My Daughter's Red Egg & Ginger Party

A garden-style take on a traditional event.

In Chinese custom, a baby is celebrated after birth, not typically before. Reason being that surviving pregnancy and childbirth was a big deal, especially if he or she survived the first 100 days of life. A Red Egg and Ginger party is like a "presentation" party of the baby and a coming-out party for the mother who also has been recovering.

Red = good fortune

Egg = new start / birth

Ginger = strong family

I'm always proud to engage in Chinese traditions, especially if it exposes others to my heritage! It was surreal to throw this event for my very own child after attending several growing up.

Photography by Stuart Mar

Of course when gathering inspiration for this party, Pinterest and Google searches were filled with run-of-the-mill red and gold soirées. I rarely use red in my arrangements since it's such a stark color. Incorporating it tastefully into the color palette was my goal. I decided to go with shades of pink and magenta with pops of rich red (very different than the orange-y red you see in a lot of roses). My mom had purchased this dress for my daughter weeks back, so I used it as inspiration for the color palette!

(Dress from Janie & Jack)

Unfortunately I didn't get enough pictures of my centerpieces because I was too rushed making 10 of them whilst caring for my daughter (always a regret not spending time photographing in my studio!). Some rough iPhone photos will have to do!

Ingredients List:

• Pink Dahlias

• Red Ranunculi

• Pink Lisianthuses

• Magenta Cosmos

• Blush variegated Hydrangea

• Red Celosia

• Purple Mums

• Hot Pink Sweet Pea

• Purple Globe Amaranth (photo courtesy of Google since I didn't take one)

All these flowers were from various vendors at the LA Flower Market. Most were from Sunrise Wholesale.

My bathroom studio where I try to keep flowers happy in cooler temps.

I used hydrangea, globe amaranth, and ranunculi for the cake. I love the effortless look of the hydrangea, however that probably wasn't the best decision on a hot day.

I did a few additional pieces for the cake and welcome tables which were more Ikebana style. I secretly love Ikebana and found the perfect opportunity to pare down ingredients with these ornate Chinese vases. See below my rushed iPhone photography again:

I really wish I had cleaner photos of this one above. The dainty leaves and larkspur petals made me fall in love with mastering simplicity.

Okay now for good photography:

Praying over my little sweetheart, our God is mighty is He not?

Have a great end of Summer everyone,

Kel

Photography: Stuart Mar

Cake: One and One Bakery

Signage: Zazzle

Baby Cheongsam: Eastern Ensembles

FLORAL TATTOO

Well, more like a succulent tattoo.

My in-laws booked a room at the Marriott Vacation Club Resort in Newport Beach for a change in scenery.

The boys (my husband has 3 brothers) all brought their computers and game consoles as I expected, but we made it outside once today! Victory!

We took the trolley to Crystal Cove and along the rocks, these gorgeous succulents are THRIVING.

While the boys attempted snorkeling, I walked along the cliffs foraging different shades of the succulent. One patch had fiery red ones!

Doesn't everyone carry around floral shears, glue, and a bucket? My in-laws learn more and more about me every day baha.

STEP 1: I started building the shape and flow with masking tape. You don't want to glue flowers directly to your skin because that'll hurt to peel off. Also, it makes it easily removable in one piece so you can place it on another part of your body!

STEP 2: I started adding ombré leaves that matched the succulent colors. Oasis floral adhesive found here.

Tip: Choose a "focal point" where larger pieces will go. For me, that was my wrist.

STEP 3: Add your flowers! What's great about succulents is they're pretty tenacious plants, so I'm hoping to grow them in my planter box at home.

*I started with greens and purples at the top, transitioning to my focal point with RED. I love how it goes from cool to warm tones.

Keep adding until you're satisfied! In my case, the sun was killing me and I was ready to leave; it's not perfect but it'll do!

I love how some of the green variety has white blossoms that trail up the pointer finger.

Husband, UFO.

Happy Weekend,

A Dreamy Swing for Summer

This post is a little belated, but I figure if it helps someone conceptualize their design, it's worth putting up!

For 4th of July we had to get creative since traditional gatherings and beaches were not possible. We rented this gorgeous property through Peer Space and it overlooked the hills and beach in Pacific Palisades.

Ingredients:

- Poke Weed (acts as greenery base)

- Hybrid Delphinium in purple

- Sweet Pea in purple and pink

I wish you could smell this picture! Sweet Pea is delightful in-person.

General Instructions: (very simple!)

1) Layer everything to your liking on a work table: Start with the poke weed as your base, then add the delphinium since it's also long and has buds along the stem.

2) Once you're happy with the placement, wire the stems together!

*I used water tubes for the delphinium since they're a little more heat-sensitive.

3) Conceal the water tubes by wrapping large leaves around them.

4) Adhere the garland to the swing.

5) Add all the sweet pea, tucking them into the already established wires.

*Be sure to conceal all the wires and mechanics!

"Quick, hold your breath for a normal photo!

A little bit of our view at sunset... God is SO good!

Happy Flowering,

Kel