Flowers to Make You Smile

I am sitting here in the intense heat and decided to stop complaining about it and Google one my favorite subjects – FRESH FLOWERS. Of course there are a zillion and one ways to combine flowers to make all types of different arrangements, but let me narrow it down a bit.

Let’s talk about just plain pretty arrangements for any table – not gigantic, showy arrangements but pleasing ones you can place anywhere. I really love the look of different flowers all in the same color family. It makes for a cohesive arrangement that is more subtle but has depth when you examine all the different varieties. If you ever watch the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network, you will see she is a fan of solid color arrangements, usually in all white or orange. She will often use the same flower over and over in a large cluster, but I prefer different flowers.

You can really use any container, from plain glass where you see the stems, to a pottery piece or my favorite – something different you own, like a small tureen or pitcher or even your gravy boat you haven’t had out since Thanksgiving. Use your imagination. Fill the container with water, arrange the flowers in your hand to gather a perfect bouquet, freshly cut the stems, then place them in the water. You may need a few adjustments, but you can do it!

Here in Cincinnati, we have a number of good florists, but a truly special one is Robin Wood. Visit her amazing website to order, get amazing ideas and view her photo gallery. The pair of photos on this page are from her website and perfectly illustrate the single color theme.

Keep cool and think “flowery” thoughts!

Photos from Robin Wood Flowers

An Enchanted Evening - Sara & Walt are Married

One of Adrienne’s closest friends from high school was married recently to her sweetheart, Walter in an enchanting, magical manner. The natural beauty of Lexington, KY, home of rolling hills, bluegrass and manicured horse farms, was the setting for the ceremony and reception. A beautiful day, a soft breeze and the amazing landscape made everyone feel truly blessed to be there.

As guests arrived they were directed through a large manor house to the backyard setting, where the ceremony chairs were set up under a huge draping tree from which were hung small origami birds, made by a friend of Sara’s. The breeze caught them and they swayed and added a special touch to the area. When the ceremony began, the bridesmaids, dressed in perfect pink dresses, carrying lovely bouquets of roses and greens in all the soft colors, pinks, peaches, creams and yellows came through the lawn, followed by the spectacular sight of Sara on her father’s arm beaming with happiness matching Walter’s waiting smile. Sara’s dress was a beaded, fitted top with a drop waist that went into the most lavish confection of tulle and satin roses beneath layers of lace and a train. To say she was beautiful simply doesn’t capture it properly.

The reception tent was adjacent and it was a truly magical sight. The entire ceiling of the tent was hung with giant paper lanterns and flower balls in the floral colors, made by the bride’s family. Martha Stewart should get this creative group on her team without a doubt.

The tables were draped in pale green silk with floral centerpieces that were garden fresh and included all the soft colors in roses and stock and lisianthus, hydrangeas and green bells of Ireland. Surrounding the main centerpiece were multiple tiny arrangements in silver julep cups (we’re in KY, remember) with smaller cut versions of the main flowers and twinkling votives. As the evening continued, the lanterns were lit, the delicious food was eaten and the cake presented. As a guest, you truly felt you had been part of a loving family event.

Sara and her family are so welcoming and everyone felt included – relatives, friends, children, horses and even a blind, deaf dog, their beloved family pet. It was a truly enchanted evening.

Wreaths for Your Door and More

SPRING IS HERE –at least in some parts of the country. Here in Rochester we had snow yesterday but we are always hopeful for Easter and all that spring brings.

At Tuesday Morning we have an amazing variety of spring wreaths in the store right now. They are so colorful and bright, made of geraniums, hydrangeas, apple blossoms and a wonderful mix of spring flowers.

Wreaths can be showcased in so many places. As a designer, I once had a client with twin daughters and we had a pair of wreaths made to go above their twin beds. The little girls loved them and thought of them as “crowns.” These tiny girls are grown now and their mom says they took the wreaths with them to college to hang above their beds as a little “smile from home.”

Of course your front door is the perfect place for a welcoming wreath but I have seen them all over the house. They can hang on the armoire door, in a powder room, a laundry room, a kitchen or on the side door into the garage that no one ever “decorates.” At the holidays, I have a matching pair of berry wreaths flocked with snow I hang side by side on my twin bookcases.

A wreath can hang over an entry mirror (suspend it from fishing line from a tiny nail midway into the mirror) or perfectly over a fireplace. Light it with tiny lights, to give you a happy glow no matter the season. Check out your local Tuesday Morning store to find the perfect wreath.

Remember, if you have wreath on your front door and a bird family tries to nest there, just put an artificial bird on the wreath and the live birds will think another one lives there. This is a BECKY KNOWS EVERYTHING SUPER TIP JUST FOR YOU.

A Lilac Festival Without Lilacs

Each year in mid-May in Rochester, something called The Lilac Festival is held. Mike and I never seemed to get there, but this year we decided we would do it. So, today we went! I am pretty sure it is famous because last year MARTHA STEWART herself attended.

Anyway, we took a shuttle bus from the local community college to Highland Park. Tons of people, lots and lots of arts and crafts vendors (mainly that jewelry you always see that the vendors never price which makes me crazy) and photos and every conceivable item you can think of painted with some type of lilac.

We had some unseasonably warm weather here two weeks ago and all the lilacs bloomed, so sadly, there weren’t any lilacs to see. But we did enjoy a Dixie Band on the main stage and Mike had a gigantic Italian sausage sandwich with peppers and onions and since it was a beautiful day, we had a lot of fun. When we got home, I went to my neighbor’s who has a late-blooming lilac bush and I took a photo for you.

When I was a little girl, the lilacs would bloom at the first of May. Right around May Crowning my mom would cut me a bouquet from the bush outside my bedroom window, wrap it in wet paper towels and foil and I would proudly bring them to school along with about 30 other kids in my class. Lilacs, along with forsythia and tulips and blooming magnolia trees always herald spring. I hope you have a spring in your step and that this spring makes you feel young and happy!

Spring Smiles

Easter and spring are both rapidly on their way (thank goodness) and I have a few suggestions on how to get that “springy” feeling back in your life.

First, let’s talk candy. Get out your bunny candy dish and fill it with foil eggs. Try not to eat one every time you walk by, but place the dish where you can see it and enjoy the colors. Order yourself some candy (I am partial to solid chocolate bunnies – those ears are YUM) from a place with good candy, like See’s. They have a great, colorful catalog filled with seasonal treats. Get the catalog delivered and you will be so happy. Or better yet, find yourself a wonderful sister like mine who sends candy for every holiday and sometimes just because. You need to find your own sister since mine is taken.

Change out a candle or two. If you usually use plain beige or even a dark color, buy a soft pink or yellow one. So what if it doesn’t match your décor? It’s a holiday thing and anything goes. While you are shopping, buy a new tablecloth or placemats that say spring. Again, they don’t need to match anything else, just make sure they sort of go with your dishes so we don’t have a bad color clash.

Buy some wonderful, floral cocktail napkins and put them on your table next to the candle. The colors and patterns out right now are terrific and inexpensive.

Buy yourself a special floral treat. This time of year the grocery stores are full of heavenly smelling hyacinths in a wonderful array of colors. The periwinkle ones are gorgeous but so are the pink. Or buy a bunch of daffodils, tulips or iris or one of each and mix them all. They will absolutely brighten your day.

The stores like HomeGoods and Tuesday Morning are filled with reasonably priced Easter and spring merchandise. There are wreaths for your door and planters galore. Not to mention the tablecloths, bunny figurines, dishes and candles.

While you are cheering yourself up and brightening your own life, reach out and do the same for someone else. Call a good friend you have lost touch with, send an Easter card with a sweet message or surprise a co-worker with a flower. Bring spring smiles to everyone!

My Holiday Home

I know the holidays are over...but I just remembered that I told you I would share some photos of my holiday home. Decorating for Christmas is always one of my favorite things to do. In the photos below you will see my tree, a festive arrangement in my entry, and my fabulous wreath hung over the fireplace. I display my wreath year round but change its "look" to reflect the season. In the spring I might have some yellow, red, and pink flowers to keep things fresh and springy. And at Christmas I use reds, golds, silvers and always have some sort of beading and branches to keep it looking festive and original. If you have photos of your home you'd like to share, please send them to beckybarras@hotmail.com.

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Today in my local newspaper there were photos and an article about Thanksgiving table centerpieces and I just had to start writing. The table styling was done by a local designer and it was the kind of design that makes me nuts. Of course anyone can lay a walloping big horn of plenty cornucopia thing spilling fruit in the middle of a table or line the table with a ton of pumpkins and a giant floral piece, but come on! We all know the practicality is this - you need a place to put all of your wonderful food AND you need to see the person sitting across from you (even if you aren’t wild about them). Ultimately, these huge centerpieces have to leave the table when you sit down to eat, so what is the point of having them? As a young bride I purchased a large pumpkin tureen and filled it with flowers for the center of my table. Not only was it hugely expensive to fill, but the minute the food was ready I had to take it off the table. Now it sits on my table in the fall everyday BUT Thanksgiving!

You can make your Thanksgiving table look beautiful and festive without going overboard. The photo below from Country Living is a great example. Individualize each place setting instead of doing a large central piece. I like to place a votive in an autumn styled votive holder (I have tiny wrought iron ones with leaves) at each place setting so there is pretty candlelight but not a gigantic candle. Please use unscented candles at dinner so they don't compete with the food. Give each guest a favor next to “their” candle, like a colorfully wrapped chocolate turkey or personalized pumpkin cookie. At each end of the table you can have a small, SHORT floral arrangement in a clever container like a wineglass or pitcher or vase – use orange tulips cropped short, any type of fall mum or my favorite natural look, bittersweet. Just make sure they are small and you can see over them. Don’t even try that trick of hollowing out small pumpkins. I did that one year and every variety of squash I tried was SO HARD that I needed a knife and saw to make a holder. Go to Michael's or Tuesday Morning or HomeGoods and buy a cute fall holiday votive holder. They can look colorful and interesting and you can spend your time perfecting that pumpkin pie!!

I will be writing more about Thanksgiving dinner soon since it is coming up so quickly. Creamed onions, anyone?

Photos from Better Homes & Garden and Country Living

More Floral Tips and Tricks

I promised I would give you some more info about ordering flowers from a florist and here you go:

Beware of the standard holiday centerpiece. I have worked for large and small florists and they all do the same thing (like the cut flowers in a vase from my recent blog). They will make up dozens or even hundreds of identical centerpieces for the holidays. For Thanksgiving they will feature yellow mums, any rust colored flower and HORRIBLE FAKE LEAVES. For Christmas they feature poinsettias, one or two red candles, some berries, and Christmasy greens. If you want to send a centerpiece to a friend (and it is generally a nice thing to do – although she probably already has plans for the center of her table and sometimes the table is so full of food there is no room) please, please be specific about what you want so the florist will have to make up something special just for you. Better yet, don’t order a centerpiece. Order a low silver bowl filled with red roses and holiday greens or a pretty red tulip and lily combination - the hostess can put this in a lot of places.

We LOVED when someone would order something different, like red and white roses, poinsettias and curly willow – it was a nice break from the monotony. I once went to a holiday gathering and the hostess had received THREE centerpieces from the same florist, all exactly alike. This is a failure on so many levels – the phone people, the floral manager that handed out the orders, the designer and the delivery driver. Pretty much takes out any feeling you got something special!

Go to T.J. Maxx or a place like that and buy a special urn or cool vase and take it to the florist and let them fill it. Already you have done something nice. Or bring something you own but don’t use like an oversized wine glass – they will fill it with moss and beautiful flowers. Be specific about greenery too, say “no leather leaf please”—that’s the junky greens you get at the grocery. They will have to give you ruscus or a fern and won’t charge more.

*Becky Knows Everything: With the economy the way it is, please try to support your local florist. Flowers are considered a luxury item and in tough times people don’t send them. If you do, please go to a florist. Don’t we all think the grocery stores make enough money?? I mean, Philadelphia Cream Cheese is $2.49 here – IT WOULD COST $10 FOR ME TO BUY THE CREAM CHEESE FOR MY FAVORITE CHEESECAKE. Now that’s a problem!!

Your Florist - Tips and Tricks

In my last blog I wrote about the perfect flowers for a southern wedding and it got me thinking about my florist days and some tips and tricks I learned along the way.

I have worked for a very large florist, a very small florist and one in between and there are a few things they all do the same. The “bread and butter” of the floral business is the constant calls from customers for “cut flowers in a vase,” “spring colors,” about $35. These arrangements are sent for almost every occasion except perhaps a funeral. And here is what happens – at a large florist these arrangements are made up in the beginning of the week when the floral shipments arrive. We would do a “line” with about 24 vases lined up at a time and each florist would have certain stems they would add to the arrangement. The vases would be “greened” with cheap leather leaf and then we would go from vase to vase and add our flowers. The more seasoned florist got to add the pretty flowers and the rest of us added the fillers. We would complete one line and start another, using up the flowers in the cooler until we had made enough to fill about a week’s worth of orders. The line is reminiscent of my days in college at the candy factory where my best friend and I were “Lucy and Ethel” dropping candy in boxes on a too-fast conveyor belt.

I learned two things – if you are ordering this type of arrangement, do it early in the week when the flowers are fresh. On second thought, don’t order them at all. Be specific about what you want, even if all you say is “all pink” or “yellow tulips with iris” – this forces the florist to order new flowers for you or make your arrangement up fresh since the ones in the cooler are always mixed arrangements. Be as detailed as you can, ask for nice greens and you won’t be charged more but your arrangement will be so much nicer.

When ordering through a service (like a FTD type thing) be forewarned that even if you choose a picture from their selection book, the florist receiving the order will send out what they have available. Be sure to ask the recipient if the flowers are what you ordered and how fresh they are when they arrive. You can even have her e-mail you a photo if there is any concern. One thing a good florist will do is very happily replace a poor arrangement – they all know goodwill and happy customers keep them in business. They should be super gracious to you and send something out at once.

Stay away from the supermarket floral departments unless you are just buying a bouquet. The personnel generally are untrained and except in rare circumstances cannot make a custom arrangement. And even though it is a dollar or two less, don’t order your son’s prom date’s corsage from the grocery. When my kids were in high school, the teen making the corsages was one of their friends who admittedly didn’t know what the heck he was doing. Some of his corsages went from the wrist to the elbow and if you want a happy prom date (and maybe you don’t) go to a real florist -they even package them prettier.

Sweetly Southern

Sarah Z. writes “Becky, I am doing the flowers for a friend's wedding in August and I could use your help. Have you any ideas for interesting, inexpensive and pretty floral arrangements? Her theme is 'Southern Belle Afternoon Affair' and her colors are purple and pink. She has purchased short vases."

I just love questions like these since I get to relive my bridal florist days and talk to my floral friends. If the theme is “Southern Belle” we need to go soft and pretty with a “fresh from the garden” look, as in loosely arranged. I wish Sarah had mentioned how wide the mouth of the vase is since that makes such an impact. If the vase has a wide mouth, it will of course take more flowers which means more $$. One way to combat this is to use one large anchor flower (like hydrangeas) cut close to the edge of the mouth, then fill in with less pricey flowers like lisianthus. Use a soft drapey green like plumose fern or fresh ivy. If hydrangeas are too pricey, use lilies. They are fragrant and each stem has two flowers and a bud so they can fill in a good sized space if used with enough nice support greenery.

For a nice fresh mixed look, use white daisies, pink tulips, a few lavender roses (Blue Bird are incredibly fragrant), and add some lisianthus for the sort of less structured look that is so pretty. Tulips are available year round at a reasonable price and the colors are so nice. Use a single pink color for greater impact, then add the purple touch with limonium and greenery and then tie or glue a beautiful purple ribbon around the vase and let it drape. Other pretty garden flowers are ranuculus, asters (beautiful rich colors), iris, snapdragons, and delphinium. Another purple flower is liatris, which stands straight and tall. Sarah, you have such a great theme to work with. Have fun!!

*Becky Knows Everything: If you are using short vases like Sarah Z., be sure not to make the centerpieces too tall - guests need to see each other across the table. Another thing to keep in mind that Sarah didn’t mention - the size of the tables. A too tiny arrangement will be lost on a table set for 10. Use candles or ivy or other greenery to help out.