LotusHaus

Thought for Today

Ahh, it's sunny outside and I will take this advise from myserendipities & khawro.

GlobalFlora } International Tabletops

Featured Event Designer: Kendal Brown of Eclatante Design
Featured Floral Designer: Donna O'Brien of Beautiful Blooms
Featured Photographer: Marie Labbancz of Art of Love

Via The Bride's Cafe, an awesome wedding blog, I discovered these fabulous internationally inspired centerpieces that were created for a Bat Mitzvah party. The theme was "Cities of the World" and each table represented a different city. Guests were given boarding passes to their tables. What a great idea for a global party or wedding!

 

JaydaOnline } Stationary and Gifts with an Eco-Twist!

For lifestyle stationary that is modern, fun and eco-friendly look no further! Jayda is a fantastic source for invitations for weddings, baby showers and parties! The founders, Johanna Reyes and Yadira Chevere are the sisters and designing women behind this beautiful event planner's resource (The company name is a sweet combination of their first names). Check out their impressive environmental commitment here. Jayda also has awesome blogs! For wedding inspiration check out Down the Aisle and for some baby love check out Blue, Pink and Green. In addition, to being eco-savvy and hip, the MOST IMPRESSIVE thing about Jayda's offerings is that when you purchase invitations for a wedding or baby shower, you get your own coordinating blog site!

Oyster Pearl Grey and Bright Colors!

I'm so inspired by this lovely color combination of grey and bright pop colors for a fall wedding... aren't you?! I saw this via Love and Splendor.

Inspiration from Designer Josie Natori

 

Check out these beautiful interiors from designer Jose Natori's New York home via Elle Decor Magazine. Apparently, the renovation took 7 years!  Wow! I love the Asian details and refined style!

Fruit inspired party favors! Fruit Shaped Stickies

OMG! These fruity stickies are too cute! If you are having a fruit inspired party or wedding, these Japanese designed stick-its are Perfect! So charming and practical at the same time! Via Twig and Thistle.

Baby Update! We found out it's a boy!

I'm 20 weeks along in my pregnancy and our ultrasound shows that we will be having a boy! We are so thrilled! The baby is healthy and was moving and kicking the whole time. We even saw him roll over! Watching the heart beating was also so amazing. This photo shows him holding up a fist, lol! Baby Power!

Father's Day Fiesta

For Father's Day, my husband decided that instead of our usual BBQ and Hamburgers we would make Carne Asada and virgin pina coladas! So of course we had to make it a fiesta! Plus the weather was so dreary I definitely needed some color therapy! We learned how to make Carne Asada (thin marinated skirt steak) from our Mexican friends who also showed us how to eat it with "agua-mole" which is a more liquid version of guacamole (lots of limes, avocados, water, liquified in the blender). We bought corn tortillas and Spanish Rice from our local restaurant and filled up our bellies! Here are some recipes you can try for the Carne Asada and virgin pina coladas. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the food and drinks! But it was sure tasty!!! (I made the arrangements from grocery store flowers and found red linens and an orange rattan runner at Ross all for under $45.)

Oh Lovely Chaise!

This image is courtesy of Rooted in Style a most amazing design and style blog! I just love the look of this room! I don't know the source of the image however, I will check back when I find out.

Lotus Bambou } Organic Perfume by Acorelle

 

I'm enchanted by the idea of "Lotus Bambou" organic perfume! I wish you could smell through the internet! Check out this perfume and other wonderful scents by Acorelle at the Nimli Eco Boutique.

Modern Rugs!

I was looking for some modern rugs with flair for my soon to be master bedroom/nursery for my first baby and was directed to a wonderful selection of literally thousands of contemporary rugs at CSN Rugs! The styles shown here are from the Chandra Avalisa Collection and the Surya Dharma Collection. Other noteworthy designer rugs that I found at CSN are from Calvin Klein, Thomas Paul, Karim Rashid, and Koko Company (for funky outdoor rugs). What a great decorator resource!

Happy Monday, Happy Buddha!

Happy Monday! We DJ'd a beautiful wedding this Saturday at Hotel 1000... The florals were done by Bella Rugosa and they were amazing! Vanda orchids, pink peonies, orange tulips, lime green hydrangea and gloriosa lillies! I was lucky enough to take home some blooms from the wedding and make a happy arrangement of my own with a ceramic mug of the laughing buddha (there is a hole in the front for a straw and an opening in the back for the drink... tres kitschey!). I found this figurine at the thrift store but you can get the same one at Perpetual Kid.

“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky” ~ Buddha

Crane Chandelier Project } Origami Cranes to Fight Cancer

Via 100 Layer Cake, I discovered The Crane Chandelier Project by The Wedding Co. To celebrate their 10th Anniversary in 2011, the Wedding Co. has created a global DIY craft project that involves creating a chandelier made from 10,000 origami cranes submitted by engaged couples from all around the world. For each crane they receive, 50¢ will be donated to cancer research. I love this concept! For more info go to: TheWeddingCo.com

Bella Cupcake Couture } Eco-Friendly and Stylish Cupcake Wrappers!

Who doesn't love a cupcake dressed in a scalloped gown and covered in sprinkles? Carrie Middlemiss from Seattle started Bella Cupcake Couture after being laid off by Washington Mutual Bank. These fun and stylish cupcake wrappers are inspired by textile patterns and made from recycled paper and printed with soy inks! So as far as green weddings and parties go, you can have your cupcake and eat it too! For favors, you can use these wrappers with cupcake shaped bath bombs! (Instructions here). This post was inspired by The Soap Queen!

 

Bloom a Day Book } A Fortune Telling Birthday Book!

A Bloom A Day looks like a wonderfully inspiring birthday gift for the floral enthusiast! It has 365 gorgeous flower photographs for every day of the year, each with a corresponding birthday fortune and the meaning of the flower.I found this via Snippet and Ink.

Pink and Green Indoor and Outdoor Living

I think this pink and green scheme for indoor/outdoor living is simply divine... add a stone Buddha, a ceramic Kuan Yin figurine or a Thai Temple house and some carved teak wood panels and I'm all set!!! Check out more stunning photos by Pierre-jean Verger. Via Desire to Inspire.

Villa Nova Fabrics } Yoshino Collection

I'm liking the Yoshino Collection of Fabrics by Villa Nova from the UK. For a closer look at their many inspiring textile collections, download the catalog here.

Utterly Engaged } New E-Zine for the Design and Budget Savvy Bride

Ok seriously, do you want to be utterly inspired? Check out Utterly Engaged, a stylish new online wedding magazine from my friends D*LSH Design and their partners! It's a gorgeous read and quite a luxury for the price...ahem, it's free! The zine features real wedding couples and their real budgets, plenty of swoon worthy DIY tips and lots of fresh ideas and fresh wedding vendors! I especially love the diversity in their features!!! I think it totally fills a void in the wedding market right now! Thanks for the link mention on the floral resources page! You ladies rock!

Centerpiece Idea } Orchid and Moss in a Wire Basket

I saw this wire momentum bowl in the Crate and Barrel catalog and just love the idea of an organic style wedding centerpiece using orchids, spongy moss and a see-through basket (that you could give away to guests). For a rustic look you could make your own basket out of chicken wire. For a modern look, scout your home improvement center for mesh you could spray paint and mold into your own shape. You can purchase the orchid potted plants in bulk at Aloha Orchid and the reindeer moss at Save-On-Crafts.

GlobalFlora } White, Green and Black - Modern Elegance

Featured Floral Designer: Flower Design, UK
I really love the freshness of these floral arrangements by Flower Design! I especially love the crisp modernity of the martini designs and tall centerpieces using orchids, anthuriums, curly bamboo and calla lilies! See more photos here.

Crate & Barrel Outdoor

 

I was in Crate and Barrel the other day, and I fell in love with the Ventura Collection for my covered balcony! I love the plum, sangria and sunset accent colors and neutral seating. Too bad my bank account hates the idea...

Kate Quinn Organics Summer Collection!

I LOVE KATE QUINN ORGANICS! Check out the new summer collection of sumptuous organic cotton options for you and baby!!!

The Silk Route Bedroom Inspiration

I saw this lovely bedroom inspiration at Living Etc! You can find the geisha pillow at Teo Jasmin!

Photographic Decor from Teo Jasmin

Check out these amazing photographic prints and home decor options at Teo Jasmin from France! Teo Jasmin is an interior design company based in Paris and they specialize in digital printings on canvas, cushions and furniture.

Flowers for an Auction

Here's an arrangement I donated for a friend's church auction... (The photo is a bit overexposed, sorry! My good camera is out of commission, wah)

4-In-1 Vase

Ok this is pure modern genius! The 4-in-1 Vase by Konstantin Slawinski is a two-part vase... a glass cube that fits into a silver metal frame with 4 different opening sizes ranging from single stem to bouquet! Perfect for a mod centerpiece display!

Chlorophylle Grass Planter Centerpiece

These would be sleek and modern centerpieces! Grown your own grass in these luxe Chlorophylle grass planter boxes! Via Totally Tabletops.

Albano Daminato

I think living in this well designed space by Albano Daminato would feel so very relaxing and calming... I especially love the floor window with a view of a bamboo grove. Via Design to Inspire.

Witt Istanbul Suites Hotel } A Recipe of Laser Cut Flowers, Organic Wood, Neutral colors and a pop of Mustard

I'm loving the colors and details of the Witt Istanbul Hotel Suites designed by Autoban. Check out the laser cut flowers, the pointellist styling, the organic woods and the blend of warm modernist design. I can see envision these elements as the basis for a great party or wedding theme! Via the Contemporist.

Amy Butler for Welspun } A new collection of organic cotton bedding

Via Decor8 I learned that Amy Butler has designed a line of 100% organic cotton bedding for Welspun that will be available in June! See more photos here and a slideshow here.

Shunyata Series by Junko Yamamoto

It's a wonderful miracle when you discover that someone you know has been honing their creative and artistic talent right under your nose! I have known Junko Yamamoto for a few years now in the Seattle event industry, but I had no idea that she was an artist! Junko will be having a solo show featuring the "Shunyata Series" at Gallery IMA during the month of June. Shunyata means "emptiness" in Sanskrit. To learn more about the inspiration for this body of work, make sure to read her artist statement... it's very inspiring! I'm definitely loving the one with the talk bubble as artwork for our nursery... the empty talk bubble is asking me "Will it be a boy or will it be a girl?" hee hee!

Ryan Takaba's Porcelain Wall Bud Vases

These porcelain wall bud vases by Etsy seller Ryan Takaba are way too cool! I saw these over at Jenn Ski's mid century modern design blog.

Metal Light Panels

These metal light panels are gorgeous inside or outside! I really love the chrysanthemum designs. Learn more about these beautiful works of art at Napa Home.

Teak Carved Headboard

I saw this lovely bedroom photo over at An Indian Summer. I love the calm neutral colors, the stone like walls, the carved lantern, and the framed Asian advertisement art/poster. You can find a smaller version of a lotus teak panel like this one at Viva Terra.

Grid Vase by Jaime Hayón

 
As an Ikebana practitioner, when I saw this Grid Vase by Spanish designer Jaime Hayón my eyes grew wide with the possibilities! These vases are beautifully formed and the grid patterns are so intriguing... so beautiful just by themselves... but picture branches and single blooms punctuating the grills... "grid is an eye-catching vase collection manufactured by turkish artisans, bestowed with hundreds of years of experience in copper craftsmanship. it combines contemporary design with turkish sensibility."

Happy Mother's Day! Happy News... I'm a new Mother-to-Be!

If my posts have seemed a little light and infrequent it's because I have embarked on a new journey! After almost 6 years of marriage, I am finally pregnant and will be expecting our first child in November! So this Mother's Day has new meaning for me as I reflect on my childhood and what kind of mother I will be. I have started a new blog called LotusHaus Mama which will be a light documentation of my thoughts and finds related to my journey through pregnancy, natural childbirth and into motherhood! Check it out if you are interested. In the meantime, you can also check out some past baby related posts here at LotusHaus. Thanks so much for joining me in this journey!

Flower & Gift Projects for Teens } Project No. 9

Everyone loves fresh flower pomanders! Finally, I remembered to snap some shots of the girls in my St. Luke's Class. We made some really cute mini pomanders about the size of a large grapefruit. 

Materials:

• 1 or 2 bunches of kermit mums
• lime green ribbon or poly yarn
• small floral foam orb -or-
• small block of floral foam 
• chicken wire (optional)

Instructions: (also good instructions here)

1) Prepare wet floral foam.
If you can find a floral foam orb in the size you want, simply soak in water and then set out to drain. Or else you can take a small block of floral foam and shape it by cutting it down and sculpting it into an orb. I used an apple for size comparison. Optional: Wrap the orb in chicken wire for a more sturdy structure.
2) Assemble ribbon.
There are different ways to do this. If you have wrapped the orb in chicken wire, tie a ribbon with a loop handle through the wire at the top of the orb. But this is what I did because I used a green poly yarn i/o ribbon: Take a chopstick and stab it through the center of the orb. Push a double strand of yarn through the hole with the chopstick. Cut a stem about 2" and tie it with the yarns so that when you pull up the loop the stem creates a stable stopper for the yarn.
3) Cut kermit mum heads.
Cut stems to about 2" and insert into foam in a row that circles around the entire orb. Then make another row that circles the orb so that it creates quarter lines. Then fill in the rest of the quarters with mums.
4) Add any other embellishments.
You can add another bow to the top loop if you like. I attempted to make a chinese style knot with the excess yarn at the bottom of the pomander.
5) Experiment with your pomander and enjoy!
You can use your pomander as an centerpiece too by placing it in a glass cube or on top of a cylinder vase.

My inspiration for the near Future! } Kate Fujimoto Event Design

Whoa, how do I contain my excitement? I finally found a career inspiration that closely matches my lifestyle, my experience and my aesthetic! Today I discovered the story of Kate Fujimoto... a fashion designer - turned wife - turned event designer! Kate Fujimoto worked as a fashion designer and product manager for labels such as Trina Turk and Betsey Johnson.  She was getting frustrated with the corporate structure and felt that her aesthetic didn’t necessarily match up to some of the companies she worked with. After planning her own wedding, Kate began to consider a career in event design. She took on small events at first, but with a growing client list, the budding designer launched Kate Fujimoto Event Design in November 2007. With an emphasis on color, texture and trim, she treats events as landscapes similar to fashion designs, and applies her expertise to every aspect of presentation. Kate often looks to the venue first— much like she used to look to the human form—to find ways to enhance its features...Kate, you are my she-ro!

Summer Awesomeness from Colin Cowie

Ok, so I was like totally sucked into the Home Shopping Network (HSN) on TV today because entertainment guru Colin Cowie (his accent is South African) was showcasing his summer collection... and let me say that it's off tha hook and if I had extra loot I would buy up all the pieces and use them for events. Here are my favorites:

Beverage Server with Ice Receptacle: This is the most modern and versatile drink dispenser EVER! Watch the video footage and you will be a sucker too!  It's genius! First of all, it's made of sturdy glass. The ice receptacle keeps your drinks cold without diluting them. When not in use you can use the ice holder as a glass flower vase (genius). The bottom bowl is a separate piece and you can use it to display the beverage ingredients or create ambiance with flowers or other themed items. When not in use you can use the bowl for salads or layered desserts (genius). The lid fits perfectly on top of the bowl as well (einstein). At the HSN price of $74.95 I was seriously considering picking up the phone. But alas, times are tough and my glass pitcher is just gonna have to do... but isn't it just genius, lol! Here are some other nice items:

 

From left to right, top to bottom:
Chip and Dip Wood Tray with Porcelain Bowl, Bowl in Rattan Base, 7" Appetizer Plates, 3 part Stackable Storage Jar, Square Rim Dinnerware Set, Square Bowls in Wood Tray, Double Wall Glass Set.

Aktipis Flower Shop in Greece

Check out this really unique and well designed flower shop in Greece! The name of the shop is Aktipis and it was designed by Point Supreme Architects. Discovered via Laissezfaire and Dezeen.

Black Ribbon, Rhinestone Buckles, Green Horsetail and Ruby Reds!

I'm loving these arrangements and overall table top display found over at Head of the Table! The horsetail or equisetum look so fabulous with the black ribbon and rhinestone buckles atop charcoal polished river stones!

Artist } Annie Kammerer Butrus

Today, via Style Court, I discovered the beautiful artwork of artist Annie Kammerer Butrus...check it out!

Pezzi D'Amore } Brazilian Wedding Favors

Look at these beautiful Brazilian wedding favors from Pezzi d'Amore available in Seattle! I discovered these from the wonderful Bella Signature Design blog. These wedding favors are called "Bem Casados" or "Well-Marrieds" and they are the most traditional sought-after dessert at weddings in Brazil. Each Bem Casado is artfully made and is light, soft, airy and filled with smooth, home-made caramel bathed in a special sweet sauce.  Each treat represents two united parts sealed by sweet love, support and mutual respect.  According to legend, everyone who tastes them will be blessed with the happiness of newlyweds, so make a wish before you take a bite. Amen to that!

GlobalFlora } Plum and Chartreuse Wedding Theme - Asian Inspired

Today I was inspired by Flora Nova Design and their recent blog post letting us know that Plum is a big color for 2009. Check out their recent Plum, Cream and Chartreuse wedding! I have long loved this color combo so here is my Asian inspired version of a plum and chartreuse wedding. As a disclaimer, I usually don't post any images without linking the source, so I sincerely apologize because I don't have sources for all of these photos (boo! I know!). Please email me if you know the source. Thanks and enjoy!

From left to right, top to bottom:
Photo from Organic Style Magazine; Actress Zhang Ziyi; "Origami Crane" invitation by Tiny Prints; "Brilliant Blooms" wedding invitation by WeddingPaperDivas; custom made blooming tea favor; lime bridesmaid dress; chartreuse arrangement in Chinese shallow basket; catalog photo from Smith & Hawken; pink purple arrangement in footed basket; colorful macaroons by Jin Patisserie; and decorative Black Cherry Plum soap bar by MOR Cosmetics.

Tulip Festival

Finally, this year we were able to catch the Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon, which only happens once a year in April. The drive was about 1.5 hours north of Seattle and the traffic was horrendous, but it was well worth the wait to see so many beautiful fields filled with colorful tulips! I went with my hubby, best friend and godson... Isaiah was more interested in the tractors going by and the airplanes flying over head than the flowers, lol!

Sushi Collection by Moroso

This is super funky! I saw this over at Kim Vallee! Check it out! I love the temari-like ball pillows!

Elegant Dessert Images by Photographer Carin Krasner

I'm loving these shots by LA based still life photographer Carin Krasner! I saw this over at the awesome Algabar Journal for the Algabar Tea Bar in LA.

Modern Animal Prints for your Kids Room or Baby Nursery

Wouldn't these animal prints be inspiring for you and your baby! I love Paul Johnson's style with his rough abstraction, colorful ink pen style and attention to patterns in relation to the animal skins and as a nod to geometry and decor. You could definitely build a whole theme for a kids room or nursery around these awesome prints!

Yoshika EuphorianChic } Digital Artwork

I'm loving this collection of intricate and Japanese inspired digital artwork by Yoshika EuphorianChic! You can buy any of these wonderful prints framed, on canvas or as a greeting card! Hmmm, these would look nice for my bedroom redo!

How do you like my new look?

I finally had the energy to change the look of my blog... do you like? Stay tuned as I will also be starting another blog with a different focus very soon!