The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak
Image | Styling by Lauryl Lane.
The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak
Image | Styling by Lauryl Lane.
Image | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.
When my dear friend Erin returned from a recent trip to Europe, she brought me this Othello Tea from Laduree in Paris. Now the Laduree on the Champs-Élysées was where I had my first French macaron the summer following my high school graduation, and to this day I define myself as someone who has been to Laduree-- so that's the backstory. I was certainly primed to love this tea, but OH MY it blew me away. Let me just share the ingredient list: India black tea, ginger, pink berries, cinnamon, cardamom. This is a spicy, full-bodied tea that I literally want to drink all day, every day. I can't get enough. I'm obsessed.
Images | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.
Let's face it: having a day to celebrate love is pretty fun. It may be cheesy and over-commercialized, but I won't deny that I enjoy it. I like sending valentines to my friends, writing a sappy card to my husband, decorating our house with flowers and paper ephemera, and making heart shaped cookies. Oh! And since I like Valentine's Day so much, I made this pretty bouquet just for you. While I was taking a picture of it, I found this gorgeous pink bougainvillea blooming in the alley behind my house. That just seemed too serendipitous. Whether you are single or attached, think about the people in your life whom you love, and take some time today to check in with them and remind them how much they mean to you. You can even send them these pictures, if you want! Virtual Valentine's greetings to all!
Image | Styling | Floral Design by Lauryl Lane.
Every year when Valentine's Day rolls around, I try to come up with something new for my annual "Love Day Dinner at Home" with my husband. The frou-frou decor that gets passed around the internet really isn't my thing. I'm not a fan of pink, and my husband isn't a fan of "girly," so I try to avoid the cliches like red and pink color schemes or bouquets of roses, and instead imagine a darker, more mature, sexier version of Valentine's Day. This year, I decided to use modern graphic prints in the linens and china to set off my romantic, textural florals. I used tons of greenery, some ranunculus and anemones in a deep burgundy, green cymbidium orchids with burgundy throats, and gold-painted succulents and lotus pods for an extra pop of va-va-voom. Additional gold accents in the china, crystal, flatwear and candles added a bit of drama, and the gold chain on the napkin treatments added a subtle "masculine" element. This tablescape was 100% husband approved and appreciated. What do you think? Would you ever dare to go non-traditional for the holiday celebrating love???
Images | Styling | Floral Design by Lauryl Lane.
Passionate Love Letters: An Anthology of Desire by Michelle Lovric
Image | Styling by Lauryl Lane.
It's always sad when you come to the end of a project, and this is the last of the "seasonal bouquets" that I created over a year ago. For this "winter" themed bouquet, I imagined what I might do if I were re-designing my own bridal bouquet. I was married on Christmas Eve, and my colors were green, white and brown, but my bouquet didn't have the sort of texture that I am so obsessed with these days. In fact, I don't think the green eye garden rose was even around when I got married! I did have cedar in my bouquet, and seeded eucalyptus, but the lisianthus, dianthus, and fern fronds are new additions. Are there any other winter brides out there? Would you carry this bouquet?
Floral Design by Lauryl Lane. Images by Sara Hasstedt. Seasonal bouquet series | Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.
Image | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.
I am often asked if I have a favorite flower. I change my answer nearly every time I'm asked, because my favorites change depending on the seasons, and what projects I'm working on, and my mood. But there are a few standards that I always come back to. I always love orchids. I always love tulips. And I definitely always love roses. Sometimes roses get a bad rap, and I understand that a dozen red roses, poorly arranged in a vase with filler is cliche and boring. But the rose itself is a stunning flower. And it has stood the test of time. Today, for me, roses win. What is YOUR favorite flower?
Images | Styling | Floral Design by Lauryl Lane.
White tea is rather a new thing for me. I'd tasted it before, but didn't really know anything about it until the recent tea sommelier workshop I attended. In fact, I didn't even know that the names of teas (like wines) are derived from their country or region of origin. White tea (or Bai-cha), by the by, comes from China. It's good. Really good. This particular blend from Harney & Sons combines mutan white tea with bergamot, giving it a light and citrusy flavor. There are few things in life less pleasurable than pouring hot tea into a beautiful vintage teacup and sitting down to enjoy it. And this ruffly camellia bloom seems like the perfect floral version of this soft and luxurious tea.
Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.
Erin and Brad are Chicago natives who decided to wed in the Vail Valley, one of their favorite vacation destinations. They were high school sweethearts and have been together for over ten years, so they had a well-defined personal "couple" style, and it was such fun to translate their style into a wedding that was distinctly them. From the birch archway I constructed and decorated as a backdrop as they said their vows, to the carpet of delicate petals on their aisle way, to the whimsical bouquets and boutonnieres, to the highly textural tablescapes, no two alike, this wedding was infused with mountain-elegance from beginning to end. Working with Erin and Brad and Erin's parents along the way was easy and enjoyable, despite the distance separating us, because truly, these are some of the kindest people I've ever met. Wishing great joy and many more decades of love and togetherness for Erin and Brad!
CREDITS | Photography: Sara Hasstedt | Planning: Frosted Pink Weddings | Floral & Decor Design: Lauryl Lane | Venue + Catering: The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, Colorado | Invitations: Elizabeth Grace | Band: The Fever | Furniture Rentals + Lighting: Colorado Tents & Events | Linen Rentals: BBJ | Bride's Dress: Mikaella / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair & Makeup: Weemala Wedding Hair & Makeup.
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It's been pretty chilly here in Los Angeles, and I'm willing the warmer weather our way. The weather report is predicting that we'll be back up to 79 degrees on Thursday, and I can hardly wait. The flu has held me hostage for nearly a week now, but I'm getting back on my feet and getting back to work. And those warmer temps on the horizon will definitely help. If you too have been under the weather (it seems every one I know has been sick this month!), drink lots of chamomile tea with local honey, take it easy, and feel better soon! Before you know it, the roses will be in bloom again and all will be well.
Images | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.