Exotic Flowers in Boston

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, which is decorated elaborately in several different ways.  Turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes certainly do a magnificent job dressing our tables along with specially chosen linens and candlelight.  For New Englanders, we are blessed with the natural beauty of color that autumn brings us, a gift that is utilized not only within our cuisine and fabrics but also in our Thanksgiving Day flower arrangements!  Red, gold, orange and green varieties are specially chosen by clever designers looking to please their customers with seasonal centerpieces perfect for their holiday feasts.  

photo credit: Flower Factor

Typically, clients can be a bit anxious when placing an order during this time of year, fearful that a request for a festive creation will translate into a vase of mums and carnations.  It’s true, at one time this was the popular method for completely this November’s vase work but things have changed quite a bit.  Most top-notch Boston flower businesses now implement contemporary proficiency while planning their holiday product purchases from wholesalers to include modernized combinations of shade and texture.  This is a great thing because clientele has become more and more sophisticated within their taste and now demand a larger variety of Thanksgiving flowers for their celebrations.  The question is, what options will be the most popular for 2015?  

According to industry reports, Bean Town’s florists are going to need a whole lot of roses, gerberas, kale, calla lilies, thistle, Asiatic lilies, berries and fall foliage to get the job done right!  Because of the previous holiday’s trend of white, green and brown color palettes, customers are finding themselves reverting back to bright ad bold instead of soft and pastel.  Here are a few of the protocols that are predicted to be the top sellers this Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and many of us are already planning our festivities including our dinner menu, guest list and of course, the floral centerpieces.  Flowers are an imperative addition to your holiday dining atmosphere (to a florist anyways) but there are other ways to decorate your home using materials naturally located in your house or items requiring very little cost.  Zipping up your abode with color, texture and interesting accessories matching the Thanksgiving Day theme will enhance your celebration with more than just a full belly.  Try these beautiful arts and crafts for your holiday gathering and quickly watch them become a part of your annual traditions.

                       If You’re Into the Natural Thing…

Photo credit: Flower Factor

We’re in New England people, so let’s use the gifts that Mother Nature has bestowed on us and tweak both our outdoor and indoor living spaces using these readily available props!  Pumpkins should be number 1 on your shopping list because there’s a ton of ways to use these perky little darlings plus they’re cheap.  Try lining your walkway with an assortment of different shaded legumes or simply grab a bail of hay and place a few gourds and pumpkins on top to make a seasonal display.  Smaller pumpkins are also great to put here and there on your dining room table as part of the setting.  A spectrum of red, yellow and orange fall leaves are wonderful for garnishing platters and pinecones are stunning for making candleholders or wreathes.

If You Have Kids…

photo credit: marthastewart.com

If you have kids than its time to put them to work!  Easy peasy tracing crafts such as drawing their hands and coloring them in to look like a turkey is one way to get art up on your walls ASAP.  Another fun thing for the tots to do is make a turkey body using anything from clay, Styrofoam, Play Doh or even paper and have them cut out feathers with different colored construction paper.  Make all of your guests fill a strip out stating what they are thankful for most this holiday and have them place them back into the turkey using toothpicks.  Put in the center of the table and Voila you have your perfect centerpiece!

If You’re A Clever Art Lover…

photo credit: jellybeanjunkyard.wordpress.com

If you love the idea of decorating but you like to keep things simple and uncluttered, you’re going to adore these fancy yet delicate little add-ins you can whip up for your home this Thanksgiving!  For dinner labels, I suggest you get some inexpensive pots and paint them with chalk paint ,which you can find at any hardware store.  Give them a coat of black and then with regular paint, outline a band around the middle and a gold square to become a buckle.  Grab some chalk, and write your guests names to place at their seats.  Now they won't only have a delicious meal to dine on but they can take home their own pilgrims hats as a party favor!  

Did you know that selecting a baby’s name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when you become a first time parent?  So many first time moms and dads frantically plow down the pages of Baby Name books in the hopes that the perfect title for their child will pop out at them but reluctantly come up empty handed.  So before you find yourself in a tizzy dreading that you’re cute little bundle of joy will be nameless for the first couple of weeks, calm down and take a second to focus on what’s really important to you and your partner.

Daisy Duke via imdb.com

The meaning of a name relies heavily on the historical significance and then again on any ties it may have to a language such as Irish, German or Swedish dialect.  This might be important if you hope to keep a family name in existence or simply want the child to be tightly connected to their ethnic or cultural roots.  For other parents, their baby’s name must be thematic after a feeling or positive characteristic such as “hope or “joy”.  In this case, a baby book might really come in handy since most of them are organized in this manner.  

Rose McGowan via rose-mcgowan.com

But what if you’re looking to pass on a certain hobby, fascination or interest that you would love your child to represent?  Maybe something that is a part of you that you want instilled in your baby?  Something that you want remembered by them every time you hear their name?  What if you’re a flower lover….

It might come as a surprise, but choosing a name that is based on a flower is really quite common and not just for girls, but for boys, too!  Whether you’re a florist, grower, farmer, designer or simply a person who loves a beautiful bouquet of blossoms, take a peek at these names that might fit perfectly for your flower child!

    Sage Steele via People      

  Dahlia Antonia (“Anthos” meaning flower in Greek)

   Zinnea Ren (“lotus” in Japanese)

      Rose Jarred (“Rose” in Hebrew)

      Iris Kunal (“Lotus” of Sanskrit origin)

    Daisy  

Saffron (“Saffron” a flower used as a spice)

   Azalea  

  Narcissus (Used as a boys /girls name)

    Clover Basil (Fragrant herb)

   Rosemary  

  Indigo (Purple Plant commonly used in India)

    Poppy            

  Sage (aromatic herb)

Rosemary Clooney

For flower lovers like me, there’s no denying that my interest moves me further than simply putting a vase on the table.  I adore them everywhere from the bedding sheets, to the wallpaper, from the patterns on teacups to the roses stitched on my dishtowels.  

I love them everywhere!  

One of my favorite areas to study and appreciate horticulture is from an artist’s point of view, particularly within oil paintings.  Lucky for me, I live within a city that provides a multitude of opportunities to appreciate art!  The MFA, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Decordova  Sculpture Museum (who also cultivates their own live gardens on the property as an extra bonus) are only a few of the magnificent locations hosting beautiful floral artwork upon their walls.  And the best part is, no matter where your tastes lie, there’s something for everyone so the question remains, which type of creative style appeals to you?

When looking at my own preferences in selecting painting that are thematic after the world of flowers and gardens, it’s an easy choice.  Vincent Van Gogh captured my heart on his canvas several times over and the reasons are quite simple; his use of bold and bright color, the implementation of oils that made images almost lifelike and his coincidental subjects all being some of my favorite varieties.  The quirky yet brilliant artist had affection for wild flowers and scenery embodying fields of poppies, iris and most popularly, sunflowers.  Van Gogh chose to use flowers in his paintings so often that there very few void of a simple stem or full arrangement.  With the exception of “The Bedroom”, it’s hard to find an example of created by him that didn’t reflect his love for vibrant blooms.

But that’s me.  

So let’s discuss next…. who are you?  

Does Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Blue Morning Glories” sweep you off your feet or maybe Monet’s “Water Lilies” shake you up a bit?

Here a few of the highest regarded paintings, which reflect these infamous artists adoration for pretty petals.  Does one of these speak to you?

Renoir - Roses In A Pot

Matisse   - Pot of Geraniums       

Evening Flowers - Picasso

“It’s a boy!”  “It’s a girl!”  These are two of the happiest phrases announced when someone becomes a parent.  For such a joyous occasion, friends and family shower the mother with baby clothes, diapers and other gifts welcoming the new child into the world.  One of the most popular presents that couples receive is a festive bouquet of fresh flowers from their local Boston florist!  

photo credit: flower factor / aboutflowers.com

Having a striking arrangement delivered to the hospital after a baby is born is a wonderful way to say congratulations as well as brighten the sometimes, dismal hospital environment.  Even though the mother’s stay probably wont be for too long, adding a bright and beautiful vase of blossoms to her room will not only uplift the typically dreary décor but will also show her how much you care.  

photo credit: Flower Factor / aboutflowers.com

Historically, arrangements of baby’s breath or pink roses were the most popular varieties ordered for this occasion but luckily, our city’s best designers are shaking things up a bit!  New styles incorporate a higher sophistication along with a crisp new palette of flowers to choose from!  Clients can either select products that are gender descriptive or not, adding a whole new hue of color to dazzle with.  These are some of the protocols leaving studios and hitting the top five list for most requested floral arrangements gifted to new moms and dads.  What look appeals to you?

We already know how fabulous Boston florists are, don’t we?  Possessing contemporary innovation, a wide variety of premium product and an outstanding reputation for knowledge within the industry, Boston floral designers are among the most elite in the country.  From the east coast to the west coat, Boston still trumps the skill and ingenuity compared to others in the business and there’s a good reason why!  Our finest florists are gifted with particular qualities and characteristics that set them apart from the rest.  It’s true!  Just take a look at some of these fun facts about our city’s fabulous florists that continually make them rise above the rest.

• Mother Nature’s A Blessing To Boston Florists

Mother Nature plays a huge part in assisting buyers and designers from the northeast region and the reason why is because we are susceptible with four different seasons of change.  Unlike other regions, this allows us to have a deeper knowledge of texture and color.  Boston florists tend to have a richer compilation of tones and shading as well as utilizing a larger variation of height and size within their work.  Not only does it make the centerpieces, bouquets and daily arrangements more interesting to consumers, there is a constant theme of “change” making these pieces overall more enjoyable.

• Boston Florists Are Wicked Smart!

Boston florists are among the highest educated in the industry possessing a 75% percent rate of college graduates.  Popular degrees range from business administration to agriculture, forming a well informed community of intelligence within operation, marketing, design and management.  Boston florists are also known to be extremely supportive of local design schools.  Not only do they participate by aiding learning branches with grants, scholarships and internships, they proactively help to prepare and ready the next generation of talent within the industry.  

• “Flexible” Is Their Middle Name

It’s true that Boston companies struggle with a heightened expenditure of gas, electricity and rent than many other florists but this only allows them to be able to think outside the restrictions of cost better than competitors.  Bean Town’s finest are well crafted in downsizing, upsizing and substituting floral varieties when a client is strapped on a budget.  Being one of the largest importing cities in the industry, local buyers have a firm understanding of market trends and availability leading the customer to higher grounds of satisfaction.  No matter what the occasion calls for, designers are ready to sculpt and mold pieces that reflect all ends of cost while still presenting a stunning visual affect.  Their flexibility is so accommodating, there leaves no reason why Bostonians can’t enjoy fresh flowers year round!  

Let’s face it…. There’s no better place in the world to go Trick or Treating other than New England and if you are lucky to be living in Massachusetts, you’ll experience double the fun!  After all, we do live in spook central being conveniently located close to Salem where the heart of witches and cauldrons were born.  Yes, Halloween is a wonderful and fn time for all of us but its important to keep in mind safety factors for our little goblins and ghouls.  This October 31st, make sure that you and your children go over precautionary tips that will help everyone enjoy Halloween to the fullest.

photo credit: clipartsheep.com

Safety Tips

* Never trick or treat alone!  Always find a group of Dracula’s and Frankenstein’s to accompany you

* Carry a flashlight with you at all times and wear glow sticks for extra luminescence.

*  Never run from house to house!  Enjoy the stroll throughout the night-it only       happens once a year!

*Look both ways before crossing the road!  People driving should be extra aware of the occasion and SLOW DOWN.

* Wear tight fitting masks and costumes that do not have material or other                                       accessories hanging that might cause an injury.  Let’s make sure you say BOO instead of Boo Boo.

* Walk on sidewalks instead of lawns and never get into a car with a stranger!

* Do not enter any homes without an adult.  Trick or Treating should remain outside and only visit houses that are well lit!

* Have your parents check all candy before eating and throw away anything that is hand made.  Grandma Jenkin’s cookies are ok but never eat anything unwrapped from strangers!

* If you have food allergies, be on the look out for teal pumpkins, which are a sign that the house is giving out gluten free, peanut free treats!  

* Trick or Treating in Boston is from 5-8pm so make sure you’re home in time for curfew since that’s when the werewolves come out!  

New Englanders are crazy about the fall season, a time where brilliant colors surrounds us, new flavors are created to comfort us and a vast array of new activities are invented to keep us moving when the temperatures begin to drop.  Although we are still gifted with the pleasures of the outdoors, including hiking and harvesting, there are still those “iffy” days when we start to realize we’ll be hunkered down indoors very shortly.  Kids, in particular are sensitive to this realization and that’s why parents need to be fully prepared with options of entertainment.   Rainy, cold, autumn days can be tough on little ones so moms and dads want to be stocked with crafting ideas and materials helpful towards staving of the inevitable winter blues.  Try these fun and festive do-it-yourself art projects for children that not only will keep them occupied during the drearier times of the month but will also enhance your home’s décor for the holidays!

        Fall Leaf Sun Catcher’s

photo credit:  homemadethingsandapronstrings.com

  Materials:

(2) Laminating Paper

Tissue Paper

Paint for Outline

Scissors

These are not only easy to make but they are simply stunning in glass windows!  To start, lay out a piece of clean 5 x 8 piece of laminating paper.  Shred small, flat sections of red, yellow, green and orange tissue paper and then lay them on top of the laminating paper.  Select a preferable leaf shape and carefully eye ball an outline using paint (or a thin marker) that will dry quickly.  Once it dries, cut out the leaf and lay it on top of the second sheet of laminating paper.  Seal all sides and hang the leaves in the window immediately to enjoy!

    Kid’s Autumn Themed Hand Paintings

photo credit: babble.com

Black Spiders

Sometimes making beautiful pictures is as easy as this!

Fall Tree   Acorns

By just using your hands, you can make spectacular painting perfect for this season! All you need is finger paints, newspaper, construction paper and a little imagination to create these lovely seasonal themed pieces of artwork!  These are great to do after school or even give them away to guests as hostess gifts for your holiday gathering!

One of HR’s biggest puzzles when attending to tasks of the office is trying to figure out what varieties of plants and flowers to order from their Boston florists.  Why is this challenging?  Office buildings tend to run warmer than the average climate of other work places so only certain varieties will hold up for a full week.  The other component of the predicament is that you have an eclectic group of people to be weary of who might have allergies or a general dislike for certain fragrances and textures.  Because of this, you need to be careful to order pieces that are low in pollen count and odorless, which shortens the list of possibilities even further.  

Does that mean to skip the weekly flower order all together?  Heck no!  

There are several options towards solving this pickle of a problem and all are easily attainable just by contacting your florist.  Check out these perfect flora and fauna for your office and watch the employees and clients stand in awe of their beauty.   

Tropicals

photo credit: Flower factor

Tropicals such as Birds of Paradise and orchids are fabulous for stagnant environments with little air movement because they can withstand the heat and have an incredible property of longevity.  Their bright colors and dynamic shapes will create a great topic of conversation as well as a bright welcoming for guests.  

Hydrangea

You might want to consider using hydrangea for two reasons; one they hate the cold so a warmer temperature is better for them and two if they are watered regularly, they will last for weeks.  Green is the strongest in many cases, so you might want to coordinate that color in your order.  

Cacti & Succulents

Photo credit: Flower factor

You can’t go wrong with cacti because they’re durable, need very little upkeep and come in a variety of colors and sizes.  Cactus plants also hold no aroma making them outstanding for sensitive noses.  Just be sure to invest in succulents instead of prickly varieties!

It’s time again to start getting a little spooky decorating for Halloween!  Not only will our homes need to be accessorized with cob webs, witches hats and fake spiders climbing the walls, our flower arrangements needs to be made to reflect this ghostly spirit as well!  Boston florists are devising cleverly creepy pieces for their customers who possess a fun imagination and passion for celebrating this BOO-tastic holiday in style.  Designers are considering all elements when putting together arrangements including style, décor and texture that will coincide with this scary time of year.  That means the slimier, furrier, scalier, sweeter and eerier we can make these floral presentations – the better!  Halloween flowers are among the top most requested ornamental pieces for New England residences and particularly for businesses.   Local establishments even claim that one of these festive arrangements can actually increase sales and revenue for the month of October.  

My husband always sends me Halloween flowers. The one above was created with a Frankenstein mask. He used candy for the eyeballs. His head rests on top of spanish moss. his scar is celosia flower, while the blood drip from his mouth is an orchid. Red roses and bittersweet provide the ideal frame for this creepy floral creation.

Last year, Ricky sent me this Frankenstein  arrangement at the Westwood Public Library. The focal point is the Universal Studios Frankenstein action figure. Antique hydrangea and sheet moss set the stage while pink and yellow spray roses, freesia, free spirit roses and bittersweet frame the arrangement. 

Neither of these floral designs will break the bank and either one will set your Instagram account on fire. 

Happy haunting.

- Suzie