A Lifetime of Love: 70 Year Wedding Anniversary

What a gift to spend a lifetime with someone you love endlessly.  We were overjoyed to have been a part of creating a beautiful and memorable celebration for Joe & Mary.

When given our event venue, we were presented with quite a challenge. This Church social hall was essentially a school gymnasium.  Mission: Operation Transformation!

Together with our dedicated staff and vendors, we worked ferociously to convert this four walled, white, cold multipurpose room into a anniversary celebration, reminiscent of an Italian wedding 70 years ago.  This 70th wedding anniversary is a milestone to be achieved by few, celebrated by this loving family and a goal for others to aspire!

Hundreds of feet of 18 foot tall pipe and drape, laced with yards of sheer organza fabric, embraced every wall of this venue.  Strands upon strands of Italian string lights danced above the guests heads, allowing the industrial ceiling to disappear, while dozens of lavender up lights painted the fabric walls with a hue that inspired romance and reminiscing among the families and friends. 

Silver Revere bowls, elevated and table top height, spilled over with white, green and purple hydrangea, tulips, roses and orchids.  Hand tied strands of Hawaiian orchids dangled playfully from the taller centerpieces.  The scent of spring filled the air.  Lavender roses petals made perfect beds for the precious photographs of the loving couple over the years.

Our kid's table stretched over 32 feet in length and kept the attention of 49 children for over three hours, coloring, playing checkers, cards and visiting the past with slinkys and dominoes! 

After show-stopping platters brimming with pastas, pizzas and steak made their way to the tables, guests were wowed by tri-colored coconut cake, inspired by the Italian flag. 

This family will remember this celebration and pass down the memories of it to many generations to follow!

Mission Accomplished!!!

Gorgeous uplighting creating a romantic atmosphere, with staggering floral centerpieces by

Stems at the Palatine. We loved the draping orchid garlands on the tall pieces!!

Custom Menus to coordinate with the Vow Renewal Invitations

Wedding Crest, Custom Designed by RSVP Style

Custom Monogram Stamped Napkins

Eye spy a canoli! Loved this Italian Dessert Bar - Staging by Stems at the Palatine

Oh Toodles.. A Mickey Mouse 1st Birthday

Meeska Mooska, Mickey Mouse!

Stems at the Palatine had a fabulous time coordinating this Mickey Mouse first birthday celebration.  With bountiful blooms of colorful daisies and hydrangea, Stems made beautiful thematic arrangements and topiaries for the occasion. The black and white striped linens to life-size mickey heads to a colorful buffet of fresh fruit and hors d'oeuvres all drew together elements of Tommy Jr's personal Mickey Clubhouse!

For more details on how to get this look for your child's next birthday, call Stems at the Palatine 559-256-2294

Fresh Fruit Buffet and Hors d'oeuvres, coordinated and displayed by Stems at the Palatine

Custom centerpieces of bright daisies and hydrangea, adorned with Mickey Ears in galvanized buckets, designed by Stems at the Palatine

A custom Mickey Birthday Cake and Mickey Mouse Oreo Pops... Yum!

A timeline of Tommy's 1st Year, designed by RSVP in Fresno

Custom Mickey Topiaries, designed by Stems at the Palatine

Custom Mickey Cookies with Favor Tags, coordinating with Tommy's Birthday Stationery

Designed by RSVP in Fresno

A photo backdrop with Tommy's Mickey Birthday logo

A water barrel adds to the festive decor

Shopping for a Diamond? Know Every Facet...

One of the most magical moments in life is falling in love and answering the question, "Will you marry me?"  As you're swept off your feet, into eternity with this one true love, you must also realize that you will spend the next several decades {if not forever} with the diamond that the two of you choose together.

Finding a diamond isn't the same as going shopping for clothes or even larger purchases. Finding your diamond is a very personal and sentimental purchase in your lifetime. You're looking for something that you love.  When you're making a purchase as prominent as this, you should have the right guidance and expertise for reference.

Gianni Fine Jewelers is a family owned jewelry company for over 40 years in the Central Valley.  With certifications in diamonds, pearls and gemstone grading from the National Authority of Stone Grading, the Gemological Institute of America, along with decades of industry experience, you can feel confident in Gianni Fine Jewelers' standard of quality and level of expertise.

As you begin the search for your perfect diamond, Gianni Fine Jewelers offers this guide to the 4 C's of Diamonds:

Carat:

Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed in metric carats: one carat is equal to 0.2 grams; just as a dollar is divided into pennies, a carat is divided into 100 points.  Two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the other member's of the 4 C's.  Because even a fraction of a carat can make a considerable difference in cost, precision is crucial.

Cut:

Though extremely difficult to analyze or quantify, the cut of any diamond has three attributes: brilliance {the total light reflected from a diamond}, fire {the dispersion of light into the colors of spectrum}, and scintillation {the pattern of light and dark areas and the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved}

People often think of diamond cut as shape. Round is the shape used in most diamond jewelry. All other shapes are known as fancy shapes. Traditional fancy shapes include the marquise, pear, oval, rectangle and more.

As a value factor, though, cut refers to a diamond's proportions, symmetry and polish.

Color:

Diamond color is all about what you can't see. Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness - the less color, the higher the value. The exception to this is fancy color diamonds, such as pinks and blues, which lie outside of the color range displayed below.

GIA's color grading scale for diamonds is the industry standard. The scale begins at D, representing colorless, and continues with the increasing presence of color to the letter Z, or light brown or yellow.  Many of these distinctions are invisible to the untrained eye, but these slight differences can make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.

Clarity:

Because diamonds are formed deep within the earth, under extreme heat and pressure, they often contain unique birth marks, either internal {inclusions} or external {blemishes}. The perfect combination of heat and pressure that forms these precious stones truly makes each one a special gift from the Earth.

Diamond clarity refers to the absence of these inclusions and blemishes. Diamonds without these birthmarks are rare, and rarity affects the diamond's value. The GIA International Diamond Grading System assigns clarity grades that range from flawless {FL} to diamonds with obvious inclusions {I3).


Clarity characteristics in a diamond of VVS-VS2 clarity are typically only visible with a very trained eye or through a loupe {10x magnification}.




Gianni Fine Jewelers has resources of the finest selection of diamonds and gemstones, spanning the world.  In addition to your center stone, Gianni has beautiful engagement collections, customized in house, by Michael M, Michael B. and other fine craftsmen.  Both engagement and wedding bands from their collections are handcrafted to meet the highest standards of excellence and artisanship.  Diamonds used in these fine pieces, for both ladies and gentlemen, are graded G, VS or greater and are matched by the discerning eyes of expert diamond setters.  This careful craftsmanship and commitment to quality leaves these diamonds reflecting each other's facets, allowing each handcrafted piece to shine it's brightest.

Together, with Gianni's experienced jewelry consultants, you will find your perfect diamond and engagement ring at Gianni Fine Jewelers.  Each element of cut, color, carat and clarity form an individual stone will represent the precious meaning of your individual love. Visit their location in the Central Valley on level one of The Palatine Building, on the NorthWest corner of Fresno & Alluvial.

Wedding Feature: Central Coast Celebration

A "Day at the Beach" is a far cry from the magical afternoon and evening that we were

privileged enough to create for Sandra and Michael.  Bringing Valley elements to the
Central Coast happens in three large trucks!  Stems began creating a cliff-side
ceremony and tented dinner reception eight months prior to the November 15, 2014
event.

While Sandra knew what she wanted for style and colors, Stems sketched and
composed numerous concepts for her look.  We began with an all white and green,
heavenly ceremony and transitioned it into a midnight blue, white and gold cocktail
celebration. Blossom filled colossal iron urns on the edge of the cliff, framing the couple
as they exchanged vows, consisted of hydrangea and lilies while panicles of ethereal
orchids danced in the ocean breeze. 

The great lawn was filled with eclectic lounge furniture in gold, silver and champagne
that we hand-selected, piece by piece.  Mounds of fashionable pillows were laden on
ottomans and sofas for the guests to relax on while enjoying the California autumn
sunset. Large golden Manzanita branches were dripping in strands of white orchids and
glowing with hanging vases of candles.  Hors d'oeuvres and flutes bubbling with
champagne were hand passed amongst the buzz of guests flooding the bride and groom
with well wishes and showering them with love and joy.  

We created an entrance to the tent with sheer fabrics and amber up lights, a beginning
to a magical dinner reception in warm and inviting grand style. We designed the stark
white tent to have the ceiling lined in sheer fabric billows, with golden lights tucked in
behind this treatment, glowing through like soft sunshine.  We then had side lights and
amber up lights striking all angles of the walls and ceiling.  Instantly, this white vinyl
room became a welcoming, private party.

Tables laced in gold silken linens were kissed with romantic and dramatic floral displays
bursting in reds, wines and bronzes. Tall trumpet vases and low gold trophy bowls were
decadent and spilled natural blooms onto petal-laden table tops, amongst the glow of
dozens of votive candles.

Guests toasted, dined and danced into the star filled night.  Upon their exit to their
guest suites, they were treated to a hot coffee station with liqueurs and each couple
received a custom golden box filled with homemade chocolate chip cookies, a sweet
ending to  a wonderful celebration.

Palatine Paparazzi: Flourishing on Fresno Street

Over the last three months, the first floor of the Palatine has been shakin things up! On the evening of November 12th, we celebrated the grand reveal of our expansion on level one.

RSVP and Stems, our local, sister stores specializing in making celebrations memorable and fabulous have expanded into a combined space, featuring many new things adorning both your life and your home!

As you peruse through the photos of our new retail destination, you will find small touches of everything from new, seasonal silk accent pieces - in addition to our daily fresh plants, orchids & flower arrangements; gifts of gourmet sweet treats; occasional pieces of furniture and decorative home pieces to fine china and daily dishware, which is available for bridal & gift registry.

Don't let the photos tell the full story! Come in today to escape from your daily routine & retreat to our luxurious & relaxing shopping experience at the Palatine Building on the NorthWest corner of Fresno & Alluvial.

While Stems is known for delivering beautiful, fresh flower arrangements and offering distinct event design & coordination services - what many people do not know is that we also offer full design service for both home & office.  Our team will come on-site and analyze how we can enhance your living and work spaces.  Our services span from creating statement entry silk pieces or occasional furniture accents, to a custom framed family memory wall - our products and design services bring an element of beauty that all can enjoy!!

This photo doesn't fully reveal the treasures in the cubes - but each section is filled with fabulous gifting ideas, perfect for that special teacher's gift, or a thoughtful hostess gift.

From seasonal & fragrant candles to pairings of sweet treats & festive dishes - our staple & new collections offer something for everyone!

Do you want to celebrate in #RSVPStyle? Call us at Stems today to schedule your consultation 559-256-2294

The 'Sweet Shop' by Stems

Collections of Hammond's Candy, Hot Chocolate, Hot Cider,

Boxed Chocolate Gifts, Sour Sweets & more!

Decadent Chocolate Truffles.. Have a glass of milk ready for these rich delights!

Another favorite from this collection: Chocolate covered oreos - YUM!

One of our newest collections at RSVP: L'objet

This is only a small glimpse of the vast bridal & gift registry collections we offer

Lapis dishes, with flecks of 24kt gold

Stone Slabs

Crystal glassware

The Versace Collections of Fine China

Also featuring Kim Seybert

Snuggle up with a Little Giraffe Throw

These are perfect gifts!

The Christmas Shop:

Festive dishware, ornaments & decor to adorn your season!

Want to have your home, table or tree decorated?  Stems is here for you!

To decorate & celebrate in #RSVPStyle, call 559-256-2294

Fresh orchids make a beautiful gift & are always available at Stems at the Palatine

This beautiful gift wrap is available for sale, but we also offer

gift wrapping service in store. Come in anytime to have your gifts wrapped, year round at RSVP!

In July, a Fresno treasure for 10 years, Slates Restaurant, announced that they were retiring their main dining room.  While they're still offering private dinner & catering accommodations in their second floor dining room, by event only - they have opened in it's place 'Plates' - their contemporary cafe.

This casual eatery, located on level one features a fabulous menu of fresh, organic & local eats for you to enjoy while you shop, or on the go!  

Over the last two weeks of Plates cafe being freshly open, some of the customer favorites have been the Salmon & Crostini, 'Mom's Meatloaf', 'The Power Salad' {A fabulous kale & quinoa salad served with grilled chicken}, The BLT {YUM!}, The Asian Chicken Salad and the Taco Tower.  With over 25 menu items of delicious sandwiches, inventive entrees & healthy salads, you cannot miss - Come try for yourself & enjoy!!!

The Spinach Wrap

The Taco Tower

The Green Goddess

Roast Beef Sandwich