Kenny Pang Photography: Kathy Griffin Officiates!

Do any of you watch Kathy Griffin's "My Life on the D-List" on Bravo? I confess...I love that show. She's so wickedly funny...combined with her wine slugging 87 year old mom and Apple co-founder boyfriend, Steve Wozniak (what up with that???) it's just plain ol' good tv. I couldn't believe the recent episode when Kathy officiated the real life wedding ceremony of couple Elka and Brian. I was tickled to find out that Kenny Pang, a photographer whose work I just LOVE, captured the whole event to perfection! To see more of his amazing work you can visit his blog.


above: the couple's pre-requisite for their wedding was laughter. When she asked them if there was anything that was off-limits they said no...except for one word (that I can't mention here) which she somehow managed to say anyway! The couple laughed throughout the whole ceremony, though I remember seeing some shocked guests in the background with their mouths hanging open.

Shop Friend: Agelio Batle

Wow...this year's visit to the SF International Gift Show was a blur and seemed to go by so fast. I am guessing part of it was because I wore sneakers so I could do quick loops and then run back to the studio! I was pleasantly surprised to see a studio that was not here at the last show. Sculptor Agelio Batle of AS Batle Company has a beautiful collection of graphite pencils that are sculptural works of art. I was a blown away by the variety of designs and think they'd make such unique and special gifts!

above: the graphite is treated so that it does not rub off.

above: "Drawing Hand 2" is cast from a child's hand.

above: one of co-designers, Joel.

Natalie Bowen: Free Flowing

If you don't already know, all of us at the studio are big fans of Natalie Bowen's floral designs. She has such an artful way of balancing natural elegance with a touch of whimsy. Any bride would be so lucky to have her as their florist. It just happened that Natalie wowed us again by bringing in this beautiful arrangement which our customers ogled over all weekend. Click here to visit her website and to see more of her work!

Shop Friend: Something Fabulous

Something Fabulous is true to its name. They carry our line of wedding invitations and are a full event planning service based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. From romantic, intimate weddings, to a full out bling heavy party they did for MTV's Sweet Sixteen...they are experts at capturing the essence of their clients. I received an email from one of the event planners, Ashley, that they have been nominated for a "Best Of" WDIV4 award and need some voting help (click here to help out!).

Breakfast Club Fashion

For those of you who live in San Francisco you know it was a beautiful Saturday in the city. The North Beach Jazz festival was kicking, and the Breakfast Club was playing at Film Night at Dolores Park. So in honor of the movie and the weekend here's some Breakfast Club fashion.

above: the princess, the geek, the jock, the goth misfit and the criminal...

Molly Ringwald's character, Claire, had such awesome boots! I instantly thought of these Chie Mihara slouch boots. Also love this Mike and Chris leather boyfriend blazer and pink Chloe blouse. I actually liked Ally Sheedy's character pre-makeover which had a sort of Mike & Chris vibe to it. To revamp your inner misfit: Mike and Chris knit cardigan and Tracy Reese skirt.

As for the boys... He played the geek, but Anthony Michael Hall's sunglasses were the best part of the trio's fashion. You just can't go wrong right now with Ray Ban Wayfarers. I'm all for a guy in a casual sweatshirt, but for Emilio, I just don't know about wearing your state championship patch on your jeans and would save the appliques for the back pocket of your jeans! Japanese clothing company, Evisu designs these cool koi jeans and skull hoodie. Finish it off with a Michael Toschi crack belt and sneakers.

Studio Sketch: Happy Cupcake Friday

We had six, perfect little cupcakes and then without warning or snapping our usual photo..we devoured them whole, like prehistoric sugar reptiles. So here's a little sketch I did instead...

Have an awesome weekend everyone!

Soaking Wet Nuptials

And had to add this one from SF's Belle Fine Photography. I'd love to know the back story on this one... Just how did everyone end up in the water?! I've got to give them credit.

Shop Friend: Belle Fine Flowers

I am loving these floral sachet balls from Belle Fine Flowers in San Francisco!

On the Lake: Thom Filicia

We've got the beautiful bay living here in San Francisco, but growing up I was surrounded by lakes. If you've ever visited Michigan, you'll know the best vacations are spent climbing up the miles of sand dunes or biking on Mackinac Island. Naturally, when Domino Magazine featured Thom Filicia's lake house, I swooned at the casual beauty of it all.

What's all the hoot about!

The owl trend has been churning for quite a bit of time now, but when I saw this charming painting I had to post it up.


above: lit ceramic owl. painting. ceramic owl sculpture.

Shop Friend: Grey Gardens Collections

Edith Beale has always been fascinating to me. First cousin to Jackie O and Lee Radziwill, it was in her genetic makeup to be a socialite with a flare for style. In her later years (as filmed in the documentary Grey Gardens), she and her mother lived nearly penniless in their mansion until the city threatened to condemn it.


A member of her family recently started "Grey Gardens Collections" featuring accessories both modern and vintage that are inspired by the "Edie" look. Click here to visit!
Above: from the modern collection $295-395. I love that these blingy rhinestones are on velvet cuffs!
above: the site also has a section on the past, with curated vintage accessories and decor carrying Edie's aesthetic. $25 on up.

Wedding Photography: In the Midst of a Quake

With so many wedding posts and endearing brides at our Paper Studio, I wanted to take a slight divergence today by showing a sobering series of wedding photos that Jennifer brought to my attention. These are actual photos taken from the bride and groom's photographer when the deadly 7.9 Sichuan, China earthquake hit in the middle of their wedding.

above: compiled by Leland Wong. Photos by Dragon Photo.

HOLY CUPCAKE, BATMAN!!!

...as Robin would say if he had a sweet tooth like us!
Cadenza and Quincy went to the IMAX showing yesterday so I had to put in just one more cupcake in honor of the Batman Premiere.

above: mini cupcake by Cupcaketastic

Happy Friday: Rack 'em Up

These pool ball cupcakes from Pink Cake Box in New Jersey are just too cool to eat!

Have a happy Cupcake Friday and a most awesome weekend everyone!

Linked Pillows

I'm a pretty active gal, but put me on a couch and then it's as if the down cushions hypnotize and lull me into a certified couch potato. I'm always on the look out for a pillow to accompany all of this couch potato activity and fell in love with these link pillows.
above: blue links needlepoint pillow and adorable needlepoint belt pillow.

Elie Saab: Life Imitates Art

I couldn't get over the gorgeous lace detailing of this Elie Saab gown which seems impossibly luxe and organic all at the same time. In fact, when I saw this photo of a Physalis from Poeira da Estrada it seemed to be pulled right from nature.

Shop Friend: Etiquette Lounge

This one's for a customer of mine whose bachelorette venue went belly-up. San Francisco's Etiquette Lounge on Market is a great lounge to throw a swanky little birthday or bachelorette party.



above: love the noir Victorian details and tufted white anything is always top on my list!

above: you can rent any of their swanky little "parlours" for a private soiree and dance the night away.

Audrey Magazine: Affordable Luxuries

I was so heartened to be asked to write an article on affordable luxuries for this month's Audrey Magazine.

In the article I shared my experiece of being on the brink of burnout from work and escaping to Hawaii where I thought luxury might involve some spa action or poolside lounging....but ha! I was quickly foiled.

above, clockwise: Orange Art stationery. My inspiration note and shell that I brought back from Hawaii. Custom Stationery from our collection. Personal stationery by Cheree Berry.

Instead, I got to rediscover the simpler pleasures in life. One of my all time favorites were the inspiration notes or shells that were left on each guest's pillow during turndown. Such a simple but personal gesture reminded me of why I believe so much in personal correspondence, writing letters, and giving thank yous to friends and loved ones. To share a moment and capture it on paper is truly an affordable and invaluable luxury.

Above: Much of our shop is about finding little treasures to brighten your day and our customers are the best at letting us know what their favorites are! Some affordable luxuries I included: chocolate tea, glass Pink Fatale candles and vintage earrings.

These Boots are Made for Eatin'

It's a little unfair that these Chooka Cupcake Boots are only for kids!


Happy Cupcake Friday and weekend everyone!

Julie Fleming: Birds of a Feather

Sometimes it's just that little flourish that finishes off a look. And many of our bridal clients have been on the hunt for beautiful hair pieces, brooches, or shrugs to accompany their wedding gowns. I was so pleased to see that Melbourne shop owner Julie Fleming offers her beautiful bridal accessories (many of them vintage) to all of us via her ebay shop. To see her wonderful items, click here.

above, clockwise: I am so loving this feather bird clip which is also available in white and would be divine with just about any gown. A pink feathered headband for your bridesmaids. Silk vintage flower pins that can be used for hair or boutonniere.

above, clockwise: A delicate stole for the October bride. Vintage silk flowers. Love the rabbit crochet pillow and coin purse. Lilac silk parasol.

Erickson Beamon

With the heat wave going on, I know it's hard to think about Fall. But it's all about cocktail jewelry this season and when I saw Erickson Beamon's collection I was bedazzled.

above: I love it when the interior of an accessory has been given equal attention as its exterior.

All a Flutter

The chandeliers at The Pampered Girl salon that I recently visited had me swooning and rethinking the lighting at my own place.

above: And when I was thumbing through House Beautiful not only did I see that unbelievable Monique Lhuillier arrangement, but this enchanting chandelier. I would love to get my hands on this beautiful creation called Urbanus Female Larva designed by Korean artist U-Ram Choe. The piece contains 'wings' that rotate and are delicately etched in stainless steel.

Krislyn Design: Floral Fantasies

I've been a big fan of LA based Krislyn Design. Their arrangements seem to come right out of a haiku...perfectly edited but filled with fantasy and the subtext of a story. I think I'd be smiling ear to ear if I had one these artful arrangements perched on my desk.

Monique Llullier in Bloom

My jaw dropped when I opened up this month's issue of House Beautiful and saw this gorgeous table arrangement designed by none other than Monique Lluillier.

above: if you look closely, the flowers bloom organically from a large birch log. What a feast for the eyes this would be for a wedding or event!
above: you can purchase this smaller version at Krislyn Design.
I'll be posting some her phenomenal floral arrangements later today, so check back!

Shop Friends: Sweet Things

Happy Cupcake Friday and July 4th everyone! Just had to sneak in a shot of some very yummy cupcakes from Sweet Things that Jennifer brought in earlier this week. Hope all of you are relaxing somewhere warm... I am headed south for some outdoor fun and will see you next week!

Monkey Business

Sometimes it's nice to just turn it all off...turn off the design, the falutin' aesthetics, throw all decorum aside...and just be ridiculously cheesy. Thanks to the amazing talents of my team, they surprised me with a jungle themed party for my birthday complete with monkey masks, tin foil palm trees and grass skirted tables. At heart, we are a bunch who love a good laugh and we have a LOT of inside jokes at the studio that were extricated for the event.

above: Paper monkeys swung from the chandeliers. If you've ever seen the inside of our Paper Studio, it is usually a confection of pastels and civility. I was duly impressed to see how my crew turned it upside down and transformed it into a party zone complete with a photo corner where we posed for "prom pictures." Thanks again team, for a most hilarious and wonderful birthday celebration!

Summer of Love

Oh yes...countdown to the holiday weekend has already begun and this Summer of Love necklace is perfect to kick it off!

above (clockwise): Summer of Love necklace by Juicy Couture. Matthew Williamson charm beaded camisole. Kenneth Jay Lane cuffs. Robert Cavalli flat sandals.

Mt. Holly at Machine Project

I thought this was so fascinating and a true testament to Holly Vesecky's
sculptural eye for florals. Here is an installation she created suitably named "Mt. Holly" for the gallery Machine Project.



above: the Mt. Holly floral volcano was an installation within with a hot chocolate lava center, seismic rumbles and eruptions of flower petals!