flower blog

Lately I’ve been extolling the virtues of classic fall flowers, such as mums, carnations, hydrangea, sunflowers, daisies, dahlias and calla lilies.

In orange for Halloween, natch. A bouquet lasts longer than candy and it’s calorie-free.

Anyway, if you’re like me you have friends with fall birthdays as well as a few parties to attend. Time to come up with some unexpected blooms and new colors.

Oh, and before you decide that mums and carnations are old hat, be sure to check them out in lush darker colors like magenta.

Browsing around, I found these terrific additions to the list above.

Anthurium: Once you see one, you’ll never forget it. These brilliant red blooms represent hospitality, making them a perfect choice for a hostess gift. And they’re long lasting.

Bouvardia: Named after Charles Bouvard, the personal physician to Louis XIII and the superintendent of the Royal Gardens in Paris. A fragrant, feminine flower that symbolizes enthusiasm.

Goldenrod: A member of the aster family, this bright yellow flowering plant is the state flower of Kentucky and Nebraska as well as the state wildflower for South Carolina.

Marigold: Native to the southwestern United States, Mexico and South America, there are varieties all over the world. In Mexico, it’s used in Day of the Dead celebrations. In India and Thailand, it’s a key part of weddings and festivals. Marigolds are part of the aster family.

Flower Fact of the Day: Pansies are a garden favorite, especially in the South. For tips on growing them, visit: hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20081030/LIFESTYLE/810300310.
 

First grown in Central and South America, sunflowers have been revered for centuries in various cultures around the world.

They are the 3rd wedding anniversary flower and the state flower of Kansas.

Flower Fact of the Day: Don't have a green thumb? Worry not, just go heavy metal. Find out more at: azstarnet.com/allheadlines/263828.  
 

Whoever wins the next presidential election will definitely have a huge job on his hands and fixing the economy is a top priority.

It’s hard to turn on the news or read a paper without being reminded of the economic downturn.

So it’s not surprising that consumers are taking a less-is-more approach to lots of purchases, including flower buying.

Take casual parties, for example. Since the all-perfect, all-matching look is out anyway, we’re seeing a move toward using monochromatic (all one color) flowers or monobotanic (same flower, different colors) in several simple mismatched containers instead of big mixed centerpieces.

And as for what the containers are made from, rustic materials rule. Try ceramic jars and pots or textured glass in darker tones like brown, burnt orange and violet. Clear glass is best left to spring and summer.

Teleflora's Williamsburg Golden Pitcher is a great example of the vintage trend. And if you buy it, you'll be entered in an exclusive sweepstakes. For details, go to: teleflora.com/williamsburg.asp.  

And a personal touch is taking on a whole new meaning. Tom Simmons, president of Three Bunch Palms Productions threebunchpalmsproductions.com  in Palm Springs, CA, puts it this way: “There’s a movement toward vintage looks, especially in terms of containers, such as an antique pitcher or your great grandmother’s china pieces.

Simmons says he’s also seen a vintage butterfly brooch pop up in a bouquet as well as a maid of honor’s longtime collection of decorative bumblebees adorning a small tree of hanging place cards at her sister’s wedding.

“It’s personal and at the same time it’s comforting,” Simmons says. “People tend to be drawn toward that comfort. It’s a soothing, homey atmosphere without being generic.”

So the next time you’re entertaining with flowers, take a quick trip down memory road for your inspiration.

Who doesn’t need a little comfort right about now?

Flower Fact of the Day: I was glad to see that I’m not the only one who sees the cool side of chrysanthemums. Financial Times weekend columnist Robin Lane Fox recently wrote about the pleasures of this flower: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e49233f0-959a-11dd-aedd-000077b07658,s01=1.html?nclick_check=1.  
 

With Halloween falling on a Friday, I know many of you will be hosting parties. Or maybe you’d just like to look festive for trick or treaters. You know you can count on flowers for a colorful and cheerful touch.

For some simple, elegant touches, how about:

* Single orange Gerberas in black bud vases. Or wash and re-use green or brown beer bottles as vases.

* Green or white spider mums sitting atop a mini-pumpkin (slice the top off, clean the pumpkin and use floral foam to hydrate the flowers).

* Paint single branches of curly willow black, green, purple or gold and display in low bowls.

* A plant is a super way to liven up your doorstep on Halloween and for several months afterward.

* Or treat yourself to adorable arrangements designed by the experts at Teleflora. I particulalry love these two Halloween flower bouquets. There are many more to choose from on teleflora.com.  

Meanwhile, in honor of Halloween, I compiled this trivia quiz about the holiday.

1. Halloween was popularized in the 1800s by which immigrant group?
A. German
B. Norwegian
C. Irish
D. Swedish

2. We carve pumpkins in America; when jack-o-lanterns were created in Europe, what vegetable was used?
A. Turnip/Rutabaga
B. Cabbage
C. Beets
D. Extra large potatoes

3. Which Halloween tradition comes from an old Scottish custom?
A. Dressing up in costumes
B. Trick or treating
C. Bobbing for apples
D. Telling ghost stories

4. Halloween is celebrated in Japan. True or False.

5. Which U.S. city holds the biggest Halloween party?
A. New York
B. New Orleans
C. Savannah, Ga.
D. Chicago

6. About $5 billion is spent annually in the U.S. on Halloween costumes. True or False?

ANSWERS
1. C. The holiday comes from an ancient Celtic celebration called Samhain, which took place at the end of the harvest.
2. A.
3. A, B and C. Children would dress in costumes and go door to door, dancing or singing to earn money or sweets. In the U.S. this evolved into trick or treating. They also bobbed, or “dooked,” for apples.
4. True. It is also celebrated in several Latin American countries.
5. A. New York. The Village Halloween Parade started in Greenwich Village in 1973.
6. True. The most popular costume for adults: Witch.

Flower Fact of the Day: If you want gorgeous spring flowers, now is the time to plant bulbs. For ideas and tips, see: http://features.csmonitor.com/gardening/2008/10/29/expert-tips-for-choosing-spring-bulbs-this-fall.
 

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.





It’s probably no secret that in the 18th century, when the rules of courtship were very strict, flowers were used to communicate messages between lovers. Seriously, how romantic!!

I think today it is commonly known that a red rose signifies love but you might be surprised how many flowers have meanings attached to them.

For fun, I decided to “de-code” the Williamsburg Golden Pitcher bouquet, teleflora.com/williamsburg.asp to see what “message” it is sending.

Here’s a list of the primary flowers in the arrangement and their individual meanings:

• Carnations - fascination, admiration

• Chrysanthemums - cheerfulness, abundance, wealth

• Rose (yellow) - joy, happiness

• Rose (orange) - enthusiasm

• Golden Rod (Solidago) - the word solidago is Latin and means to strengthen.

With a lineup like that, clearly, this arrangement is meant to help heal the woes of the difficult times that many of us are experiencing. It is no mistake that when I look at this arrangement it makes me happy - it is full of positive “vibes”!!

Curious about the meaning of your favorite blooms? Teleflora.com has a great section that tells all about it. Here’s the link: teleflora.com/about-flowers/flower-meaning.asp.
 

Gerbera daisies take center stage in this festive Halloween arrangement.

Did you know:

• Daisies gave rise to the childhood game of “He loves me, he loves me not,” which started with the Victorians.

• Daisies are the flower for the 5th wedding anniversary.

• Daisies are the April birth flower.

• Daisies love water so give them lots. To make your gerberas last, be sure to refresh their water as frequently as you can and clean the vase each time you change the water. Why? Gerbera will droop if they encounter bacteria.

• The Gerbera gets its common name from 18th century German botanist Traugott Gerber.

Flower Fact of the Day: “Even leaves take on a special look when they are mixed in vases alone or with garden vines,” writes Nancy Gmeiner, Penn State master gardener. Read her tips on flower arranging at: eveningsun.com/localcolumns/ci_10689256.
 

On Wednesday, I joined several of my Teleflora colleagues at the Women’s Conference 2008 in Long Beach, CA. One of the nation’s largest women’s gatherings, the event drew 14,000 attendees. It was a great chance to connect, listen to amazing stories and get motivated to pursue your dreams. Oh, and see more than a few A-list celebrities (see below). This is a stone's throw away from LA, after all!

In addition to the conference sessions, there was also a huge exhibition hall, entertainment, shopping and snacks.

The Women’s Conference is a non-profit, non-partisan organization led by California First Lady Maria Shriver. With a mission of empowering, inspiring and educating women, the conference has formed partnerships, developed programs, and supported initiatives in California and beyond.

Thanks to the efforts of Joanne Milichich and her team at Glo White Florist, glowhiteflorist.com, Teleflora was able to donate more than 300 Sweet Pinks bouquets to this year's event. Sweet Pinks, pictured here, is among several Teleflora bouquets that help raise money for breast cancer research.

Maria Shriver’s speech, about aging, finding real courage and becoming your authentic self, had the entire audience close to tears. I will share excerpts from her talk in upcoming posts. Her daughters gave an intro speech; her sons were in the audience.

She and husband Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger welcomed an incredible roster of speakers and guests including:

Madeleine K. Albright, former Secretary of State

Dr. Condoleezza Rice, United States Secretary of State

Cherie Blair, human rights advocate and wife of former prime minister Tony Blair

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Christiane Amanpour of CNN

Chris Matthews of Hardball, MSNBC and The Chris Matthews Show, NBC

Dr. Mehmet Oz

Indra Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer, PepsiCo.

Gloria Steinem

Bono, of U2 and co-founder of the ONE Campaign and (RED)

Diahann Carroll

Jamie Lee Curtis

Sally Field

Billie Jean King

Heidi Klum

Jennifer Lopez

Jenny McCarthy

Bonnie Raitt

Rachael Ray

Rita Wilson

To see a live webcast of the main stage sessions, view video highlights or to get more info, visit californiawomen.org.  

Flower Fact of the Day: Teleflora donates 15% of the purchase price of each BCRF arrangement to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The partnership runs through August 31, 2009. To learn more, visit: teleflora.com/bcrf.asp.  
 

If you need a way to brighten your doorstep or are looking for a great hostess gift, a plant is a terrific way to go.

They're fresh and festive, and they'll last all season, maybe longer, especially with proper care. Here are some tips to pamper your plants. Get the light right. Dwarf citrus needs full sun; day lilies need a little shade.

Your plant may come with an FYI on the best light for your plant, whether full sun, partial sun or shade. If there's no info, check online or in a gardening book before you find a spot.

When you receive the plant, water it and allow excess water to run out the bottom of the pot into a sink, bucket or saucer. After that, plan to water 1-2 times per week, more if it's a variety that thrives on moisture.

As a general rule, it's much better to give small drinks on a frequent basis than to drench it sporadically. So, if you can, give the plant half its portion in the AM, the rest later in the day or at night.

Prune leaves or blossoms that have dried out or died. Don't let dropped leaves or debris collect on top of the soil. Otherwise, you may face pests or plant diseases.

Keep your plant clean and shiny by wiping the leaves with a soft, damp cloth.

After you've had your plant a few months, consider repotting into a larger pot. Roots are like limbs, they need room to stretch.

Flower Fact of the Day: A-list designer Tory Burch www.toryburch.com has a fondness for flowers, as reported in Town & Country earlier this year. One of her favorite looks? Simple and elegant groupings of all one flower. 
 

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.




My last blog entry generated some interesting conversation amongst my colleagues. Inspired by our vase discussions, I thought I’d mention a few more vases that were in vogue in the 18th century. It also might be educational to point out that these vases were designed to showcase each individual stem. This idea was popularized in the 18th century when William of Orange came to England from Holland, bringing with him his love of tulips. With that tulip-mania was born!!


Tulipiere for WILLIAMSBURG by Andrea by Sadek

At that time, a single tulip bulb could command prices well in excess of the cost of a large house on one of Amsterdam’s grand canals. With those prices, it would have been a crime to hide these “exotic” stems in a large arrangement! This tulipiere is an adaptation from a delft version in The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s decorative arts collection.





Five Finger Vase for WILLIAMSBURG by Andrea by Sadek

This “Five Finger” vase was clearly meant to make the most of just a few prized stems. However, not intended just for tulips this vase would look beautiful with roses, iris or any bloom that is special to you.





Floral Brick for WILLIAMSBURG by Andrea by Sadek

The “Floral Brick” was meant to display a select grouping of flowers in an easy, organized way. Remember, 18th century decorations were all about symmetry and balance!!





Pique Fleurs Vase by Richard Hutten at www.Christofle.com

The epitome of “new traditional”, this version of a tulipiere was featured in the NY Times Magazine recently. Clearly a modern interpretation of one of our 18th century favorites. Just goes to prove that what’s old, really is new – in one way or another!!
 

When I moved to LA, I was a little shocked that not a lot of people were familiar with Sweetest Day, Saturday, Oct.18.

Back in Chicago, I loved stopping by a Wells St. flower shop on a crisp, sunny October day and picking up fresh flowers. Some lilies, roses in burnished hues or orchids if I wanted a dash of elegance.

Maybe I felt a bit European buying flowers along with my groceries and a bottle of wine. Maybe it made the weekend seem just a bit longer. I know the flowers lent my living space a relaxed vibe well past the weekend.

According to wikipedia.org: "The origin of Sweetest Day is frequently attributed to candy company employee Herbert Birch Kingston as an act of philanthropy. However, Bill Lubinger, a reporter for the [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, contends [in 2005] that "Dozens of Cleveland's top candy makers concocted the promotion 84 years ago and it stuck, although it never became as widely accepted as hoped."

Anyway, Sweetest Day is a good excuse for flowers and candy on the weekend. Life is short! And, believe me, men like getting flowers just as much as women do. 

Flower Fact of the Day: Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones reportedly has developed an interest in flower arranging. I will investigate. I'm sure Ronnie rocks, regardless of his artistic endeavor.
 

In today's shaky economy, no one is rushing to part with cash.

But if you have a big event coming up, it's also hard to part with flowers.

The solution: Work with your florist to get the most for your money. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always use flowers that are in season. For fall, that would be: carnations, mums, sunflowers, dahlias, hydrangea and calla lilies.

• Get creative with filler. Use branches, wildflowers, leaves or other plants from your back yard to amplify your arrangement. I love lamb's ear, which is extremely soft and has a lovely gray-green shimmer.

• Mono-chromatic bouquets (one color, one or more kind of flower) create visual impact with fewer stems than you'd typically buy for a multi-color bouquet. They're also incredibly elegant. Hydrangeas, particularly, will spread your flower dollar far.

• It may be tempting to buy flowers from a grocery store, but if you go that route, remember that your flowers will be much less likely to last than flowers from a florist. Problem is, you have no way of knowing how long those blooms have been parked near the produce.

• Cut costs by bringing your own vases and containers for your florist to fill. Or use items already in your cupboard, like tea cups and rinsed-out wine bottles. Don't worry if they don't match. Actually, it's cooler that way. And if you enjoy arranging flowers, remember that most florists sell loose-cut flowers.

• Your florist can provide a range of flowers – from single stems to a few bouquets to multiple arrangements for a big event. Getting to know your local Teleflora florist means you'll learn more about living well with flowers. And once your florist has a sense of what you like, he/she may be able to alert you to good deals and work with you to create your signature floral look.

Do you have a tip for saving money on flowers? I'd love to hear it.

Tomorrow, tips for florists: A florist shares strategies for networking, a key element of building her business.

Flower Fact of the Day: Want to winterize your flower gardens? Learn how at: argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081014/LIFE/810140309.  
 

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.



Trends in floral arranging and the containers that you put the arrangements in date back thousands of years. Let’s walk back in time to learn what has contributed to the floral arranging melting pot that we have today.

THE BUD VASE: There is documentation to suggest that it was around 2500 B.C. when showcasing just a single bud in a vase became popular. Often arranged with a leaf on either side and used to create a simple pattern. Using a single bud or a bud and some greenery at each individual place setting has recently come back into style as a wide variety of single stem vases are currently in the marketplace.



”Paperwhite place card holder” from williamsburgmarketplace.com


THE CORNUCOPIA: Many popular floral arranging methods were established during the Greek and Roman times. It was during this time that the Cornucopia, a popular table decoration in modern day times and a symbol of harvest and abundance during Thanksgiving, was developed. Filled with flowers, gourds, veggies or fruit the cornucopia is a timeless addition to any table.

                            
”Heavenly Cornucopia” from teleflora.com


THE URN: Starting with the over-the-top styles during the Baroque period, large containers filled with flamboyant arrangements were sure to make a resurgence in the future. After a conservative break in “big” during the Georgian era, this idea was taken to new heights when, during the Victorian period, very lavish floral design became all the rage. Flared vases, or urns, of all types and finishes were used to display a number of popular garden flowers. Today, the urn is interchangeable as an indoor or outdoor decoration.



“Florentine Urn” from williamsburgmarketplace.com


THE GOLDEN PITCHER: Came into vogue in October 2008 with the advent of the widely popular WILLIAMSBURG arrangement by Teleflora! This ceramic pitcher has a golden metallic finish which perfectly complements the warm tones of the carnations, roses and mums in the arrangement. With an ample opening, compact design and FDA approved for use with liquids, long after the flowers are gone this container will make a nice statement piece for a number of home decorative uses.
”Williamsburg’s Golden Pitcher” bouquet from teleflora.com
 

To accompany Disney’s new animated movie, “Tinker Bell,” out on Blu-ray and DVD on Oct. 28, Teleflora has created magic in a vase with its exclusive Tinker Bell Bouquet.

A hand-painted Tinker Bell sits atop roses, carnations, hydrangeas and button spray chrysanthemums in a pink cube with pink tulle. I love her sparkling wings.

And in the movie, this whimsical fairy will speak for the first time! I wonder what she’ll say to Peter?

If you buy the Tink arrangement and the Blu-ray™ Hi-def or DVD of “Tinker Bell,” you’re eligible for a $5 mail-in rebate, through January 31, 2009. You can buy the floral arrangement online at teleflora.com, flowerclub.com, at eflorist.com or through a local Teleflora florist.

Also, Disney Movie Rewards is hosting an online sweepstakes starting Oct. 16. One lucky fan will win an all-expense-paid trip for four to the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, FL. In addition, five first-prize winners will receive a year of Teleflora floral arrangements. For additional information, go to teleflora.com/tinkerbell.asp.

Flower Fact of the Day: The 15th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, which took place earlier this year at the Walt Disney World® Resort, featured 30 million blooms.
 

Halloween lets you tap your creativity in so many ways it's scary! :)

But really, what other time of the year can you change your identity completely and not feel guilty stocking up on candy?

Closer to the day, I'll post a picture of one of my favorite Halloween costumes; feel free to borrow the idea. Hint: Think Hitchcock.

It's a great time to get festive with flowers and the fall harvest. Buy a few extra pumpkins in various sizes to use as natural vases. Floral foam will let your flowers drink and you can also paint some of the pumpkins black or get fancy and choose a metallic like gold or bronze.

Carnations work well in holiday arrangements because they last and last. And they're easy on your wallet. Hydrangea is another great floral choice because you can make a big impact with only a few stems. For a high-end, elegant look, try calla lilies. The arrangement below uses roses, lilies and mums. And I love the draping amaranthus!

Eitel's Flowers & Gifts in Greencastle, Ind., eitelsflowers.com celebrates 100 years of selling flowers! Congratulations to everyone there.

Kenneth Eitel, Jr. currently runs the business. His family came from Germany to the U.S. in 1908 and began working in the floral industry.

I look forward to talking with Kenneth soon, but wanted to say congratulations!

Flower Fact of the Day: Indiana's state flower is the peony. One of the most popular flowers with brides, peonies are supposed to bring good luck and happiness.

 

 

I am so excited to be a guest blogger during the promotion of Teleflora’s Colonial Williamsburg Sweepstakes!





I’m Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

From now until the sweepstakes ends on December 12, I will be sharing tips and ideas about the latest decorating trends and how they derive inspiration from the past.

But, first, let me tell you about this beautiful WILLIAMSBURG arrangement teleflora.com and the awesome sweepstakes to go along with it. The arrangement is full of an artful array of carnations, roses, chrysanthemums and goldenrod pulled together to form a beautiful mix of the hottest colors in this season’s decorating (you did know orange is the new red, right? More on that later...).

As if the flowers aren’t enough, the arrangement comes in this great metallic gold ceramic pitcher. How hip is that?

As far as the sweepstakes goes – you’re not going to want to miss out on this! The sweepstakes consists of two Grand Prize packages for a Colonial Williamsburg Family Adventure. The Family Adventure Package includes lodging, access to special events, a guided tour of Colonial Williamsburg’s historic area and a $500 Colonial Williamsburg gift card.

Let me stop right there and say that $500 can be spent on an over-the-top spa treatment, an amazing oriental rug, a new tea service – in other words it can be redeemed at ANY of the Colonial Williamsburg properties or retail stores! By the way, the $500 gift card is also the second prize, which 10 lucky folks will win.

Clearly, this is truly a sweepstakes of HISTORIC proportions! I’m just sad I can’t participate, I could use a facial.
 

... this afternoon! Were we surprised! Were we delighted! They are so pretty and in perfect condition on this blazing hot day. And the little vase is really cute and modern; we will re-use it happily. Thank you so much!

Best,

J & D

   Capricorn: Dec. 22-Jan. 20 / Flower: African violet

Home is where your heart is and that’s especially true this month; your entertaining plans will delight your guests. Work feels topsy-turvy as a relationship with a co-worker changes. Stay focused on your goals and the turbulence will pass. You will learn a life secret from another culture. Also, your flirty side comes out in a big way at the end of the month.



   Aquarius: Jan. 21-Feb. 19 / Flower: Orchid
 
That nagging doubt you have about a new relationship is not going to go away. That doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye, just proceed with caution. Next year is an excellent time for a big adventure and now is the time to start planning. The 15th and 21st will be lucky days.




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

You’ve made a significant transformation and it’s time to feel proud of yourself. Around the 13th, you may be tempted to make a rash decision. Think it through to save grief later on. Extending yourself to a new acquaintance or colleague will ease her feeling of being threatened by you. Oh, and that daring Halloween costume you want to wear? Go for it!




   Aries: March 21-April 20 / Flower: Tulip
 
This month, your man will go through a rough time. Resist the urge to criticize or judge. You may sense some emotional distance from a family member. Wait it out; the situation will improve. Meanwhile, reward yourself for being a loyal supporter with a massage or spa treatment. Remember that being too busy is not a good thing and try to streamline your schedule if possible.



   Taurus: April 21-May 21 / Flower: Lily
 
You’ve been playing your cards close to your chest at work. Usually this is a solid strategy but realize that you may need to voice your needs for the good of a special project. Your talent will be highlighted by a higher-up by the end of the year. Don’t call him, he’ll call you! :)




   Gemini: May 22-June 21 / Flower: Rose
 
You’ve been struggling with something for a long time, perhaps searching for a job. Granted, it’s tough but all it takes is one offer. Whatever you do, don’t give up. You have terrific creativity and problem-solving ability that will serve you well in a new job. On the romance front, give that shy guy a chance.




   Cancer: June 22-July 22 / Flower: Delphinium

You’ll be feeling a retro vibe so buy a few vintage frocks and rent some old B&W movies. Tapping the past for inspiration will help you find a new perspective on a current problem. Be sure to look on the bright side on the 23rd. You’re a sensitive one, but remember that you can choose how you’ll react to a catty comment or harsh remark. Letting someone else ruin your day means you’re surrendering personal power.



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

Finding time to volunteer, even just one day, will brighten your entire month. About your job: If you enjoy it and it’s paying the bills, don’t worry about what people think. Otherwise, make a plan for reinventing yourself. A female relative or friend may surprise you with a special treat.



   Virgo: Aug. 23-Sept. 23 / Flower: Daisy
 
Virtuous Virgo, you like to attend to details and making sure you’re 100% organized. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it will do you good to goof off a little. Be silly, sleep in, take your inner child out for ice cream. You may receive an apology at the end of the month; accept it graciously. On the 14th you'll grin from ear to ear.




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

Not getting what you want? Put yourself in another’s shoes and reframe the proposal, being careful to point out benefits. If a confrontation becomes inevitable, take deep breath and face it. More than likely, it won’t be as bad as you thought. You don’t like making decisions, but this month you’ll have unusual clarity. You’ll be privy to witchy wisdom on the 30th and 31st.



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

Your intensity and sense of humor will lead you down a new path. Don’t think about it too much, just walk forward and have fun. A friend needs help this month and tapping your amazing network may help out. The 27th is a perfect day to take a chance. Remember to celebrate good times with fresh flowers!




   Sagittarius: Nov. 23-Dec. 21 / Flower: Carnation
 
You may get the chance to travel this month. Take it! You may also win a prize or get some extra cash. Remember that you can’t please everyone all the time, so don’t be afraid to say no. Good health, good food, good weather, good friends. There are so many things to be happy about. Make a list and keep it with you for those times when you need a boost.


Flower Fact of the Day: The name hydrangea comes from the Greek “hydor,” meaning water, and “angos,” meaning jar or vessel. The flower was first discovered in Japan.