Herbal Shrubs
 fizzy & fruity infusions ​​to nourish your gut & soothe your soul
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Saturday July 12, 2025
Workshop + Happy Hour​ 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Seasonal Dinner (optional) 6:00 - 8:30 pm

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SHRUBS
​Herbal shrubs are tangy, refreshing drinks made by infusing vinegar with fruits, herbs, and sometimes a bit of sweetener. Originally used as a way to preserve fruit, these vibrant, flavorful mixers have made a big comeback as a delicious way to support wellness.

The vinegar base supports digestion and gut health, while the herbs add their own unique benefits—like calming the nervous system, boosting immunity, or decreasing inflammation. Whether sipped with sparkling water or mixed into a mocktail or cocktail, shrubs are a tasty way to enjoy the healing power of plants.

​In this fun, hands-on workshop, Tracy Anderson—the creative mind behind Divinespark Apothecary— will explain the health and energetic properties of the different herbs and botanicals we'll use (some grown in her own garden). You'll then craft a personalized shrub to take home, along with recipes for some of Tracy's favorite flavor combinations.

​​We’ll wrap things up with a refreshing herbal happy hour, where we'll use shrubs to mix up tasty mocktails & cocktails—perfect for sipping, chatting, and unwinding together.
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​Linger a little longer!
After our afternoon workshop, you’re warmly invited to stay for a summer dinner party beneath a wisteria covered pergola.

​We’ll gather around the table to enjoy a meal inspired by the season, featuring fresh ingredients and plenty of flavorful herbs—some of which you’ll recognize from the workshop!

To make the evening even sweeter, Tracy will create a special dessert that combines her pastry chef expertise with a touch of botanical flair. And yes—she’s bringing some of her delicious Woodhouse Chocolates to share.  It’ll be a beautiful way to end a wonderful day. ​

​Meet Tracy​
Tracy Wood Anderson is my wonderful, talented, generous, smart, and super fun sister. Tracy began her culinary career as a professional pastry chef. She went on to become the founder & owner of Napa Valley’s acclaimed Woodhouse Chocolate, known for its handcrafted confections and national recognition in Martha Stewart Living, Oprah’s O List, and Saveur. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy and Scripps College, she trained with master chocolatiers around the world before opening her beloved shop in 2004. Now, she brings her passion for wellness and plant-based healing to life through Divinespark Apothecary, where she creates small-batch herbal blends inspired by nature and her culinary roots.

Tracy and I hope you can join us. We look forward to treating you to a fabulous, one-of-a-kind experience! 

DETAILS
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Date: Saturday July 12, 2025

Time: 
- Workshop + Happy Hour 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Seasonal Dinner 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: Alamo, California (address provided upon registration)

Who: Max. 12 wonderful women ​

Retreat Cost: 
- Workshop + Happy Hour: $150
- Seasonal Dinner (optional) : $45
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What's included:  Workshop, all workshop materials, food & drinks.  

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Payment information and address will be provided via email.

Registration and Cancellation Policy:
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your spot. A minimum of 6 participants is needed to guarantee the retreat. If the minimum number is not met 1 week prior, a full refund will be issued. Deposits are non-refundable. Final payments are due 2 weeks prior to the retreat.

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Past Mini​ ~ April 27, 2025
Flower School

​Flowers make me happy, especially stunning artistic arrangements. 
I want to create gorgeous designs but often feel overwhelmed
when selecting colors, am unsure how to build a balanced display,
and generally lack confidence about the whole process. This inspired my search for professional instruction. I'm so happy to have found Melissa Crawford of Violet & Aster Floral Designs. Her work is exquisite and her friendly, approachable demeanor is like a breath of
​fresh air. I am thrilled to bring Melissa and her expertise to you in this 2-hour Mini retreat!

​During the workshop you’ll learn what goes into making a show-stopping centerpiece including instructions on flower selections,
basic design elements, vessel mechanics, flower manipulation, processing, caring for your florals and maximizing vase life. A wide variety of Spring blooms, foliage and branches, many sourced from local flower farms, will be available to choose from, allowing full creative freedom when designing your arrangement. Whether you’re
a floral novice, or looking to hone your design skills, this class is sure to provide valuable information. You'll leave the retreat armed with new knowledge and a fabulous flower arrangement.

​You'll also be treated to a yummy mimosa brunch. : )

Registration fee includes demo/instruction, centerpiece vessel, flowers, mechanic essentials & take away instructions to recreate a beautiful arrangement at home. Floral sheers/clippers and take-home vessel provided.

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Meet Melissa
​Melissa Crawford is the owner and lead designer for Violet & Aster Floral Design based
in Lafayette. During her childhood, she spent many hours in the gardens of her great-grandma and grandfather, which cultivated her passion and love for flowers.  After a
career as a hospitality publicist, she turned her dream into a reality and launched
‘Violet & Aster Floral Design.’ Melissa ‘flowered’ under some of the most renowned
floral designers in the world including Max Gill, Gabriela Salazar, and Lucy Hunter and
last spring traveled to Belgium to attend Fleuropean, a three-day intensive workshop
​under the direction of Emily Aveson. Whenever possible, Melissa is committed
to supporting and sourcing sustainable and locally grown flowers.

All floral photos pictured are Melissa's spectacular designs.

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AGENDA
11:00* am Tutorial
11:30 pm Brunch
12:00 pm Create Centerpieces
1:00 pm Departures
*note: please arrive 10-15 minutes early to grab a cup of coffee or tea and take a seat 
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DETAILS
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Date: Sunday April 27, 2025

Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Alamo, California (address provided upon registration)

Who: Max. 10 wonderful women ​

Retreat Cost: $220 
What's included:  Workshop, all workshop materials, food & drinks.  

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Payment information and address will be provided via email.

Registration and Cancellation Policy:
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your spot. A minimum of 6 participants is needed to guarantee the retreat. If the minimum number is not met 1 week prior, a full refund will be issued. Deposits are non-refundable. Final payments are due 2 weeks prior to the retreat.

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Past Mini​ ~ November 17th, 2024
Kintsugi

​The word Kintsugi translates as “golden joinery.” It's a method of repairing broken ceramics with lacquer mixed with gold. The aim is to highlight the repair, making it a feature, thereby enhancing the piece and rendering it more beautiful and unique than before.
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Kintsugi asks us to embrace our flaws and broken bits and accept them as a part of our story. Let’s face it, life's challenges can shatter us. We can choose to remain broken or we can mend, heal, become stronger and even more appealing.

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AGENDA
10:30am Mimosa Meet & Greet
11:00am Kintsugi Tutorial
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Kintsugi 
4:00pm Charcuterie & Chat*
5:30pm Departures
* As always, share as much or as little as you want. This is your day to relax and restore. 

DETAILS
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Date: Sunday, November 17th, 2024

Time: 10:30am - 5:30pm

Location: Alamo, California (address provided upon registration)

Who: Max.10 wonderful women ​

Cost: $150 Early bird pricing through Oct. 20;  $175 starting Oct. 16

What's Included: Food & drinks and Kintsugi supplies. I'll have a variety of ceramics from which to choose but I encourage you to bring something from home you'd like to repair. 

Note: You'll learn about traditional Kintsugi technique but due to time constraints (and degree of difficulty) we'll use a modern Kintsugi method. The blue plate pictured at the top of the page is an example of modern Kintsugi.

Registration and Cancellation Policy:
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your spot. A minimum of 6 participants is needed to guarantee the retreat. If the minimum number is not met 1 week prior, a full refund will be issued. Deposits will not be reimbursed if the participant cancels at any time. Final payments are due 2 weeks prior to the retreat.