Beautiful Reusable Flowers

If the thought of reusable flowers sends you into a panic, you’ll love these beautiful floral creations made by one of my favorite new companies, Emerson Made. The company creates adorably quirky hand dyed and hand stitched fabric flowers that can be worn as accessories or used as decor (and reused over and over again). Here, the bright colors of the flowers pop against a simple sheet of Kraft paper that is used as a table runner and add a touch of femininity to a simple earth-toned setting.

Vintage Jewelry Bouquets

Photo Credit: Peacock Feathers Events

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I am (to the jealousy of many girlfriends) the daughter of a florist. As such, I am often unimpressed by many floral arrangements and centerpieces since I have been surrounded by them for, literally, my entire life. Having said that, I am always on the lookout for creative floral options.

Any jewelry lover or trend setter will be inspired by these bouquets, which are crafted entirely from vintage jewelry and brooches. Reusing and recycling aside, these bouquets are completely glamorous – from the shimmering crystals to the striking jewel-toned petals – and will serve as the perfect pop of color set against the backdrop of any white gown.

Seasonal Inspirtion

Lately, I’ve been finding constant inspiration just about everywhere and in everything. So today, instead of focusing on just one fun new find, I thought I’d put together a small collection of ideas, inspired by the changing seasons, which have been keeping my creative juices in full turn recently.
The first is this playful, DIY apple swag. I can already imagine these brightly colored swags draped on the backside of chairs at an autumn potluck or a small barn wedding.
Photo: Side-by-Side Blog

 

  

The next two ideas carry me right back to the winters of my childhood. During late autumn and early fall, I always enjoyed collecting stray pinecones in the woods adjacent to my house. Often, the pinecones would end up adorned with glue drops, glitter and a collection of plastic jewels. I like to think of the following ideas as a more “grown-up” version of my childhood DIY projects.

Photo: Side-By-Side Blog

 

It’s pretty well known by those in my intimate circle that, on nearly any warm spring day, you can find me clipping fresh flowers in my backyard. Spring blooms come in such beautiful colors and shapes that they very rarely need anything else to dress them up. When loosely placed in reused mason jars, such as in the photos below, fresh spring clippings are the perfect centerpieces for any table, no matter the affair.

Photo: Elizabeth Anne Designs

 

  

  

For me, summer brings to mind two words: outdoors and casual. Each idea below embraces simple summer elegance without the need to sacrifice individual style.

Photo: Elizabeth Anne Designs

Living Favors

Photo: Beau Coup & Dog and Bird Get Married

When selecting your wedding favors, look no further than your local greenhouse or garden center. Small potted plants make charming favors that guests can take home and enjoy for weeks (or in the case of the young evergreens above, years) after your ceremony. Often, floral retailers offer good prices when these small items are purchased in bulk. Enjoy an evening with your bridesmaids to decorate each plant with tasteful fabrics and ribbons that will blend well with the rest of your wedding décor. Or, purchase small vases or ceramic pots to set each plant into. Then, not only will guests enjoy the blooms or foliage following your wedding, but also a delicate container that can be reused throughout the year.

DIY: Recycled Mini-Lanterns

Photo: Wedding Whims

Here is a fun, super easy way to turn trash into adorable party décor. Instead of tossing aluminum cans into the recycling bin, give them new life as tea light holders. Simply remove the paper label and clean the can with warm, soapy water. Then, create a simplistic design on the can by punching holes through the metal. The cans can be organized on a patio, a stairwell or on tabletops. If you prefer, string a simple ribbon through the holes punched in the can and then hang your mini-recycled “lantern” from a high-standing centerpiece for a playful design touch.

Something Green is on Facebook! We're so Trendy.

Yipee! SOMETHING GREEN now has its very own Facebook page! Help spread the word by becoming a true “fan.”
The page is brand-spanking new, meaning we have no “virtual” friends as of yet (insert single tear here), but word of the site is starting to trickle through the web and with your help, we can create a fun Facebook fan base!
When you’re busy casually stalking friends on Facebook tonight, use their “search” function at the top right of the screen and type in “Something Green.” Scroll about mid-way down the page and click “view all page results.” You’ll find us there!
Thanks again for helping to spread the word!
-a

"Sweet" Hostess Gifts

Recently, a friend described a small party she attended. She offered the typical details – the beautiful flowers, the perfect play list, the tasteful décor. But one thing she really raved about was the small gift her hostess left for guests at their place settings. Instead of a small plaque or tacky looking candy dish, her hostess offered each guest a beautiful jar of organic honey to take home and enjoy.

Eatable hostess gifts are such a nice idea. Rather than give a small knick-knack that will more than likely end up in the back of a drawer or in a donation bag, offer your guests something they’ll actually use post-event (and in this case, eat and enjoy!). Select a unique variety, such as a beautiful deep brown honeydew honey (www.etruriagourmet.com, pictured above), an amber macadamia nut blossom honey (www.bigislandbees.com, pictured above) or a rare white honey (www.volcanoislandhoney.com, pictured above) and in the process, help to support companies that practice organic and sustainable agriculture.

A Quote

“Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.” -Thomas Edison”

Green Vegas Weddings

Tying the knot in Vegas: Something borrowed, something green

This is such an excellent article, compliments of www.terracurve.com, about one Las Vegas resort’s new green wedding packages.

Swap Party!

Photo: Etsy

Although my friends don’t know it yet, I’m secretly planning an upcoming Swap Party. I like to think of swap parties as the grown-up version of rustling through your best friend’s closet in search of the perfect “going-out” shirt or accessory. The concept is pretty much the same – rather than buy something new, borrow or “swap” the perfect item instead. Use the opportunity to both clean out your closets and spend some time with good friends.

Start by sending out a simple (preferably electronic) invite that sets some ground rules for the party. For instance, each guest is expected to bring no more than ten items that are in good condition to swap. Also, in order to encourage your guests to linger for a bit of post-swap gossip, ask everyone to bring an appetizer or a bottle of wine.

On the day of the party, as guests arrive, arrange all items to swap in one central area, such as on and around the dining room table. Offer guests a collection of gift tags or clothespins marked with their names so that they can “claim” items that they like. Guests are invited to take home one new item for every “swap” item they brought in tow. Once everyone has picked out some new goodies, ask guests to assist you in boxing up the remaining items to donate to a local do-good organization, such as a women’s shelter, a school, or a Salvation Army.