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Floral Occasions & Holidays

Diwali, The Festival of Lights: How to Celebrate

November 7, 2018

What is Diwali?

how-to-celebrate-diwali-candlesOnce a year in autumn, during the darkest new moon in the Hindu month Kartik, Hindu communities and temples will shine bright with millions of candles and lamps. This celebration, known as Diwali – or the festival of lights – dates all the way back to ancient times! Diwali 2018 is celebrated on November 7th and for several days after, depending on the family’s religion and traditions.

The traditional name of this holiday, Deepawali originates from the Sanskrit words deep, meaning light and avali, meaning row. Depending on the region and religion, the duration of the festival (3-5 days) as well as the history and origin of the holiday may vary. Although Diwali is mainly a family affair, Diwali is also a religious day for many Hindus. Many celebrate the holiday to bring prosperity and good health to their families.
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Flower & Plant Care

How to Care for Orchids & Keep Them Looking Their Best

November 5, 2018

Orchids are well-known for their striking beauty and unique petal shapes — something that entices orchid lovers but can scare away first-time growers. Despite what their exotic looks might suggest, caring for orchids is not much different than caring for ordinary houseplants. In fact, many people would say that orchids are an “ordinary houseplant,” as the desire for them has skyrocketed over the years thanks to their ability to bloom year-after-year. Though orchid care may be a little different than you’re used to, it’s by no means harder!

purple orchids placed in empty living room

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Holiday Decorations

Dia de los Muertos:
DIY Flower Sugar Skull

October 23, 2018

Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed.  Originally an Aztec harvest celebration, the Catholic influence of the Spanish conquistadors combined it with the traditions of All Souls’ and All Saints Day, and the celebration now starts the day after Halloween and runs for 2 days (11/1 & 11/2).

There are so many beautiful traditions associated with Dia de los Muertos – the colors, music, sentiment, and a few iconic symbols such as the Sugar Skull!  Whether you’re going big or small this year, here are a few ideas for ways that you can personalize and bring this celebration of loved ones’ past into your Dia de los Muertos.

The most iconic symbol of Dia de los Muertos is the Sugar Skull.  Mexicans choose to celebrate the lives of their dearly beloved and the skull symbolizes death but in a positive way.  Living in a country abundant in sugar production, they began to create beautiful clay molded sugar skulls that were decorated with flowers and colorful icing that represented departed souls.

Here’s an easy way to go from Halloween to Day of the Dead and keep the party going!

flower sugar skull arranged with halloween chocolate covered strawberries

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Fall Decor

Autumn Succulent Pumpkins

October 18, 2018

Succulents are the plants that keep on giving… all the way to Thanksgiving and beyond. Now that the weather is cooling down, take your beautiful succulents inside and give them new life for the new season.

A pumpkin is the perfect vessel to plant a succulent in. You can use a fresh pumpkin that you’ve hollowed out—but because you’re cutting into the fresh pumpkin, you’ll be able to enjoy your creation for just a few days… which is fine if you’re using it for décor at an event or party. But why not use a faux pumpkin and enjoy it all season!

And if you want to be right on trend, then I recommend planting your succulents in a white pumpkin!

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Floral Occasions & Holidays

Day of the Dead Flowers and History

October 17, 2018

Day of the Dead Girl with MakeupWhat Is Day of the Dead?

Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), is a holiday that is celebrated annually on November 1st and 2nd to honor and remember those that have passed on. The holiday resembles All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which are celebrated after Halloween on the Christian calendar.

First developed in Mexico, the Day of the Dead is most notably celebrated in Latin American regions, although it is becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States, too!

Why Is Día de los Muertos Celebrated?

When the Aztecs first began observing this occasion over 3,000 years ago, their ultimate goal was to honor and celebrate the deceased as their spirits returned, not necessarily to mourn those who are no longer with us. While it is definitely still a time of reflection and remembrance, the main focus is to celebrate the lives that our loved ones lived.

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Halloween, Holiday Decorations

Candy Corn

October 15, 2018

Candy Corn Flower Arrangement

Let’s keep the iconic-Halloween-symbol-3D-floral-design thing going! This time, it’s all about the candy corn. Does anyone actually eat candy corn, or is it just for crafts and decor projects? Whatever people do with candy corn, they do a lot of it; according to the National Confectioners Association, approximately 25 million pounds of candy corn are sold annually! That’s a lot of kernels… so plug in those glue guns and get crafty! Here are a few decor ideas and a few candy-inspired beverages for young and old ghouls and goblins!

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Fall Decor

Fall Tablescaping Ideas

October 10, 2018

Your tabletop is a blank canvas. Your choice of fabrics, flowers, candles… the layering of colors and textures… adding personal touches all play a part in the delight and ambience that a beautifully-designed table brings to any occasion. Go as big or as simple as you want. It’s one of my favorite elements of entertaining!

Here are a few easy, creative, and inexpensive ideas that I hope will provide some inspiration to get you started on your tablescape art.

I am a big believer in reusing/recycling, so there are pieces that I keep and use in different ways each season. Here I reused my 1-800-Flowers decorative pumpkin from a few years ago, filling it flowers, grasses, peppers, and succulents in a farm fresh palette.  Continue Reading…

Fall Decor

It’s Pumpkin Time: DIY Floral Pumpkins

October 8, 2018

Flower Pumpkin Centerpiece

Pumpkins are popping up everywhere! I find these autumn gourds to be as versatile as Mason jars when it comes to the seemingly infinite DIY possibilities! From Halloween right through Thanksgiving you can use pumpkins for seasonal recipes and truly original decorating. You can carve them, paint them, stencil, and découpage them! You can even make your own “pumpkin” entirely out of fresh flowers, creating a beautiful statement piece for a dinner party or any autumn celebration or get-together!

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Fun Flower Facts

All About Roses

October 3, 2018

With their unparalleled beauty and versatility, it’s clear why roses are amongst the most popular flower around the world. From being showcased around homes to being a key ingredient in perfumes to being the subject of works of art throughout history, the rose has been immortalized from a flower to an iconic part of human culture.

all-about-roses

History of Roses

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Julie's Blog

It’s All About Roses on Today’s Facebook Live at 1PM/EST

September 28, 2018

I am so excited to be able to talk to you all about roses LIVE today at 1p.m./EST on the 1-800 Flowers.com Facebook page!

Our annual Rose Festival is in full swing and I am going to feature some of the fabulous deals that are happening right now, in addition to a few rose preservation demonstrations, and a sweepstakes to enter for a chance to win!

Here are some of the types of roses and rose arrangements that I’ll be referencing and showcasing during my first Facebook Live session.  Check it out!! Continue Reading…

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