A Show For The Modern South Asian Bride

Recently, Petalos di Pauli participated in a magnificent and well-attended Summer Bridal Show, hosted by Wedding Store 24, located in the heart of Little India. The Westin South Coast Plaza was transformed into an exotic display of South Asian culture that included fashion shows, dancers, live music and delicious Indian food.

It was no coincidence that we presented our new “Jewel Collection” of invitations and matching table decor featuring the vibrant colors and motifs of South Asia.

It was a pleasure sharing the limelight with friends like Erin Holloway, owner of Sugar Sugar Candy Buffet, and Melissa Gruber of My Specialty Cakes. Not only because I have an insatiable sweet tooth but because these women, like myself, have a passion for what they do, and they do it well. I'm not a vegetarian but I did try the eggless versions of the chocolate raspberry and lemon cakes. . . over and over again! Phenomenal, who needs eggs?!

Capri Flowers, put the awe in awesome with their breathtakingly beautiful display of floral creativity.

Bridal Expos such as this one make for great one stop shopping for brides and grooms and it's also an opportunity for us vendors to make new acquaintances. I am a new fan of Diva Decor, as I was totally drawn to the sparkling collection of bridal accessories and decor. Looking for bling? Two words: luxurious and fabulous, darlings.

Congratulations and many thanks to Neema Lodhia, who had the vision and expertise to pull off such a wonderfully successful event that entire families came out to enjoy.

For professional photos, check out images captured by Duke Photography.

Greening Petalos di Pauli

The Sustainable Practices Group at Petalos di Pauli has been busy and creative. They have launched a three phase program to further their mission of being a conscientious servant of what the earth provides. The First Phase was the installation of at least 90% of our studio's internal and external incandescent lighting with highly efficient low cost illumination. Entry room occupancy sensors were installed in the major thoroughfares in the office. The Second Phase is the step towards water conservation at the home studio. We have replaced the nearly 900 square feet of lawn at the entrance to the studio with drought tolerant plants in order to do our share in preserving nature's most valuable resource. The Third Phase will be the installation of Solar panels in a move towards being totally self sufficient with regard to the power needs to run the main office electrical needs. We will keep you posted on our progress.

Creative Collaborations

The most successful special events are always a collaborative creative effort. We recently had the pleasure of working with Santa Barbara event planner Merryl Brown (www.merrylbrownevents.com) to support the elegance and charm of a Bohemian Chic wedding her firm designed for an open air venue.

Normally we work from our Orange County studio, but it was a special treat to work onsite for this occasion smack dab in the middle of the woods, so a lot of this design was done on the fly. The bride’s wedding dress and fondness for daisies inspired our use of this flower on the sweet heart table, crowning the menu cards, for the escort cards designed as miniature take-home daisy bouquets and the wedding invitation featuring a bright yellow gerbera daisy with metal embellishment. The results, as you can see from these photos, are magical, combining heirloom tradition with a little bit of 70s funk!

Natural wooden elements are used in chair signage.

Yellow, white and lime green hues centered around a daisy theme.

The daisy theme is carried out in the menu cards.

The wedding invitation sports vibrant colors to carry out the Bohemian Chic theme.

Burlap sacks provide an eco-friendly take-home daisy bouquet.

Fresh flowers accent the heirloom objects

Event design by Merryl Brown Events. Photography by Melissa Musgrove Photography. Floral design by Cody Floral Design. Lighting design by Bella Vista Designs. Creative Consultant Kimberly Anderson.

Fresh Garden Mint Is Perfect for Steeping

What a rainy day in Southern California today! Days like this make a hot cup of tea even more enjoyable. While I have not yet incorporated mint leaves into a greeting card (give me time), this prolific botanical does make regular appearances inside my Perfect Steeper, a loose tea steeper so brilliantly designed that I've given it the official THINGS WE LOVE stamp.

My garden provides a perpetual supply of mint, and I often offer the just picked leaves to clients  who visit my studio. But when I'm not brewing a pot I prefer to use the Perfect Steeper. I also use it when I'm on the go and enjoy drinking it right from the tumbler at meetings and when traveling.

The Perfect Steeper can be purchased from our On-line Boutique. Click on THINGS WE LOVE.

Why I'm just like this snail

While tending my garden, it occurred to me how much I have in common with this little flower pot. Both our previous careers involved working in an office! My buddy here dispensed tape. And I dispensed information and implemented software for businesses. Now we both get to work outdoors, and we both have a fondness for all types of succulents.

While the garden is a common denominator, there is another trait I share with the snail; we both honor the pace of a tedious and complicated process. People have commented that they would never have the patience to accent flowers with tiny glass marbles, or spiraled wire stems. And the thought of filling an order for hundreds of custom cards wrinkles their forehead.

Growing from hobby to full-time business has imposed a limit on the time I spend clipping, pressing and gluing with my own hands. But when I do, I find those tasks to be therapeutic and somewhat grounding, and a good time to get some thinking done.

What kinds of things do I ponder? Eco-friendly ideas like, how I could use Zebra Grass for gift wrapping, or ways to re-purpose a ceramic snail tape dispenser that no longer serves a need. I must confess, I simply adore the outcome of that one!

It just goes to show you, one never knows what life has in store. This seemingly meaningless tape dispenser produces such beauty in the world.  That is my hope for what my business brings to people everyday, through the process of designing or giving a botanical work of art, or being the happy recipient.

Thoughtfully,

Paula Estes
Botanical Artist and
Creative Thinker

A Few of My favorite Things

I am really looking forward to time in the studio today. It’s one of those days where the garden and studio blend into one, and there is no place I would rather be.

No iTunes for now. Singing birds, wind chimes and falling water provide the perpetual soundtrack to my designing whims. All the players know their role and there is perfect harmony here.

Upon observing the promise of the day, I was eager to see my 3 ½ mile power walk to completion. And I confess, part two of my workout, my yoga postures, was a bit hurried in anticipation of what was to come.

One of my favorite rituals is to take on creative tasks after I have adorned myself with my treasures. So today I am wearing a top given to me by my friend Donna. It was hers before it was mine. She is a creative and spiritual being, also a fellow musician. I like that this colorful clothing has a history with her. I am sure that’s why it always feels so wonderful to wear it.

I’m also wearing a favorite ring that I purchased for myself. It’s sharing the right hand with a charm bracelet that was a gift from my mother.

My left wrist, also charmed, honors my husband and celebrates 3 years of being cancer free.

It’s time to stop writing and dive into the sea of  bliss that awaits. Although my studio is a hop, skip and a jump away from Disneyland. For me, today this is the happiest place on earth.

Joyfully Yours,
Paula Estes
Botanical Artist and
Fan of Rituals

Poppy Love

One of my favorite botanicals to design with is the poppy, a colorful, vibrant flower. Against paper they have the appearance of a fine translucent fabric, adding interest and beauty to a hand crafted note card or invitation.

I enjoy having poppies as members of my garden family during the first few months of the year. I get to witness the remarkable unfolding of each blossom, and sip tea in the multi colored luxury of their beauty.

Below are pictures of the very first to arrive last weekend. I stepped outside of the studio to welcome them and record the moment.

Prior to blooming , hairy stems supporting swollen
buds have a fascinating “from another planet” look.

You don't know what color flower you are getting
until it opens; usually white, yellow, orange or red.

The reveal is as awesome as a butterfly shedding its cocoon. 

Crumpled petals break through their shell and reach for the sky.

There’s more poppy love to come, from the garden and studio of Petalos di Pauli. Until then, take time to breathe and enjoy the miracles of each day.

Joyfully Yours,

Paula Estes
Botanical Artist
Petalos di Pauli

Ceremony Magazine Features South Asian Creations

Petalos di Pauli is always thrilled to be among the vendors chosen to be featured in Ceremony magazine. The current Orange County issue features two offerings from our South Asian Wedding Invitation line.  Paula Estes, owner and designer for Petalos di Pauli, draws from her passion and expertise to create a uncommon blend of modern western and traditional South Asian cultures into her line of wedding invitations. Petalos di Pauli is known as the "designers of elegant, handmade stationery embellished with real botanicals for your special event." Paula's knowledge of South Asian customs and ceremonies, means that the cultural background of your event will be honored while creating a unique but traditional wedding invitation.

At Petalos di Pauli we specialize in custom invitations and stationery. The myriad of paper choices in a variety of textures are just the beginning of the design experience. We have over ten thousand design elements to help you create the invitation of your dreams.

Petalos di Pauli Custom Invitation

Often when planning a South Asian wedding, couples feel limited in their invitation choices. They may only know of a couple of local stores or websites that offer ethnic wedding cards. Petalos di Pauli's reputation for great customer service is complemented by Paula's passion and sincere desire to deliver a product that exceeds every client's expectations. You can come into our studio and hold samples of our high quality invitations, experiencing the excitement that your guests will experience when they receive your wedding invitation. We will help you put all the pieces together, including stylish presentations designed to hold multiple inserts.

Petalos di Pauli Custom Invitation

Petalos di Pauli Custom Invitation

Weddings are filled with tradition and history, whether it is South Asian or another culture. At Petalos di Pauli we strive to make your wedding invitations announce your wedding with all of the style and tradition that is uniquely yours. After all, at Petalos di Pauli, we have our traditions too. Namely, providing invitations that help fulfill your dreams for your wedding.