Spring in Bloom, San Francisco

Spring means flowers, to me anyway, and I was surrounded by the beauty of fresh flowers when I stopped by Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, on my way to Napa/Sonoma. First I enjoyed floral masterpieces designed and installed to complement art works by the Masters, at the DeYoung Museum, and then I spent some relaxed time marveling at the intricate detail of the cherry blossoms beginning to "explode" at the Japanese Tea Garden.

For 25 years the best florists in the SF Bay Area have been invited to be a part of Bouquets to Art. As the name suggests, the florists create expressions in flowers to complement the incredible works of art owned by Museums in San Francisco. Until a few years ago, the event was held at the Legion of Honor; now it is hosted by the DeYoung Museum. Both venues contain paintings, sculpture, and furniture, which the florists interpret using their own creative flair, with floral flowers. Because of my love of flowers, and of art, I lose myself for hours in the exhibits, and this year was no exception.

This is an example of how the floral designs can "mimic" the flow, colors, and feeling of a painting.

The floral design here is almost a re-creation of the content of the painting itself, but with the personal touches the florist could include, such as the 3D application of live flowers, to add texture to the red vase.

I loved this design with clearly "reflected" the movement and feel of the painting.

Can you see the rocks, the waves, and even the ship at sea, represented in this floral design?

These 4 photos represent over 120 floral creations; I ran out of time, and didn't even see some of my best friends' designs, so I am planning to go again on Friday. Bouquets to Art runs through Saturday.

When I found my way out of the DeYoung, I walked right by the SF Japanese Tea Garden, where the Japanese Cherry trees are just beginning to bloom. Seeing the trees planted beside the artistic Japanese architecture, reminded me of a giant Bouquets to Art display, but it is outdoors and the ancient trees provide the bouquets!

The Japanese Tea Garden is beautiful at any time of year, but in the Spring, when the cherry trees are in blossom, the Garden is at its best.

I positioned myself under the branches of a very old tree, which was leading all the others in bursting into bloom; the bees were particularly busy in the blossoms, so I was able to capture one of them in action!

I liked the combination of the gnarled old wood on this tree, juxtaposed against the fresh and fragile blossoms.

I encourage you to make time to enjoy the arrival of Spring; the Bouquets to Art Exhibition will last through Saturday, March 21st; the cherry blossoms will probably continue through mid April. I will leave you with a few reminders of the cherry blossoms, until you can see them for yourself!

A Close-by Getaway

For Valentine's Day, 2009, Jeff and I had an amazingly interesting 24 hour getaway, and it was all within 5 miles of our home in Palo Alto! I had been saving a gift of one night's accommodation, from The Stanford Park Hotel a wonderful venue where I have coordinated several weddings; Christine Escobar offered this generous gift, just so I could experience-first hand the comfort and service my clients enjoy while staying there.... Saturday, February 14th, Valentine's Day, seemed the perfect timing for a Close by Getaway!

On the way to the Stanford Park Hotel, we stopped by my friend BethAnn Goldberg's shop, Studio Cake, just across the creek from us in Menlo Park. I knew she was spending the whole day designing the mock up of her Fiona cake for the Food Network Cake Challenge, so I had to go by and offer support!





The theme for this Food Network Challenge, is to design a 3 foot cake, to promote "Shreck, The Musical"; BethAnn was one of 4 Bakers chosen from across the country to compete, and her character assignment is Fiona...of course this will be Fiona as a bride, since BethAnn does so many wedding cakes! I will have more photos later of the finished Fiona, which my clients, Haidee and Wilson are sending me; they were there for the completion of the cake, and eating the product!

After leaving Studio Cake, Jeff and I drove the 1.5 miles to Stanford Park Hotel, and checked into the lovely suite Christine, and her staff at the Stanford Park Hotel had selected for us...what a treat to have a fireplace suite, overlooking the pool and hot tub. Now I can personally recommend these comfortable, well decorated rooms, with excellent service at all levels, to my wedding clients, for their guests from out of town.



Since there was a break in the storms rumbling through Palo Alto this weekend, we decided to take a walk around the neighborhood near the hotel. Jeff happened to notice the Tesla showroom, so we made that our first stop, since he has been eyeing these for months.



Jeff particularly liked the 0-60 mph, in 3.9 seconds...but the $109,000. sticker price was a bit daunting...thanks, we're just looking!
Crossing the street, and walking through the quiet neighborhood streets of Menlo Park, we made our way to Allied Arts Guild, one of my favorite spots to visit and photograph. I have coordinated a few weddings here, and would love to do more! The gardens, fountains, the Spanish arches and the quiet ambiance make you feel you have stepped back into time. Even though Jeff and I were supposed to be on vacation, I had to introduce myself to the event manager, Tiana Wong, in hopes that we can work together on some weddings in the year ahead.




Wedding Ceremonies can be held around the fountain, or on the bricked terrace, with dinner and dancing inside the central building where the restaurant is located.
I love all these amazing photo opportunities...arches, wrought iron detail, and long vistas, through rose bordered paths...I will return in Spring for more photos.
Following our walk, Jeff and I returned to our cozy hotel room, to rest and change for dinner; that was when I decided to put away my camera, and just enjoy, moment by moment, the rest our Valentine Getaway!

I just received these photos from Haidee and Wilson, who arrived at Studio Cake later in the day, to witness the completion of BethAnn's Fiona as a Bride. Studio Cake fans were still lined up in front, to support BethAnn, and enjoy a major cake cutting moment! I will let you know when the Food Network Food Challenge will be televised. BethAnn and her assistant fly out next week to recreate Fiona in 8 hours, timed and evaluated by very exacting judges. I vote for Fiona!

Ugly Sweater/tshirt Bowling Party

Just so you know that wedding professionals do take breaks to be silly, I am posting a few photos of the recent "Ugly Sweater/Teeshirt Bowling party, hosted by Ellie Warner, of Fogarty Winery, and Dave Ethridge, of Video Reflections. Ellie was really proud of the ugly sweater she made just for the occasion, so I had Melissa Moncado, of Classic Party Rentals, and Duncan Reyes, of Events by Design, pose with her to show it off.

For this group shot, we were all told to make silly faces, and that was all the encouragement we needed!
The party was held at Strikes, in Cupertino, the most hip bowling/game mecca you could ever imagine with videos, a DJ, strobe lights, and great party food. I am grateful to have close friends with whom I can both work hard, to serve our clients, and then play hard, when the year's work is coming to an end!

No one's score was too high, but the laughter and high fives, for even gutter balls, was a sign of the comradery among us.

Neighborhood party--on ice!

Did you know it snowed last night in Palo Alto? At least at one house on my block!
Our neighbor is known for planning the most amazing parties you can imagine, and last night she brought a winter wonderland to Addison Avenue! (Robert Fountain and Taste Catering are her partners in the planning.)
About 5pm, the snow appeared, via ice truck, and snow machine; at 7pm the guests began arriving. Jeff and I were one of 350 invited guests and neighbors who were welcomed up the freshly shoveled walkway into a cozy atmosphere of hot soup, passed mini sandwiches, cappucino/hot chocolate carts, roaring fires, wine tasting, candy canes, and in the extensive back yard.....
...we found that an ice skating rink had appeared, with skates provided in all sizes, and background Christmas music to encourage dancing. My husband Jeff was one of the first two on the ice; here you see Jeff showing me that he still remembers how to skate backwards.

Now the party was not just for those who enjoy the briskness of outdoor exercise; we were also invited downstairs to enjoy the newly completed home theater, with 24 leather recliner chairs, where Christmas movies were being shown all night. Of course, what would a movie theater be without a snack bar?! This built in marble topped snack bar offered yummy fresh popcorn, all the usual candy treats(I chose Raisinettes), ice cream sandwiches, Hagen Daas bars, hot nachos and soft drinks. This was our Snack Bar Elf, who provided whatever we wanted, on the way into the movie.

On the road, Sonoma County!

As I mentioned in my last post, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn welcomes its guests with the beauty of this lovely fountain; I was fortunate enough to spend 3 nights at the Inn, after the incredible Wedding Planner event concluded about 9pm.
My "retreat" began officially when I entered the exquisite suite I would enjoy for my stay.

What a welcoming sight for a tired wedding planner! I was able to enjoy a bubble bath, followed by a cozy time by the fire in my room, before I crawled between the sheets for a 12 hour sleep...ahhhhhh!

The next morning, after the yummy French press coffee provided in my room, and the Blueberry bran muffins I had brought on my trip, I headed over to the Spa, for a few hours of "spaaing". I began with 30 minutes on the treadmill in the state-of-the-art exercise facility...just so I would not feel like I had been a slug ALL day!
Then I changed into my bathing suit in the luxurious "locker room", and began my exploration of the outdoor and indoor pools, which contain the mineral water coming up constantly from the underground thermal springs. With the temperature between 98 and 100, I was a toasty warm under the water, while my breath was showing in the cold air around me!

I spent about 2 hours in the 3 hot pools, the cold showers, the sauna and steam rooms, then sampling the herb tea, fruit, health elixirs (concentrated fruit/herb mixes you can add to tea) and resting in comfy chairs in front of a huge fireplace inside the spa reception area.

I knew that my Kur treatment began at 4pm, so I was well "tenderized" by then. Here is the description of what I enjoyed for the next 90 minutes:

"Harvest Kur
Embrace the healing of the 'Valley of the Moon'. This fabulously regenerative treatment, using local products, begins with exfoliation to naturally stimulate the body's immune system. Relax with a warm, fragrant grape seed oil infused bubble bath followed by a warm, nurturing grape seed mud body wrap concluding in total bliss with a full body massage using grape seed body oil. This treatment uses products that are high in antioxidants, vitamins C and E, which enhance well being throughout your body, mental relaxation and spiritual balance.

After this treatment, I slowly dressed and made my way back to my room for another fire in my fireplace, some time to read a good book, and fairly soon thereafter, a good night's sleep! sigh.....

The next day I awoke totally energized and ready for the full day I had planned for experiencing the beauty of Sonoma County, including the wineries and the hiking trails!



Both Kenwood and Arrowood Wineries, located just off Highway 12, have lovely views from their tasting rooms, where I could take a few photos to remember the colors and textures of Sonoma wine country, after the harvest.


As it happens, I have a wonderful friend who lives in Santa Rosa, just north of Sonoma, who drove down to meet me for lunch and a hike. Renee suggested we begin at Cafe Citti, a local Trattoria she loves to visit whenever she is down this way. The time flew by as we chatted and laughed about all of our mutual memories and adventures, while enjoying homemade ravioli, fresh bread, and healthy salads.





It was a short drive from Cafe Citti to Jack London State Park, just off of Arnold Road, near the Sonoma Mission Inn; we parked and hiked until sunset, enjoying the beauty of the land Jack London loved, the exercise of climbing up and down the hilly terrain, and the absolute quiet all around us.

We were free from cell phones, computers, traffic, lists...all the things that surround us all day and into the night during our normal work week....I realized how much I need these breaks to be away from the noise around me, and inside my head, so I can just be Jean, and enjoy the beauty, solitude, and quiet which so nurture me.

After our hike, I returned to my fireplace, my book, and oh yes, one more bubble bath before bed!
The next morning, after breakfast, I had a brief visit with Kelly McClesky, and headed for San Francisco, where I had an appointment with a couple who live in New York, and are planning an April wedding in San Francisco. I was "back at work", and so ready to be there!

I am grateful that after a very full wedding season, I was able to make time to get away for rest and play. I came home energized, and really excited about the year ahead.
My husband said that I was absolutely "giddy" when I returned, compared to the more serious and somewhat exhausted wife who had left just 3 days before.
Here's to the value of play, rest, and rejuvenation! Let's all have times of being "giddy"!

Glorious time at Sonoma Mission Inn

This welcoming fountain, with its gentle splashing sounds, greets visitors to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, inviting them to step out of a busy schedule, and into an atmosphere of rest and calm.

I took that invitation, and have just returned from 4 days at the FSMI! What a blessing to turn off my cell phone, hide my laptop, enjoy spa treatments, explore the beauty of Sonoma County, and reminisce about the amazing event Kelly McLesky and Jill Hinchman, Catering Managers at the FSMI, put together on the first day of my "retreat"!


On Tuesday afternoon, I and about 40 other Bay Area/Napa Valley Wedding Planners were treated to an afternoon/evening of sheer pleasure and relaxation, at Sonoma Mission Inn, a venue where each of us would love to coordinate a wedding! We were welcomed with cocktails, the music of Laurent Fourgo Ensemble, and the smiling faces of Kelly and Jill, as well as the the upper level management team at FSMI.
Entering the room, I was excited to see beloved wedding planner colleagues, including Jubilee Lau, Carrie Taopian, Duncan Reyes, and Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini.







After enjoying such luscious appetizers as lobster mac and cheese, butternut soup shots, and lamb slider sandwiches, we were taken on a tour of the beautiful wedding and reception venues on property, as well as the elaborate Mission Suites, and the luxurious Sonoma Mission Inn Spa, the largest spa in the country, with its own thermal water source. I was particularly attentive, as I knew I would be back the next day to take full advantage of all the Spa had to offer! (Details later!)


After our tour of the Spa, we were whisked away in the California Wine Tour bus, for unknown destinations. Kelly and Jill were very secretive about what was awaiting us, but somehow we all knew it was going to be amazing!

Kelly McClesky, of the SMI, and Soo Bazzano, Sales Manager of California Wine Tours

Cay Lemon and Rebecca Reategui on the bus!

Our bus delivered us to the entrance of the Sonoma Mission Inn Golf Club, another wedding and reception venue available for use through the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. I had the pleasure of coordinating a wedding at this venue in October of last year; it features classic Spanish architecture, both inside and out, with tile and brick detail; the reception room looks out over acres of green manicured greens, to the hills in the distance. It was especially nice to be a guest at the venue this time, instead of the one coordinating all the details of a wedding reception. I could really relax and enjoy the atmosphere and beauty.







And relax I did! After personalized back rubs and hand massages, provided by the staff of the SMI Spa, who had driven over with their equipment to meet us, plus lots of shrimp, oysters, and pink champagne, we were again invited onto the bus for the final surprise destination of the evening.


After a beautiful drive up a grape vine covered hill side, we exited the bus onto a red carpet, which led us into a candle-lit cave.. I had never visited the Benziger Family Winery, but I had heard about the wonderful events held in the extensive under ground wine storage cave. Now I was a guest at one of those events!
As we moved through the twists and turns of the cave, we were offered tastes of several of Benziger's most popular wines, with descriptions of how the grapes are grown, harvested, pressed, and stored in the custom-made barrels all around us. Our host was one of the Benziger family members!

Duncan and Michelle were particularly interested in the Flavor Wheel!

After our last tasting, a delicious Petite Sirah, we were ushered into the final surprise: a five course candle-lit dinner, catered by the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, with strolling musicians from Laurent Fourgo's group.


For the next 2 and a half hours, we all enjoyed the convivial atmosphere of being with good friends, in an elegant setting, while being served some of the best food and wine we could imagine.
Thank you to Kelly, Jill, and the staff of Benziger Winery for giving us such an amazing treat!

The great team who generously donated their time and resources for the Wedding Coordinator event included:
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, www.fairmont.com
Benziger Family Winery, www.benziger.com
California Wine Tours and Transportation, www.californiawinetours.com
Dandelion Floral Art, www.danelionfloral.com
Hartmann Studios, www.hartmannstudiosrentals.com
Michelle Walker, www.michellewalker.com
Peculiar Pair Press, www.peculiarpairpress.com
Classic Party Rental, www.classicpartyrental.com
La Tavola, www.latavola.com
Laurent Fourgo and his Ensemble, www.laurentfourgo.com

(Part two of this blog entry will describe the next phase of my relaxing, personal getaway in the Sonoma area!)