Eastern Market's Flower Day is all about tradition

webdev — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:03:00 -0500

47th Annual Flower Day 2013:
Eatern Market, Detroit, MI
Sunday, May 19
7 am to 5 pm

Flowers have the power to do so much. The right petals can spruce up a home, both indoors and outdoors, or simply produce an aroma that is pleasing to the nose. They also have the ability to bring people together. At least, this is the case in Detroit, Mich., where Flower Day was recently held at the Eastern Market.

According to the venue's website, Flower Day is typically attended by more than 200,000 people each year. Visitors to the one-day event get to see more than 15 acres of plants, from annuals and perennials to trees and flats. Flower Day attract growers from not only Michigan, but its neighboring states and Canada as well.

On May 19, the Eastern Market hosted its 47th annual Flower Day, which is believed to have attracted between 150,000 and 200,000 individuals, the Detroit Free Press reported. For many of the flower lovers in attendance, being a part of this special day was all about tradition.

Photo credit Mindy W. on Yelp

This was the case for Michael and Kathie Hall, a couple who have been attending the event for more than three decades.

Flower Growers recommend that visitors know ahead of time how much area they have to plant and whether they need sun or shade plants and be sure to bring a wagon, to transport your bought goods. They encourage visitors to Ask your Flower Grower Questions! As they are the experts and know what you need to do to take care of them and keep them blooming.

There is plenty of free parking, restaurants, stores and music. Besides flowers there are vendors selling a variety of things: fruits, vegetables, spices, cheeses, jams, etc.

Take your time and enjoy the beautiful view and floral and herb scents. People come to enjoy a great family event, don't believe me, then read Detroit Eastern Market's reviews on Yelp.

Photo credit: Lind T. on Yelp - Flower Day 2005

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell for Teleflora on Google+

Mother's Day drama ensues between Brandi Glanville and LeAnn Rimes

webdev — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:42:00 -0500

Mother's Day is meant to celebrate all of the women in your life who have made an impact on you and helped you grow into the person you are today. Leave it to "Real Housewives of Hollywood" star Brandi Glanville and her ex-husband's new wife, LeAnn Rimes, to cause drama on this special day. Us Weekly is reporting Rimes tried to bring her and Glanville's constant feuding to an end by offering the latter a bouquet of flowers on Mother's Day.

Glanville, mother to her and ex Eddie Cibrian's two sons, Mason and Jake, is still fuming over the fact that Rimes stole her husband when the two shared the small screen during the made-for-TV-movie, "Northern Lights," back in 2009. Over the past few years both women have tried to extend the olive branch to one another in an attempt to ease the family tension, but it seems Glanville wasn't thankful enough for her recent gift.

The two women battled about the flowers over Twitter.

"I thanked @leannrimes on twitter4 my flowers," Glanville, 40, wrote May 13 on her account. "Our relationship is that we still don't even say hi at [my sons] baseball. I don't have her number - that's it."

Rimes immediately fired back at the backhanded thank you, declaring she did not receive any sort of acknowledgment of the flowers until Glanville's most recent post.

"This was actually the first acknowledgment of my gesture I was made aware of," Rimes wrote on her personal Twitter page. "I didn't see anything else sent to me."

It seems the fighting between these two stars will never end, but perhaps Glanville could try and stop the issue by sending Rimes a friendship bouquet or another floral arrangement to show that she wants peace too.

Photo credit: Latina.com

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell for Teleflora on Google+

Frosty weather makes flowers fearful

webdev — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:45:00 -0500

It might be May, but for many regions around the nation, fluctuating temperatures have people's heads spinning. One minute people are wearing shorts having fun in the sun, and the next, they're bundled up in there winter's best. The Chicago Daily Herald reports there are certain precautions people who have planted flowers or received flowering plants for Mother's Day should take to ensure the blooms survive the sporadic weather patterns.

Hanging plants
According to Kris Bachtell, vice president of collections and facilities at the Morton Arboretum in the Chicago suburb of Lisle, the best way to keep hanging plants safe and free from frost damage is to take them in if a frost warning is in place. Simply moving them into a mud room or any other area will ensure they stay frost-free.

However, it's just as crucial to bring the plants back outside in the morning to ensure they get plenty of natural sun, which will help them grow.

Planted veggies
On the same note, if you were one of the impatient people around the nation who opted to start their veggie or flowering garden before memorial day, protecting your seedlings takes a bit more work.

Bachtell suggests people who have planted anything, but specifically tomatoes and peppers, cover their plants with tents made out of bed sheets. This step will help ensure the warmth from the ground protects the plants as the temperatures drop overnight. Remembering to remove the makeshift tents in the morning is an equally important step as covering them on cold nights.

"You've got to take those structures off so the plants don't get too hot," Bachtell told the news outlet. "These are stressfully odd times. Plants have to be extra hearty here."

Opt to plant hearty blooms
Gardeners worried about what blossoms are safe to start planting, might want to consider investing in tulips and daffodils since these are two of the most resilient flowers on the market, Steve Zwiep, parks department supervisor for the city of Holland, Michigan, told The Huffington Post.

Zwiep is certainly an expert on the matter - the town he works in runs an annual Tulip Time Festival - and he's witnessed the blooms flourish even after being covered by inches of snow. He added that tulips are in most danger during the budding period, after that they're easier to maintain, even if a sudden frost occurs.

Photo credit:StarTribune.com

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell for Teleflora on Google+

Celebrate Memorial Day in style

webdev — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:52:00 -0500

Memorial Day weekend is two weeks away, and if you've signed up to host a backyard bash, the time to start planning is now. Whether you've got some fun ideas in mind or are totally lost, there are plenty of easy ways to turn your home from ordinary to extraordinary in no time. Here are a few tips to help you earn praise as the hostess with the mostest:

Festive food and drink
No party, especially a backyard bash, is complete without a slew of delicious food and drink options and a Memorial Day celebration is no different. According to the experts at The Huffington Post, grilling might be the perfect option for this holiday since the event tends to signify the start of summer. However, if you're feeling a bit more gourmet than hot dogs and hamburgers, than taking a tip from the domestic goddess herself, Martha Stewart, might be the way to go.

Stewart suggests serving up delicious grilled deviled chickens to ooh and aah your guests.
For this dish you'll need:
4 1/4 pounds of chicken breast (or more depending on your guest list)
3 lemons
4 cloves of peeled and smashed garlic
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon chopped thyme
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
1/2 cup olive oil
salt
4 bricks.

With ingredients in hand, clean the chicken breasts and set them aside in a bowl. Next, take the lemons and slice them up thinly, squeezing the remaining juice in the bowl with the chicken and before adding all remaining ingredients except for the salt. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, though overnight will give you the best flavor. On the day of the party, set the grill to medium heat. From here, remove the chicken from the marinade, coat both sides with salt and then place the breasts on the grill. Wrap the four bricks in tin foil and then place them on top of the chicken, cooking them for 5 to 7 minutes on both sides or until fully cooked. Garnish with lemon wedges.

Infuse the space
Now that you have a delicious menu option, it's time to focus on the appearance of your backyard. Memorial Day is not only a celebration of summer, it's a party for America, so opting to decorate Memorial Day with red, white and blue floral centerpieces, streamers and table cloths is a must.

Setting up fun games such as horseshoes, bocce or even volleyball if your yard is big enough, is sure to keep your party guests having a good time all day (and night).

WEBER King of the Grill Bouquet!

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell for Teleflora on Google+

Get your garden to grow

webdev — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:47:00 -0500

Gardening season is almost here and if you're delighted to be able to get your hands dirty and see the literal fruits (vegetables and flowers) of your labor, it might be a good idea to figure out the best way to garden. You might think gardening is as easy as making a hole, planting seeds and watering the blossoms until the appear out of the ground, but there is a lot more to this outdoor activity than meets the eye. Here are a few tips that will help your garden become the envy of the neighborhood:

Pick the perfect spot
When it comes to gardening, picking any old spot in the back or side yard certainly won't do. The garden and flower pros at Keeper of the Home blog believe it's best for new gardeners to survey their land to find an area that gets both shade and sun. You can take picking a spot one step further by figuring out your gardening zones.

According to the news outlet, there are 11 specific zones ranging from arctic all the way to tropical. Those interested in taking a peak at what their gardening zone is can check out The United States National Arboretum website, where it lists what zones certain states fall into.

Select your soil
Once you've picked out the ideal spot for your garden, you'll need to consider what type of soil to use to help your blossoms grow. There are three main types of soil: sandy, loamy and clay varieties, while the majority of soils on the market tend to be a mix of at least two. Luckily, many local nurseries or home improvement shops will be able to help you decipher which soil is best based on where you live.

Other tips to consider
Now that you know where and what type of soil to use it might be smart to learn a few other tips from seasoned gardeners. The experts at HGTV recently offered some advice on common issues that arise during gardening. One of the most surprising tips is to use vegetable cooking water to nourish your garden.

The next time you boil or steam any vegetables, simply wait for the used water to cool and then pour it over your plants, they're sure to flourish thanks to this veggie bath. Another easy tip to try is to use your leftover tea bags or coffee grounds as soil. The news source recommends sprinkling about a quarter-of-an-inch of the grounds on top of plants like azaleas, gardenia or rhododendrons once a month. The grounds help boost the acidity in the soil, something plants life these love.

Learn how to care for house plants

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell for Teleflora on Google+

How to host a posh Gatsby garden party

webdev — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:52:00 -0500

The warm weather is finally creeping in and if you've been interested in hosting a fun and fabulous fete for all of your girlfriends, then opting to throw a garden party might be just what the doctor ordered. Now that you've got an idea in mind, you might be wondering, "How do you throw a garden party?" Don't fret, in a few easy steps you'll be well on your way to hosting the most incredible outdoor bash your gals have ever seen.

Think themes
You might think that "garden party" is the theme of your affair, but in reality you should also have something more exciting to toast to. A great idea for spring/summer 2013 is to add some flair to your backyard with a Great Gatsby-theme, in honor of the film adaptation. For this style to work, you'll need to infuse the spirit of the roaring 20s into everything from the decor to the drinks.

Since this time was all about flappers, glitz and glamour, consider using strands of crystals and gorgeous silver vases to house stunning centerpieces such as regal roses or stunning lilies. Make sure to include on the invite that guests should come dressed in the best 20s attire to greater set the mood.

Create a scene
According to the experts at Country Living magazine, another important step in perfecting a garden party is to create a scene in your backyard, or wherever the fete is going to take place. For a Gatsby-inspired presentation, you'll need a few different styles of furniture ranging from oversized velvet pieces to luxurious silk day beds. However, you can also opt to spice up your own furniture to save some money for more important things such as flowers or delicious cocktails.

Menus are a must
Since you'll be hosting the upcoming event, it's crucial to ensure you take care of your guests with plenty of good food to eat and tasty drinks to sip on. Style at Home blog recommends serving up at least one signature drink such as the...

Blackberry-Bourbon Julep.
For this delightful summer treat you'll need:
1 1/4 cups fresh blackberries,
1/4 cup superfine sugar,
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract,
1 cup plus 4 tablespoons bourbon,
1 big bunch of fresh mint leaves,
shaved or crushed ice
chilled club soda.

Mash together the blackberries, sugar and vanilla.
Let it sit out for about 20 minutes or until juicy.
Strain the ingredients, pressing them down to catch as much juice as possible.
Pour about 2 tablespoons of the liquid + 1 tablespoon of bourbon into a festive julep cup.
Add 8 mint leaves, and muddle all of the ingredients together.
Add in the ice until the cup is about half full, mix gently
Then add more ice until it's about 1 inch from the top.
Pour the remaining bourbon over the top layer of ice
Finish with a splash of club soda.

Looking for a mercury glass vase for your party? Sparkle, shimmer, shine. Our contemporary mercury glass keepsakes feature a chic, antique silver-flecked finish that adds elegance to any event.

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell for Teleflora on Google+

Wisconsin businesses pay it forward, donate flowers to Moms

webdev — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:30:00 -0500

When most people think of Mother's Day, gifts of flowers tend to come to mind. This could be why 10 local businesses in Marshfield and Weston, Wis., decided to join forces in order to spread some floral holiday cheer this May 12. According to the Marshfield News Herald, Julie Rybacki, owner of Bling It Around Again, a jewelry consignment shop, set the whole idea in motion.

Rybacki began thinking of ways she could help make Mother's Day more enjoyable for women less fortunate than herself. She talked with other local businesses and together they decided to hold a "Mums for the Moms" event to raise money to purchase flowers to be delivered to moms at nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.

Mums for Moms Campaign
Over the last few months the employees at businesses like Basil, Clay House, Godfather's Pizza, Sprocketz Bike Shop and Wiggly Field have been selling coupon books to help fund the project. Though this is the first go at an event like this, Rybacki is hopeful people will donate the $10 simply because they know how special mothers are.

"Everyone has a mom, and sometimes, the family doesn't visit on special days," Rybacki told the news outlet. "Just to give flowers to let them know they're cared about is special."

The coupons offered include discount prices on bikes for Mother's Day and a percentage off merchandise at the local book store among other great deals. For Sprocketz Bike Shop owner John Nowaczyk, giving back to mothers is important to him and his customers.

"We're saying thanks to all moms," Nowaczyk told the publication. "Some folks might not have anyone to come see them, and all moms deserve flowers."

Showing love around the nation
Even though Rybacki's idea is looking to benefit deserving moms in the Wisconsin area, many other organizations are running similar programs in different parts of the country. The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports the Jewish Women International group is currently taking donations to give out personalized Mother's Day cards and flower bouquets to mothers staying at a women's domestic violence shelter on the island, though the project runs in various states around the country.

In fact, the has been in existence - helping to offer thousands of women in need a chance to feel special and appreciated May 12.

Mother's Day Flowers

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Make mom the center of attention May 12

webdev — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:49:00 -0500

Moms should be toasted every day of the year since they work so hard to ensure everyone else in the family is well taken care of. Even if you tell your wife or mom how great she is on a daily basis, showering her with tons of affection and a few gifts on May 12 is sure to impress her. If you're looking for a great plan for Mother's Day, surprising her might be the best way to go.

Breakfast in bed
Perhaps the best way to start Mother's Day off right is to spoil Mom with breakfast in bed. Have the kids think of a few tasty meals such as pancakes with fresh berries or eggs Benedict and then head to the store while your wife is out to get all of the necessary ingredients.

On the morning of May 12, send the kids up with a little homemade note and even a couple fresh flowers. Have the note read something like, "Stay in bed, surprises ahead," to ensure Mom won't get up before breakfast.

Thoughtful gifts
Though presents are great, sometimes gifts from the heart are even more meaningful. According to the experts at SheKnows, having the whole family come up with a "List of Love" that details why each person loves Mom might start the waterworks.

Purchasing a pretty leather-bound notebook and writing one love message on each page could make the gift even more special. Try to have the kids get very specific, such as writing they love a certain dish Mom makes, to really show her how much the children appreciate all she does for them.

Gifting Mom with a gorgeous bouquet of her favorite flowers is another sweet gesture. She'll love the fact that she can look at and smell the pretty blooms and relish in the fact that she's surrounded by so much love.

Spa at home
Since Moms work so hard day in and day out, it could be a great idea to set up a sort of spa retreat at home. You could set up tons of candles and pick up soothing oils and a bubble bath product to let her relax and take a soothing soak in peace.

On the same note, you could also decide to offer your wife a trip to an actual spa where she can get fully pampered and treated like a queen.

Mother's Day Flowers

This article is brought to you by Teleflora on Google+

Celebrity moms share their Mother's Day plans

webdev — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:45:00 -0500

Mother's Day will be here before you know it, making it more important than ever to plan something for the woman who brought you into this world. If you're a bit unsure as to what type of day you want to have with your Mom, why not ask a few celebrities for advice? Celebrity Baby Scoop recently talked to a slew of famous moms to help everyday families come up with a perfect Mother's Day plan.

Giuliana Rancic
New mom Rancic has plenty to be thankful for this May 12. The E! News host and reality TV starlet has showcased her fertility and cancer struggles for fans around the nation to see. Not only did she beat breast cancer in the past year, she also welcomed her first child, Edward Duke Rancic, via a gestational carrier. She and husband Bill are looking forward to enjoying the special day with Duke and both of their own mothers.

"Bill and I are having our moms come to L.A. for Mother's Day - to make it special for all of us," Rancic told the publication. "We're planning a fancy bunch with the whole family at a nice hotel in Newport Coast and then a walk on the beach."

The red carpet diva added this Mother's Day is even more important than ever because it's her first one with her precious baby.

Kelly Bensimon
Best known as the sometimes-kooky star of "The Real Housewives of New York City," Bensimon has made it very clear that her favorite thing in life is spending time with her daughters, Sea, 14, and Teddy, 12. She shared with the website that this year she's looking forward to letting loose with her girls.

"For me, I have two kids and I'm a single parent. Therefore, Mother's Day is an opportunity for me to tell my kids, 'It's a day for us to celebrate being together,'" Bensimon shared with the news outlet. "Instead of celebrating me, I want to celebrate them. They are the greatest luxury that I could ever even imagine having. I can't believe that I am the mother of two gorgeous girls."

Say it with flowers
Even though spending time with Mom is the most important aspect of Mother's Day, gifting her with stunning flowers might also be a nice gesture. According to She Knows website, a few types of blossoms stand above the rest when it comes to this holiday.

Those looking to spoil Mom on May 12 might want to look for bouquets of flowers like roses, lilacs, irises or orchids to best showcase their love.

Looking for Mother's Day flowers to buy?

This article is brought to you by Teleflora on Google+

Teleflora sponsors and employees run in the OKC Memorial Marathon - April 28

mfarrell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:39:00 -0500

April 28, 2013 - Teleflora is proud to once again have sponsored the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon 5K event. Teleflora sponsors the event’s 5K Run in addition to volunteering at the water stop. This year we had about 50 employees run in the event. We have a total of 260 employees in our OKC office, so this was a great turn-out!

Watch this video created by employee Jodi Hinkle

The 2013 Memorial Marathon, Oklahoma City's Run to Remember, is a celebration of life. As is tradition, the crowd at the start lined paused for 168 seconds of silence to remember those who where killed on April 19, 1995, and an additional 3... seconds for those killed at this year's Boston Marathon.
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is what Runner's World calls one of the 12 "Must Run" marathons in the world.

Facts about Teleflora's "flower shoe" featured in the OKC Marathon:

The "flower shoe" is featured at Teleflora’s water stop, which is at about the half way mark of the marathon
The floral running shoe was created by florist extraordinaire, Marie Ackerman and decorated by Teleflora OKC employees
Over 1500 carnations and mums decorate the shoe
About 500 roses were used in the "RUN OKC" boxes

Learn more about Teleflora's involvement at the OKC memorial events

VIDEO CREDIT: With special thanks to Marie Ackerman, VP Education, and Chris Crabtree, for graciously letting us video them in the Teleflora OKC Education Center and for agreeing to be interviewed without warning a few weeks ago. Also thank you to Praveen Kumar Pratapaneni, who agreed to be interviewed and did a great job on-camera.

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell for Teleflora on Google+

OKC Annual Day of Remberance - Roses Placed in the Field of Empty Chairs

mfarrell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:12:00 -0500

Teleflora and New Leaf Floral provided a rose for each chair, in the Field of Empty Chairs at the Oklahoma City Memorial Museum. On April 19, 2013 at the 18th Annual Day of Rememberance, the roses were placed on each chair to honor the 168 who were lost in the OKC bombings at 9:03 am on April 19th, 1995. Teleflora has 260 employees located in our office in Oklahoma City, OK.

FIELD OF EMPTY CHAIRS: The empty chairs represent the 168 empty chairs at the dinner tables of the victims' families. Hand-crafted from glass, bronze, and stone, each chair has a victim's name etched in the glass base. 19 smaller chairs represent the children killed in the bombing.

The chairs are arranged in nine rows to symbolize the nine floors of the building; each person's chair is on the row (or the floor) on which the person worked or was located when the bomb went off. A column of five chairs represents the five people who died but were not in the Murrah Building at the time.

At the memorial ceremony 168 seconds of silence is observed at 9:03 a.m., reflecting the moment the nation was #ForeverChanged.

THE SURVIVOR TREE: An elm tree across the street from the Murrah Building was heavily damaged by the force of the blast. It ripped most of the branches and glass and debris were embedded in its trunk and fire from the cars parked beneath it blackened what was left. The tree narrowly missed being chopped down by investigators who wanted to recover evidence hanging in its branches and embedded in its bark. Against all odds the tree survived, in 1996 family members, survivors and rescue workers gathered for a memorial ceremony by the tree noticed it was beginning to bloom again. The "Survivor Tree" now thrives.

THE FENCE: After the bombings, Oklahomans placed mounds of flowers, stuffed animals, personal notes, photographs, cards and prayers on the chain link fence that was erected around the perimeter of the bombsite. The fence stayed up for four years. 210 feet of the Fence was moved to the Outdoor Memorial, along the 9:03 side or the 'healing' side. The remainder of the Fence is in storage. Visitors may still leave small items along and in the Fence.

MEMORIAL LOCATION: The memorial is located in downtown Oklahoma City on the former site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which was destroyed in the 1995 bombing. This building was located on NW 5th Street between N. Robinson Avenue and N. Harvey Avenue.

Watch this Teleflora OKC employee video about the memorial and the marathon

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell

Fun ways to pamper mom May 12

webdev — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:02:00 -0500

Mother's Day is less than two weeks away, meaning it's time to figure out what you'll be gifting Mom with this year. Since this holiday is meant to show your mom how much you care and love her, you'll want to give her something meaningful and pampering.

There are plenty of ways to shower Mom with love May 12, but gifting her with a professional massage might be best. No matter if you're still living at home or have a family of your own, the stress your mom dealt with while you were growing up is surely still lingering. This is why finding a great local masseuse and giving her a gift card for an hour long session is sure to help her feel calm and youthful.

If you're away for college or work, it might be a nice gesture to send Mom a gorgeous bouquet of flowers that will be delivered on her special day. Make sure to find an arrangement that boasts her favorite blooms, whether it be red roses and lilies or peonies and tulips. She's likely to feel very loved when she sees what you've sent.

Flowers for Mother's Day

This article is brought to you by Teleflora on Google+

Get crafty for Cinco de Mayo

webdev — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:05:00 -0500

Cinco de Mayo, or May 5 in Spanish, is a holiday that many believe signifies Mexico's independence. However, National Geographic reports Mexico actually declared its independence on Sept. 16. Cinco de Mayo is actually the celebration of Mexico's unlikely win in battle against the French army during the Battle of Puebla in 1826. In recent years, celebrating this holiday has grown increasingly popular in the U.S., so hosting a festive and fun event this May 5 might be just what your friends have been longing for.

Here are a few ideas that are sure to spice up your party:

Mexican flair
Since the festive occasion is meant to honor and celebrate Mexico defeating the French so long ago, it might be fun to try and go authentic with the food you serve guests and the decorations you use to help enhance the space.

Filling a popular Mexican pinata with candy for kids in attendance is a great idea. Make sure to keep it outside or in an open space so youngsters won't accidently break any windows or other valuables. Setting a craft table for the kids to create maracas is another great option.

SheKnows reports for this creative idea, each child will need two large paper cups, paintbrushes and red, white and green paint, dried pinto or other types of beans, and craft tape.

Let the kids cover the cups in any patterns or styles they like and then set them aside to dry. When the cups are ready to go, have the youngsters add some beans into one cup and then help them use the tape to fasten the two cups together.

For the adults
No party is complete without a signature cocktail and this is no different when it comes to Cinco de Mayo. To keep with the Mexican spirit, it might be a perfect idea to whip up a batch of margaritas for the occasion.

VIDEO: How to make a frozen margarita!

All Recipes suggests trying a tasty grapefruit margarita at your affair.

1 cup fresh grapefruit juice
1 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup triple sec
1 tablespoon agave syrup
1 cup of ice
1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds

Combine all ingredients except the seeds in a large pitcher. Stir the mixture together and either set out or serve with a few seeds dropped in.

Ordering colorful Cinco de Mayo flowers will finish the transformation for your fiesta.

This article is brought to you by Teleflora on Google+

5 ways to recycle your mature flowers

mfarrell — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:05:00 -0500

In a tight economy, we’re all looking for ways to save a few pennies and get the most out of what we buy. Fresh flowers dress up any space and instantly make us feel good. (Kind of a no-brainer but research proves they boost our moods and help us deal with stress.)

Pretty and potent as they are, flowers have a practical side too. Here are five ways to get more out of your flowers, once you’ve enjoyed them in a vase.

Decorate a present. Packaging from bloom to bow - A flower that’s a few days old and still fresh looking is an excellent addition to a gift. Wrap the box, add a ribbon and tie on a blossom, a large daisy or sunflower perhaps. Just one or two will do and it truly perks up a package.

Dry petals and use again and again. Hydrangea is one of many flowers that can be dried, stored and reused. Be sure to cover while in storage to protect from dust. For more details on how to preserve flowers, read how to press and dry flowers and make potpourri

Scatter petals or place in a bowl. Sans stems, rose petals look beautiful in a basket or bowl or loosely scattered among candles on a tabletop or perfume bottles on a bathroom shelf.

Or maybe throw confetti petals on your doggy;)

Adorn invitations or add to envelope . A colleague of mine used burgundy pansy petals to adorn her wedding invitations. It was a small wedding, but you could do the same for shower, birthday or anniversary parties. Be an A-lister!

Keep notes for future reference. Take a photo of your flowers, print it out and paste it in a notebook. Keep notes on what flowers were used, how many and how they worked in the arrangement. The more you design and record it, the more adept you’ll become. This is also a great tip for gardeners. Plan it out before you plant.

Flower Fact of the Day: Amaranth is a flower as well as a grain and weed. Read more about this plant at: Amaranth: A Grain, Flower and Weed

This article is brought to you by Teleflora on Google+

Top flower choices for Mother's Day

webdev — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:20:00 -0500

Mother's Day will be here before you know it. If you've been rushing around trying to think about what to get the woman who you literally owe your life to, you're not alone. In fact, moms tend to be some of the pickiest people around, which is why it might be best to stick to an equation that always works - sending gorgeous flowers.

If you really want to let Mom know how much she means to you this year, then you'll need to learn the optimal flowers, color schemes and more that will prove that you think she's a star. Here's a list of choices she's sure to be impressed with:

Pretty in pink
Mothers are the ultimate ladies, meaning pink blooms this Mother's Day are sure to fit the bill. According to the Cedar County Republican, many gorgeous flowers come in shades of pink so you have ample options to choose from.

Some of the most popular pink blossoms include traditional roses, peonies (which are in season currently) and gorgeous hybrid orchids.

Garden Guides website reports peonies represent happiness, life, prosperity and good fortune, making a collection of these flowers a great choice for Mom. Plus, the pretty flowers boast a fresh fragrance that is as lovely as their appearance.

Embrace elegance
It's not often that Mom gets to enjoy having a day all to herself, so why not help her feel like a queen this May 12? The Cedar County Republic suggests sending your mom a gorgeous arrangement of orchids to help make her day more regal than ever.

Cymbidium orchids might be the way to go since this variety is beautiful and more importantly, long-lasting. Some people might assume that due to their delicate nature, orchids are hard to care for. However, they simply require watering every 5 days or so and moderate sunlight to thrive.

Teleflora's Celebrate Mom Bouquet

Know what to look for with online shopping
If you know you won't have time to head to the local florist before Mother's Day, sending your mom a gorgeous bouquet for Mother's Day through sites like Teleflora.com is the best option. A great feature of online florists is that you're able to select a set of flowers you like and the vase they'll arrive in - a one-stop shopping experience.

Selecting a gorgeous collection and an equally stunning vase will not only make your life easier, it will also ensure Mom doesn't have to do anything like search for a storage container for the flowers when they arrive on her special day.

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