CasaSugar

How-To: Keep Your Valentine's Day Bouquet Fresh

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0800

If you're expecting a bouquet of flowers this Sunday, prepare yourself with a few of my tips on keeping them fresh and oh-so-pretty. If there's no man in your life to shower you with Valentine's Day gifts, treat yourself! You deserve it. If your beau brings you flowers every day of the week, you need not read further, and you really should be giving me lessons. Otherwise, to hear my tips, read more.

Do not put your flowers in warm water; this dehydrates them. So once you've cut them, place them in a clean vase filled with cold water.
Cut flowers can sometimes go into shock when they experience extreme fluctuations in temperature, causing them to die suddenly. So, keep them away from warm or cold air drafts, don't transfer them from a hot room to a cold one, and don't leave them overnight in a place (i.e. work) where the heating or air conditioning may be turned off at night.
The waterline on the stems shouldn't be any higher than about a half of a foot.
Some florists sell packets of "flower food" that kill bacteria growing on your flowers. It may work like a charm, but you don't need them: I have some easy household alternatives for you. One tried-and-true alternative is adding a couple tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar; the acidity will kill off bacteria. I just use whatever is handy. Pouring in a tablespoon of bleach should also kill off mold.
Cut the stems of your flowers every couple of days, and replace the water and flower food whenever you do this as well.
You should also make sure to pick off any foliage below the water line to prevent bacteria growth.
If your flowers have wilted, you can try to restore them by putting them in a vase filled with near boiling water.
Most florists receive their fresh flowers at the beginning of the week, so by Friday, they're already on their last legs. Buying your flowers earlier in the week will give you more time with them. On the other hand, most florists will give you a good discount on stems if you buy them on Friday.

Casa Quickie: Double Your Pleasure

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:15:00 -0700

Once you've taken steps to make your cut flowers last longer, you might as well make the most of them while they're lookin' good. Once you've put them in a chic vase, set it in front of a mirror! For the price of one bouquet, this trick will give your arrangement the visual presence of two. It helps to have a stunning bouquet like this one, but this two-for-one tip doesn't discriminate. A mirror, my friend, is a wonderful thing - especially when it's a "skinny" mirror.

Source: Flickr User smcgee

Casa Verde: Farmers Market Bouquets

CasaSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:30:52 -0700

How does your bouquet grow? Well, if you ordered it from Bay Area florists Studio Choo, it grew locally. Owners Alethea Harampolis and Jill Pilotte shop at farmers markets daily for fresh and seasonal flowers, and deliver throughout the Bay Area. Not only are their vibrant, just-picked arrangements entirely unique, unlike those 1-800-Flowers deliveries, but sourcing (and delivering) those anemones, ranunculus, and poppies locally curbs the pollution associated with shipping flowers cross-country. Then consider that many farmers market flowers are grown organically, and you've got yourself the most eco-friendly (and gorgeous) bouquet you can find, short of an arrangement of wildflowers. Why not see if a similar service is offered in your neck of the woods?

Casa Quickie: Home Deliver Flowers to Someone Special

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:00:46 -0700

Who doesn't love receiving a bouquet of flowers? Whether it's delivered from the local flower shop, or arrives in the hands of a dinner party guest, a bouquet really can make someone feel special.

So, what's stopping you? Do you have a friend who needs a pick-me-up, or a special relative who appreciates a pretty bouquet? There's no need to spend a lot of money. You can even use a grocery store bouquet that you've re-arranged. Or, if you're lucky enough to have a flower garden, trim some blooms, wrap them in ribbon and newspaper, and leave them on that special someone's doorstep. Who knows? Maybe the favor will be returned someday. And even if it's not, you can rest assured you've made someone's day.

Cool Idea: A Bouquet of Water Flowers

CasaSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:00:01 -0700

I'm so impressed with this beautiful bouquet of water flowers. While I would never advocate picking flowers out of a freshwater lake (especially if it's a rare plant), if you have a backyard pond or fountain, it would be wise to cultivate some water flowers to use for an unusual bouquet or arrangement. Can you imagine how stunning a bouquet of water flowers would look at a lakeside wedding?

Have you ever made an arrangement with water lilies and water hyacinth? Do you have a backyard pond where you grow these flowers?

Source: Flickr User molajen

Cool Idea: A Bouquet of Macarons

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:00:55 -0700

There's a reason Sofia Coppola keyed the palette of her film Marie Antoinette around a box of French macarons: the feminine pastel tones are simply chic and utterly delightful.

So, why not think inside the box and forgo a traditional bouquet for your flower girls in favor of an arrangement of macarons? Your little flower girls will be engaged by the sweet pastries, and your guests intrigued. Though the meringue-like domes are light, the sum of them may be heavy, so make sure to reinforce the bouquet sleeve - perhaps by starching a piece of lace or other fabric. You may even want to superglue the pastries to keep them looking nice; it's all about the illusion. Just save extras for your macaron girls to eat themselves!
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Casa Quickie: Color Coded

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:00:08 -0700

The next time you buy fresh flowers, find some small objects that match the blooms' colors, and arrange the flowers next to these objects. The coordinating colors will really maximize the decorating power of the flowers. Taken together, the objects, along with your fresh bouquet, will add a beautiful ambiance to the room.

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Etsy Find: Felt Flower Button Bouquets

CasaSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:00:16 -0700

If the fleeting beauty of a fresh floral bouquet isn't what you had in mind for your wedding or other celebration, you're in luck. Etsy seller Princess Lasertron makes custom bouquets from hand-stitched felt and vintage buttons that will last well beyond your ceremony, and perhaps your five-year anniversary. But you needn't be tying the knot to take one home. The one-of-a-kind floral arrangements look just as good set in a glass vase on your dining room table, as they do with your Vera Wang. Prices run from $60 to $250.

Cool Idea: Hanging Wedding Flowers

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:45:03 -0700

Miss Cherry Pie recently posted photos of her hanging wedding flowers. She's still perfecting the idea, but I think they look great already. She writes that she "spent some time this weekend with my shepherd’s hooks and cache of jars working out how to attach one to the other. First, I picked out 20 jars of a similar smallish size, and set them aside. Then, I went a-crafting. I took a trip down to Michael’s to pick up some wraphia (aka raffia), a natural-looking, grassy ribbon that’s strong enough to use as a hanger."

Then, she tied the wraphia around the mouth of each jar, fashioning a handle out of it, and hung them from the shepherd's hook. This is such a lovely, simple idea for displaying large flowers. It's a beautiful, easy arrangement for any couple planning a DIY wedding.

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DIY: Build Your Own Wedding Bouquet

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:15:17 -0700

If you love to make your own bouquets for your home, you can easily make one for your own wedding, or for that of a friend or family member. Not only will you help to save money, you'll also create a unique, personalized bouquet that will help to make the day more special. Remember to try to go with simple, fresh flowers that are grown locally - if you can buy from a flower grower or farm and cut the flowers yourself the day before the wedding, you're guaranteed to have gorgeous, fresh blooms.

What You'll Need

Floral Wire
Stem Wrap Tape
Hot Glue
Long Stemmed Fresh Flowers
Preservative Solution
Small Bucket
Fabric or Ribbon that matches or contrasts well with bridesmaids' dresses
Knife

To find out how to "build" your bouquet, read more.

To maximize your flowers' freshness, soak flowers in a preservative solution in the small bucket overnight.
Gather the flowers together, and wrap (not too tightly) the wire around the stems, until the stems are covered.
Trim the stems, using the knife.
Wrap floral tape around the wires.
Spread the stems until the flowers are arranged as you would like.
Wrap the ribbon or fabric around the base and stems of the flowers. You can use hot glue to secure it, or you can simply wrap it tightly.
Enjoy the gorgeous bridal bouquet!