Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts

Monday, July 25, 2011

Filler Flower

Flowers.

I love to have lots of fresh flower arrangements in our apartment. The pop of color and life that it adds to the overall aesthetic just can't be beat. But I also don't like to spend a fortune on these flowers either. Which is why I love Solidago...



Most of you might know Solidago as Goldenrod, but I know it as the cheap and attractive filler that makes my flower budget pocketbook friendly.

I am an Amatuer with a capital A when it comes to arranging flowers; but I do know that if you stick to a monochromatic palate and throw a bundle of Goldenrod in to fill up space, it just seems to work.

Give it a try...your pocketbook and your home will both thank you!






Saturday, March 5, 2011

Succulents

Floral

I’ve never been shy about my love of succulents and I use them whenever possible in planning events. However, this week my goal is to add a few into my home décor. These are a few of the photos that inspired me…maybe they will inspire you as well.




Monday, December 6, 2010

Guest Post from FlowerDelivery.net

3 Beautiful Autumn/Winter Flowers

I have a very pedestrian knowledge of flowers. So when we received an email from flowerdelivery.net offering to teach us about great flower options for this time of year, we jumped at the chance. Prepare to learn a lot...

Flowers have a way of changing a mood and will even sometimes help you to realize that your life isn’t as bad as you thought it was. Flower gifts have been appreciated and adored since the birth of mankind and we want them around us at all times. This is why we keep them in our gardens, use them as decorations for our special moments in life, and even use them for remembrance; because they have a special place in our hearts.

Autumn/Winter is a season that produces some of the most beautiful flowers and there are three in particular that are favourites of ours. These flowers will brighten up your garden when it is desperately needed and at a time when most of your plants are fading these flowers will be full force.

Chrysanthemums



Chrysanthemums, which are also called Mums or Chrysanths, are a beautiful sight in autumn and were first grown in China. The flower was brought to Europe in the 17th century where its popularity grew by leaps and bounds. Chrysanthemums are divided into two groups, the Garden Hardy and the Exhibition.

Garden Hardy Chrysanthemums are able to withstand some harsher weather conditions and are relatively sturdy. Garden hardy Chrysanthemums will be much easier to grow and will take little maintenance while the Exhibition will need to be cared for and could very easily not last as long. While Exhibition Chrysanthemums are more of a fragile type and often need to be stalked there is no denying the beauty of these flowers.

In Asia Chrysanthemums flowers are boiled to be used as a tea. It is believed that the Chrysanthemum tea has many medicinal purposes such as treating influenza and other common conditions.

Chinese Bellflower



If you are looking for a flower that is easy to grow and can withstand harsh conditions then this is the flower for you. When most flowers beauty is fading the Chinese Bellflower, also called the Balloon Flower, is just starting to mature and the exquisiteness of this flower is all that your garden will need. The Chinese Bellflower is a beautiful autumn flower that is native to East Asia and is also sometimes called the Japanese Bellflower. The Chinese Bellflower more commonly has blue flowers but there are also varieties of the flower that produce pink and white (Korea).

The root of the Chinese Bellflower is commonly used as treatment for colds and coughs and in Korea it is a common ingredient found in salads.


Aster



The Aster can be grown in almost any climate, it is found in colder areas of the world and it has also been grown in warmer climates. The Aster’s name is Greek meaning “Star” because of the shape of its flowers which bear a strong resemblance to those of a daisy. The flowers can come in a variety of colors including white, purple, lavender, pink, and red. The Aster is also a favourite of butterflies so if you want the presence of butterflies in your yard then an Aster will attract them.

For some autumn is a dreaded time of the year because so many of the beautiful flowers and plants in our gardens are vanishing. This is why it is a great idea to compliment your garden with autumn flowers like Chrysanthemums, Bellflowers, and Asters. At a time when many of your other flowers are shrinking away these flowers will be in full bloom and filling your garden. Building a beautiful garden can add so much value to your home and property so if you are thinking of selling your house then creating a breathtaking garden should not be ignored. Personal loans are a great way to put value into your home and it will be one of the best investments of your life.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Fruit and Flower Power

DIY.

I just saw this lovely idea for a place card holder from Martha Stewart. I've always loved combining flowers and fruits in centerpieces (my wedding was chockful of berries and lemons and flowers), and this just proves how well it can work.



The easy step-by-step is right here. And what's great is that your guests can take these little beauties home as a favor too and they'll continue to look great for days!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Simple Centerpiece

Flowers.

For many people of my generation, the word carnation conjures up really bad prom corsages in all sorts of unnatural colors (a la 1985). But I think these simple flowers get a bad rap. They have full blooms, last a long time, and are modestly priced...all very good things in my book.

So when I had a party this past weekend, I decided to employ the lowly carnation in a way that would make it really shine. And it couldn't have been easier to do.



All you need is an assortment of clear glass bottles and glasses in different sizes and heights. Then cut the stems of each carnation so that they peak out the top of each bottle by about 3 or 4 inches, fill each bottle about 3/4 full, and remove all leaves that hit below the water line. Arrange these bottles in a staggered array down the center of the table.

Voila! An eye catching centerpiece that is cheap and easy. In fact the most difficult thing that you'll have to do is drink a fair amount of well-packaged beverages...and that isn't such a bad thing, is it?


Thursday, November 5, 2009

Winter Berries

Flower Arranging Facts.

As you have probably figured out I am a sucker for an easy flower arrangement. Naturally, winter berries are my favorite go-to décor for fall and winter. The bright colors are amazing and arranging couldn’t be easier. They add a great wintery feel to mixed flower arrangements and also make a majestic statement in large groupings all by themselves. Best of all, they are hearty and will last an extended period of time making them the perfect holiday arrangement since you can arrange them long before your event.

One thing I have always struggled with is, knowing the proper name of the berries. When Hip Hostess has an event we head to the flower district in Manhattan. For those of you who have not been to the flower district it can be a little overwhelming. The morning rush could be likened to the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange. The above photo from Martha Stewart Living is going to ensure we get the right berries every time and will have Hip Hostess yelling Red Deciduous Holly…buy buy!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Walk on the Wild Side

Flowers.

Wildflower wedding bouquets add a "green," wild, free and natural look to any venue. With the wedding trend leaning towards organic and simple, many couples are opting for wildflower bouquets and boutonnieres. They have a romantic feel and work well in a mismatched formation.

Wildflowers offer plenty of vibrant colors and textures. Popular types include poppies, thimbleweed, New England Aster, forget-me-nots, cornflowers and Queen Anne’s lace, just to name a few.

It will take a minimum amount of research to determine what wildflowers are in your area and how easy it is to get your hands on them. Even if you opt for some traditional wedding flowers you may be able to supplement with some wild grass or heather from your area.

If you are looking for nature’s way of decorating check out these lovely pictures of bouquets from D-Magazine.