flower blog

This week, I’ve been blogging about brides, blooms and what’s trendy. So it was very cool when a colleague of mine in Online Marketing shared some of her ideas that added a fresh spin on the trends. Her wedding was last November at Green Pastures in Austin, Texas.

Flowers were from The Flower Studio, cobyneal.com.

Mono-botanic bouquets
As she explains: “My maid of honor carried a bouquet that had five types of green flowers. Each of the other bridesmaids carried a mono-botanical bouquet that included one of the flower types in the maid of honor’s bouquet.

“Each girl got to pick her own dress and her own flower type. This gave them a bit more individuality and made it more fun to see each of the girls walk down the aisle.”


 




Flowers set a mood both rustic and romantic
“We got married under some oak trees and
hung kissing balls and candles from the trees.”




Varying centerpieces at reception / Mono-color flowers
“Rather than having one type of centerpiece in our main dining room, we had the florist come up with a different arrangement for each table. We didn't have assigned seating, but guests later reported that it was fun to pick their table based on the flower arrangements. It got people talking and walking around to different tables just to see the arrangements. We did all the arrangements inside in white and all outside stuff was in green.”




Breathing new life into an old idea
“We used baby’s breath (traditionally known as a filler flower and not liked by a lot of people) as the main flower for the buffet tables. Using a filler flower in an unexpected way created something unique.”




Simply elegant
“As part of the place setting at each table, we used a single galax leaf rather than a flower.”



Do you have great ideas for wedding flowers? If so send them in, with pix if possible.
 

6th Annual New Jersey Flower & Garden Show: “The Entertaining Garden – Party Among the Petals”
Garden parties and outdoor celebrations are highlighted this year.

When: Feb. 14-17, 2008
1-9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Where: New Jersey Convention Center, Edison, NJ
Price: $10 adults (discounts available)
Contact: 800-332-3976, macevents.com  
 

Q How about the reception?
A Many brides are picking a theme or color and varying the decorations at each table – centerpieces with wreaths of flowers around a cluster of candles, flower arrangements in silver compotes, arrangements where the flowers are elevated and arranged in glass vases.

Q I’ve heard green/environmentally themes are popular.
A Another trend is green weddings. Brides are very interested in foliages, such as bear grass, and blooming or foliage potted plants for the reception area, such as orchids.

Weddings seem to be splitting pretty neatly into one of two types: very simple and scaled down or very elaborate and detail-oriented with flowers. The middle ground is disappearing. And it’s really more a question of personal taste, rather than being tagged to the budget or personality of the bride. A simple wedding does not mean a lower price-tag and vice versa.
 

Late last year, these celebrities looked set to tie the knot in 2008, according to instyle.com:

Ali Larter and Hayes MacArthur
Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher
Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault
Sarah Chalke and Jamie Afifi
Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard
Nicole Richie and Joel Madden
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ross McCall

Just as the eyes of the world are on celebs as they walk down the red carpet, people are curious about their jaunts down the aisle, unless, of course, they elope and have a private ceremony, far from the prying eyes of paparazzi.

Stars are trend-setters for sure – from rings and venues to dresses and flowers. (Btw, as reported on people.com, Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley chose white flowers and white candles for their Dec. 23 wedding ceremony in Park City, Utah.)

But florists say brides still want to express their own styles. Says Tim Farrell of Farrell’s Florist in Drexel Hill, PA, farrellsflorist.com: “Press coverage influences the everyday bride. After Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes got married [in 2006], a lot of people looked at what they did. The brides don’t tend to copy it exactly, though. They might bring in pictures of details from several different weddings and come up with their own plan.”

After all, it’s a day that should be uniquely yours.

“Weddings are very customized,” agrees Liz Seiji, AIFD and owner of Edelweiss Flower Boutique in Santa Monica, Calif., edelweissflower.com. “Most brides don’t want to copy a picture or an entire wedding.”

She cites Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ wedding in 2000 as one that sparked the imagination of many brides. But before you get attached to a Hollywood touch, says Seiji, be realistic. The stars typically don’t have budget constraints and you may be in for a shock when you learn how much their rose-covered canopies cost.

Seiji adds that younger brides are more likely to be influenced by celebrity weddings whereas older brides often have a clearer idea of what they want. (One of her brides this year has a very specific mandate: a St. Patrick’s theme where everything is, you guessed it, green.)

Also, Seiji says, she has seen several brides bring in ideas from magazines like thebrideandbloom.com. This mag/site was new to me and seems like a great resource for choosing your flowers.

So, any guesses re: who on the A-list will be first to the altar?

Later this week: More on wedding-flower trends from Tim Farrell.
 

With no more “Happy New Year!” greetings ringing in the air, it’s prime time for a case of the winter doldrums. Dull, gray, dreary, overcast, spring-can’t-come-too-soon weather. Did I mention gray and dreary?

I really don’t mean to be a downer. I’m lucky enough to live in a warm climate, so there’s no snow, not much wind and no scraping ice off my car windshield, like my friends and family do in the Midwest and East Coast. We get glorious, beautiful sun much more often than rain.

On the down side: Those rainy days, it gets dark early and, despite my best efforts, I can no longer justify drinking eggnog and eating copious amounts of cookies.

No matter how I look at it, January is just kind of blah. Anyone else share my pain? C’mon, unless you’re set to hit the ski slopes or, like my sister, you have a b’day, who really likes this month? Besides crossing off the days in my calendar, here are a few tricks that work for me.

Vary your routine: It doesn’t have to be anything major – take a new route home from work, try a new coffee shop, wear a color you don’t usually wear. Make plans (maybe a yoga class or your favorite thin-crust pizza spot) for a Monday night. It’s cool to have something to look forward to at the beginning of the week. Little changes make a difference and they’re stress-free.

Embrace cocooning: Since you’ll be inside more often, make your home as cozy and comfy as possible. Make sure you have enough pillows (I can never decide if I prefer foam or feather) and that you have a good wool blanket. I love to burn L’Occitane’s honey incense loccitane.com and sip a cup of tea. Mighty Leaf mightyleaf.com mint teas are excellent. Need I say, you’ve created a perfect spot to curl up with a good book?

Write a letter: Not an email, puhleeze! No, I mean a real, old-fashioned snail-mail production with thick white paper and a Sharpie fine point or writing implement of your choice. It’s really nice to have a break from computer screens and your recipient will be impressed with your retro charm.

Plan a getaway: It’s an oldie but a goodie. Well, that’s because it works. Pull out your calendar and pick somewhere warm or at least somewhere fun. Could be a week on the beach; could be a day trip, only an hour away. New scenery either way.

Wake up to flowers: This tip comes courtesy of Rebecca Cole, flower expert and author of “Flower Power” colecreates.com/pub_books.html. She keeps the winter blues at bay by keeping fresh flowers near her bed. “I absolutely hate my alarm clock,” she says. (My kind of gal.) So, she regularly fills a bud vase with at least three flowers and puts it near the dreaded clock. That way, instead of hitting snooze, she wakes up and smells the flowers – literally!

Two other strategic spots for flowers: By her toothbrush and by the coffee pot. Like eating right and getting exercise, she says, having fresh flowers on hand is another way she takes care of herself. It doesn’t take much effort and the mood boost is immediate.

Wish I’d thought of that. Rebecca, you rock!
 

New Orleans is set to receive a number of flower decals to decorate temporary schools, transitional housing and reconstruction sites, a bonus from an art project in New York City, http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com.

Children painted 27,000 bright vinyl panels to adorn NYC cabs, but several thousand were left over because not all Big Apple cab drivers wanted to display them. The non-profit project, called Garden in Transit, launched in September to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the metered city cab. The project ended earlier this month.

Organizers Ed and Bernie Massey decided to give the bulk of the leftover artwork to New Orleans. Other recipients include California, China, South Korea, Mexico and Cuba.


Flowers promote positive image
Meanwhile, Salinas, Calif., is looking for an official flower to represent the city, says thecalifornian.com. Mayor Dennis Donohue got the idea last summer when a woman named Esther Wilson wrote a letter saying that a flower would help promote a positive image for the city. Nominations are being accepted until Jan. 25. Five finalists will be chosen; the public will vote to choose the winner, to be announced March 12.

Flowers stop traffic
And in Ft. Worth, Texas, city engineers are finalizing a proposal from a team of volunteers to use giant flower pots in the middle of intersections to slow speeding cars. Families who live in the Ryan Place neighborhood will vote on whether to implement the plan. For the full story, see wfaa.com.
 

27th Annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show
Show will fill nearly three acres; features 25 gardens and Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut's annual competition.

When: February 21-24, 2008
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford, CT
Price: $14 adults (discounts available)
Contact: 860-844-8461, ctflowershow.com  
 

Welcome to the horoscope page, where each month you can read a fun take on the future and see the flower associated with your sign.

   Capricorn: Dec. 22-Jan. 20 / Flower: African violet
 
This is your month to shine, despite all the demands on your time. Work projects seem staggering so organize, prioritize and take it one step at a time. On the relationship front, don’t succumb to time wasters. You know what you want and there’s someone out there who wants the same.

   Aquarius: Jan. 21-Feb. 19 / Flower: Orchid
 
Visionary might seem a lofty way to describe your personality, but you are highly original. Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it! The challenge is channeling that creativity into a much-needed change career change. You’ve always dreamed of running your own shop – brainstorm how to make it happen.

   Pisces: Feb. 20-March 20 / Flower: Alstroemeria

Make ’08 great by asking for what you want. If it’s a raise, do your homework before the meeting so you can demonstrate why it’s warranted. If it’s help on the home front, pick a time when you’re both relaxed and the kids are out of your hair. There’s gotta be a first time, right?

 

   Aries: March 21-April 20 / Flower: Tulip
 
Did you know flowers are proven mood enhancers? Make a point of having some around and you’ll reap the benefits. Who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to start gardening. Also, set aside the same day each month or week for a spa treatment. It’s never a bad idea to commit to pampering! 

 

   Taurus: April 21-May 21 / Flower: Lily

A financial worry will start to subside. Then, think of ways you can keep your financial slate clean and save more money. True, it’s a tedious chore, but you’ll feel so much better when it’s done. At the end of the month, you’ll have a flirtation with a mysterious stranger.

 

   Gemini: May 22-June 21 / Flower: Rose

Now is the time to stop comparing yourself to others. You are blessed with wonderfully unique gifts and talents so focus on cultivating them. Besides, you never know what another person’s life is really like. Forget keeping up with the Joneses and set goals that are right for you.

 

   Cancer: June 22-July 22 / Flower: Delphinium

Trust your gut on the romance front. Actions really do speak louder than words and if a new relationship starts to feel like hard work, maybe it’s just not meant to be. Meanwhile, the first three month of this year will be an excellent time to connect with family and reconnect with old friends.

 

   Leo: July 23- Aug. 22 / Flower: Sunflower

Crafting a fair compromise is a rare skill, but one you may acquire this year. A tip: Stand your ground but don’t put something on the table that you are not really prepared to do. A surprise development at work will have a ripple effect and could mean more responsibilities for you.

 

   Virgo: Aug. 23-Sept. 23 / Flower: Daisy
 
This will be an excellent year for you to travel – to new places as well as old favorites. Knowing that you have some fun get-aways on the horizon will keep winter blues at bay. Time away is a great chance to bond with your mate or relish in the independence of traveling alone.

 

   Libra: Sept. 24-Oct. 23 / Flower: Hydrangea

Feeling like you’re drifting away from a friend, thinking you don’t have anything in common any more? It might be uncomfortable, but address any issues that have arisen, recently or in the past. Also remember that friendships morph and evolve over time. If the two of you have a history, hang in there.

 

   Scorpio: Oct. 24-Nov. 22 / Flower: Peony

Something that you’ve wished for will come true. When it does, several more opportunities will arise and your life will feel abundantly full. Oh, and that guy who’s so easy to talk to? He too may want more than friendship, but it may take action on your part to move it forward.

 

   Sagittarius: Nov. 23-Dec. 21 / Flower: Carnation

You are seeking clarity on a major decision. Set yourself a deadline and tally up the pros and cons. Sleep on it and then follow your heart. Don’t be swayed by naysayers who may not have your best interests in mind. Once you’ve decided, you’ll have the energy you need to follow through.

At the Rose Parade on Tuesday, the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association’s “Valentine’s Day” had tens of thousands of roses in 90 varieties – the widest assortment ever used in the Rose Parade. This self-built float won the Princesses’ Trophy for most beautiful entry 35 feet or under.

It featured swan boats made of coconut on a lake of irises, orchids and roses, framed by flowering trees and rose-covered hearts. The association, sierramadrerosefloat.org, also used a pure white rose called the Absolute Rose.

I liked all the floats but my personal fave was the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs’ “Special Delivery,” which sported a cycle-riding Teddy bear. Phoenix Decorating Co. designed this entry.

Flower lovers around the world rang in the New Year by watching the 119th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Tuesday. Later that day, USC won the 94th Rose Bowl Game, trouncing the University of Illinois, 49-17. It was USC’s third Rose Bowl win in the last five years.

The chance to see the parade (with a few hundred thousand of your closest friends!) is definitely worth the trip. You can always catch it on TV, of course, but if you’re into flowers, this is a great way to spend New Year’s Day. In person, you can really appreciate the color, texture and design of the floral floats.

When the event started in 1890, the aim was to be the West’s version of the festival of roses in Nice, France. This year’s parade, Passport to the World’s Celebrations, featured 47 floats; 24 received awards.

According to Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses, tournamentofroses.com, each Rose Parade float is decorated with more flowers than the average florist will use in five years.

Floats must be covered in natural materials so fruit, seeds, bark and grasses are used (in addition to flowers) to adorn the structures. Delicate flowers require their own vials of water and are placed individually.

Experiencing the Rose Parade in person also means you get a sense of how much hard work goes into making these amazing floats.

Rich Salvaggio, who serves as floral design director for Charisma Floats charismafloats.com, was “exhausted but done” when I talked to him on New Year’s Eve, having worked long hours – sometimes 5 a.m.- 11 p.m. – in the week leading up to the parade. His team included four floral designers, 15 Charisma staffers and about 3,000 volunteers, working in shifts.

Charisma created entries for The City of West Covina, Rotary International and The Portuguese American Community.

The City of West Covina float with its “Viva la Fiesta” theme won the Isabella Coleman Trophy for best presentation of color and color harmony through floral use. “That’s one of the more sought after prizes and most often is won by larger and much more expensive floats. It’s quite a coup to have an under 35-foot float win,” said Salvaggio after the parade.

Salvaggio estimates that about 150,000 stems were used to decorate the three floats, noting that they used more roses than ever before. (Construction begins nearly a year in advance.)

Additionally, his team arranged flowers for the police motorcycles that led the parade, flowers on the Wells Fargo coaches, and the lavender rose on the Norton Simon Museum at 411 W. Colorado Blvd, nortonsimon.org.

Stay tuned for more pics and posts from this very cool event.