January 25, 2008 | out and about
by
Jacqueline
Not that I’m one to make sweeping statements or anything, but it has been documented in the course of human history that some guys (they shall remain nameless) can see 25 TV commercials, drive by a dozen billboards, look at a calendar and still have absolutely no idea that Thursday February 14 is VALENTINE’S DAY. Hello!
Or they realize it on Feb. 13 and give you a deer-in-the-headlights look before bleating: “Guess we should make a dinner reservation somewhere, right?” Need I say that “we” does not mean he?
It’s just a fact of life that some men may need to be reminded that a day dedicated to romance is right around the corner. With that in mind, I offer these top 10 hints to drop before Valentine’s Day to make sure your man remembers and that you celebrate in style.
10. Figure out your focus. Will a bouquet of divine red roses make your day? Is this an anniversary year that you’d like to mark in a special way? Are you hankering after reservations at a buzzed-about restaurant? Pick your goal and then plan your strategy.
9. Remember that men are visual. If you regularly make a honey-do list or a grocery list, take a piece of paper and snip out a heart-shaped version for the next few weeks. Fold the paper in half before you cut so your heart will be symmetrical.
8. Wear red. A red turtleneck, red lipstick or red nail polish will be a subtle signal that you’re a passionate gal and that you’re looking forward to being with him on Valentine’s. And it’s a good excuse to treat yourself to a mani-pedi. That way, too, your nails will look great if he splurges on a rock.
7. Play vintage tunes, like the inimitable Sam Cooke’s “Cupid.” (With all the bio-pix around these days, I’d like to know when Hollywood is gonna tell Sam’s story.) Other picks: Ella Fitzgerald’s version of “My Funny Valentine” and anything by Sinatra or Dean Martin.
6. Rent romantic movies. “When Harry Met Sally,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “The Apartment” or “The English Patient” are tried and true. Or get more to the point with 1953’s “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” in which Marilyn Monroe dazzles as she sings “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” After that song, turn to him and say with a wink: “Marilyn was really prophetic, don’t you think?” or “Marilyn was way smarter than people give her credit for. Way smarter.”
5. Quote the numbers. Mention that $16.9 billion was spent on gifts and flowers last Valentine’s Day, according to Martha Stewart Living magazine. In 2006, there were 189 million roses grown to meet demand. The fact that you’ll settle for a few dozen red roses will seem like a bargain.
4. Use one bloom as an example. Put a single flower – a pink carnation or a daisy would be good – in the bathroom or near his laptop. Flowers are excellent mood enhancers so, with a little luck, a bouquet will be forthcoming.
3. Feed him. At meal times, put out a little bowl of cinnamon red-hots and some chocolate hearts as if these were everyday condiments. As you eat, tell him that while the principles of portion-control pertain to food, they have no application whatsoever to buying flowers, clothes or jewelry. None whatsoever.
2. Feed him more. A week before Valentine’s Day, give him a cookie or cupcake that says “Be Mine.” Nothing wrong with making the first move. But keep it simple or he’ll think you’ve already celebrated.
1. Be up front. Understand that hints can work, but, for sure success, tell him what you want. He’ll never be able to read your mind so lest you risk disappointment, just lay it on the line and say something like: “Btw, I really want roses/orchids/tulips/whatever this year. And of course I’d like to know: what would you like, darling?”
January 24, 2008 | teleflora news
by
Jacqueline
Blue sky and beach.
Ice cream and cone.
Hearts and flowers.
Perfect pairs are some of life’s greatest pleasures and here’s one more to add to the list: diamonds and roses. Diamonds not quite in your budget? Then checkout Teleflora’s Diamonds & Roses sweepstakes. You could have the chance to win one of 1,000 diamond pendant necklaces and one pair of $50,000 diamond earrings.
WOW!
Recipients of TF’s Diamonds & Roses bouquets (eight red roses and Queen Anne’s Lace delivered in a hand-blown, hand-cut ruby glass vase with a sparkling faux diamond, $59.95, shown below) and Teleflora’s Diamond Cut bouquets (one dozen red roses and bupleurum delivered in a European, hand-blown glass vase with a twist design, $99.95) receive game pieces to get into the glitzy fun.
Both items are hand-arranged and delivered by a Teleflora florist.
To see complete details, rules and how to obtain a game piece without purchase, visit teleflora.com/diamonds-and-roses.asp.
Tomorrow on Flower Blog: Hints to make sure your guy remembers Valentine’s Day.
January 23, 2008 | out and about
by
Jacqueline
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady carried a white flower arrangement Monday on his way to Gisele Bundchen’s NYC home, according to BostonHerald.com.
The bouquet was a mixture of ferns, baby’s breath, white carnations and white roses. Mono-color floral bouquets, especially all white, are very in right now.
Brady is reported to be a big fan of flowers, or more precisely, of giving flowers to the women in his life, whether wooing them or wanting forgiveness.
Larry Bornstein of Olympia Flowers in Boston and Brookline, olympiaflower.net, was quoted as saying: “It could be that he was busy practicing all week and didn’t have a chance to see her.”
David Winston of Winston Flowers in Boston, winstonflowers.com, said when it comes to love, most of the time, “you can say it with flowers.”
Flowers also make statements about peace. In an online photo gallery this week, photos.mg.co.za/view_photo.php?pid=2766&gid=171, was a shot of a remembrance flower at a ceremony commemorating the 65th anniversary of Stavropol, Russia’s liberation from German forces.
And the Associated Press today reported that photographer Bernie Boston has died. Boston, 74, was famous for “Flower Power,” a 1967 shot of a Vietnam War protester putting flowers in soldiers’ gun barrels. The photo was a runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize and is known throughout the world.
January 22, 2008 | floral trends
by
Jacqueline
Calling all fashionistas: Flowers have been picked this spring – they’re all over the place in clothes, accessories, makeup and jewelry.
Second City Style Fashion Blog secondcitystyle.typepad.com reports this week: “Everything is coming up roses … and peonies, hydrangeas, tulips, gladiolas … you get the idea. You can already see how huge this trend will be on everything from apparel, to bags to shoes.”
Check out Second City’s pix for lots of floral-inspired couture and, speaking of shoes, the Prada Camoscio Glamour Suede Sandal is really darling.
New Straits Times Online nst.com.my spotted the trend as well: “Flowers are no longer confined to gardens … they are everywhere.” This site highlights the Dior Flower Blossom compact dior.com (see below) as well as cosmetics from Guerlain, Shu Uemura and Giorgio Armani.
WWD wwd.com reported late last year that fragrance maker Bond No. 9 is launching a fragrance collection, Andy Warhol Union Square, based on Andy Warhol’s “Flowers.” It’s set to come out in March.
Flowers are also a stylish staple in jewelry as Kim Cattrall of “Sex and the City” fame can attest. Cattrall was photographed several weeks ago wearing a chunky silver ring with petals aplenty.
Meanwhile, gizmodiva.com recently featured some great Swarovski crystal flower bangles, viecouture.com highlighted a Guess multi-flower ring and flower-motif accessories pop up regularly on stylehive.com.
Updating my spring wardrobe just got a whole lot easier!
January 21, 2008 | flower facts
by
Jacqueline
Think romance is out of fashion?
Not so, according to the Jan. 28 edition of Time magazine time.com, its annual mind and body special issue. The cover story is: “The Science of Romance: Why we need love to survive.”
Here’s an excerpt: “As far as your genes are concerned, your principal job while you're alive is to conceive offspring, bring them to adulthood and then obligingly die so you don't consume resources better spent on the young. Anything that encourages you to breed now and breed plenty gets that job done.
“But mating and the rituals surrounding it make us come unhinged in other ways too, ones that are harder to explain by the mere babymaking imperative. There’s the transcendent sense of tenderness you feel toward a person who sparks your interest. There’s the sublime feeling of relief and reward when that interest is returned. There are the flowers you buy and the poetry you write and the impulsive trip you make to the other side of the world just so you can spend 48 hours in the presence of a lover who’s far away. That’s an awful lot of busywork just to get a sperm to meet an egg – if merely getting a sperm to meet an egg is really all that it's about.
“Human beings make a terrible fuss about a lot of things but none more than romance.”
Well, long live romance, I say. And long live writing poetry and buying flowers. Oh, and eating chocolate, too. I’m sure that’s meant to be in there. It’s a fascinating piece and the issue has 13 related stories, such as: “Why We Flirt,” “Crazy Love,” “Love Letters,” and “Star Pairs," a list of long-lasting celeb romances (yes there is such a thing). On the list are:
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy
Nancy and Ronald Reagan
Bonnie and Clyde
Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera
Elton John and David Funish
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Hillary and Bill Clinton
Dana and Christopher Reeves
Jada Pinkett and Will Smith
The photo of Bogie and Bacall is, presumably, on their wedding day, as she is holding a simple but gorgeous bouquet of flowers – it’s my favorite shot, natch.
