Easter Flower Arranging & Chinoiserie

Muses

Potted Easter liliies are in abundance this time of year. But white lilies are also wonderful for floral arranging and look absolutely stunning in blue and white Chinese porcelain.

The Wicker Vase

Scalloped Wicker Vase

About once a year Target comes out with a great wicker vase that I post on. And I always suggest you find a clear glass cylinder vase at Dollar Tree or wherever so it will hold water.

Long Weekend

Williams Sonoma

 

I am looking forward to a long holiday weekend with Valentine's Day tomorrow and President's Day on Monday. If you get red roses this weekend, there is no prettier combination than red roses in a blue and white Chinese vase or ginger jar.

Spring Flowers

Williams Sonoma Famille Rose Vases

I was in Publix yesterday and they had so many beautiful cut flowers in the floral department. These Famille Rose pattern vases are perfect for Spring arrangements.

At CCC

CCC

 

Roses are BOGO this week at Publix, so this pretty arrangement of two dozen roses was just $12.99. A great deal!

Blue & White Chinoiserie Bud Vases

Blue and White Chinoiserie Bud Vases

 

I love small vases also called bud vases. They are wonderful for bedside tables, side tables, breakfast trays, and most importantly, the dinner table. Large floral centerpieces block your view of other guests, whereas petite vases do not block your view. And they require just a single stem or a few flowers, so they are an economical choice.

Mum is the Word

Carolyne Roehm

 

With September almost here, mums are plentiful at garden centers. The colors of fall mums are the essence of autumn and not just for planting outdoors. Bring potted mums indoors in blue and white Chinese porcelain planters or cut mums in blue and white Chinese vases for gorgeous color indoors. Mums date back to the 15th century in China and combine beautifully with chinoiserie containers.

Happy August

CCC

I can't believe August is already here - this summer is flying by! My Spanish Wine Tasting and Tapas event is tonight and as I posted about this week, I decided to use miniature sunflowers as a centerpiece since they are very Spanish.

Sunflowers & Blue & White Chinoiserie

1st dibs

 

On Friday I am hosting a Spanish Wine Tasting and Tapas event. I love Spanish wines and tapas, so this will be fun. I have been debating what to do for a centerpiece. I was looking at the floral department at Publix and they have miniature sunflowers. 

Coastal Rattan Vase

Coastal Rattan Vase

 

This darling wicker vase has Juliska vibes at a fraction of the price. It is real wicker, so here are some great ideas on how to use it.

Flower Arranging Chinoiserie Style

Caspari

This is a favorite flower vase of mine and it is quite Chinoiserie Chic made of natural bamboo. Flower arranging could not be easier - just place a stem or two in each of the five glass tubes.

This artful design puts a spin on traditional vases, placing blooms in a line side-by-side. The result is un expected and eye-catching: a neat row of elegant blooms framed in bamboo.

Bud Vases

Kate Spade Make It Pop Small Vase

 

Since Spring is officially here, many of us are thinking about our gardens and flowers. Of course, where I live it is always summer.

I love small vases also called bud vases. They are wonderful for bedside tables, side tables, breakfast trays, and most importantly, the dinner table. Large floral centerpieces block your view of other guests, whereas petite vases do not block your view. And they require just a single stem or a few flowers, so they are an economical choice.

Styling the Tulipiere

Juliska Tulipiere

 

Tulipieres, as the name indicates, were originally created to hold tulips. Tulipieres originated in 17th century London during the height of tulip mania. 

Alum

Beaux Monde Designs

 

Did you know that you can buy something for a few dollars in the spice section of your grocery store to make your flower arranging more successful?

January Doldrums

Williams Sonoma

 

If your home is looking a little sad and empty with the Christmas decorations down and the cold and dreary days of January here, perhaps you need a little pick me up. 

Publix has roses on BOGO this week, so I decided to take advantage of this great deal. Buy one dozen for $12.99, get the second free. I got 4 dozen roses for $26.00! Aldi and Trader Joe's have great roses too.

Blue and White

Kim Seybert

 

My Publix almost always has gorgeous hydrangeas in blue, white, green, and pink. But I have a sweet spot for the blue. And nothing is prettier than blue hydrangeas in blue vases. I most often use blue and white ginger jars and vases, but I love the blue glass vases and candlesticks above. Use white candles for a blue and white moment.

The Palm Frond Christmas Tree @ CCC

CCC

 

Isn't this fun for a Florida Christmas? The tree was delivered yesterday morning and it was up and decorated before noon. And it is dog proof, cat proof, kid proof, and guest proof. All the decorations are unbreakable from the topper that is an Amanda Lindroth mini wicker Birkin basket down to the sheepskin tree skirt and everything in between.

Christmas Decorating Dilemma

Terrain

Surveys show that most people (65%) decorate their homes for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. But this year Thanksgiving falls so late - on the 28th, leaving less time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The weekend after Thanksgiving is November 30th and December 1st!

Tulipieres

Large Watermelon Pink Artichoke Tulipiere

 

I know we all love tulipieres. Also known as tulip bowls, tulipiere vessels are ornate ceramic pieces featuring several different spouts that hold blooms (traditionally tulips) individually. Tulipieres are self-arranging floral vessels. Dating to the early 17th century, tulipieres were designed to display the blooms of prized tulip bulbs.

May Day Tomorrow

Maypole Dancing at Bryn Mawr

When I attended Bryn Mawr College, May Day was a very special day. May Day is one of the four ancient Celtic cross-quarter days, making it an astronomical holiday as it falls between the March equinox and June solstice. Originating from its Celtic name, “Belthane,” Beltane was a spring celebration that included dancing, singing, special bonfires, and house doors and animals would be decorated with yellow May flowers and ribbons. During this time, in various communities in Ireland, people would visit special wells and the Beltane dew was believed to bring beauty and youthfulness to those around it. The name Bryn Mawr is Welsh.

At Bryn Mawr, you awoke to a wicker basket filled with fresh flowers and trinkets at your door. There were no classes. Everyone wore white. Breakfast was omelets and fresh strawberries and cream. The day was spent with maypole dancing, hoop races, and the like. A prime rib dinner and a showing of The Philadelphia Story with Katharine Hepburn (Bryn Mawr Class of 1928) capped off the day.