Christina & Rei's engagement session...

Christina and Rei will be getting married this weekend at The Athenaeum in Pasadena. With their wedding fast approaching, here's a look back at their e-session by San Francisco photographer Jay Tsai. I love how the "feel" of SF was captured in these images. You can see more from the session here. 

This picture is amazing ~ blur of color

This has to be my favorite picture. I love the black and white! I love the movement in this picture.  I love that Christina is laughing without holding back! 

So romantic!

I love the softness of the next two pictures...


If I was Christina, I would have a hard timing choosing one single shot for the enlargement. Stay tuned to see more of Jay's amazing work after the wedding!

Tasting at the Intercontinental Los Angeles

One word to describe the food at this hotel ~ SPECTACULAR! I had the pleasure of attending a food tasting at the Intercontinental Los Angeles - Century City. We had a variety of food choices and I came out of the meeting with a full tummy and a very satisfied palate.

First off the appetizers:
This is the vegetable strudel with baby spinach, ratatouille, chive, herb, ricotta in beef jus. Very delicate and flaky and perfect to start the evening with.


I'm not a big fan of ravioli, unless it's really good ravioli. This butternut squash fit that bill. The skin wasn't too thick and the sweetness of the butternut was a surprise. Included in the dish was toasted pine nut and fried sage. Such an aromatic dish...


We tried two salads but the dishes was devoured prior to me getting a chance to take a photo. The catering manager presented a second dish since the first dish was a little flat (still taste wonderful though). This is the arugula greens, feta cheese, pine nuts, and lemon vinaigrette (I think you can tell now I LOVE pine nuts).


Now on to the Entrees:
First up, brioche & cranberry stuffed chicken. This dish was amazing! The meat was moist and the cranberries were a burst of flavor with every bite.


Also very yummy, chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto.


Filet mignon with roasted beef state tomatoes.


Pan seared filet mignon with Japanese pumpkin ravioli. Nothing against the filet, but the other dishes out shined this wedding staple.


On to the fish...
White wine poached Chilean sea bass with braised artichoke.


Saving the best for last, herb crusted halibut with polenta cake. Hands down, no comparison. This was the BEST dish. And look at the display, doesn't it just make your tummy grumble?


I hope you enjoy this food post. I for one am sure looking forward to this wedding! :D

Sample centerpieces

I've been to a few sample centerpiece viewings of top LA florists recently and forgot to post about them (I know! How could I?) So here you go...three in a row. And once again I apologize for the 'non-sharp' image. I think I'll have to revert back to a camera instead of relying on the iPhone.

First up, I had the amazing pleasure of meeting one of TOP Hollywood florist Kevin Lee from LA Premier. He caterers to the Hollywood elite and I was so happy to be able to see his work. Here is what he created for a fall wedding...


The bride decided to add different shad of reds and maybe a bit green. The water in the vase will also be red. I can't wait ~ with the flowers and lighting, it's going to be so rich and romantic!

Next up, the super talented Michelle Brue of Floral by Fauna. Michelle is such a pleasure to work with. There is no bound to her creativity!

Close up of the rich jewel tones.

And finally, the ever so sweet Eddie of City of Commerce Flowers. This bride wanted soft and elegant floral arrangement with a slight edge. I think Eddie did wonderfully and the bride was very very happy. This wedding will be coming up this weekend ~ stay tuned and be WOW by Eddie's work.

Finising up the ribbon place card board

Here's the finish product! Sorry for the past few blurry pictures. It's just so easy to use the iPhone. :)


A close up...


So what do you think?

More projects for the bridal shower...

Here's a couple more projects I worked on for the bridal shower. The first is a ribbon place card board. I purchased the foam board from Michael's. Then using different pattern and size ribbons, I wrapped the ribbons around the board. The place cards will be the folded place cards with the back flap tucked into the ribbons. I'm working on the place cards now but there's a slight hold up due to guests rsvping...


There was a huge sale at Michael's this past Memorial Day. I couldn't pass picking up a few more things. These foam letters were easy to paint and will add such a personal touch to the event. :)


And finally, these little tags to hang on the 'wishing tree.' Yes I know it's a little extreme for a manzanita wishing tree for a bridal shower, but how can you deny me the fun?! Ivory over pink card stock fasten by adhesive spray. Pink eyelet with pink ribbon and finished off with different shades of pink crystals on all four corners.


And another great news! We were able to book Jonilyn to document the event. I can't wait to see the event through her lens! Too see some of her talented work, visit her blog here.

First Gocco project!

After hearing all the raves about the Gocco machine ~ I was itching to test it out. I purchased the P11 kit from Norwood Studio. The kit came with the basic colors, extra light bulbs, and extra screens. I took the liberty and also bought the screen cleaner and the carbon pen (I like to sketch and knew the pen would come in handy).

My first project was to create a bridal shower invite. I wanted to start simple (didn't want to scare myself on the first attempt). I looked online for design inspiration and finally settled on a simple flower design. After sketching the design and sizing the text on a mock up invite...I was ready (all paper supplies purchased at Paper Source). The text and the pattern was flashed onto one screen (for future use, I can block the text and still use the pattern on note cards, etc). The ink used was Razberry for the pink and wanting a darker brown than what came in the tube, I mixed the basic brown with a little black.

It didn't come out perfect but I was happy with the result. I wanted something hand made and not necessarily perfect, not hot off the professional press (well that's what I keep telling myself anyways). After rounding the corners here's the result! I also printed the flower pattern onto the brown envelops and used textured pink paper for the envelop liner. Sorry the pictures are so dark but you get the idea!

Close up of the envelop ~

I'll have to find another reason to use the Gocco soon!

A beautiful day at the Villa...

This past Saturday...Briana & David got married at the beautiful Villa Del Sol D'Oro. It was a beautiful day full of love and laughter. The weather cooperated by staying sunny and breezy. We had an amazing team working along side us. Everything was perfection. Briana was GORGEOUS and David...not too shabby either. I 'stole' the following images from their awesome photographer Marlin Munoz ~ go to his blog to view more!

Gorgeous shot of Briana's shoe


The bird cage veil was for pre-ceremony pictures


The bridal suite had these vivid blue walls


Briana and her girls ~ I have to say, Briana's MOH Rachel is the BEST!


The dashing groom and groomsmen


Briana is full of spunk and laughs


The bride's bouquet was luscious ~ soft full peonies with orchids and green coffee berries


This looks like a magazine shot ~ one of my favorites of the day (who am I kidding, all the shots are amazing!)


Tender moment between father and daughter


The string of crystal and orchids swayed lightly in the wind - courtesy of great needle work by Michelle Brue


The mood in this picture can not be expressed ~ so soft, so romantic


After the sun set, the villa came alive with all the twinkling lights


It was a wedding filled with love, laughter, and happiness. I know Briana and David have a bright and beautiful future ahead of them.