Striking Sunflowers!

Summer is the season for big, beautiful, beaming sunflowers!  Often found at your local farmer's market, many people don't realize that sunflowers actually come in several varieties and can even be found in tones of orange, not just yellow.  Shown here is the variety "Sunbeam" featuring a large, bright green center as opposed to the more commonly seen black center.  Sunflowers grow tall, in some cases 7 feet or more.  For visual interest, we decided to forego height and instead feature the big, beautiful flower heads "floating" in a low, wide glass bowl.

Hydrangeas

Summer is hydrangea season.  This time of year, it's so wonderful to see these big, vibrant blooms gracing yards in abundance all over town in gorgeous shades of blue, pink, purple and white.  Hydrangeas have big, sturdy stems that can arrange easily in a vase, or be tied together as a bouquet for the summer bride.  Though they flourish outdoors in the summer, they do need to be treated more delicately once cut from the bush.  When arranging, remove any leaves that will be below the water line in the vase.  Have clean, cool water treated with a packet of flower powder which is both flower food and antibacterial agent to keep the water clean.  Give the stems a quick, smooth cut with sharp floral shears and insert immediately into the water.  Be sure to keep the flowers in a cool room, out of direct sunlight.  

Luscious Red

If you're looking for a dramatic burst of color at your wedding or event, go red.  Red is a very strong color that invokes feelings of warmth, power, happiness, prosperity and celebration.  Many flowers are available in red including roses, asters, carnations, and tropical flowers like torch ginger.  Red works very well with white for a striking contrast, or as a bold complement to purple or pink (as seen here).

Shades of Pink

At bloom boxx we've been saying it all year, pink is in.  Really, was it ever out? Brides can establish a celebratory, colorful mood at their weddings by using classic garden flowers in varying shades of pink.  Seen here are roses, tulips, snapdragons, ranunculus and heather covering the entire spectrum of the pink palette from pale pastel tones to ultra bright fuschia.  Making pink your wedding color shouldn't be considered traditional.  Think of pink as classic.

Bargain Vases

At bloom boxx, we love a bargain, and we love to pass that bargain along to our clients.  You can score great vase finds on clearance racks.  Our favorite clearance racks can be found at HomeGoods, West Elm, and Pier One.  Both of the flower arrangements here are in vases that, after mark down, cost less than $12 each.  With flowers, the finished look is grand and seemingly expensive.  The white vase has a lid, which we used to make a "sidekick" arrangement to add some interest and enhance the overall effect.  Garage sales are another great source for inexpensive vases and interesting containers.  bloom boxx firmly believes in achieving, as they say, the "look for less".

Life is a Carousel Ride

bloom boxx was thrilled to participate in the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Carousel Awards Gala.  We provided the centerpiece for the Chamber president's table, and we had a blast with the theme.  Inspired by Asbury's historic Convention Hall, we included "patinaed" seahorses and a sailing ship which stood proudly at the very top.  The entire top portion of our floral carousel tower was affixed to a battery-operated display stand meant to showcase dolls, so it actually spun like a real carousel.  In addition to brightly colored flowers, we used moss and seashells to invoke the shore - and jewels and mirrors reminiscent of a merry-go-round.  When throwing a party, flowers can be more than just an addition to the tables.  They can be part of the fun!

bridal glam

The wedding day is all about the bride.  It's a day when she gets to feel and be treated like a princess.  And, what's more royal than jewels?  Even in today's economy, this doesn't have to stop with the ring.  The glam look can also translate to the bridal flowers, without being expensive.  Faux fur, plastic pearls, shiny ribbons and crystals are inexpensive, yet add a glamourous look - and a little whimsy.