Sending Smiles ~

The sun is shining and we have finished setting up another Farm Wedding in Hopewell so we had to share a few of the unique elements that both we and the bridal family created! Below is a pretty close up of Bride Brittany's Bridal Bouquets (say that 10 times fast). Created using cut succulent plants, cream stock, lavender spray roses, queen anne's lace, purple waxflower and a very pale lavender hydrangea.  The driveway leading to the farm is long so we placed hanging mason jars of flowers lining  ~ these even have a light in the bottom to glow as guests leave in the evening!   The family really got creative and hung a few ladders from the garage ceiling with lanterns! This must have looked amazing when the light came down!  Here's something fun! The farm ordered a few bales of hay that were 4 feet tall and we created huge letters made from fresh moss in honor of the bride and groom! After the wedding , the hay will feed to horses!  Once inside un...

Do you know that Stock is the name of an amazing flower? If you have read my blogs in the past, you may have seen it mentioned a time or two.  We use it all the time in our daily designs as well as our event and wedding work. Today we had the pleasure of being shown around Ocean View Farms in Lompac, Ca.  by Dan Vordale, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Dan was kind of enough to take time out of his day to show us around the farms!  I wanted to share some photos of the stock fields. Because I'm on vacation (I'm told I should do something other than talk or write about flowers) I'll be sure to  write a  more complete blog of what Kevin and I saw and learned at this amazing California Flower Farm but for now, I'll show you the Stock Farms!! What an amazing sight to see, rows and rows of this fragrant flower blowing in the breeze! Dan told us that although white is the best seller, all shades of purple are next in demand.  Dan explains to Ke...

Who doesn't love chocolate? Well, all of us at the flower love sweets and these new chocolates are sure to be hit this holiday season in our gourmet and goodie baskets. People always love receiving gifts of foods and goodies. Add these vinegar and the gift flies off the "elegance" meter! Most of fruit and gourmet baskets are being sent for happy occasions but, of course, a food basket is always a thoughtful gift for sympathy. Have you seen our new cookie line? These cats and dogs are brand new and are so adorable. We also have many styles of flowers such as sunflowers and daisies. The grapes, bananas, apples and strawberries are so life like! Believe it or not we also have some in the shape of grapes, candy corn, leaves and pumpkins. Added to any food basket, they really bring a smile because they are not only funny but also taste good! Did you know that we always have pre-made arrangements ready to go in our coolers? Always fresh and always creative, they are perfect ...

Howell Living Farm , originally uploaded by Georgianne at Monday Morning Flowers . I thought I'd share a photo I took yesterday while out and about with the hubby. It's not often we both have the day off and unable to sleep in late, we were up and out early! It was a steamy, hot day but we really wanted to get out into some fresh air. After a walk through our favorite flea market we ended up at Howell Living Farm in Lambertville, NJ. Because of the holiday no activities were scheduled but we just enjoyed walking around the farm with our self guided map in hand. I especially love this shot that I got of just an open field. 15 minutes away from where we live and we had never been there! The perfect place to take the kids to show them what life was like 200 years ago on a farm. Sheep, ducks, horses and many elegant and swooping birds over head, it's truly a must see. My only complaint? No flower garden!! :o)

Let's face it, if money was no object everyone would love to have flowers in their house. Having fresh flowers in your life doesn't have to break the bank and with a little care you can enjoy them for days or even weeks. Buying Flower Tips: Look for flowers that look hydrated but are still closed or just beginning to open. This one is a biggie. Flowers that are fresh from the farm as just beginning to open and bloom. Blooms often open in order from top to bottom. For example: Lilies. They are multiple buds. The ones at the bottom open first and then as they expire out the higher ones open. Buy them with the buds are either closed or just beginning to open and you'll get two weeks out of your flowers. Other tips are to look for fresh looking foliage. Stay away from leaves that are yellow or even brown. Remember, there is always going to be a certain amount of imperfections in flowers, they are real and not fake but try to find ones that truly look fresh. Le...