The Scents of Springtime

Easter Sunday is one of many signs that spring, at long last, is finally here.   And, this means that beautiful spring blooms are in season!  Not only gorgeous to the eye, many spring flowers are also a treat for the nose and make a fresh, fragrant bride's bouquet.  The pale pink peonies and beautiful hyacinths seen in this bouquet, which really pop thanks to beautiful hot pink anemones, add a delicious natural fragrance.  Ahhh, spring. 

Feather Fun!

For the past few years, "bling" has been popular in use with flowers for weddings and parties.  Crystals real and not so real, in many colors, are frequently seen in centerpieces and bridal bouquets.  This year, feathers are making a comeback.  Like crystals, feathers provide an element of whimsical fun.  Feathers are also more cost effective.  Seen here, we used black and white feathers in centerpieces for a sixteenth birthday party.  Feathers add a little flash and a little fun for a reasonable price.

Perfect Pink

Pink is always in style, but this year pink is big.  We found these amazing hot pink glass cylinder vases at Ikea.  Sold in sets of 3, one collection features 3 different low and wide vases, the other features 3 that are more tall and narrow.  Total cost for all 6?  $32.  Yes, again, that's $32 for all SIX.  We used all of the vases together to make a dramatic pink statement on the table.  Anxious for spring, we chose classic fragrant spring blooms in varying shades of pink:  pale pink peonies, classic pink hyacinths, and bright pink anemones in addition to some fresh cut greens.  At this price, you could allow dinner guests to each take home a vase of flowers after your party.  And even though we're feeling the pink, you may be feeling another color inspiration this season.  So you know, those same Ikea vases also come in other jewel tones: bright blue, ruby red, and emerald green.

Pretty Vases

Most of the time, in the flower business, a vase serves simply as the container to hold the flowers.  The blooms are the featured stars.  Sometimes, it's good to let flowers serve as the accent to a vase that's beautiful and can stand out in its own right.

Here we see 2 gorgeous bottle-style vases.  From gorgeous acid green pottery, "Yearning Desert" flowers flow naturally.  The soft, velvety off-white blooms on subtle grey-green stems allow the color of the vase to really pop.  Conversely,  caramel brown "Robin Hood" gerbera daisies enhance this cream vase with a "moon surface" pattern - adding a touch of color without overpowering the wonderful texture that gives the vase such visual interest.  For both, the flowers are simply gathered, cut, and placed loosely.  The narrow neck of the bottles prop the flowers up perfectly, eliminating any need to properly "arrange" them.

Alstroemeria lilies are beautiful flowers that are popular, inexpensive, and widely available.  To help you pronounce the name properly, think "I'll-still-marry-ya". What's also great about alstros is that they last a long time - easily up to 2 weeks, sometimes longer.  As always, be sure to keep the water full and refreshed.  They come in a variety of colors from reds and oranges to several shades of pink.  The alstroemeria lilies seen here were part of a "3 bunches for $10" purchase at the supermarket.  This white variety is called "Virginia".  A great value, easy to arrange, and simply beautiful all by themselves.

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Simple, Elegant Table Top

A collection of small groupings of flowers make an eye-catching centerpiece, even on a large table.  You don't have to be an experienced florist to quickly arrange them, and what a great way to show off interesting assorted containers.  Note the interesting miniature "pitchers" and vases seen in this photo.

Go Green

Fresh cut greens, usually used to compliment flowers as "filler" in arrangements, can be gorgeous as the featured stars.  Furthermore, they're economical.  Greens are usually less expensive than flowers.  And of course you can cut greens from the bushes in your own yard!