First Come Flowers

4 Reasons to Send Your Valentine's Day Flowers Now

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Do you have a good plan for getting flowers to your beloved?

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Before you know it, it will be February 14. I'd like to suggest that you take the pressure off and buy them now.

 

4 Reasons to Send Your Valentine's Day Flowers Now:

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1. Valentine's Day is on Saturday this year. Get real. You know you don't feel like getting up early on your day off if you don't have to. Ordering your flowers and having them delivered takes all that stress off the table.

 

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2. A new cell or Ipad is nice, but where's the romance in that. Surprise your mate with flowers during the week, then follow up with the unexpected tech gift on Valentine's Day.

 

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3. It's really nice to get flowers from your loved one at your workplace. I still have the card from the flowers my husband surprised me with umpteen years ago. Reading it still gives me a thrill. Make Valentine's Day memorable this year. Do it like they do in the movies, but remember to sign your name on the card. Most women don't like getting flowers anonymously.

 

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4. It's winter people. I know everybody doesn't live in a cold climate, but for those of us who do, who knows when the next storm is coming? Order and send your Valentine's Day flowers early and cross it off your list.

 

If you're looking for affordable, unique and sophisticated flower arrangements to be delivered in Yonkers or in the surrounding Westchester County, New York area, we'd love to help. Just visit our website  or call us at (914) 476-2200.

 Mimi

 

All Images - Fly Me To The Moon Florists

Who Can You Encourage With A Gift Of Flowers?

 

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"A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses."

                                                                   Chinese Proverb

 

I was inspired to write this post when an 80-year-old woman walked into our shop and said she was buying herself flowers, because no one in her entire life had ever given her any. Sad, isn't it?

Who Needs Flowers?

No one really. Or do they? According to several studies, fresh flowers actually have a positive effect on ones's emotions. You can read about the findings of these studies here. 

There are those who are well-loved and always remembered. We go out of our way to help them and do what we can to make them feel special.

But, there are others, who rarely get encouraged by others. No matter how good, thoughtful or in need they may be, they're forgotten.

 You can make a big impact on the life of someone you know today with a simple, inexpensive bunch of flowers. That simple gesture says, "I was thinking of you. You matter."

Who can you give flowers to?

1)  The person that's always there for you no matter what you're going through.

2)  The patient on the other bed at the hospital who never seems to have visitors.

3)  The woman that cares for your children or your parents while you work.

4)  That friend or co-worker who's going through a difficult time or always seems depressed.

5)  The person who went out of their way to make the seemingly impossible happen for you.

6)  Someone in your life who accomplished a major or minor goal whom you'd like to continue to inspire.

7)  Your mom, or the one that's been like a mom to you, just because.

8)  The child you want to encourage.

9)  The older neighbor that seems to be alone in the world.

10) The person trying to make it through the anniversary of someone near and dear who died.

That's my list of people you can encourage with a gift of flowers. Who's on your list?

Mimi

 

 

5 Paper Flower Headpieces You'll Love

 I love paper flowers. So I thought I'd share some beautiful paper flower headpieces I came across while online. I could have called them hats, but somehow that word just doesn't do these stunning creations justice.

 

5 Paper Flower Headpieces

 

Hayley Sheldon 

 1. I really love the attention to detail and embellishments on this one. The colors are great too, don't you think?

 

 Eloise Corr Danch 

2. I wonder how people come up with such fabulous designs? This ones's a beauty, but I don't think you could get on the subway with it.

 

Katsuya Kamo 

3. Just like when you create floral designs with fresh flowers, the details really show up when you use a single color.

 

 Brittany Watson 

4. This one really says spring or should I say fall? The color combo is lovely and bright.

 

 Honey Bee Events 

5. In my floral design, I tend to use bold colors, but truth be told, I really love these muted shades. The slight variations in color make this one very sophisticated I think.

 

If you'd like to make some paper flowers here are some reources:

How to Make Beautiful Paper Flowers  

5 DIY Paper Flower Links To Your Favorite Spring Blooms

More Paper Flower Tutorials 

7 Links For Making Paper Flowers While You're Relaxing 

How To Make 5 Kinds Of Paper Flowers

 

If I had to choose, I think I'd have to say #1 is my favorite. Your turn, which paper flower headpiece do you like best?

 

Mimi

 

Have You Seen These Crazy Flowers Yet?

 "Happy Alien" -  Calceolaria Uniflora 

 

Butterfly Voyages

 

"Flying Duck Orchid" - Caleana Major

Michael Prideaux

 

If you'd like to see more of these unusual flowers, you'll want to check out "17 Flowers That Look Like Something Else" over at the blog, boredpanda.

 

Your turn, what do you think of these unusual flowers?

Mimi

 

Dahlias Dahling

Fly Me To The Moon

 It was a dahlia sort of a Monday morning in the New York City flower district today. 

 

Fly Me To The Moon 

 There were lovely dahlias everywhere you looked.

 

Fly Me To The Moon

Not sure if these are cafe au lait dahlias or blush, but I do know they're gorgeous.

 

Fly Me To The Moon

Even the plain white dahlias were stunning.

 

Fly Me To The Moon

I bought these dahlias for the shop. There were so many to choose from, but these will go well with the lovely deep purple roses, chrysanthemums and carnations we have on hand. 

So if you're like me, and still grieving over peonies, consider the lovely dahlia which comes in many varieties.

 

Dahlia Resources

Dahlia Arrangements

Dahlias: Care and Handling

Visiting A Dahlia Garden

 

Mimi

 

 

7 Tips for Choosing Mismatched Bridesmaid Bouquets

Can't decide which bridesmaid bouquet to choose?

Why not have your bridesmaids carry different bouquets?

 

Bridal Bouquet

 

If you're a creative type and are looking to distinguish your wedding from others, you may want to consider having your bridesmaids carry different bouquets.

 

Zumaphoto

Most brides opt to have matching bouquets and dresses in the same colors. But when it comes to your wedding, you get to do things your way.

 

Will it cost more to have your bridesmaids carry different bouquets?

It might. If your budget is tight, having to buy lots of different flowers that may not be used elsewhere in your wedding can add up. But, if you choose nice inexpensive flowers in the right colors it might work.

Photo: Shane Welch

Most of my brides at Fly Me To The Moon Florists want a pretty uniform look among their bridesmaids. They may wear different dresses or shoes of the same color or tone. Their hair can be up or down. But almost always, the bridesmaids bouquets must match. But they don't have to.

 

 

 Mark and Jennifer Garber

 

 7 Tips For Choosing Mismatched Bridesmaid Bouquets

Marianne Taylor Photography

1. Use bouquets of different flowers in a single color. I like this, because a single color unifies the look. Monochromatic bouquets are always beautiful especially if you use a lot of interesting textures. Not all flowers come in all colors though. So do your research before you select your color.

 

Niki Rossi

2. Try matching the shoes and bouquets.  This works, because all of the women are wearing the same color. I absolutely love this whimsical idea. Even though a variety of flower colors are used, the matching shoes make it unique, but classic. If you look at this photo in 20 years, you won't be saying to yourself, "What the heck were they thinking?"

 

Anna K. Photography

3. Use different color bouquets and dresses. In my opinion, this look is a bit harder to pull off, but not impossible. Though each bouquet needs to complement each dress, all the different dresses and bouquets need to go together.You want everything to look intentional and cohesive. Not like a big hodge podge of color, unless of course, that's the look you were going for.

 

 

 LeAnna Theresa Photography

 4. Keep the color palette simple. Use one, two, but no more than 3 colors in the flowers and dresses. Using different shades of one or two colors can look quite sopisticated.

 

 

Tac Petaja

 5. Keep bouquets small to medium in size. This will prevent any of the colors from being too overwhelming.

 

 Captured Photography by Jenny

 

6. Select dresses in the same color, but in different styles. 

 7. Use only a few types of flowers and arrange them in different ways.

 

I love when brides get creative. My job is to keep it elegant and within the budget. I guess that's what makes floral design so interesting!

 

You can see bridal bouquets:

10 Pink Bridal Bouquets

10 Green Bridal Bouquets

10 Purple Bridal Bouquets

10 Burgundy Bridal Bouquets

 

To see even more wedding bouquets check out my pinterest boards here.

 

Would you use a mix of bouquets for a wedding?

Mimi 

 

 

Why Do Fresh Flowers Have To Last Forever?

 

 

Colorful Peonies - Fly Me To The Moon Florists

On my way to the shop this morning, I came across a bunch of old flowers sticking out of a garbage bag. AndI thought, "Why do fresh flowers have to last forever?"

Where in the world did we get that expectation? That in order for real flowers to be of any value they should never die. Why?

When magnolia trees burst into pale pink blossoms as if by magic near the edge of winter, we might wish they'd last longer. But then, what would be our sign that spring was on the way?

When you have a great meal, see a rainbow after a storm, or for me, hear Claire de Lune, I thoroughly enjoy it for as long as it lasts, then it's over. But that's okay, because I can play that tune again and again and again if I want.

If you're patient, you'll see another breathtaking sunset. Or return to that restaurant and have that same meal. But, if you had it for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday, I wonder if it would retain that magic. Stop being quite as special as it once was.

That's how I wish we'd all feel about flowers. A thing to be enjoyed in the moment, for however long that moment lasts.

So now it's your turn, how do you feel about fresh flowers?

 Mimi

 

12 Tips For Fooling People With Fake Flowers

Why Fake Flowers?

Some people prefer fake flowers, because they require little or no care, don't die and never go out of season. 

 

 Image: Pany Floral Corp

 

 Even though we don't sell fake flowers at Fly Me To The Moon, I admit, even I have some at my house. I live in an apartment in New York City,  where it's hot all year long unless the air conditioner is on. Not the best conditions for keeping fresh flowers alive.

But let's face it. There are good fake flowers and bad ones.

I know. I know. I'm not supposed to call them fake. Some people call them artificial. Others refer to them as silk, though they aren't. You can call them faux flowers if that makes you happy. And the floral industry gets a kick out of calling them permanent botanicals.

But, no matter what you call them, there's really no reason for them to look fake anymore. Here's how to keep people guessing:

 

 12 Tips For Fooling People With Fake Flowers

 

1.  Research fresh flowers. Before you can buy good-looking fake flowers you need to know what real ones look like. Visit a florist or look at images of real flowers online. Be sure to check out the leaves. Each flower has its own leaf shape. Makers of fake flowers blow it on this point all the time. By the way, different types of flowers don't all grow on one stem either. I'm just saying.

 

 
Image: Pany Floral Corp.

 

2.  Choose flowers in realistic colors. Look for fake flowers in natural colors. There are no black lilies or roses in nature. No neon blue flowers either. If you're creating flower arrangements for a cutting edge special event, then go ahead and play with color. But, if you want those unrealistic colors to match your sofa they may look nice, but they won'r look natural. Which is fine, if that's the look you're going for.

 

Image: Polyvore 

 

3.  Invest in good quality fake flowers. Realistic fake flowers aren't cheap. But they will look a thousand times better than cheaper ones for years to come.

 

4.  Buy great looking inexpensive fake flowers. If you can't afford expensive ones, buy those that look like them. Visit a store that sells high-end fake flowers and study them. What makes them look real?  Notice that they're never shiny. How do they display them? Pottery Barn is a good place to get ideas on how to incorporate fake flowers into your space. 

 

5.  Avoid weird details. Some fake roses have plastic water droplets on them. You can just peel these off. Others have little baby's breath type growths. Remove these too. Flower manufacturers think these things make the fake flowers look prettier. They're wrong.

  

6.  Beware of super thick stems. Bunches of fake flowers are wired individually then enclosed in thick plastic to create one giant stem. You get lots of flowers for the price of one. Hide those stems in a vase you can't see through. 

 

 

Image: Welcome Haven

 

7.  Divide and multiply. Just because your fake flowers may come in a bunch doesn't mean they have to stay that way. Separate bunches of them into different vases. Use wire cutters to cut the stems. If you use your good scissors, they won't be good anymore. An inexpensive pair of wire cutters should do the job. Learn how to make flower pens out of fake flowers here.

 

Image:  Pottery Barn

 

8.  Go monochromatic. Find one fake flower you like. Buy lots of them in the same color. Place them in a clear glass vase with the stems arranged in an orderly design. I think this is one of the most stylish ways to display them.

 

 

Image: Doryn Wallach
 

 

9.  Limit your color palette. Decide on a color scheme. To achieve an elegant look, use no more than 2 or 3 colors. Those colors should relate well to each other. If one flower is mostly pink, but has a hint of green and white use those colors to complement the first flower. Using 25,000 different colors will make your fake flower arrangement look all over the place. Focus on a few colors for the best result.

  

10.  Dust them. If you don't keep dust off your fake flowers,  they'll look an awful lot like fake flowers.  Real flowers don't get dusty! Unless you're one of those who bring your fresh flowers home, put them in a vase and allow them to die in place without a single bit of care. 

 

 11.  Add fake flowers to real flower arrangements. If there are real flowers that are too expensive or not in season for a special event, replace those with high quality fake ones. If you follow the tips above, few will even notice. 

 

12.  Just add water. Some people add water to their fake flower arrangements in clear vases to give the illusion that they are real. 

So those are my 12 tips for fooling people with fresh flowers. 

 

Articles on faux flowers:

Not Your Grandmother's Centerpiece: Five Fresh Ways To Use Faux Flowers - Apartment Therapy

Why Faux Flowers Are Really Chic - The Wall Street Journal

Fake Flowers: Fabulous or Faux Pas? - HGTV

 

 

Image: Fly Me To The Moon

 

Actually, at  Fly Me To The Moon Florists, we have the opposite problem. People have the illusion that our real flowers are fake. Either they think they're too pretty to be real or they've never seen them before. Not a bad problem to have I think.

What tips do you have for working with permanent botanicals fake flowers to make them look real? let me know in the comments below.

Mimi

 

 

5 Spring Flower Arrangements From Fly Me To The Moon

 

I love posting on different topics, but I thought I'd share a few pictures of some of the floral design work I do at Fly Me To The Moon. If you like them, please feel free to pin away!

 

5 Fly Me To The Moon Flower Arrangements

 

Fly Me To The Moon  

 

Flower Arrangement 1.  I love the drama hanging amaranthus adds to a flower arrangement. I used blue hydrangea, yellow spray roses, craspedia (the little ball shaped things), and football mums. The green spider mums always add a touch of freshness to a flower arrangement I think.

 

 

 

Fly Me To The Moon  

 

Flower Arrangement 2.  No, I don't actually use hanging amaranthus in all my flower arrangements, even though I love it. Yellow, pink and green are great colors to help lift a one's spirits. There's a yellow pin cushion protea at the top of the flower arrangement. Having a mix of textures is part of the Fly Me To The Moon Florists look.

 

 Fly Me To The Moon 

 

Flower Arrangement 3.  Blue, green and purple is a color palette we use quite a bit. When you ask for blue flowers in an arrangement, there won't be a royal blue rose in sight. We stick to hydrangeas and the various shades of delphinium. There are other blue seasonal flowers, but these tend to be our staples. The purple flower which you might think is a rose is actually lisianthus. 

 

 

Fly Me To The Moon 

 

Flower Arrangement 4.  I created this tropical flower arrangement for a corporate dinner. Our client does large events several times a year and always wants something a little different. This exotic flower arrangement includes two types of heliconia, red ginger, a miniature pineapple, pin cushion protea and several different kinds of tropical foliage.

 

 

Fly MeTo The Moon Florists  

 

Flower Arrangement 5.  This arrangement was designed for a first wedding anniversary celebration. Each centerpiece was different and had to have a fireworky kind of look. We used lots of steel grass and willow to get that effect.

I hoped you enjoyed seeing some of our flower arrangements. You can see more of our floral design work here.

Did you pin any of the flower arrangements? Which one?

Mimi

5 DIY Paper Flower Links To Your Favorite Spring Blooms

Fly Me To The Moon Florists

 

Spring is finally here! Your favorite flowers will soon be blooming in your neighborhood.

No flowers growing near Fly Me To The Moon yet though. But some croci and tulips should emerge in a few more weeks. 

But while you're waiting, why not create your own spring flowers out of paper?

 

5 Spring Paper Flower Tutorials 

 

Craftberry Bush

 

1.  Crepe and Watercolor Flower Tutorial -  Lucy Akins, over at her stunningly beautiful blog, Craftberry Bush, has created an amazing tutorial with great pictures on how to make a flower that looks like a peony to me. 

 

The House That Lars Built

 

 

2.  How to Make A Paper Flower Daffodil - Brittany Watson Jepsen, over at her delightful blog, The House That Lars Built, has an incredible tutorial on how to make a paper daffodil, which is one of the first flowers of spring.

 

 

Lia Griffith

 

3.  Make A Paper Easter Lily - Lia Griffith, a master paper flower maker, in my humble opinion, has a wonderful step-by-step tutoral on how to make paper Easter lilies to use for gift wrapping or display on her blog, Lia Griffith.

 

Sweet Paul Magazine 

 

4.  Bridal Bouquet - Paul Lowe Einling writes an online magazine and a blog called Sweet Paul, where you'll find a tutorial for making these coffee filter flowers.

 

 

 

Samm Blake

 

5.  DIY Crepe Paper Anemones - Learn how to make the unusual anemone flower out of crepe paper over at the Ruffled Blog.

 

Which paper flower would you use for a party?

 

Mimi