Proteas are such an amazing flower. Native to South Africa, the flower can easily live 7-10 days in a fresh arrangement. And, better yet, as it matures, it will dry and look fabulous for months. It keeps its color and form – just gets a little darker and of course, crispy.

Check out the fashion runways for the perfect Valentine’s arrangement. I am loving all the feminine touches in the shows this year. Lacy, textured, beaded and ruffled… dresses, skirts and flowing fabrics…It’s fun to be a girl!!!. Dress up your flowers with a touch of the “runway”. A ruffle of ribbon and a wrap of beads will add a touch of glamour to a vase of favorite blossoms. Think pink, think ruffles and think like a girl!!!

February is the month of love and nothing says, “I love you” better than flowers. The whisper of a single rose is so romantic. Or, an exuberant vase of roses and other fragrant flowers shouts to the world, I LOVE YOU!!!

Orchids and roses are so elegant together. My favorite, the Black Magic rose is stunning with the garnet red Arachnid orchid. Designed in unique, wired cylinders, they are sure to be the center of attention and topic of conversation. I’ll tell you a little secret: The flowers are in individual tubes so you can easily replace them long after they have stayed. Now you know one of the professional tricks utilized to create your beautiful arrangements.

The haute couture trend of the moment is oh, so feminine! Clothing and accessories are filled with floral accents, lace, ruffles, pearls and beads for detailing…all the feminine touches that we know and love. Why not add ‘real’ flowers to the look. A custom designed handbag filled with fresh blossoms is true haute couture for a flower connoisseur.

Do you miss the scent of pine when you take out all the holiday decorations?  I do!  The house seems so empty and the fabulous holiday fragrance is gone.  Paperwhites are the best floral “quick fix”.  A single plant can perfume an entire room – maybe even the house.  Stop by your Flora2000 florist and ask for a bit of floral perfume in a living paperwhite plant

The busy holiday season just flies by. It seems there is not a spare moment for rest and reflection. Then, January arrives and time stands still. At least we hope so! Finally, a moment for you to meditate and focus on nurturing the soul. Treat yourself and meditate on this textural pavé of flowers. The simplicity is calming and the green, so soothing. Yes, a cup of tea and a moment with flowers, just what you need to nurture your soul.

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful!
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

January snow is such a treat for the skier. For those of us that prefer to snuggle by the fire, a snowflake adorned amaryllis plant is perfect to brighten the home.  The long-lasting bulb can easily bloom for two weeks or more. Best of all, many plants have a second ‘bonus’ bloom that will appear just after the first has long stayed.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

The stark, bare branches with just a few leaves (Nandina) that change color before falling signify the inevitable change which is an integral part of life. This bewitching ensemble fills one with optimism and sets the tone for the events to follow.

Happy New Year!

In my world, New Year’s celebrations scream for white.  After all the chaos and bright colors (I do love red!) of December, white is a welcome relief before the red returns with Valentine’s Day. (Yes, it is just around the corner!)  If you are like me, you will love the simplicity of white, carnations and geometrics.  This is the décor for my New Year’s Eve party – copy it if you like.  There is nothing better than stark white to start the New Year in style!

Sometimes a bloom is so exquisite that it needs proper reverence and respect. The Asiatic lily is just such a flower.  So dramatic, so glorious, it stands tall and beautiful requiring minimal accent. A simple glass cube with a bamboo armature supports the stems without being conspicuous.  As the lilies mature and fade away, simply add a fresh stem to the structure and enjoy this Christmas the simple pleasures that life has to offer.

Here comes Santa Claus,
Here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus Lane,
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
Pullin’ on the reins.
Bells are ringin’, children singin’,
All is merry and bright.
So hang your stockings and say your prayers,
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.
Sing it with me!  I love the Christmas Season and I love the Christmas songs.  Of course I still set out cookies and milk for Santa. Today, I also add a Santa arrangement to the décor – a whimsical touch to keep the fantasy alive. Just what will Santa bring me this year?

I love to gift flowers this season.  They’re always the right size.  They can be big and glorious to keep up with the expectations this festive season.  Everyone loves to receive flowers.  To make the gift extra special, I chose the perfect vase to personalize the gift.  This vase filled with a dozen miniature callas is sure to be loved.  And long after the callas have lived, the vase remains as a pleasant memento of thoughtful gifting.

From the rules of etiquette that restricted lovers from the Victorian era to express their passion, emerged the language of flowers. As this mysteriously ciphered language emerged, particular messages were assigned to specific flowers. So, protected deep within the blooming petals was a message meant only for the beloved to see.

The red carnation expressed the unspoken ache of heart in the absence of the loved one. It is then a little wonder that this particular bloom, the birth flower of a Capricorn, was chosen as a deep expression of long distance love. The responsible, reliable Capricorn could be easily visualized as the one who would not flout society’s rules even when in agony without his loved one.

Besides, Capricorn’s other birth flowers represent different traits of his personality too: vivid orange blossoms symbolize ambition veiled by self-discipline; sweet baby’s breath portrays the honesty he seeks in every interaction and magnificent magnolia shows his regal taste.

Touching the very core of the Capricorn personality, arrangements comprising these flowers make an ideal birthday present for him. At the same time, they impersonate the Capricorn personality well enough to impress admirers of the sure-footed sea-goat.

Go on– embellish your Capricorn’s home or office space with his favourite flowers– red carnations, baby’s breath, orange blossoms and magnolia.

The shopping is done and the presents are wrapped.  The tree is decorated and the house is ready for guests.  It is time to relax and enjoy the accomplishment of navigating through the holiday season.  Provide an elegant gift for yourself.  A reward for all the hard work you have accomplished.  Yes, it is time and you deserve it!  Besides that, a lovely floral arrangement is just what the house needs to be ready for greeting all the holiday guests.

Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me,
I’ve been an awful good girl.
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight!

The holidays are always so busy.  The stores are teaming with people and their bustle.  Oh my!  Do not get me started!  I love the holidays but…always a but…there are times I need to retreat into a quiet oasis of calm.  My studio is decorated in a minimal style that provides just such an escape.  This year, the Christmas décor is focused on the natural treasures provided by Mother Nature.  The conical trees are moss covered and freckled with tiny golden balls.  This personal oasis is waiting for me as I sneak away for a moment of meditation and reflection on the natural beauty to be found on the earth.

This design incorporates two of my favorite floral design tricks: components & elevation.

Arrangements are more fun when done in components. I think this clearly goes back to my childhood.  Everyone knows two or three (or more) is better than one.  If you can’t decide – take them all! Plus, a triplet can be clustered together or spaced about the room as the interior allows.

Elevation adds glamour. Add height to anything and it become so much more important. This self-deception probably has its roots in childhood when celebrities were always so much taller than us. As a girl, this calls for higher heels.  Think of these footed vessels as high heels for flowers.

Alternatively known as the Flame Leaf or the Flower of the Holy Night, poinsettias are popular adornments in churches, homes and offices all through the Christmas season. The star-shaped leaves of the flowering plant are symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem and the color red represents the blood sacrifice through Jesus’ crucifixion.

Legend has it that the poinsettia is a virtual Christmas miracle. Two poor children from a village in Mexico were distressed as they could afford no offering to baby Jesus. So, they plucked some weeds to make a soft bed for the Lord. While decorating the manger, the two were mocked and teased, when suddenly, the weeds burst into bright, star-like petals, thus proving that love was the most precious of gifts.

Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was included in Christmas decorations by the Mexican Franciscan friars from the seventeenth century. It was first brought to America by Dr Joel Poinsett, whom it is christened after.

Today, poinsettias are ubiquitous throughout the world during Christmas. Although traditionally red, the star-shaped leaves are now available in pink, white and yellow. Multipurpose embellishments, they double up as centerpieces, desk or wall decorations. This very versatility makes poinsettias the perfect holiday gift, and with proper care, they can last long beyond the Christmas season to brighten up your living or work spaces all year long.

As the days shorten and grow dark, I crave a little brightness in my life. Vivid balls of orange – pin cushion Protea – fill the need. Everyone benefits from a little floral sunshine brightening the darker days of autumn. Pin cushion Protea tucked into a vase with golden Vanda orchids combine in an arrangement that radiates bright sunny warmth. A creative wrap of leaves from a croton plant finish the look with unique style. I know, you are wondering, “How long will the leaves last?” Not to worry, croton leaves are long lasting. They’ll last for weeks wrapped around the vase. It is amazing just how long they will hold up and look fabulous.

This Thanksgiving I am thinking simple and fun for my table décor. I’ve gathered up a collection of brown and ivory serving pieces. This wonderful assortment of dishes with nothing matching makes it easy to add an extra guest or two. No need to worry about having enough of the same plates. Whew! Now that I have that issue solved, on to choosing flowers… Gorgeous ivory Vendela roses it is. Add ivory candles and a few autumn leaves – beautiful! Now, I just have to figure out how to cook a turkey…