flower blog

Today's post is from expert florist Tim Farrell of Farrell’s Florist in Drexel Hill, PA, http://www.farrellsflorist.com/.  



As we approach the beginning of spring, we begin to see the lineup of fundraisers pop up on the calendar. Usually themed events, socials provide a fun night out for guests, while at the same time raise much needed funds for various charities. The most popular themes in recent years are, hands down, “Red Carpet” events.

It seems like, in today’s casual world, everybody is looking for an excuse to get dressed up and you can really pull out all the stops for an Oscar Party.

Flowers are probably one of the most versatile elements used to lend glamour to any party. Endless combinations of colors and textures can be achieved with skillful and guided choices by your local florist.

If you are after a look reminiscent of old Hollywood, opulent arrays of beautiful orchids and roses in tall vases will fit the bill. Why not make your own red carpet of rose petals across a buffet table? Using rose petals to make a “table runner” is a beautiful addition to any table. And because roses are available in so many stunning shades, any décor can be complemented.

Callas (above) always look lovely at parties and and mini callas make stunning boutonnières.

Another retro trend that would be a fun party idea would be to have trays of beautiful blooms available for your guests to pin on or add into their hair. Gardenias are wonderfully fragrant and elegant to wear. Mini callas and dendrobium orchids make simple but stunning boutonnières. Even gladiola blooms picked off the stems are easily pinned and will certainly last the evening.

Whatever your event, make sure to include flowers as an important part of the planning process. Just the presence of beautiful arrangements at your fundraiser will lend to the success of the evening. There is an old adage which says “to be successful, you must look successful.” And flowers are the perfect place to start!
 

In Victorian days, flowers had an intricate language all their own. Every shade, each type of flower, even the number of stems held special significance and conveyed a specific message from the sender to the giver.

Today, we have less patience for decoding bouquets, but nevertheless you always make a statement when you send flowers, especially on Valentine's Day. And if you are sending one arrangement to your sweetheart, one to your best friend and one to a fave family member, you'll want to make sure that each expresses the perfect sentiment.

Orange roses are an unexpected way to convey desire.

Take roses, for instance. Each color has a different meaning. So if you are still deciding what to send, this info may help you make up your mind.

Red: OK, this one is easy. This is all-time classic color for lovers. When you send red roses, you are declaring some serious love.

White: Not surprisingly, this means innocence and purity.

Yellow: Fresh and breezy, it signifies fond friendship.

Pink: Gratitude, appreciation and admiration. Pink roses are ideal for good buddies.

Orange: A fresh take on red, this represents desire.

Purple: Love at first sight. Ooh la la!
 

Today's post is from expert florist Tim Farrell of Farrell’s Florist in Drexel Hill, PA, http://www.farrellsflorist.com/.



Oscar parties seem to be all the rage this time of year. Many of our clients are having their own night of glamour and dreams as they gather to watch the winners of the Academy Awards each year. In keeping with the true Hollywood feeling of opulence and luxury, flowers are becoming more and more important at these parties.

The most popular themes we are seeing are those requesting all white flowers. Some are even more specific: looking for Art Deco-inspired designs. To achieve this, we are coordinating sleek ceramic and metal containers with flowers such as callas, peonies and tuberose.

Other options include combinations of hybrid white lilies in varieties like Siberia or Casa Blanca. There are also some beautiful orchid sprays that also fit in nicely. White Phaleanopsis sprays are breathtaking by themselves in a vase.

More economical orchids include members of the dendrobium family … smaller flowers on stems usually about 12” to 18” in length. My personal favorite at the moment is a variety known as “Liberty”. It is a white bloom with chartreuse-green markings and is very stunning. One more simple but elegant look is that in which bunches of long slender French Tulips are casually placed in a tall vase and allowed to gracefully “fall as they may.”

Quite often, red becomes the dominant color for flowers at Oscar parties. Those choosing to go the red carpet route follow through with blooms in shades ranging from raspberry through burgundy. Red tulips, carnations, roses and alstromeria are the obvious choices.

But why not consider a few less predictable choices and impress your guests with flowers like amaryllis, ranunculus, anemones and gerbers. There are also some tropical flowers in vibrant reds that are quite eye catching. Try pairing red ginger with scarlet-colored anthuriums or ruby-colored heliconia.

One last tip: Why not have a single flower to present to each guest attending the party? Who wouldn’t feel like a star carrying a beautiful rose during the party?

Whatever your theme, make sure flowers play a starring role. Who knows ... you might even be nominated for “Best Host or Hostess.”
 

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (February)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON FEB. 7, 2009 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON MARCH 5, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about March 6, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

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