MountainGate Country Club Puts on a Show

Sunday evening, Petalos di Pauli was a featured vendor at MountainGate Country Club's Fall Bridal Show and Open House. We loved sharing the spotlight with our friends at Emily Rose Papers, a great company we always enjoy collaborating with. We welcomed a steady stream of exuberant brides, showing and telling them about our products and services.

Paula Estes with owner of  Emily Rose Papers

Wedding invitation--maroon with intricate gold detailing

Escort cards displaying the artistry of our calligrapher

Located in Los Angeles, MountainGate Country Club is an extremely beautiful location for weddings and receptions, combining elegant indoor and outdoor event spaces with a spectacular view of the Santa Monica Mountains. Paula noted, "Our flagship line of botanically embellished invitations definitely help set the tone for such a magnificent and lush garden-like setting."

MountainGate Country Club outdoor ceremony location

All in all, the show was a tremendous success--with enticing hors d'oeuvres prepared by the MountainGate chef, stunning decor, and so many other exciting details--made possible by the contributions of talented, top-shelf event companies we'll be highlighting in upcoming posts.

Thank you, MountainGate, for hosting a wonderful Fall Bridal Show event! We look forward to many happy returns.

~Jaimie

Pansies, and Larkspurs and Nigelias. . . Oh My!

The word is out about "Tangerine Tango," Pantone's pick for color of the year! We've found that you either love or hate this cheerful reddish orange (Pantone 17-1463). We know about orange, not because we're located in Orange County, CA (couldn't resist that one) but because we gave you a taste of it this month at the MountainGate Country Club Spring Bridal Show. Most of you loved the energy and warmth that our invitation display evoked.

This year we envision monochromatic palettes of peaches and oranges. We've already received requests for orange paired with neutrals. Petalos di Pauli is known for its unique signature botanical touches. And we predict brides may want to incorporate the color in flowers like pansies, and larkspurs and nigelias. . . Oh my!

Trends in Wedding Decor Revealed

We introduced The Seed Packet Escort Cards at The Most Anticipated Event of the Season, YWD Magazine's exclusive bridal event, designed to highlight the latest trends in wedding decor and styling. Multiple photo shoot sets were designed as platforms of inspiration for over 1,100 brides, grooms and industry professionals who attended this backstage pass into the making of the YWD Spring|Summer issue.

This project was so much fun for me as one of the hand-selected designers who got to carry out the "Vintage Glamour" theme. Good Gracious! Events lead our team, that included Mille Fiori Floral Design, Classic Party Rentals, Wildflower Linen and Bella Vista Designs.

Each packet of pansy seeds was inscribed with a guest name and table number, functioning not only as the escort card but also as a favor to enjoy after the event. These custom designed gems included the couple’s special wording and an a real pansy on the front, giving them the Petalos di Pauli unique signature botanical touch.

The corresponding invitation incorporated clusters of pansies, along with dramatic pearl and antique gold jewel embellishments. The ensemble was presented in a petal-lined, cushioned, silk box to create a timeless and beautiful keepsake.

Click here to enjoy stunning images captured by Brilliant Studios.LA of our Vintage Glamour photo shoot set.

The YWD Spring | Summer 2010 Issue is on newsstands now (available at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Target).

Call us to find out how custom seed packets can enhance your next special event.

Warn wishes,

Paula Estes
Botanical Artist
Petalos di Pauli

RentalComp Launch Party

Last month we spent a beautiful June evening living it up at the RentalComp, Launch Party. RentalComp is a brand new search and compare website for event rental items (think KAYAK) that is sure to streamline the process of styling special events. The affair was to gorgeous not to share.

Upon entering the gates of Tiato, the incredible new House of AN venue, we found ourselves in a  courtyard so beautiful and serene that we forgot that we were in busy Santa Monica.

 

It was Alexandra Rembac of Sterling Events and Carol Saunders of Grand Events who, together,  produced this magical event that was both sterling and grand. I fell in love with the venue right from the start, drawn to the breathtaking, living wall art that lit up as the sun went down.

Since I'd recently begun sculpting my own vertical garden,  I confess I experienced a bit of succulent envy.

As you can see, Shawna Yamamoto Event Design created wonderful and unique floral arrangements to compliment the space and carry out the magical vision. Teamed with beautiful furnishings from Girari and  Lounge Appeal, the courtyard became the perfect laid back place to mingle, talk, lounge and indulge!

AN Catering is a known name in the industry. I won't even try describe the scrumptious hand passed hor d'oeuvres we were treated to. This is me eating my first box of AN's Famous "Secret Garden" Garlic Noodles. It was probably okay that I kept my mouth shut and just danced. AN Catering is incredible!

  Photo by Heather Roman

The inside portion of the venue had been transformed into a beckoning space for those who wanted to dance or huddle up to the bar in a Lakers Game 6 friendly atmosphere. Dance music was provided by none other than Infusion Xperience from my favorite 11H Entertainment. History has shown that when Infusion Xperience is in the house I turn into a rhythmic introvert, abandoning conversation and all networking intentions because I have no choice but to dance. For those of you who don't known, Infusion Xperience is the ultimate balance between live A-list Musicians, DJ and Emcee.

 Photo by Heather Roman

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of collaborating with Leslie Maynor of Fantasy Frostings, designing a wedding invitation inspired by her pearl embellished, Vintage Glamour Wedding Cake. While Leslie is wonderful to work with, being on the consuming end of her talent is even better. Her Dessert Table was artful and delicious. She is so much more than cakes!

I really tried to exercise restraint but when half  dozen happy people told me I "really should try a funnel cake," I had to find out what all the fuss was about. Answer: It's about wonderfully, warm and delicious, made to order Mini Funnel Cakes by The Fry Girl. Enough said. [drool]

Sweet Lucie's provided an organic ice cream bar (as in buffet) that was described by many as serving the best ice cream they had ever tasted! And Rock Sake provided a variety of cocktails. Their signature "Cloud 9 Saketini" was Heather's favorite so she made sure she got the recipe.

You can try making it at home:

3 oz Rock Sake Cloud

1 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice

Sugared Rim

Shake. Pour. Enjoy.

If our host's intention was to dote on guests from start to finish, I would have to shout "success" to Darryl Aken and the RentalComp team.

In conslusion, I want to mention that I appreciate complimentary valet parking the most when a battalion of uniformed attendants are on hand to insure that all departures are as graceful and hassle-free arrivals. On behalf of all the high heel ladies in attendance, "thank you" Logistic Parking for the VIP goodnight.

Unless otherwise noted, this phenomenal photography was provided courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography. The work speaks for itself.

Thank you, RentalComp, for inviting us to such a enjoyable event. It was a real treat for all of my senses. I wish you no less than complete success.

Sincerely,

Paula Estes
Botanical Artist
Petalos di Pauli

Ladybugs Abound at the Getty Gardens

I've always had a fondness for ladybugs, easily won over by their stylish, polka dotted outfits. Many cultures view the ladybug as a symbol of goodluck. And a client recently commissioned our calligrapher to incorporate one into the design of their custom wedding invitation!

photo by bazylek100 

Each year Getty gardeners release ladybugs on the jacaranda trees and azaleas to eat aphids during the spring months. They buy them from insectaries that sell them by the thousands. The gardeners put water on the foliage before releasing the ladybugs. When they emerge from their cold-storage sleep, they’re thirsty and will stay around and eat aphid if there is water to drink. What an awesome arrangement!

photo by jemasmith

For more interesting behind the scenes knowledge about how the Getty cares for its gardens, you can take a tour led by their horticulture staff. This Friday, May 7, check out “Getty Gardener’s Perspective” a special event celebrating National Public Gardens Day. The tours start at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Getty Center, and at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Getty Villa.

With all the spring beauty that surrounds us, stay tuned for more posts inspired by the wonders of nature.

Sincerely,

Paula Estes
Botanical Artist and
Friend of Ladybugs

Images used under a Creative Commons license.  

Happy Earth Day 2010

"Earth Day is the first completely international and universal holiday that the world has ever known.  Every other holiday was tied to one place, or some political or special event.  This Day is tied to the Earth itself, and to the place of the Earth in the whole solar system."

- Margaret Mead, 1977

Today is Earth Day and we at Petalos di Pauli are sharing some great ways to make the Earth a "greener" place, while also having some fun.  

Grow an avocado tree!

If you eat avocados, it's easy to sprout the seeds into air-purifying, carbon-fixing houseplants.  Its easy (even your kids can do it!) and instructions abound on the Web.  Here are some we found on howtodothings.com.

1. Find a ripe avocado. Avocado pits are most likely to grow if they come from a ripe fruit. When you eat the avocado pear, clean off the pit and then soak it for 48 hours in warm water. If you can keep the water warm (in a propagator or on top of a heater), then the pit will grow more quickly.

2. Find the top. Most avocado pits are egg-shaped, with the bottom broader than the top. Some are rounder, but the top is always smooth and the bottom, wrinkled.

3. Find a container. If you want to see the roots grow, you will need a clear container, such as a tumbler or a jar. Otherwise, a plant pot will do fine.

4. 'Plant' your pit. To see the roots grow, you need to suspend the pit above water. Find 3 or 4 toothpicks or hair grips and push them into the pit gently, until they will just support its weight. Then fill the container with warm water so that the bottom of the pit just touches the water. If you're using a plant pot, then bury the pit in potting compost so that half of the pit is still above the soil.

5. Keep warm. Warmth is the key to getting an avocado pit to grow. The ideal temperature is around 70 F. At this temperature, the pit should start to grow in around 10 days. At cooler temperatures, it can take 5 weeks.

6. Keep watered. Keep the water level in your container topped up so that the pit is just touching the water. If you planted your pit in compost, then keep it moist - putting it in a plastic bag will help.

7. Keep an eye out for growth. The first sign of life will be root growth, which will not be visible if your pit is planted in compost. Only when the roots have started to grow will the pit send out a shoot. If the water goes cloudy and starts to smell before this happens, then your pit will not grow. If this happens, it probably wasn't fertile to begin with, and you should start again with a fresh pit.

8. Pinch out the main shoot when it is 6 inches long. This is to help make a bushy plant rather than a tall tree. It may leave your avocado with no leaves, but don't worry - it will grow a new shoot and new leaves in about a week.

9. Re-pot. Your avocado plant can survive on just water for several weeks. When the roots are well developed, plant the avocado in potting soil in a small pot. It will be happy there for several months.

10. Move into a final pot. When the avocado looks too large for its pot, or unhappy, it is time to replant it in a 10-inch pot, which will be its permanent home. It will probably be 2 feet tall before this is necessary.

11. Pruning. Your avocado wants to grow into a tree, and you will need to keep pruning it to keep it bushy and manageable. Simply cut back shoots that are too long.

12. Ongoing maintenance involves feeding with liquid feed every two weeks when the avocado is actively growing. Every 3 or 4 years, replant it in the same pot with some fresh potting soil. Your avocado will need plenty of light and water plus an occasional misting and dusting.

Looking for some other ways to be "green"?  Here are a few websites we discoverd:

• Our company can provide some great "green" choices for your wedding or special events.  How about invitations printed on sustainable  paper sources?

• Find a local brewery and take a tour or pick up a selection of brews to enjoy at home. http://www.beertown.org/

• Making is often greener than buying.  One great site for inspiration and how tos: http://www.instructables.com/

• Got new or lightly used running shoes you're looking to unload?  One World Running will send them to runners in need around the world.  (If they're deemed too worn, shoes go to Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program instead, and wind up paving a playground.)  Learn more at http://www.oneworldrunning.blogspot.com/

• http://www.babyplays.com/ is the Netflix of toys.  Yes, the shipping comes with a CO2 price tag, but on the balance, its green: Renting toys instead of buying them means less plastic in the world.  (And in the landfill.)  No wee ones in your life?  The subscription makes a great gift.

Images by Maria Keays and emdot via Flickr, used under a Creative Commons license. 

An Invitation to "Blooms With A View"

As multitudes of colorful flowers flourish this time of year, so do Southern California garden tours. I am especially excited about United Home Owners Association’s upcoming “Blooms With a View.” 

"Blooms With A View"
Spring Garden Tour & Vendor Fair
Sunday, May 2, 2010

Showcasing award-worthy Los Angeles gardens

in View Heights, View Park
and Windsor Hills

As a vendor, I get to immerse myself in the collective enthusiasm of fellow garden lovers.  The Vendor Fair is a great opportunity to see some of our latest designs in person. Items available for purchase will include botanical stationery, greeting cards and gift wrap. We will also have a supply of things we love, such as artistic blossoming teas, and the latest in tea ware, including the ever popular Perfect Steeper. Ideal for Mother's Day gift giving.

Tickets are now on sale

At the Vendor Fare you can take part in the Plant Swap and Pot Exchange

Plant Swapping - Contribution of clippings,

bulbs, plants, or seeds SWAPPED for equal value

Pot Exchange - Bring your old garden pots and exchange for another - gardeners love old pots!

Nurturing my own garden awakened a passion for experimenting and playing with flowers. My imagination put blooms to paper, and eventually lead to designing handcrafted greeting and note cards. Eight years later, I still cherish my connection with nature and consider “the garden” the birthplace of Petalos di Pauli. 

I hope to see you at "Blooms With a View."

Sincerely,

Paula Estes

Botanical Artist
Petalos di Pauli

Vendor fair and plant swap runs from 10 a.m. 5 p.m. at Monteith Park, 3685 Olympiad Drive.  Ticket prices are $10 in advance and $15 the weekend of the event. You can buy your tickets online for $10 plus a $1 handling fee ($11 per ticket).

Our Madame Chocolat Greeting Card

What is more luxurious than fine chocolate? This Petalos di Pauli handcrafted greeting card was designed especially for Madame Chocolat after owner chocolatier Chef Hasty Torres raved about an invitation design in my portfolio. Hasty wished for a similar design but one that would bring chocolate to mind.

We made this card hers by bringing in Celadon Green that colors the walls of her Beverly Hills chocolate factory and boutique. We layered papers of the same metallic cream and brown hues that her fans will recognize as signature Madame Chocolate packaging. Finally, we used designs from Hasty's exquisite truffles as our inspiration for the cover and interior design.

This card will remind the recipient that chocolate is wonderful… in any language! “Chocolat” is adorned with hand calligraphy, the word chocolate translated into a baker’s dozen different languages. The finishing touches included the elements that Hasty loved about my original design, a variety of real garden flowers, Swarovski crystals and other 3-dimensional ornamentation. I think Hasty's card turned out Delightfully Sweet!

I became a true fan of Madame Chocolat after attending one of Hasty's chocolate workshops. Words cannot begin to express the pleasure of that hands-on experience. There is so much to learn and love about chocolate. Her place is filled with chocolate delicacies I hadn't known existed and it turned out to be perfect for gift shopping just before the holidays.  If you love chocolate or just want to learn more about it, I recommend you attend her upcoming workshop this Sunday March 21st,  in celebration of American Chocolate Week. Let her know Paula sent you.

This CHOCOLAT card and other handcrafted stationery are available for purchase at the Petalos di Pauli On-line Boutique.

Happy American Chocolate Week!

Sincerely,
Paula Estes
Botanical Artist and
Lover of Chocolate

American Chocolate Week

Did you know that St. Patrick's Day is not the only holiday in March?  The third week of March is American Chocolate Week!  Although it may not have the tradition that St. Patrick's Day has, this can be a fun way to show your friends and family that you are thinking of them.  Some more good news is that it lasts an entire week!  So for those that lead busy lives, you have a week to give a gift.  Here are a couple of ideas to help you celebrate the week:

Buy chocolate from a special vendor
Any major city has it's specialty chocolate shops and American Chocolate Week can be a great "excuse" to indulge in a special treat.  You can surprise your spouse or a friend with something extra special, maybe they will even share it with you!

In the Los Angeles area, where the Petalos di Pauli studio is located, we love Compartes Chocolatier   for their delicious handmade confections as well as their whimsical modern artistry.

Chocolatier, Jonathan Grahm says his unique and eclectic creations are made "from our heart to yours," which reminds us at Petalos di Pauli of our design and business philosophies.  Each element of the design treated as important, results in an experience that delights more than just one of your senses. Which leads us to....

Stationery to go with your Chocolate Gift
So, with your unique chocolate gift chosen for your "Chocophile," we suggest a unique stationery item to present with your gift.  Petalos di Pauli created just the thing; a card highlighting the wonders of chocolate. 

The perfect card for American Chocolate Week, or anytime!
A handmade card that expresses how we really feel about chocolate!

In honor of American Chocolate Week we would like to ask our readers to email us their stories about how chocolate has been special in your life.  The first five responders will receive one of the handmade original cards pictured above as a thank you for joining our celebration!  Next week's Blog will feature our favorites.  Email us at Chocolate@PetalosdiPauli.com

Ceremony Magazine Event at Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa

On October 20, 2009 Paula Dulan Estes, owner and designer for Petalos di Pauli, set out "to be dazzled" as an invited guest to Ceremony Magazine's annual party for advertisers and friends of the magazine. Paula was honored to have been included. She has had a wonderful working relationship with Ceremony Magazine for some time now, and her work will be featured again in their next issue.

As promised the event was "dazzling." It was held at Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa.  The venue has been voted a Top U.S. resort by both Readers' Choice Awards and by Conde Nast Traveler, and is popular for both parties and weddings. Why are they such a popular venue for weddings? The resort's website reads, "The spirit of romance in Rancho Santa Fe began when Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford rode horseback across the valley at the beginning of their great romance in the 1920's. This romance continues today at Rancho Valencia Resort. Forty acres of lush landscaping, bubbling fountains, dramatic views, impeccable service and award winning cuisine are the hallmarks of Rancho Valencia. This intimate and unique setting is the perfect backdrop for your wedding day celebrations."

What a perfect place for Ceremony to hold its annual party! The grounds were transformed by some of Southern California's finest wedding professionals such as Raj Tents and Wildflower Linen. The "Cuisine in Casablanca" theme was captured visually in beautiful teals, reds and oranges and deliciously expressed with foods prepared by exclusive local caterers.

For a lovely pictorial account of the event, visit our friends at Skybox Event Productions. Thank you, Amy and Jim Harrick for holding such a spectacular event! Look for our new South Asian Line of Invitations to be debuted in the February Issue!

How to Make Grass Place Card Holders

Fountain Grass was a wonderful, sustainable, not to mention creative, choice for place card holders. We trimmed bundled blades to size then secured the ends with pairs of gold plated rhinestone beads, which were easily removed for reuse after the event.


These place card holders were part of the Elegant Tropical Rainforest tablescape featured in Special Events Magazine.

Other dried grasses or natural elements can be used to create a similar design. You'll need at least 2 stems or blades to form a slot for holding the place card, and the right sized bead to fit over the ends. Or jute or wire could be used to secure the ends; the possibilities are endless.

A Night In Bollywood

The Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) presented a stellar South Asian experience at the beautiful and upscale Tanzore Restaurant in Beverly Hills.
I loved the combination of high energy and exotic beauty created by the lighting, music, colorful tents and stunning floral arrangements.

Gaylord’s Lotus Room, a banquet facility which sits adjacent to the restaurant, was designed specifically to allow this type of event to cast its own thematic influence.

A rhythmic performance by NDM Dance Troupe, choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan of “So You Think You Can Dance” fame provided a break from handshaking and card trading and an opportunity to devour appetizers and enjoy the show. Fans of the tasty Indian finger food made second (possibly third) trips to the buffet.

The climax of the evening was the live drumming performed on top of hypnotic tracks played by DJ Shark. A lot of us had no choice but to put down our handbags and beverages and give in to the thunderous beats that lured us onto the dance floor.

Tanzore Restaurant is not only known for its India Modern or Fusion cuisine, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced it winner of the Los Angeles 2007 Restaurant Design Award. I encourage you to take a tour and experience the sensual sophisticated ambience for yourself. There are many options for hosting gatherings. Nikki Sood, director of sales and events, can coordinate large festive events for up to 400 guests or intimate gatherings of 10 in a multitude of settings. Most private rooms as well as the Bar/Lounge are well equipped with features such as BOSE speakers, flat screen TVs and projectors.

“A Night in Bollywood” turned out to be a talented sampling of premier special events industry professionals. The combined expertise of these showcasing sponsors created a fun and memorable experience that I will gladly share with my local clients who might need some or all of their services for their own upcoming celebration. Events like this make us proud to be members of ABC Greater Los Angeles. Thank you to the following businesses that made the event a success:

Sid Khera, Aspect Lighting

Jeffrey Bullied, Jeffrey Bullied Photography

Minal Chaudhary, Mehndi Artist

Doyle Borden, My Flower Guy

Anupma Parks, NDM Productions

DJ Shark

Maurice Walsh, Raj Tents

Nikki Sood, Tanzore