The Romantic Antike

February 27, 2013

The ruffled petals of this romantic antike garden rose are almost too much to bear. The name couldn't be more perfect, and looking at these pictures reminds me why roses have been used throughout history as a way to declare love. They are beautiful, and sensual, and perfect, straight from nature- and what better way to tell a person you love that you think they are all of those things, than by giving them a flower that embodies the same qualities???

Images | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

Oscar Fashion 2013

February 26, 2013

Oscar Sunday is one of my favorite days of the year. I have always been obsessed with fashion, especially couture/red carpet fashion, and no other entertainment event brings such glamorous red carpet fashion to my television set. I'm always interested in how my favorites differ from the commentators, and so I bring you my favorite looks from the red carpet at The Academy Awards: 2013! My favorites in arts-nouveau-inspired and black and gold go to Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan (one of our very fashion-forward first lady's favorite designers!) and Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott.

My favorite in structured, fitted gowns with trains: the lovely Reese Witherspoon in Louis Vuitton (that color really couldn't have been more flattering on her!) and Charlize Theron, who I really think is one of the most beautiful women on the planet, in Christian Dior Haute Couture.

Red is one of my very favorite colors, especially for dramatic events like the Oscars, and I absolutely loved seeing two bright red Valentino gowns! The first was on Jennifer Aniston-- far from her usual fare, but quite striking on her, and the second was on Sally Field-- gorgeous, youthful, but also perfectly appropriate. Can you believe she's 66? I hope I can look that good...

Jennifer Lawrence also sported Christian Dior Haute Couture. I loved this dress to pieces. Seriously. It was ridiculous! And her hair, and her makeup, and her understated yet perfect accessories. This girl has a good stylist and she looked like a million bucks. THAT DRESS!!!!

Jessica Chastain was one of the first ladies I saw arriving on the red carpet, and I was absolutely blown away by her ensemble. She looks beyond exquisite in her Armani Prive gown, which fit her like a glove. The color wouldn't work on 99% of the women on the red carpet, but it was stunning on her. And again, every element of Jessica's look from the hair to the makeup to the jewels- every little detail was flawless.

But my number one, absolute favorite look on the red carpet belonged to Amy Adams. Her Oscar de la Renta gown was out of a dream. It fit her beautifully, somehow managed not to overwhelm her tiny frame, and while pale dresses don't always look good on pale skin, the blue-grey tint of this gown made Amy's skin glow. With a loose but elegant undo, stunning drop earrings, and other gorgeous sparkling jewels, Amy's look just couldn't be beat- not even by Jessica or Jennifer. These three ladies are amongst my current favorite young female actors, and I'm thrilled that they also have such a great sense of style. I hope that means we'll see many more elegant and dramatic choices on the red carpet in the years to come!

Disneyland Landscaping in January

February 20, 2013

Disneyland, otherwise known as The Happiest Place on Earth, is a perennial favorite in my family. We have annual passes and get ourselves down to Anaheim as frequently as possible. One of the things I really love about the park is that it is constantly being transformed by the seasonal changes in landscaping. The flowers and plants around the park (and there are many hundreds of thousands!), are regularly switched out, meaning that there is something different to look at on nearly every visit. These are a few shots from a recent January trip to Disneyland and California Adventure. From succulents, to magnolia trees, to gerbera daisies, to scabiosa, to mosses, to lettuces... what a beautiful array of living green things, even in one of the dreariest months of the year!

Images by Lauryl Lane.

Currently Reading | The Winter Palace

February 19, 2013

The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak

Image | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

Weekend Wishes

February 16, 2013

Image | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

Tea Time | Laduree Othello Tea

February 15, 2013

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.

It's the Day of Love

February 14, 2013

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.

An Unconventional Valentine's Day Table

February 13, 2013

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.

Currently Reading | Passionate Love Letters

February 12, 2013

Passionate Love Letters: An Anthology of Desire by Michelle Lovric

Image | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

Bouquet by Season | Winter

February 6, 2013

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.

Weekend Wishes

February 2, 2013

Image | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

My Favorite Flower

February 1, 2013

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.