small stump + studio choo

NEW SITE NEW SITE NEW SITE

2011-09-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE! YOU WILL BE TAKEN THERE NOW! XO

2011-08-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

assorted bouquets and boots from the weekend.

weeds

2011-08-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

dogs and wildflowers from a trip up to tick hill on saturday. it is feeling very fally in pacifica these days. not sure that we ever had summer.

dogs

2011-08-29T23:08:00.001-07:00

business meetings and...

2011-08-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

we had a lovely picnic meeting this afternoon with a.b. and i finally got a shot of this awesome news i've been speaking of...baby choo is in there! alethea is going to have a little girl in january!

in the shop

2011-08-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

a few new bowls and the last of the party birds in the shop now.

we like it wild- past editions

2011-08-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

forgot to show you our last couple of we like it wilds. we are posting once a month now because weddings occupy most of our time. one is inspired by yosemite and the other a fun natural dye project with paper cups. check it.

some flowers this week

2011-08-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

unkie and hannah

2011-08-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

when matt and i were in newport last month we spent as much time as possible with our wee niece (lovingly known as tootie butt wiggler- there's even a song that goes along with it). she liked me ok- but she really had a thing for her unkie. it is so hard to be away from my east coast family, especially when there is a wiggler around.

see us in veranda

2011-08-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

we did a really fun shoot a while back that just came out in the september issue of veranda magazine. at stores now- go check it out!

loves it

2011-08-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

the headlands center for the arts is definitely way up there on our list of venues. the load in is easy, tables are set up nice and early, and the atmosphere is mellow and relaxed. all things that make setting up a wedding a pleasure- rather than something we dread for weeks. here's an herby wedding we did yesterday for a lovely easygoing couple, a perfect match for this venue.

so i lied

2011-08-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

i didn't get a good picture yesterday so you'll have to wait. in the meantime look at my gross backyard with a cute dog in it. we are doing some serious clean-up.

hi

2011-08-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

pictures have been few and far between lately. i'm working on it. actually really excited to- learning to use my new camera. big things happening out here including one amazing thing that i will tell you about tomorrow when i get a good photo. lots of great weddings have been happening but i have been too tired to document them. i am hoping all our lovely brides will send us photos please.

2011-08-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

back in

2011-08-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

just added some cedar and elm dishes into the shop.

real wedding: wing and kevin

2011-07-29T06:18:00.000-07:00

this beautiful wedding was on 100 layer cake while we were away. the amazing photographs by ozzie garcia (do go check out all the rest of the photos on ozzie's site!) and orchestrated by the fabulous yelena of the stylish soiree.

2011-07-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

we're back from creeping around the woods. lots to catch up on. talk to you soon.

real wedding- abby and david

2011-07-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

some really beautiful photos here from a recent wedding at grace cathedral- remember frilly and frothy? photography by the lovely elizabeth ray.

2011-07-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

here's some shots from sunday's wedding in sonoma- the day was beautiful but man it was hot. like 100. we are taking a much needed break now for a few weeks! we're headed to ri and yosemite and will return fresh and invigorated for all our late summer/fall events. weeeeee!!

kay

2011-07-05T07:45:00.000-07:00

anne

2011-07-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

three one

2011-06-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

it's my birthday! choo sent over this edible arrangement- i have always wanted to get one of these and my day has finally come. and i got an ipad. i never thought i wanted one but it is so rad. matt and i are taking a bread making workshop tonight and going out to eat. best day ever.

the saddest boy in the world

2011-06-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

bernie had a cut on his foot that he wouldn't stop licking...it got infected now he is in the cone zone. poor guy.

new set up

2011-06-26T21:03:00.000-07:00

we expanded our work area and shrunk the front of the shop. some new shelves, new card racks, new spot for the mirror- we like it. and we actually have some space to work now! and we have space for classes too so we won't have to move the whole shop around to set up anymore. change is fun.

creamy blue

2011-06-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

2011-06-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

better late than never

2011-06-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

forgot to show you our last design*sponge post from a little while back- we made a father's day collection box. check it out- useful for all sorts of occasions!

2011-06-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

2011-06-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

real wedding- virginia and bill

2011-06-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

check out the full post on style me pretty! all photos by janae shields. and a cute side note, camilla (who also did my wedding hairs) did a lovely job with the hair.

2011-06-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

2011-06-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

2011-06-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

the iris are especially beautiful right now.

2011-06-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

dusk garden

2011-06-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

matt and i have been doing lots of work on the front yard- i'll show you more when things fill in a bit.

special order

2011-06-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

twenty salt dishes off to brooklyn to party.

2011-06-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

sneak peek

2011-05-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

frilly and frothy

2011-05-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

scenes from prairie

2011-05-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

it has been quite a while since i have worked at the shop- most of my days have been spent holed up at our studio in south city covered in wedding flowers; so it was nice to be there friday and put a little time into futzing with displays. we have a fun day in napa planned tomorrow. lavender harvesting for saturday's wedding!

real wedding- cheryl and dae-jin

2011-05-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

remember this wedding from a few weeks ago? well here's the real thing! i love seeing our flowers in action. lots more beautiful photos here and here- all by encarnacion photography.

mostly...weddings

2011-05-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

that is what we have been up to lately. every weekend. and more to come. i am hoping all our lovely brides will share their photos with us because i haven't had much time or energy to shoot this month. this was a fun one from saturday- i didn't get a shot of the birdcage centerpieces, but hopefully will show you later. we also did a photoshoot on thursday for veranda magazine that was awesome where we met two even more awesome ladies, photographer and shop neighbor kelly and the funniest bestest stylist jody. oh and we are changing the shop around very soon. the cloak and cabinet society has departed our collective so we are making some changes we are pretty stoked about. if you like classes it will be good for you.

um...we're still here

2011-05-17T22:53:00.000-07:00

and have been so very busy. hopefully i'll take more photos soon.

2011-05-11T23:11:00.000-07:00

happy mother's day

2011-05-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

i'll be at the shop today if you need some last minute flowers! here's our "we like it wild" post this week about our favorite ingredients to use for bouquets. long week- phew.

2011-05-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

we had to make a special trip down south to re-up our succulent supply. heaven. lil' boy picked out a few that he wanted.

foreign cinema

2011-05-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

matchbook magazine

2011-05-03T21:37:00.000-07:00

we are in the new issue of matchbook magazine (check us out on page 160!) for a fun little wedding feature. we spent a morning being photographed with lil' boy and some spring flowers by the lovely jenna alcala. thanks for including us katie!

surprise!

2011-05-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

our succulent bowls were on daily candy this morning to our surprise. welcome new visitors! we'll have lots of beautiful varieties in stock for this weekend.

2011-05-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

woodlandy wildflowery

2011-04-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

2011-04-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

the yard

2011-04-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

my black columbine just popped. and after three years of vacancy some chickadees finally moved into our birdhouse!

real wedding- staci and alex

2011-04-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

a hot little city hall wedding we made a few things for last month- staci wanted red red red! these photos are by mariah milan and she shared some more photos of the day here.

2011-04-25T11:27:00.000-07:00

happy easter yesterday

2011-04-25T11:21:00.001-07:00

i haven't been in front of the computer much lately! here's our we like it wild easter post from friday.

bernie's day out

2011-04-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

pee wee is scared of my truck and runs and hides when she knows we're going in it...but bernie hops right in, so after a few errands down the coast he got to do the fun stuff!

one year ago

2011-04-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

we like it wild- recycled fixture planters

2011-04-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

we made some terrarium style planters this week on design*sponge. check out the full post here! we'll have them for sale in the shop soon for those who don't have time to make.

working lunch

2011-04-06T21:44:00.000-07:00

we visited with stef from star apple yesterday for a lovely morning of exploring her amazing garden. and she made us the most delicious lunch. and she has new chicks! and alethea invented a rosemary brush for lil' boy- he smelled great.

bernie x 2

2011-04-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

we had a very exciting meeting today- we found bernie's long lost sister shiraz!!! (they are wine twins...bernie's original name was cabernet- but he seemed more like a bernie to us.) we weren't sure if they would remember each other, it has been four years since they have been together. they didn't really show any signs of recognition but they got along fine- and they looked so cute together. shiraz is smaller than bernie and was a real herder (she's fast too). i don't know how anyone could have given these two away but we are sure glad they did! we hope to meet up again soon.

2011-03-31T18:07:00.000-07:00

we're back from our tiny trip- it was very fun. it was the first time we have taken the dogs with us on vacation. we found lots of fun swimming spots (the water was so cold but they didn't seem to mind at all) and temps were in the 70's! we also popped into the mountains a bit where they experienced their first snow and loved that too. bernie kept sinking down but he'd pop back up like a rabbit. they were so tired last night they didn't even bark every time a car door shut at the hotel. i couldn't ask for much more than that.

2011-03-29T20:07:00.001-07:00

2011-03-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

i'm not really sure why- but march felt like the month of not great. lots of good things happened too, but i have been feeling a bit out of sorts. and to top it off i got in an accident and totalled my truck possibly beyond repair (my fault and not covered by my insurance) on the way to pick up our stuff from the garden show. matt and i are going on a little trip for two days and when we get back i am ready for april to be fantastic. see you in a few days. with a much better attitude.

real wedding- yooli and mike

2011-03-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

we made yooli and her bridesmaid's bouquets for a recent rainy saturday wedding. she wanted really bright bouquets packed with ranunculus, anemones, and poppies- and they certainly added a pop of color to the gray day! the first photo is from megan holly clouse and she gives a sneak peek of the rest of the wedding here. congratulations y and m!

we like it wild- sf flower & garden show

2011-03-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

we worked with stef and leslie from star apple edible gardens this week to make some arrangements for their AMAZING homestead exhibit at the san francisco flower & garden show. check out all the details on our design*sponge column and we'll be at the show tomorrow...so if you are looking for something fun to do stop by and say hi!

dark centers

2011-03-20T20:46:00.000-07:00

i didn't get any photos of the bouquet's ribbon wrap but it was a snazzy black and white striped number that looked real real good with those dark centered anemones.

2011-03-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

2011-03-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

oh hello

2011-03-13T20:17:00.001-07:00

march is a hard. i'm pretty much ready for april. but at least the shop looks really nice. and we had a great class with a group of lovely ladies this morning that i will show you later.

embrace the color

2011-03-07T15:59:00.000-08:00

another lovely class on sunday with a batch of beautiful ladies! we had some amazing poppies and ranunculus that led to some really interesting color combinations- it was really fun to see what they put together. we have a private birthday party class next sunday, followed by spring flowers part 2- march is the month of classes!

funston fun

2011-03-03T22:04:00.000-08:00

the good thing about really early mornings

2011-02-28T19:31:00.000-08:00

afternoon naps.

today

2011-02-28T19:28:00.000-08:00

we like it wild- earthy spring

2011-02-24T19:13:00.000-08:00

we created an alternative spring palette for our design*sponge post this week. check it all out here!

opening

2011-02-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

around the house

2011-02-22T21:37:00.000-08:00

banksia rose, freesia, and camelia snipped from the in-laws yard.

hi ma!

2011-02-22T19:10:00.000-08:00

i hope you are having a real good time in australia. auntie is taking good care of me and i'm having lots of fun with the guys. i miss you though, come back and get me soon. love nu.

2011-02-22T12:24:00.000-08:00

today

2011-02-16T21:29:00.000-08:00

the after

2011-02-16T21:14:00.001-08:00

i kept the mushroom display for a while to see how it would dry. a bit spooky huh?

some arrangements

2011-02-16T21:06:00.000-08:00

i didn't take many pictures on valentine's day. but here's a few from last week.

we like it wild- fungi love

2011-02-16T20:38:00.000-08:00

here are a few pics from last friday's "we like it wild" post on design*sponge. we went on a mushroom hunt in january and created a centerpiece display of edible varieties. read the whole post with tons more photos here!

2011-02-09T22:22:00.000-08:00

for valentine's day

2011-02-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

we're adding a few things little by little to the shop...start yer ordering.

city hall bouquet and...introducing wendy!

2011-02-08T09:02:00.000-08:00

a bridal bouquet for a city hall wedding yesterday packed with lots of lovely darks and the elusive black centered anemones held by our new intern- wendy! we are over the moon to have some extra help around here.

dark and romantic

2011-02-06T19:47:00.000-08:00

some really beautiful work done in class this morning. great job ladies- thanks for coming in out of the amazing 70 degree weather to create these lovely arrangements!

new things around here

2011-02-06T06:10:00.000-08:00

fighting and biting

2011-02-05T18:05:00.000-08:00

this is how they play.

2011-01-31T20:47:00.000-08:00

bits from east

2011-01-30T21:06:00.000-08:00

and...we're back!

2011-01-30T09:43:00.000-08:00

phew. it was quite a trip. there was a lot more snow than we expected and we handled the cold better than we thought we would! from brooklyn and nyc, to newport, to a tour of vermont, and out of boston- we saw many things, met many people, and drank and ate many many things. highlights included...
•tons of fun with buns-nessa (including lunch at abc kitchen and diner).
•yummy lunch with sarah and nicolette not to mention an amazing pasta-making and dance party complete with group performance of hunger strike. these ladies are so awesome.
•special dinner at momofuku where an old friend is the chef. so so good. and- david schwimmer was eating there at the same time as us. wowee.
•breakfast at five leaves with the lovely design*sponge gals, amy, amy, and grace.
•spending some time with family and friends in newport- most importantly hannah's baptism!
•southern vermont exploration-from bennington to rutland to woodstock to brattleboro. we discovered lots of icicles and pretty small towns that looked like they were torn from calendars. loves it.

new classes

2011-01-17T17:28:00.000-08:00

we just posted a few new classes for spring in the online shop. we are approaching favorite flower time of year so these should be really fun!

one more day

2011-01-17T17:14:00.000-08:00

we are leaving on a red eye tomorrow night for our east coast choo trip! we have lots of things planned- hopefully we won't freeze our butts off. we'll be in brooklyn until saturday morning so let us know if anything fun is going on. then we are off to rhode island for a few days to visit family, then cruising around vermont if the weather is not too terrible, then to boston for more visiting. can't wait can't wait. see you back here on the 1st.

they hold small things

2011-01-16T22:51:00.000-08:00

get one!

stand by me

2011-01-16T08:31:00.000-08:00

we went on a mushroom hunt yesterday and stumbled onto this pile of bones. pretty much stepped on a femur. it felt creepy and still for a second- like we were seeing something we shouldn't. it felt like stand by me.

how much?

2011-01-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

pinks

2011-01-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

new addition

2011-01-14T20:03:00.000-08:00

we finally got our shipment of clogs this week- we tried out a new style to go along with the classic that we carry. these are a lovely inky blue nubuck. we have a size 39 and 40 available. we also got some stone colored ones but they are already purchased...um...by us. they look so nice with tights!

sunset in december

2011-01-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

can't believe i just got around to showing you this. we did a really fun photoshoot last january for the holiday issue of sunset. read more here.