"Blushing Bride"

"WOW"...that's the word for Jenni & Matt! You are the embodiment of the words 'sincerely yours...forever'! I've never seen such a spark between a couple. What a joy to work with- I wish you two the very best.And these unbelievably gorgeous pictures were captured by Marissa & Weston- Boucher Photography. You two are definetly on the top of the referral list along with Tracey Beal- "To A T Events"- everthing ran like clock work.

Shades of pale blush to deep raspberry were used with Jenni's favorite-Powder blush Peonies for her bouquet.

Loew's Coronado Bay Resort was the perfect backdrop for ceremony and reception.

chocolate martini's on ice.........

We were so honored to have shared 7-7-07 with Leah & Eric- a wildly fantastic couple who really know how to throw a party!
The newly renovated US Grant played host to the ceremony, cocktails and reception..hands down one of the most exquisite venues in San Diego! A huge 'thank you' to Ed Kutch and an outstandingly proficient catering & service staff which accommodated the days event with an 'over and beyond' attitude.



My favorite was the Godiva Chocolatetini ice luge- liquid heaven! Followed by lobster & filet mignon with a cake so perfectly iced it looked unreal.

Design direction…….The hues of soft white & butter cream deepening into shimmering golden champagne; grounded in the Earthy tones of milk chocolate, aged bronze, and dusty charcoal....The brides favorites of Peonies and Gardenias wrapped in suede Magnolia leaves......Roses in shades of creamy whites, pink champagne & antique amber, linen white Calla Lilies, caramel Hydrangea, fragrant buds of Tuberose,paper edge Tulips......














special thanks to Eddie Bojorquez Photography

Destination....Bali

We just received images from our photo shoot for Exquisite Weddings Magazine due to hit the news stands mid August. Bronson of Bauman Photographers did a spectacular job to capture the Balinese themed florals.

Special thanks to Circa Ad for their Balinese wedding umbrellas, flags,statues and gorgeous table
runners.....

gladiolas....who would have thunk it??

Julie- our head florist' extraordinnaire' really had fun with this gorgeous bouquet....
what a spectacular piece!
This little beaut was intricately hand wired with individual gladiola florets using approximately 20 stems of lilly white glads. We love playing with 'old school' flowers and developing an up to date design element that will make heads turn for that second glance....
We used these pieces for an impromptu renewal of vows for an out of town couple celebrating their anniversary. I love spur of the moment....and what a fantastic evening set at Il Fornaio
in Coronado overlooking the city scape of San Diego. I especially love the outdoor fireplace......the perfect romantic setting....

back issue...June

Dead Sea Scrolls

Gala Opening

June 27, 2007

San Diego Natural History Museum

Design direction……

Shades of Patina Copper and darkened Bronze juxtaposition with earthy Terra Cotta and pitted Limestone soothed by the cooling aqueous blues and greens of the sea, ending in crystalline sea salts…..

Olive, palm, almond, fig, pomegranate, date and Cyprus Trees lush in the setting highlighted with accents of lavender tones seen throughout the hillsides of Qumran….

Possible ‘floral and décor’…..wildflowers indigenous to the Qumran -lupin, iris, hollyhock, anemone, Macedonian scabious, star of Bethlehem, plum stock, pale silvery purple thistle and clove, Barley, grapevines, wheat, grasses in a blending of a Mediterranean leaf collection
Pottery, woven baskets, oil lamps, wooden plates, woven cordage & leather

We were honored to be chosen to participate in the gala opening for the exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls now on display at the San Diego Natural History Museum. The scrolls are widely acknowledged to be among the greatest archaeological treasures ever discovered. We spent hours pouring over research material to design the floral & decor displays that would be authentic to the flavor of the exhibit.
The evening began outside the front doors onto the park lawn where guests were greeted by Bedouin travelers on camels in a market bazaar setting.The initial launch was rooftop with a VVIP host hour set with henna stations, belly dancing, champagne and food catered by the best caters of San Diego.
All levels of the museum were peppered with food & drink stations as the guests awaited the viewing. We had a wonderful time and thank Diane Kern - Exclusive Designs & Events and Sharlene Thompson- special events director of SDNHM and her staff for a spectacular evening!

back issue....May

Tom & Nicole - truly a stunning couple matched only by their deep love for each other. These two were the easiest clients ever because the main focus never strayed from this day centering around family & friends. Nicole having a design background that enveloped not only the hand made menus & escort cards to whimsical table names fashioned after places they had experienced together but to the acquiring of most of the design pieces used throughout the day. Pier One was heavy on our shopping carts!! You'll also notice that Nicole graciously volunteered as our model at our Grand Opening and she will be assisting Scott O'Hara in upcoming event coordination. Oh...let me introduce you to the 'new kid on the block'- Scott Patrick O'Hara-Event Coordination. Scott found that he had a passion for planning and coordinating events since his background was hotel catering & management . (He still comes back to Embellishmint for backbreaking work when he feels the need to be cruel to himself :)
Go Scooter!!! ps. initially Nicole's father was very leary of having a coordinator, but sent Scott a 3 page handwritten note of thanks for providing the well needed support and coordination to produce a flawless event.
Photography by Cary Pennington.

if there were only more hours in the day....

If we could only have a 'plug in' that would super charge us in under an hour, and we could be up and running for another 12 hour session....then I think I would be able to post more often as I had planned for this blog...
Oh well...you will just have to have the 'short and sweet version' of what's been happening since Christmas, so grab a big cup of coffee(possibly with a splash of Bailey's to ease the ride!)
Let's begin with our new addition- Maximus...possibly the cutest English Bulldog ever...
he has been a handful, but what a personality. You can see him camped out at our new studio space located in beautiful Coronado, California-just across the bay from downtown San Diego. Our address is 1222 1st Street, Suite 3 across from the Ferry Landing which is getting a huge renovation...I'll keep you up to date, but the new restaurants and boutiques are going to be fabulous.
We love our Studio- it's a dream come true to have a work space for floral & design production combined with an intimate meeting area for our clients. We began the 'build out' (code word for construction nightmares) end of April and finished just in time for our Grand Opening on June 21- the first day of summer! The location is perfect, the neighbors are wonderful and the mini bar is always stocked with delicious 'Embellishmintini's'
( a mixture of crushed mint, passion fruit & litchi juice, chopin vodka with organic accoutrement- so yummy!)
We were still without AC when the festivities began, but the heat was tempered by the refreshing cocktails & scrumptious hor'dourves presented by culinary artist
Chef Scott Wagner of ChileCoCatering . His menu wowed us with floral infused delicacies....

Foie Floret

Seared Sonoma County Foie Gras & Nasturtium
Napoleon with Grilled Apricot Salsa

Scallop of Passion

Passion fruit-Diver Boat Scallop Ceviche, Prickle Pear Sorbet, Fried Plantain Chip

Summer Roll

Napa Cabbage, Mint, Cilantro, Mango, Red Bell Pepper, Vanilla-Plum Caulis

Tarragon Prawns

Gulf Prawns wrapped in Proscuitto with Mango Cocktail Sauce

Quail Confit-StrawberryShu-sticker

Pot sticker meets Shu-mai with a Hibiscus Sweet-n-Sour

Truffled Chateau Briand

Marinated Filet Mignon, Buttermilk Mashers, Micro Watercress, Crispy Fried Shallot

Creme Bouquet

Crème Brulee infused with Lavender, Tangerine, Vanilla, Cardamom & Rose

The evening was captured by Cary Pennington Photography- what a talent! He's put together a handful of images into a slide show and then the rest are viewable through a link on the slide show area- Embellishmint- Floral & Event Design Grand Opening Night
We were joined by Caroline Hallak Couture an exceptional clothing designer that provided a luxurious display of evening & bridal gowns, custom made jewelry and handbags using a live model to showcase her exquisite designs.(thanks Nicole- you looked fabulous darling!!)
Live Event Artist-owner Miles Pelky

was at hand to provide us with music & his exceptional artist- Tom Fagan. Tom paints the scene while the event unfolds- what a wonderful gift for the new bride and groom, or Corporate parting gift (Hint, hint!) We welcome Miles to the studio space where you'll probably also see his two cuties- Aaron and Thomas romping with Maximus- pictures to soon come....

The Old Town Trolley Tours( 619.298.8687) has a gorgeous new White Wedding Trolley that graced our front lawn and provide great photo opts for guests.

Also a huge 'Thank You' to....
Raphael's Party Rental for providing all the tables, linen & glassware- Laura you're the Bomb!!
Julie of 'Bella's Fine Lingerie'...come check out her shop located next door to us- you won't be able to resist picking up a little something!