Best Thing Ever: Couture Rose Glamelia

You've probably heard me say this over and over again but truly some of the best things are the simple things.

This couture bouquet for our sweet bride, Amy, is composed of hundreds of rose petals from South American 'Polo' roses. It's certainly a One of A Kind bouquet for a very special bride who wants something hand crafted and couture.

I hope you love the simple yet detailed craftsmanship to this beautiful bouquet.

A true favorite of mine.

Photo by Scott Andrew

About Nancy: 2011 Bouquets to Art

Each spring, I look forward to Bouquets to Art.  Participating Bay Area floral designers get to select a piece of artwork from the deYoung museum's current collection.   Once all the floral designers(or team of designers) are finalized, each gets to create a piece of floral art that is related or inspired by the artpiece.

This year I was lucky to get John F. Peto's Job Lot Cheap.  John F. Peto is most known for his "trompe l'oeil" paintings. Trompe l'oeil is an art technique that involves depiction of "realistic" imagery which is intended to create an optical illusion which makes objects appear to be three dimension.  Peto's still life paintings aimed to deceive the viewer into thinking that the objects were real when in fact, it's art.  His paintings exploited the fallibility of human perception(as per Wikipedia).  Job Lot Cheap centers around an rustic, old bookshelf(window) displaying disheveled and ordinary books and bits of every day paper and leftover "junk".  Though painted in the late 19th century, it could look like any forgotten bookshelf in someone's attic or garage.

To me, the painting is sad.  It feels as if no cares about the neglected books.  You wonder, "who's books are they?".

As a huge book lover, I choose this piece because I'm attracted to old books.  Old, torn, dogeared books are especially wonderful to me as show a bit of character.   There's something very endearing about old, neglected, broken, torn books.  You just want to rescue them.

For more images from Bouquets to Art 2011, I invite you to read Kevin Chin's Blog and article.  It's filled with great images from this year's event.

Inspiration: Lovely Lavender

Lavender and violet hues are delicate, charming, and lady-like. And who is more ladylike than the ultimate Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor? This board is inspired by her elegant legacy and by the "new" lavender, a color I hope to see much more of this spring!  

You are unforgettable.....Farewell, Miss Taylor! 

Theme: Lovely Lavender

Colors: Violet, Silver, Jewel tones

Elements: Iridescent Jewels, Pearls, Diamonds, Hollywood Glamour

Credits:

Top: My Classic Lyrics, Karen Wise via Kelly Oshiro Events, Etsy

Middle: Elizabeth Anne Designs, Wedding Wire

Bottom: Nancy Liu Chin Designs, One Wed

Best Thing Ever: Inspirational Celebrations

For anyone in need of inspiration, this new and fabulous book called Art of Celebration: Southern California is one of the best books I've seen on party design. If you want to see over the top events and parties, this book has page after page of decadent designs, over the moon florals, and spectacular transformations.

Whether you are a professional or a novice party planner, this has got to be in your collection of design books.

It might be hard to find but you can order it via amazon if you can't find it in your local book stores.

Press: The Knot's Ultimate Lookbook

Recently, the Knot published a wedding coffe ebook called The Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook.

Not only is it filled with great wedding "eye candy" but it's also filled with aptly trend now tips.

A huge shout out goes out to Carley Roney (editor of the Knot) and everyone else at the Knot for including some of our tips as well as images in this truly ultimate book of wedding ideas.  I'm very proud to be a part of the book and I can't wait to share this with you.   Brides, you've got to get this.  Hello, bridesmaids, this is the perfect shower or engagement gift.

Here's a few images from the book.

Cover of the Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook.

Outdoor Ceremony designed by NLC, Photography by Lisa Leigh

Top Right Red Bouquet designed by NLC, Photography by Tara Arrowood

Inspiration: Bon Voyage

It's not fair that Nancy gets to travel so much.  But then again, it's because she needs time to heal, to refresh, and of course, to get inspired.  So for her and all those who feel like running away, this one's for you.

Style: Get out of town!

Colors: Cognac, flax, dark green, copper, evergreen, cream, "poppy" red
Textures: Leather bound journals, vintage suitcases, greenery, postcards, stamps, letters, jute

Credit
Top row: Pearlvangeest, A Beach Cottage, Lisa Lefkowitz
Middle row: Sarah Klassen, Domestifluff
Bottom row: Design Sponge, Leila Brewster, MA Belle

Best Thing Ever: Original Save The Date by Ceci New York

When I saw this inspiration board by Ceci New York, I knew that the Save the Date for this couple would be unbelievable.

Inspiration Board from Ceci New York

As we know, a few of the posts this month has to do with traveling. So this Save the Date is very appropriate and well deserved as Best Thing Ever: Original Save The Dates.  I love the fan which is so unusual.  The map on the envelope doesn't overwhelm but adds to the charm.  And the map lined red box is clever.  Many invitations incorporate maps but this one feels just so unique.  The spirit of the board lives in this STD, perfectly.

Lessons: Adapting

Sometimes it's not how good you are that makes you a success but how well you adapt during everchanging times.

There isn't a single week that goes by when I'm not questioning the way I market and brand NLC Designs, creating new designs for our weddings, or analyzing the way we service our clients. New clients have new needs and just when I think I have it managed, I am always surprised with new requests and needs.

In the beginning I thought I would have templates in place to make life easier for myself and my assistants but as the years have passed I've learned that innovation means adapting to changes. which means templates only work for a time period.

Basically, things don't always stick.

No wonder I'm constantly updating our website because what's new today will look old in a few months. Same goes for our portfolio. There are things that I did years ago, and I just don't want to do those things again. Styles and trends come and go but I believe in moving on.

If you are in business, it's critical to learn to adapt. If you haven't changed your logo or revamped your website in a few years, I probably would challenge you to update your website.  (This is our new logo designed by the talented Lisa Wong Jackson of Good on Paper Design)

If you are a slow adaptor, you have got to challenge yourself to get in the game faster.  I'm not saying do things fast.  Be aware of time.  For example, if you are working on your website and you put "under construction, coming soon".  Well, if you had that notice up for one year, your website isn't coming soon.  This is what I mean about being aware.  See things from the viewer!  

If everyone is going one way, doesn't mean you have to follow but just don't be left behind. The good thing about business is that if it doesn't work, you can change things that you don't like. If your new logo isn't great, don't stick with it.  You've got the power to change and to choose.  If a certain advertisement is working for you, you don't need to stick with it. Change it up. Adapt.

Innovation isn't always about innovating your craft but about innovating your business practices. Adapting means that you never stop learning.

Inspiration: Effortless Nautical

Recently I've seen three Nicholas Sparks' movies.  Each seem to be near some wonderful East or Southeast beach town.  Inspired by the sea, a message in a bootle, and sand between my toes, this beautiful inspiration board (brought to us by Erin, the intern) is perfection to me.

Style: Effortless Nautical

Colors: Off white, Red, Navy Blue, Earth, Aqua

Textures: Worn Linen, Wood, Sea glass, Roping, Coral, Sailboats, Stripes, Compasses, Beach Signs

I'm officially ready for beach weather!

Credits
Top Row: IttyBittyImpacts, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Design Crush
Middle Row: Completely Coastal, This Next, Wedding Bee
Bottom Row: Elegant Weddings, Wedding Bee, Pebbles to Sand

Best Thing Ever: Pastel Bouquet

There are beautiful bouquets. Every week we seem to make something more delicious than the previous weeks but this bouquet from 2009 has remained one of my favorite spring time bouquets with its pastel hues, complex textures, and interesting flowers.

It's well balanced and simply stunning not because of the flowers but of the great composition by Todd Rafalovich. A master photographer, he just "wow'd" me.

It's also on our new website which we hope you approve of.  Tell us what you think.  And send your suggestion for what you consider a "Best Thing Ever".

Press: Style Unveiled Amanda Loves Steven

Thank you again to Style Unveiled for featuring one of our clients. In fact Amanda is not only a client but a friend and one of my favorite wedding vendors. I just adore her. Watching her wedding unfold was heavenly.

Together Amanda and Steven had a dream team of vendors including Kevin Chin, Jubilee Lau, and Julia Morgan Ballroom.

Inspiration: Pastel Pretty

Every spring brings sweet things. Be it pretty little delicate things. Innocent whites, yellows, blues and even pinks. These are some of my truly favorite things!

Style: Southern Spring Sweet Party 30's retro

Colors: Bubble pink, rose pinks, daffodil, sky blue, china blue

Textures: lace trim, tulle, tissue paper, calico fabrics, gingham, Grandma's china

Credit
Row One: Donna Hay, JL Designs Blog by Stephanie Williams, 2 b fryd magazine, Donna Hay
Row Two: Donna Hay, 2 b fryd magazine, Fine Cooking
Row Three: Bouquet by Nancy Liu Chin designs Image by Elle Jay, Messy Jesse Blog, Martha Stewart, Boutonniere Nancy Liu Chin Image by Lisa Lefkowitz, Lisa Lefkowitz

Real Weddings: Wedding of the Year #3

After seeing this video, you'll understand why it's one of my favorite weddings and very deserving of the tilte - Wedding of the Year.

Obviously words like beautiful and breathtaking are overused when talking about real weddings. But that's how I describe this wonderful short film by Aria Studios.

Beautiful. Breathtaking.


Minh-Han + Reff // wine country wonderland from ARIA Studios on Vimeo.