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November 21, 2008 | floral calendar

What happens in Vegas ...

by Jacqueline


The Las Vegas Chrysanthemum Society holds its annual all-chrysanthemum Flower Show.

When: 1-4 pm Nov. 22 and noon-4 pm Nov. 23
Where: Nevada Garden Club Center, 3333 W. Washington Ave.  
Price: Free; money on the sale of mums supports educational programs and exhibits
Contact: For more info or to enter your flowers, call 702-459-4633

Pink Mum

Flower Fact of the Day: Thanks to Linn Mills of the Las Vegas Review Journal for the heads-up on the show. For tips on caring for and growing mums, read his full column at lvrj.com/living/34543399.html.

And to find out why the Japanese have long revered the mum, read Katherine Stephen's recent report in the Christian Science Monitor, http://features.csmonitor.com/gardening/2008/11/13/the-chrysanthemums-star-power.
 

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November 21, 2008 | teleflora news

The Gilded Age and why for many a year it has been good to be glam

by Jacqueline


Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Cindy Cragg

We’ve been hearing a lot lately about how metallics are “in” but take a browse through a decorative arts museum or a quick Google search and you’ll see that all that glitters has been popular for a long time. Gilding, the art of embellishing a hard surface by applying gold to it, dates back approximately 4,000 years.

Gilding of wood surfaces was particularly popular in the Baroque and Neoclassical eras of the 17th and 18th centuries. During the 18th century, gilding skills became more advanced to reflect the simple and graceful decorative style of the time.

Gilding provides an “antiqued” finish that is still very popular today and is often incorporated into architectural elements on buildings, wooden frames, cabinetry and ceramics.



Gilded Ribbon Mirror williamsburgmarketplace.com

For a more whimsical decorative look that is reminiscent of this ancient process, holiday decorations often incorporate “gilded” shapes and textures from nature.



Gold Bay Leaf Wreath williamsburgmarketplace.com

Historically, gilding would not have been applied to an “everyday” kitchen item but how nice that we have the choice in modern times to enjoy a look that was accessible only to the wealthy in a way that adds just the right amount of glamour to our home or holiday decor.

The “golden” or “gilded” pitcher used in the WILLIAMSBURG bouquet is that right touch of glam! Teleflora's WILLIAMSBURG bouquet www.teleflora.com/williamsburg.asp  
 

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November 20, 2008 | flower facts

Holiday airfare too steep? Try sending flowers

by Jacqueline


When I checked for Thanksgiving airfares several weeks ago, I was shocked at how expensive they were. So I figured I'd wait until closer to the time and see what I could find. Unfortunately, the prices didn't drop.

But I still want to connect with my family next Thursday, which means the No. 1 item on today's to-do list is ordering a festive bouquet of flowers. Country Harvest Floral Autumn Centerpiece

This bouquet has a cheerful charm that seems just right. And it reminds me to be grateful for the bounty of autumn. That and the great deal I got on my Christmas ticket. :)

Flower Fact of the Day: Lilies tend to bruise so handle them gently. Also note that pollen can create stains so be careful where you place your flowers or remove the anthers (the pollen-coated tips) with tissues before you display.
 

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November 19, 2008 | poems and quotes

Flowers entice in a vase or on a page

by Jacqueline


Flowers have inspired writers and visual artists for centuries. Little wonder, given their beauty and mysterious charm. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) often referenced buds and blooms, particularly in his sonnets, three of which are below. Next week, I'll share three more.

Sonnet 5
Those hours, that with gentle work did frame
The lovely gaze where every eye doth dwell,
Will play the tyrants to the very same
And that unfair which fairly doth excel:
For never-resting time leads summer on
To hideous winter and confounds him there;
Sap cheque'd with frost and lusty leaves quite gone,
Beauty o'ersnow'd and bareness every where:
Then, were not summer's distillation left,
A liquid prisoner pent in walls of glass,
Beauty's effect with beauty were bereft,
Nor it nor no remembrance what it was:
But flowers distill'd though they with winter meet,
Lease but their show; their substance still lives sweet.


Sonnet 16
But wherefore do not you a mightier way
Make war upon this bloody tyrant, Time?
And fortify yourself in your decay
With means more blessed than my barren rhyme?
Now stand you on the top of happy hours,
And many maiden gardens yet unset
With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers,
Much liker than your painted counterfeit:
So should the lines of life that life repair,
Which this, Time's pencil, or my pupil pen,
Neither in inward worth nor outward fair,
Can make you live yourself in eyes of men.
To give away yourself keeps yourself still,
And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill.


Sonnet 18
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date;
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
 

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November 12, 2008 | floral trends

Plan the perfect party with fresh floral touches: Part Two

by Jacqueline


Yesterday I wrote the first installment of creating a special floral touch at birthday and anniversary parties.

Today I'm sharing some more.

As you read, remember these key tips: 1)Think about the person or people that you’ll be honoring and what theme, colors or mood best reflects their personalities. 2) Party planning may seem overwhelming, but you don’t need to do a lot to make an impact – it’s more important to get creative and have fun.

12 Yellow Roses

Yellow roses are one of two traditional flowers for the 50th wedding anniversary. The second flower? Iris.

Here are the rest of my suggestions.

• Use an ice ring with edible flowers for the punch bowl.

• Make a floral cake or cupcakes (made from flowers and floral foam) next to the real desserts.

• Want a groovy vibe for a 50th b’day party? Fill clear glass containers with 1.5 to 2 gallons of red, orange and lime JELL-O. While the mixture is still liquid, insert flower stems, leaving the petals just above the rim. Surround the containers with clear votive candles.

• For a big party: In addition to adorning the buffet area and individual tables, flowers look pretty next to the guest sign-in book and seating-assignment cards, perhaps blended with a collection of photos.

• Once you’ve had a bouquet of roses for a week or so, the petals will fall off easily, just shake the stems. Then you can dry them and fill containers to add a burst of bright color anywhere you desire. This can be done weeks in advance of your event.

• Unless it’s a surprise party, a lovely gesture is for the guest(s) of honor to write each guest a brief note, describing a treasured memory or fun time. Put the notes at the place setting or attach to the slip of paper indicating table number. Of course, this needs to be done in advance!

Flower Fact of the Day: Here's an entertaining tip from event planner and author Rena Sindi, as reported in November's Allure magazine. allure.com. "I mix purple hydrangeas with forest green hydrangeas for my parties." A top spot to hold parties? Swifty's in NYC.