Exotic Flowers in Boston

You’re headed for a beach vacation and you’re making a list of must haves to fully enjoy the getaway.  Beach pails check!   Sunscreen, check!  Towels and hats check, check!  T-shirts, shorts, underwear, flip flops, check, check, check, check!  Now it comes down to the most important thing you must remember for the seashore, bathing suits of course!  Now we know you’ve been working hard all year to whittle down that waistline and eat healthy so now it's time to show off your hard work!  After all, you know you’ll be taking your annual family photo so you’ll want to look your best.  Well, as luck would have it, stores are carrying fabulous new lines of swimwear that are flattering for every shape you’ve been gifted with.  Here are a few hints on how to choose the perfect suit right for you and another couple of tips on where to find them.

photo credit: athleta.com

Body Type:  Short and Curvy with a Well Endowed Bust Line

The possibilities are endless for you if this is the shape you possess because manufacturers are realizing that most women have real curves.  Thick straps with bra inserts or underwire are a great option and bottoms with low lengths over hips provide a nice silhouette for voluptuous lines.  If your are looking for a bikini, try a crisscross design and if a one piece it was you desire, try solid colors with a thicker fabric for extra support.

Body Type:  Tall and Lean with a Petite Bust Line

If this is your category, you’re going to want to flock to the string bikini department and look for tops with large patterns or ruffles.  Extra fabric designs that extenuate your bust will give a larger illusion.  Full piece suits should have a high cut hip line as well as thinner straps over the shoulders.  Stay away from strapless though since these are designed more for fuller chest body types.  

Body Type:  Medium Build with Broad Shoulders

There are women with this body who are frustrated with trying to find the right suit but actually, you have the opportunity to browse some pretty cool and contemporary designs!  For one pieces, search for solid with patterns up the side of the rib cage that will draw attention away from the shoulder area and create more of an hourglass appeal.  You can also get pretty funky with straps and neck lines by doing crops, triangular or square shaped cut outs.  Athletic prototypes are just what you need to show off the strength of your body!  

Top Swimsuit Sites

  Athleta.com         JCrew.com         Venus.com        Malliamills.com     Victoriassecret.com

The summer is finally here and that means that our gardens are perking up and producing!  New England fruit and vegetable gardens can be extremely temperamental due to the unpredictable weather but there is some sure fire winners guaranteed to grow deliciously even when the thermometer isn’t feeling the heat. Boston doesn’t always experience the ideal hot and humid temperatures that most produce native to this area requires.  There have been many seasons where our average climate doesn’t climb above 75 degrees so we need to make a backup plan that includes plants known to successfully cultivate in cooler zones.  There are plenty of substitutions that we can use that will not only thrive but will also appreciate a more temperate growing atmosphere. Try these out and watch your fruits and vegetables go bananas even if the summer scorch seems to miss us this year.

photo credit: www.westwoodgardensnursery.com

Strawberries

Strawberries are a New Englander’s best friend when it comes to finding crops that can maintain productivity throughout any weather condition.  Although they do enjoy the heat, this berry variety will grow fruit in temperatures anywhere from 60 to 80 degrees.  You might have to wait a little longer for the strawberries to ripen and mature but the taste will still hold the yummy sweetness that is infamously tied to this traditional seasonal treat.  Just make sure your garden has room for crawling vines since this root system loves to spread once in the ground and can easily take over the space of other vegetation.

photo credit: yearroundharvest.com

Snap Peas

Snap Peas are another great go-to seed when the weather seems uncooperative.  They actually prefer the cooler temperatures and enjoy the spring season as apposed to the summer season because of crispness of the air.  Not only will they give you early vegetables, but you can re-seed the garden for a second harvest in late August or September.  Cooler nights are no problem for this legume although you might want to cover seedlings with newspaper or netting if there is a frost in our midst.  

nothing like harvesting your own potatoes

Potatoes

Not only are potatoes awesome to grow visually but also are pretty predictable when it comes to New England harvesting.  They enjoy the coolness beneath the soil as the veggies mature and are quite happy to skip the sizzle of the summer by being below ground.  You don’t even have to buy seeds since you can use a potato already found in your kitchen!  Put an old potato in the ground and make sure its “eyes” have started to sprout.  Dig and place the spud 2 inches deep and soon you’ll see a green plant rise.  The stem will flower with leaves but be sure to resist the temptation to search for ripe spuds until at least the end of the summer or early autumn.  Once the plant dies, dig in and find your buried treasures!

I think we all agree that gifts made from the heart are the best gifts to receive, especially when they come from our children.  There’s something about unwrapping a present handed to you by your child and watching their little faces light up with pride that makes this type of gesture the most meaningful.  So it’s up to us to encourage crafting for children and to teach the value of this sentiment instead of spending money to show others how we feel.  With Mother’s Day soon approaching, we have the perfect opportunity to open up the window for this type of creativity!  Books and online websites have loads of ideas for both kids and parents to start using their imagination, particularly with crafts thematic after flowers, which are wonderful for the holiday.  Here are a few of my favorites that I’ve found and hope to pass along to your children to make this Mother’s Day!  

photo credit: kansascity.com

Paper Flower Pinwheels

These are so sweet and easy to make by just folding the corners of a piece of colored paper and securing the center front and back with plastic beads.  Have the kids go one step above and write all the things they love most about mom on the petals to let her know how much she really means to them!

photo credit: crafthubs.com

Paper Flower Necklaces

Who needs gold and diamonds when you can make this adorable paper flower necklace?  Cut out desired blossom shapes and glue to a string or paper loop and let mom show off her flashy new bauble!  Felt is also an optional material.

photo credit: funhandprintartblog.com

Painted Handprint Flower Bouquet

It doesn’t get much cuter than this when your child gifts you with their tiny handprints to form a bouquet.  Not only will she love hanging this piece of artwork on the wall but she’ll also be able to remember the days of her children’s early childhood for years to come.

photo credit: goodshomedesign.com

Clothespin Pot

Grab some old clothespins and glue them around an old clay container to make this neat little flowerpot!  Cut out small hearts and clip them to the sides, afterwards adding a little plant to finish the effect!  Mom will love the creativity and the purposeful usefulness, too.  

I really love flowers.

So much so that it’s hard not to want fresh arrangements in every room of my home every day of the year but the problem is, this addiction can sometimes get pricey.   It’s true there are hundreds of affordable options available to people like me that won't break the bank such as spring tulips and bulbs of narcissus that seem to be sold everywhere but what if I’m looking for more?  There’s nothing like looking at a mixed bouquet or a mound of wild flowers to brighten up a dreary day so how can we incorporate blooms into our everyday life without going flat broke?  You’ll be pleased to know that after careful research and years of experimentation, I’ve come up with a set of tips that can lift you out of the flower drought while still staying on budget.  By referring to these guidelines, not only will you be able to enjoy this delightful vice without spending exorbitant amounts of cash but you’ll learn a thing or two about designing on your own!  It’s fun, fast and as easy as 1-2-3, plus your aura and home will glow from the presence of having frequently displayed flowers.

Tips for the Addicted Flower Lover

1.  Tulips sometimes get a bad wrap from flower snobs who consider them to be beneath other exotic varieties but in reality, they are truly stunning when bunched together in a mass and dropped into an attractive container.  

Species such as French Tulips or Parrot Tulips are drop dead gorgeous and are cultivated in a broad spectrum of color leaving the possibilities endless.   They’re also relatively inexpensive if you're attracted to some of the plainer breeds which still have a lifespan of at least a week if not longer.  Dutch tulips are ranked number one in the industry making their lifespan a few days longer than other competitors.  One thing to keep in mind is to make sure that you cut tulip stems a little shorter than desired because they actually stretch in height as they soak up water.

2.  If you have a garden, pull out the clippers and snag a few of the early spring arrivals that might be starting to pop up in your yard.  Plants and flowers such as forsythia, grape hyacinth and daffodils make perfect kitchen and bathroom arrangements and come in cheery tones of bright yellow or lavender/purple.  They won't cost you a thing plus you know that they’ll last being brought straight in from the garden.  I wouldn’t wait too long though since these flowers despise the heat and only last during the cool and wet days of early spring.

3.  Did you know that you can grow flowers from seed all throughout the year?  That’s right!  All you need is a warm and sunny window to harvest your very favorite blooms and it won't matter a bit if there’s still snow on the ground.  Put away some packets from your summer stash and start growing your own whenever you feel like it!  

Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away and florists are preparing fast to amaze their customers with gorgeous bouquetsworthy for mom.  Right about now, new seasonal varieties are being packed and shipped into Boston by the thousands with the hopes that this year’s holiday will be a hit with lush and fragrant flowers.  Whether you are drawn to purple lilac that reflects an English flare or a more exotic appeal of tropical branches and orchids, designers are whipping up an incredible assortment of stunning arrangements.  Don’t wait too long, because Mother’s Day is on May 8th, so you’ll want to get your orders in ASAP to ensure availability and delivery confirmation.  It’s also wise to do your homework previous to picking up the phone and dialing your florist.   One option is to visit the websites of renowned and celebrated local businesses to get a good sense of market prices and product alternatives.  Decide what style and color you wish to purchase and reserve your floral extravaganzas today!

Top 2016 Mother’s day Arrangements

Viburnum is a big hit during this holiday because the season is right and the flower head’s flattering green snowball appearance is hard not love!  You can buy this variety as a mixed bouquet when pared with roses, hydrangea and other yummy spring flowers or simply clump a mass of stems together for this eye-popping effect!

You can’t go wrong with a pretty assortment of mom’s favorites and lucky for us, there’s an incredible palette of color to choose from!  Yellow, pink, green, orange and fuchsia mixes are extremely popular but soft blush tones are also often requested. Show stopping varieties such as peonies, lilac and ranunculus are so beautiful together- how can you go wrong?

While I’m a big fan of garden blooms, I also really enjoy the power of tropical blooms and the presentation they make in my home.  Phaelenopsis orchids are one of my favorites and they come in a spectrum of white all the way to bright pink.  If you really want to knock mom off her feet this year, ask your florists about plant and cut stem options for these beauties.  They’ll be a bit pricier than other cut flower arrangements but the reaction you get will be worth every penny when you give them to her!

When we receive a beautiful arrangement, the vase is usually filled with more than just pretty blooms tossed in an array of color.   For many florists, the display is not complete without finishing it off with a few flecks of greenery such as leather leaf, lemon leaf, ruscus, palms, ivy or tropical foliage in order to fill in holes and create a bountiful presentation. Typically found in New England flower shops, these greens are imported from all around the world and even from some parts of the United States, particularly California where the weather is more formidable for this type of growing.  The sunshine state is a major exporter for this product because there is no need for the crops to be cultivated within expensive greenhouses as well as the fact that many species are a natural part of the west coast landscape.

During a recent trip to Los Angeles, I was off on a morning run and was stunned by the eclectic assortment of greenery popping up from everywhere around me.  Not only did I find clumps of plants such as variegated pit (an expensive floral foliage in Massachusetts) seen in front and back yards but I also spotted them growing wildly in unlikely areas.  I was honestly impressed by the horticulture in the area and the fact that California foliage is so wonderfully different from what we commonly see here.  Below are a few of my favorite species I snapped photos of during my trip which gave me a new appreciation of Los Angeles’ dynamic foliage development.

It’s April here in New England and if you’re into gardening, you’re probably itching to get outside and dig in the dirt like me.  We just can’t wait to begin tilling the soil, planting delicious veggies and designing beautiful beds of flowers everywhere but here’s the problem…  This is Massachusetts.  The sad fact is that it’s still a bit chilly at night and the weather is still fluctuating between winter weariness and summer’s delight.  That’s why we call this time on the calendar “spring” because unfortunately, the days are unpredictable making gardening a bit tricky.  I know the idea of waiting for another month to plant might sound agonizing but putting anything in the earth before Mother Nature gives her “okay” will only lead to expensive trips to the nursery when you have to redo your harvest.  It’s just not worth it but that’s not to say that we can’t accomplish other preparations before then!  

So what are a few of the tasks we can get started on?  There’s plenty!  Here’s a list to keep you well occupied in your backyards until May arrives and remember - a happy gardener is a busy gardener!

April To-Do Gardening List

1. Re-seeding your lawns when the weather hits 60 degrees is a great way to get things rolling in a “greener” direction.  Patch up spots of space that may have been affected by the harsh cold temperatures and fill in places where the grass seems to have become thin.

1. Load up on your favorite seeds like peas, lettuce and zucchini!  Just because you can’t put them in the ground right away doesn’t mean you can’t look at the pretty packages and dream until then.  Stores such as Ocean City Job Lot often run sales at this time so take advantage!

1. Take a trip to Home Depot and gather supplies to correct or insert new raised beds and trellises.  This is an excellent time to get this done because pretty soon you’ll want to fill them up with crops.  Adding soil is another chore you won’t want to wait too for either since hauling heavy bags when the warmth finally arrives might get a little sticky...

1. Drag out the lawn furniture and set up shop for the season!  Hold back on patio umbrellas that might snap with unruly lingering weather but take your tables and chairs out of storage in case there’s a night when you prefer to dine alfresco!

1. The rule is that you have to wait to plant seeds until late spring/ early summer but there are actually some varieties that can take the chill and survive an April sowing.  Peas, herbs and some lettuce species are hearty and will also give you something to take care of outside until the rest of your seeds are ready!

How many of you out there have a special birthday coming up?  I know I do and one of my favorite things to look forward to is a special birthday arrangement from my husband.  Sometimes it’s a vase of a single floral variety and sometimes it’s a select few stems of stunning orchids.  Either way, I know that they’ll always be spectacular with little tidbits of sweet spring blooms or exotic blossoms.

If you have a special someone’s birthday coming up and are unsure of how to order the perfect floral bouquet, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several tricks to assist you with your decision!  Sure, she’ll like what ever you buy her but wouldn’t you rather “wow” her by putting in a little extra effort in deciding which flowers are just right for her?  Florists will tell you that a pretty mix of fresh flowers is always the way to go and its not like this statement is entirely untrue.  All I’m saying is that if you put a little research into your ordering, you might be able to knock her socks off with maybe, the best birthday gift she’s ever received!  If you can achieve this-you might just be the most memorable gift-giver, which plays well on your side in the long run.  So take your time and sift through the many possibilities available to you from the flower world and make this year one she will never forget!

Try these guidelines to help you through the process when speaking with your florist:

1. What is her favorite color?

1. What is her favorite flower?  Even if the variety is not available during the specific time of year, your florist will probably be able to help you select something close in appearance.

1. What aromas appeal to her?  Maybe she prefers sweet as apposed to a musky scent, which you’ll be interested to know is not mutually exclusive to perfume predilection.  

1. Does she rely on things that last or live in the moment?  This might seem like a silly question but it can heavily way on whether you choose a sturdy, long lasting gerbera daisy as apposed to a unique yet fleeting species such as chocolate cosmos which has a shorter life span (If you ask me, I always go for the chocolate cosmos).  

1. Does she prefer a big splash or is she modest within her taste?  If big is always more, hydrangea might be the right ticket but if she loves small and delicate pieces, go for the stunning ranunculus that are both miniature and breathtaking all on their own.  

What do you get a girl who’s a huge baseball fan and not just any old baseball fan, a Red Sox baseball fan!  Sure you could go crazy buying hats, caps and other Fenway paraphernalia but why not use your noggin and think outside of the batting box for a change?  Get creative with your gift giving and send her something with a little class, and little grandeur!  How about giving her a floral arrangement inspired by the Boston Red Sox where the design reflects her inherent passion for the team? Not fall for the misconception that the bouquet will be confined to merely blue and red toned blossoms - there are hundreds of gorgeous combinations that are sure to knock her off her feet.  So as you begin planning to impress your die-hard Red Sox fan girlfriend/wife, check out these awesome creations whipped up by Bean Town’s most famous florists!

photo credit: lakenurseries.com.au

“Red Sox” Calla Lilies

Yes, really!  These calla lilies are actually named “Red Sox” and are the exact deep shade of red that is associated with the team’s uniform and emblem!  This variety is exquisite alone in a vase or can be easily paired with other softer hues of red to make a jewel tone presentation.  Another interesting fact about this species is that they are known for their longevity just as long as they’re stored somewhere cool and away from extensive heat.

photo credit: theplantexpert.com

“Festiva Maxima” Peonies

Here’s another great option for baseball lovers, which is called the “Festiva Maxima” peony that ironically looks a whole lot like a baseball!  The fine red flicks that mark the petals can be compared to the red stitching of a ball and the shear white color of the blooms themselves are spectacularly round and full.  You don’t need much more added to this stunner but if you must, only combine small stems, which will appropriately accent this peonies’ sophisticated appeal.  

Clear Vase Filled with Baseballs

Sometimes all you need is a little edge.  A tall, clear cylinder vase filled with traditional baseballs can make quite a hit for the person who loves this sport.  Fill with dried flowers of place a bubble bowl on top of the opening and arrange with whatever flowers you like the best.  Perhaps you’ve saved mementos from baseball games you’ve enjoyed together previously?  Here’s a terrific way to display them!  Not only is it a conversational piece, but she’ll be able to keep the contents for years to come!

If you’ve ever received flowers, it’s a pretty safe bet that you’ve noticed a particular icon printed on the sender’s card telling you that the arrangement came from an  FTD florist.  Since a thousands of all floral bouquets move through this communicative network, the picture of the little man with the winged feet is recognizable by many.  Comparable to other industry giants who typically use a bloom as their logo, FTD chose to relate their business environment to an entirely different type of symbol.  

Why is the emblem so unique from other competitors?  The answer is very clever…

Florist’s Transworld Delivery (FTD) decided to reach their client base by promoting their impressive service skill set not their product, which they felt was perfectly exemplified by their selected logo.  In fact, the man with the winged feet is known as the god, “Hermes” who was the messenger to Zeus.  His stories are often associated with speed and essential communication, a craft that left him one of the most infamous characters in Greek mythology.  He is also referred to as the Roman god, “Mercury” who traveled extensively, delivering important mail from one sender to another.  His ability to be swift with his chores became a resonant trait of the mythical idol and to this day is connected with the idea of dependability and trustworthiness.  He is also interestingly enough, tied to the occupation of “business”.

It makes sense, right?