DIY Fall Flowers: How to Make $35 Flowers Look Like $120 October 30, 2012

I love having pretty flowers on the table, but ordering arrangements from a floral shop gets expensive so I started making my own.  I hit a corner flower stand (or two) to pick up my supplies and then arrange them myself.  It’s fairly simple and isn’t as hard as it looks: About 15 minutes of shopping and 30 minutes of trimming/ arranging.  For the flowers pictured here, it translated into a savings of about  $85 (3 arrangements at $40 each from a local florist, compared to my $35 worth of flowers – I own the vases so those aren’t included in the cost savings equation).  Here’s how I made these 3 flower arrangement for a fall party.

Flower Gift Tags {Mother’s Day ideas} May 6, 2012

Use leftover gift tags to hang a sweet note on a homemade Mother’s Day bouquet.  Write a little note and tie it to one of the flowers in your arrangement for a pretty little detail that mom is sure to appreciate.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Beautiful Buds: Affordable Floral Arrangements April 25, 2012

Enliven your table with an arrangement of mini bouquets set in juice glasses or small mugs.  These mini bouquets are adorable and economical: A few bunches of inexpensive spring flowers pepper your entire table.  Pick a few small-budded flowers in similar hues, such as tulips, daisies and daffodils.  Trim the stems short enough so the flowers will peek over the rims of the glasses or mugs.  If using mugs, place a small round metal floral frog in each mug to help shape and hold down the arrangements (the frog will show through clear juice glasses, so rather than using the frog, just fill them a bit tighter to keep the stems in place).

This is a great idea for a spring shower or brunch.  After your event is over, place one of the mini arrangements next to the sink in your bathroom and the rest on bedside or end tables around the house.

Hip Tip: A Penny for Prettier Tulips April 8, 2012

I totally forgot about this trick for making tulips bloom and stand upright until a facebook friend reminded me via her status.  Here’s the great tip: Place a shiny copper penny in the water with tulips to make the buds open and prevent the stems from flopping.  The copper in the penny acts as a natural antibacterial and will even extend the life of your fresh-cut flowers.  Using a shiny/ new penny will yield the best results.

Hip Tip – Potted Plant Centerpiece July 15, 2010

Use pretty potted flowers for a centerpiece – either one large pot or several smaller pots with different flowers and/or herbs.  A potted plant works especially well for a party in the garden or any outdoor event, and will last longer than fresh-cut flowers.  Tie ribbons around the pot for added interest.  For a shower or birthday party, place a colored napkin under one plate on each table and let the guest who chooses that seat take the centerpiece home.

Photo Credit:  Flowers Quata (potted Hydrangeas)

Simple Thanksgiving Floral Arrangement November 24, 2009

No need to order a fancy arrangement from a floral shop.  Making a lovely Thanksgiving centerpiece isn’t as hard as it looks.  Here’s how:  Buy 3 bunches of flowers, choosing fall colored flowers in coordinating shades, and make sure each bunch provides a varying texture to the arrangement.  Start by holding three of the bushiest or tallest flowers (same type), and begin gathering the other stems, one by one, in a vaguely symetrical pattern around the center stems.  Continue until you have used all the stems (or save a few for a small bed-side arrangement).  Trim stems at an angle under cold running water, and place in a vase filled with sugar water.

Post-Thanksgiving Cocktail Party November 10, 2009

Host a post-Thanksgiving cocktail party with ideas from my monthly column on The Family Groove.

http://www.thefamilygroove.com/nov09_TheDinnerParty.htm

Hip Tip – Mini Pumpkin Centerpiece October 21, 2009

Creating a centerpiece for a fall dinner is as easy as picking up a bag of mini pumpkins at the grocery store or farmer’s market. These adorable miniature pumpkins – the most common are Jack-Be-Little or Baby Boo – are inexpensive and hearty enough to last for weeks. Place the pumpkins on a simple cake stand or platter and pile them high. Tuck fresh leaves or cut branches of fall berries in empty spaces for a finished look. For a more modern version, use a white rectangular platter and place an odd number of pumpkins in a straight line, alternating with tea lights.

Hip Tip: Eco-Friendly Herb Centerpieces May 19, 2009

Try this eco-friendly alternative instead of buying fresh flowers for your next soiree.  Display leftover fresh herbs -such as dill, parsley, basil, rosemary, cilantro, chives, thyme and lavender – in simple bud vases and use them as a centerpiece. Use a single sprig, a bunch of herbs or mix several different types together.  Put the herbs in small vases, juice glasses or empty glass jars with the label removed (a great use for empty spice jars!) filled with a few inches of water.  Group several herb-filled jars together in the center of your table for a more substantial centerpiece.  Use jars that are different shapes, sizes and heights for visual interest.

Soak herbs in a bowl or sink full of cold water to clean and revive them.  Spin the herbs dry in your salad spinner or secure stems with a rubber band and hang them upside down to dry. Be sure to dry the leaves completely to extend the life of the herbs. Most herbs, other than basil, last longer if store in the refrigerator and the leaves are loosely covered with an empty plastic bag.

Wheatgrass Easter Centerpiece April 10, 2009

Even if you live in a city, you can still have your own patch of grass to play with this Easter.  Use wheatgrass or another potted grass for indoor decorating.  It’s a simple, modern look perfect for this spring holiday.  Scatter some speckled candy easter eggs in the grass or hide chocolate bunnies for a festive look.  Spring flowers are beautiful, but this centerpiece is a little unexpected and will last long after the holiday. 

 

Wheatgrass may be available at your local farmer’s market or from a florist (most can get it by special order if they don’t stock it).  Health food stores, both large and small, usually carry wheatgrass.  If you can’t find any in your area order some online and have it delivered right to your door. 

 

Happy Easter!