Zara's Flowers

There are 'star gazers', 'people watchers' and those of us who just want to see the 'flowers'!!!

I was interested to see what Zara Phillips was going to carry on her special day! It turned out to be a European hand-tied bouquet that was created by a London based designer, Paul Thomas, and featured flawless White Calla Lilies, 'Silvery' Dusty Miller foliage and a 'kiss' of blue from Sea Holly also affectionately referred to as 'thistles' ... which by the way is the National Emblem of Scotland and I thought it it was thoughtful to have them included in the design! Zara's bridal attendants carried a mini-version of her bouquet.

The entire look is a very traditional Bridal White with soft blue filtering through . . and I feel it complimented Zara's dress and the entire Wedding Theme beautifully.

OH and I almost forgot these beauties!!!

Gorgeous white clouds of Hydrangeas, Roses and more of those wonderful Blue Sea Holly Thistles!!!

Finding the Right Bouquet

Just like the vegetables in a soup, flowers are all different and that is what makes them so interesting! Some of them are Bright & Bold, Soft & Delicate, Wild & Free and I could go on and on about describing them. I realize that trying to find the right flowers that will fit can sometimes be a daunting task for those who are planning a Wedding, Celebration or Special Event.
There are mountains of Specialty Books, Media, Websites, Blogs, Bridal Expos, etc. all devoted to the subject but how do you know what will work and what won't?
Yes, it's true that many flowers can be obtained 'any time' of the year but what you need to remember is that every flower has a season where they SHINE and are at their very best. When they are 'out of season' the quality may go down and the price will go up.
Also, Flowers behave differently after they are harvested and will be used in floral designs. Some are very hardy and can tolerate a European hand-tied design -- roses, calla lilies, freesias, alstromeria, etc. but then there are those like the great big mop head hydrangeas that will just turn into a limp hankie after a few hours when they are put into a hand-tied bouquet and have no water source.
Any flower can be designed into a bouquet and if done properly you will have picture perfect blooms all day that will be showcased for a lifetime in your photos, videos and memory bank!

Sea Daffodils

They call them 'Sea Daffodils' . . Pancratium maritimum!!! Now those of you who have had the joy of studying Latin as a language (I had 4 years of it -- don't ask) but the great part about having this pearl of knowledge is the fact that English word roots come from a lot of Latin words and the maritimum in the Sea Daffodils 'botanical name' gives it's habitat away . . they grow on sandy beaches but this gorgeous bulb is endangered because of the development of the beaches for the sake of tourism!
I had the good fortune to be gifted a basket full of these wonderful bulbs by my Garden Friend, Mary! I must phone her to let her know that mine have just bloomed . . I wish you could smell their fragrance is ethereal! So if you have the chance and you see these beauties . . pick some up to add to your garden . . the bulbs are not hardy in our Pennsylvania Winters so they must be dug and stored. I am told the bulbs multiply very quickly and I am looking forward to that!!! Must go back out to the porch to get another 'sniff' of these gorgeous blooms while they are still have their morning glow!

A Special Wedding!

Being in the Wedding & Special Events end of the Flower Business may give some the idea that you may not have 'regular repeat customers' and of course, you don't want to be doing Wedding Flowers every so many years because of failed relationships . . that would just be a sad state of affairs.
But, this past weekend I had the pleasure and honor of creating designs for Ashley and Aaron's Wedding that took place at the very beautiful & scenic Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA. Ashley is the younger sister of Christina whose Wedding I also had the privilege to design for a few years ago.

We met back in January for Ashley's Wedding Consultation and it was so much fun seeing Christina, Ashley, & their Mom, Mary again and to meet Domenica, Aaron's Mom. Working with this great group of ladies planning, creating and then finally seeing the smiles when I walked through the door with their designs was such a special moment and it just reaffirmed why I do what I do . . . it's not just about the beautiful flowers that I get to work with but to see the effects that flowers have on people, to meet such a wonderful group of ladies and to have the floral designs created just for Ashley be a part of their memories for a lifetime!

Congratulations Ashley & Aaron . . . and thank you for allowing Best Buds to be a part of your special day!

Garden Wedding Today!!!

I love Outdoor Events -- they are so romantic especially when they take place in a gorgeous Garden Setting complete with a Gazebo and cobblestone path. Today's event is just that -- it has all the elements a true romantic envisions. Storm clouds are threatening in today's forecast so I am keeping my fingers crossed that the sun will shine for today's bride and groom!

Picture Perfect Centerpieces

Add a personal touch to Wedding/Event Centerpieces by incorporating photos into your floral designs. Here are just some ideas that Best Buds has used . . .
Photos of the bride and groom are the most common idea but Best Buds pulls out all the stops when we personalize each guest table with photos of those who are seated there -- won't they be surprised by your thoughtfulness in showcasing them as part of your special day!! Another great idea is to make a photo montage that captures special moments of the happy couple. And when all else fails, just plain whimsy will do -- the possibilities are endless . . . let your imagination do the work for you!!!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July to all of you! I hope you are able to celebrate & relax with your family and friends doing whatever makes you happy! Do it safely and have fun!

Today there will be picnics, family reunions, firework displays tonight and American Flags will fly everywhere! Take a moment in your celebration to remember our Service Women and Men who serve everyday protecting our Freedom and say a prayer that God will continue to Bless the United States of America!

Inspirations!

Find your inspiration in simple things!

Light up the Night!

The Holiday Weekend is a time for friends and family to gather and celebrate -- Picnics, Reunions, Weddings, Showers, etc. Here is an easy project you can make for your Summer Gatherings & Events that can bring the beach to you.

This glass jar was an inexpensive find at the local 'Christmas Tree Shop' but you can use any large 'pickle' jar . . my Grandmother had tons of them in her Summer Kitchen.

All you need for this project is your imagination and few items:
Sand, Sea Glass (or just some glass gems that you can purchase at your local craft stores, Shells collected from prior beach holidays, a votive holder and candle of your choice -- we used Citronella votive candles because these lanterns are used outdoors and they provide the ambiance and also keep away those pesky mosquitoes.

You are now set to assemble your lantern and enjoy them this weekend.

There are many other ways you can create this look for your home or upcoming events -- use your imagination and put your own spin on it.

If you decide to make lanterns of your own feel free to share them on Best Buds' Facebook Page -- I would love to see your creations too!!!