Decorating with Green Flowers, Fruit, & Flora

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I thought it would be fun to show you how beautiful green flowers, fruit, and flora (plants) can be. Too often we think that we need color in our arrangements or that arrangements are "just flowers".  The beautiful arrangement above has used whole and sliced limes to not only add color, but add fragrance.

These are some of the most popular green flowers but I want to introduce you to some of my favorites that you don't see on these charts :))

Green Carnations.  Naturally green carnations are a soft green, with a clove-like fragrance and have a long Vase Life.  They are an inexpensive way to get your greens :)))

Daisies.  Although the petals are white, the centers are a bright green.  The centers  pick up, and compliment most green flowers, foliage, and fruit.  Another plus is that they have a long vase life.  I love arranging with daisies, and find them to be very versatile.

Ivy.  OK, I know, it's not a flower, and it's not fruit.  But let's face it, it's one gorgeous plant!  I love using it in arrangements, for topiary, or in dish gardens.

This arrangement adds extra green by using one of my favorite tricks, wrapping a large leaf (tea, hydrangea, or other large leaf) around the inside of a clear glass vase before arranging the flowers. Sweet peas and  garden roses make this bouquet as fragrant as it is lovely.

This arrangement satisfies the Spring Fever in me.  Garden roses, Queen Annes Lace, Ivy, Moss, and branches set in a watering can gives this a "fresh from the garden feel".  I love it!

This beautiful live wreath was made with a 21 inch topiary wreath using 8 Manda Crested (verigated) ivy plants and studded with white silk flowers.  You do have to keep a live wreath watered but they are a beautiful way to welcome guests to a front porch, a garden gate, or a sunroom.

This stunning 21 inch ivy topiary is 29.95 at applewoodgifts.com. They carry a lot of different shapes and sizes.

Let's face it.  Just looking at a bowl of shiny green apples makes you smile.  Just looking at them, you can hear the crisp skin as you bite into one, you can smell the apple pies that your mother baked with them, and the color is, well, fantastic!

I LOVE these green apple topiaries!  They are made by hot glueing a styrofoam cone to a cake pedestal and then attaching apples with skewers.  They are finished off by tucking in leaves, eucalyptus berries and white spray roses under, and in between the apples.

I love the simple rustic beauty of these green apples in a willow basket :))

Limes add a fresh and fun zest to your table or your floral arrangements.  Not only do they add a deep green, with a lighter green center, they add a wonderful fresh frangrance when sliced. Use fresh lime slices (or lemon) to line a clear glass vase for a fun twist.

If your lucky enough to have a lime tree (or know someone who does) tie together several branches of limes with raffia and lay them across your table.  I love this idea :))

So remember, next time you need to decorate, not only is it easy being green, it's also fun, beautiful, and fragrant!

An Ode To White Dishes

I must confess, I've always loved color and pattern. Give me a beautiful chintz fabric, bright french country designs, or anything with florals, stripes, or plaids.  I've never understood that "less is more" or the attraction of stark minimalism.
Give me color, or give me death!  OK, maybe it's not that bad (but almost).
So it was a big surprise to me when I started blogging and photographing food and flowers to find out that almost everything photographs better on a white dish :)

So began my collection of white dishes :)  I have to say, even most of my white dishes have some sort of raised pattern, or ornate lines to them (baby steps:)

This is the top of my hutch.  Since I have a two story dining room, I've used tall accessories, including mercury glass candlesticks, and boxwood topiary.

Right now I have touches of green, in honor of St. Patricks Day, and of course touches of white lace.
Each level of the hutch has a live green ivy plant sitting in a white ceramic planter. I got the planters at my local King Soopers Market Floral Department.

The Cup and Saucer I bought at Tai Pan in Salt Lake City($3.50 for the set). The adorable Sweet tag I bought at the Grand Hotel Sweet Shoppe in Salt Lake City( for 25 cents).

I love this large pedestal bowl that my son gave me for Christmas, it's great for a big pasta bowl, a fancy salad bowl, a party size bowl of Chocolate Mousse, or Banana Budding. The fun dish to the left is from Tai Pan in Salt Lake City, I thought it would be perfect for condiments, sauces, dressings, or even fun for serving with tacos (salsas, chopped onions, jalapenos).

I LOVE this platter, it's large enough to use for Roasts and a large Roasted Chicken and deep enough for me to use with Ice Sculptures and under light them.  I bought this platter at TJ Maxx. The Pitcher I use for so many things, it holds milk, flowers,& hot chocolate, just to name a few. I purchased it at Hobby Lobby. The smaller pitcher is used for sweet and savory sauces, I bought it at a Flea Market.

This French Ironstone Chocolat Pot has been filled with bath salts, candy, flower arrangements, and hot soup. I just love the shape and detail of this piece. I bought it years ago on EBay.

I buy most of my dishes one at a time, and I have two requirements.  One, that it will serve at least 2 functions, and two, that I think it's beautiful.  I love surrounding myself (and using) things that are beautiful to me ,and that make me happy.  Life is too short to not use the good dishes :))

Mad About Irish Plaid for The Home

                                                                                    Bedding by Ralph Lauren

It's that time of year! Time to celebrate everything Irish!  With a name like Shannon and a strong Irish heritage, you know I'm in heaven:)
I love plaid, and I REALLY LOVE Tartan plaids, so I couldn't resist a post dedicated to using Tartan Plaids in the home.

                                                           Dessert Plates by Pendelton

                                   4 for $48.00 

  

Pair these dessert plates with White Dinner plates for an elegant and cozy tablescape 

                                                                           Lamp by Williams Sonoma Home


There's something warm, cozy, and inviting about Tartan Plaids. It can be used with vintage lace, rustic woods, or in the case of this Berksire lamp, clear glass. It's possibilities are endless.
My favorite designer, Ralph Lauren, has a fantastic selection of Tartan Plaid bedding, furniture, fabric, and table linens.

Wallpaper by Ralph Lauren

Have you ever seen a more beautiful powder room than this vintage bathroom wallpapered in Tartan Plaid.  They've even framed swatches of other tartans and hung them around a large print of Elks.  You feel like your in a Scottish hunting lodge :)

                                                                                  Pillows by Ralph Lauren Home


This is my favorite combination and shows the complete versatility of plaid. By simply adding a floral pillow and a white lace pillow the plaid has taken a romantic turn, I love it.

                                                                     Table Linens by Ralph Lauren Home

Let Tartan Entertain you with lovely table linens. This is a great way to add a touch of tartan to your life :)

This mix of plaids has a cozy rustic feel.  I love the platter of fresh apples to bring out the red and green.

Of course you knew I had to come up with a way to add plaid to flowers. Ribbon is another way to add a touch of plaid to your decor :)

Consider covering a vase or candle votive with tartan plaid paper.  It's a great, and inexpensive way to add plaid to your decor

                                                   Desk  Set by Williams Sonoma Home

Everyone knows that plaid makes you look smarter, but it also makes you look more fashionable. I love this Tartan plaid desk set:)

Make guests feel warm and pampered with plaid. Here a rustic trunk is filled with a plaid pillow, blanket, slippers and a vintage plaid thermos filled with Chocolate milk. You may have trouble getting them to leave :)

                                                            $2.00 yard by bessiemary.com

I thought you might enjoy this beautiful ribbon at a great price. Wrap it around votives, vases, use it to tie on guest towels, baskets, or wear it in your hair.

                                               $1.60 per yard by bessiemary.com
You will also enjoy this blackwatch plaid ribbon, for a real touch of Irish Green

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=tartan+plaid&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0&x=22&y=20

I've saved the best bargain for last:) If you would like some fun tartan plaid paper goods, look no further than Oriental Trading Company. A set of 24 cups is $2.49

Matching Napkins are 48 for $5.99

They also carry gift bags and other co-oridinates for this line