Shalimar de la Tefu Tefu

me + v.v. photo by Kumi

This is the sweetest! Thank you so much Choko and Sonoko for this really sweet post. I met these sisters while they were traveling through different cities in California to do research on a lifestyle book they were working hard on. Their book and blog emphasizes the importance of eating fresh food (preferably raw and vegan), drinking green smoothies and living with more nature and peace. They want to bring this awareness throughout Japan. Everything that I too believe in. So I had them over for tea and cake and we shared wonderful conversation about this kind of lifestyle living. They also told me about their old 70 Volkswagen bus that they were in the process of turning into a juice bus to drive around Tokyo and deliver juices! They clipped some herbs from my garden and made me the best green smoothie I have ever had! I hope to get to spend more time with Sonoko and Choko when they are here next or perhaps when I finally make it out to Japan.

Check out the rest here

Threading in The Choirs

photos Michael took of flora in his house

I made some new friends this past weekend and I am so happy that I did, I really am. Sometimes you meet people only once and you already know that you're going to be in each others lives and it's going to be even better for it! Check out Michael's pretty perfect site here and Leigh's pretty perfect site here.

BTW, what kind of flora is currently around your house?

L.A. Book Fair @ Geffen Contemporary (MOCA)

untitled, the southwest by ye rin mok

heneban, watercolors by lauren king

flowers picked and gathered, by jaime rugh

Claire Cottrell's BOOK STAND has a booth at the L.A. Book Fair @ Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (Little Tokyo) and I can attest that hers will be a shining reflection of the magic that conjures up when you choose your collaborators/artists carefully. Oh yeah, and her theme is PLANTS AND WILDFLOWERS! Besides her much coveted collection of books, journals and zines, she will also be selling textiles, prints, bookmarks and celebrating the work of these 3 brilliant artists:

• Ye Rin Mok and her booklet The Southwest
• Lauren Spencer King and her beautiful Heneban watercolor prints (I know that I'm a bit biased here because Lauren is my dear friend but so what; I've already seen some of these prints and they are hauntingly beautiful)
• Jaime Rugh's new book Backyard Wildflowers (I'm elated for Jaime because I've been following her for quite some time and she is über talented, period. Her wildflowers are exceptional, but so is her spirit of living and anything else that she touches).

So come! More info here!

Opening Night: Thursday, January 31, 6–9pm
Friday, February 1, 11-5pm
Saturday, February 2, 11am–6pm
Sunday, February 3, 12pm–6pm

TRADESMEN Part II

thank you for my cool sign Doug!

This past Saturday was the beautiful evening hosted by TRADESMEN in Venice. The minute I met Doug and Ruben (the shining and über-talented couple behind TRADESMEN) I felt as though I was with kinfolk. They gave me free reins and so I set out to do whatever it was my heart desired! I really enjoyed their space and felt inspired with every corner, every shelf, every object in there. But it really comes down to Doug and Ruben and their trails of inspiration that orbit them wherever they go, whatever they touch. More pics here!

Katarina provided her really special and especially clean tasting wine, Wahrheit, which she had shipped from her vineyard in the Black Forest (Germany!) and the Venice Merchant + SMOHK bread provided fresh produce and smoked grilled cheeses!

• • Thank you so much Doug + Ruben • •

...and if you haven't yet been to TRADESMEN yet then go and pay them a visit! You'll be inspired the minute you walk through their doors!

Freunde von Freunden

Way back in the height heat of this past summer my wonderful friend Claire (of BOOKSTAND) asked me to style some flowers for a shoot that was happening of her brand newly moved-in house for the esteemed Freunde von Freunden. I was so excited by this proposal for several reasons, but mostly because there are few people that I enjoy working with more than Claire. Her eye, her natural tendencies towards colors and shapes, her spirit, and her language. We had such a fun and inspired day and kept our cool from the sweltering heat sipping fermented natural sodas and eating cannelle's! I am so proud of her for all her accomplished endeavors. Read more here and get ready to be inspired! Here's to you Claire! xx

*first six photos were shot by Jessica Comingore

Flower Safari

My cunning friend Natalie knew just how to get me all fired up and swooning and filled with the kind of inspiration that keeps me from getting a solid night's rest: she sent this my way! HOW BRILLIANT is this art exhibit?? Look at those geometric plant holders. The floral chandeliers. The beautiful manner in which that incredibly exotic looking plant is pinned to the wall for all to observe and admire. I am simply in awe. Furthermore, this happened in Capetown, South Africa. 

OK, how about a little back story here: I don't think that I have ever shared with you how much I love South Africa. Elijah and I traveled throughout that wondrous country for nearly three months in a car and fell so deeply, madly in love with the country. I actually long to be there. Really and truly. That being said it makes my heart burst with joy when I see such creative talent coming out and getting recognition. Please take a moment and visit Mariah of Size Too Small and see some of the magic that is happening there. She is the one who styled Flower Safari and made the floral chandeliers. I am a fan of hers and really appreciate everything she shares, especially her experience as an American living in Capetown with her really beautiful little family.

Christine + Sasha

got to use a hydrangea from my garden as a boutonniere

herb bouquets of sage and eucalyptus awaiting to be strung

wildflowers being used by the brilliant Christopher for cyanotypes of table numbers

Christine's bouquet

a wreath instead of a bouquet for Christine's sister; so elegant and different, no?

tons of gold leafing!

Ojai at dusk

I love how the flowers for her hair turned out.

beautiful bride & groom

boutonniere

eucalyptus + anemones make a for a stellar partnership

Pretty Lauren (of sphinx & the milky way) making vegan s'mores by the fire

wildflower + herb garland for the chuppah

oh a guest drunk off of love having some fun ;)

and lastly, none of this could have been done without all of Elijah's help

This past August, I got the grand privilege to do the floral artistry for a very special wedding in Ojai, California. This ceremony-of-love was so special and the couple's love so powerful that it sent endearing shock-waves to all the guests and I think it's safe to speak on everyone's behalf when I say that we all felt high from love throughout the entire time! I was really impressed too with Christine and Sasha's friends: they all worked together to make this happen from the very beginning to the very end. You could feel everyone's excitement and joy spilling everywhere!

Lovely-as-can-be Christine trusted me from the very beginning and gave me carte blanche for the everything. That was incredibly wonderful for me and gave me the freedom to spin some serious beautiful wild magic! Daydream more here for a bit...

xx Thank you so much Christine + Sasha! xx

***noteworthy: please take a look at the wedding invitation. It. Is. Divine. 

(made through the synergy of the genius paring of  Lauren and Christopher)