olives but it is on the verge of becoming the new "it" venue for events and weddings in the area. With the barn doors about to swing open, Alexis has hired one amazing event planner to take on the feat of helping to plan events on the farm. Amber is working to coordinate events and make your special day as flawless as the farm surroundings. She is talented and kind with a warming smile. Her humble sense of style and simple beauty made for some amazing photographs last weekend. Amber is not only the event coordinator, but a talented photographer as well. Her work can be seen at http://mysweetnessphotography.blogspot.com/

Check out the venue in all its glory, amongst the beauty of the whimsical olive orchard on a particularly bright and sunny evening.

These olive trees scream "come frolic in my branches" about as much as Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree. — These olive trees scream "come frolic in my branches" about as much as *Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree.*

These summer flowers were selected in bright but soft hues to compliment the silver in the olive branches and golden grasses.

Peach dahlias, pink rice flower, immature hydrangeas, gomphrena, and blushing bride protea snuggle up and embrace.

Tulips in full bloom stretch out their petals passed a cafe au lait dahlia.

And the mix & match china and crystal, place settings...Ugh, stop it already with the cuteness

Thank you Alexis and Amber (Soul Food Farm & My Sweetness Photography) for asking us to be a part of this beauty. We love working with you and we are excited for our many adventures to come! XO