First Come Flowers

3 Ways to Bring A Touch of Spring Home Today

 I love the spring! Time to get more color  in my home. I think I'll cover some pillows.

via inkiemama tumblr

 

"Despite the forecast, live like it's spring."  

                                                                                    Lily Pulitizer

 

1) Flowers - Pick up some brightly colored flowers while you're out. You can get a mixed bunch or go monochromatic. Place them in a spot where you can enjoy them each time you pass. 

2) Home Decor Accessories - Pull out your spring colored accessories. Don't have any? Get a quick splash of color for less at a store like Home Goods. You can pick up some new curtains, a basket, placemats, a vase or something to hang on your wall.

3) Potted Plants - Bring a little life into your home with a living plant. Choose between those with or without flowers. Select one that will work with the amount of sun you get. For a great look, put the potted plant into a decorative container with stones inside for drainage.  

Stumped about what colors to use? Check out this post on HGTV, Best Place to Find Color Inspiration.

Let me know what you plan to change in your space to make it feel like more like spring in the comments below.

Mimi

           

How to Make Those Supermarket Flowers Look Great

The key to buying supermarket flowers and making them look great is to buy them the day they arrive at the store. Just ask the manager what day they come in.

 

Real Simple 

Most supermarkets and fruit and vegetable stands do an okay job of taking care of the flowers when they first come in. But, while florists will re-cut the flowers. change the water and add floral preservative to prolong their vase life every few days, most stores don't bother.

 

Here are some links to show you how to make your supermarket flowers look great:

3 Ways To Arrange Supermarket Flowers  

4 Tips for Making Store Bought Bouquets Look Elegant for Less

Turn Supermarket Flowers Into Beautiful Bouquets

Grocery-Store Bouquets

If you're not sure how to select fresh flowers or take care of of them, you may find these posts helpful. 

Please share your experiences with supermarket flowers in the comments below.

Mimi

 

Linking to:

Common Ground

French Country Cottage 

The Charm of Home 

 

 

 

 

Try The Elegant Garden Rose Instead

 

Tired of the typical rose arrangements? Then let me introduce you to the magnificent garden rose. 

Carolyne Roehm

They're huge and often don't even look like roses. They're particularly good for special events 

 

Martha Stewart

Garden roses come in a wide range of colors and some are intoxicatingly fragrant.

Martha Stewart

Garden roses are so beautiful that they practically arrange themselves. You don't need a lot to make an elegant statement.

More  Garden Rose Info:

David Austin Roses 

Garden Rose Arrangements 

Caring for Cut Garden Roses - 

 
  Jim Christensen

Some people are lucky enough to have garden roses growing in their gardens. Just snip a few, bring them inside and enjoy.

I'd love to hear about your experiences with garden roses below in the comments.

Mimi

 

 

Our Flowers and Audrey Hepburn's Words

 

Fly Me To The Moon Florists

 

"Pick the day. Enjoy it to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future."  Audrey Hepburn

Real Tales From Fly Me To The Moon Florists #9

 A Breakfast to Remember

Fly Me To The Moon

It was the evening before Valentine's Day 2013. A man walked into our shop, hands blackened with automotive residue. A mechanic.

He asked the price of a dozen roses while he glanced around checking out the vases on display.

While I wrapped his bouquet of pink roses, he asked if I could give him two additional roses cut very, very short.

He also needed two little vases to hold them.

I was struck by how invested he was in the selection of each element. So I sort of asked him what he was doing.

He explained that the dozen roses were for his wife and the miniature bud vases for his young daughters.

Five days a week, he gently tiptoes out of his home at 6:00 am careful not to wake his sleeping family.

But, on Valentine's Day. The day we celebrate the ones we love. He planned to surprise them by setting a beautiful breakfast table with flowers for each one of them. 

"Each day of our lives we make deposits  in the memory banks of our children."

                                                                Charles R. Swindoll

 

Let's make every effort to make them sweet.

Mimi

 

                     

Have You Seen The Incredible Orchids at the NYBG Orchid Show Yet?

My friend, Linda's post, over at Calling It Home, just reminded me about The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden being held now through April 22, 2013. You can read her post here.

 

NYBG

 

See more amazing images from the NYBG Orchid Show at a blog called, Kristen Troost Hall Photography.

Please let me know what you think of this incredible orchid show in the comments below.

Mimi

How to Do Pink and Turquoise Right

I admit it. I'm a late adapter to the pink and turquoise color palette. But when a bride came in for a consultation with these colors and a touch of gold I fell in love. 

 Jane Packer 

This beautiful turquoise basket of pink roses is a modern twist on a an old favorite.

Tracey Rapisardi

Blush pink blooms. A robin's egg blue cabinet. And the palest pink table create a lovely spring vignette.

 

Source

Make your bedroom a haven you'll love. Paint a forgotten nightstand a vibrant turquoise blue. Get a bunch of pink flowers and cut them short so only their blooms are showing. Add a lovely decal or stenciled design on the wall and put your favorite linen on the bed. 

 

Source

You really don't need too much to make a special place in the corner of a room. A single pink flower in a bud vase. A beautiful remnant just the right size to cover that chair. A re-covered pillow in the palest pink satin. A throw and a journal or favorite book.

How To Make A Basic Boutonniere in 5 Minutes

Ever woke up in the morning and said to yourself, "I'd like to make a boutonniere today, but I just don't know how?" I'm a florist and I don't recall ever asking myself that question either. 

Source

But just in case you ever need an emergency boutonniere, here's how to make one in 3 easy steps:

Here's what you'll need:

1 small perfect flower (spray rose or mini carnation) that's been in water

green floral tape 

ruler

sharp scissors or knife

one straight pin 

 

Here's how to make a basic boutonniere:   

1. Place a ruler beneath the flower head and measure 1.5 inches. Cut the flower there on an angle. Throw out the rest of the stem.

Fly Me To The Moon

2. Wrap the flower stem in floral tape beginning under the flower to the bottom on an angle. Do the same thing going back up the stem. Cut  the tape. Stretch the end of the tape attached to the flower then stick it down.

Fly Me To The Moon

3. Take the straight pin and stick into the tape on an angle, but don't let the pointy end go through the tape. 

That's it! You've made a boutonniere.

Helpful tips for making a simple boutonniere:

• Your boutonniere will last longer if you put in a small covered box or plastic bag in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it..
• You can use a larger flower, but if you're not careful it may end up looking ridiculous.
• If you're afraid to cut the stem too short leave it a bit longer, but the focus should be on the flower not the long stem wrapped in floral tape.
• This truly is the most basic of boutonnieres. Foliage and other flowers can be added to reflect the color or style of the event. 
• Be sure to use a flower that will last long. If you're not sure, ask your flower salesperson.
• Use a pin with a bead or pearl on one end if possible. They're a bit longer and easier to use when you're attaching the boutonniere to clothing.

 

Boutonniere-making Resources:

Jacqueline Ahne - Brian Hawkins Photography

How To Make A Boutonniere

DIY Wedding Flowers: Homemade Boutonnieres

Boutonnieres To Love

Boutonniere and Corsage Inspiration

 

Please tell me what you think about the boutonnieres you've seen or made in the comments below.

Mimi

What Would You Like to Do in This Flowery Setting?

 

Armchair Collective 

 

Besides a flowers shop and cafe, the Armchair Collective actually sells, well a wonderful selection of armchairs. Get a glimpse of this lovely store here. Their website is currently being re-worked.

So, what would you like to see or do at the Armchair Collective? Please let me know in the comments below.

 

Mimi

5 of My Favorite Gorgeous Green Images

I confess. Green is my favorite color. Lots of people think it's black, because I wear it so much. What can I say? I'm a New Yorker. 

But when I dream, I dream in green. 

Here are some of my favorites:

Martha Stewart

 

via This is Glamorous

 

Artyscapes

 

CharmaineZoe

 

Matthew Mead

 

If you love green too, take a look at my glorious Green pinboard here.

Let me know what your favorite color is in the comments below.

Mimi