Press-to!
Have you ever seen a perfect flower and wished you could preserve it forever? Artists Joy Young and Linda Fox had the same desire.
Their solution? Laguna Beach Botanicals, a boutique where they sell their framed pressed flowers.
Young and Fox gather flora from local hedgerows, gardens and fields. They sort the pieces, then press them, using special paper to protect the specimens against loss of color.
They say some plants do change “but in ways that enhance and further display their delicate structures.”
After a few days, the plants are ready to be framed. Each picture is original ($15 to more than $100).
Call (949) 494-1956.
Well-Rounded
Villeroy & Boch is celebrating 250 years of making ceramics by reproducing some of its more elaborate designs--from a 1787 tureen to a 1971 orb.
Isabelle von Boch, a descendant of company founder Francois Boch, will appear in the china department of Macy’s West in South Coast Plaza on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. She will share family stories and offer advice on what she calls “effortless” entertaining.
In the ‘70s, her sister, Helen, a designer, created the Ball, 19 pieces of dinnerware arranged like a puzzle to create a neat orb. The pieces make up a service for four, with the center platter being 10 1/4 inches in diameter. For the anniversary, 250 Balls have been produced in various decorative motifs ($950).
The limited-edition tureen--with its bas-relief decoration of florets--comes in a mega size, which holds twice the volume of a standard tureen ($950), and a mini, for sauces or individual soup servings ($200).
The items are available at Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Villeroy & Boch boutiques and specialty gift stores.
Taking a Shine
Is your sink splattered with water spots? Is your stainless steel fridge smudged by fingerprints? Are your once-shiny appliances in need of a polish?
Stainless Steel Magic ($4.50, 13 ounces) can erase the mess. Spray it on and rub off grease, dirt and food stains. It’s safe for use in food-preparation areas and won’t scratch surfaces.
Available at supermarkets, drugstores, hardware stores or by calling (800) 321-6330.
