a "modern coastal affair" for the food network

last month i had the pleasure of providing the florals for a private dinner party celebrating the launch of the book "wedding wisdom" by mary dann-mcnamee (of mary dann, wedding and party coordinators) and leila khalil (of be inspired pr)...and it just so happened that the party was being filmed for a new reality show on the food network - fun!

but be forewarned...they did try to stir up some excitement during filming, so if you see me on tv knocking on the front door to the home and asking one of the chefs to help me unload and setup, it wasn't because i was running late or being unprofessional! it's all in the name of good tv! riiiiight?! ;)

anyways, the party took place at a modern beach house, right on the strand in manhattan beach...so we went with a "coastal modern" vibe, utilizing white phalenopsis orchids, green succulents, grapewood branches, white tulips and green sea urchin shells...paired with white suede chairs from chameleon, an organic "sage russian linen" from wildflower linens and bamboo chargers from classic party rentals, the event was a perfect blend of organic, modern and beachy!

we started with cocktails outside, overlooking the ocean...we went with the "aqua russian linen" and i added a succulent in a quartz vessel, along with a couple of aqua/brown opalescent shells...

then we moved indoors where the long dining table was set with my design...

every place setting had a white hemstitch napkin (my favorite!) from wildflower set on top of a bamboo charger from classic party rentals...i added my own personal touch with a small piece of grapewood branch and a green sea urchin shell...

that orange wall was such a fun pop of color!!

what would a book launch celebration be without some of the books?! of course we had to have some there...and if you look closely enough, you may be able to recognize the couple on the front cover ;)

the sunset that night was AMAZING!! the colors were just unreal and couldn't even be captured by a photograph...you had to see it to believe it! i just love winter sunsets in california...

thanks to all who made that evening a success! i had so much fun wining and dining with you :)

and i will be sure to announce via twitter/facebook when the air dates are for the show...i think it's sometime this month but i will get confirmation soon...

lastly, thank you jasmine star for sneaking in during filming and taking these decor shots! you are extra fab! :)