TIGERS TO LILIES

New Order

2012-01-31T12:51:00.000-08:00

...and listening to this. New Order's Power Corruption & Lies

If you don't own this album yet, go and treat yourself. Your plants will thank you ;)

(image borrowed from Jonny Chance)

Falling Garden

2012-01-31T12:25:00.000-08:00

Lovely Lauren sent this my way and my jaw dropped. Just the title alone, Falling Garden, conveys so many prolific thoughts. This confetti + nature inspired art installation was brought into being by German artist Gerda Steiner and Jorg Lenzlinger and was created for the 50th Venice Biennial Art Exhibition. Did any of you see this by chance? You can read more about it here. Breathtaking. I'd so love to waste the day away laying on the ground and just staring up at this magnificent embodiment of beauty and letting thought after inspired thought pass through me...sigh.

(Thank you Lauren)***

2012-01-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

Time to hit the fields! Here's to the beginning of a busy week!

***(Thank you chére Cheri for all the inspiration, as usual)***

Childscape

2012-01-28T14:36:00.001-08:00

Beautiful and magical. Love.
By Yusuke Suzuki

*(via all the mountains)

Non Fussy Baby Shower

2012-01-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

This is a little glimpse of a flower morning for me. It's so calm and quiet out when I get up at the crack of dawn to go to the flower market. By the time I come home I usually let the flowers rest for a second while I make myself a little toast and something hot to drink. I find it so sweet that the cats, especially Button, come out and investigate and sniff the flowers and hang with me, while V.v. stays warm in bed (it's still too early for her)!

These were flowers gathered for a modern yet elegant not-so-baby-like baby shower. Magnolia + peonies + camellia branches make for a wonderful arrangement. I also got some deep purple anemones and mexican baby's breath to gather around into simple wild arrangements for the rest of the house.

Postcard love

2012-01-17T15:49:00.000-08:00

Picked these up from a local photographer (sadly whose name isn't on these postcards) on our trip to Big Sur with the direct intent on sharing them with you. Something about their simplicity and easiness captured my eye.

2012-01-16T14:36:00.000-08:00

Pretty simple and simply sweet. Would make for a nice Valentine's day gift, no?

2012-01-13T21:10:00.000-08:00

Sweet. All from this inspiring well.

Big Sur

2012-01-12T23:02:00.001-08:00

Hi friends and haaaappy new year! Elijah and I escaped to Big Sur to start off the new year in nature (with zero cell reception) and each other! I took these shots with some expired polaroid film and look at what I got. Pretty neat huh? I wasn't sure if I liked the results at first but the more I study them the more I think that there is something esoteric and rather beautiful to be found in these warped faded photos. I hope you like them too. More Big Sur here!

Now tell me about your new year so far! Any resolutions? Laughs? Love? Nature? Any grand stories?

What do you think of my new blog title? I felt it right to give Tigers to Lilies a fresh look for 2012. Please let me know what you think*

2011-12-31T21:05:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

here's to a beautiful 2012
xxxx

(photo by Corinne Day)

* * * Merry Happy Christmas * * *

2011-12-27T23:41:00.000-08:00

How was your holiday? Dreamy? In grand company? Delectable food and eggnog perhaps? Full of love? Full of presents? Full of nature? Shooting stars? Pray do tell...I want to hear about it!

Mine was wonderful: the farm, Elijah + family. I'd like to escape to Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Finland or Iceland sometime just to experience a Christmas there. Maybe next year.

***Take note of the beautiful photos of Iceland from here.

Yelena Yumchuk for IMPROVD

2011-12-20T01:28:00.000-08:00

pretty breathtaking...

xx Wreath D.I.Y. xx

2011-12-20T00:22:00.000-08:00

1.) gather some floral wire and good scissors, bay leaves, berries, and some wildflowers
(bay leaves are super elegant and very easy to work with)

2.) if you don't feel like making your own frame out of sticks and wire, go to a craft store and buy a discounted fake wreath. when you get home, cut off the plastic garland and voila! your very own cool solid frame! (I think I got mine for $3 at Michaels)

3.) start using the floral wire to wrap bunches of bay around your frame
(I highly recommend getting green floral wire so that it blends in with the rest of the greens)

4.) keep attaching bay leaves until desired look!

5.) why not make yourself a floral bay leaf crown as well? attach some flowers to it too!

6.) pretty and pretty easy! it's a win-win

7.) start making little versions of the wreath using scrap pieces and throw them around wine bottles, candles, window latches, etc...
(the floral wire doubled over and braided around itself should make a sturdy enough frame for these wee ones)

8.) wanna know what is cool about these to-do wreaths? you can hang them in your kitchen well after the holidays because the bay will start to dry out and then you can use it to cook with! brilliant (and it makes for a lovely gift for a cook or simply for a friend who likes a bit of wild in the house)*

...and lastly, of course, I couldn't let V.V. escape without a bay leaf wreath of her own!

* hope you're inspired to make one too and if you have any questions, simply email me *
xx

Protea!

2011-12-19T23:52:00.001-08:00

I'm really into these protea. SO pretty. A soft pink with what seems like a dipping of the tips of the petals in a watercolor bath of a purple-ish/black. GO get some! Seriously!

(For some reason they feel Christmas-y in a woodsy feminine way, no?)

*p.s. the beautiful red card is from Spencer Studio...of course!*

Origami Christmas Tree

2011-12-14T15:15:00.000-08:00

OOOooooh! ! Have you seen it before?
This handsome tree hangs out at the American Museum of Natural History in New York!

(via the sweet blog Found While Walking)*

Natural Dyeing Part II

2011-12-12T14:18:00.000-08:00

Pretty neat, huh?! Lauren and I had a lot of fun practicing what we had previously learned from the natural dye workshop last weekend! We used blackberries, hibiscus, beet powder and turmeric. We dyed different cotton fabrics, cotton yarns, cotton-hemp blends, and I even tried out some different papers. Since it's raining today we'll have to wait to wash them and hang them out to dry in some golden California sun. I think that this is just the beginning of many more dyeing experiments!

On another note, pretty dreamy that it's raining today, no?

Total Eclipse of the Moon

2011-12-10T01:31:00.000-08:00

If you're up at 6:30am, check out the total lunar eclipse happening! Elijah & I have our alarms set! It should be beautiful.

An eclipse of the Moon brings awareness of the shadow side of our unconscious, and is a powerful time for healing our deep psyches.

Inspiration is a flow of thoughts that sparkle with life and vigor.

It lies within everyone’s power to be inspired and to inspire.

Paramahansa Yogananda

(Thank you Lauren for sharing this with me)*

Spencer Studio Shop

2011-12-09T00:31:00.001-08:00

I am so proud of Lauren because she got Spencer Studio S hop up & open and can now share her wonderfully precise and delicate talent with the rest of us! These drawings are so incredibly beautifully done and capture moments past with a modern breath. Her hand drawn extensions of the photographs are perfectly matched in value and in the delicateness of line and really make for the overall composition. I saw them in person and could buy them all. Such a clever idea from such a talented artist. I think that they would make for a very special gift for someone, especially during the holidays. Go and browse her shop for yourself and get ready to float away...

p.s. they're going fast!

2011-12-08T22:43:00.000-08:00

Hi.

Natural Dyeing

2011-12-06T21:04:00.001-08:00

This past Saturday, Lauren and I attended a natural dye class held at Cookbook and taught by the ever so lovely Britt Brown of Le Papel paper press. It was insanely fun and we all really got our hands (and nails) dirty! Can I just tell you how amazing it smelled in there with our boiling vats of persimmons, hibiscus and blackberries all simmering? It is such a beautiful process and esoteric craft to learn. Britt showed us some Japanese Shibori stitching and taught us about the different papers, fabrics and techniques that we could experiment with. I really appreciated the ephemeral quality of the fabric's fate and the fact that everything in the room that we were using was edible! I think Lauren and I are going to experiment and dye some scarves and yarn and see what we come up with. More on that later...

Also, a huge thank you to Marta and Robert of Cookbook for holding these classes in their beautiful space No.2. They are such a rad couple and brought out an appetizing cheese & charcuterie plate for us to devour at the end of our workshop. If you haven't been to Cookbook yet, please go! You will be incredibly delighted I am certain of this!

2011-12-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

Got the great honor to do some flowers for an Oscar recipient for her Thanksgiving dinner last week. The best part was the tea she so kindly made me and the conversation we had by the fireplace. It was the highlight of my week.

Harvest Moon short film O

2011-11-25T13:08:00.000-08:00

The Harvest Moon a short film by Lili Cuzor

Harvest Moon Ceremony O

2011-11-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

A little preface: Firstly, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope that your day is spent with family & friends. A toast to you*

About two months ago, during the Harvest Moon, Lauren, Kelly and I decided to throw together a ceremony in honor of the fullest moon. We figured it would shed the perfect amount of light on us as we drank special teas and had Jane Anne read her Celtic tarot cards well into the deepness of the night. It was a ton of work to set up: we had pies to bake, cookies to make, tea to collect and brew, gold to leaf on jars, flowers to pick and feathers to string, blankets and rugs to throw and a full table to set. But what a spectacularly magical evening it was! I got some of the most beautiful photography shots out of it. Originally we had to narrow it all down to ten shots, but I figured I'd share with you, my fellow comrades, some of the outtake shots that didn't make the cut. I hope you enjoy going these and that perhaps you too are inspired to grab some close friends and to throw together a ceremony to celebrate each other. Thanksgiving seems like the most appropriate day to share this all with you*

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

-Khalil Gibran

Credits:

Conceived + Styled by Lauren Spencer King, Kelly Cuadra & Lili Cuzor

Photography by Lili Cuzor and Siena Perez del Campo

Harvest Moon card by Spencer Studio

Apple Hill!

2011-11-13T15:52:00.001-08:00

The family, Elijah, V.V. and I are off to Apple Hill in Northern California for a quick road-trip getaway! Have you been there? I've heard amazing things about this beautiful little town amongst a sea of apple orchards and I feel so giddy with delight that I get to go with my family! See you when I get back!

(I cannot remember where I got the photo from above. Have you seen it? Who can I credit? So sorry about this...)*

Sleeping Beauties

2011-11-08T00:47:00.000-08:00

Oh how beautiful.

The first photo is part of a series by artist Ana Mendieta.
The second photo is entitled Sleeping Beauty by Matthias Vriens for Numero Tokyo 7, Oct 2007.

What do you think?
I found these while browsing through witches and slippers and hoods! So fun.

A Style That Could Grow on You

2011-11-07T22:50:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon these images in a bookstore this weekend and thought that you might like them too. I appreciate the flowers incorporated in the styling, especially in the first picture with the garden roses voluptuously filling up the dress. Pretty neat.

Shot by Bruce Weber and styled by Grace Coddington for Vogue UK 1984.

2011-10-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Lovely Cheri sent me an article to read about Camille Bidault Waddington's closet and I couldn't help but admire her blue-purple hydrangeas. She makes them look fresh again. For a second, I almost caught myself thinking of them as too old-timey/wedding-fancy, then again, how hip and young fancy they look in Camille's beautiful home...

2011-10-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

Before and after! Happy Saturday!

(Can we please take a second look at just how adorable V.V. is in my car, waiting patiently with the flowers...sigh)

Movement!

2011-10-25T19:01:00.001-07:00

Some beautiful pictures that I came across from master photographer and capture-er of light, Richard Avedon. The movement and energy in these are token.

(Sorry if there is a bit of a light glare on some of them: I took them with my phone inside the library)*

Spirited Away

2011-10-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

I had an entry all ready to go to share with you today of some of Richard Avedon's brilliant work that I picked up from the library yesterday until something much more dear and magical came through the mail...and so I decided instead to ask you this: Do you have a friend who is so close to you, her spirit so intertwined with yours that you can feel the connection from an ocean or two away? A friend that you only get to spend fleeting moments with and yet those moments are so full of life, zeal, love, light and enchantment that they imprint your soul forever to come? It's like we're spirit twins. Members of the same tribe with only mountains and clouds keeping us physically apart. We send each other smoke signals that travel great distances usually in the form of letters, oh but when they do arrive what beautiful suspension of time spent reading and re-reading each others messages and thoughts and aspirations! Other than that, I am always there having lunch with you. In whichever magical little park you can find us, I am under your tent. Thank you...kindred spirit.

Grace-ful

2011-10-12T00:03:00.001-07:00

I went to Malibu early today for a photo assignment and this is all I could think of: pretty darn graceful.

Petit arrangements

2011-10-07T22:25:00.001-07:00

I have a serious problem: I can't throw away flowers unless they're really, really dead. I'll make an arrangement last until all the petals fall off. My trick is to take the still living flowers and cut them down some (or a lot) and throw some wild greens and/or cut herbs in them. I love throwing some purple basil or oregano or mint in these teeny arrangements too. I think they're intimate and sweet and they smell really good. You can put them in a tiny vase or glass and put them somewhere that needs a little pick-me-up or a kiss of color. Try it and tell me what you think!

The last picture is of Osa, our latest member to join the farm. Elijah rescued her from an insanely busy street and after a good bath and some food, she was purring away and our hearts melted. Seriously, when you've already got three cats and a dog, what's one more, right...right?! Plus, how cute is her face. I'm such a sucker for animals. Wait until we get some land: it'll be fully on! Cows, chickens, a horse or two, V.V. and the cats, maybe some bunnies and a goat too.

A.P.C. Bag

2011-10-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I'm supposed to write about nature and wildflowers and photography. But I really like this bag. A lot. The color, the style, the 'coolness' it oozes...geez. What's gotten into me?

Ines Amd Photography

2011-10-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

Aren't these images both nostalgic and captivating? They are from a wonderful (and young!) photographer named Ines Amd and if you want to escape for a little while go and visit her. I really appreciate work like this because it reminds that simple can be so beautiful. She manages to capture such a delicate light too. I especially like her use of shadows in the very first picture.

Thank you Lauren*

The Eden Project

2011-10-02T14:13:00.001-07:00

Have you heard of or been to The Eden Project in Cornwall, England? It's a global garden that was built in an unused clay mine to inspire and educate people! It's so much more than a garden too. It houses concerts and art shows, sometimes using the plants and gardens as canvases, it grows food and brings people together from all across the world. My dear friend Cheri goes and visits about once a year and she always holds it in such high esteems. It's time for Elijah and I to go I think!

2011-09-28T23:57:00.000-07:00

Absolutely stunning, right?
(via here)

2011-09-26T23:13:00.000-07:00

There is a wonderfully fulfilling element to the beginning of the day when you wake up really early before the lazy sun extends it's rays, brush you teeth (and your hair) and hit the flower market to shop for a beloved client's home. It's even a bigger bonus when your darling neighbor Kelly decides to come along for the ride and high that comes with such a peaceful morning. A stop by Bottega Louie's on the way back home for a couple of americanos & gold dusted macaroons packaged in a beautiful pink box really sets the tone, you know? What a really, really lovely day.

Proteas & ivy greens might just be my new favorites and THEY LAST! Also in the flower mobile: Callas, Casablancas and French Anemones (of course)*

//\\ STUDIO PARTY //\\

2011-09-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

My dear and inspiring-beyond-belief friend Lauren hosted what was one of the coolest studio parties I have ever been to. Pretty great concept: everyone invited had to bring a mix CD and went home with ten mixed CD's full of new music! What a rad idea, right? But what was even more delightful was that Lauren hosted it inside her gem strewn art studio! I felt insanely inspired and just about everything in it caught my eye, my attention, my spirit! I could not put my camera down.

Her art is drenched in femininity, elegance, and tangible magic! Her sculptures felt both grounding and delicate. They reflected light and beauty from every possible angle. I wanted them all! Her paintings felt like they were transporting me into another universe. A universe full of grace and galaxies spun of light and enchantment. Furthermore, it is all executed with so much attention to detail and with such a graceful hand. I am in awe. Truly. What a grand, grand artist. You might as well write her name down and keep it close by because she is soaring to greater and greater heights each passing day.

Back to the party part of the day, it was so much fun and I got to meet and share stories and ideas while sipping on purple basil lemonade with so many lovely and talented ladies. I practically floated out of there at the end. I'm pretty sure my feet weren't touching the ground.
I hope that you enjoy these pictures as much as I did taking them!

* * *Thank you so much Lauren for hosting such a beautiful event in such a breathtakingly magnificent space* * *

If you want a little more, check out Lauren, Kelly and Jessie's posts!

Photograms

2011-09-19T23:48:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of photograms? Have you ever made one? I got to make some and fell in love with the simplicity of the process and the esoteric images you can create. These two were my favorite.

Hope you're having a nice week so far*

Score+Solder

2011-09-17T00:10:00.000-07:00

Look at these beautiful terrariums made by self proclaimed gypsy and magician, Matthew Cleland. Each one-of-a-kind terrarium is made to order with handmade glass and are lead free. What a whimsical touch to add a crystal pendant too, no? Pretty magical indeed.

long hair, long days

2011-09-16T23:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been away. School, new member to the farm, extra hours at work and some freelance gigs & super early mornings have kept me at bay. I do have a ton to share with you though! But for tonight, I just wanted to say hello. I can't wait to sleep in this weekend...*

How have you been?

(beautiful photo by Matt Sundin)

Flowers, Feathers & Birthdays

2011-09-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

I made a little bouquet for a dear friend of mine. It was so simple and yet I really loved the way it turned out. I tucked a couple of feathers in it too just for good measure.

2011-08-31T00:20:00.000-07:00

Yes.
via here.

2011-08-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

bath time!
(it's so HOT)

2011-08-27T00:06:00.000-07:00

via here*

My Little Garden

2011-08-26T21:58:00.001-07:00

I've been tending to a little garden that Elijah & I planted at the beginning of summer. My very talented friend Sunny made me 2 winsome gardening beds for my birthday this year and I've slowly been hunting and gathering seeds, sprigs, and plants to make this little garden grow. Sometimes, when I get home, there is a wonderful little package of seeds waiting patiently for me to find them on my doormat or a gift of wildflower seed bombs all that my wonderfully cool and lovely neighbor Lauren so kindly leaves. Those are the best kinds of gifts. Unexpected and just waiting to be tended to so they can bloom.

The Plant Journal

2011-08-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

The Plant Journal, Issue 1 (Staghorn Fern)

I'd like to get my hands on this. Pretty rad.

"The Plant Journal is made for all the people who, like us, love plants. People who get excited looking at how a kentia grows in their living rooms and arranging a bunch of fresh flowers. People who recreate the greenery with affection, who decorate their houses, gardens and lives with plants. But also for those who try and try but are unable to keep them alive.

Lead by curiosity, we began to discover the work of many photographers, illustrators, gardeners, craftsmen, scientists, cooks, designers, filmmakers, writers, architects and artists, both established and emerging, who shared with us their perceptions and experiences about plants. Because of them, our idea of this publication began to change and became The Plant Journal, a curious observer of ordinary plants and other greenery."

Get one from Mr. Kitly!

Craft night/afternoon!

2011-08-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

some exceptionally bright & talented ladies

supplies!

my branch arrows!

thank you Lauren for introducing me to gold leaf!

the beginning of Lauren's beautifully crafted crescent dreamcatcher

Lauren patiently showing me the ropes to leafing

I even got to tie a little crystal on one of my arrows!

It's pretty extraordinary when you have not one but *two* artistic neighbors that are both lady spirits, extremely well crafted and beautiful! We decided to put some time aside and have an actual craft night that lead to a continuation gathering outdoors the very next day! HA! The creativity was flowing! Feathers, crystals, branches, paints, tape, twine, string & gold leaf! It was pretty awesome and very inspiring to be around these two wondrous ladybirds as we spun tales, wove magic, and shared an evening + afternoon of heartfelt stories and laughs. Thanks to this craft session I finally got to complete some branch arrows that I have wanted to make for a long time. And my spirit felt lifted and inspired. I think the best part though was realizing how fortunate I am to have both Lauren and Kelly as my upstairs neighbors and new friends! I mean c'mon, really?!

*grateful*

O We're planning our next craft night for the first full moon in September O

Happy Sunday!

2011-08-21T00:14:00.000-07:00

Just in case you somehow haven't seen the amazing photos that Mario Testino shot of Kate Moss' wedding to Jamie Hince, here they are! Only Kate could have a day like this. It's everything I love: part gypsy, part English, part Edwardian and total class. Every last detail, down to the wildflower crowns, is absolutely perfect. Enjoy! (and happy Sunday to you)*

...one more

2011-08-18T21:07:00.001-07:00

(I told you, I'm in love).
The way the light hits the tree through the branches to project deep shadows on the wall and the position of the woman makes this so nostalgic and intimate. And how about that the tree has overtaken that indoor space? Creeping through it's crumbling walls and broken windows.

Joanna Pallaris

2011-08-18T20:42:00.001-07:00

Some incredibly haunting and rather diaphanous photography by Joanna Pallaris. I wish I could have been able to visit this exhibit (London 2010) sooo badly. She shot all of these photographs in one day at a crumbling sanctuary in Hampshire, distinctively collecting a narrative that chillingly yet delicately unfolds before our eyes. The story is beautiful. Nature, the omnipresent and self-serving spirit that draws our eye between the intimate atmospheres and the devastating, if not wildly beautiful, light in which all succumbs and deteriorates to one way or another. Oh, and she shoots in Polaroid...enough said. I'm in love*

I'm so happy that you posted this Alexa!

Dreamy Wallpaper

2011-08-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

Dreamy, nature-inspired wallpaper from Trove. Pretty jolie, n'est pas? These would be perfect backdrops for an ethereal photoshoot...

Pressed Flowers

2011-08-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

I've been using some of my pressed petals lately and I really love it. It's a delicate craft in nature due to the fragility of the petals, but they are so worth the time it takes to press and later use. I'm still playing around with which adhesive works best. It's also rather wonderful how the shape of certain petals can suggest another creature or forms.

2011-08-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Hope you're having a lovely week so far*

2011-08-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

1.) It started off with a beautiful palette

2.) We made a syrup with sugar and water and brought it to a boil & dropped the flowers in

3.) After coating our flowers and herbs with the syrup, we used a toothpick to lay them out as flat as possible (requires patience)

4.) Awww bummer, not as pretty or as candied as we wanted them to be :(

A while back, my dear friend and I decided to try and candy some edible flowers and herbs. We had a little book to guide us and yet we didn't get the end results we wanted. Do you think we should have used a candy thermometer? I was skeptical to include the last photo because it certainly doesn't look very appetizing, does it?! Gonna have to try this one again...

2011-08-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

Whimsical little arrangements with scabiosas, scabiosa pods, snow-on-the-mountain, maple and eucalyptus.

Biodynamic Farming!

2011-07-29T01:28:00.000-07:00

Do you know about biodynamic farming? While visiting the Ehlers Estate Organic Vineyard in Napa this week, Elijah and I learned all about this old-tried-and-true holistic and chemical-free farming method. It is fascinating and wonderful and cosmic! It originates from the work of Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolph Steiner, and is a hands-on approach where the land is treated as a complete living organism in order to achieve greater produce. Naturally healthier and happier, the land bears happier and healthier fruits and vegetables! The basic philosophy is this: leave the land in better shape then when you found it. It's such a grand yet simple idea. Here are some of it's strict criteria*:

-reading the language of nature through careful observation
-avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides (hello lady bugs!)
-taking into account cosmic rhythms when planning vineyard activity
-using biodynamic preparations as medicines for the Earth
-employing concepts from the self-sustaining farm model, i.e. composting, attracting beneficial fauna, etc.
-nourishing the soil as a living organism

I love this concept of taking care of what takes care of you. Doesn't it make perfect sense in general? When speaking with the staff they also mentioned burying cow horns in specific energy hot spots throughout the vineyards and using herbs such as nettle and lavender to make "compost teas" for the land! Isn't that just so wonderful? And following the lunar cycle when it comes to crop picking and never taking from the vines on a full moon. It was soooooo fascinating and inspiring to hear about. It takes organic farming to the next level. They had the best tasting wine too! We could feel the good vibes and energy flowing there. If you go to Napa, and I certainly hope that you do, go and visit the Ehlers Vineyard and see/feel for yourself!

Ehlers Estate Vineyard, we tip our hats to you! Thank you!

*Above pictures and facts taken from the Ehlers Estate Organic Vineyard website ;)

Napa Valley

2011-07-28T23:15:00.000-07:00

Elijah and I just got back from Napa Valley.

(This is my first time posting up a video clip and I didn't put any sound to it. I'm really starting to love making small videos).

Honey of a Thousand Flowers

2011-07-23T13:31:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine passed along Kinfolk my way (thank you Kelly!) and I immediately fell into a deep read. Have you heard of it? Tucked inside was a sweet story about Sarah Winward and her winsome flower studio in Salt Lake City called Honey of a Thousand Flowers. Her story of how she and her husband spent two months working day and night to turn an old plumbing office into the beautiful, airy studio that it is today is incredibly sweet and inspiring! Her work is simply beautiful and elegant and wild. I'm smitten by her whole story and studio and you must take a moment and check in with her blog, and then over to her website, and then get ready to spend some time with Kinfolk. Sarah has some great advise for throwing some flowers together and overall comes across as a fantastically smart and wonderful lady...Happy Saturday!

"I like flowers that feel fresh and wild, and are arranged in a way that still let them look like the natural beauties that they are." -Sarah

(aka, a girl after my own heart)!

What if...

2011-07-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

we wore more flowers and plants in our hair?

had more plants and flowers in our bathrooms?

first photo: Chinatsu Nobe (she can do my hair anytime)!!
second photo: that kind of woman

Summer Daze

2011-07-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

What have you been up to this summer? Elijah and I have stayed here in Los Angeles this summer, with a few escapes to the desert sprinkled here and there. I have to admit that with the weather being so nice, I haven't been working on my computer nearly as much. What I have been up to is baking cakes, picking & arranging wildflowers, dancing, long walks at dusk, time shared with friends, brothers, sipping on rosé, watching great documentaries late into the evening, farmer's market, fresh gazpacho with heirloom tomatoes, reading (finally finished my BIG book yesterday!), and figuring out my new camera and taking lots of photos. I've also slowly gotten back into watercoloring which has been a true enjoyment. I have to admit, it's nice taking the time to enjoy my city, you know? I really love the summertime. California around dusk with it's magical light hitting the nearby hills is pure inspiration. What about you? What have you been up to? I want to know!

*(The very first picture was taken on a little walk with V.V. The ribbon was tied to a branch and simply floating along peacefully in the wind, waiting to be admired by an unsuspecting passer-byer. I took about ten pictures and for some reason it just filled me with joy to look at. So cool that such little moments of pure poetry are around us, huh? To quote Patrick Bateman of American Psycho "Keep your eyes open").

2011-07-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

Have you been to the New York Botanical Gardens?

(via Lula)

2011-07-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Preparing a meal is similar to creating art. You have to scout & gather your resources, mix them all together with tools, carefully cook/bake and let cool and then the part I enjoy most: the finishing touches. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It really is a beautiful process, even more so when it does turn out to taste as amazing as it looks. I give my full attention to chefs who really go the whole nine yards. The flower petals and herbs really polish off the tea sandwiches and water. So simple yet so elegant. I really want to try this! See for yourself here!

(Did you know that flowers are not only edible but good for you! You can try adding rose petals, honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, magnolia buds, safflower, lemon blossoms, pansies, borage, lavender, violets and nasturtiums to name a few. Just make sure they are all organic or haven't been sprayed)*

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-03T13:59:00.001-07:00

I hope that you have a very fun and spectacular 4th of July! Happy Independence Day!

xo, lili

Stella's Anniversary Garden

2011-06-22T10:12:00.001-07:00

This is one of the most exquisite and romantic gardens I have ever come across! It belongs to Stella McCartney and her husband Alasdhair Willis. The story of how they came to buy the desolated house and turned it into a lush Eden country house is very inspiring and very telling of how transformative a role nature can play when it is incorporated with restorations! Stella likens the home to a "a redbrick box within a garden within a garden within a garden." She also likes to plant a tree whenever a new building pops up on the horizon to give their place a sense of magical isolation. The Anniversary Garden was a present from Alasdhair to his "beautiful wife Stella" for their sixth wedding anniversary. And I was especially moved when I read that instead of presents on their wedding day, the couple asked guests for trees! They were showered with remarkable trees from all around the world, including redwoods! I honestly cannot think of anything more romantic and heartfelt than presenting someone with a garden as a gift. You'll definitely want to read and see more of this fairytale here.

(Thank you so much Cheri for sharing this with me)*

Spencer Studio

2011-06-21T01:11:00.000-07:00

I think it's quite apparent now that when I really get excited about someone's work I tend to put up quite a few pictures, don't I?! Allow me to properly introduce you to Lauren Spencer King and her remarkable studio: Spencer Studio! She is insanely talented and has such a clean and eloquent aesthetic. The pictures I posted are either from her art site, her studio site, or her wonderful blog. The girl has stellar taste. Period. The manner in which she executes her watercolors inspired from nature has me swooning. Wait until you see the rest of her work! Be prepared to take off and soar in the land of inspirations and beauty and milky ways...

simplicity.

2011-06-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

Simple. Elegant. Beautiful.

Coral peonies + parrot tulips = a pretty darn perfect bouquet.
This one was for a friend.

Dear Alexander Calder,

2011-06-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

these flowers are dedicated to you!
xo, lili

Alexander Calder remains to be one of my most favorite artist. He invented the mobile as accepted art and put it on the map way back in the day and his creations have inspired so much of what has transcended to this very day. I couldn't help but notice that the silver dollar eucalyptus that I brought home reminded me of him and his mobiles. Even more when I placed them with just a few anemones, the whole arrangement looked so delicate and airy and very modern. An ephemeral, grounded mobile. Pay attention to the shape of not only flowers and their petals but to leaves as well. You might be pleasantly surprised too.

2011-06-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

I got the honor to send out a really nice bouquet for a very lovely bride-to-be. Dahlias, peonies + billy balls. Oh, and while I was purchasing all these lovelies, Joe, my go-to guy at the market, caught me sighing at the billy balls and said "Oh those are everyone's favorites." Whhhaaa-t? Is this true? Do you love Billy Balls too? More here!

2011-06-07T00:18:00.001-07:00

Happy & healthy plants just radiate good vibes and make me incredibly happy too. I took his photo last summer and it still makes me happy just looking at these thriving beauties! Do you have some good looking plants in your home?

2011-06-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

1.) Fresh flowers for the bathroom. Check
2.) Fresh flowers for the kitchen. Check
3.) Make dinner for Elijah. Check

All ingredients for a pretty perfect Friday night in with my darling. How's your weekend going? Anything fun? Anything perfect?

What Can I Do?

2011-06-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

You know how sometimes you get the feeling that you'd like to volunteer or give more of yourself to help others in some way and then you loose your steam because you are not sure where to begin? Well this is a great jumping point! My dear friend Rachel Fleischer decided to do something about it and started a grassroots campaign for the cause and kindly asked me to contribute some art for it. I tried to convey hope, love and light through my piece, and I certainly was honored to be the first artist to get asked to present a piece. Get more information here! Way to go Rachel!

Birthday Nutshell

2011-05-30T23:29:00.001-07:00

I have to share with you that I had an incredibly heartfelt and lovely birthday this year. Mostly because I got to spend it with the people I love the very most. The gifts that really melt my heart and have me file them in my "coveted treasures file" in my heart are the gifts of time that everyone seems to carve out of their busy schedules to either make me a card, write me a letter, bake me a cake (with delicate and edible flower petals nonetheless!), fly me over to a city, take me to a show, drink birthday morning champagne with me, drink evening birthday champagne with me, laugh with me, pick out flowers for me, pick a magical plant, or closes her eyes and sends me her spirit along with some amazing cookies and feathers to wear around my neck all the way over from the City of Lights across an ocean! I am so blessed. So, so incredibly grateful for all of this. For life and the loves that make mine such a place of beauty and magic*

P.s. Have you ever been to Chicago? It's an incredibly beautiful city full of life!

2011-05-20T00:54:00.000-07:00

Have you taken a moment to check out Deer Lolita yet? Go and see for yourself! (OK, for reals now, see you all next week)*

2011-05-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

Took this while on a walk with v.v. The world can look and be so dreamy depending on what lens you choose to view it through, don't you think...

p.s. I'm leaving town early tomorrow for my birthday and won't be back until Monday. Have a lovely weekend xo

2011-05-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

Some beautiful photos sent my way from my amazing and beautiful friend Cheri of Scout Holiday. She always knows what to send me whenever I need a little inspirational lift...merci beaucoup, chère Cheri*

(images from Lolita)

SFRD + Rainbow Project

2011-05-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the wildflowers Olga and I put together for the Society for Rational Dress + Rainbow Project for Japan sale. I really liked how all of these turned out. A nice mix of cut flowers from the garden and some from the market. Have a peek!

On another note, how about the weather today, huh? Big beautiful gray clouds and chilly weather: perfect for a day of staying in with the animals and drawing, watercoloring or reading. A very nice surprise for the the month of May*

Mother's Day Wildflower Sidewalk Sale!

2011-05-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

I'm the first to admit that I need to pick up the pace a bit and be quicker at sharing work that I've done. I've wanted to have a guerilla-style flower-arranging-on-the-street kind of occasion for a while now, and when Mother's Day came up I felt the opportunity had elegantly presented itself. Hence, our Mother's Day Wildflower Sidewalk Sale! Olga from the lovely and just starting-up Landish Studio and Tigers to Lilies decided (very last minute, remember...) to sell some rad wildflowers sans the white teddy bears and saran wrap. We did really well (thanks again Elijah for posting our flyers!) and sold out of all our flowers! That doesn't even calculate the number of smiles we got from people walking by and cars stopping by to tell us "fantastic idea!" Overall I've decided that I will have more of these wildflower sales. And yes, I will be better at letting all of you know and quicker at posting up photos and sharing...More here!

Amira Fritz

2011-05-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Breath-taking photography by Amira Fritz. I admire the mind that can think up of such lovely worlds and then capture them on film to free them into the world for all to see. I cannot say enough beautiful things about her haunting photographs.

(Thank you Olga for so kindly sharing this with me)*

2011-05-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

This should/could be my daily uniform. Sexy black tank, check. Floral crown, check.

*Photo from Stella Berkofsky

Something Special*

2011-05-09T15:06:00.001-07:00

Today I'd like to send a little curtsy to Elijah, my beautiful and ridiculously cool husband. He's usually behind the scenes of anything I do that has any matter of importance. Case in point: a friend and I decided to have a last minute wildflower sidewalk sale for Mother's Day and I scrambled to make flyers and get organized very last minute (very, very last minute). Friday night, while I was busy working away, he quietly took his skateboard and set about town posting them up for me. Mr. cool, on his skateboard with a ton of wildflower flyers under his arm. Really. I just can't think of anyone cooler or lovelier. Here's to you, my love*

How was your weekend? Shellie (Soulflower) did you have a wonderful Mother's Day? I hope so. And all my other wonderful friends and bloggers, did you get to celebrate an especially lovely woman this weekend? Maybe yourself? Please tell me...

2011-05-04T22:42:00.000-07:00

Purely magical.

Bornay

2011-05-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Clearly if I upload thirteen photos of someone's work it must be that I am both enamored and fully appreciative of the work being done. Bornay is hands down one of the greatest flower studios around. They really are. They esteem the value of not only quality flowers but also the necessary tools and spirit needed to cater to another world entirely. And isn't that what we all really want when looking for someone to provide that ephemeral realm that we are hosting, even if only for one night? They get it. Big time.

2011-05-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

Pretty, pretty hanging flowers...
thanks Olga***

2011-04-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

Looks like we're headed into a very hot weekend here in Los Angeles. Last year, the day after our ceremony, we had a lazy brunch by the lake and ate all of our wedding leftovers & drank rose & shared day-after-wedding laughs and stories with friends and family. It was pretty hot out that day and I decided to get all my friends in the lake! It took some convincing because my uncle had a fish with insane scary jaws on his fireplace mantle that he had fished from the exact lake that I wanted everybody to get it! Some of my city friends had never jumped into a lake in the middle of a forest before. So, Elijah and I took the first jump, and much to my delight, everyone followed soon after! It was the best swim I have ever shared with friends! More here.

*side-note: I did check with my uncle first to make sure that the scary fireplace mantle fish wasn't aggressive and that there wouldn't be anything that would bite before we all went in. He let out a huge gregarious laugh before reassuring me that no, it wasn't dangerous to swim in the lake.

2011-04-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

A little something I picked on my walk with V.V. I decided to gift it to my bathroom.

Jessica Willis

2011-04-23T13:49:00.001-07:00

Pretty incredible & esoteric masks created by Jessica Willis. My lovely friend Tiza was telling me all about her and I just felt the need to share it with you too. Have you ever made a mask? I once thought that "Flower Mask" would make for a good name for a business.

Thanks Tiza*

Lazy, laaazy Monday...

2011-04-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

Oh goodness, it's all dark out today and I woke up late and lucky me, got to spend a nice hour or so with a cappuccino and flowers with Elijah and V.V....lazy, laaaaazy, sweet Monday...

How's the beginning of your week so far?

Pull & Bear

2011-04-14T21:10:00.001-07:00

Perfect floral wreath to welcome Spring, no? I love these ethereal images from Pull & Bear. Escape over to 79 ideas to get more of Spring's beautiful ushering. My heart is fluttering*

(Thanks so much for sharing, Olga)*

2011-04-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

Some beautiful photography sent my way this morning (thank you so much, cheri)*

Let's Give Japan Love!

2011-04-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about this brilliant collaboration idea with SFRD and The Rainbow Project! I'm going there to support, and I'm thinking of dropping off some wildflowers too! Will you be there? Let me know! Another beautiful & clever way to help a country out...

*Please take a second to check out the magic being offered by The Rainbow Project. It seriously is wonderful. It took me about 5 seconds to upload a rainbow and make a little contribution ;)

The Pointer Sisters

2011-04-05T00:16:00.000-07:00

Soooo stylish. So beautiful. And I like their little flower arrangement too.

Wire vines

2011-04-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

Aren't vines so cool? I've always loved them. Especially the kind that grow and cover up entire houses! Doesn't this look like a nest that you'd want to crawl into and read a book in? My future garden is going to have a ton of vines! I found this image here.

(Thanks Olga*)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

2011-04-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

LOVE this! These girls are so clever! Is it weird that I would totally consider it?! Haha...hope you guys have a nice weekend lined up ;)

p.s. did you donate anything to Japan yet? Even if it's a mediation, it counts!!

Japan

2011-03-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html

I'd like to share a raw sentiment with you: my heart has been heavy all day today because I received a heartbreaking email from a dear friend of mine who lives in Tokyo. This heaviness in my heart has been building and growing as the days go by and the realization of the substantial impact that this disaster has presented to not just Japan, but the world entirely, is simply overwhelming. I feel so small and helpless. Playing small does not benefit the world in any light, however. Japan needs us right now. My friend needs us right now. We're all in this together. Let's help.
Do you have any other ways of contributing? Any websites, blogs, forums, disaster reliefs that you believe in and support that you could share with us? I'd like to know. Thank you.

xx, Lili

2011-03-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

Stunning. Thanks so much, Simone*

Woodstock, NY

2011-03-25T01:03:00.001-07:00

Here you go my dears, some of my photos from Woodstock! I hope that you get to go and visit too some time. Here are some things to do:

1.) Stay at the quaint Twin Gables B&B!
2.) Have a coffee & vegan dessert up in the trees at Joshua's Cafè and stay for the open-mic
3.) Have a romantic vegetarian dinner & wine at Garden Cafe
4.) Take a long stroll through the town and surrounding forest & creeks
5.) Stop by Anatolia Rugs (a serious must!) and enjoy a lovely chat about Turkish rugs with the awesome & knowledgeable Leib and Shaylin, and then buy one!
6.) Enjoy a good whiskey and listen to live blue grass at Harmony
7.) Sample some of the country's finest raw cheeses and bread at C'est Cheese
8.) Enjoy a thorough chat with Ricochet and then buy some of his one-of-a-kind tye-dye shirts
9.) Slurp up an amazing bowl of noodles and crunch up a raw kale salad at YumYum Noodle Bar

I really hope that you go and visit. I already want to go back. I somehow left a piece of my heart there. If you'd like, I have a couple more pictures here.

2011-03-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

And we're back. We had so much (cold) fun! We did so much walking & eating great food & drinking (maybe a little too much) & hanging out with good friends & dancing & laughing that I always feel a little down when the vacation is over and we're waiting to get on the plane to go home. I can't wait to share Woodstock with you (hopefully tomorrow).

Sure is nice though waiting for the rain to come today here in LA...the gray clouds are slowly growing darker and darker...

Off to Woodstock & NYC...

2011-03-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

Elijah and I are off for a week, but before locking up our home, I had to leave you with this teeny side-arrangement that I made early this morning. It's simple and my elegant vase is an old spaghetti jar, but somehow I really love it. Hellebores, anemones, ranunculus, and clematis.

I hope you have an excellent week. See you in seven days*

2011-03-14T23:34:00.000-07:00

It took some coaxing to let me see my dear friend Lisa's wedding photos. I fell for her daisy tiara in less than a heartbeat and her sweet and elegant beauty and begged her to let me share it on my blog. I'm so glad that she finally agreed. Isn't she lovely?