Remember when I shared my first of the year flowers a little while back (a sweet monthly gift from the hubs)? You may recall that they had a bit of New Year’s sparkle thanks to a cake stand full of gleaming silver ornaments for take one, and a few weeks later I remixed them with less of a holiday slant since we were well into January at that point.
Well those inexpensive grocery store blooms lasted for pretty much all of January but then February got the best of us and before we knew it we were blinking our eyes and it was almost March- and we still hadn’t purchased any February flowers. So while food shopping on the last weekend of the month we made sure that a bouquet made it into our cart as well.
And we really got a lot for a little this time. We spent just $4.99 and I got five different bouquets out of the deal. This time around I was drawn to a bunch of pretty pink carnations and they went such a long way that I’m convinced they might just be my favorite flower ever. Plus they notoriously last a while so that should mean weeks of enjoyment on my part. Oh happy day. Here’s the first bouquet of pretty pink carnations adding endless sweetness to my desk near the window:
And here are three more smaller bouquets happily residing on the window ledge in the kitchen in a few cheap-o Ikea vases I had laying around. Gotta love that they look just as good in crisp white bud vases as they do in the similarly toned pink vase on my desk.
Here’s our little bonus bouquet, made mostly from shorter buds and flowers that were snipped off to make the rest of the arrangements (determined not to waste a single bloom I grouped them in a small glass candle holder in the half bathroom). They should all be blooming even more in just a few days.
All five bouquets (which happily rung in at less than a buck a piece) certainly add a cheerful spring vibe to three different rooms of our house. It’s just so nice to have a splash of pink in a few of the spots that I frequent every day. It’s funny that we keep falling behind on our monthly bouquets since every time I finally get my mitts on them I’m smitten with the amazing (and super cheap) upgrade that they add to any space. What are you guys drawn to these days when it comes to flowers or indoor plants? Anyone bringing home pretty potted tulips and daffodils yet? Anyone else enamored with roses these days (especially after V-day a few weeks back)? Spill it.
Wanna see our first grocery store bouquet from last January? Itching to check out February, March, April, May, June, July, August, and September too? Just follow the links for some pretty sweet cheap-o (and even free) bouquets.
Carmen says
I’ve brought home tulips on my last two grocery shopping trips. They make me smile every time I see them. They bring a little much needed spring into our still gloomy winter days.
{The Classy Woman} says
I love it! Carnations usually get a bad rap for being a lame flower but I think they’re pretty and they DO last for a long time! My mom had pink carnations in her wedding many years ago.
I’ve been doing this same thing for a couple years now and I love constantly having flowers blooming in our home. When the budget gets ultra tight I go outside and get bougainvillea clippings, hibiscus and most recently some azaleas from our azalea bushes at the side of house. :)
I love those two white ikea boxes you have stacked in your office. I am going to be doing the same thing, I have a pretty wicker basket but it is lid-less and I don’t like seeing the stack of papers in my otherwise neat office.
Have a great week!
Meredith V says
We have been drawn to Orcids lately. Someone gave us a beautiful white one that looks amazing on our table. This weekend we bought a bright pink( almost fushia) plant that looks great in our nuetral green, brown, and white bedroom.
Cheryl says
This is my favorite thing to do with a bouquet! It sprinkles happiness throughout the house (nightstands, bathrooms, kitchen counters…)! My husband bought me a mixed bouquet for Mother’s Day (even though I specifically requested tulips or non-red roses), but by breaking it down into multiple vases, my daughter and I enjoyed it for weeks! Love your posts!
Jen H. says
I bought a white hyacinth the other day and I love the smell – it smells like spring! Also got coaxed by my six-year-old to buy a cute little shamrock plant with tiny white flowers, so it’s our St. Patrick’s Day treat and it looks cute on a side table in the living room.
Like a previous commenter, I am also into buying orchids lately. Our Walmart has beautiful ones for $11.99 and they can really make a room. They flower for about four to six weeks (sometimes longer) before I end up killing them. Some talented green thumbs might be able to get them to rebloom, but not me!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
They make me yearn for Spring – we are still buried in about 2 feet of snow. I need to pick some up!
Katrina says
I’ve always loved carnations too – so simple and sweet, another sweet and cheap flower I love are babys breath, there are so overlooked but oh so pretty
Rachel says
What a beautiful choice! I’m completely head over heels for flowers lately, probably due to the cold NYC winter and wanting Spring to spring, so to speak.
My question for you is: How do you get your flowers to last for so long? Mine tend to kick the bucket after a week…any tips?
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t have any big flower secrets at all. We just try to remember to refresh the water as much as possible, cut the stems on an angle, and add that flower powder packet if they provide one. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Danielle says
That fan deck next to your pink vase – did you just pull one of each color card from the BM store and then hole pinch them and attach them with what looks like a zip tie? Didn’t the store employees look at you strangely when you pulled all the color chips?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no, by now they know me at Benjamin Moore (we practically eat sleep and breathe paint) and they actually offered me a fan deck but then checked the back and they had run out so I just grabbed one of each swatch and hole punched them like you mentioned. I meant to use a metal ring clip to hold them all together but didn’t have one so I relied on a zip tie. About a year later I still haven’t upgraded to a ring but it still works just fine. Someday…
xo,
s
Sheryl J says
I love your carnation bouquets. I also have recently fallen in love with these flower because of their durability and their wide variety of color options. I still have my V-Day flowers on my coffee table in all their red glory.
FrankiJo Tran says
I found a bunch of daffodils at Trader Joe’s last week for $1.49! They didn’t look like much when I put them in the vase, but by morning they were all open and gorgeous!!!!
http://ourlittlehouse.shutterfly.com/photojournal/59
Sarah Sarniak says
These are so pretty. I just love the extra punch of color flowers can add to our everyday space. Unfortunately, I have a little ways to go before any flowers are coming up around here. :)
Kelly says
Hi Sherry-
A little off subject but I noticed your paint swatch set next to your flower vase and was wondering where you got it? Or all your paint swatch sets for that matter. I remember a post where you showed us the inside of one of your storage ottomans with multiple swatch sets. WHERE DO YOU GET THEM????
Kelly
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kelly,
Scroll back through the comments for info on how I made that swatch book myself. As for the many other that I own, I actually just ask for ’em at the paint counter (and they either give them to me for free or charge a small fee- which is definitely worth it when you dole out paint advice as often as we do). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Ashley @ Dallas Family, Dallas Edition says
I love this section! I am going to try to find a few bunches for my daughter’s birthday party this weekend.
erin says
Love the plant on your windowsill in the kitchen (opposite the carnations). What is it??? I want :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Erin,
It’s a Burro Tail from Home Depot. They’re super easy care succulents that just need a smidge of water now and then. We have them all over our house!
xo,
s
Christin says
My hubby and I unknowingly bought eachother roses for Valentine’s Day lst month1 So we had several vases filled with beautiful red roses for most of Feb. Nothing yet for this month, but I’m sure I, or he, will pick something up soon. Some spring flowers raelly brighten up the place in these gray months before spring really arrives. :) I love the pink vase you have btw!
Brooke says
I love the subtleness of your carnation arrangements and the containers. Where did you score the pink vase? And do you have any favorite stores to buying containers?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Brooke,
That’s actually from Crate & Barrel but we love places like Michael’s, TJ Maxx and Target for other great vase options as well. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
susan says
I always sort of looked down upon carnations during high school. You know, because roses and more expensive flowers are so much more… well… MORE. But then I was in charge of putting together our Jr. Sr. Prom that year and we decided it would be fun to do a little fashion show to promote the Prom. We had Windsor let ten girls borrow dresses for the show, a local tuxedo place lend the guys some tuxedos, we had a florist make a bunch of bouts and corsages for the guys and girls, and some hairstylists from a local salon come and give some fancy up dos to the girls in the show. Well, I was happy to be in the show. I wore a blue dress I would never have picked out for myself originally – but this was for fun, and for fashion! I wore my hair like I never ever would have chosen to, but it was fun hair. AND – getting to the point finally – I ended up with the white and pink carnation corsage – because it had a bow that matched so well with my dress. I ended up totally LOVING it. I haven’t looked down on those lovely little flowers ever since :)
Sonya says
I got some white daisy-like flowers at the grocery for $4 (not sure exactly what kind, but white petals and brown center) that seriously lasted over 2 weeks. They lasted so long my hubby and I started calling them the magic flowers. That was a great deal! I just can’t figure out how to get roses to last longer than a week- they always seem to die on me after just a few days.
D says
For house decor, carnations are my go to flower.
1. they’re cheap
2. they’re easy to buy (grocery store)
3. they last so long…like really long!
4. there are always a plethora of colors choices
Tiffany says
I love this idea.
Also, do you know the name of the gorgeous green plant on your kitchen windowsill?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, that’s a burro tail from Home Depot. They’re easy care succulents that we have all over the house. They just need a splash of water once a week and they’re golden. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Becky @ TheCodyHouse says
I love how you split your bouquets up into smaller arrangements. I did this with my Valentine’s bouquet and am still enjoying them 3 weeks later!
Chelsea says
i love your blog and have utilized your design/organizing ideas. THANK YOU! could you shed some insight on how you organize office supplies? where do you keep paper, pens/pencils, glue, tape, extra computers/cameras all of those misc office items?
how about some items that take up more room like an ironing board, photo albums? do you have a hall closet that you put random items in? if so how do you organize those items?
an idea is to show how you organize your kitchen cabinets. do you take items out of packaging for a more “aesthetically” pleasing look? how do you store items in your kitchen?
thanks. keep doing what your doing!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Chelsea,
Here’s a post all about how we store almost every item in our home (be sure to read the comments for even more answers): https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/04/how-ya-bin/
We also have lots of other organizing tips on our How To page under the “Organizing Ideas” section. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Christina says
OOO, pretty in pink! Love them! I am looking foward to warmer weather so I can decorate my three season porch with flowers and ferns. I live in Upstate NY so it will be a few more months until i can do that. boo! I love your porch and sunroom by the way!! Just stunning!!
Dawn says
A fellow mom’s blog that I follow showed the mobile she made for her son that is beautiful! Maybe it will give you some ideas, if you don’t already have a plan, which I’m sure you do! You’re so inspiring in your planning and DIY work!
Here’s the link to her entry about the mobile: http://allweneedisamor.blogspot.com/2009/04/mobile.html
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Dawn,
Thanks for the link! So cute. Definitely inspiring.
xo,
s
Jennifer says
Our local Farmer’s Market opens in 3 weeks. I can’t wait! You can get the most beautiful bouquets for awesome prices there!
April O says
I have to say that carnations have never been a favorite of mine…but these look so fresh and “springy!” My favorite spring flower of all time is tulips – any kind, any shape. I just love them!! Maybe one day I’ll make it to Holland.
Jill says
Aww, love the pink carnations! My local bodega just got in a shipment of potted miniature daffodils this weekend, so obviously I picked some up for $5! They’re so pretty, and such a nice reminder that spring is coming (just as soon as all this NYC slush melts away)… :)
Lisa says
I also love the often-maligned Carnations… and they smell SOOOOOOOO good!!
Maddie E says
I got Trader Joe’s daffodils for Valentines’ Day from my fiance and bought myself another bunch last week because they are so beautiful! They are sold dry and closed for about $1.30 a bunch (they start opening the next day with a fresh cut and water). They make it feel like spring (even if it’s really 35 degrees and raining here in Boston).
maura says
Love the flowers. Those ikea vases are beautiful. Do they still sell them?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Maura,
We believe they do, down in the marketplace by all the faux plants and other vases. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Diane says
My hubby and I have adopted your monthly budget flower plan with a twist. He brings me home surprise flowers and I bring home a surprise six pack of beer (preferably a kind he hasn’t tried before). I got a beautiful pink and purple mix of daisies and lilies that are in 5 different spots throughout the house. Including an arrangement on the bathroom counter to bring me a bit of joy first thing in the morning.
YoungHouseLove says
Now that’s cute! We love your little adaptation.
xo,
s
Courtney says
I second (third? fourth?) the love for Trader Joe’s daffodils. I’m sorry…how can you go wrong at under $1.50? I actually splurged and got TWO bunches the last time I was there and crowded them all in a glass canning jar where they are currently bursting with sunshiney loveliness. They smell terrible, but it’s so cheery to look at them. I try to focus on them instead of my dirty-snow, 30-some degree backyard.
Leigh says
I love carnations! They are one of my favorite flowers. I’m so glad to see others who love them too because they get such a bad rap.
Barbara says
Well, now you’ve done it. I’m going to have to refinish my mid-century piece in that color. Really, really nice job guys! What you two get done in a weekend amazes me to no end. Ah, to be in my 20s again!
___
Barbara
http://ifididnthaveasenseofhumor.blogspot.com
Melissa says
I don’t know why carnations get a bad rep. I love them, they are my fave. They last a long time, they are cheap, and they smell so lovely.
Rachel Ridd says
Your house always looks perfectly clean! Please tell me your secrets? How often to you deep clean?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Rachel,
Check out the “Topics” tab up near our search bar and click on the “Clean Up Your Act” category for tons of cleaning related posts about how we keep our casa so clean. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Debra says
I love carnations, they are the sweetest flower, they last forever and I love to split up the bouquets just like you did!!! Yesterday I purchased 3 bunches of daffodils at trader joes for $1.29 each and 1 bunch of tulips for $5.99. I made three arrangements of daffodils and one of the tulips. Have you guys seen the darling 6 vase holder with vases that Pottery Barn has right now. I love my daffodils in it. How’s the girlie bean doing?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Debra,
Our little beanette (or “beanetta” as my Italian mother calls her) is doing well! She’s kicking up a storm and making sure I remember that she’s there. I love feeling her going crazy all the time (although I’d be lying if I didn’t worry that she’ll come out doing somersaults and can can dancing, which would make for quite a challenge off the bat). As for the new six vase holder from PB, we have seen it and it’s great. It would definitely come in handy for our monthly blooms!
xo,
s
Navya says
Sherry these look so cute! I I picked up a grocery store bouquet of hot pink roses a few days ago, 5 bucks for 10 stems – trimmed them so they were shorter and put them in a a little glass pedestal vase. Maybe I’ll post some pictures on my own blog tonight! (www.pitcherandpearl.com)
Amy says
I just bought 2 of those vases at Ikea this weekend, and they’re now filled with bright yellow carnations. I was inspired by your posts to have some fresh flowers around the house, and I agree that carnations are the way to go. They last so long!
Celia says
This is such a great, inexpensive i may add, idea. I love fresh flower but always thought it was to expensive to keep them in the house. You’ve inspired me to go out and get some, specially since it is snowing here in Atlanta!
priscilla says
they look beautiful! i always look forward to seeing your budget blooms because i’m a sucker for keeping fresh cut flowers (on the cheap!) all around my house. while i haven’t gotten out to pick any up yet this month, i spent the evening repotting all of my houseplants into different pots just to shake things up. i was amazed at how i feel like i have tons of new houseplants just by switching around their pots!
Amy says
How do you keep your burro tail looking so good? The little leaves have slowly been drying up and falling off of mine, to the point where I’m left with a naked stick that I just end up pulling out. I feel like I’m watering it enough for a succulent…
Any suggestions?
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe you’re overwatering it? Or it’s not getting enough sun? We literally give it just a splash of water once a week (sometimes every 10 days even) and that’s all it needs. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Laura says
hehe.. “we made sure that a bouquet made it into our KART as well” is someone playing a little too much Nintendo? (see: mario kart)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I blame Nintendo brain. All fixed.
xo,
s
Katie says
These are pretty! I love the smell of carnations. Alstroemeria are also super inexpensive and last for weeks.
KimB says
Love your budget blooms posts. And I especially like the clever tip about using all the short stems of flowers you trimmed off in that candle holder!
I always try to keep fresh flowers in the home as well. It just makes me feel like the house is so much cleaner (and it inspires me to keep it tidy too!) Last Saturday I picked up ranunculas (sp?)They bloom a bit too fast (so prolly won’t last long), but they are beautiful. Only $3 a bunch! I split it up among 3 different vases too. Little refreshing pops of beauty in each room.
Jenn says
I love the pink carnations, very pretty. I love those cheap grocery bouquets and made use of them a few weeks ago for a special gift. Here are some pictures if you are interested:
http://thisextraordinaryjourneycalledlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/flowers-are-fun.html
Heidi H. says
Hey S,
Still in the process of creating my mini-YHL apartment. Just wondered if you could tell me what color the bench is in your dining room. I have tried and tried to tell if it’s black or dark brown from looking at it, but just can’t. Also, I cannot decide if I would be okay with black or dark brown! Ohhh, the details… haha!
Thanks again!
Heidi
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Heidi,
It’s a nice dark brown color (from Bed Bath & Beyond, btw). And definitely send pics of your whole place once you’re done- we’re dying to see it all in the end!
xo,
s
erin says
I have been quietly reading your blog for a while now. I LOVE how budget friendly your ideas are. I plan on stealing a good deal of them!
Elizabeth says
I help out at our family florist and carnations definitely are the longest lasting flower – best bang for your buck, and come in the most colors, too! Alstromeria also is long lasting. Neither one is expensive either, so they’re great to buy in bulk for multiple vases like you did!