I grabbed these for $20 at Trader Joe’s! Wow!
A few months back, my friend Alison wanted to liven up the winter days. “Every time I enter Trader Joe’s, all the flowers are so beautiful,” she shared with me. “Instead of spending a fortune at a florist, I thought I’d indulge myself with $20-$25 worth of flowers to craft my own arrangements.”
How stunning are these???? Here are six steps from Alison…
1. Select four varieties of flowers:
* a seasonal bloom (tulips, daffodils, etc.)
* a filler flower (like one with tiny buds, such as baby’s breath)
* a flower that complements the color scheme (spray roses match well with everything)
* greenery (“I generally prefer larger, broader leaves,” she mentions)
2. Place the greenery first, as it forms the base to hold everything in place.
3. Incorporate the filler flower.
4. Introduce the spray roses.
5. Finally, add the seasonal flower, which tends to be the most delicate, but the other flowers will support it.
6. Enjoy!
<pFor expert advice? Alison removes any leaves from sections of stems that will be submerged in water. “If left underwater, leaves can contaminate the water and cause the flowers to wilt faster,” she clarified. Also, if possible, refresh the water and trim the stems' ends every few days: “This way, the flowers can absorb water more efficiently and have a longer lifespan.”
“Seeing the flowers on my kitchen table makes me happy every time,” she conveyed to me today. “Arranging them also fulfills a creative craving.” However, it might be best to keep the kids away. “My daughter Georgie wants to help but just ends up pulling the flowers’ heads off.”
Thank you, Alison! Feel free to follow her on Instagram.
P.S. Alison shares her weekly outfits and five methods to arrange flowers from the grocery store.
**How My Friend Converts Grocery Store Flowers into Beautiful Floral Arrangements**
When people picture grocery store flowers, they often think of simple bouquets wrapped in plastic—handy but not extravagant. Conversely, my friend, who has honed her floral skills on her own, sees them as a canvas for her imagination. With a sharp eye for aesthetics and some straightforward methods, she metamorphoses these common blooms into breathtaking floral designs that can compete with those of upscale florists. Here’s her process—and how you can replicate it.
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### 1. **Envision the Outcome**
Before stepping foot in the store, my friend determines the arrangement’s purpose. Is it intended as a centerpiece for a dinner party, a birthday present, or simply to uplift a room? This thought process informs her choice of colors and flowers. She often draws inspiration from nature, artistic expressions, or even trends in fashion to establish a cohesive theme.
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### 2. **Make Smart Choices at the Store**
The flower section of grocery stores can vary in quality, but she knows what to seek:
– **Freshness:** She inspects the petals and leaves for any signs of fading or browning. Stems should be sturdy and green.
– **Color Coordination:** She opts for bouquets that include a blend of colors that complement each other or selects a collection of bunches in harmonious shades.
– **Filler Flowers and Greens:** These, often neglected, provide texture and fullness. Common picks include baby’s breath, eucalyptus, and ferns.
– **Hero Flowers:** She looks for prominent blooms like roses, lilies, or sunflowers to be the focal point of the arrangement.
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### 3. **Prepare Like an Expert**
Once she returns home, her flowers don’t just get tossed into a vase. She implements these steps:
– **Cut the Stems:** She trims each stem at a 45-degree angle under running water for better water absorption.
– **Eliminate Lower Leaves:** Any foliage that would sit beneath the waterline is removed to minimize bacterial growth.
– **Hydrate:** She gives the flowers clean water with a pack of flower food (or a DIY mix of sugar, vinegar, and bleach) for a few hours before beginning her arrangement.
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### 4. **Craft a Well-Balanced Arrangement**
Employing basic floral design principles, she carefully constructs her arrangements:
– **Begin with Structure:** She starts with greenery to form a base and outline for the arrangement.
– **Add Focal Flowers:** These are positioned slightly off-center for a more organic, dynamic appearance.
– **Include Fillers:** Smaller blooms and filler flowers are added to fill in gaps and provide texture.
– **Vary Heights and Angles:** She avoids a uniform look by arranging flowers at various heights and angles, reflecting the natural growth patterns of flowers.
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### 5. **Select the Perfect Container**
The choice of container can significantly affect the arrangement. My friend frequently utilizes:
– **Mason jars** for a rustic appearance
– **Vintage teacups** for petite, charming displays
– **Sleek ceramic vases** for a clean, modern look
She sometimes wraps the vase in burlap or ribbon for extra style.
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### 6. **Infuse Personal Elements**
To enhance her arrangements, she might add:
– **Seasonal accents** like pinecones in winter or berries in fall
– **Herbs** such as rosemary or mint for an added fragrance
– **Decorative twigs** or feathers to introduce texture and height
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### 7. **Maintain Freshness**
To extend the lifespan of her floral arrangements, she:
– Changes the water every 2-3 days
– Regularly re-trims the stems
– Keeps the arrangement out of direct sunlight and away from fruit (which emits ethylene gas that accelerates wilting)
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### Concluding Thoughts
What distinguishes my friend isn’t access to unusual blooms or costly equipment—it’s her creativity, attention to detail, and passion for flowers. With a bit of practice and a spark of imagination, anyone can transform a $10 grocery store bouquet into a stunning focal point. So the next time you stroll by the floral department on your grocery trip, take a closer look—you might just uncover the ingredients for your next masterpiece.
