Bugdet Blooms: Daisies For Days
TGIF… as in, thank goodness it’s February.
The new month means I got another healthy dose of fresh flowers thanks to my sweet hubby’s Christmas present (he promised me a bouquet a month for a year). This month we picked up a buxom bunch of cheerful white daisies for just $4 at our local grocery store. And I was able to split up my bounty of blooms into three vases this time (well one vase, one mercury glass votive and one old bathroom cup). You can’t really beat three floral arrangements for $1.33 a pop!
Just like last month, one bouquet lives on my desk (it makes me feel a bit less robotic after ten hours spent chained to my computer):
Another happily resides on our dining table (I swear dinners are a tad more romantic with them there):
And our last little daisy fest takes place in the bathroom, so we can enjoy the view while we brush our teeth:
Oh and why not recap last month’s lovely blooms while we’re at it?
Not only were these alstroemeria’s pretty when we got them in early January, but they actually lasted over three weeks (thanks to frequent water changing and stem-recutting) so we enjoyed them almost into February!
Who knows what we’ll pick up come March… any favorite flower suggestions?
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Are those white organizer boxes from IKEA? I searched for them on your product list but may have missed them. Your flowers look beautiful by the way, I think I’m getting spring fever….
Yup, they’re Ikea. Gotta love affordable organization (and white is always right). In fact we’re hitting up Ikea in the next few days and will probably come home with a few more of these babies.
xo,
Sherry
Now, that’s my kind of Christmas present! Love your flowers and where you placed them. So cute!
How often did u have to water the alstroemerias for them to last so long? btw, the daisies look devine!
Hey TD,
I actually changed the water and re-snipped the stems about once every five days which really helped them last for over three weeks. They’re a great long-lasting flower (a bunch of our lovely readers mentioned this when we got them and it’s true!). Hope it helps!
xo,
Sherry
I love the flowers a month Christmas gift. And I love how you’re spreading them all over the house instead of just one place. My favorite flowers are ranunculus but you can’t really get them at the grocery store or else I’d have them every week. You’ve inspired me to buy some flowers this weekend to get me through this harsh winter. Thanks S
I picked up a bunch of alstroemerias at the grocery store this week. The florist told me if you pull the pollen stems out, they last longer. I will let you know how the goes.
My vote for March flower: Iris, daffodils, or tulips. They are all so bright & happy.
Thanks for the inspiration & great finds. Keep up the good work!
I love your blog (I know you get this a lot) – my hubby got me some hydrangeas from the grocery store a week ago and I’ve only trimmed and changed water once and they are still going strong. I recall that past hydrangeas I’ve picked up have been equally long-lasting – a great, full flower to brighten up any room (currently, in my home, the entry-way).
One of my fave flowers is a dislike for alot of people but I think they are such sweet little things and that is the carnation.
Oh definitely tulips! My FAVORITE flower — particularly in white — and March is the perfect time to get them on the cheap. (Right now my local grocery store is selling them 10 for $5. But I live in AZ and our proximity to California might make them cheaper here.)
Also LOVE the gift idea. I’m going to ask for that for my birthday next week.
By the way, just saw you’re a featured guest at the upcoming Ignite Richmond event. I SO wish I could go! (I just joined Ignite Phoenix.) My parents and sister live in Richmond but sadly, it’s a little far…
Sorry, I just realized it’s not “Ignite Richmond,” it’s the “Refresh: Richmond” event on Feb. 17…
gerbera daisies… always wanted to learn how to make them last longer too and stay standing straight.
These are so pretty and affordable, a girl can have fresh flowers at any time!
About the sagging Gerberas — when my paperwhites start to droop, I put vodka in the water — half a shot or so. Might be worth a try on other flowers that are similarly afflicted.
Those daisies on the table look perfect! Like a welcome for spring to appear! Definitely a keeper that John :)
Sherry and John,
Just picked up the Spring 2009 Better Homes and Gardens “Do It Yourself” issue and there you are on page 33. I can’t wait to read Part I of the 3 part series. Congratulations on this great publicity and the photos of your house are beautiful. By the way, the magazine caught my eye with the caption “How To Paint Anything” on the cover. I instantly thought of the two of you. What a surprise to discover that the magazine is featuring Young House Love. I’ll be sure to look for Part II in the Summer 2009 issue.
Yup, we are going to do a little talky-talk at the Refresh Richmond thing on the 17th, Jennifer H. So sorry we won’t see you there (we love putting a face to a name!).
And Denise T, you’re making us blush. So glad you saw our little spread. We already wrote Part II so stay tuned for that in a few months. Fun, fun, fun!
To everyone else, we love the flower suggestions. From tulips and daffodils to hydrangeas and carnations (we also adore those even though the world seems to be against them)- we have no idea what will come home with us next month but we can’t wait to find out.
xo,
Sherry
Orchids!!! They’re a piece of art in any room! My favorite are cymbidium orchids…such a vibrant pop of charteuese! Huge fan of your blog ….best wishes for continued success!
By all means, “Tiptoe through the tulips” in February.
For anyone who has forsythia, flowering quince or pussy willow in your garden, why not bring a bunch of branches indoors and force them to bloom. Martha Stewart has a nice little video on “how to” force blossoms on her website.
A vase of forsythia blossoms will add a sunny punch of vibrant color to any decor.
Melissa,
You’re not alone in your appreciation of carnations.
Eddie Ross has taken the humble and much misunderstood carnation to the next level with his January 27, 2009 post at eddieross.com. It’s entitled Beauty in Numbers. Enjoy!
Is the vase from Crate and Barrel? I have two that are very similar, but I’ve never put flowers in them. I know that sounds odd that I’ve never put flowers in them, but I just liked the lines of them so there they sit on my bookshelf… I’m thinking they just might need some floral attention though.
Love your blog! Interested in any content on how to make upgrades if you are a renter? If so I would be happy to send some your way.
Good eye Elizabeth! That is a Crate & Barrel vase (from about two years ago actually). We also love the lines of it, and it lived in our little laundry nook sans flowers for a nice little shot of soft color forever. Then John gifted me with his adorable monthly bouquet idea and we’ve been using it ever since. And as for the renter upgrade ideas, we’d love any and all before and after pics that you’d like to send our way!
xo,
Sherry
Sherry & John,
What is this event in Feb in Richmond? Is it open to the public? I would love to come hear you two speak on design. I am a newlywed and I just went back to school for interior design, I love your blog!
Gillian
Hey Gillian,
The event is open to the public on Feb 17th from 6-8 at a marketing firm called CRT/tanaka. It’s actually not a design discussion, but a very laid back roundtable chat about blogging and there will be a good number of full time bloggers speaking. Should be fun. Here’s the link for anyone interested:
http://www.refreshrichmond.org/
Alas, a chat about design would definitely be super fun. Maybe next time?
xo,
Sherry
The daisy’s are so fresh and “springy”. And for March– why some green carnations and a pot of shamrocks– of course!