floral feast

Floral-feast was the theme to celebrate my daughter’s 18th birthday. I hosted a ladies-luncheon, surrounded by laughter, flowers, cake, and some of the wonderful moms and daughters in her life.

Jasmin Tafreshi of Jasmin Shot Me Photography is responsible for the professional photography captured onsite. I’ve labeled her select photos. (It was such a joy to work with her!)

This post contains photos and video. Simply scroll down if you don’t wish to press the play-buttons.

My mom threw my baby shower when I was carrying Sachi, at La Pinata in Old Town. We kept our need and love for good Mexican food closer to home, at our favorite North County neighborhood restaurant: Casa De Bandini, in Carlsbad.

March 19th was the day our baby girl was expected to arrive. I was induced on the Feast Day of Saint Joseph in 2004, so we celebrated this day in 2022, with a little favor-gift at each place setting. I made mini biscotti dipped in dark and white chocolates. We tied the boxes with velvet ribbon and a Saint-medal.

Here was the invite I created and printed with a floral artwork template I ordered via Etsy.com

My main task that would take the most time and thought, was creating numerous floral arrangements for the cake-table, and groups of vases as centerpieces.

Here are three videos for dimension.

Each of the six luncheon tables had one larger centerpiece, two to three small arrangements, plus one to two bud vases with featured-stems.

A pop of yellow from the Daffodils was a must. Ever since she was a baby, they would be the first flower of Spring to blossom in our backyard. These florals are delicate, so I place them last, and just before they are displayed.

Her cake was camouflaged into the florals. I created a custom recipe, Italian Sponge that was soaked in fresh raspberry sauce, plus tres leches, filled with raspberry buttercream, covered in tinted slight-pink vanilla buttercream as a nod to her current hair color.

I wanted the florals to overflow for this celebration, so I went all-out. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on all of these gorgeous blossoms! Fortunately, I get to work with the best and nicest floral wholesaler with my work as a small-scale florist, with Mayesh of Carlsbad as my favorite go-to supplier.

I did the main arranging and Sachi worked on the bud vases and gathering local wild flowers found on our walks. This was an important dimension that added meaning and beauty for the two of us.

My floral menu:

Various local wildflowers and vines from our favorite walking paths, pale pink and cocoa Sweet Pea, blue Tweedia, blush Butterfly Ariadne Ranunculus, cream Butterfly Latai Ranunculus, light peach Alissa Lisianthus, double Brownie Brown Tulip, yellow Daffodil, green Fritillaria, peach Chrysanthemum, white Daisy Chamomile, brown Queen Annes Lace, brown Toffee Rose, mauve Barista Rose.

Our baby girl carries each of her grandmother’s names: Sachi Maria. Sachi means Bliss in Japanese, and what a happy day it was for us when she was finally in our arms on the first day of Spring, and the International Day of Happiness.

This was the largest of the arrangements, which was honestly hard to capture in photographs. I used a U-shape vessel that offers a unique flow. It highlighted every stem was like a dream.

We enjoyed every moment of the floral feast, and filled our home with Sachi’s beautiful birthday blossoms.

This was such a special weekend for our whole family. My heart feels extra-full as we watch as our daughter is working very hard to give her best, while staying connected on all levels. This time is a precious gift, and I know she understands and appreciates what is in front of her. We don’t take it for granted.

The following day – her actual birthday – she had a beach picnic with her friends, with dinner and the sunset in Encinitas. I set aside some of her flowers for a Bundt cake, that my husband and I delivered along with fresh pizza.

My babygirl will soon graduate high school, vote at every opportunity, and begin college. Making the most of stepping into adulthood is a very big deal, and I’m beyond-proud of how Sachi is using the gifts she has been given. I love being her mom, and feel so fortunate for this love and life we have. I thank God for her. She is the gift.