Ode to Branches

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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"The Arrangement" Recap

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

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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