Perfect Blooms & Decor Tuesday - St. Patrick's Green

How about a DIY project today?
How does a personalized shamrock boutonniere for each of your invited guests sound like? Isn't it lovely (away from the usual name tag sticker at most social events)?

Here's Martha Stewart's Shamrock Boutonniere How-to.

Next up, let's dress up party accessories with shamrock motif or real shamrock leaves! It can be shamrock-stamped napkins, coasters, skewers for fruits, or a real shamrock leaf embellishment on napkin ring.

Martha Stewart St. Patrick's Day Crafts and Decorations

Irish Napkin Decor from Better Homes and Gardens (BHG)

To complete your tabletop decor, a simple flower arrangement in shamrock shape can be used as centerpiece for the dining table - a combination of naturally green Prado carnations and regular white carnations that are dyed green. You can make it a floating one by placing the flower arrangement in a bowl filled with water too.

Here's Martha Stewart Shamrock Arrangement How-to.

Flower is not right for you? I think some different green glasses and bottles will be great for you too. You do not necessary have to buy new green glasses; any green beer bottles (such as Heineken) will do the job very well!

Green Glasses from BHG

Even though you are not living in Ireland, you can still celebrate St. Patrick's Day by filling your house/room with all decors we mentioned above, as long as you have a little Irish at heart ^.*

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Perfect Blooms and Decor Tuesday: Matching White Bouquets and Boutonnieres

The trend to dressing up bridesmaids in different styles is getting more and more popular nowadays. Part of the reasons is the awareness of different personalities of bridesmaids (they have their own fashion style and preference). More brides fall towards the idea of having their bridesmaids to choose their own style, as long as they are all under the same shade of color that matches the wedding theme (I am sure your bridesmaids will thank you a million because you are being such an understanding and caring bride!).

But what if you are a bride who would like your bridesmaids to dress in same style and yet would like to retain their personalities in certain extent (such as holding their favorite bouquet)? Sure you can.

Amy Burke Designs, a wedding floral design company based in South San Francisco, CA. The talented Amy Burke designed the following matching bouquets and boutonnieres. Every bridesmaid carries a different bouquet and their partner wears a matching boutonniere. Isn't it pretty and unique?! I love it!








Happy Tuesday!

Perfect Blooms and Decor Tuesday: All About Valentine's Day

Are you looking for some handmade decor to dress up your house/apartment and getting ready for the month of romance? Let see what Etsy artists going to offer us!

For sweetie pie!
We have Heart-shaped Yarn Wreaths and Be Mine Door Hanger by Itz Fitz on Etsy.

Clockwise from top left: Double The Love Yarn Heart Wreath Front Door or Wall Hanging $35.00, Be Mine - Valentine's Day Wall/Door Hanging $20.00, Triple Heart Yarn Wreath Front Door/Wall Hanging $35.00, Heart Stripe Yarn Heart Wreath Front Door or Wall Hanging $35.00

For organic devotee!
We found some fabric potted plants by Jane Joss on Etsy for you!

First Column (from top): Sage Green Chenille $45.00, Blue Wave $40.00, I Heart Houndstooth Valentine's Gift $40.00
Second Column: Sweet Leaves Houndstooth Fabric Sprigs (set of 3) $10.00, Green Apple $28.00, Valentine Rose Bouquet $28.00

For the stylish, modern ladies out there!
We got you some pretty "repurposed" stiletto heels with cactus/succulents from Giddyspinster on Etsy.

First Column (from top): Dominatrix Shoe Repurposed into Aloe Planter $ 79.00, Recycled Clear Stiletto Succulent Planter $45.00, Recycled Clear Stiletto Succulent Planter $39.00
Second Column: Space Egg White Stiletto Cactus Planter $95.00, Agave in Repurposed Black Shiny Stiletto Heel $65.00, Succulent in Repurposed Stiletto Heel $79.00

Happy Shopping @ Etsy!

Perfect Blooms & Decor Tuesday

• Think it is wasteful to use a large amount of flowers for wedding decorations?

Absolutely not. You can always donate the floral arrangement at your wedding to local nursery centers. Also, you may make full use of your bridesmaid bouquets by rearranging them in vases as centerpieces at the reception. Yet another option is to double the wedding favors as centerpieces or replace the use of place cards! Just like the following wedding:

Green Wedding Favor: Terra Cotta Pots with Herbs

• Think it costs more for organic flowers?

Probably not. Farmers market is a good place to start your research. Often times, the purveyors at the market are the owners of the farms/orchards and you should be able to negotiate a good deal with them when you are buying in bulk (even if you do not buy in bulk, you can still negotiate a slight price deduction from them! Never ask, never know!).

Because they (flowers) are locally grown, you may pick up the flowers on your own and eliminate the extra delivery fees. Saving you another hundred bucks! ^.*

• Are you concern about having an environmental-friendly wedding?

Get flowers from local farmers who cultivate the plants naturally without pesticides and any synthetic fertilizers.

While doing the research, I found this online florist, Organic Bouquet, who cares about environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It putting every effort to improving the life of organic growers and protecting the environment for generations to come.

Here are some of the organic bouquets, wreaths, and potted plants from Organic Bouquet:



A small change/modification on traditional items (wedding flowers and favors) makes a difference to the planet.


Are you doing your part to living greener and save the world?

Perfect Blooms & Decor Tuesday

Almost every wedding planning website has talked about how convenience and cost-effective to decorate your wedding with floating candles centerpieces. It is beautiful, luminous and inexpensive way to wow your wedding guests.

But do you know that not all candles work as floating candles?
I found an article written by pkfzone in hubpages.com, the writer tells us what kind of candles work for floating candle centerpieces.

Here is what he wrote in the article:

Floating candles are small candles, (generally the size of a votive candle or at least fit securely in the palm of your hand - usually 2 - 3 inches in diameter), made to float in a container of water while lit.

They have broader top surfaces than their rounded bottoms so that they can float better, won't tip over and have their flame extinguished.

100candles.com

Based on my own experience while trying to create the floating candle decor piece for the wedding ceremony on New Year Day, votive candles as shown in the picture below won't work for sure! Oh my...I should have read the article by pkfzone or maybe study some kind of physics before heading out to Wal-Mart and get those votive candles!

With limited time (it was new year eve...and most stores closed early that day) and the urge to fully utilize the resource I have in hand (not being wasteful), I ended up with a "half-floated" candle decor. I had my friends filled up varies heights of cylinder glasses* with water, so only half the height of the candle is covered and made sure it won't tip over.

As for another tall cylinder glass with larger diameter, I had it filled with water and a few small tea light candles instead. The result was GREAT and I love it! (Our ceremony photos are not available yet, I will show you the picture later on.)

Now that you knew which candle works and which is not, you are ready to create floating candle centerpieces that are uniquely yours based on your personal preference, creativity, and wedding theme (if you have one)!

Floral Floating Candles by 100candles.com

Leaves Floating Candles by 100candles.com

Origami Bird Floating Candles by 100candles.com

And here are some of the amazing wedding centerpieces I found online.

1st Row (from left): Asian-inspired candle centerpieces as seen in table-settings-with-pictures.com, Purple floating candles in fishbowl decorated with lavender carnation centerpiece as seen in wedding flowers and reception ideas.com, Rose floating candle with berries centerpiece as seen in zimbio.com, Floating candles and flower petals centerpiece as seen in lovetoknow.com
2nd Row: Floating candle with flower and rocks centerpiece as seen in Aisle Talk, Floating candles in vases filled with colored water as seen in ehow.com, Floating candle with pearls seen here, Floating candles with seashell mix as seen in Completely Coastal

Hope that inspires you!




*Cylinder glasses >> They are actually water glasses me and my husband found in Wal-Mart (good deal, four for only 2 USD)!

* Perfect Blooms & Decor Tuesday *

Are you hosting a Christmas Party next week and scratching your head for some clues on decorating the special occasion? Hope we come just in time for your holiday decor shopping! The following three holiday dinner decorations are all inspired by Christmas trees and formality of the event.


FORMAL
Inviting your business partner for a formal dinner at home? Let see how color combo of green, gold, and brown give you the wow factor...to maintain the formality (gold) and not losing the warm factor (a lot of candles) of the holiday season (snowflake ornament).

From left: Polish Christmas Tree from Martha Stewart, Table Setting with Flowing Fabric from Country Living, Felted Snowflake Ornament as seen in Country Living

COCKTAIL
Having friends coming over to your house for a cocktail party? It is a little girlish (yes, it is pink, although I am not a big "pink" fan, but I think a moderate and careful touch can cheer up the holiday season). A pretty way to dress up the fun cocktail hours at home - Pink/White/Champagne!

From left: Pink Christmas Tree by Kirsten Skiles, Card Garlands from Martha Stewart, Snowflake Tablecloth and Table Setting by Martha Stewart

CASUAL
Never missed the good time with family members...Home sweet home ^.* The little girl (she is adorable) made me miss my family in Malaysia so much!

Anyway, our white/red/green holiday dinner inspired by a Christmas tree with an Asian-flair seen in Martha Stewart.com, an artificial bonsai with lanterns and birds.

From left: Asian-inspired Christmas Tree by Martha Stewart, Glass Candlesticks and Red Ornaments Tabletop from Better Homes and Gardens, Little Girl with Traditional Stockings as seen in Martha Stewart.com

Happy Tuesday!

* Perfect Blooms and Decor Tuesday *

What's the obvious option to have your Parisian Wedding other than a French Chateau? Hmm...but what if it is impossible to find a Chateau at your local area? A simple hall/private house with the following decor will do the trick! Enjoy putting these together (or selectively) to dress up your French Fete ~

(Clockwise from top left) Crystal Chandelier in Celadon by Brocade Home via Coco Cozy, Baroque French Picture Frame from The Bella Cottage, Cream Scallop Sandwich Chalkboard from The Bella Cottage, White 1920's Ornate Vintage Round Table from The Bella Cottage

(From left) Bird Cage Centerpieces seen in Amour Amour Australia, Oval with Bow Mirror from The Bella Cottage, Light Pink and White Feather Pen from The Bella Cottage

Happy Tuesday!

* Perfect Blooms & Decor Tuesday *

Are you looking for simple, easy-to-get, and low ticket centerpieces to pull off your vintage-inspired garden reception?

Look no further to collect the unique aluminum cans/tins (e.g.: biscuit and tea tins) at home or from family and friends! Before you send them to the recycle bin, why not use them in a creative way to adorn each table at the reception?

Easy-to-assemble Flowers-filled Aluminum Can Centerpieces:
1. Aluminum cans in different shapes, sizes, and heights.
2. Flowers

To save cost?
a. Get flowers from your local market
b. Buy flowers in season
(instead of importing flowers from other places)
c. Buy flowers in bulk
(you will have better bargaining power to negotiate with the vendor)


If you want a simple and sleek look, you may remove the sticker on can or cover it with theme-matching wrapping paper @ velvet for winter reception. See below for some creative ideas to inspire your next event.

(From Left) Ribbon Cylinders Centerpiece, Tweed Tabletop, Veneer Tabletop; all from Martha Stewart Weddings

If you want something more unique, you may leave the sticker on and arrange the cans as is.

Biscuit and Tea Tins Flower Centerpieces by Tre Bella Flowers & Gifts

Top (from left): Aluminum Can Centerpiece from Re-nest, Tea-Tin Centerpiece from Martha Stewart Weddings
Bottom: All three vintage-inspired tin centerpieces courtesy of Ritzy Bee Blog

Hope this posting will inspire you to create charming centerpieces for your next event ^.*

* Perfect Blooms & Decor Tuesday *

Happy Happy Thanksgiving!
I am so into the holiday mood and would like to share with you some of my favorite fall-inspired (Thanksgiving) Centerpieces and Decor today. If you have not shopped your decor elements for Thanksgiving celebration, you may take clue from these beautiful pictures too!

"" Dried" Elements

Top (from left to right): Dried Flower Arrangement from Better Homes & Gardens (BHG), Showcase Memories from BHG, Wheat Centerpieces from BHG
Bottom: Forest Scenes from BHG, Autumn Branch Centerpiece from BHG, Greeting Tree from BHG

Pumpkin-inspired Decor

Top (from left to right): Drilled Pumpkins from Better Homes & Gardens (BHG), Pumpkin Candles Fall Centerpieces from BHG, Gourds on a Shelf from BHG
Bottom: Fall Pumpkin Decoration from Martha Stewart, Pumpkin Candles Fall Centerpieces from Martha Stewart, Pumpkin with Leaves and Tendrills from BHG, Pumpkin Candle Centerpiece from BHG

Fruity

From left to right: Basket Centerpiece from Martha Stewart, Go for Green from Better Homes & Gardens, A Harvest Table from Martha Stewart

Rooms-inspired Decor

(Left) Red Rooms from Re-modelling Center, (Right) Colors of the Season from Martha Stewart

Rooms-inspired Decor

(Left) Brown Rooms from Re-modelling Center, (Right) Festive Foliage from Martha Stewart

Enjoy ~

* Perfect Blooms & Decor Tuesday *


I first came across this wooden shadow box idea from Macy's window display at 34th Street Herald Square, NYC some time ago. Then I immediately thought of having that in a reception as a mini photo gallery to keep your wedding guests entertained while you and your wedding party are away for the after-ceremony photograph session.

This mini photo gallery is a great way to share your happy moments with all wonderful guests at your wedding. You can display photos of your family and friends on the wooden shadow box. For crafty couples who would like to make the wooden shadow box on their own, please click here.

Last week, Ruffled wedding blog has introduced me to another brilliant idea of making full use of the DIY empty picture frame/shadow box. Depending on your wedding theme, you can have different fabricated backdrops as the background of the photos. In addition to the backdrop, your guests will be provided with the wooden frames, blank blackboard for them to write down their wishes/messages to the couple, and maybe some colorful parasols and balloons. It is up to your guests to play around with all props you have prepared for them, the sky is the limit. You will have very unique and special photo collection of all your guests as precious keepsake after your wedding.

Furthermore, the pictures can also be doubled up as personalized wedding favor for each and every one of your guests to take home! To do so, you will need an instant camera (Polaroid) for instant photo printing.

In conclusion, not only the DIY shadow box can be used as an unique decor to your mini photo gallery at reception/cocktail party, it also can be re-used as picture frame for the photo booth and decor for your house after the wedding.


Inspiration:

Pictures taken from my iPhone at Macy's

Props for the Photo Booth: Instant Camera (Polaroid)

(From left to right) Polaroid One600 Ultra Instant Camera from bizrate.com, Polaroid One600 Classic Instant Camera from Gift Genius, Polaroid One600 Job Pro Instant Camera from Sneezeniz.com, Fuji Instax Mini 7 from Sneezeniz.com

Result from Real Weddings: Beautiful and Unique!

From June Bug Weddings

From Wedding Bee

As seen in Ruffled

Simply adore the "re-cycle" idea!