About Nancy: Doggie makes 4

Dear Brown Bag Fans...

If you've been following me on twitter, you will recall that a couple days ago I announced that we have a New Dog.

Rocco LiuLiu Chin arrived last week weighing at 22+ lbs.  Rocco is a true blessing and an answer to prayers.  I've been wanting a playmate for Chin Chin, our soon to be 13 year old Bichon, for years.  With my accident a year ago, the timing wasn't right last year so we put it on hold.

Though I still have an upcoming surgery, the time felt right to move on with our family plans.  Rocco who is an 8 year old Bichon belonged to our friends, Sarita and Cary.  Rocco is a much beloved dog.  With their ever growing family needs, Sarita and Cary did a most unselfish thing which was to find a new home for their dog.  Many owners find this difficult to do so I applaud Sarita and Cary for being so brave.  It is a courageous thing to do!

Both KC and I feel so blessed to be able to be a guardian to Rocco.  He will be forever Sarita and Cary's dog in our hearts.  As Auntie and Uncle, we are so thrilled to provide Rocco with a buddy in Chin Chin.
Together, they will both thrive.

If you notice a little gap in writing it's because I've got my hands full so my sincere thanks to all for your patience as I will take a short short short break.

Don't worry, I'll be back in a week or so!

Press: Modern Solage Wedding in Style Me Pretty

Many of you have been voting on what real weddings you would like to see more of.  In response to that I'm so excited that Style Me Pretty picked this Solage wedding that was anything but typical ballroom or wine country rustic.  It's about Modern Lines.

Yolanda and Gary's sensible tastes started the moment Yolanda contacted me in the early part of this year.  Right away she wanted something with clean lines and modern hues that reflected a charm and casual whimsy.

As many of you know, I really love what I do and part of that is working with great clients and amazing vendors.  I was thrilled that I got a chance to work with Vero Suh(and her fine assistant, AC).  They were so fun to work with and made the day so relaxing.  It was also great to see Andrea + Jamie of Coquette Events who did a great job on this event.  Finally, how could one forget the cupcakes.  Crystal and I will always remember the kindness of the baker who brought all vendors cupcakes to sample.  Who doesn't appreciate a tasty cupcake?

About Nancy: AIFD Part Three

Today wraps up my posts on the AIFD Symposium.  These are more innovative and creative designs.  Some border on the sublime while others are influenced by more traditional designs.

These represent some of my favorite designs like this from Hitomi's floral group utilizing non floral materials.

How about this great design by Rene van Rems.  I love the pave of red gladiolis florets in this silver heart.

Who would have known that simple, utilitarian crates would make for a great prop and vessel for a modern design. Love.

A European Design by Rene van Rems.

This design was from Jim Hynd.

Modern and exquisite.  Not sure who designed this but I really love the movement.

About Nancy: AIFD Part Two

Futuristic.  Innovative. Simple.  Organic.  Structured.

These could be some of the adjectives that you might use to describe the European bouquets designed by Pim van der Aaker.  Whether you like them or not,  Pim's techniques and skills are inspiring.   He was by far one of my favorite experts at the AIFD Symposium.  Watching him create with such speed but with such innovative tools made me rethink the ordinary.

These designs may not work for all brides but we can take from his playfulness and adapt it for future designs.

What do you think?

About Nancy: AIFD

Two weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend my very first AIFD Symposium in San Francisco.  The AIFD Symposium is the Super Bowl for Floral Designers.  Expert designers from around the world fly in to touch and see new techniques and learn from the world's foremost experts.

This year's speakers and designers included many local experts and designers including Soho Sakai, Waterlily Pond, Michael Daigian, Steven Brown from CCSF and other fan favorites like Pim van den Aaker and Rene van Rems.

When I was debating about whether I should attend the Symposium, my good friend, Leighsa Montrose of Branch Out suggested that I volunteer because by volunteering I would get a chance to work behind the scenes.   I had no idea what a volunteer did but the minute I stepped into the floral workroom, I was engulfed with mini projects including organizing sections of the floral room, cleaning flowers, making boxes, arranging small bouquets, and prepping work for larger arrangements.  At times, I was overwhelmed but mainly, I was delighted like a child in a candy store.  The ability to create and play with flowers is a floral designers dream.  And not being responsible for a design was equally quite relaxing.  Working in a team environment was such joy because everyone had one goal in mind - have fun.

Here are a few of the inspiring finished work.  I'll post more photos in another post, so stay tuned.
Please let me know what you think of these because innovation isn't always about pretty flowers.

Wedding Polls: What Real Weddings do you want to see more of

We've started a poll question last month and I feel that a few more days of voting would do us good.
So give us your answer.

Thanks!

About Nancy: Preview of Monday

I'm so excited about next week posts!  You'll see my so not professional images from my week at the AIFD Symposium.  I thought I would give you one sneak peak at some of the finished floral arrangements.

Can you guess the name of the white flowers with a black center?

Stay tuned for more about AIFD Symposium 2011.

Floral Inspiration: In the Jungle

Last year I shared an image or two from one of our biggest events. Does this elephant look familiar?

I'm so happy that I can share a few more images and details from that magically event at San Francisco's City Hall.

The entry way featured two elephants and a garland of orchids.

There were 70 strands of orchids.  The mezzanine courtyard that you see below had a small rotunda that was 32 feet high.  We strung the orchids from the upper levels.  Each strand were 25 to 27 feet long so that they framed the elephant.    There's a gap in the middle of the garland because there was this elegant chandelier that we had to work around.

You can't even see the mechanic because of the back lighting.  Nevertheless we made sure that the grid was silver to disappear when guests looked up.

When working at a historical venue you have to abide by their rules.  I learned that we had to cover the marble surface on the top floor so that our iron grid would not scratch the marble.

This beautiful pond designed by Gloria Wong and produced by Blue Print Studios is magnificent.  I love the gold rocks.  We placed large tropical leaves to create the look of an Asian lily pond.  Large dinner plate dahlias massed together complete the look.

Photography by Lisa Lefkowitz. Event Design by Gloria Wong. Venue City Hall San Francisco

Press: Wedding Style Guide

Many of you might recall that I'm a fan of Wedding Style Guide.    It's a fabulous, fabulous wedding magazine in Australia(yes, I'm aware that used fab twice --- it's that awesome).

So today, I'm thrilled that one of our weddings was featured in their Winter 2011 Magazine.  The beautiful Bear Flag Farm wedding designed by Bliss'd wedding was just fanciful.  In the midst of so many "vintage" weddings,  this one feels a bit special and has so much personality.    There's something utterly sweet and quirky about Zoe and John's outdoor wedding that feels so down to earth and wholesome. I love it.

Much thanks to the great Jose Villa!!!  The images could not be more delightful.

Inspiration: Pool Party

Summer is here and warm weather weddings are in full force. What better way to beat the heat than with a pool party inspired wedding? Love the idea of enjoying shaved ice at a wedding reception in a poolside cabana or in the Hampton's.

Inspiration: Summer Pool Party

Colors: Hot Pink, Orange Creamsicle, Stark White, Flamingo Pink, Sea Blue

Textures: Umbrellas, Shaved Ice, Gerber Daisies, Hampton's Beach House, Preppy tote bags, Flip Flops

Photo Credit: Pizzazzerie, Martha Stewart, Best Quality Pools, Vanity Fair, Cocktail Details, Boutique Bridal, Kate Spade

Real Wedding: Country Club Wedding

It's not always easy to capture emotion in print. Though a photograph can conjure up feelings, you don't often see the peaks and valleys of a wedding during one snapshot. That's why I love how a short film can tell you a story within a wedding day.

Our real wedding features Josephine and Milo who said their vows in the Presidio and followed the ceremony with an all night party at the Lake Merced Golf Club. Her Country Club style mixed with some tropical Hawaiian floral accents blended well yet kept with her elegant classic style.

The event and wedding was planned and designed by Amazae. I will never forget how awesome Crystal Lequang of Amazae Events was. She was in her third trimester yet running around giving direction without hesitation. I could barely get her to sit still and relax. That's a sign of dedication.

We also want to thank Kevin Chin for this short film. And all the other great vendors including Enhanced Lighting, Augie Chang!



Josephine + Milo's wedding, HD video. from Kevin Chin Photography + Cinema on Vimeo.

About Nancy: Happy 4th

Dear Brown Bag fans....

I bet most of you are enjoying the outdoors today.  Could a little fireworks be in the horizon?

Today, my entire family is celebrating my parent's belated 50th Anniversary dinner.  I'm really looking forward to this as I haven't seen my oldest bro, James, in years.  My sister in law Joyce and niece Jess are also coming from Shanghai.  My second brother, Jeff, is bringing his entire family to the Bay Area.

Today I get to meet little Ryan M. Liu(my 3 nephew).  RML.  He was born in the spring time and carries with him all our hopes and dreams.  What lies in front of him is a world of opportunities, freedom to create,  a spirit of independence given to us by our forefathers.

I'm wishing all of you a happy and memorable 4th.  God bless.

End of Month Recap: June

June is major.  It's the eye of the storm.  The busiest of busy. One word:  Hellish.

This year I'm feeling a little worn out because our 2010 season bleed into 2011 so there was no rest or time to think or breath.   That said, I want to jump for joy as all of us at NLC Designs pushed through a major month of weddings, corporate parties, and changes.

June is when the tough gets going.   And we got going big time.  We did it.

When I think about June I remember that for many it's graduation.  A time of celebration.  Endings but also beginnings.

I think back to 1987 when I gave the commencement speech for my high school, De Anza(DONS).  The title of my speech was Blossoms of a Different Kind.  In the speech I referenced a tale that my mother use to tell me when I was little girl about this beautiful flower that would bloom for one beautiful and magnificent day.  In hush tones, she would speak of the many people from all over China who would come to see it's beauty.  Mesmerized by it's grand blossom, it became a legend because it bloomed for such a short time.  ( I'd like to think that my mom is talking about Peonies which only appears brief in the early summer and leaves us too soon)


I'm not sure what the morale of the story was.  Did my mother think that it was okay to be the best for one day?  Did my mother want me to understand that life is short so shine brightly?  Or was my mother trying to tell me that in life, if we create something wonderful, people will come regardless of whether it lasts for just a moment in time or longer?

For a floral designer, flowers often don't survive beyond a few days.   Wedding flowers are often just for that day....often thrown out at the end of the evening(don't kill me for saying this).

 Unlike an painter, musician, author, our art perishes.  But the good thing is, we can keep creating new designs each day, week, year.  Perishable but not forgotten.