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Daily Delight: Lace Vase

by Briana Mowrey January 19, 2012 4 Comments

My apartment is full of glass mason jars. My boyfriend and I have gone through various artisanal food phases like pickling or making bitters (insert eye roll at us here), but now there are just too many. I like to use jars as vases, but sometimes that means cutting the flowers down to itty-bitty size, lest they droop. But not with this soft “lace vase” from Milk Design.

lace vase

Since it’s made from rubber, the lacy neck can stretch to fit on jars and bottles of different sizes, and it helps keep flowers upright. Which is good news for me, because I don’t think I’ll be using those jars for jellies or jams anytime soon. (At least not until June, according to this NY harvest calendar.) (Insert another eye roll at me here for good measure.)

[Via: Bltd]

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Daily Delight: Paper Flower Bouquets

by Briana Mowrey January 12, 2012 5 Comments

If you’ve been following the blog closely, you may remember that I have a terrible black thumb. You may also remember a lovely flower-lined mirror DIY that I posted a few months ago. Both of those things play heavily into why I have my eye on these paper flower bouquet kits from Paper Source.

paper flower bouquets

They’re fantastically life-like and ornate for paper, aren’t they? And aside from the effort you put in up-front to make them, there’s no work or maintenance required. Technically, I think they’re intended for weddings and parties, but I bet some blooms from the bouquet kits would look smashing around a mirror. And hey, if you have a pollen allergy, there’s no risk of these paper petals giving you the sniffles, so everything’s coming up roses.

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Daily Delight: DIY Flower-Lined Mirror

by Briana Mowrey November 19, 2011 4 Comments

My boyfriend and I have roughly the same style, which is good, but living together in a small apartment has forced me to abandon my girlier tastes. No florals, very little pink, nothing too Baroque. I’m okay with it for the most part, until I see something like this flower-lined mirror from Marie Claire Maison and I wanna go all femme-y with decor again.

mirror with flowers

Photo: Fabrice Besse

The blooms that line the mirror are actually made from egg cartons that have been cut, layered, painted and gilded. I love the soft color and the texture they add. They really look like they’re meant to be a part of the mirror, no? Now that I know it’s super-easy and cheap to add a romantic touch like this, I’m ready to bust out my scissors. But first, I’ll be making some scrambled eggs for my boyfriend. (Win-win, right?)

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Daily Delight: Cherry Blossom Curtain Tie-Backs

by Briana Mowrey November 4, 2011 2 Comments

I’m getting a little older, so Urban Outfitters isn’t one of my go-to stores these days, but every so often something pretty will catch my eye and put it back on my radar. Like these cherry blossom curtain tie-backs.

cherry blossom tie back

The curly brass branches are a striking color, and the white enamel blossoms look so delicate against that glowing backdrop. They’re feminine and fun, and at only $14(!) each, you really can’t go wrong. Just promise me you’ll leave the ironic tees to the 25 and under set, yes?

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Daily Delight: Normann Copenhagen Grass Vases

by Briana Mowrey August 22, 2011 3 Comments

If you grow flowers, these Normann Copehagen grass vases would be a beautiful way to display your blooms. But honestly, I think they could elevate even the most humble of grocery store bouquets into a stunning arrangement.

grass vases

The design duo Claydies transforms dull lumps of clay into these totally organic shapes. (Check out their handiwork in “The Making of the Grass Vase” video.) Suddenly all my glass vessels are seeming plain by comparison. I guess the grass is always greener on the other vase…

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Daily Delight: Wisteria Tunnel

by Briana Mowrey August 10, 2011 6 Comments

My fellow editor Anna spotted this gorgeous “Wisteria Tunnel” from Japan’s Kawachi Fuji Garden on Tumblr the other day, and was so inspired she sent it around to a few of us via email.

wisteria tunnel

Just spying this lush watercolor painting come to life in my inbox was like taking a mini-vacation. How serene would it be to park on one of those benches and sketch or read a book? (And as Anna pointed out, it must be as easy on the nose as it is on the eyes, too!) If you’re as inspired as we were, follow these steps to train a wisteria walkway of your own.

Memorial Day: Plant a Patriotic Garden

by Kayla Kitts May 22, 2011 9 Comments

Give your garden a thrilling dose of patriotism this coming Memorial Day weekend by planting flowers that bloom in red, white and blue. (Cue the John Philip Sousa.)

Memorial-Day-Red-White-Blue-Flowers-Gardening-HGTV-DesignHappens Photos: Bloomers Blog; Lowes; Sonja Smith

If you don’t think you’ll have time for planting, grab a hanging basket filled with red, white and blue petunias from your local gardening center. For you more adventurous green-thumb types, here are a few of my favorite flowers to get you started creating your own patriotic combinations.

Memorial-Day-Red-White-Blue-Gardening-Flowers-HGTV-DesignHappens

Potentilla 'Gibson's Scarlet', Clematis, Grape Hyacinth

Patriotic Flower Ideas From HGTV.com:

Red: Potentilla ‘Gibson’s Scarlet’ (or dianthus, geraniums, hydrangeas, zinnias, begonias, mums)
White: Clematis (or geraniums, salvias, mums, snapdragons, daisies, impatiens)
Blue: Grape hyacinth (or morning glory, verbena, blue bells)

Keep your garden gorgeous all summer long with HGTV.com’s expert gardening tips.

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Daily Delight: Flower Stir Sticks

by Lili Zarghami May 18, 2011 5 Comments

Now that warm weather has settled in for good across the country, delicious fruity cocktail season can begin. I found these amazing flower stir sticks at Sugar and Charm and had to share them.

flower stir sticks
The templates were illustrated by Erin of BerinMade who is offering downloads and instructions for creating your own. Guests at your next party will think you’re the best hostess ever if you top your drinks with these floral beauties..

This Mother’s Day, Make Her a Flower Arrangement

by Kayla Kitts May 8, 2011 7 Comments

If you haven’t gotten your mother a gift, then right now, it is time to discover your inner florist. Don’t be scared. I know, attempting to replicate complicated professionally-designed flower arrangements can be intimidating. Then again, finding budget-friendly flowers and skillfully arranging them into an artful bouquet seems like an impossible feat (for me at least). For this Mother’s Day, however, I’m determined to put together a fresh, spring-style flower arrangement that Mom will love. So can you. (And who doesn’t love flowers?) With less than an hour’s effort, you can present your mom, or the mother of your children, a “handcrafted” arrangement made from simple materials and affordable, in-season flowers. (Keeping in mind that even if your bouquet is far from perfect, she’ll love it no matter what.) Here are five lovely designs with links to easy-to-follow instructions:

Mother's Day Simple Flower Arranging

Grab a plain pitcher and arrange lilacs, lady’s mantle (alchemilla) and lavender into a charming country-style arrangement. The varying shades of purple and green look stunning together.

4 More She’ll Love

May Day: Celebrate Spring With Basket Giving

by Kayla Kitts May 1, 2011 3 Comments

The tradition of giving ‘May baskets’ to unsuspecting neighbors and crushes is all but gone. This sweet and chaste way to celebrate spring — I won’t get into the debauchery that is the origin of the maypole dance — peaked in the U.S. during the Victorian era and started to disappear after first half of the 20th century. If you’d like to help revive this custom, here’s what you do: assemble baskets of sweets and fresh flowers, leave them on your neighbor’s door, ring the doorbell and run away before they catch you. If you are caught, you’re supposed to exchange a kiss. (To avoid kissing possible strangers — run fast.)

May Day DIY May Basket A Field Journal

I can’t help thinking what delightful treat this would be for a grandparent or elderly friend, relative or neighbor. A surprise gift of a cheerful ‘May basket’ just might take them on a trip down memory lane. Or throw caution to the wind and leave one on the front door or car of a love interest. Maybe some Beltane fires will spark, if you catch my drift. Here are six of my favorite basket designs (click on the links for DIYs) sure to put a smile on a lucky person’s face.

More May Basket Inspiration After the Jump