Did you know?

We often refer to Olivia as head of Human Resources, but that wasn’t always the case.

Willoughby used to be head of Human Resources. If you had a problem, you’d go to him. Does it look like there’s any problem he can’t solve? Sadly we lost Willoughby in April of this year after nearly 14 wonderful years together.

So there was now a vacuum of leadership.

Enter Olivia.

Does it look like there’s anything this cutie can’t handle? Surely she could fill the position of Human Resources. And, as it happened, she did. Today Olivia, with all of her 11 months of life experience, has become head of Human Resources. Easy to relate to, always entertaining and very flexible (literally)- she has become just the energy this team needed to go out there and be a success.

Go team O!

Well, maybe that’s a bit dramatic but we can make a difference through our choices.

Recently we were presented with a new option regarding some of the flowers we purchase. To be honest, the flowers really spoke for themselves, but they didn’t tell the whole story. Though the quality was excellent, the colors were vibrant and there wasn’t a damaged petal to be found there were so many other reasons to choose this grower.

Now, through our choices, we can actually make a difference for the planet and for some of its people. This grower has also selected to partake in voluntary programs that make real, tangible changes to this world; And by buying from them we strengthen the support of these efforts.

This grower has not only chosen to be Veriflora certified, as many of our vendors have, but it is also Global Gap, ISO 9000, BASC and Rainforest Alliance certified. And in case that isn’t enough, it also helps its employees to get the education they have not yet received, both at elementary and high school levels.

By making these choices we better our lives and those of many others. By choosing Organic Elements you allow us to make more of a difference. And, as always, we thank you for your support.

It’s always nice to stretch your wings every now and again and see what’s going on beyond your immediate environment. That’s how Sharon’s family vacation abroad quickly turned into a European buying trip as well as an overall design study. She’s excited to return with some new products as well as floral and container concepts. She says that the lavender in Provence, France was particularly inspiring and we hope to use it in volumes upon her return. Here are some pictures of it as well as a French floral market. Enjoy your trip Sharon and know that your designers are eagerly awaiting the fruits of your trip.

Remember to keep updated on our adventures in Facebook since not every article makes it to the blog. Don’t miss out on the fun, take the opportunity to “Like” us just a little more!

When the Water = Life came to San Diego’s Natural History Museum, we got to test out some new design styles. As the exhibition reflects our need to conserve the water we use here in California, our florals were designed with virtually no water. This was the perfect marriage of art and our new contemporary design line, DRI: Design Reducing Irrigation.

You, the designer, will be able to choose among a dozen new designs in the DRI line. You can choose them all, you can choose none, but at least now a choice exists.

Please view selected images from DRI designs below and feel free to contact us with any questions you have regarding Organic Elements DRI. In these you’ll find a one quarter peach, succulent bowl and some other unique designs to Organic Elements. Enjoy and thank you to Sean of Resolusean for all of these great photos!!

… that our primary van has a name?

It’s true, almost all jobs are at least partially brought to you by Pegasus… “Peg” for short. She even has her own custom key chain with a very 80’s design of an “I”, a heart and then a picture of a Pegasus on it. The name comes from Sharon’s love of the original Clash of the Titans movie in which the star is truly this winged horse that transports the hero throughout the movie when nothing else could. If asked for an explanation, Sharon would simply say, “Well, she’s big and she’s white and she takes us where we need to go.”

Photo by Resoulsean

We were so honored to be asked to do the florals for the Exquisite Weddings Advisory Board luncheon. Since it was at the San Diego Culinary Institute we went with a “fresh food” theme, utilizing more organic veggies, legumes and fungi more than actual flowers. And to top off this fun, Sharon got asked to be on the Advisory Board, so exciting!! Here are some fun shots by 927 Photography.

Recently we had an amazing shoot with Lynn of Pure Planning and John of Schnack Studios. We went for a Greek theme which was really fun and dramatic at the Grand Del Mar. Concepts Event Design’s rentals combined with Lynn’s decorative accents really did a number on this shoot. Enjoy!

As a long time Mama’s Kitchen volunteer I was thrilled when Darin Dietz asked me to supply floral decor for the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Mama’s Day. This year 71 restaurants came out to strut their stuff and serve up the city’s best food. We were honored to come in and decorate this tasty environment.

Special thanks to Darin Dietz Events, Sean of Resolusean, Plush Lounge, Concepts Event Design, Hyatt La Jolla, Estancia La Jolla, Dining Details and TK&A.

Though we participate in a number of charitable events throughout the year, this is the third year in a row that we have decorated a table for the American Liver Foundation benefit. Each year each participating restaurant and/or caterer teams up with an event decor company (mainly florists) in order to give the table’s dining guests a unique experience within the room of twenty some tables.

This year we teamed up with Chef Timothy Ralphs and the Estancia Hotel and Spa in La Jolla. Our table theme was “contemporary green” displayed by very limited water use, the focus on renewable and sustainable resources as well as local growers. For this we chose to use two of our in house DRI creations, Tilted Manzanitas and Stacked Vases. The following pictures were provided by the world famous team at SheWanders. Special thanks to Concepts Event Design for the use of their linens and chairs and to Rock Paper Scissors for the awesome menus.

An overall shot

A tighter shot

Chelsea’s new napkin tuck.

Phales and branches.

Credits.