Photo by MSAV Photography
Ananda Zoe Breslof
Owner and Senior Designer
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Ananda studied Studio Art at New York University. With a passion for art, she took on photography as another outlet for her creativity. She found her way to Chicago which came after living in Los Angeles, working in the Entertainment Industry. Chicago is the perfect fusion between New York and Los Angeles and this is where Flowerlife established its roots. In Los Angeles, she photographed musicians, models, actors and landscapes, where more of her creativity blossomed. Inspired displays, influenced by diverse cultures, a passion for design and a love of everything botanical, gives Ananda much needed room to grow as a designer as well as an creative artist. Travel, experience and a constant desire for inspired conceptions keeps her on the move, ready to create! Ananda participated in Chicago's Pilsen Artists' Open House for three years, showcasing her photography that spanned decades. She is also a former writer for the LA based publication, H-Monthly Magazine in which she contributed a column for two years.
Ananda also designates her time for volunteer work, she is the Advisory Council President of Walsh Park, Chair of the Dog Friendly Area, Board Member for Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail as well as on the Philanthropy Council for Safe Humane Chicago. Committed to community and a healthy respect for life brings her a balance and fulfillment.
Ananda is currently working on noteworthy Flowerlife workshops that will be ready for public consumption in the near months as well as opening the retail brick and mortar flower shop she has always dreamed of!
Emily Beckman
Assistant Production and Floral Designer
Emily grew up exploring the canyons and mesas of northern New Mexico, bringing along colored pencils or paints, while listening to her Father explain various intricacies of the dry ecosystem. He was away frequently, attending international conferences and provided a way for her family to travel abroad a few times each year. She loved experiencing each new culture, and lived for the spontaneity of their adventures, the majority of which were ambitiously remote and simply could not be planned until we arrived. She always took time for plenty of filming and photography, gaining experience with light and composition. Trying new things was always encouraged, with experimenting and questioning as necessary partners. This learned flexibility, concept of design, and love for the outdoors has accompanied me since. A nature enthusiast, she graduated from Wheaton College with a B.S. Environmental Science, agricultural focus, and Studio Art minor, photography and ceramics. Working for The Morton Arboretum and Freelancing for Flowerlife provides her with the balance of both her loves as well as her desire to gain experience within both fields.
Erica Yack
Day of Details Coordinator / Wedding Planner
For the past 17 years Erica has worked within the event and hospitality industry in Chicago. Her experience as the Director of Sales and Events at The Wit Hotel, Spiaggia, Café Brauer and the Lincoln Park Zoo have allowed her to work with not only Wedding Couples, but other outstanding clients including: Glamour Magazine, PopSugar, US Olympic Committee, the NFL, Google, NBC Universal and others. Her reputation precedes herself as she has a commitment to capturing event details, is calm and meticulous and flawless at execution and logistics. She thrives with troubleshooting challenging situations in the moment. Her highly organized approach to the planning process allows couples’ vision for their wedding to unfold naturally. The goal is always to minimize stress and maximize time so you can enjoy the planning journey and most importantly your wedding day.
She found her niche with Wedding Planning because the execution is so much fun! Watching guests experience every detail and ensuring your special day is everything you wished it would be is why she loves this work, it’s a perfect fit...and of course the countless slices of wedding cake is a bonus! Erica’s most favorite person at a wedding is the Father of the Bride. Simply because no matter how happy, she knows he is a little sad and in need of a hug. He instantly reminds her of the movie, Father of the Bride. In fact watching that movie as a little girl sparked her interest in planning weddings and parties. Not only did their home look so similar to her own childhood home but she also loved the way Frank (insert accent here!) practically became a part of the family. Naturally, some of her dearest friends are those whose weddings she worked on.
When not working, Erica loves being a homebody with her Husband Brian and their soon to be toddler, baby Sophie! She loves to bake (layer cakes are a new favorite challenge) and entertain friends and family at home.