Thanks to my wonderful readers!

For the last few months, I've loved using Blogger to post my journal entries. However, now that thebloomoftime.com is up and running, I'm simplifying by hosting everything under the same domain.

But not to worry-- you can still receive blog posts and updates from The Bloom Of Time by visiting my website and locating the subscription button over on the right side of the page! Hooray!

Thanks again to family and friends for being such a fabulous audience as I got started out. Now that The Bloom of Time has officially expanded into floral and event design, I'm sure I'll have much more to post about in the near future!

Best,

Adrienne
owner | designer
The Bloom Of Time

Hugging Trees?

Last weekend, Jed and I had our first vendor experience at the annual Tree Huggr's Ball in Silverado Canyon! The festival is a local fundraiser which actually has more to do with preserving the wilderness around the foothills of Saddleback Mountain than getting up close and personal with trees. We had so much fun getting to know everyone, chatting with fair-goers, and selling our wares: furniture, linocut prints, and fresh flower crowns. We grabbed some delicious dinner from Seabirds Food Truck, OC's original veggie truck. I especially recommend their gluten-free cupcakes! The evening finished with a performance by Cubensis, the phenomenally talented Grateful Dead cover band that Jerry Garcia himself blessed to play the Dead's songs. Exhausted, we finally made it back to our tent and camped under the stars. What a night! Sadly these are the only snapshots we managed to capture during all the hustle and bustle:

Assembling flower crowns the night before!

Getting our booth set up before the festivities

Jed and I relaxing after the day is done

Jammin' to Cubensis!

We will definitely go to the Tree Huggr's Ball again next year... and make a point take some more photos! 

Wedding Chicks Blog Feature

I can't believe it's already been five blissful months since Jed and I got hitched, but I'm very excited to report that our wedding has been featured on Wedding Chicks! Wedding Chicks is a super-useful wedding resource site-- actually, I got a lot of good information there while we were planning the wedding! I got to talk a bit about what made our day so special, and the photos they included really capture the essence of the day.

.... le sigh. What a wonderful day it was...

For the full post over at Wedding Chicks, click here to open it in a new window.

Rediscovering Old Paintings

While getting things ready to go on my new website, www.thebloomoftime.com, I stumbled upon some images of the artwork I made at university. Now I'm beginning to think I should start up again with the old pour painting style...

Color Your Weekend: Fuschia

Here's a little homage to sweet, summery fuschia. I've handpicked images from new and exciting artists, blogs, and fashion sites from around the web to brighten up your weekend with a pop of color! 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

What about you? What is the color that you find yourself drawn to as we approach these blissful summer months?

Turning a Store-Bought Bouquet into a Whimsical Arrangement

Transforming an average-looking bunch of grocery store flowers into something much more impactful is a great way to lend refinement to any room-- whether you're hosting a dinner party or just want to beautify your space. By juxtaposing tame store-bought flowers with wilder blooms and greenery from your garden or your surroundings, you create an unexpected combination that's both inviting and whimsical.

I started with a typical grocery store bouquet. I was really drawn to the colorful Gerbera daisies, but they were begging for a more eye-catching backdrop.

Once I got home, I ran around the garden with some scissors and came back with a few rosebuds, clippings from small trees and shrubs, lily leaves, and some sprigs of of the mint that's growing rampant around back (mojitos, anyone?). 

Next, I selected my vase and placed some stones in the bottom. The stones help hold the stems in place, giving you a bit more control. You can use marbles or sand for the same purpose.

Once you have your stones in place, add the packet of flower preservative that usually comes with store-bought bouquets. This will keep the flowers looking perky for a few extra days. If you don't have a packet, you can find plenty of DIY recipes online. Add water until the vase is about two-thirds full, and now it's time to start arranging the greenery in the vase. No need to be too picky; a haphazard touch often looks just right. The idea is to create something like a lattice for your blooms to rest upon and to add some interesting texture to your arrangement. 

When I'm feeling minimalist, the greenery alone is enough to make an elegant monochromatic statement. 

But today I'm just not in the minimalist frame of mind! Once you are happy with your base of greenery,  begin by adding the largest and most prominent blooms. As I go, I keep rotating the vase so I can make sure it looks balanced from all sides. You can cut the stems (on the diagonal, of course) to create variations in height. Once the large flowers are in place, tuck the smaller blooms in behind the big ones-- you may need to cut the stems a bit so that they fit in well. The smaller blooms have the most impact when grouped in clusters of three to five. Now that all your flowers are in the vase, play around with the composition by pulling your favorite buds to the forefront and fluffing up the greenery where it may have been flattened. 

As a finishing touch, I add some visual interest to my piece by turning a few of the flowers so that they are looking at one another. Pay attention to where your eye wanders as you look at your bouquet, and try to move the flowers so that your eye is led up and around the entire arrangement.

Voila!

If you have some blooms left over, create a tiny arrangement by removing all but about an inch of a flower's stem and floating it in a small bowl with a sprig of leaves. This tiny arrangement would look charming in the bathroom or on a bedside table.

Well, there you go-- I hope this how-to comes in handy the next time your significant other returns home from the grocery with a surprise bouquet! Do you have any special tips or tricks that you use when arranging flowers? I'd love to hear them-- please share!

Local Food for Foodies

I love the idea of bringing the art of preparing food back to its roots-- creating authentic dishes that represent the terroir from which they come. It's an exciting concept I've noticed popping up here and there (Slow Food and Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution are two on my radar), and now blogger/chef Ryan Velilla fuses his passion for gourmet ingredients and epicurian plate presentations with a commitment to Southern California's unique edible offerings. Not only do I adore local, seasonal, sustainably-produced food and beverage, I'm also a closet Lord of the Rings lover. So any one thing that incorporates both of these elements is a winner in my eyes. Velilla's "The Hobbit" cocktail manages to do just that. Can't wait to give this one a try!

Photo via caterroirproject.com

Spring-time Watercolor

Painted a quick watercolor still life this morning. A vintage candlestick, roses gathered from the garden, and fresh citrus seen through a flourescent lens certainly bring spring to the front of the mind! What about you? What are the things that remind you of spring?

Blooming Tea

A cool night encroaches

as a warm afternoon fades.

Hot tea blossoming

Um... exactly what is it about tea that compels me to write haikus? I don't think I'm alone here-- for centuries Japanese Zen monks have been writing haikus in what I can only imagine was a tea-induced euphoric state. Are its heady aromas and sweetness responsible for lulling us into a meditative trance? Could it be the caffeine? Or maybe, in the hectic world we inhabit, it's the ritual of drinking tea that gives us a moment of pause, a breath of respite from our busy day, that allows us to reflect and-- for those inclined toward things nerdy-- jot down a haiku. Whatever it is, the ceremony of tea is something that's become quite engrained in me over the last few years. I'd like to consider myself something of a tea connoisseur-- a master sommelier of the brewed beverage, if you will. To me, there is the perfect tea for each time of day-- a brisk green or black tea for breakfast, a smooth roobois to complement lunch, a cool mint tea in the afternoon, maybe an invigorating yerba mate to banish those late-afternoon lulls, a soothing herbal infusion at bedtime. And then, there are some teas so delicious and subtle in flavor that I would reserve them for special occasions. One such tea is Numi's Enchanted Blossoms-- hand-sewn tea leaves and flowers that bloom when steeped. Each box contains six distinct flowers; my favorites are Sunset Oolong (oolong and lily petals release notes of peach and slight nuttiness) and Golden Jasmine (hints of chocolate? You had me at hello!). With its beautiful presentation, this tea really adds ambience to your table, plus your guests will think that you have impeccable taste, and really, why else does one throw a tea party? You can get the most out of your fancy-ass tea by steeping it as many as three times-- the second and third batches are nice when served cold. It's also a great gift for the tea-lover! I recommend it wholeheartedly! 

What about you-- do you have a ritual when it comes to tea? Would you consider yourself a "connoisseur" like myself :-P?

Cinco de Mayo Flowers

Hosted a very lively Cinco de Mayo party last night and thought I'd share the decor I made -- brightly painted driftwood, colorful bougainvillea and ranunculus, bunting flags, succulents (of course! do you know me?), votives in mason jars, and a giant donkey piñata made sipping margaritas and grazing on guacamole that much more fun!

Shimmy Into Some Printed Denim!

Don't you think those denim designers have gone beserk as of late? Beserk in the best of ways, I mean. Take a look around-- styles upon styles of printed denims are popping up in shops, and we're not just talking leopard and polka: there are floral prints, loud prints, painterly prints, tropical prints, tie-dye prints, fruity prints, you name it! Not to bash on my true blues, but this is just so refreshing! The universal sartorial staple has been redefined once again! And this is coming from me...

...I've managed to make it through my life without ever having worn a pair of printed jeans. At 5'4", no one has ever told me I have "legs for days", not even the occasional "nice stems!" Nope, they're just a short, unassuming, standard-issue pair of legs. So I never thought I'd be able to pull off the whole calling-attention-to-the-lower-half-of-my-body thing, but I have asked the Internet for some some tried and true pointers, and the Internet has provided! Now I'm starting to rethink my anti-printed-denim stance. I've boiled it down to three easy-to-follow guidelines:

1. Know thyself. There are no hard and fast rules here-- when the jeans are clashing with your body, you'll recognize it. Just listen closely to your intuition, and if it protests, put those duds back on the hanger and move on.

2. Make sure they fit. Duh, right? But be sure to bring along the one friend who really does tell you when your butt looks big in those jeans. Since patterned pants draw the eye toward your bottom half, the way they fit is extra important. You want the pair that hugs your curves without bunching up. If you're a shorty like me, factor hemming and alterations into the price tag.

3. Be playful with your choice of top and accessories. While a simple, solid-color top will definitely work, the real magic of the printed jean comes alive when you have fun with some unexpected combinations. Good ol' Pinterest offers some great inspiration here.

Ok, enough with the rules already! Armed with your new 3-step plan, you'll be a pro at sifting through the heaps of printed jeans until you discover the pair you were always destined to look fabulous in.

If you're looking to channel your inner new-wave hippie, the Nebula Jean by Hudson or Asos' Electric Rave Skinny Jean offer up some psychedelic vibes. Both of these would look great with a tough, worn-in concert tee and some statement metal jewelry.

For those who don't yet want to fully commit, try the subtle tone-on-tone chevron pattern by 7 For All Mankind, or this delicately antiqued floral pair by J Brand. Dress these pairs like you would a basic blue jean-- they'd look equally cool with a striped hoodie, a flowery tank, or a silky blouse.

For the real deal on printed denim, it doesn't get any bolder than the cherry pickin' print or the island paradise photo print by Mother Denim. And for those who like rainbows (and really, who doesn't?) this fluorescent pair might be your dream come true - the Jordan Skinnies by NastyGal. When dressing, give these pants the limelight by coordinating with solid colors that provide an interesting contrast-- a soft pastel peach blouse would look spot-on with the cherry print.

Though not for the faint of heart, BlankNYC's Hooky Jeans possess the art student mentality of "whoops, I spilled paint on my pants but I like the way it looks so i'm gonna keep wearing them anyway to make a statement", which is kind of cool, if you dig that. But if you'd prefer a toned-down version, a subtle tye-dye wash like the Jade Verdugo Ultra Skinny by Paige or a dreamy pastel watercolor like Nasty Gal's Beanpole Skinny Jeans may be right down your alley.

And finally! A super-flattering jean for those who, like me, may be more or less entrenched in a solid-denim rut. The wavy pattern on Current/Elliott's Stiletto print jeans deceives the eye as a slightly cropped hem grazes the ankle at just the right spot-- voila!

May you go out into the world and find the pair of your dreams!

What do you think about the printed denim craze? Which pairs are the most wearable? Could you see yourself sporting printed jeans this summer?

Sunday Hike through Harding Canyon

Though it was admittedly difficult to wake up to the alarm on a Sunday morning, our brisk hike with friends was super-refreshing and well worth the grogginess! We started our hike down by the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, then followed the trail as it wound upstream.  

We admired the fog as its tendrils crept through the crevices in the hillside.

A cloudy, moonless night had allowed dew to settle delicately on a spiders' web.

Spring had sprung! Pristine wildflowers were blooming all around us.

Purple bells-- these were our favorite!

The trail was shaded by old live oaks.

Courtney rescued a friendly salamander from the footpath!

More wildflowers... they were everywhere!

Midmorning sunshine was quite warm as we headed back. 

I would certainly recommend this trail-- it's not too difficult, but all the creek crossings keep things interesting and fun. I would also recommend Googling "poison oak" before hiking anywhere in OC, just so you know what it looks like! We saw lots of wildlife-- birds, rabbits, squirrels, salamanders, and geckos were all out to play, and I hear they become even bolder as the weather warms up! What a great way to start a Sunday morning.

Now, for the next trail: does anyone have a suggestion of where we should hike next?

Garden at Sunset

I just can't think of a better way to spend a spring evening than unwinding with your honey in the garden! We got a chance to snap some glamour shots of my freshly watered plants, relax on our new rocking chairs (credit to my man for the assembly!), and watch as all the birds hurried home for the night. Le sigh!

new growth on a baby prickly pear



craspedia - what a magical bloom! must plant more of these...



blissfully relaxed!

sunlight glows golden as it leaves

he was watching the sunset too

 

Something about this dress...

The Aurora Dress

…reminds me of a rooftop party on a warm night. After an afternoon in the sun, I’ve donned this garment and suddenly all the promises of the night are held in my hands. Climbing up the last flight of stairs, I let go of my skirt, letting it billow behind me as I approach the gathering. A tall handsome man appears in front of me, a glass of champagne in hand. He offers it to me; his lilting accent I find charming. I have become very aware of the triangle-shaped cutout of my bodice. He leans closer in, and – Oh, my! Are you still reading this?! I better, uh… get back to the dress.

Australian cult-favorite label Bless’ed are the Meek have nailed it with this dress. The more I look at it, the more I like it. Everything about it. It’s flowing, yet commanding. Its tough, dominatrix bodice is tempered with a peach so vulnerable and feminine that the juxtaposition has a very emotional quality to it. That’s what impresses me most about this up-and-coming group of designers—they are infusing fashion with a psychological twist. Using pattern to play with the eye, their collection is full of double meanings and innuendo, like their playful interpretation of the Rorschach ink blot test, below.

Dali Skirt

For Bless'ed are the Meek, what isn't there is as important as what is-- like this daring number:

The Entity Dress - Winter 2011

Bless'ed's mission is to “push the boundaries of meekdom”. One of their goals was to keep prices modest so that they could clothe the average twenty-something woman-- while maintaining a status at Australian Fashion Week. Do you think they succeed in achieving their goal?

Oh Hi, Ojai!

(I’m sure they loathe it when people say that. But it’s just too tempting to resist!) Though short, our first trip to Ojai was delightful-- it’s just far enough away from home to feel like a real escape, and the whole town has this permeating free-spirit vibe that makes all your worries melt away… I mean, what worries? All in favor of feeling like your whole body is made of sunshine, go to Ojai!

I believe the Sunday morning Farmer’s Market is where all of this hippie energy is radiating from. A bluegrass band plays as you wander down aisles of fresh flowers, hand-picked citrus, organic vegetables, artisan breads, Ghanaian picnic baskets, gluten-free vendors, rustic cheeses, and more, and more, and more. While I could have easily walked out with something from every stall, I limited myself to what I could fit into my newly-acquired Ghanaian picnic basket: purple haze carrots, a loaf of buckwheat bread, goat cheese, fresh-squeezed apple cider, a sage-scented beeswax candle.  The real highlight was sampling the loquats and chatting with the grower (behind me in the photo, with a T-shirt to match his produce!).

Loquats, as I’m finding, are winter fruits distantly related to apples. They’ve got a nice mellow flavor that reminded me of apricot and mango, while Jed was transported back to his childhood—it was his first encounter with a loquat in quite some time. Delicious! After so much grazing, we were ready for a walk. So we headed to Meditation Mount, a serene garden overlooking the Ojai Valley. Here we admired the view and took in our peaceful surroundings.

Reluctantly, we left Ojai to spend the rest of the day visiting friends. Had we stayed longer, I would have loved to try some of the restaurants… Ojai Beverage Company and Hip Vegan Cafe were calling my name! Until we meet again, Ojai; until we meet again.