La Belle Bloom

We are super excited to be partnering with such a talented young lady for our Calligraphy Workshop!  From the second that I found this señorita on Instagram, I was hooked.  She is absolutely the cutest.   Meet Claudia Cruz, owner of La Belle Bloom. She, and her adorable French boutique flower cart (handmade by her dad!), can be found on the corner India and Date. Here are a few of her Insta pics: 

Can you see why I love her pics?!  Follow Caludia on Instagram and Facebook!

Want to join us for some Calligraphy fun? 

{Photos: La Belle Bloom} 

Giant Paper Flower Workshop

Join us this August 16th at Casa Artelexia from 12-2pm where Tania Fischer will teach you how to make a couple models of paper flowers. Pricing includes all materials ( glue gun, scissors and paper) to make 2-3 flowers and instruction on how to make your own backdrop. (LIMITED SEATING)

All proceeds go to Operation Shower. Operation Shower is about celebrating, honoring and showing love to military families. Operation Shower is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and our mission is to provide joyful- AWESOME — baby showers for military families to ease the stress of deployment.
The tickets are not refundable ( but can be transferred)

Buy Your Tickets HERE
Early bird pricing before Aug. 1st: $45
After Aug. 2nd: $55

As seen on Hostess with the Mostess, Casa Artelexia and Urban Style Weddings blog… 

Britt's Picks: Mexican Tabletop Inspiration

We're finally transitioning from the hustle and bustle of Dia De Los Muertos celebrations here at Casa Artelexia (save for our upcoming David Lozeau art show) and we're now back to our "normal programming" on the blog. Since we still have a few more holidays left this year, we'll be sprinkling the Casa Artelexia blog with related Mexican inspiration. Stay tuned!

Because thanksgiving is drawing nearer, I figured many of you (including myself) would be looking for some Thanksgiving table setting inspiration. So I've rounded up some Mexican themed tabletop for this week's Britt's Picks that you all can take inspiration from (I know I totally will!):

Images found here: 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 , 6 and 7, 8

Day of the Dead DIY #46-50: DOD Garland

You'll often find garland, usually marigolds, strung around an altar for Dia De Los Muertos–so we've found a few new takes on DOD garland that would also work for your altar:

1. Beaded Skull Garland from "Persimmon and Peach":

2. DOD Garland from the Paper Source blog:

3.Printable Sugar Skull Garland by "Mayhem Here" on Etsy:

4. Marigold Garland from "Garden Design":

5. Crochet Marigold Garland by "Arty and Crafty Little Things":

Day of the Dead DIY #22-24: 3 DIYS from Other Blogs

Here are 3 DIYS from other blogs we thought would work wonderfully for Day of the Dead:

1. Day of the Dead Party Favor Boxes from "Bead & Cord"

2. Paper Marigold Tutorial from "The Hungry Texan"

3. Permanent Papel Picado from "Just Me and Macy"

Juntos Por Siempre: A Mexican Inspired Wedding

How fun is this Mexican inspired wedding photo shoot?  I absolutely love the festive feel and bright colors.  And those flowers?! Sooo lovely...sigh. What do you think?  Too much?  Or just the right amount of Mexican goodness?  

Images via here

Britt's Picks: Bohemian Garden Party

The summertime is my absolute favorite. I wait all year for these long days and warm nights (and needless to say I’m loving this heatwave). There is something enchanting and free-spirited about the summer that makes me want to gather with close friends and family and just enjoy the beautiful weather.

Bohemian style reflects the same free-spiritedness of the summer, whether it’s through fashion or home décor, and right now, the summer makes me want to throw a Bohemian themed garden party to celebrate. And with festive Bohemian tabletop and design inspiration all over the web, I couldn’t resist putting together a little inspiration board:

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4

It's the Little Things...

 Like delicious ripe mangos on a hot summer day.

 Natalee rocking paper flowers in her hair.

 This little guy telling you he loves you.

 Pretty details in your kitchen.

 Fresh agua de sandia, your family and a bonfire.

Colorful paper flowers.

 A clean house.

 Home Depot goodies.

 A mini burro piñata.

Scoring the last four patio chairs that match your decor perfectly for $7.24 each at Target.

 Silly sister photos.

 An 18th birthday celebration for a special little lady at Cucina Urbana.

A Frida Kahlo look-alike contest at Casa Artelexia.

Mexico's National Flower: Dahlias

One of the best parts about spring? The scent of flowers in the air! Lately my neighborhood has been sweet and fragrant with blossoming flowers: daffodils and lilies, African daisies and orchids. However, one of my favorite flowers is less abundant here in San Diego. The dahlia, Mexico's national flower and native to Mexico and Guatemala, has dipped in and out of popularity stateside over the last decade.  Of course, you can find some at Balboa Park, but for them to grow wild like other flower species here, it would require some helping hands.

Luckily, when I am in the mood for some dahlias, I head over to the Little Italy Mercato.  I have a great supplier there, Hidalgo Flowers.  They have a great selection and always at an affordable price.  Let me warn you, the flower guy may want a hug and kiss in return for your super deal, but it's totally worth it!  I'm thinking of using them for the bridal shower I'm planning in July.  With so many colors and styles to choose from, these flowers are perfect for any occasion.  Now, I just need to narrow down the colors that I want to use and how I plan to display them.  So many decisions! But honestly, no matter how you display these flowers, they always look gorgeous. Which color do you like best?  I typically go for a lot of color but I am LOVING the light peach/ivory dahlia pictured below.  It's so romantic and sweet.

 Interested in learning more about Dahlias? 

Dahlias are not the easiest of flowers to grow. They need to be staked so that the tall, enormous flowers don't fail. And even shorter versions that don't require staking need beds with great drainage. But for those willing to do the work, the results are beautiful, colorful flowers whose blooms can sometimes reach a foot in diameter - the size of a dinner plate!

Though these flowers are native to Mexico, the European explorers who first documented them sent seeds home and made them incredibly popular in Europe. In more contemporary years, dahlias became very popular at flower shows and often take home large prizes, giving gardeners an incentive to start experimenting with dahlia hybrids. As a result, there are at least a dozen different styles of dahlia to choose from. 

If you decide to start growing some of Mexico's finest flower, be sure to read up on them! Dahlias are very fussy and subject to a lot of attacks from elements like mildew and pests such as snails. Pick up some tips and tricks from a few guides and bring some of Mexico to your garden!

{Images: 1. Flowers Magazine,  2. SF Gate, 3. Collage: Brad Austin, Satrina, Juju 222, FS, Elizabeth Holcombe, Pollen, Birdstar Designs, Chelsea Fuss, 4. Super Hero Journal}