Flower Power: The Pilgrim garden rose

This is another one of my favorite garden roses "The Pilgrim" . It's summery yellow color is such a warm sunshiny addition to your wedding or event. It's glorious many layers of petals gives a "feathery" and light presence. Yellow keeps trying to come back as a popular wedding color and many people are fighting it. I love yellow, and its such a great summer color. Give these roses a chance, in fact, give yellow a chance.


This is another one of my favorite garden roses "The Pilgrim" . Its summery yellow color is such a warm sunshiny addition to your wedding or event. It glorious many layers of petals gives a "feathery" and light presence. I know yellow keeps trying to come back as a popular wedding color and many people are fighting it. I love yellow, and its such a great summer color. Give these roses a chance, in fact, give yellow a chance.

Fancy Sandals by Nico

Hi all! So, many of my brides this summer are getting married on the beach or grass, and have asked me for footwear options. Well, I came across this FANTASTIC site that carries fancy flat sandals. I just LOVE them. They come in beady, crystally, Sparkly, pearly or whatever your taste desires. There are hundreds of styles and colors to choose from. If you're a beachy bride, these may just be your ticket to a comfy wedding ceremony. Then you can slip into some hot pumps for the reception. (or maybe just for pictures? he he ) Here are a few samplings of what this site offers!
www.Sandleworld.com

Flower Power: Yves Piaget garden roses

Nico Here! I want to introduce you to my all time favorite garden rose EVER, The Yves Piaget. The Knot Magazine just voted this the hot new up and coming flower for Bridal Bouquets!!! I Friggin' Love these fluffy, hot pink, ruffly, gorgeous, fabulous blooms. I wish I could make a bed of these roses, and then lay on down and die happy. Enjoy!

Flower Power: Fair Bianca Garden Roses

Nico Here! Well I am so excited to announce that Garden rose season is amongst us!! We slowly have to start saying our bye bye's to Peony and hello to all the great stuff that grows in the summer; Dahlias,millets, bells of Ireland, sunflowers, tropicals, amaranthus,chocolate cosmos, and GARDEN ROSES (just to name a few). I'll be paying tribute to all the different varieties of garden roses over the next several weeks, and I want to start with my absolute FAVORITE, The Fair Bianca. This feathery , glorious, creamy, rose with a very light fragrance has become an all time favorite amongst Brides to be. Its resemblance to the famous and popular peony is erie and a great substitute, if you are summer bride. YAY Summer is HERE! (almost)

What moron decided that dessert should'nt be first??!! - Nico

For those of you who know me, know about my huge sweet tooth. My luck , I'll end diabetic or something.. Anyway I wanted to send some BLOG LOVE to my dear dear friend, Jessica Foster of Jessica Foster Confections. Jessica is AMAZING and her chocolate truffles are to DIE for. I had the unforgettable chance to spend an afternoon with Jessica in her kitchen. She fed me samples as I watched her, (covered elbow to elbow in chocolate) go through the several step truffle making process. Jessica, puts her heart and soul into each dainty delicious treat and you can taste it in every single bite. Her chocolates are a perfect favor for your wedding guests and her "favor" presentation is ADORABLE! She will match the ribbon and the box to suit your wedding theme.You'll find unique flavors like "White Chocolate Rose" and "Milk Chocolate Cinnamon Apple" I just LOVE HER!! Check out her website at http://www.jessicafosterconfections.com

It was a "Pure Joy"

Last night I had the privilege to join my fellow event colleagues at a grand celebration at Pure Joy Catering, honoring their two newest event managers , Toby and Patrick! I had the best time. They graciously served us mango margaritas (I had too many..), Wine and delicious passed hors d'oeuvres. We got to hang out in the kitchen as Chef Jerry served us right out of the oven, in their beautiful new building! Lynette La mere, (owner) has truly made her mark as a business women and her love for food and people generously shines through. Personally, I just love the heck out of her!!!! Pure Joy's buffet presentations are always so beautiful, and as a designer I always appreciate it. Please visit Pure Joy on the web at http://www.purejoycatering.com/ and set up an appointment, you will NOT be disappointed.

Flower Power: Muppet Gerbera Daisies

Nico Here.. Okay I think this week is "cheap" flower week or something.... Well, it has been on my mind as many of my clients are watching their pocket books (like everyone else). I'm obsessed with these fun textural colorful gerbera daisies that are called "muppets". These inexpensive flora are perfect if you're looking for bold color and texture on a "dime". If you're wedding theme is more on the "romantic" or "classic" lines, these might be great for your rehearsal dinner or day after brunch if you're not looking to spend a lot. I think they are super cool. Check them out, Id love to hear your thoughts.

Fergalicious

Nico says, OK I know this is super Passe, but I've wanted to Blog about Fergie and Josh's wedding for awhile now. Check out this over the top one million dollar, covered in roses, draped in Dulce and Gabbana, 375 guest, blinged out, media hyped event!! I kind of hate the Bridesmaid dresses.. 1989 called and wants their BM dresses back!! The ceiling covered in twinkly lights is pretty hot, I do have to say. What do you think???

I heart the back of her dress, I think its fierce!!

Tattoo Ring????

Nico Here! Soooo, I was speaking with a florist friend of mine who is recently engaged who wanted a tattoo ring instead of a real one. (and when I say real, I mean real.) As florists we ALWAYS have our hands in buckets of water and she has a HUGE fear of loosing her ring. I had never heard of a tattoo ring before and to be honest this concept kind of scares me. The above picture is of the hands of underage mother Bristol Palin and Ex Hunk hockey player/deadbeat father levi Johnston. What do you think? I say, forget the ink, and COUGH up the DIAMONDS!!!!!

OLD NAVY Flip Flops

Ok, I have to be honest, I am not a HUGE fan of Old Navy, but I LOVE LOVE their flip flops. Oh and can I also say they are $3.80????? Yes, yes they are. Screw favors, get your guests a pair of comfy flip flops to "bop" around S.B in. Especially for those of you who are having a beach ceremony, put a bunch of colorful flip flops in a large galvanized bucket by your ceremony area and instantly add comfort to your wedding. I have no idea why these cheap flip flops are so comfy, but they also come in awesome colors and I think their FABO.

Flower Power : Dahlias!!!!!

Hey Fabulous people!! As a floral expert (I think I can give myself that title, riight?) I would like to share a little summer secret that is easy on the pocket book. One of my fave flowers is the Dahlia, it comes is so many awesome shapes and colors and is very inexpensive. If you are a blushing summer bride then these fluffy colorful blooms will create a bold and awesome statement for your centerpieces. I wouldn't suggest them to be added to bouquets and boutonnieres as they like like to be in water;) Dahlia up your wedding!!

WEEKEND RECAP

Hey HEY!! Nico here. I'm finally blogging after my FABO FEROSH wedding at The Parker in Palm Springs. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this hotel and I can't wait to post pics from Jeannie and John's wedding this past weekend. Enjoy these wonderful photos of the hotel. I want my wedding here, but considering I have a HUGE Irish/Mexican family I will probably have to have it at the Elk's Lodge or a high school auditorium. This site fits up to 150 (comfortably) http://theparkerpalmsprings.com/ For more Info go to See for yourself! Kisses!!

Goodbye Spring Hello Summer

This is a wedding I designed at Roblar Winery in Santa Ynez. Joanna and Cooper were such an amazing and beautiful couple. I was very honored and blessed to be a part of their special day. The day was full of beautiful spring floral such as peony, ranunculous, hydrangea, roses, and camellia. I would like to thank the my fellow vendors who were just FAB! Coordinator, Maren Parson, of Maren Parson's Events was SUCH an amazing pleasure to work with. She has style, grace and good face.:) She is also organized, cool, calm and collected- I just LOVE HER!! She also bought us snacks and water to knosh on!! Beta at and her awesome staff at Roblar, Great food and SOOO accommodating. Last but certainly not least, Miss Jasmine Star, an awesome photographer and SUCH a sweetheart!. Please Enjoy her breathtaking photos of the event!

NEW SPACE

First off I want to appoligize for not blogging in over a month. HOWEVER I do have a good reason!! I was moving!! NICO designs have moved our studios along with fabulous lighting designer Lani with LBPS. We are located at 5390 Overpass road. We look forward to meeting at our new amazing wharehouse. Please call first before dropping in as we might be running errands. Hope everyone is having a FABULOUS spring!!!

Bacara Event/Valentine's Rant and Update

I am busy at work and finishing up last details for my event at the beautiful and very very expensive Bacara Resort and Spa, this evening. All the florals came in beautiful but at the highest prices, due to VALENTINE'S DAY!!!! I think I lost about 10 years off my life when I looked at the bill! None the less we are moving forward, and making sure everything is perfect.

Jasmine and I have been running around like Chickens with their heads cut off (She's The chicken and I'm more of a turkey... hehe) to make sure everything all turns out as planned. This Holiday makes everything more challenging, for our line of work. Regretfully (not really), this is my first Valentine's Day that I will NOT be taking Valentine's orders since I was 12 years old. I really don't know if I will miss staying up night after night the days before the black day, stripping roses, filling vases, dealing with desperado guys, and making bows...Oh so many bows . Everyone thinks "Oh Flower shops make SO much money on Valentine's Day!"

Well, Actually they don't. They work their tails off weeks before preparing. Only to find out wholesale flower prices have DOUBLED or even TRIPLED at times. For all of you that will be ordering flowers for V-Day, don't be cheap, just cough up the dough or go to the grocery store. My heart does go out to everyone in the flower business right now.

Okay that's enough from Debbie Downer!!!

On a "brighter" note I have to confess that I have NOT gone to the gym or dance class since I've been back from New York. UHG. Monday will be my day to get back in the groove.

Okay. BACK to work, I'll keep ya'll posted on how the event turns out

Spray God.

I have an obsession with hairspray, spray paint, spray glue, spray glitter, leaf shine spray and pretty much anything that sprays. (I'm Sorry Green people!!) Let me also be clear that this obsession is in an artsy, overly creative, obsessed with work kind of way NOT in a druggie, tweaker, east LA kind of way (Please, I wear a mask!). Today I took my obsession to a whole other level and killed a spider with my can of hairspray. I hate spiders, love hairspray and yes ladies and gents I am an insect murderer.

Bling IS Back!

Bling has been creeping up on us for the past few years, but this is the first year we're going to see a lot more of it. Sparkles are always a fun way to add romance and glitz to your wedding. Search for antique brooches, old crystal chandeliers and beaded crystal votive cups and BLING up your BIG day. Fun, fun fun!!

Cotton Bridal Bouquet

I think this is just SOOOO darn fabulous!! Frank Alexander of NYC , designed this bridal bouquet out of cut cotton branchings. The bride said she wanted something (to carry) that was light weight, organic , and wouldn't die or wilt. So Gorg!!! Good Work Frank! LOVE it!