Life is full of fun — This is exactly how I feel when I visit Augie Chang’s website.
Recently, one of my friends sent me his link and I was instantly wow with his work. His pictures not only capture the emotions at the very right moment but each set has its personal uniqueness. And they are all so happy!! Maybe I am being silly, but I really do like to look at wedding/ family pictures, they remind me how lucky I am to have a great family and friends and make me feel like the world is super beautiful.
haha…since I have shaky hand syndrome and I can only take blurry pictures, I decide we should send Gary to take this class by Augie and hopefully, we can share some cool pictures with you this summer. =)
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 7. just random | No Comments »
Many people wonder how I manage a full time job, 2 businesses (Mints and Charlyn Koo), 2 blogs (one for Mints and my personal one in Chinese).
hehe, it may seem like I am a crazy girl juggling 5 balls, but to be honest, it is nothing true. Needless to say Mints is well-taken care of by my sisters, Canna and Mei, and CK by Mono. (It’s always good to have business partners to share the work IoI.) Almost all the pictures on this blog are taken by my brother-in-law Gary, and my parents provide the best baby-sit and food service on earth. Plus, many good friends help us with free copy-edit, tax, legal services…etc.
So early this year, I decided we all deserve a little nice treat, right?! So YEAH, we are going to Big Apple and gonna stay at Hilton Times Square for a few days. I am sure we are it will be a chaotic blast!! I am counting!! Only 23 day to go.
(oh and we are spending this weekend in Phoenix. just to chill. hahaha…I am so excited.)
Posted on April 21st, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 1. our shop/ news | No Comments »
Do you wonder how other designers interpret Alice in Wonderland and how they used flowers to create a stunning and imaginative piece of artwork?? Below are all the ones I absolutely love. They are from Floramor Studio, Mandy Scott Flowers, Passiflora Designs & Flowers by Atalanta. Aren’t they fun?
Actually, I was named Alice when I was born, but I don’t even remember what happened, but one day in 6th grade, I decided I want to be Dorothy instead. haha…so I have been following the yellow brick road since. Maybe one day I would want to be Alice again. Just a silly thought.
Posted on April 20th, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 1. our shop/ news, 2. flowers/ wedding decor | No Comments »
Today is a day of fun and excitement. We were so happy that we were a part of the Annual Gala, NAlice in Wonderland Gala presented by the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) and we got to meet many creative and renowned floral and event designers. hehe…it was like my first time going to Disneyland and meeting Mickey in person and seeing the fantastic parade and firework.
We did 2 table centerpieces. The one above we used the Sandblasted Manzanita Branches in and on top of a tall vase sitting on a bed of Purple Moonvista Carnation with white butterflies flying around.
Another one we used black wood-rose, mushroom, white ranunculus, gold roman numbers, white sand inside a giant glass bowl (magic globe).
Posted on April 19th, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 1. our shop/ news, 2. flowers/ wedding decor | No Comments »
“Could one dinner with one friend, on one night, make a difference in the life of one woman thousands of miles away?”
It’s just perfect timing. I got this email from a very good friend Sheila right when I was preparing tax return, evaluating my year round spending and credit bills, and yes, I was shocked how much I spent on FOOD last year.
And Sheila introduced this powerful idea by Friendship Foundation. Have dinner with your friends and $10 will be donated to support a woman in a war torn country such as Darfur, Afghanistan, Iraq and Rwanda to name a few. Just this simple. Eat and help. =)
So I attended the dinner at Trapeze, a trendy European restaurant in Burlingame tonight. Had fun hanging out with friends, enjoyed a buttersquash soup (with a bit of ginger IoI), a very very well presented salmon fish and my favorite dessert tiramisu, and every little bite I am helping a woman out there!! What a great excuse to indulge myself, right!! so check out there website or maybe next time you and your girlfriends can join their events too. http://www.friendshipfoundation.info
Posted on April 16th, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 7. just random | No Comments »
About a month ago, we received a phone call from yelp.com telling us that Mints has been rated 5 stars and is on the top of the lists of Oakland and Alameda florists!! I am sooooo happy and excited!! Thanks for yelping and for your support. We will continue our good work for sure. Meanwhile, if you want to show your support and yelp about us. below is the link. IoI
Posted on April 15th, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 1. our shop/ news | No Comments »
Recently, I recevied a few emails asking if Mints will offer any floral design classes in the future. I am very flattered, but currently, it is not on our plan. However, I promised these girls I will start posting more DYI ideas and resources on this blog. So here it comes.
Hanajikan - a Japanese Floral Art Magazine. It’s a monthly magazine and it features many ideas as well as new trends. Although they are in Japanese, you will still learn a lot as they have step by step picture instructions. I am a big fan of Japanese floral designs because their work is articulate and dimensional and their color combinations are usually very soft yet romantic. Of course, I also think I am heavily influenced by my mom as she studied floral design in Japan and I remember flipping these magazines even though I didn’t understand much and found them fascinating. I thought, wow, these people are truly amazingly creative!! Just to give you some ideas I have attached some pictures from Volume March ‘08. This is a great spring time coffee table idea!! It uses tulips and their leaves to make loops, adding an interesting touch with something you probably gonna through it away.
Wanna check it out?! go to Kinokuniya (San Francisco Japantown 2nd floor).
Posted on April 13th, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 8. DYI, 2. flowers/ wedding decor | No Comments »
Sterling silver earrings with lime green Czech glass. Super cute for any occasion. check it out at Dazzleworks.
Posted on March 24th, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 7. just random | No Comments »
So you need to plan a bridal shower or birthday party and yea, you probably have been serveral last year and you are getting tired and out of ideas. Well, check out handsongourmet.com!! I just attended an event done by them and it was fun with a tons of good food (who will complain about it). With some help and tips, I felt like I was a real chef and this is from someone who doesn’t even cook at all.
They have so many menus from Mexico to Italian, and yeah, I would love to try their hordovers - tasting menu!! hm…sounds like fun?!
Posted on March 21st, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 7. just random | No Comments »
Want to help the world and be fashion-forward?!! Come check out Shakti’s first trade show on MARCH 13th at the Regency Center in San Francisco between 5pm to 9pm.
Founded by MIT and Berkeley Alumnus, Shakti’s aim is to use fashion as a means to help economically excluded and socially marginalized communities around the world. Their team incorporates local artisans’ techniques in the design and production of all our products. No two items are alike, and each has its own unique story.
If you RSVP online you will get into the trade show for HALF PRICE. Just enter the discount code DESIGNERSF on the ticket purchase page at www.appelandfrank.com. (Note, this code is only good for pre-event ticket sales; tickets at the door will be $10 each.)
Please pass on the word to all your friends and family. and remember to bring either Cash or Check as I bet there’ll be tons of interesting, one of a kind pieces just for you!
Posted on March 4th, 2008 by dot@mints
Filed under: 1. our shop/ news | No Comments »