When Life Gives you Lemons, Make Lavender Lemonade!

This past spring, I had the great honor of witnessing and contributing to the marriage between two of my closest friends, who we met day 1 on the Pacific Crest Trail. Ashleigh and Mark had been dating for several years before they committed to hiking the PCT together. After hiking for quite some time with them and watching them be tested as a couple and individually, I had no doubt in my mind that they would not only make it the whole way to Canada, but their love would also last a lifetime. Little did we know, Mark had carried Ashleigh's engagement ring in his pocket the entire way from Mexico to Canada. He proposed at the end of the trail after walking 2,650 miles together. Like Mark and Ashleigh, my now husband and I also got engaged on the trail. Our shared memories and experiences on and off of the trail have bonded the 4 of us together forever. So needless to say, their wedding day was emotional and beautiful. Ashleigh's favorite color is purple and Mark is a chef, so I decided to create an all Lavender bouquet for her and a bundle of Herb de Provence boutonnière for him. Here is a photo of the newly weds downtown San Francisco. 

                                                                      &nbs…

                                                                                                                                              Photography by This Love of Yours. 

 I had some left over lavender from Ashleigh's bouquet, so I decided to not let it go to waste and make something delicious! I ended up making lavender lemonade and lavender honey butter.  If you want to add a little fun to your Lavender Lemonade, top it off with some Bubbles!

Local honey, Organic Lemons and Organically grown Lavender. 

Inspiration

It is important to me as a creator to feel inspired. With all this rain, I have been indoors a lot and felt the need to get out into nature. Yesterday, I went to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

 The rain had stopped, and the sun was peaking through the clouds. I wandered throughout the many trails and purposefully got lost. The ground was still damp, but it seemed like all the animals and flower had made their way out today to soak up some of the sun.

I came upon a huge field of wild white Calla Lilies. Some were in full bloom and the size of my head! Others were just beginning to bloom. I took it as a sign because just that morning I was speaking to one of my soon to be brides (and close friend) about her bouquet. I told her that I always pictured her in a simple bouquet of white Calla Lilies. She told me that they were her favorite flowers! So, I snapped some pictures for her and just took a moment to bask in their simple beauty.  

Although it is only January, it felt like Spring had Sprung in the park. There were such a variety of flowers. I was in my happy place. If you get the chance to walk around Golden Gate Park, now is a beautiful time of year. The trees and shrubs are so lush and spotted with the most magnificent colored flowers. I came away Feeling so inspired and ready to take on the wedding season! Here are some pictures I snapped during my adventure.

IMG_7379.JPG

Dahlia Farm

Being a florist in Sonoma County, I have access to some incredible flower farms. Last weekend, I did an event at Gloria Fererr Winery. If you have never been to Gloria Ferrer for bubbles, you must go! Beautiful views over looking the vineyards and some great Champagne.

So, for the arrangements, I needed some deep red and white Dahlias. I headed over to Petaluma to the Aztec Dahlia farm.  This place is beautiful and open to the public. I met with the grower there and she let me hand pick the Dahlias I wanted. It doesn't get much fresher than that! For fall arrangements, (although, it doesn't feel like fall out here in CA) consider mixing soft textures like Dahlias, with more rustic textured flowers like these purple sea hollies. 

Mexican Themed Rehearsal Dinner

The bride and groom decided to hire a taco truck to cater their rehearsal dinner at the bride's parent's house in Sonoma, CA before the big night of their wedding. I thought it would be cute to incorporate their Mexican themed party into the flower arrangements. I decided to line the vases with lime circles. Not only did this add a fresh lime fragrance to the flowers, but it gave it that beautiful bright green pop of color.