Flowering Minds

Flowering Minds

Blooming With Beauty

Flowers are a BIG deal. They are the most reliable, constant presence at life’s greatest, happiest moments and at the hardest, most challenging times as well. Whether you are gifting someone some simple blooms or just treating yourself to the beauties, a bouquet has the ability to create connections and transform someones day.

My goal with this page is to help you bring beauty, color and texture into everyday life. To experience all the magical powers that flowers can have! Maybe you’re already a professional. Or an amateur itching to be more creative! But hey, you could also be just a fan! No matter who you may be, I am here to help you learn how to create whimsical floral designs for everyday, entertaining, gifting and holidays! You’ll get tips and tricks from using grocery store blooms to personal garden flowers and simple techniques and how-tos to guide you every step of the way!

Make These Looks Yourself

follow along with my personal arrangements to stay inspired

Radiant Rose

FLOWERS USED:

white roses, green carnations, white stock, seeded eucalyptus 

Roses are timeless beauties. To get the most out of this classic bloom follow these prep tips to preserve longevity. 
  • Remove the leaves that will be sitting below the water level
  • Remove the guard petals. Guard petals are the outter petals protecting the full bloom. Give it a gentle tug to pull them off
  • Trim! 45° angle. Simple as that
  • Giving them a 5 minute cold water drink will earn you a couple extra days
  • Always make the roses the star of the show! The focal point. Add in greens and fillers first. Then the best for last, the roses!
  • Change water daily

Muted Neutrals

FLOWERS USED:

tan roses, cream carnations, white Gerber daises, pink dahlia, tan spray roses, white baby millets 

Dahlias symbolize fresh starts and new beginnings. Pink dahlias in particular symbolize kindness and beauty. Also, the birth flower for November babies. 
  • Best time to harvest dahlias are in the morning when temperatures are the coolest
  • One of the few flowers who's bud can NOT be cut. Once the bud is removed from the plant, they will not open!
  • Cut off all the leaves and trim at a 45° angle
  • They thrive on room temperature water
  • Always make the roses the star of the show! Focal point. Add in greens and fillers first. Then the best for last, the roses!
  • Change water every few day

Lavender Haze

FLOWERS USED:

purple roses, ornamental onions, vervain, purple Queen Anns lace, Protea, sea lavender, hanging amaranths 

Protea, named after a greek god with the ability to shapeshift. Back in the day Protea was used medicinally as a cough syrup. The very distinct flower symbolizes diversity, transformation and courage. Comes in various shades of purple, white, pink and red
  • Once cut, will last in a vase up to 8 days
  • Best used as a dried flower
  • Once you're done with your arrangements, hang protea upside down in a cool, dark area for 2 weeks
  • A forever flower

Vibrant Vases

FLOWERS USED:

Gerber daises, mums, craspedia, anthericum, lisianthus, daffodils 

Think outside the box! Or should I say vase?! Find fun objects that can be used as vases... have fun with it and you'll never look at a vase the same 
  • Tomato sauce cans
  • San Pellegrino bottles
  • Glass milk bottles
  • Empty candle jars
  • Tea pots
  • Beer or wine bottles

Simply Sweet

FLOWERS USED:

tulip, mums, vervain, camellia 

Simple & Sweet! With pops of color! Ever have leftover flowers still alive from an old bouquet?? Don't throw them away!  Simply (pun intended) make a new bouquet ... and place in a spot that will brighten up the space or give you a little smile whenever you look at it!

Tan Texture

FLOWERS USED:

tan roses, pink roses, ranunculus, protea, wax flowers, lisianthus, silver dollar eucalyptus, feather eucalyptus, straw, dried hanging amaranthus, feathers, bunny tail grass, small pampas grass

Did you ever think of adding feathers to your bouquets? Bunny tail grass?! Did you know you can put dead, dried flowers with real flowers?! WHO KNEW! Now you do! Create the best arrangements by combining textures with colors. So many benefits happen when you add texture
  • They create height, giving you the appearance of a larger bouquet
  • Contrast. Which draws the eye by creating movement
  • Texture usually comes from dried flowers, which become forever keepsakes
  • It's unique. Different textures means no two arrangements will ever be the same

Pops of Color

While Popping Champagne

FLOWERS USED:

white hydrangeas, yellow spray roses, pink carnations, seeded eucalyptus 

Name a better combo then flowers and champagne... i'll wait!! ........ STILL waiting! Best way to get creative? Pop bubbles! Or color! In this case, choose both! The best way to make a floral arrangement really POP out is to add one or two bright colors to one solid color. Some benefits to poppin' color & poppin' bubbles:
  • They elevate your mood and boosts energy to make you feel happy
  • They increase creativity AND productivity 
  • They can drive away worries and sadness and relieve you from feeling depressed or anxious
  • They are conversation starters that bring people together

Spice Things Up 

HERBS USED: 
basil, thyme, rosemary 
Stuck inside without a garden? Bring the garden to you! All it takes is a couple of fresh herbs and dollar store jars! Helps make those recipes a breeze when you have everything on hand already! Here's how its done:
  • Get any herbs of your choice. Trader Joes is great and cheap for these beauties 
  • Dollar store... AKA the $1.25 store now. But still, 3 jars under $4! 
  • Re-plant, add water and watch them grow 
  • Take some twine and label. Tie in a pretty bow and VOILA. Indoor herb garden for less then $10

Play With Your Veg!

FLOWERS & PRODUCE USED:

white and pink tulips, carrots, carrot tops

Put some spring in your step with these carrots as your filler. Vegetables AND fruits are a great, non traditional way to add flair to your centerpiece. Whether you are using them inside the vase or as part of the arrangement, you can't go wrong  
  • Fruits: lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, cranberries, grapes, pomegranates, etc. 
  • Vegetables: asparagus, carrots, swiss chard, artichokes, brussel sprout stalks, cabbage, kale, etc.

Flowers To Go

FLOWERS USED:

yellow calla lily, ranunculus, anemone, stock, statice, millet, craspedi, silver dollar eucalyptus

Have you ever hand delivered someone flowers and seen the look on their face? Happiness, adoration, love, joyfulness, excitement...just to name a few! Gifting someone flowers can completely turn someones day around and only for the better. Do me a favor, after you're done reading these tips go get a bouquet together and give it to someone you love the most! I promise you'll never regret it!  
  • Pick flowers that are their favorite color  
  • Find meanings behind particular blooms and give something meaningful
  •  Instead of pretty paper and a bow, arrange it in a vase
  • Attach a handwritten letter to make the smiles even bigger 
  • Have no reason or meaning behind it, give a bouquet as a "just because"

Less is NOT More!

FLOWERS USED:

Roses, Gerber daises, tulips, mums, spray roses, craspedi, palms, Alstroemeria, Hypericum Berries, silver dollar eucalyptus,

Ever heard the saying less is more? Sometimes that is not always true! Especially when it comes to flowers! The more color the better! The more variety of flowers... even BETTER!!! Don't be afraid to keep layering it on! Pick 3 or 4 different greens or fillers. Pick 4 or 5 different flower types and colors! When it comes to this kind of arrangement there are no rules, it is fair game!  
  • HAVE FUN & GO WILD FLOWER CHILD

Unusually Unique

FLOWERS USED:

Roses, protea, hypericum berries, queen Anns lace, spray roses, eucalyputus, palms, multi colored stock, ferns 

You don't need a lot of flowers to make an arrangement thats BURSTING with uniqueness. It's all in how they're placed into its vase. A great way to create fullness is to fan it out! Make the backdrop of the bouquet the centerpiece, one massive fan and then build forward from that. Add in just 4 flowers and you have yourself a one of a kind fan of florals.  
  • Pick greens of different heights to add depth
  • Find multi colored fillers to add dimension
  • Get flowers of different shapes to easily fill in bare spots 
  • Always put tall in the back and short in the front 
  • When you're finished, give them a quick shake to fluff everything up to become even more full

Allons á Paris Pour Des Fleurs

Let’s go to Paris for flowers

“Paris is always a good idea” -Audrey Hepburn

Whenever I travel I like to experience anything and everything that brings me happiness. In my recent trip to Paris I sought out the best of the best floral shops. I had anticipated just walking into a boutique to browse and just buy a bloom or two to bring back with me as a keepsake. During my trip research I discovered they were having a floral arranging class while I was there. Without thinking twice about it, I instantly signed up! … I mean don’t tempt me with a good time!! The day the class came, I walked in thinking I was just going to take a simple, beginners class. I was wrong!! I was introduced to flowers I had never heard of! I saw flowers I didn’t even know existed! I learned how to actually properly cut flower stems. I was taught how to make arrangements I will forever be making. I walked away from that 2 hour class with a new appreciation for flowers, new techniques I have already turned around and shared with friends back home. I walked away from that flower studio full of inspiration, more creativity, a fun little pep in my step, an extra sparkle in my smile and a belly full of champagne (are you really in Paris if you’re not offered or drinking chmapagne 24/7?!) An actual dream came true that day… better then a dream come true. I spent an afternoon living, breathing, learning and playing with flowers surrounded by a bunch of French locals while drinking champagne and laughing! I highly encourage you the next time you travel to take one class, floral or not, that makes you love again…one that lets you let loose and live life fully.