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Young House Love » Budget Blooms » Budget Blooms: Birthday Leftovers

| By Sherry Petersik | May 27, 2011 | 140 Comments

Budget Blooms: Birthday Leftovers

You may have noticed a bouquet in the middle of the table for Clara’s party two weeks ago.

Sunroom Setup

Well, sadly some of those blooms are no longer among the living:

Flower Dead

But there are a few that are still going strong, so I decided to drop them into three of my favorite vases (from Ikea a while back) for this happy little effect:

Flowers4

Flowers 1

Flowers3

And yes, they’re on the windowsill in our bathroom. Just because I realized that we have never had any flowers in that room (there are all sorts of “firsts” in this house for me – including flowers in the bathroom) so I had to revel in the first-bathroom-blooms occurrence. It feels good to get back to the whole budget blooms thing (since we shared them on a monthly basis for almost two years and somehow forgot all about them since moving). I guess getting back to it symbolizes some sort of feeling-settled-enough-to-stop-and-smell-the-flowers thing. What blooms are you guys bringing home these days? How do you feel about super bright flowers like these (when I dumped the water out of the original vase it was neon pink). I think I usually prefer less or no dye, but for the bean’s big birthday bash, they were kind of perfect. And her daddy picked them out for her – how sweet.

Bonus post extension (because it’s Fridaaaaay baby):

To pick up where I left off yesterday with my end-of-Oprah denial at the bottom of this post, someone recommended that I Oprah-fy myself here on Oprah.com. So I did.

Me Oprah

And then I Oprah-fied John.

John Oprah

It’s really helping me cope. Sadly it didn’t work too well with Burger or Clara. But the John one kills me. Especially those earrings. Feel free to Oprah-fy yourself (and post them on our Facebook page if you wanna share the hilarity). I’d love to see what you guys look like with big Oprah hair. I can’t wait. Literally, I’m on the edge of my seat.

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Comments

  1. Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:03 am

    I’m glad the flowers lasted so long! Sometimes a little dye in your flowers is okay, especially since the pink matched the party’s colors. It’ll be nice having you post the budget blooms again – and maybe you’ll even include some from the flowers that spring up at your house.

    Aaand That Oprah-fy yourself is hilarious!! I’m going to do this when I get home.

    Reply
  2. Holly@Country Girl says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Love the flowers and I’m so with you….I can’t believe Oprah is over! :( Hopefully they run reruns for a long long time! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  3. Clo says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:10 am

    Is it just me, or does John look like a pirate in his Oprah shot??

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 9:11 am

      Totally. I can’t even handle it.

      xo,
      s

    • Sarah Gilmour says

      May 27, 2011 at 2:39 pm

      I really think he looks a little bit like Zach Braff…especially in this Oprafied picture, for some reason! Ever gotten that before?

      & I LOVE the bathroom flowers! How cheerful!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 3:00 pm

      Haha, never gotten that before. I usually get Michael Vartan or Prince William (before the hair thing). Both of which flatter me, but admittedly I don’t see it.

      -John

  4. Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:15 am

    I was wondering if you were going to start showing budget blooms again. I’m really loving Kermit mums. You know, the little, bright green ones. I got some for mother’s day and I still have most of them! Talk about long lasting. Mums are great for that. Also, we’re just starting to get lilacs, so I cut a few to bring inside to enjoy the smell. :) Happy Friday and Memorial weekend!

    Reply
  5. Kat says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:22 am

    Hah!! Lovin’ the Oprahfication.

    Ever notice that cheaper flowers last 3 weeks and expensive ones last 3 days?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 9:32 am

      Yes! I think the expensive ones are more delicate and finicky and the cheap ones can survive anything. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  6. Cait @ Hernando House says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:23 am

    We hardly ever have flowers around the house, but when we do I am firmly in the “no dye” camp.

    Also, so sad about Oprah, even if I never really had time to watch her show.

    Reply
  7. shunta says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:24 am

    the hilarity of the Oprah pics!!! Love it!! and p.s. SUPER excited for you guys to have a Homegoods move closer to you!! I understand how exciting that is!! Ours is a 7 minute drive away!! :-D

    Reply
  8. Kristina says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:33 am

    Ok, so what would Oprahfied John be called? Opron? Jonah? The flowers are beautiful. I have some Viola growning in my garden that I grew from seed. It’s so cute, half purple half yellow.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 9:37 am

      Joprah! Haha. New nickname. Done.

      xo,
      s

  9. cafenoHut says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:35 am

    hahaha this is so funny. I want to be Oprah as soos as:))

    and I love ikea vases and there are very cute every where.
    Enjoy your weekend…

    Reply
  10. Robin @ our semi organic life says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:39 am

    I got some flowers at the farmers market last week and is it just me or does anyone else have problems w/organic flowers lasting? I find they die within a few days! Mine always end up with worms or bugs in them so I find little ‘dust’ trails on the table. Gross. I love supporting the local flower farmers but hate that they never last.

    Reply
  11. CarliJean says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:41 am

    I love the flowers… I Oprah-fyd myself and you can find it on FB, courtesy of me. And Oprah.

    Reply
  12. Hayley says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:42 am

    I’ve never even known flowers with dye in them. Maybe it’s a European thing and it’s banned over here? Honestly, I’ve never heard of it, or had flower water go any colour other than murky (yep, should change it more often). I love the flowers though, especially the second lease of life you gave them, they look really pretty as singles.

    Reply
  13. tiffany says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:42 am

    sherry..
    this is hilarious!! i also love to hear other people lamenting the end of the oprah show.. i was so sad to miss almost the entire final season because we have no cable traveling full time in our airstream, i kept saying how could i have watched for 20 years and miss the big ending?!
    thanks for oprahfying your friday post (:

    Reply
  14. Lori and Ethne at wom-mom.com says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:44 am

    Absolutely SAD about Oprah! We grew up with her! I just can’t believe it and the final show is stilling hanging out on my TIVO too!

    Lori
    http://www.wom-mom.com

    Reply
  15. L says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:47 am

    Sherry–I love your shoulder pads even more than your big hair! ;-)

    Reply
  16. susan says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:49 am

    I bet you are going to give DIY a break this weekend after your pre-party patio, planning the party and post party clean-up this past week. Have a great Memorial Day. susan

    Reply
  17. Karen says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:49 am

    I have 5 or 6 of those vases and LOVE them. Perfect for bouquet leftovers or a single bloom from the garden. I used them for my Easter table that I featured on my blog- put 2 blooms in each and lined them up down the table. Great minds think alike. :)
    p.s. John as Oprah’s a little scary

    Reply
  18. Emily says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:51 am

    I love flowers in the bathroom. Except I can’t help but hum “Roses” by OutKast while I’m setting them up. Weird?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 10:07 am

      Nope, normal. Haha. I do it too. So I hope it’s normal…

      xo,
      s

  19. Britt says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:53 am

    I have been following your blog for a while now. Haha, wait, does that make me sound like a stalker?!?!? Okay, I have been reading your blog for a while now, and I LOVE it. I have a new little 6 month old at home myself, so I appreciate Clara’s birthday post! You guys have given me some awesome ideas! Thanks for your work :)

    Reply
  20. Jenny B says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:54 am

    I love single bud vases. They make great ones now and it’s such an easy way to brighten up a room. My hubby’s family owns a plant/flower/gift store and I love some of the vases they’ve been using. I’ll try to pin them on Pinterest.

    Oprah..oh, it’s just so sad. And even sadder, they pre-empted the next-to-last show for storm warnings!!! The WHOLE SHOW. So I missed it.

    John, the Oprah-Pirate, made my day:)

    Reply
  21. Donna Huebsch says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:54 am

    Great idea to salvage the remaining blooms – they look so pretty in the vases on your windowsill! Also, the “Oprah-fy” pictures are TOO funny.

    Reply
  22. Margaret says

    May 27, 2011 at 9:55 am

    I just “Oprah-fy” my dog and it’s so AWESOME!! :)

    Reply
  23. Jessica G in NN says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:02 am

    OH MY GOSH! SHERRY! YOU MADE MY DAY!

    Seriously, I had an awful morning and my students are being AMAZING and playing math games like the little mathematicians they are, so I got on to see if you’d posted a morning pick-me-up and then you OPRAH-FIED?! Holy crap. So exciting. Also, I will be showing you my Oprah picture asap on the fb page…just gotta get to break time! :) THANK YOU! Have an awesome Memorial Day weekend and I, too, love having flowers in my bathroom! :)

    Reply
  24. Rachel Tatem says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:05 am

    I do the same thing! The different types of flowers last longer or shorter depending… got to make them last!

    Reply
  25. Natalie @ Queen of Whirled says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:06 am

    Oh dear lord. That is hysterical.

    Reply
  26. Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:08 am

    I know absolutely nothing about flowers, but that big spiky one in the middle is fantastic!

    Reply
  27. Alyssa says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Waaaaay too funny!!! I’m glad I’m not in public, reading this, cracking up out loud!

    Reply
  28. Amy @ Tringle Honeymoon says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:15 am

    Love reusing the living flowers in a small way when the rest of the bouquet has gone ka-put. Time to go oprahfy something…

    Reply
  29. Lori @ Richmond, BABY! says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:23 am

    Haha, John’s picture is hilarious!!!!

    Reply
  30. cc says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:24 am

    Ooh! Now everybody try on Oprah’s Tina Turner wig! :D

    Reply
  31. Carolyn says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:30 am

    Very sweet. I have those same Ikea vases and use them with the bouquet standouts after most have gone limp as well!

    P.S. My dad has gotten me an inexpensive bouquet of flowers for my birthday every single year of my life. And, I don’t live in the same city as my parents anymore. And I’m 28. It’s my favorite part of my birthday! Maybe John could keep it up with Clara since he started with her first B-Day Bash Bouquet!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 10:46 am

      Aw that would be a cute daddy/daughter tradition. I love it.

      xo,
      s

    • Meg says

      May 27, 2011 at 1:17 pm

      We always got flowers from my dad for Valentine’s day. I loved the tradition!

  32. laura says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:31 am

    thanks for making me smile with the oprah pics! I gotta say john might want to consider that hairstyle…looks pretty natural. haha. have a good weekend!

    Reply
  33. bridget b. says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:33 am

    love the shoulder pads, Sherry! i think early 90’s Oprah was my favorite. i remember coming home from school every day and my mom would be watching it.

    Reply
  34. Sadie says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:37 am

    I am loving my Lily of the Valley right now, but sadly when I put them in a vase they die almost instantly :(

    Reply
  35. greenbean says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:38 am

    this post is so NSFW!!!! my LOLs are tooooo loud!

    Reply
  36. Gina says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:40 am

    It looks like John is so proud of his hair. Love love love it!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 10:42 am

      Seriously, he’s having a great hair day.

      xo,
      s

  37. Carolyn says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:44 am

    Those photos are hilarious! Thanks for being a bright spot in my otherwise blah morning!

    Reply
  38. Carol N. says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Sherry I am even more amazed by those giant linebacker shoulder pads than your hair! Did we really do that back in the day? And I spit out my diet Dr. Pepper when looking at John’s pic. Good thing I work from home on Friday!

    Reply
  39. Krysta @ Domestic for Dummies says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:48 am

    The flowers are pretty. John not so much Oprah-fied. But I am lovin’ Sherry’s shoulder pads.

    BTW I just wanted to say Thank You again for your laundry advice. We got the same front loaders and I am uber happy with our decision.

    http://domesticfordummies.com/2011/05/after-holding-out-weeks-for-best-deal.html

    Have a great holiday weekend guys!!!

    Reply
  40. Rebecca @ the lil house that could says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:03 am

    I picked up some hydrangea blooms as a spur of the moment decision while grocery shopping for Easter (mine hadn’t bloomed yet) and I swear they lived for like 4 weeks. I would look at them each morning and was like seriously you’re not wilted?!?! I didn’t change the water or anything since I just expected them to be alive for Easter. Best couple of bucks I’ve spent on flowers :)

    Reply
  41. lisa says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:04 am

    hahaha. love the one of john. that is too funny. you should print it out, frame it and hang it up in clara’s room to give her a good giggle when she wakes up in the morning.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 11:15 am

      I don’t know if she’d even recognize him. Haha. That would actually be a funny experiment. Hope I don’t scar her for life!

      xo
      s

  42. Emma says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:08 am

    It’s clear that John needs to grow his hair out. Also, are you two are you aware that you are top “Tastemakers” on Pinterest? Click the “People” menu on the top right hand corner and select Tastemakers” in the drop-down menu. You are top “Tastemaker” in the “Everything”, “DIY+Crafts” and the “Home+Furniture” categories. Way to go! You took Pinterest by storm. Imagine the possibilities once you both grow your hair out like Oprah.
    P.s. I blame you for my 3 pins a day Pinterest habbit =)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 11:14 am

      That Pinterest thing is so crazy. How fancy does that sound? Shh, don’t tell them I’m way too cheap and weird for the title. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  43. Morgan says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:10 am

    hahahaha john’s picture is so funny!

    Reply
  44. Merry says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Great post here. I can’t tell you how long it would have taken me to figure out what to do with leftover blooms. So glad I saw this. Put your feet up and relax with a feeling of accomplishment and a job well done!

    Reply
  45. Susanna says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:15 am

    Have you guys seen the latest issue of Country Living? Super cute homemade pinata just like yours, only it’s yellow with chenille bees on it– beehive! So cute.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 11:19 am

      Yes! I love it so much I’ve already pinned it on Pinterest for Clara’s next birthday. I’m apparently already planning that party in my head. Haha.

      xo,
      s

    • Jennie says

      May 27, 2011 at 1:01 pm

      I was just coming here to tell you about this! I was flipping through my C.L. last night in the middle of my annual seasonal allergy attack, so glossies were about the highest level of “reading” I could handle (i.e. looking at pictures). I saw the pinata and immediately thought of the one you made for Clara’s birthday. So cute!

  46. Tanya from Dans le Townhouse says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:15 am

    So weird! But the blooms look great. Those Ikea vases were so pretty. Haven’t seen them around in awhile.

    Reply
  47. Blair says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:18 am

    Love the Oprah pictures! You should press some of the flowers to keep as mementos! I recently pressed some flowers my boyfriend gave me.It’s super easy and a great way to preserve them. Here’s how I did it http://thefirstapartment.blogspot.com/2011/04/martha-stewart-sunday-pressed-flowers.html I used an old art history book since it was the heaviest thing I could find! I am sure you understand that!

    ~Blair

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 27, 2011 at 11:23 am

      Ooh that’s fun! I haven’t pressed flowers since I was 12 (they came out badly because I was impatient). Might have to try again now that I have (slightly) more patience!

      xo,
      s

  48. Melissa@Julia's Bookbag says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:24 am

    OMG I didn’t think anything could surpass my husband photoshopping our kitten’s face onto Thor, but your Oprah pix certainly do!!!! Thank you thank you for the hilarity! :)

    Reply
  49. Barb says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:24 am

    I also have those cute vases and I think I will put flowers in them today also.

    Just makes me smile.

    Great Holiday weekend to you three!!!

    B.

    Reply
  50. Lauren says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:29 am

    For the last 2 months I’ve been buying my self a cheap bouquet of flowers or Martins or Kroger ($5 or under). Best part (like others have said) those cheap blooms last atleast 2-3 weeks! I seperate them out into two dollar store vases I bought and I have some fresh flowers in both my living room and bedroom. Makes me smile every time I see them :) Cheers to the simple things in life!

    Reply
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