The Secret Life of Flowers

We have a New Blog & Website!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 03:43:00 +0000

We have a whole new look...check out our redesign for The Secret Life of Flowers

New Blog for The Secret Life of Flowers

Please be sure to change your current links/address book/bookmarks and redirect to the following link for all new blog posts from The Hidden Garden.

New Link:

http://www.hiddengardenflowers.com/My-blog.aspx

or just click here New Blog for The Secret Life of Flowers

ps - we have a whole new website too....redesigned www.hiddengardenflowers.com

come by and check us out

Rustic Garden Party

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 22:06:00 +0000

We are super excited to share an article that junebug weddings posted of a beautiful event we were able to be a part of!! For those of you that didn't see it, take a look! Thank you junebug for featuring such the rustic garden party. We agree, it was breathtaking.
Click HERE to see the whole article

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All About Mantles

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:00:00 +0000

Who knew there were so many ways to decorate a fireplace mantle?! Take a look at just a sampling of the beautiful and delicious mantles The Hidden Garden's busy elves have created in the last couple weeks. Hopefully, these pictures aren't causing you mantle envy. Santa is sure to come down these fireplaces!
Makes you wish it was Christmas was all year long.

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It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 08:21:00 +0000

You guessed it... Christmas. It's more than beginning to look a lot like Christmas, at The Hidden Garden, it is completely Christmas. As you can tell by our lack of blog posts, we are up to our noses in glitter, ribbon, garlands, and pine cones. This time of year, we are booked with Hidden Garden elves out in homes decorated and decking for the holidays, while the rest of our helpers are creating beautiful masterpieces to go out to homes, parties, celebrations, and more. We'll post some holiday pictures this week, we promise. We haven't forgotten about our you, just busy spreading holiday cheer. Stay tuned!!

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Sexy Santa Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:00:00 +0000

Yes, the title is 'Sexy Santa'. The Hidden Garden has been called upon to help create a sexy & festive holiday party. Here is the inspiration page we created to get the creative juices flowing with all the trimming of decor, furniture, lighting, flowers, candles and even cocktail waitress costumes. It's a party that won't be forgotten and The Hidden Garden is coming to make it so. Pictures from the event to follow...

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Ode to Branches

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:29:00 +0000

You're either a branch person or you're not. However, just like there's not one type of rose, there isn't just one kind of branch. Many of our clients like the look of branches intermixed with flowers or on their own, but many don't know the difference between them...so, we thought we'd do an Ode to Branches for our blog today. Below are the most popular types of branches used in floral design (clockwise: curly willow, dogwood, manzanita, and birch). Branches can give a very modern feel, and they can give a more organic vibe. Give em' a try!

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Happy Thanksgiving from The Hidden Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 16:18:00 +0000

The Hidden Garden wouldn't be so successful without the support of all our clients, many who are now our friends. Thank you for letting us come in to your homes, your lives, and for trusting us to make you look good. It's our #1 goal to keep our Hidden Garden family of clients happy and we thank you for your continued business. Have a happy holiday!

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How to Dress your Thanksgiving Feast

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is just a few days away! It always comes so fast and gone before you know it. You might not have had the time to plan the look of your Thanksgiving table but we are here to help!

Centerpiece Concepts

Whether you have a full dinner table with all the "fixins" or your dinner is served plated....flowers area must have for the ambience of the table. This can be a long and low elaborate floral arrangement or a mix of small floral vessels to be placed between the entree items. You can order a beautiful floral arrangement from The Hidden Garden but if you can't than just pick up a few bunches of tulips or mums from your local florist and place them in small vases down the center of the table. Sprinkle a few fall leav

es on the table....and you have a beautiful fall table!

Candles

Candles always create a beautiful ambient glow. Whether you choose to clear votive cups or more elaborate holders (amber, jeweled, gold leafed) you can never have too many candles!

If you have the time and you are crafty....you can even "make" your own votive holders.

* mini pumpkin - take a drill bit and create a hole in the center of the pumpkin wide enough to place your votive candle in it. Viola - a pumpkin Candle Holder

* Artichoke Holder - carve out the center of the artichoke with a knife in order to create a hole wide enough to place the votive candle.

* Fall Leaves - using a clear votive cup, glue 3 fall leaves onto the outside of the votive cup. Take a piece of twine and wrap around the leaves to secure and add an extra decorative element

Place Cards

Utilize a piece of fruit or mini pumpkin as your place card holder. Using a small carving knife create a slit at the top of the fruit and "slip" your place card into the slit. Place each pumpkin at the desired seat.

Napkin Treatments

Lots of Elements can be used for Napkin Treatments. Here's just a few options to get you thinking

* wrap a piece of brown, orange or rust toned ribbon in a knot around each napkin

* place a single fall leaf atop each napkin (real or silk....)

* place a mini pear or mini pumpkin atop each flat napkin fold

Buffet Arrangement

Many hostess' will place all of the Thanksgiving "fixins" in the center of their kitchen island or on the side board buffet table. Alllowing each of the guests to eat buffet style. If this sounds like you....then a buffet arrangement is a must have. Something tall and beautiful should be placed in the center of your delicious food display.

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Peninsula Baby Shower

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:49:00 +0000

Lady bug, lady bug fly away home. Oh wait, stop at the Peninsula first!

Take a peak at the super cute baby shower we did at the beautiful Peninsula hotel last weekend. Our client gave us the theme of lady bugs, and the rest was up to us. The abundant display of blush pink, lavender, and raspberry roses, hydrangea, peonies, ranunculas, amaranthus, and gladiolas set the tone for a baby shower that had the guests exclaiming, "Wow!" when they came in the room.

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Birthday Party at the Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:34:00 +0000

It's a bear, it's a baby, it's a beach... it's a 1st Birthday Party at the Beach. Where else but Shutters on the Beach, one of our local fave spots for parties and weddings. Yes, as mentioned in a previous post, the Happy Birthday banner was made especially by The Hidden Garden for Isabella's 1st Birthday Party. The table was decked with a delicious display of all green roses, hydrangea, orchids, mums, and fresh limes. A friendly array of plush bears and favors for all the kiddies put the perfect touch on the party table.

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The Dry Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:16:00 +0000

Usually when you hear the word 'bar', you don't hear the word, 'dry'. However, at The Dry Bar it is very fitting... blow dry meet the bar. Take a look at their website The Dry Bar. Not only is it a super chic website, but the concept in brilliant. Enjoy a fabulous blow dry while having a drink. Is there a better way to spend your evening before a night out? We thought they were so fantastic that we are beautifying their Brentwood salon with flowers... yellow flowers to match their yellow & gray branding * love it *. So, let us dedicate this blog to The Dry Bar & (one of our favorites): yellow flowers.

Clockwise: Billy Balls, Tulips, Cymbidium Orchid, Calla Lily

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"The Arrangement" Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:00:00 +0000

In case you missed this week's The Arrangement, here's a link to the recap. I don't want to ruin it for you... but, I will..thank goodness Tara is still in the competition! We love Eddie, who own's Tick Tock down the street, but (we must say) we love Tara more! Here's a quote from the Logo Network Blog:

" Tara and Eddie stepped over to the 'arrange for your life' table, and started furiously throwing around flowers as Omarosa looked on gleefully and the the Funeral Director/Comedian/Dancer in the corner sighed. Ed came up with a final pink number with this sassy green flip and Tara kept it simple with a classy rose bouquet. THANKFULLY, the Head Judges In Charge listened to their better angels and kept Tara in the competition. Eddie slowly made his way out of the door talk talk talking all the way."

Don’t forget to catch up on all the full episodes of The Arrangement on LogoTV.com or watch it Wednesday nights at 10/9c

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Birthday Banners

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 06:08:00 +0000

A gentleman came in today to talk to us about his daughter's 1st birthday party that was going to be held at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. Like any proud father, he wanted the party to be special and memorable. Of course, as you all know, the girls at The Hidden Garden specialize in creating specialness (did that make sense?). At the end of our conversation, the man says, "I want a happy birthday banner". No, my brain did not automatically go to the cardboard cut out primary color signs you get at the local party store, but to the ever so cute birthday banners that I have seen so many times on Martha Stewart! You would think I would be excited to see the glorious display of flowers down the center of the birthday girl's table... however, I am excited to see The Hidden Garden create a birthday banner for the special 1st birthday. I'll be sure to post the finished product, but here is our inspiration for our crafty project:

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The Arrangement- A Must see!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:58:00 +0000

If you haven't been watching The Arrangement on the Logo Network, you must see it! Tara is still in the running, and it's insanely entertaining to watch. Click on the picture below to see a recap of the season so far. Tara won the challenge from this week's show, watch it here!

Tara's Winning Masterpiece"In the end, the Winning Design (above) went to Tara Cottrell, who created a very dramatic design inspired by my black silk taffeta plunging neckline mermaid shaped "Flamenco" gown."

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Halloween DIY!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:58:00 +0000

Do you ever find yourself saying "Oh, Martha, Martha, Martha"?? Yes, she's done it again... and, if you're like us, you'll say to yourself, " I CAN, TOO!" Take a look at these great Halloween decor ideas a la Martha Stewart. Inspiration you can do at home or, as they say, DIY! Have fun! More Halloween blogs to come....

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Gothic Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:00:00 +0000

So, in honor of the week before Halloween we thought we would share some interesting, fun, spooky, and unique Halloween related blogs. Here at The Hidden Garden, when we think 'Halloween', we don't only think of pumpkins, ghosts, witches, and candy. Halloween is also related to dark and gothic. Since the gothic look in bordering trendy (thanks to the Twilight series), we thought we would share this inspiration board we found of a gothic wedding, sans vampires. Surprisingly, very cool and chic. What do you think?

Thank you to 'Southern Weddings Magazine' for sharing this inspiration with us!!

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Sunset Shades on the Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Shutters on The Beach is a perfect backdrop for any wedding. It's one of the few locations in Santa Monica that you can get married on the ocean yet have an amazing hotel reception. More often than not, our brides choose the "seaside route" and stick with the soft shades of blue & white flowers for the classic Cape Cod feel. It's a gorgeous pallet choice but we love when our brides step it up a notch and settle on the sunset hues.

This wedding that we recently designed was filled with vibrant orange dahlias, sherbet toned roses, pink hydrangeas, and rusty orange orchids with accents of blue toned ribbons and candles completing the sunset spectrum.

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Beautiful Wedding at Casa Del Mar

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:53:00 +0000

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Watch 'The Arrangement' Tonight!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:02:00 +0000

Watch Episode 3 of 'The Arrangement' tonight on Logo TV TONIGHT at 11pm. Watch our very own, Tara, in action. Can't wait to see who makes the cut!

Click on the picture to meet the cast

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Green, Brown and Chic Dinner Party

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0000

The Hidden Garden crew is out creating beautiful weddings weekend after weekend but one of our favorite affairs to adorn with flowers are the Dinner Parties hosted at a clients home. It is fun to see a clients house transformed into a magical evening with flowers, furniture and lighting.

This past weekend we had the pleasure of working with Debbie Geller decorating a 50th Birthday Bash. I wish I had a few of the "evening shots" to share but here's a little snippet of the pre-party set up as we delivered the flowers. I'm sure that once the table was set, the lights were dimmed and the candles lit the backyard took on a life of its own!

For now...enjoy the beauty of the "green flowers" with the awesome brown furniture/pillows provided by Revelry

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Fall Wedding at Ojai Valley Inn

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:36:00 +0000

Fall was in full bloom last weekend at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa with rich tones of orange, rust, tangerine, green, burgundy and green tones- all the perfect palette for a fall wedding! The bride truly wanted a fall inspired wedding, even down to the pumpkin scented candle in the ladies room. Each centerpiece was completely adorned with an array of fall leaves, with a grouping of lush roses, hydrangea, berries, dahlias, and wheat accents for the guests to enjoy all evening. It was truly a dream come true for the bride as she walked in to her ballroom! Below are some of the pictures we captured during the set up after we left the guests to party the night away...flower girl basket & custom ring pillow, the ceremony area, and a couple pictures from the ballroom. Thank you to Julie Pryor from Pryor Events for an amazing wedding!!

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Retro Bat Mitzvah with Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:22:00 +0000

Yet another beautiful masterpiece by Geller Events, who created 'Hotel Jac' for Jacqueline's Bat Mitzvah this last Saturday at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles. The orange & hot pink theme was everywhere from the lounge furniture, the stage back drop, the lighting, all the florals, and the linens. All the special details were perfectly creating the retro hotel vibe that impressed all the guests. There was not one detail undone! Take a look at some of the pictures we captured on our way out....

* check out all the seamless talent by
Geller Events, The Hidden Garden, Revelry, & The Lighter Side!

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The Hidden Garden In Action

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:30:00 +0000

I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of our designer, Sugey, hard at work on these beautiful fall centerpieces, note beautiful orange and brown fall tones. Please excuse the mess of the design room *pile of leaves on the floor at Sugey's feet*...It's true, a busy flower shop is not always nice and neat.

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The Arrangement Reality Show

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:55:00 +0000

Last night was the first airing of the new floral reality show on Logo TV called The Arrangement. Our very own Tara Cottrell made it through the first round and we are so proud! We can tell she is the veteran on the show and her design skills, buying power and leadership is going to send her all the way! We can't wait for episode 2!

If you missed last nights show it will air many more times this week but check out the following link to get a glimpse of the show and additional air times.

EPISODE ONE

Go all the way Tara....we know you can!

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Reality Show Star, The Arrangement

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Child Marella) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:34:00 +0000

Our very own, Tara Cottrell, had her star appearance at Capitol City Sports Bar for the premiere party of the new reality show, The Arrangement. The Arrangement is what we call Project Runway for Floral Designers. The cast is challenged with floral creations & designs that will amaze you. Check out The Arrangement on the Logo Network & watch Tara in action!!

Our Star, Tara

Click below for Sneak Peaks from the show!

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