Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
A dried flower arrangement may make a stunning centerpiece to your dining or coffee table, but it can be deadly to your resident feline. Your curious cat might take a nibble of those tasty dried buds, ingesting a mouthful of either a potentially poisonous plant or one that was treated with toxic chemicals. For safety's sake, it's best to keep dried flowers and other plants away from Fluffy.
Everyone likes getting a good deal, but is it worth sitting out in freezing temperatures and fighting sleep-deprived crowds for the possibility of getting a discounted TV on Black Friday? If you prefer sleeping in and enjoying your morning coffee, there are a few deal-finding tricks that will allow you to relish your coffee and enjoy Black Friday savings.
Making your own flower arrangement will require access to a few key tools. Learn about flower arrangement methods and equipment with help from a respected and highly accredited florist in this free video clip.
Get more creative with your next flower arrangement by adding oranges. Orange slices add a splash of color and interest to an otherwise plain or common arrangement. They can be used in floral wreaths, including ones used as a fall decoration. Dried sliced oranges can also be placed inside a clear vase to anchor flower stems in a dried or artificial flower arrangement. You can also string orange slices with other fruits and flowers to make a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree garland.
Over the course of their life hydrangeas may sometimes appear droopy. Bring hydrangeas back when droopy in an arrangement with help from a longtime florist in this free video clip.
Roadside flowers can give an interesting, rustic look to any arrangement. Use roadside flowers for arrangements with help from a longtime florist in this free video clip.
A country, shabby-chic flower arrangement is something you can do right at home. Make your own country, shabby-chic flower arrangement with help from a longtime florist in this free video clip.
If you enjoy various types of cut flowers from your garden, don't purposely bypass the ones with very short stems. These can still be made into a beautiful and decorative floral arrangement. Fortunately for the gardener or the homemaker, there is no right or wrong way to arrange flowers. The key is that you should arrange them in a creative way that pleases you and display them where you will see them most often.
Although most florists are skilled at their jobs, not everyone has the same taste when it comes to flowers. For some people, certain flowers have bad connotations, or they are too fragrant for their personal taste. If you’ve been given a flower arrangement that is not to your liking, don’t throw it away. Instead, use your creativity to give the arrangement a new and improved look.
Floral arrangements beautify rooms. For optimal appearance, the flowers in the arrangement should be fresh and healthy to keep their youthful appearance for days. There are several factors to consider when constructing arrangements to keep flowers from drooping. Purchased flower arrangements can remain fresh with a little care.
Orchids are long-lasting, showy and sturdy. It shouldn't be a surprise that they're often used in floral arrangements, corsages and wedding bouquets. While they look dramatic all by themselves, combining orchids with other flowers doesn't have to be tricky. Keep a few basic pointers in mind.
Dried flower arrangements stand the test of time when compared with their fresh counterparts. You can dry nearly any flower or foliage to create a lasting, colorful accent for your home or as a gift. Some methods of drying work better than others for particular plants; you may have to use a trial-and-error process to find what works best with your chosen flowers.
A bridal memory box makes a lovely gift that can be given to the bride at her bridal shower or on the actual wedding day. In the years to come, the bride can use it for storing trinkets, photos and other mementos. Memory boxes can be store-bought or handmade, depending upon your preference. Either way, it'll be a treasured keepsake she'll look upon fondly as a rememberance of her wedding day..
Hydrangeas feature delicate blue, white, lavender or pink blooms and a heady floral scent. The flowers grow on shrubs with clusters of blooms. Use sweet-smelling hydrangeas to create showy flower arrangements for any type of special occasion, from a baby shower to a wedding reception. Hydrangea arrangements make ideal table centerpieces for any blue- or pink-themed soirees. Before you can make an arrangement, you need to separate large hydrangea clusters so that the blooms will fit into a vase.
Halloween popcorn gifts are a fun treat to put in the candy sacks of Halloweeners everywhere. Make Halloween popcorn gifts with help from an author and accomplished magazine editor in this free video clip.
A submerged flower arrangement is a beautiful way to display and highlight the best blooms of the season. The water in the glass magnifies the intricate details of each blossom. Unfortunately, the water also magnifies any bubbles that cling to the petals or glass. If there are unsightly bubbles in your submerged flower arrangement, empty and refill the container to get rid of them.
Blue linen on a table provides a beautiful backdrop for flowers. It is an inviting color for guests and will complement many choices of flowers. A bold palette for your centerpiece can be created using warm colors. This will offer a vibrant contrast to the blue linen. A more subdued theme is created with the use of cool colors or white. Your flowers should reflect the color of your china and napkins as well as the tablecloth for a cohesive decor.
Many flower arrangements contain more than just flowers. To fill out the look of the bouquet, florists add seemingly random pieces of greenery into the bundle, which is often made up of certain types of grass. These grasses are ornamental or wild varieties, rather than the turf grass that you would grow on your front lawn.
Big, bright sunflowers are a dramatic primary focal flower in floral arrangements. Because of its size and color, flowers that accompany sunflowers in arrangements need to complement, not compete or overwhelm, the sunflower. The color of the flowers you choose to go with sunflowers is more important than species to create a visually pleasing flower arrangement. Stay with a yellow theme or add one, two or three different colored flowers to complement and highlight the sunflowers in your arrangement.
No matter how tightly you’ve planned your wedding, a few details can always slip through the cracks. Making lists well in advance of the wedding allows you to be sure you aren’t forgetting anything. Write out lists of things you need to do in the week before the wedding, as well as on the day before and on the wedding day itself.
Flower beds are best arranged in a very specific way. Learn how to arrange flower beds with help from a certified horticulturist in this free video clip.
Red and green are traditional Christmas colors but foregoing green for white opens new avenues for decorating your home or choosing just the right flowers for a winter wedding or Valentine's Day gift. Whether your style is laid back or formal there is a red and white winter flower arrangement for you.
Along with yard sales and bake sales, flower sales are an excellent fundraiser. Selling individually cut flowers for floral arrangements and whole plants in decorative pots is a unique way to earn money for your organization. Setting up the merchandise for a flower sale is similar to arranging a yard sale. Each type of flower or plant should be presented in an attractive, organized way so that customers can find what they are looking for.
Housewarming gifts are given to celebrate an important step in life for many new homeowners. Traditionally they are meant to wish luck and happiness in the new home. Gifts range from useful items such as dishes and bedding, to gifts that accent the decor, such as artwork and candles. The gift you give can be something the homeowners need, but still be fun and unusual.
Flowers can set the mood of the table. The decor style of the room determines the style of the arrangement, but the size and function of the table determine the size of the arrangement. From low and flowing to tall and over-scale, the floral arrangement should be in balance with the table and the space as it draws attention to itself, reinforcing the table as the focal point of the room. With a bit of know-how and a few insiders tips, you can get the arrangement just right.
Whether pink, blue, purple or white, hydrangeas are lovely flowers that make an excellent addition to a flower arrangement. Hydrangeas, in fact, can be used in a fresh, floral display or in a dried floral display. When cutting hydrangeas from the bush, keep a few things in mind to avoid damaging the bush and make the flowers last their longest.
One of the benefits of the elaborate American tax code is that you can take tax deductions on certain contributions or investments. Since a tax deduction can lower the overall amount of tax you have to pay, the more deductions you can take, the better off you generally are. However, gifts to family members are typically not eligible for tax deductions.
When you're not ready to admit your feelings for someone, you can send your secret crush an anonymous gift. Enclose a note that can say something simple, such as you thought this gift would bring a smile to her face.
The cuisine of Vietnam is vastly diverse, with special occasion foods varying depending on whether you are in the southern or northern region of the country. However, certain foods are found at specific celebrations, regardless of your geography. The influences of French imperialism and Vietnam's royal history have elevated many special occasion dishes into truly spectacular cuisine.
Botanist Luther Burbank said, "Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul." Sending someone flowers is almost guaranteed to make her day. Add a touch of mystery to the surprise by sending the flowers anonymously. Sending flowers anonymously does not require extra payment or effort on the part of the sender, but it can really add a spark to the gift.
Food writer Josh Ozersky whips up a delicious pasta dish with a lemon twist. Impress your dinner guests with a delicious Italian meal that can be made using a few ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen.
"Pocket Empires Online" is a massively multiplayer online strategy game available for Android phones. Within the game, players join either the Dragon or Phoenix faction and attempt to develop land, build properties, raise an army and make a name for themselves in an ongoing battle between the two sides. Eventually, most players of "Pocket Empires Online" will need to build a second city for themselves. This is a relatively simple task.
A Sweet 16 birthday only comes once in a lifetime, so you want to give your child something she will remember for the rest of her life. You can get her all the trinkets in the world, but the thing that is really going to make your offering memorable is the message that goes with the gift. Give her a gift she can enjoy, but also one that shows your trust and acknowledgement that she is growing up.
Elderly people often face more difficulties in their daily routines than most people because of the physical and sometimes mental limitations that accompany the process of aging. They also are at greater risk of alienation due to the constantly evolving array of available technology used by younger people. Fortunately, there are goods and services available that can assist the elderly in living an easier life, many of which can be given as gifts. These gifts allow the elderly to keep up with the ever-quickening pace of daily life.
The joy that fans of Sesame Street, whether toddlers or well into their adult years, find in the show makes giving a related gift special. Find out if the person loves a special character or the entire show. Coming up with a unique gift depends on your talents, the amount of money you allot to the gift and the time available to create or find what you want.
Floral arrangements come in many different styles. Some require that the flowers stay in a precise position within the arrangement. For these floral arrangements, use a floral frog, needle holder or floral foam to insert the flower stem. Old-fashioned floral frogs and needle holders cannot always hold the flower stems as precisely as floral foam; therefore, the preferred method to keep flowers from moving in a floral arrangement is floral foam. Preparing the flower stems and inserting them correctly guarantees the flowers do not move.
Information compiled by Ruth Emerson Research Library in 2010 shows that cupcakes make up almost 10 percent of in-store bakery sales. One of the newer trends with cupcakes is to lay multiple cupcakes out in a shape, such as a basketball jersey, sports ball or even a flower. Arranging cupcakes to look like a flower is much simpler than you might expect. Start with a basic design, and then add additional cupcake bunches to make a complete bouquet of flowers.
When you are fond of someone or in love, approaching the person directly can seem intimidating at first. For this reason, you might wish to offer her an anonymous token of your affection to first alert her to your feelings. Posing as a secret admirer can also add to the romance and suspense of a budding relationship, making for great stories later as you recount the courtship. Whatever your reason, keep the gift and the giving of the token lighthearted and fun to ensure you don't scare the recipient away.
The gerbera daisy is a spring and summer flower admired for its vibrant hues of orange, red, yellow and purple. Gerberas are used in weddings to give a bold touch to the decorations and accent bridesmaids' attire. Create a gerbera daisy bridal shower theme by incorporating the flower into the shower favors, decorations and even refreshments to add brightness.
Prepare side dishes that add savory, sweet or spicy flavors to your chicken fingers. Steamed dishes, creamy salads and roasted foods add to the appeal of any meal, especially chicken dinners. Fried chicken fingers have a crispy texture, so you can focus on mimicking this texture with other foods, or create a totally different hot or cold dish to go on the side.
If you're looking for a gift idea for someone with a sense of humor, tickle her funny bone with a novelty gift. Choose a novelty gift that relates to some aspect of the recipient's life: work, home life or personality to personalize the gift and poke a little fun in a sometimes too serious world.
The Esperanza Rose is a wooden sailing vessel that offers a variety of short cruises on Keuka Lake in New York. Cruises take passengers on sightseeing excursions and corporate or family events for special occasions, including weddings or birthdays. The Esperanza Rose is also available for private charter for events, handling groups as small as 25 or large parties up to 110.
Making an overwhelming gesture isn't always necessary to say "I love you." One way to show you care about someone is to put creative effort into a gift. If you have adequate resources, buying even an expensive gift can be easy. However, taking the time for creativity requires more effort. There are several unique avenues to take for showing someone how much you care.
A homemade good luck gift basket is a thoughtful way to show your friend you're thinking of them and wishing them luck and happiness in their future endeavors. Fill the basket with the things you know they will use and enjoy, and add in a few lucky trinkets of your own.
When it comes to gifts for chowhounds, while those who like to eat might not be able to define "best," they know it when they taste it. When choosing the best mail-order gifts, let professional chowhounds be your guides.
For graduation presents, select fairy-themed gifts to evoke legends and stories from childhood that appeal to all ages. You can choose from the plentiful supply of fairy gift ideas suited to your graduate's age and interests, or you can make your own fairy graduation gift. Whether you are searching for gift ideas or already have some in mind, planning fairy graduation gifts provides an enchanting experience.
If you know a friend or family member who plays baseball, then he may know about Phiten jewelry. Phiten USA makes titanium necklaces that have been mixed with water and other materials such as fabric and silicone to create a flexible metal material that some in Major League Baseball wear because they believe it relieves joint pain. Purchase a Phiten necklace in the gift recipient's favorite colors or favorite team colors. You can customize the jewelry on the website of an authorized Phiten retailer.
Business owners can always use something. From gift certificates for printing to the latest technology gadget that will help them work more efficiently, there's likely a wish list tucked away somewhere. When it's gift giving time and you're searching for something to present to the business owner in your life, consider the things that they want, need or just are cool.
Baptism is the introduction or rather initiation into the Christian faith. Baptism is the first step and should be followed later in life by Communion and Confirmation. It doesn't matter how old you are -- you can be baptized. Most people who are already Christians hold a special ceremony for the newly baptized to welcome them to their faith. Baptism itself usually doesn't cost anything, though it depends on the church; some churches will charge administration fees. However, having a baptism celebration after the ceremony doesn't have to break the bank.
Whether it's the black and white cow motif on selected household items, or cow figurines that feature regional or cultural differences, cow-themed gifts run the gamut of personal to practical to peculiar. Choose something as simple as a coffee mug to something more extravagant, such as leather or suede accessories.
