Random Photo Post #6

OK. We are ready to look at it again. Today's photo is of the initial version of our 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show display. Photo by the ever talented Michael Persico.

Random Photo Post #5

Today's photo is of the entry piece we designed for Marcy's 60th birthday party at Tangerine last October. As much as we enjoy grand affairs, sometimes it is just plain fun for us to design a few striking pieces for a more intimate evening. Thanks to Michael Persico for the always excellent photography.

Random Photo Post #4

Jonny and Melissa gave us complete control when creating the flowers for their wedding, and one of my favorite things to do is custom design unique bridal bouquets. I was so pleased with the way these bouquets worked with the beautiful A-Line dresses and the over-the-wrist style is something new for today's contemporary brides.

Random Photo Post #3

Today we are revisiting Jonny and Melissa's wedding at Ridley Creek State Park. I'm still in love with this arrangement that we made to fill the large fireplace opening in the reception hall.

Insights From The 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show

This is an excerpt of a post from www.heronswoodvoice.com:

"The arch, minimalist designs by Moda Botanica, so cherished by showgoers during the past three years, left me a bit cold. I confess that I do not like minimalism or archness, so perhaps I should “recuse” myself from reviewing this year’s strange exhibit. I think I understood the erotic, lozenge-shaped glass “spectacles” as well as voyeurism suggested. It felt a little like I was looking at a “cage” of the sort they used in early 20th century Paris bordellos. (Brassaiphotographed them.) But why “gild the rose”, so to speak? White roses mainly. “I got it, I got it”, I said to myself. But its edginess was spooky and disconcerting like the last scenes of the astronaut in ‘2011 A Space Odyssey’—all white and sterile. Perhaps that was the point—to deconstruct beauty. It was very compelling, but incomplete and unresolved. The designers designed a design, so to speak. To their credit, this is an element of French philosophy and aesthetics. And this one was certainly ambitious. I can’t wait to see what Moda Botanica does to Hawaii, next year’s extremely challenging show theme."

When it comes to our Flower Show displays we always want to have people think differently about flowers and design. This year was no exception. "Thought provoking" is aways a bigger compliment to us than "pretty."

Random Photo Post #2

Another favorite photo, also from last May. This one is from Christina and Kevin's reception at the Keenan Mercedes dealership in Doylestown. Its hard to believe that there were brand new luxury vehicles filling this space just days before. Thanks to Michael Persico for the images www.persicophoto.com

Random Photo Post #1

I love the simplicity of this image from Andrea and Francis' wedding from last May. Thanks to Jenny Ebert Photography http://www.1artbeautylife.com/index2.php for capturing the day.

Spring Open House & Launch Party 5.6.10, Come on Over!

It has been a crazy month or so here at MODA - we have recovered from the intensity of The Flower Show, had a lot a of great consultations, worked with some lovely clients and finally getting back to blogging.

We are so excited to be hosting a party with one of our favorite event gals this week Gretchen McHale at MODA botanica. Not only is she the Director of Private Event Sales at World Cafe Live - but she is an artist who designs fabulous jewelry. Please join us this week on Thursday May 6th to celebrate the launch of her new website for Studio 320!

Gretchen has four overall collections: Hemingway (beachy, shells, seaglass); Tropic of Cancer (bold, colorful, luxe); Jewels (jewel tones and gemstones) and Earthly Pleasures (Earth tones, naturals stones). MODA will be designing four installation pieces that have been inspired by each collection. Chadds Ford Winery has donated the wine for the evening and Cuba Libre has graciously agreed to serve up the hors d'oeuvres! Please join us in celebrating local artists and great design!

"BOX" - PHS 2010 Flower Show

The long awaited professional shots and details of MODA botanica's "BOX" 2010 Philadelphia Flower Show Display. All photos by Persico Photo - Thank you Michael!

Talk about Passport to the World...Moda's BOX has gone viral - look who's talking!

The Washington Post
Philly.com 2/26/10
Philly.com 2/28/10
The Wall Street Journal - Speakeasy
The Baltimore Sun
Human Flower Project
Seen but Not Heard
Punk Rock Gardens
SEA to NYC
Consumer Traveler
Top Water Features
Reading Eagle
Tweet Meme
Pub and Kitchen
Yelp
PHS Major Awards
PHS Blog
PartyMcFly

PHS 2010 Preview Party Surprise!

As if our day could get any better after winning "Best in Show" - we showed up at the Preview Party to find 3 more awards decorating our sign and one tucked in our Display for a total of FIVE Awards!!!

So here is the rundown...

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Flower Show Award for the Best in Show 

Display Garden Floral

Best Achievement

Homage to Modern Floral Design

The Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc.

Silver Trophy ~ for the most Distinctive Exhibit in the Show

The Phyllis M. Craig Award

For the Best of Flowering/and or Foilage pot plants in display Garden-Floral Category

Special Achievement Award of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania 

Awarded to Exhibits of Unusual Excellence in the Category of Creativity

(1,000 Square Feet and Over)

Wow, Thank You!

MODA botanica's BOX wins "Best in Show" at the Philadelphia International Flower Show!

It has happened again! Armas texted me this year (in a déjà vu, montage sort of way... since I was again in my car on my way to another event again this year....) "REPEAT!" with this image attached: 

To which I again replied (again) that I was "all teary"; and Armas said he "was still shaking"...as you can see from his shot of the trophy they had just handed him!

Our display started like this...:

(Spoiler alert!)

...and ended like this:

Thank You Michael Persico for the images! More will be posted soon, but check it out in person! The show is running through Sunday the 7th!

MODA sets up at PHS Flower Show 2010

MODA botanica kicked of the flower show at 9:50 a.m. on 2/19 when our first 30k lbs. of the display was delivered to the PACC. Jane pepper thought it was pretty exciting:

"What you want (oooh), baby I got it...."

Bailey whipped up this hand-tied bouquet as hostess gift for a party he is going to this evening:

Which was when we heard..."It looks like something Aretha Franklin would wear on her head!" We could only be so lucky! But, I do think you can look forward to some very cool and creative hand tied bouquets for Valentine's Day. Order early for the best color selection!

A Seaside Affair

We posted a while back about Allie Rose and her wedding at the beach back in May. But I am feeling a little need for warmer weather, and these shots from her photographer Phil Kramer arrived just in time!

Perfect Palette - Philadelphia Wedding Magazine: Spring/Summer Issue 2010

Even though the weather is brutal, and we were digging ourselves out of snow over Christmas - Spring is in the air! The Spring/Summer 2010 Issue of Philadelphia Wedding is warming our hearts. MODA was up to the challenge of being assigned the "blue" bouquet. There are very few natural blue flowers, and we took it as an honor to be selected for this particular color palette.

Top of the Tower

Stacy & John tied the knot at the Top of the Tower in Philadelphia. These gorgeous shots were taken by their photographer Heather Fowler. She captured their fun personality and personal sense of style beautifully! Check out her blog for more awesome shots of this wedding (and if you have kids or super cute dogs for that matter check out her portraits too!)

The Bridesmaids all carried pocketbook style bouquets that included Paphiopedilum Orchids, Scabiosa Pods, Antheriums and Galax leaves to compliment their chocolate brown gowns. Stacy opted for this gorgeous modern bouquet with the same selection of flowers.

John works at the Kimmel Center, so they were able to get a few dramatic shots inside.

And the CAKE! You have heard about me and this confection from past postings so I will spare you my spiel...however... Charm City Cakes baked a tribute to John's dog Arnie, with a cake version - his Mom surprised him with it! His face was priceless. The Food Network came out to video tape it too, it should air in March!

MODA botanica's Second Anniversary

Saturday, December 12, 2009

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Please join us for a glass of bubbly as we celebrate MODA botanica's official second anniversary in our current location!

Check out our holiday items and ring in the New Year with us! We have decked the halls with cash an carry items for the month and are happy to announce our holiday retail hours. So if you see something you like or if you need a last minute hostess gift, we are ready for you!

Swing by or give us a call:

Wednesday's - Friday's: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday's 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday's: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

We also have a few more dates available for Custom Holiday Decorating - so if you are feeling overwhelmed or just need a professional to decorate your home, tree or office for the holidays we can help!

Click here and RSVP today!

PWP Project Launch at Washington Square

Well it is officially, OFFICIALLY underway - let the snapping of photos and flashing of bulbs begin! The PWP together with Philadelphia Magazine publicly announced the winners at a party hosted by Washington Square on Wednesday November 18th. All of the "Business Partners" of the project were invited to come share the big news with Caitlin and Rodney. The couple is one step closer to home, now stationed in Germany. So their family rallied and we got a change to mix and mingle with them at the party.

We were delighted to attend (who doesn't love a party?) and to be in such good company was fabulous. Nicole Brennan from Lovely Girls Events is their wedding planner, she and I had a chance to catch up. Nicole is located in Delaware and has known Caitlin since their High School days!

Speaking of lovely girls... Nicole and I had a lot in common and look forward to working together soon!


Did I mention mingling with great people? Caitlin and Rodney call each other "Waffle" so the signature drink was a "Waffletini" - no syrup, thankfully, just a funny name to a sweet tropical blue cocktail! Over such said adult beverage - Bailey and I ran into a few more lovely ladies. Like Beka Rendell from Innove Events (who had some super nice things to say about us on her blog recently, thanks Beka!) and Marnie Cullen (no relation to the New Moon Cullens!) from TableArt.


MODA botanica did the flowers for this party as well as donating a portion of our services, should the couple like to have them as floral decorators for the wedding itself. The couple has a "Seaside theme" that they will bring to Winterthur for the big day. So we took the opportunity to drive up to NYC and dig throught the market. Armas and I found this funky piece of drift wood that we thought would evoke a touch of their theme.


But the star of the arrangement is the Snow Queen Protea...so beautiful...so soft!
You know you want more...here you go:


Catching up with Vanessa and Amanda from Two Paper Dolls was fun too - they have such great style. Bailey and I chatted it up with them. They do beautiful work. Talking about letterpress got me itching to do some more printmaking.
Note to self: sign up for studio time at the Fleisher!

PWP Update!: Winners Announced!

It's here! They have announced the winners of the Philadelphia Wedding Project! Congratulations to Caitlin and Rodney! They have an extraordinary story to tell. Both in the Army, they first met in March 2006, having both recently arrived at their unit, the 9th Engineer Battalion.

This lucky couple will have their wedding photographed by the six talented photographers we love and admire: Pete Malone, Joy Moody, Jenn Childress, Geoff Horowitz, Ryan Estes and Sofia Negron.

Check out the winning story as it unfolds! You can track their progress, since Philly Mag has picked up the project as a sponsor there will be blogs, twitters and updates to follow!
Congratulations!

MODA goes to Market

Getting up bright an early (like 5 a.m.) Team MODA headed down to Aalsmeer to meet up with our buyer Tony to check out the Dutch Auction. Armas took the city on again as the driver of our rental car, and we were off. The vast set up was a bit much to absorb - there is so much to take in! Check out the little slide show I put together on the right, its just a taste of what we saw. It was like Willie Wonka Factory of the floral industry. The amount of automation and synchronization is astounding. I am sure the boys will ad some comments soon!

We were in and out all before dawn, first we hit the auction, then traveled across the huge facility (in the car) back to where the packing happens at Tony's place. All of the products get sorted, packed/boxed and routed to the different buyers' locations by trolleys automatically via a bridge, gets packed, and is on our way to us! All before the sun was up!

Then we were off to Wateringen, Nederland to the appointment Moniek had set us up with, the mother ship was calling us home. Now, as many of you know, the Blue Magic Vanda has been MODA's signature flower way before we began showcasing it two years ago. Much like the Green Trick (which by using so much we brought such significant awareness to the local US market that importers were scrambling with the new demand) the Blue Vanda has been used in increasing numbers since we showcased hundreds of them last year at the Philadelphia International Flower Show (see slideshow to the right!)
We heart Vandas.

...so back to our adventure. Armas zoomed across the European motorways and we arrive well before noon. The owner Steef was just as welcoming and as talented as Moniek. His passion for the Vanda rivaled Bailey's neck and neck. His commitment to perfection, attention to detail was inspiring and refreshing. Steef has found his passion, it was clear to see how he and Moniek have become friends. Below are a few pictures of our trip to the greenhouse, the place was huge, the colors so intense - there are more in the slide show to the right!

And these special babies are a few years off but you will delight in them as soon as we can get our hands on them. Still to be named, still to be tested...white Vandas!

Monday with MODA and Moniek

Bailey surprised Armas and I with a treat over the weekend, he said "We're off to see the Wizard!" Bailey had emailed Moniek Vanden Berghe, a Belgian designer whom we hold in high esteem explaining that MODA botanica was in town to check out Hortifair, and had inquired if it would be okay for us to check out her shop. She regretted to inform us that she no longer kept a shop (now a gallery) but would love to have us join her at a workshop she was teaching in Antwerp. Not only were we her personal invited guests, but she invited us to have lunch with her afterward!


We are generally not big fans of the dried, but this may have the tides turning. We made a few things as members of the class...

After soaking up her delightful teaching, techniques and tips we were off to lunch and to cruise the market. Where we found all the things we love, as well as all the things we can not have thanks to our big brother: USDA.

But the fun was not over there! She took us on an insiders tour to the design firm where she makes and designs custom containers, vases and floral incidentals. Heaven! We had such a great day. Moniek was an absolute delight, so warm and down to earth. She is an artist that truly loves what she does - an it radiates from her. Thank You Moniek! After spending the day together she made a few calls for us, arranged a private tour at the grower who produces our #1 flower: The VANDA.

We bid her 'tot ziens' by the little farm with chickens that Bailey could not resist.