Moroccan Decor III

If you've been following along, you know that this week is all about Moroccan event decor. We've moved from the interior of the beautiful Beachfront Oasis and now we dive in to all of the beautiful details of the party. Layering linens,flowers,vessels and unexpected elements create depth, character and intrigue into design.

Photos by Taryn Reid Photography
The creativity of Shilhi of Passion Roots amazes me. Who knew that placing an artichoke in a smoke colored cup could be so intriguing. When I went for a last minute grocery store run for an orange colored fruit and grapes, I didn't know how perfect a tangerine could be in a lotus shaped vase accented by a beautiful orchid. Genius!

Photos by Taryn Reid Photography
Texture is everywhere!

Photos by Rafael Swit for Fisheye Studio Inc.
Luscious floral arrangements were everywhere. I love the different elements used from moss and twigs to crystals.

Photo by Daryl Watanabe
Look at all of the amazing elements in just this one shot!

We're just getting warmed up because there's more Moroccan decor to come. It's is all about a beautiful couple and a stunning cake!

love.joy.laughter

Moroccan Decor II

Today I continue with the Moroccan inspired decor of a recent event. We move from the pool to the interior of the house. The Beachfront Oasis estate is a unique venue space allowing for endless options for adding accents throughout the house. In order to provide guests with an authentic Moroccan experience, I brought in loads of pillows and arranged them on the two lounge couches in the living room. Shilhi from Passion Roots created a large low arrangement for the over-sized coffee table while flowers were arranged in a swirl pattern on each of the three beds.

Top photos by Rafael Switt for Fisheye Studio Inc. / Bottom picture by Taryn Reid Photography.

We swagged orange and pink fabric over all of the interior sliding glass doors accented by hanging flowers. The swags set the stage for the what guests would find outside.

Photo by Taryn Reid Photography

Tomorrow is all about amazing details.

love.joy.laughter

Moroccan Decor I

Today I begin a series of images from a recent soiree where I was given the opportunity to create the design and theme of the event. With the amazing creativity of floral designer Shilhi of Passion Roots, we brought together a Moroccan themed event that if I do say so myself, was absolutely stunning. All good designs have to begin somewhere and my inspiration started with the beautiful indoor pool of the Beachfront Oasis estate. While researching for another event, I came across an image of beautiful swags of fabric draped over a pool. I filed the picture away knowing that someday I wanted to recreate the look and feel of that picture. So we begin with the pool.

Top photos by Rafael Switt for Fisheye Studio Inc / Bottom photo by Daryl Watanabe
Groupings of flowers and candles float around the pool effortlessly.

Photo by Taryn Reid Photography

Photo by Shawn Starr
Pink, orange and blue fabric gracefully swag across the pool. As the evening progressed, dramatic lighting lit up the pool in a leaf design.
More to come....

love.joy.laughter

Delightful Brunch with Kathy Ireland

Today I had the privilege of attending a brunch hosted by the very gracious and inspiring Kathy Ireland. Kathy is not only the designer and CEO of the design empire, Kathy Ireland Worldwide®, but she is also a philanthropist and loving mother of three. Her mission is “… finding solutions for families, especially busy moms."

Kathy and I at the Oceanfront Oasis. I love that the beautiful picture of Elizabeth Taylor is in the background.

Shilhi of Passion Roots and I wanted to create a winter theme for the brunch keeping in mind that it would be close to 80 degrees with the breathtaking ocean as a backdrop at the Oceanfront Oasis Estate. We must have been sending each other design vibes because we both came to the table with similar ideas, winter whites with muted greys. Shilhi ran with the theme, Winter French Bohemian, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking.

How stunning is this lace fringed tulip!

Even the pool was graced with floral and crystal arrangements.

Shilhi indulged my obsession with birds used in decor with this amazing white beauty.

The very talented hair and makeup artist Corvette Dela Cruz, myself and the equally talented makeup artist Gemina Chong of Faith and Beauty.

The gang is joined by Shilhi herself and Rafael Swit of Fisheye Studio.

Thank you to Kathy Ireland and the Oasis World Estates for allowing me to be a part of this very special day. What an honor and a blessing it was to chat with Kathy Ireland and the other wonderful guests. It was definitely a day that I will treasure.

love.joy.laughter

Blaine Ashley Fashion Show-Beachfront Oasis Launch

I have to admit that I have a mild obsession with walk-in closets. Being a big fan of HGTV home shows, I hold by breathe for the revealing of....the closet. I think it all began when I saw Kimora Lee-Simons mansion of a closet and the yearning for one of my own began. Of course a beautifully organized room-sized closet yearns for fabulous fashions. I was recently introduced to ShopBlaineAshely and I am a proud owner of a beautiful black off-the-shoulder amazing black dress that is beckoning for another party! Here are some of the beautiful designs from the website modeled by stunningly gorgeous women.

Clothing: Blaine Ashley
Makeup: Corvette Dela Cruz and Gemina Chong
Hair: Renei and Kristin Mihei
Models: Nicole/ Giselle/ Brigitte /Justine/ Sasha / Heidi / Ashley

love.joy.laughter

November In A Nutshell

November has been a whirlwind of activity and thus my blog entries have suffered. I didn't want to close out November without a few updates.

My sister participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and successfully walked THREE days and 60 miles to help stomp out breast cancer. I'm so proud of her and forever grateful for her sacrifice and determination!

We pulled off a successful launch of the Beachfront Oasis Estate. It was an amazing event and I can't wait to share the pictures with you as they come in.

Photo by:Taryn Reid Photography

I'm putting on my "Fashion Shoot Coordinator" hat and in a couple of weeks numerous photographers, models and a glam squad will pull their talents together for a day long "Vintage Glam" photo shoot. The shoot will be featured in a two-part series for Model Search TV. I am headed off to the clothing designer's studio tomorrow to snap photos of all of the looks.

Found here

And of course we are working on weddings. We'll finish off 2009 with a wedding for a couple with a sweet story of long awaited love. Planning for 2010 weddings is in full force with requests flowing in. So there you have November in a nutshell. December blog posts promise to be full of a lot of eye candy and inspiration. Come back soon!

love.joy.laughter

Sweet Potato Fries

With Thanksgiving only a couple of days away, I thought I should probably start on my menu and shopping list. A while back I heard about Sweet Potato Fries and I finally made them. All I can say is, Wow! They were absolutely delicious and not a single bite made it to the dinner table after being "sampled" by every intrigued family member. Needless to say, I am adding them to my traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Image and Recipe here
1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. dried Italian herb seasoning
Preheat oven to 425°. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil coated with cooking spray.Spread the sweet potato strips out onto the baking sheet in a single layer, coat with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and spices, turning them over to evenly coat on all sides with oil and spices.Bake for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes with spatula. Serve warm.

Enjoy!

love.joy.laughter

Bobby and Katie-Oceanfront Oasis

It was a busy and full wedding weekend for Bobby and Katie and for Seasons of Life Wedding and Event Planning. The couple and 70 of their friends and family gathered at Tiki's Coconut Club in the Resort Quest Waikiki Beach Hotel the night before their wedding for a Hawaiian themed Welcome Party.

Custom runner by Seasons of Life Wedding and Event Planning.

Doug Fitch entertained guests with awesome Hawaiian slack key music and the Hawaiian buffet was "Onolicious".



After a beautiful sunset, guests enjoyed a fireworks show over Waikiki.

The next day began early as we prepped the Oceanfront Oasis for the wedding. Linens were steamed, luminaries were filled with sand and over 100 tea lights were placed throughout the property. Yvonne Designs provided the beautiful flowers and bamboo arbor.

The couple wanted a reception where the guests felt like they were at a dinner party and that encouraged mingling. To accomplish this, we created a custom menu executed by Kahala Caterers of heavy appetizers more like tapa style servings and guests walked around the pool to different stations to enjoy the scrumptious food. Selections included Scallops served on Thai Sticky rice with a drizzle of curry served on a Chinese spoon and chilled cucumber soup presented in a champagne glass.

Custom menu signs were displayed including a cupcake chart to help guests identify the 9 flavor options of mini cupcakes that was provided by A Cake Life. Dancing was enjoyed by all with a great mix from Troy Michael DJ. After a long day and much celebration, it was time to call it a night. It was a beautiful wedding and we wish Bobby and Katie many years of love and happiness.

love.joy.laughter

The Giving Tree-Wedding Design

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a Tabletop Decor competition at a joint meeting of the OWA (Oahu Wedding Association) and NACE (National Association of Catering Executives). Given an open invitation to design is like telling a child to go into FAO Shwartz and pick out any toy in the store. The options are limitless! I decided to simplify and choose a design that would be environmentally conscious, nostalgic and playful. I choose to use the childhood classic, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, as inspiration. And the story goes..."Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy. And everyday the boy would come and he would gather her leaves....and the boy loved the tree very much. And the tree was happy". This is only a snippet of a very lovely story about giving and unconditional love. How true the story is for marriage as well.
Picture by Dave Miyamoto
The centerpiece of this design is made from re-claimed wood that would otherwise be thrown out. The center was hallowed out to make room for florist foam. The initials on the trunk actually belong to my husband and myself but the wedding couples initials would take center stage or perhaps just a heart clould be carved leaving the intials for the centerpiece recepient. The plates are from Pier One and they somehow give the feel of wood.
Picture by Dave Miyamoto
The favors are miniature trees wrapped in unbleached muslin and tied with beautiful green organza ribbon. You can find saplings at your local nursery or at the Arbor Day Foundation website. For as little as $3.00 you can give a gift that will produce a living tree for each guest to enjoy.
Picture by ME:)
The luxurious linens from Les Saison evoked the feel of a luscious meadow or deep forest grotto. Naomi created organic feeling chair covers and oh-so-clever button and twine accents. Tree branches were placed around the table
and fastened to the chair covers.
Picture by Dave Miyamoto
Emi of Emi's Flowers and Gifts created the beautiful arrangement using chocolate cosmos, hydrangea, succulents and various leaves. The place cards and favor tags were made from beautiful papers that I found at a local craft supply store. I wish you could see the detail of the deep brown paper. It actually has the imprint of the bark of a tree and I was thrilled to find it.
Picture by Dave Miyamoto
Naomi and I posing in front of our table. Where's Emi?


At the end of the day, I was very pleased with the way the design turned out, much like the book, simple, welcoming and a little bit charming if I do say so myself. If you haven't read, The Giving Tree, you must pick it up one day. We can all learn from the little boy and the tree.

love.joy.laughter