Color Combos and Unique Ideas 2012

Recently, we have had brides with very unique color combinations, unique bouquet ideas and unique style! We love it. Don't get us wrong we still oooo and awwww over the classic all white-traditional bouquet but there is something about getting to do something different that just makes us excited! Here are a few of the most recent! Enjoy!!

garden roses, mini calla lilies, delphinium, ranunculus, lavender freesia, sweet peas

Hydrangeas and family heirloom brooches

Peonies in pink and ivory, ranunculus, stock

Tricilium/dianthus, billy balls, ranunculus, roses, fresia 

Purple Lilac (simple but completely amazing!)

Scabiosa pods, veronica, ranunculus, lambs ear, thistle, stock, lilac 

Mango callas, anemone, cymbidium orchids,  macara orchids in purple, yellow and red and orange

Alstroemeria Lilies, spray roses, yellow roses, stock

Southern Lady Magazine

A few months ago we had a phone call from a very sweet lady at Southern Lady Magazine. She asked if they could publish a photo from our website. Of course we want you publish one of our photos! Check out the article below, and if you are interested the magazine is available for purchase at local stores! They decided to dedicate an entire page to the our photo of an arrangement in a mason jar! Thanks to JOPHOTO (we love you all!) for allowing us to have the photo and to publish it with the magazine!

SUMMER in a JAR 

           Mason Jars are an iconic-and quite useful mainstay of Southern culture, whether they 

           are holding Granny' s peach preserves or the sweetest iced tea this side of heaven. 

           Lisa Foster of Lisa Foster Floral Design in Knoxville (lisafosterdesign.com) has fine-tuned 

           yet another use for this handy holder: flower vase. She lined a jar with a ti leaf and other 

           greenery then filled it with an arrangement featuring pink Bonaparte gerber a daisies and 

           green Kermit poms. A few lemon leaves and sprigs of Queen Anne's Lace finish off this 

           bright and bonny bouquet. 

Flower Giving

It seems that every step of a relationship deals with flowers.  In the classic depiction of a man coming to pick up a girl for a date he has a bouquet of flowers as he knocks on the door. Then on the wedding day the bride carries a bouquet down the aisle toward her soon to-be husband. Following that every birthday, anniversary and every Mother's Day are filled with vases, and vases of flowers. Then when we  finally meet our Maker there are flowers at our funeral. Funeral flowers are the last nice thing you can do for someone.  
What is it that makes us love giving and receiving flowers? For that matter, what is it that makes people think of sending flowers first? Is it the convenience factor, or maybe the fact that for a little money flowers show you care? Why do flowers symbolize love and caring? A child picking a dandelion from the yard and giving to their mom even brings out a smile.

According to an article on: The History Behind The Custom of Giving Flowers it started back in ancient times with the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians... etc. Which figures since it seems everything started with those cultures.  This article also suggests that these cultures where the ones that defined the meanings behind certain flowers. Which to be honest, drives we florists a little batty! At Valentine's Day we get asked, "What does a red rose mean," or "what if I put 3 white roses, 3 yellow roses and 3 red roses together... what would that mean?".
Whatever the occasion, we guarantee sending flowers will express your sentiments.
We wonder just how many times guys really think of giving flowers for dates these days. Usually you are doing well if they open the door and pay for the meal! We would love to hear from all of you about your dating flower experiences and if you have ever recieved flowers on a date.  What type of flowers did you get? How did the relationship turn out (inquiring minds want to know!!)?
We have some husbands that like to send the same types of flowers used in the wedding for their anniversary arrangements (which is super sweet!).
Thank goodness that there is the tradition of sending flowers because we would be out of a job! The act of giving flowers is so powerful it can even help those who are sick in a hospital get better, which is the whole idea behind Random Acts of Flowers. If you are unfamiliar with this noteworthy organization just check out their website or Facebook page. We send them flowers all of the time to use to help those receive flowers in times of sickness.
We thank God for putting his individual attention to each flower and making them unique and beautiful. That way the only thing we have to do is coordinate the colors!

How About A Garden Party, For Your Next Party!

You know what you never hear about... Garden Parties! 
It's truly a shame that more people don't throw garden parties. People grill out and have barbecues all of the time, but when do you hear, "Oh, I'm heading over to Lucille's for her garden party"...NEVER! 
Think about it folks, you have the perfect setting with minimal decorations... the only items you need are mason jars to put a few flower clippings in for centerpieces, a table cloth and some yummy finger foods. Maybe throw in a large brim hat to get the mood just right and you are set! 
Today we were fortunate enough to help with the Town and Country Garden Club, Garden Party. Their color scheme was all shades of purple! Which Lisa was particularly happy with since that is her favorite color!  Hopefully, the rain will hold off for them to enjoy their luncheon.   
A garden party would be a perfect way to have a bridesmaid luncheon or bridal shower with friends and family. A baby shower or birthday party would also be a great excuse to venture outside for tea and cakes. 
Here are a few ideas on how to throw a successful garden party. 


1. Not everything has to match perfectly, mix-matched can be really cute as long as you tie everything together.  For example while searching Pinterest for more on Garden Parties... We found this table with different shorts of white chairs. They don't match but they work together for the overall look!

Picture via Pinterest 

 Other mix-matched items that would be great for decorating would include vases and china. Need a place to find these items? Check out your local thrift store! Usually, Goodwill, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity you can find a mix of fine china, for cheap! Plus, you can use a cup and saucer as a party favor for your guests! 

Picture via Pinterest

2. Have yummy treats! The internet is bursting with easy recipes. We Flower Shop Girls love a good tomato sandwich so here is a recipe we found for yummy tomato basil sandwiches! You could use a tomato from your garden and brag a little about growing the food yourself.  

Ingredients

• 4 slices whole-wheat bread
• 8 teaspoons reduced-fat mayonnaise, divided
• 4 thick slices tomato
• 4 teaspoons sliced fresh basil
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Preparation

1. Cut bread into rounds slightly larger than your tomato.  If you have a biscuit cutter, they work perfectly for this. Spread each slice with 2 teaspoons mayonnaise. Top with tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper.
2. *For a change, try using spreadable cheese, like Laughing Cow instead of Mayo.  It will change the flavor and add a kick!

*Recipe and photo credit: Eatingwell.com 

3. If you aren't fortunate enough to work in a place with an endless supply of vases, here is an idea of how to be creative and help your green footprint on the environment. Keep lightbulbs out of landfills by turning them into hanging vases and votives for your outdoor spaces! You can also incorporate glass bottles and jars from everyday kitchen use. Once your party is over you can take the glass to a recycling facility where they will turn it into the next generation of glass products! Doesn't that just make you feel good about helping our planet stay green?! 

The next time you throw a party and decide to go garden, let us know, send us photos! We would love to see what you come up with!

To Mom, With Love

To help our friends and clients get a their Mother's Day (Sunday, May 13) gifts taken care of ahead of time we thought we'd post about what Lisa Foster Floral Design can do to help you tell your Mom, I love you. There are many ways to tell her she is appreciated, loved and just how much she means to you.

Flowers are always a great way to show love. Moms love getting flowers and if you have them delivered a few days ahead of time she can even brag to neighbors or co-workers about how sweet her children are to send such a nice bouquet of flowers.  With flowers there are a few different options of what to choose. Fresh-cut flowers are typical to send but we will have more options if you want something that will last longer. Get your mom an orchid or potted hydrangea plant. Contrary to popular belief, orchids don't require that much attention. One good watering over the kitchen sink once per week is al they need to survive. Hydrangea plants require more water, typically once a day is good and once they bloom completely out you can cut them down and plant them in a shady place in your yard. The hydrangea should come back next spring, and the next... and so on. Other flower options include; a potted mix of various flowering plants, peace lilies and other green potted plants.

Spa Gifts can be added to any order and come with FREE gift wrapping! We have many different candles, diffusers, robes, and other awesome gifts! If you need help finding a scent or suggestion for a color our LFFD girls are here to help! We are familiar with our products and can tell you what candle will smell the best.

No matter what you decide to do for your Mom this Mother's Day, the MOST important thing to do is to hug her and tell her what she means to you and how much you love her.