La Fleur Vintage

Flower of the Week: the Forget-Me-Not

2012-03-10T13:00:00.000-06:00

Forget-Me-Not

Myosotis arvensis

A symbol of true love, hope and remembrance, the Forget-me-not was once considered a wildflower, rather than a garden plant. By the latter half of the nineteenth century, bunches of these small blue flowers were being sold in Parisian markets "for the purpose of making the gift of love and friendship." At the same time in Germany, leaving forget-me-nots on the graves of loved ones was common.

This flower's botanical name comes from the Greek word for "mouse ear," a reference to the shape of the plant's leaves. A common legend of the forget-me-not's origin is the tale of a young couple who were walking beside the Danube when they spotted some blue flowers in the river. The young man dove in to fetch them for his love, despite her protests that the river's currents were too strong. He picked the flowers and had almost reached the river bank when he was caught in the whirl of the current. He used his last amount of strength to toss the bouquet to her and with his dying breath he called, "Forget me not!" His memory was never far from the young woman's mind, and she wore the blue flowers in her hair for the rest of her life. *

*From Samantha Gray's The Secret Language of Flowers

Friday Link Love

2012-03-09T14:00:00.000-06:00

Austin, you slippery minx. Just when we think balmy weather is here to stay, you pull something like a week's worth of 40something temperatures and thunderstorms on us. Let our weekly roundup of pretty things keep you occupied, indoors and dry this afternoon, dear readers (and to those of you not currently enjoying torrential downpours - we're jealous).

1. Love these poppers in place of throwing rice for a festive reception exit. From The Nichols Blog.

2. How pretty is this little cake plate arrangement? This would look so cute on a dessert bar or cake table. At the Daily Frolic

3. Possibly the prettiest garters we've ever seen. From Emily Riggs' lookbook, found at Style Me Pretty

4. Backyard wedding done right: on Green Wedding Shoes.

5. A groom in a cardigan and bow tie is the most charming thing! Found on Wedding Chicks

6. Love these snapshots from a pretty tea house - by The SoHo.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Dear You,

2012-03-08T12:59:00.000-06:00

Letter writing is a truly a rare past-time these days. We communicate largely through tech - email, Twitter, SMS, Facetime, Facebook Chat, the list goes on and on - and despite all the great advantages of these mediums, something about the pleasure of composing a thoughtful piece of correspondence is lost in the whirlwind of constant contact.

One of the few times in life we send or receive a gorgeous piece of mail these days is when the time for wedding invitations or thank you notes comes around, and choosing your invitations can be a delightful experience - from handmade paper to the new styles of calligraphy, there are thousands of wonderful options to choose from, and opening up your mailbox to find an artfully designed note or invitation is just as pleasing.

Here are a few snapshots we love of the now-rare mediums of calligraphy and letter-writing.

With Love,

La Fleur Vintage

Things We Love: Porcelain & Enamel Boxes

2012-03-07T11:54:00.000-06:00

We all have thousands of memories tucked away in the corners of our minds, don't we? This collection of little porcelain boxes from Elizabeth's gorgeous apartment is a wonderful way to give physical being to those memories. Many are from world travels; some are from significant life events; all of them are lovely. We've paired a few of the boxes picked up on trips around the world with images from their home cities; take a gander (and check out the original travel photos on Pinterest)!

Is there anything you've collected in your travels or throughout your life? We'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Color Love: Corals

2012-03-06T15:53:00.000-06:00

Lately we've had lots and lots of summer brides coming in for consultations, and that reminded us of one of our favorite colors to use for spring and summer weddings: coral! Coral just feels like a summer wedding, doesn't it? It brings to mind warm breezes, fruit-filled cocktails and perfect golden sunshine.

Check out our coral inspiration board and the beautiful bouquet Elizabeth put together:

Clockwise from top left (all images found on Pinterest) : 1. Dress your pretty maids in different shades of the same color family. 2. Love the idea of single stems in pretty containers to dot reception tables. 3. This ruffled icing is too precious in that color! 4. Delight your guests with punch in mismatched brasserie-style glasses. 5. Summer weddings are the perfect excuse to lounge on squashy pillows, hunting party-style. 6. Long, flowing ribbons make a beautiful ceremony backdrop. 7. Wedding shoes in the perfect coral with the perfect amount of ruffled girliness!

It's impossible to look at these colors and not be anything but joyful! We hope all you brides hunting for the perfect color palette agree :)

What we've been up to!

2012-03-06T13:48:00.001-06:00

What a busy weekend! Here are some of our favorite arrangements from the last few days .

1. An all-white bridal bouquet 2. The accompanying bridesmaid's bouquet was composed solely of pink garden roses. 3. A birthday arrangement in a vintage vase. 4. This loose and lovely arrangement went to a young woman starring in a performance at UT tonight. 5. Elizabeth dreamed this up for fun! Doesn't it look like summer? 6. This all-yellow arrangement was from a local jeweler to his very happy (and sparkling) client.

Friday Link Love

2012-03-02T14:39:00.000-06:00

It's finally Friday, you guys. Here's what we loved this week.

1. Brazilian Carrot Cake on Design Sponge

2. Michelle Williams for Boy. By Band of Outsiders.

3. All I Own, by Sannah Kvist

4. Super cute Mid-Century Modern Texas Wedding over at 100 Layer Cake

5. Daily Daydream of Barcelona at Daucus Carota

6. Lovely letterpress hydrangea invitations on Etsy

Flower of the Week: the Bluebonnet

2012-03-02T11:37:00.000-06:00

Texas Bluebonnet

Lupinus texensis

"The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland."
- historian Jack McGuire

image via Flickr

In honor of Texas Independence Day, we're posting our next Flower of the Week a day early. The Bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas and a fierce source of pride for Lone Star State natives. Because the bluebonnet is an official symbol of our state (which is the only place in the world that two of the five official state bluebonnets grow naturally), it is illegal to pick these flowers where they grow wild in fields and cover the sides of our roads in a riot of vivid blue hues.

Last week we saw bluebonnets start to pop up along the highways, a sure sign that spring is here to stay, and remembered the American Indian folk tale of how bluebonnets came to be: A young Comanche girl sacrifices her most beloved doll to the gods in a prayer for much-needed rain to save her people from a drought, and her sacrifice is answered with a beautiful gift. Read the tale in full here.

Happy 176th Birthday, Texas!

Elizabeth's Expert Advice: Floral Crowns

2012-03-01T15:00:00.000-06:00

There's been a lot of love around the internet for floral crowns and halos lately. We get requests for these lovely accessories fairly often and wanted to do a little how-to on putting one together for yourself, for a flower girl, or just to play dress-up.

Step 1: Cut a length of floral wire long enough to wrap around your head and wrap one end of it in green floral tape. This is the kind of tape that sticks to itself without any messy adhesive, so don't worry about getting it caught in your hair.

2. Begin wrapping the tape tightly around the wire - the tighter you wrap it, the better it will stay in place.

3. Once your entire length of wire is wrapped, form a circle and twist the two ends around one another.

4. Wind greens around your wire circlet - this will give your crown a lush, organic feel. We used jasmine for this purpose.

5. Use small pieces of floral wire to attach the greens to your crown, wrapping them as tightly around the taped wire as you can.

6. Choose your flowers! We love the look of these dramatic Bridal Piano roses, but smaller blooms or wildflowers also make for a beautiful crown.

7. Cut the stems of your flowers down to a few inches - just long enough to give yourself some room to work with.

8. Wrap each stem around the circlet very well - roses are heavy, so they'll need support to stay in place. Continue until you have as many or as few blooms as you'd like.

9. Try it on!

Jessica and Brian at the Barr Mansion!

2012-03-01T10:19:00.000-06:00

She-N-He have a new post on their wonderful photography blog featuring one of our couples! This wedding at the Barr Mansion involved clouds and clouds of baby's breath - a flower that sometimes gets a bad rap, but we love the look of it in great abundance. White Patience garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, stock, passion vine, rosemary, and bay laurel make up the bride's bouquet.

Check out She-N-He's full post right here!

Paper Flower Inspiration

2012-02-29T10:14:00.000-06:00

Elizabeth headed to San Antonio this weekend to pick up some items we need for an upcoming project, and ended up coming home with a ton of inspiration as well! We love flowers of all kinds - including these wonderful folded paper bouquets from a San Antonio market. She also picked up a new mascot for the store - doesn't our pink lady look fierce?

Elizabeth's Expert Advice: Mother Nature's Throne

2012-02-28T13:24:00.000-06:00

With spring just around the corner, Elizabeth was inspired to make this gorgeous floral chair. We think this would make a beautiful addition to spring wedding decor, but it could be customized for any season and theme. Scroll on to learn how we did it!

1. Remove the seat from a vintage chair - Elizabeth found this one at a market for $10!

2. Measure the dimensions of the seat or place it on a large piece of foam to trace the exact shape. Cut out using scissors or an Exacto blade.

3. Reinforce the foam around the edges and at regular intervals in the middle. - we used these wooden dowels but anything sturdy and glue-able will do.

4. Using plastic garden fencing or chicken wire, measure enough to wrap around the entire seat once. Set aside.

5. Place several pieces of floral foam onto the reinforced seat, leaving a small border around the edges. Wrap in the measured piece of garden fencing or chicken wire and check that the entire piece fits well onto your vintage chair.

6. Take several pieces of moss and attach them to the foam edges, using floral glue or the moss's own sticking power.

7. Begin inserting your flowers! We used muscari, poppies, wax flower, delphinium, ranunculus, bouvardia in bright, vibrant colors to celebrate the upcoming warm seasons. Don't worry tooo much about placement - the loose, organic look is what we're going for!

8. For the top arrangement we used another piece of Oasis in a plastic cage and attached it to the chair with a green plastic zip-tie. We added a Garden Rose in addition to more of the previously used flowers, and finished the sides with bay laurel, eucalyptus and myrtle greens. Keep the greens in place with green wire .

9. Step back and admire!

Happy creating!

Flower of the Week: Witch Hazel

2012-02-25T13:49:00.000-06:00

Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

image via Flickr

Even though it feels a lot like spring in Austin, we suppose much of the world isn't so lucky. With that noted, our flower of the week is winter-blooming Witch Hazel. This spindly flower gets its name from the English plant Wych Elm, which colonists coming to America promptly co-opted and attached to the entirely unrelated shrub we now know as witch hazel.

This plant is popular in gardens due to the color of its blooms, and has edible seeds as well as multiple medicinal uses.

Friday Link Love

2012-02-24T13:45:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday, everyone! We have a lot of big events coming up to prepare for, weddings to attend and silly Austin weather to contend with (85 to 55 in less than 24 hrs? What is the deal?). Here's a roundup of things we loved around the internet this week to keep you occupied until we come back in full force next week!

Pugly Pixel for inspiration! We are big fans of her Blog Bling :)

GSD&M's Pinterest-integrated SXSW Survival Guide

The Fit Cook's Stuffed Strawberry French Toast

HelloGiggles' Kitten Cam - in honor of our soon-to-arrive Official La Fleur Kitten!

This laser cut bear necklace from Cutpath is wonderful.

Freckled Strawberry Lemonade Bars - our lovely bride Odile brought these by as a treat!

This North Carolina Victorian wedding is absolutely unbelievable.

Sherbet-colored hair! Not for everyone, but it sure is pretty to look at.

These paper house lights are amazing.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Things We Love: Needlepoint

2012-02-23T15:31:00.002-06:00

This morning we headed to Elizabeth's gorgeous Italian villa-style apartment to snap a few shots of some of her beautiful pieces of needlepoint. Having practiced needlepoint as a hobby for years, Elizabeth is able to make amazingly intricate designs.

Each large piece takes hours upon hours to complete, and the results are incredibly lovely:

We love the rise of traditional crafts and sewing as a recognized art style - so much work and dedication goes into needlepoint, quilting, embroidery - the list goes on and on. Do you have a similar hobby? Brag about it in the comments!

Elizabeth's Expert Advice: Terra Cotta Cake Plates & Candlestick Holders

2012-02-22T15:09:00.000-06:00

The weather is suddenly so gorgeous in Austin that yesterday we were inspired to have an impromptu tea party with the results of this week's Expert Advice and mini red velvet cupcakes from Sara Belle's.

Today's expert advice from Elizabeth is a tutorial on making these cute terra cotta dessert plates and candle holders.

Materials needed for this little project are:

Small terracotta planters and bases

A hot glue gun

Quick drying clay or putty

Optional:

Moss

Various sizes and colors of lace

Patterned paper, such as scrap-booking paper

You'll need an array of these mini planters and bases - stocking up is a cinch because they're quite inexpensive, which gives you some room to play around with different heights and sizes.

The candlesticks work best with either two or four mini planters stacked up, and one smaller planter nestled in the very top to hold the candle.

For the dessert plates, you can use any size planter for the base and any size plate you choose as long as the planter is big enough to provide support - you can easily balance them together to choose your sizes before committing to hot glue.

Using your tool of choice, measure around the bottom of your plate - there will be a tiny raised point in the center that you can use as a reference point. Then trace a circle of that size onto your patterned paper, cut out, and press into the plate.

We mixed-and-matched different patterns for a fun look.

Riot o' ribbon! We used 3 different ribbons and left several of the plates plain as well to avoid a look that was too fussy.

Wrapping ribbon around the edge of your plate is a little easier if you flip it upside down and use the flat surface of your work table to help keep the ribbon even. We used a bit of hot glue every two inches or so to keep this pleated ribbon in place.

To create these mossy candlestick holders, take four mini planters of the same size and hot glue them end-to-end. Be sure the widest point of your bottom planter is facing downward to start - this will give your holder more stability.

Once your planter are glued together, place a smaller one inside the top - these are perfectly sized to hold tapers and will be the piece that actually holds your candle. Once you have the two top pieces fitted together, press a small amount of quick-drying clay into the bottom (we used Crayola) to provide a little more stability for your candle.

Press the bottom of your candle into the clay, and then around the base of the candle, wrap a small amount of moss. Voila!

The terra cotta is a great look for an outdoor dinner party or picnic - we surrounded this little tea party with geraniums and daisies for a fresh, summery feel - because it definitely already feels like summer here in Texas.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair

2012-02-21T13:34:00.002-06:00

One of the big things we're noticing for this year's spring and summer brides (and let's face it, fellow Austinites: it might as well be spring here already) is the flower crown. Sometimes worn in lieu of carrying a bouquet or perched on the head of a flower girl, there is probably no better way to feel like Titania herself while walking down the aisle than to don a wreath of blooms in your hair. You might be picturing a simple daisy wreath right now, but don't be underwhelmed. These can get as big and dramatic as you want (polarizing It Girl Lana Del Rey makes copious use of them while warbling slightly tragic love songs and what's more dramatic than that?) or can go the sweet and simple route for a flower girl or smaller wedding.

Here are a few of our own, and a few photos we keep around for inspiration.

Crown by La Fleur Vintage; image by The Nichols

image via Pinterest

Baby's breath flower girl crown by La Fleur Vintage, image by Kristi Wright Photography

A floral crown and a tiara: the best of both worlds.
Image via Pinterest

If you love these as much as we do, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a tutorial from Elizabeth on how to create these on your own!

Flower of the Week: The Crocus

2012-02-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

Crocus

crocus longiflorus

image via Flickr

In the day of Queen Victoria, the crocus was the symbol of Gladness and was meant to be a word of caution and to not abuse.

Funny, with Valentine's Day just behind us, Crocus was dedicated to Saint Valentine and appears to pop up around this time of the year. Eager for that early pollen, after the winter months the Bee makes the cup of the crocus open.

The scent of crocuses is mysterious and alluring and has been said to dispurse drowsiness and quicken the pulse. It is said that Cleopatra made an oil for her hands from this sweet flower. In Greek mythology, Homer put crocuses in the bed of the King and Queen of Heaven.

I don't know about you but, I am so ready for these early blooms and hope to see them growing in gardens very soon.

Let Them Eat Cake: French China and Porcelain

2012-02-16T15:10:00.000-06:00

Image via Flickr

One of the many beautiful things in the world that inspires us at La Fleur Vintage is French china, particularly Limoges brands Bernardaud and Haviland, as well as Gien. There are hundreds of beautiful sets and patterns within those three brands alone, and we wanted to show off a few we've been loving lately.

Limoges porcelain is revered for its lustre and translucency, qualities that are a result of a particular ingredient: kaolin. Kaolin is a soft white clay mineral and had long been the secret of stunning Chinese porcelain before being discovered and put to use by French artisans in Limoges in 1768.

Surely even Marie Antoinette would have loved this floral patterned cup and saucer?

Image via Pinterest

A lovely vintage Haviland pattern

Snaps to the vintage-minded lady who turned this Haviland plate into a temporary dessert stand.

Gien produces faience, or white glazed earthenware pottery, which spread in popularity after Louis XIV ordered all gold and silver dinnerware to be melted down and the nobility had to find alternate materials for table settings. King Louis preferred faience even over his extensive collection of fine Chinese porcelain, and soon faience became a favorite amongst wealthy French citizens.

Sweets for the sweet: a set of Gien dessert plates

Gien's 'Millefleurs' pattern

Beautiful china is meant to be used and loved - there's nothing that makes a simple meal or cup of tea feel more special than using such gorgeous dinnerware. Do you have a particular pattern you collect or long for? Prefer English china to French? We want to hear about it!

Our Favorite Romantic Arrangements

2012-02-14T17:00:00.000-06:00

Whew! We spent all day putting together beautiful things for your loved ones, listening to love songs and trying not to break into spontaneous recitations of love-struck sonnets. Now that the day is winding down, we can show you guys a few of our favorite arrangements of the day!

These purple roses were a huge hit - aren't those dusty hues amazing?

Very favorite - is there any way to look at those colors and not smile?

Here's hoping everyone has had a wonderful day so far and will enjoy a fantastic night with their loved ones!

XOXO from La Fleur Vintage!

What to Listen to: Valentine's Day Edition

2012-02-14T11:21:00.000-06:00

via

Whether you're obsessively crushing or romantically attached, Valentine's Day always seems to require a special playlist - here's a mish-mash of our favorite songs for hopeless crushes and besotted lovers. Click on any of the song titles to preview, or listen to the whole thing on Spotify here!

Her Eyes are a Million Blue Miles - the Black Keys

Blue As Your Blood - the Walkmen

Nothing Like You and I - the Perishers

Your Arms Around Me - Jens Lekman

Little Bit - Lykke Li

Under Your Spell - Desire

Breakfast - EMA

Fake Empire - the National

Eskimo Kiss - the Kooks

Strawberry - Paul Baribeau

All You Need is Love - the Beatles

If there's a special song you'll be playing for a loved one today, please share it with us!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T10:00:00.000-06:00

And ... we're off! Gonna be a busy day - check out how gorgeous the cooler is, filled to the brim with romantic blooms.

Texas Women in Business Event

2012-02-13T13:52:00.002-06:00

Last week we were happy to host the Texas Women in Business for a little get-together - such a smashing time was had by all that we forgot to get snap-happy with the camera, but here are a few photos we managed to sneak in:

A peek at the decor.

Some of our wonderful attendees:

Thanks to all the ladies for hanging out! We had a lot of fun and we hope everyone else did too!

Monday the 13th

2012-02-13T12:08:00.001-06:00

Calls are starting to roll in for tomorrow, and we've noticed a lot of you guys want something beyond the standard dozen red roses - here's a few snaps of the arrangements we're working on! (And yes, those tiny precious cupcakes DO come with Valentine's Day orders, straight from Sara Belle's Bakery).

Give us a call, whether you're treating yourself, your partner or (like one of us, who shall remain nameless), just enjoying movies and a heart-shaped pizza with your cat - flowers always make Valentine's Day a little bit brighter!

Planning Your Wedding Part 6: Flowers

2012-02-10T15:00:00.000-06:00

Last but not least in our series of posts of about wedding planning are (drumroll please ...)
the flowers!

some of our favorite pictures from Pinterest

Naturally as a floral company, we believe that flowers are the most important design decision you'll have to make for the big day. Think of it this way: flowers are to ceremony and reception as the dress is to the bride - great floral design will top your wedding off perfectly as a representation of you and your partner's personalities, and help create a stunning event that your guests will talk about forever.

Many couples underestimate the cost of flowers - plan on 10% of your total budget going to your florist, in order to match the scale and feel of the arrangements to the rest of the event. It's important to remember that a lot more goes into creating bouquets than just slapping stems into a vase - there are weeks of design conception, planning, ordering and prep that go into creating custom wedding flowers, and for good reason. These arrangements will be in all of your photographs and in your hand as you walk down the aisle. Don't be afraid to let your imagination run amok and go wild for color and texture!

Need some inspiration? An easy place to start is with your wedding's color story - once you have that, you can start considering what blooms will be in season on your big day. Many couples like to include flowers or herbs that have a special meaning or symbology behind them - check out our frequent Flower of the Week posts for what's in season and the history behind the flowers.

Ready for some more? Below are a few of our most-loved arrangements and bouquets created by the La Fleur Vintage team:

Elizabeth made this bouquet for a photo shoot in Austin Monthly - check out their article "The Look of Love" in this month's issue for another peek at this luscious bouquet. We love the mix of colors and the textural greens!

Favored by Jenny for its simplicity and soft lavender and blue hues against rich greens, this bouquet is composed of muscari and hydrangea with scented geranium and fern.

This bouquet, another of Jenny's favorites, was created as a sample for an event at Mercury hall. Eventually it found its way into our advertisements and is a popular inspiration photo with brides coming in for consultations.

We love to hear what ideas, flowers and looks others are incorporating into their weddings and arrangements. Got something really special in mind? Share it with us!

Admit it: It's always better in a cone.

2012-02-10T11:46:00.000-06:00

We are all over Pinterest. Not only is it uber-addictive to endlessly scroll through pages and pages of tasty recipes, wedding inspiration and home decor, but we are constantly finding sources of inspiration there as well. For example, these lovely Valentine's cones!

We've done birch cones for weddings, but this photo inspired us to create holiday-specific cones with some of the ribbon and ephemera we've been hoarding in the art supply room, and the results were pretty adorable:

Much better than a Hallmark Valentine's Day card, don't you think?

Valentine Inspiration

2012-02-09T13:47:00.000-06:00

Maybe this won't shock you guys as much as it shocked me, but Valentine's Day is this coming Tuesday! You'd think that's fairly obvious, what with our days filling up with requests for romantic bouquets, but time is slipping by so quickly! We know you guys are crafty and creative and not inclined to pull boxes of perforated sheets of V-Day cards off your local drugstore shelf, so here's some inspiration for pretty greetings you can pass on to your loved ones, from handmade to vintage to a few fantastic finds from Etsy.

Scraps of textiles, printable ephemera, pages from old books - you probably have everything you need to create gorgeous handmade cards already sitting around your home.

If peeling glue off your fingertips isn't your thing (and if it's not, we want to know why.) check out shops like Uncommon Objects on South Congress for cool vintage cards like these hanging in our window:

For fellow Etsy fiends:

Paper Cut Watercolor card, $8.00

Tiny Envelopes card, $6.00

Letterpress Heartbeat card: $4.00

XO!

February Editorials

2012-02-08T12:57:00.004-06:00

With the new issue of Tribeza out on magazine stands all over the city, we're happy to say that they featured La Fleur Vintage in their "Little Black Book" of 10 Austin names you need to know when it's time to start planning your wedding, which you can read online here.

We're also excited to be featured in not one but two articles in Austin Monthly's February issue: "the Look of Love," a photoshoot of dreamy dresses, and "Going to the Chapel," a guide to planning an Austin wedding.

The Look of Love: les fleurs supplied by La Fleur.

We are thrilled to be so loved by Austin's editors - drop by our shop or a local bookstore to snag a copy of either of these magazines!

All in a Row

2012-02-08T11:08:00.001-06:00

Working at La Fleur Vintage is kind of like if Pinterest came to life and resided in our workroom. Couldn't resist snapping a few photos of what's going on behind the scenes today: crafting these adorable flowerpot favors (that double as business cards) for an event taking place here at the shop tomorrow evening!

Stylish and hard at work.

Box o' blooms.

All lined up, looking too cute for words.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Planning Your Wedding Part 5: The Dress

2012-02-05T13:10:00.000-06:00

The Duchess of Cambridge: Fine, fresh, fierce in Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

You are engaged! You're getting used to seeing that sparkling thing on your left hand, you've chosen the venue and date and are starting to think of your guest list (and if you've been keeping up with our recent favorite vendor posts, maybe you've chosen your photographer and menus, too). Wondering why we've chosen to place this post so far down in the list? We think it's a little easier to choose a dress to suit the location and theme you and your partner have chosen together, rather than planning a multi-thousand dollar event around a single item of clothing. Knowing the location, date and theme, or at the very least the time of year you're planning on, will help narrow down your choices in a vast, vast market of seriously gorgeous ensembles that can quickly become overwhelming if you jump in without a little direction or pre-planning.

So with the when and where out of the way, it's time to stop imagining the dress of your dreams and start shopping! Never before have there been so many fantastic choices, from frothy, lacy confections to simple and modern satin numbers.

Check out some of the many we've been eyeing with envy lately!

Perfect for those of us who love classic vintage details or ladies who need a more modest dress for a traditional church wedding, wedding dresses with sleeves made a major comeback after the unveiling of Kate Middleton's flawless gown last year and we are so, so glad they did.

Also reappearing in our hearts and on runways is this looser, late-Edwardian to 1920s silhouette. London's other Kate, Miss Moss, went with a variation on this theme for her 2011 wedding, going so far as to don a replica of Zelda Fitzgerald's wedding ring - let's hope for Kate's sake that's as far as the marital similarities go.

Lady Mary Crawley, this dress is for you.

Another amazing look we love is a beautifully detailed back:

The myriad of dress options out there is truly overwhelming - how did you find yours? Going with an opulent bespoke gown or an amazing vintage find? Tell us about it in the comments!

Planning Your Wedding Part 4: Wedding Cakes and Non-Cakes

2012-02-04T16:27:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Part 4 of our wedding vendor advice - FINALLY. It’s dessert time, you guys.

Wedding cakes sometimes get a bad rap - deep down we all know nobody actually likes to eat all that fondant and those poor English suckers got stuck with the whole fruitcake tradition, but thankfully Austin is brimming with talented pastry chefs who are turning wedding cakes into works of art that are just as delicious as they are beautiful.

You might also think outside the bakery box and consider a non-cake dessert finale. Wedding pie, jars upon jars of bright candies, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts and the ever-impressive croquembouche are a few things that have been popping up in place of cake-and-frosting towers lately. If you’re brave, you could also consider the artisan cheese cake we mentioned last week (told you we’d be obsessing about it for days!). If you must have cake but still want to spice it up, consider cake pops or the always precious cupcake!

Here are several companies you’ll want to check out (and schedule tastings with. You won’t be sorry).

Stardust Pastry

How heavenly does this ruffled cake look?

Michelle's Patisserie

This cake was featured on the Knot - love the modern lines vs. the organic touch of fresh flowers

Simon Lee Bakery

Croquembouche: a French dessert, usually made of choux filled with pastry cream, assembled with caramel and decorated with spun sugar and flowers.

Bake Sale

A dessert bar: give us all the sweets.

Tiny Pies

Come on. It does not get any more precious than this.

____________

In case you weren't already drooling, here are a few more wedding-worthy dessert inspirations from Pinterest:

1. Love the idea of ombre cake layers in your main wedding color.

2. This cascade of white anemones on pistachio-colored frosting is absolutely dreamy.

3. A simple layer cake is both elegant and rustic when topped with fresh flowers.

4. A white doughnut tower in place of a white cake? Mmhm.

5. Monogrammed wedding pie!

6. Ice cream sandwiches in pretty pastels - perfect for spring and summer weddings.

Expert Advice: Elizabeth's Favorite Romantic Films

2012-02-01T13:21:00.000-06:00

February is upon us and with that our thoughts turn to love. I recently picked up a copy of Town and Country Magazine and noticed a picture of Allie McGraw on the cover and could not help but think of her in the charming role as Jenny in the movie Love Story. With that I began to think more about other movies about love that I so fondly remember. Some of them date quite a while back and others are more recent. Who can resist a good old fashioned tale of romance and true love?

So I thought I would write about some of my favorite movies. It is hard to say just which one beats out all of the others but the following are truly close to my heart:

Wuthering Heights

"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." Despite that famous line, Cathy and Heathcliff just can't make it work in this 1939 adaptation of Emily Bronte's masterpiece of a novel.

Casablanca

Considered one of the greatest films of all time (star-crossed lovers in war-torn settings make for great storytelling), Casablanca is a romance not to be missed. If you've never seen it, we suggest you rectify that immediately.

Dr. Zhivago

Another one you can file under "Interpretations of great novels about ill-fated love," Dr. Zhivago is the story of a Russian poet and the wife of a political activist who fall for each other during Russia's Bolshevik Revolution.

Pretty Woman

Possibly the greatest feel-good romantic comedy ever, Pretty Woman stars Julia Roberts as a plucky "working girl" in thigh-high pleather boots who is rescued from a life of pimps and irresponsible roommates by business titan Richard Gere. Julia's famous laugh is infectious, so pop this one in if you need to stop the tears after watching one of the films we mentioned above.

Roman Holiday

Listen up, sorority girls: this one stars your idol, Audrey Hepburn, as a princess who escapes her restrictive royal confines to spontaneously spout poetry, romp about Rome on a Vespa and fall in love with a slightly unethical American journalist (played by Gregory Peck)

Forrest Gump

In one of Tom Hanks' most endearing roles, Forrest Gump leads an extraordinary life but struggles with his love for childhood sweetheart Jenny, who hasn't fared as well as in her own life.,

Say Anything

"I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."

Director Cameron Crowe's first film, starring John Cusack and Ione Skye, is one of the best of the iconic 1980's teen movies. Really-not-annoying nice guy Lloyd Dobbler wins his dream girl, Diane, and in the process makes an epic romantic gesture with a boom box that no one will ever stop dreaming about.

An Officer and a Gentleman.

Another one starring perennial ladies' favorite, Richard Gere, this is the tale of a man who needs to grow up, and does so with the help of a terrifying Naval drill instructor and a good woman.

Just like in these movies, love is truly in the air here in our store as we are getting ready for the "BIG" day for flowers, and also as we approach wedding season. There is nothing quite like romance!

Valentine's Day: Another Chance to Express Your Love.

2012-02-01T12:58:00.000-06:00

While Valentine's seems hardly noteworthy today, it is just around the corner, especially for those in the flower business. I placed an order yesterday for some stunning flowers, and am really looking forward to putting together some special bouquets for all you young ( and yougn at heart) lovers out there.

This is our version of a dozen roses. We have done away with the super long stem roses and baby's breath and gone the more garden style route. 12 Roses, fragrant Stock and Genistra, Queen Anne's Lace, and a mix of greens are all arranged in this French style florist vase with wire cover. Give your sweetheart something that really expresses your love.

Another variation on the traditional lover's bouquet: Red and pink roses, peonies and stock make up this precious arrangement. However, peonies aren't currently in season but can be replaced with spectacular garden roses to complete the look.

If you want to get a step ahead of the masses and have a Valentine arrangement reserved, call the shop! We're already taking orders for the upcoming holiday and would love to create one for you. La Fleur Vintage hours are 11 AM - 4 PM - get in touch with us at 512 - 458 - 8500 or lafleurvintage@gmail.com.

Planning Your Wedding Part 3: Food & Drink

2012-01-31T14:43:00.000-06:00

Whew! So far, you’ve chosen your soulmate, the venue for your impending nuptials, your guests and wedding party, your photographer - what’s next? Why, it’s one of our very favorite aspects of a reception - the food, y’all.

Whether you chose to have a buffet for or a seated dinner, food is a big part of the fun, adding flavor to the party and helping to determine the tone and formality of the reception - a sit down dinner with servers will probably be a more solemn event than a buffet style setup or finger foods being passed around. Don’t be afraid to get creative or a little silly with your catering choice - recently we did a wedding for a couple who had their first date at Tacodeli - guess who they chose to provide the food?

Another trend we’ve noticed is couples choosing a local food trailer to provide the food - Austin certainly has a plethora of options to choose from, and some of our favorites are Peached Tortilla and the Odd Duck.

Peached Tortilla

Launched in 2010, immensely popular and “flavor-smitten” Peached Tortilla is a “Texas fusion taco truck” that was voted Food Truck of the Year 2011 by Eater Austin and count Neiman Marcus, West Elm and C3 Productions among their high profile catering fans.

Odd Duck

image via Austin360

Though it’s currently closed for the winter season (in the meantime, check out sister restaurant Barley Swine), Odd Duck is our go-to spot for a “Farm to Table” food truck experience. Go forth my friends, eat artisan pork belly sliders and feel good about it while you do so.

_______

If you’d like to go a more traditional route and choose a company that focuses primarily on catering, we’ve got you covered there too. Some of our recent favorites include Kurant Events, Pink Avocado, and Royal Fig.

Kurant Events

This catering company celebrated their 10th year in Austin in 2011, and caters events ranging from 10 guests to 1,000 of your closest friends. Their philosophy is to “prepare fresh, exciting and flavorful cuisine while providing focused personal care and professional service throughout the entire event.”

Pink Avocado

Pink Avocado has been all over the radar lately - they’ve catered multiple weddings we’ve worked on, and their events always turn out to be a big hit. Clients include Google, High Beam Events and SXSW.

Royal Fig

Royal Fig has a cheese wheel wedding cake on their website, which is genius and awe-inspiring and will be a source of obsession here for several days to come. Cheese cakes aside, this full service catering company’s menu ingredients are seasonal and locally sourced - there’s a list of farms available in case you want to check up on them, Portlandia-style. There’s also the option of just going with the flow and letting their event coordinator take care of all the details for you. Either way, they have you covered.

Is there a caterer or similar company you've had a particularly good experience with here in Austin? We'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Flowers in Season: January 30 - February 5

2012-01-30T14:52:00.000-06:00

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle, named for its strong and sweet scent, is a hardy climbing vine-like plant with blooms that range from yellow to pink to fuchsia in color. Its resilient nature has led to its association with lasting bonds of love and friendship, generosity, devoted affection, fidelity, sweetness, happiness and spiritual vision.

In Scottish tradition, honeysuckle is used in garlands and decorations for wedding ceremonies to represent the love that holds on through both good and bad times. In France, the custom of giving honeysuckle to a partner is a demonstration of everlasting love. Another common European tradition is the planting of honeysuckle to foretell of an upcoming wedding.

If you have a love of honeysuckle, your kindness to others is steadfast. Like honeysuckle itself, a person who fascinated by honeysuckle would demonstrate the characteristics of resilience and steadfastness in your relationships. No one would doubt that you can be trusted and relied on, always.

Planning Your Wedding Part 2: Photographers

2012-01-27T13:42:00.000-06:00

So. Last week we discussed our favorite spots in Austin for getting hitched - if you’re lucky enough to have decided on a location, it’s time to move on to choosing the team that will be documenting the big event: your wedding photographer(s).

When it comes to weddings, the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" could not be more important or true. With that, we believe that each couple should spend as much time as they can allot to looking at wedding photographers - photographers each have their own style of shooting and editing, so finding the right one - one that fits your wedding style, budget and personal vision - is important to make sure your memories are preserved in the best possible way.

We at La Fleur Vintage know many of the photographers around town and are always happy to recommend those we've worked with and those who have a reputation for being the best of the best. Austin is a haven for talent and while it would be impossible to name every photographer that we know, the following is a list of some of our favorites. All of these people are gifted artists, and they each have their own distinct style, price points and wedding packages. Take a gander*, and get inspired!

The Nichols

Yeah, I want to be them, too.

This husband and wife team has been featured on the Knot and well-known wedding blogs such as Style Me Pretty multiple times. Their photos are gorgeously soft and romantic, with a gauzy fairy-tale feel.

Christina Carroll

Clean and stylish, Christina's photos capture those little quiet particularly well. She is based in Austin and has been featured in the Knot, Junebug Weddings and Austin Style Unveiled.

Kristi Wright

Secret Garden?

Also based in Austin, Kristi's photos have a beautifully subtle and intimate feel to them. Make sure you check out the rockin' reception photos at Wild Onion Ranch now up on her blog - looks like she really captured the spirit of that party!

Paige Newton

That, ladies and gentlemen, is what a real mustache looks like.

Paige's photo skills will bring out the cool kid in you, and will capture every ounce of romance and fun to be had on your big day. She's been featured in Tribeza and just about every blog under the sun, so don't skip checking out her online gallery.

Bill McCullough

Bill McCullough's work was quite a surprise the first time we saw it, and a very, very good surprise at that. His style is fairly unusual for wedding photography, and it makes an amazing statement, one described on his site as "mysterious, creative" and "film noir."

Eric Hegwer

Eric's photos are clean and classic - if you're going for traditionally pretty, this is your man.

She and He.

Based out of Austin and New York, She and He were featured in the Knot's Best of Weddings 2010, for good reason! We couldn't resist adding in this shot of a cute couple in front of Austin's cutest wall as a bonus peek at She and He's work!

We love you too, Austin.
Here's hoping this post helped out some of our newly engaged couples trying to figure it all out!

Southern Wedding Traditions: the First Dance

2012-01-26T16:53:00.000-06:00

via

One of the most anticipated (in our minds, anyway) traditions at most Southern weddings comes after the ceremony, after the vows and the big first kiss: your first dance as a married couple. There are hundreds of thousands of love songs out there waiting to be added to your DJ’s playlist, which makes choosing the right one quite a task. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites, including some classics, some covers, and a few your guests might not see coming (click any of the song titles to listen).

Looking for something all out romantic that will have your entire wedding party weeping? May we suggest:

Into My Arms: Nick Cave

And I believe in love

And I know that you do too

And I believe in some kind of path

That we can walk down, me and you

Wild Is the Wind: Cat Power

You touched me, and I hear the sound of mandolins

You kissed me, and with your kiss my life begins.

Of Angels and Angles: the Decemberists

There are angels in your angles,

There’s a low moon caught in your tangles

Shooting for slow and sultry? These may be more up your alley:

You’re the One: the Black Keys

Will you be true till life is done?

Be the one I adore

You're the one that I adore

Blood Bank: Bon Iver

You said, “Ain’t this just like the present

to be showing up like this?

As the moon waned to crescent

We started to kiss

If your wedding is a little less formal and a little more footloose, try these slightly more upbeat tunes:

Hey Darling, Do You Gamble?: Lucero

I believe you should run with me until this Texas sun falls into the sea

if I shed this skin of iron and this breath of kerosene

Darling, would you take a chance on me?

You Are the Best Thing: Ray LaMontagne

We’ve come a long way, and baby

You know I hope and pray

That you’ll believe me when I say

This love will never fade away

Sweet Darlin’: She & Him

Sweet darling, come hold me

Just a little bit longer now

If there’s a mustache on your groom and your bridesmaids are in mismatched florals with Zooey D. bangs, one of these might be the right fit:

I’ll Be Your Bird: M. Ward

I'm not the tiger you never had

I'm not the first hit when you got it bad

I'm not your second, I'm not your third

But I'll be your bird

The Book of Love: The Magnetic Fields

The book of love is long and boring

And written very long ago

It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes

And things we're all too young to know, but

I, I love it when you give me things

And you, you ought to give me wedding rings

Going to Georgia: the Mountain Goats

The most remarkable thing about you standing in the doorway

Is that it’s you, and that you’re standing in the doorway

and you smile as you ease the gun from my hand

And I’m frozen with joy right where I stand.

Do you have a song chosen? Already married and have a great memory of your first dance? Let us know in the comments!

Expert Advice from Elizabeth: Planning Your Wedding, Part 1: Venues

2012-01-20T16:49:00.000-06:00

So. You're engaged. Oh, what excitement! You get to plan the most dreamed-about day of your life (maybe). Where to start? Well, now that you've chosen the partner of your dreams, it's time to start choosing the wheres, whens and hows. La Fleur is going to help you do that with a little series of posts on our favorite places, people, and pastries around our fair city.

First up in our series of posts on Austin wedding vendors is the all-important venue.
Choosing a venue is probably the most important step in the preparation of your wedding - with this decision, you will have to know how many invitations will be mailed and who you chose to be in your wedding party. At the same time, you'll need to come up with an overall theme for your big fete - having an idea in mind will help you choose the type of venue you need, as well as providing a time frame (Spring wedding with light, lush florals? A glittering, glamourous winter wonderland?) for the big day and a guideline for your colors and wardrobe.

For those who want to think outside the traditional church wedding, Austin is a great city for beautiful, unconventional venues. Here are a few of our favorites:

Laguna Gloria:

image from amoa.org

Part of the Austin Museum of Art, Laguna Gloria consists of 12 acres of parkland, a mediterranean-style villa built in 1916, an amphitheater, a "Four Seasons" Garden featuring Venetian statues, and a Sunken Garden - the possibilities for an event here are truly endless.

the Allan House

image from allanhouse.com

We mention the Allan House fairly often here and on our Twitter, but that's only because it's absolutely beautiful and charming, and popular with Austin brides (with good reason). This Victorian mansion in downtown Austin dates back to 1883 and has been a girls' boarding school, a family home and has now been restored and reopened as an event center. The indoor space is perfect for intimate weddings, breakfasts and bridal showers, while the outdoor space can be transformed into a fairy-lit wonderland for larger weddings.

Mercury Hall

image from mercuryhall.com

Built in 1904 as a church in Mercury, TX and moved to its current location in 1997, Mercury Hall is a wonderful option for cool couples looking for a simple, rustic space in which to host their wedding. The Hall and its four acres of grounds evoke "casual Hill Country elegance and romance." We love the simplicity and minimalism of this venue - it's stunning on its own without a need for elaborate decor.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Image by the Nichols; decor by La Fleur Vintage

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center is a wonderful venue for romantic and bohemian brides to incorporate nature into their respective wedding themes - the spacious courtyard is adorable on its own but can be adapted to any number of reception themes, and the beauty of the natural surroundings provides a stunning backdrop for ceremonies and photo sessions.

Star Hill Ranch

This place is precious. Star Hill Ranch is a collection of historic buildings that have been relocated to their current location to create an idyllic early 1900s-era village and - thanks to meticulous restoration - makes an amazing wedding location for couples who want to add some classic Hill Country gorgeousness to their event. In addition to two chapels and an outdoor space for ceremonies, Star Hill also offers seriously adorable bride and groom accomodations for the day of the event, bar and catering services and can seat up to 500 guests. Make sure you check out our post on Tazia and Sway's summer wedding at this location for more eye candy and ideas.

Red Corral Ranch

Image from redcorralranch.com

Last but most certainly not least: Red Corral Ranch is comprised of over 1100 acres of Hill Country, a winding Labyrinth, Butterfly Gardens, a Celebration Hall and a Big Red 'Party Barn' (Party. Barn. Ohhh yes.), leaving your options for a perfect wedding as wide open as Texas skies. We hear from a lot of New England and NYC brides looking for the perfect spot for a Southern barn wedding - take note, because this is it, you guys.

Hope this gives you all some great ideas to mull over - check back soon for an upcoming list of our favorite wedding photographers, and have a great weekend!

Flowers in Season: January 16-22

2012-01-16T12:25:00.000-06:00

Forsythia

Oleaceae Forsythia

image via wikipedia

Forsythia, native to East Asia and Southeastern Europe is named in honor of Scottish botanist Robert Forsyth. Forsyth was a royal head gardener and founding member of the Royal Horticulture Society.

Forsythia is a popular early spring shrub in gardens and parks. It is a lovely branch that can be used in floral design, either alone or in arrangements. They are prized for being tough, reliable garden plants.

Expert Advice from Elizabeth: My First Ladies by Nancy Clarke

2012-01-11T11:46:00.000-06:00

I recently had a little time away from my store and was able to read a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is called My First Ladies by Nancy Clarke.

image via google

Nancy Clarke recently retired after working as the chief floral designer at the White House for six administrations! She designed everything from flowers in the president's living quarters to state dinners and had the honor of doing two weddings for two presidents daughters. She writes in her book of her ideas and how she presented each to the first ladies for special events that would be seen by official heads of state. She reveals in her book about what it was like to find each first ladies personal style. This is a funny and telling story of the "behind the scenes" at the White House. She has created thousands of floral arrangements for every type of event from state dinners to holiday festivities. One of the most interesting stories is how Nancy composed the flowers for the state dinner with Queen Elizabeth and how she was able to meet her, which was a highlight of her career.

This is a must read for anyone that loves flowers and is interested in fine etiquette!

Flowers in Season January 9-15

2012-01-09T11:33:00.000-06:00

Carnation

Dianthus

image via here

Carnations are one of the world's oldest cultivated flowers and thought to have originated in East Asia. The botanical name can be translated as "flower of the gods" as the Greek word "dios" means "divine" and "anthos" means flower. Some scholars believe that the name comes from the word "coronation," because the flowers were used in Greek ceremonial crowns.*

Different colors have different meanings:

Pink - Mother's love

Light Red - Admiration

Dark Red - Deep Love

White - Pure love & Good luck

*Excerpt from The Secret Language of Flowers by Samantha Gray

Feature in Style Me Pretty!

2012-01-06T12:16:00.003-06:00

It was with great honor that this was published in Style Me Pretty and I hope that you will enjoy viewing these photos as much as we have!

Shannon and Wes were such a delight to work with. Check out more images here!

Flowers in Season January 1- 8

2012-01-01T11:30:00.000-06:00

Snowdrop

Galanthus Nivalus

image via Flickr

Snowdrops, which originated in Switzerland and Austria, begin flowering in January and are a symbol of hopefulness and new beginnings, which makes them a perfect flower for the start of a new year.

In German folklore, a snowdrop myth tells the tale of how God created all the things on Earth, but the snow was sad to find itself icily transparent and invisible. God told the snow to ask the flowers if they would give it some of their color. The snow asked each flower in turn and every one of them refused, leaving the snow sadder than ever. Finally, the snow asked a little white flowers, which agreed sweetly to let the snow have some of its pure whiteness. In perpetual gratitude, the snow allows its friend the snowdrop to be the first of the flowers to bloom each year.*

*excerpt from The Secret Language of Flowers by Samantha Gray

sparkle & shine

2011-12-31T14:07:00.000-06:00

Now that the Christmas trees are coming down and it's time to start thinking about how you'll celebrate New Year's Eve (and who you'll kiss at midnight!), here's an idea for re-using some of those holiday ornaments to decorate for a New Year's celebration:

Tuck wintery, glittery stars and snowflakes into arrangements and vases for some sparkle!

Hope you all have a wonderful night and a Happy New Year!

New Arrangements

2011-12-29T13:35:00.000-06:00

The La Fleur website is getting a snazzy new makeover! We'll be featuring updated photos of our arrangements - here's a sneak peek of some of the flowers we've been working on lately:

This bright, seasonal arrangement includes ilex berries and clematis.

These hydrangeas, scabiosa and delphinium will be available all year round.

This is a winter arrangement that includes kale and poinsettia.

This winter arrangement features purple kale alongside a purple and white flower theme.

This is for the man who wants to order for his wife our version of a dozen roses.

This sweet spring arrangement features amazing roses - not always available, but stunning when they are!

Because we specialize in stocking the freshest, most beautiful flowers available from our suppliers each week, these arrangements are only examples of the styles we can create - each order is unique and individually designed according to what's in season and what your preferences are. Take comfort in knowing that anything you order from La Fleur will be special and specifically suited for your event.

A Feathered Affair + Allan House love

2011-12-27T12:55:00.000-06:00

Recently we were happy to be a part of A Feathered Affair at The Allan House. This peacock feather themed event featured several local vendors and we provided the flowers and table arrangements.

The Allan House exterior. Image from their website.

The Allan House sets up this heated tent for outdoor winter weddings - isn't the setup pretty, with the vibrant colors and fairy lights on the trees? This is one of our favorite Austin wedding locations - not only are the outdoor details beautiful, but the house itself is a wonderfully restored Victorian mansion. Built in 1883 by John T. Allan, the house has been home to several Austin families, a public school and in the year 2000 was reopened as an event center that is now host to celebrations of all kinds.

One of the table arrangements - we included lots of color and texture!

A feathered bridal bouqet

We've done several events at the Allan House, and are always happy to work with them! They're definitely a must see venue if you have an upcoming wedding an Austin.

Flowers in Season December 25 - 31

2011-12-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

Cyclamen

Via Garden World Images

The flower symbolism associated with cyclamen flowers is resignation and goodbye. This symbolism makes cyclamen especially appropriate for gifts for friends who are retiring or relocating. [2]

The most difficult thing to do is to say ‘goodbye’. Parting and separation are an integral part of life, yet, how often we cower away from the thought of saying goodbye to someone we love! At times such as these, offering a cyclamen often shows greater sentiment, a more valuable emotion than bombastic words of farewell.

The cyclamen is one of the most popular Christmas plants in Europe, but it lost its place on the pedestal to the poinsettia here in the United States. Poinsettias may be the premier holiday plant, but if you are not growing cyclamen, too, you are missing out. [4]

Cyclamen is a genus of 23 species of perennials growing from tubers, valued for their flowers with up-swept petals and variably patterned leaves. Cyclamen species are native from Europe and the Mediterranean region east to Iran, with one species in Somalia. In most species, leaves come up in autumn, grow through the winter, and die in spring, then the plant goes dormant through the dry Mediterranean summer. [1]

Eat, drink and be married.

2011-12-24T11:56:00.000-06:00

Holiday season, with all its merriment and extravagant gift-giving, is also prime engagement season. We love gazing at beautiful pieces of jewelry, so without further ado and whether you're getting engaged this Christmas or not, here are some gorgeous and unusual engagement ring options that you won't see your hoards of newly betrothed high school friends flashing on Facebook:

Elizabeth Street grey diamond ring , from $1100

Bittersweets NY rose gold diamond twig ring, $2800

Erica Weiner late Victorian diamond ring, $1400

black diamond and green amethyst ring, $435

Expert Advice from Elizabeth: the Perfect Christmas Bow

2011-12-21T13:50:00.000-06:00

With Christmas almost upon us, it's time to wrap up our holiday shopping and get those gifts wrapped and under the tree! Using fabric ribbon is an easy way to add an elegant element to your holiday gift wrap. Here's how to tie the perfect gift bow:

Lay a length of ribbon down on a flat surface, with the bottom of your wrapped box facing up.

Bring the ends of the ribbon in towards the center...

And cross them over one another, then flip the box over.

Tie the ribbon together once in the middle.

Using a separate, longer piece of ribbon, fold it back and forth over itself several times (we did three folds).

Carefully pick up the folded ribbon and place it in the tied center of the box.

Here you may need to enlist an elf to hold it down with one finger.

Tie the ends of the first ribbon around the center of the folded piece twice to create a pretty knot.

Fluff, fold and arrange the pieces to your liking.

And voila! This whole process takes approximately one minute and turns a simple box into a beautifully wrapped present.

Happy wrapping!

Elizabeth's Favorite Pie

2011-12-20T12:17:00.000-06:00

With Christmas less than a week away, we're sure you're all in the midst of menu planning and hunting for the perfect holiday desserts to include on your table. This pie is one that Elizabeth makes every year, and can be found in vintage cookbook Under the Mushroom, from an old Dallas restaurant, The Little Mushroom.

Little Mushroom Coffee-Toffee Pie

Pastry Shell:
1/2 pkg pie crust mix
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 square unsweetened chocolate, grated
1 tsp vanilla

Filling:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 square unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
2 tsp instant coffee
2 eggs

Topping:
2 cups heavy cream
2 Tbsp instant coffee
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
Chocolate curls (to make, shave unsweetened chocolate with a potato peeler)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl combine the pue crust mix, brown sugar, walnuts and chocolate. Add 1 Tbsp water and the vanilla, using a fork until well blended. Turn into a greased 9" pie plate. Press firmly against the bottom and sides of the plate. Bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool.

In a separate mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating until light. Blend in the chocolate and coffee. Add 1 egg. beat five minutes, and add remaining egg, then beat for an additional five minutes. Turn filling into baked, cooled pie shell. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.

In a large bowl, combine cream, coffee and sugar. Refrigerate, covered, for one hour. Beat cream mixture until stiff. Spread on pie filling and garnish with chocolate curls. Refrigerate at least two hours before serving.

This is what your end result should look like! Image via Flickr.

Flowers in Season, December 18 - 24

2011-12-18T12:54:00.000-06:00

Christmas Cactus

Schlumbergera

Native to Brazil and the South American rainforests and not actually a cactus, the Christmas Cactus is named so due to its ability to thrive during the holiday months and the custom of decorating a cactus instead of a tree in warmer countries where cultivating evergreens is not possible.

Due to their popularity, Christmas Cacti have been bred to bloom in a variety of different colors, and are a wonderful way to add a little nontraditional holiday cheer to your home.

Ribbons & Curls

2011-12-16T11:40:00.000-06:00

We have a wall of ribbon in the workroom, and rolls and rolls of it floating around in every corner - it's really a delight to take in all the colors and textures together.

This floral patterned ribbon is one of Elizabeth's favorites.

Dasher & Dancer leap their way through a basket of glittering stars

Elizabeth found this leaf ribbon on Etsy - makes us look forward to spring!

The ribbon wall sometimes gets to be a messy riot of colors, but we love it!

Expert Advice: Orange Clove Pomanders

2011-12-14T15:32:00.000-06:00

Orange Clove Pomanders are an old-fashioned holiday tradition that are cute as can be and fill the whole room with a citrusy-spicy-cozy scent. Read on to learn we made them!

We picked up a bag of medium-sized navel oranges and this small jar of cloves from the local grocery store. You can find whole cloves in the spice aisle for a few dollars - one jar or bag will get you through 2-4 pomanders, depending on how many you apply to each orange.

You can freehand a design or ...

Use a stencil! We just resized this simple fleur de lis outline so that it was orange-sized, cut it out and punched holes around the shape for reference. Punching or marking holes in advance makes applying pretty designs a snap.

Whether you decide to wing it or use a specific pattern, use the end of a pen or a similarly pointy object to press a small hole into the orange's skin before inserting the clove. Whole cloves are both delicate and sharp, and pre-poking holes in the orange will make your life easier and save your fingers a little bit of pain.

Then, gently press the end of the clove into the orange, being careful not to damage the center, which is where the wonderful scent comes from as the spice mingles with the citrus oils. Repeat until your pomander is covered. These will dry out and keep for several weeks, leaving your home smelling seriously fantastic.

Fleur de Lis, dots and bows, a welcoming pineapple, a Christmas octupus.

Shine, Give, Share

2011-12-13T12:19:00.000-06:00

We look forward to seeing what the White House and the First Lady will unveil for Christmas decoarions every year, and Mrs. Obama did not disappoint this year. The White House Christmas decorations have been up for a few days now, and they are absolutely wonderful. Our new favorite florist, Brooklyn's Emily Thompson, was responsible for the arrangements, and we are totally inspired by her lovely and creative works of art! The many trees, wreaths and arrangements are beautiful but not opulent or over the top, and feature lots of creative, crafty details that you can incorporate into your own holiday decor.

The Library Christmas tree proudly proclaims this year's theme.

A simple wreath made of greenery is decorated with cut-out paper flowers - proof DIY details can be beautiful and elegeant.

These ornaments and garlands are made of simple felt - a snap to make and string on your own tree

In every room you'll find a model of the First Family's furry friend Bo - here he sits alongside trees crafted from construction paper, instructions for which are included in the official guide to this year's White House Christmas.

We took a stab at making some of these little trees here in the shop, using the template in the White House Holiday Book.

Leaves and treetops, cut from a book of Christmas-patterned scrapbook paper.

These trees are a little more precious than the White House trees, but don't they look cute on display with these bright vintage boxes?

a Victorian Christmas

2011-12-10T15:10:00.000-06:00

Is there anything more beautiful to daydream about than the Victorian age, La Belle Epoque or America's Gilded Age? The influence of Victorian traditions can especially be seen around the holidays. Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901) marked a period of romanticism in the arts and social culture, and many of our Christmas traditions can be traced back to her influence.

Queen Victoria popularized the tradition of lighting a Christmas tree upon her marriage to Prince Albert, who hailed from Germany where Christmas trees were already common. The above image, which depicts the Royal Family with their tree, was published in Godey's Lady's Book in 1850 - art historian Karal Ann Marling called it "the first influential American Christmas tree". Folk-culture historian Alfred Lewis Shoemaker states, "In all of America there was no more important medium in spreading the Christmas tree in the decade 1850-60 than Godey's Lady's Book". The image was reprinted in 1860, and by the 1870s, putting up a Christmas tree had become common in America. Tannenbaums were decorated with sugar treats, lighted candles, ribbon, paper and wax ornaments, and sometimes small gifts were wrapped and hung from the branches as well.

A Christmas postcard from Elizabeth's collection, dating from the early 1900s.

Queen Victoria also began the tradition of sending a yearly Christmas card, and in 1843 the first batches of commercially printed cards were sold and sent through the Penny Post, a system in which families could send a piece of mail to any location in England for one cent. The tradition came to America in 1875 when Louis Prang became the first man to print and sell Christmas cards in the US.

A tabletop tree in one of Biltmore's many beautiful dining rooms. Image via Victorian Magazine

If you want to see what grand Victorian traditions looked like on an enormous (and expensive) scale, Biltmore House in Asheville, NC is an absolutely magical place to visit during the holiday season. Built by George Vanderbilt in 1895 and now open to visitors, it is a magnificent example of what life was like for the wealthy during the Gilded Age, and every year features incredible Victorian-inspired decorations at Christmas. They are enchanting to see in person, but in case you don't have a spare weekend to traipse off and gawk at lavish Christmas decorations, here's some eye candy instead:

the Biltmore Library fireplace, decorated with garlands and beribboned trees. Image from Great Drives: Christmas at Biltmore

The Biltmore library in all its splendor. Image from Romantic Asheville.

Images from Romantic Asheville

Incredible, right? Do you love the Victorian era as much as we do or is there another time period that captures your imagination? Let us know in the comments!

Flowers in Season December 11 - 17

2011-12-10T11:29:00.000-06:00

Amaryllis

Hippeastrum

don't these remind you of peppermints?

Native to the Andes mountains of Chile and Peru, the amaryllis was discovered in 1867 and soon became popular with floral enthusiasts the world over due to its large, vibrant petals and tall stems. The word amaryllis originates from the Greek word amaryssein - perhaps a reference to the common star-shaped marking in the center of the blooming flower.

Also known as belladonna, naked lady, St. Joseph's staff and the March lily, the amaryllis stands for radiant beauty, pride, and determination. It is also associated with the astrological sign Sagittarius, which is characterized by a passion for travel and adventure.

To learn how to grow amaryllis from bulbs, check out our tutorial here.

Expert Advice from Elizabeth: Hanging Cranberry Decorations

2011-12-08T14:26:00.000-06:00

Today's Expert Advice is a tutorial on how to make these cranberry decorations, inspired by an image found on Pinterest:

Start with fresh cranberries - this 12 oz. bag covered one 4 inch foam sphere.

If you don't want the white foam to show through, you may want to paint the sphere before you begin. With any hanging ornament made with one of these spheres, add the ribbon before the berries - just hot glue it and make sure the lengths are even at both ends. Start hot gluing the fresh cranberries directly on the ribbon and work your way down.

Work in progress! Tie the ribbon in a knot once you get about halfway through covering the sphere, then continue gluing the berries all the way up to the knot until the entire ball is covered.

Finished! You can also combine cranberries with popcorn, mistletoe or flowers for a slightly different spin on this kind of ornament. Try patterned ribbon, glitter spray, making different patterns with the berries - the creative possibilities are endless!

Flowers in Season December 4 - 10

2011-12-05T13:50:00.000-06:00

December is in full swing, and it's time to throw on classic Christmas albums (Elizabeth's favorite is this one by Miss Barbara Streisand; Maggie is partial to A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector) and use our flower of the week to smooch someone you have a crush on.

Mistletoe

Image via Pinterest

Mistletoe, or Phoradendrum Seritonum, has been a symbol of love and fertility for thousands of years, having once been used in Druid ceremonies and then evolving into "kissing balls" in 18th century England - under the mistletoe kissing ball, it was bad luck for a lady to refuse a gentleman's kiss.* While we don't advocate forcing your object of affection to kiss you under the threat of a years' worth of bad luck, hanging mistletoe in doorways is a long-standing tradition. Tack sprigs of it outside your front door on New Years' Eve to welcome the new year and guard against evil spirits like the Celts, or hang it above a newborn baby's crib to prevent fairies from snatching him and putting a changeling in his place - new holiday mamas take note!

*from The Secret Language of Flowers, by Samantha Gray

Vintage Christmas Postcards

2011-12-03T13:16:00.000-06:00

Hanging in the store right now is a collection of these incredible vintage postcard, all from the early 1900s and containing handwritten Christmas wishes to Gene and Lula (who are you, Gene and Lula?).

A joyful Christmas garland

Merry Xmas. Have you hugged your Grandma today?

Fun with etymology: Did you know that the X in Xmas actually comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, which in turn translates to Christ? Many people believe the X is an attempt to secularize Christmas, but this is simply not the case!

Elizabeth added cute ribbon and charm embellishments to turn the cards into hanging ornaments.

Hello Lula: postmarked 1909.

This particular card is 102 years old - look at the beautiful handwriting and that one cent stamp! Here are a few tidbits about what happened in the world the year this card was mailed:

-Einar Dasseu becomes the world's first radio broadcaster after sending signals with a short wave radio transmitter.

-Zora Arkus-Dontav, designer of the Corvette, is born

-Louis Bleriot becomes the first man to fly across the English Channel (thus a large open body of water) in a heavier-than-air craft

Hello Lula, it's now 1912

This card will greet its 100th birthday next year. Here are a few more events that will be celebrating their 100th anniversary:

-The Republic of China was established

-New Mexico and Arizona join the U.S. as the 47th and 48th states

-Girl Scouts of the USA are founded by Juliette Gordon Low

-Boston's Fenway park opens and the Red Sox win the World Series

-The "unsinkable" RMS Titanic goes down in one of the most famous shipwrecks in history

Christmas greetings and snorts from the cutest dog on earth

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you All, from Aunt Agnes

Holiday Decorations

2011-12-02T11:07:00.000-06:00

We have had our Christmas decorations up in the store since right after Halloween. Retail is always ahead of the holidays. Now that Thanksgiving is over we are stepping up some of our holiday decorations. We've moved our Christmas tree into a more prominant place, we updated the wreath on our door, and we are adding a woodland tree to the front of the store.

LaFleur believes!

Our owl friend pops up again! We never get sick of him.

How cute are these moss mushrooms?

Photoshoot for Texas Home and Living.

2011-12-01T16:53:00.000-06:00

It was so great to style this holiday photo shoot that was featured in Texas Home and Living - check out the original post here.Thanks for Polkadots Cupcake Factory and Suzi Q of Q Weddings for including us!

Expert Advice from Elizabeth: Paper Whites

2011-12-01T11:18:00.001-06:00

Today's Expert Advice is about forcing bulbs!

Paperwhites are easy to force into bloom indoors. Unlike other Narcissus species, Paperwhites do not require chilling to promote bloom. The bulbs begin to grow as soon as they are planted, with flowers appearing in 3–4 weeks.

Start with your potting soil and any container you wish to use - we love these simple pots, which are easy to find at any garden store.

Paperwhite bulbs are usually purchased in a garden center - don't worry about looking for a specialty shop. Your local store should have them!

These bulbs have been planted about one week. They must be watered every other day.

This is what a blooming paper white narcissus looks like! These were set in water with no soil for about two weeks - just set the bulbs in the vase and change the water as often as needed.

image via Pinterest

I love the natural country feeling of this basket of moss and bulbs. This would be a perfect centerpiece for the holidays!

Flowers in Season November 27 - December 3

2011-11-28T09:45:00.001-06:00

Can you believe it will be December in just a few days? I refuse to acknowledge the holiday's after Thanksgiving until I have enjoyed Thanksgiving, being that it is my favorite holiday. But now that that is over it is time to embrace the season of Christmas. This week's flower is the poinsettia.

Poinsettia

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Photo via Garden World Images

The poinsettia is synonymous with Christmas. Poinsettia are native to Mexico. The Aztecs used the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication.^[1] Today it is known in Mexico and Guatemala as "Noche Buena", meaning Christmas Eve. In Spain it is known as "Flor de Pascua", meaning "Easter flower". In both Chile and Peru, the plant became known as "Crown of the Andes".

The plant's association with Christmas began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias.^[2] From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations.^[3] The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus.^[4]

Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family. Many plants in this family ooze a milky sap.^[5]As with all ornamental plants, poinsettias are not intended for human or animal consumption. Individuals with a sensitivity to latex - the milky fluid found in cut poinsettias and other plants - may experience allergic reactions in the form of a rash or irritation that develops when the skin is exposed to the latex. This has been observed to occur only with people who are allergic to latex and products made from this material. However, the poinsettia has been demonstrated to be a safe plant. In fact, in 1992, the poinsettia was included on the list of houseplants most helpful in removing pollutants from indoor air. So, not only is the poinsettia a safe and beautiful addition to your holiday decor, it can even help keep your indoor air clean! ^[6]

Even I didn't know that the poinsettia was not poisonous - I have never had them in my home for the holidays for fear of poisoning my cats. I am pleased to find out that not only can I get a few this year, but that they will clean the air in my home as well. Now I just have to decide what color to buy!

Flowers & Poetry

2011-11-23T12:40:00.000-06:00

Flowers and literature have gone hand in hand for thousands of years; flowers have turned up as symbols in everything from Shakespeare's Hamlet to Pablo Neruda's poetry. Here are a few of our favorites:

Pansies

Image via flickr

OPHELIA : There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray,
love, remember: and there is pansies. that's for thoughts.

LAERTES : A document in madness, thoughts and remembrance fitted.

OPHELIA : There's fennel for you, and columbines: there's rue
for you; and here's some for me: we may call it
herb-grace o' Sundays: O you must wear your rue with
a difference. There's a daisy: I would give you
some violets, but they withered all when my father
died: they say he made a good end,--

For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy.

-William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 4 Scene V

Marigolds

Image via flickr

Open afresh your round of starry folds
Ye ardent marigolds!
Dry up the moisture of your golden lids
For great Apollo bids.
That in these days your praises should be sung
On many harps which he has lately strung;
And when again your dewiness he kisses,
Tell him I have you in my world of blisses!
So haply when I rove in some far vale,
His mighty voice may come upon the gale.

-John Keats

Daffodils

Image via flickr

I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:

I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

-William Wordsworth

Thankful this Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T11:32:00.001-06:00

I am thankful for a lot of things this Thanksgiving, family, friends, my dog, a job I love.... I am reminded this week of all that I have to be thankful for due to the two weddings we are working on this week at La Fleur Vintage. What a wonderful time of year to celebrate love, commitment and appreciation. Check out a few of this weeks arrangments as well as a few pictures from this weeks weddings, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Simple and stunning. Hydrangea, Scented Geranium, Snapdragons, and Pomegranates.

This arrangement includes Pomegranates and Crab Apples, as well as Hydrangea, "Cherry Brandy" Roses, and "High and Surprise" Red Roses.

A woman hosting Thanksgiving at her house brought us this basket and requested fall colors, but no yellow. Dahlias, Tulips, Snapdragons, Pomegranated and Oak Leaves achieved that look nicely.

This centerpiece will look beautiful next to a golden brown turkey.

For a second marriage at the Chapel Dulcinea the bride requested deep red, soft reds, creams and ivory. I love how beautifully the Black Baccara Rose and the Sahara Roses have opened!

Matching Boutonnieres

I love that one of the first arrangements in our website inspired this bouquet for one of our brides. Peach Avalanche Roses, Orange Ranunculus, Pale Yellow Freesia, Leucodendron, and fragrant Peach Stock make up this bouquet.

The bride's mom and grandmother collect these milk glass vases to go on the reception tables.

Winter Weddings!

2011-11-22T11:11:00.000-06:00

Happy Saturday, everyone! The stormy weather outside has us dreaming about winter weddings today. For anyone who might be getting married between now and December 22nd, we'd like to offer you a 15% discount on your wedding! Here are a few amazing inspiration images we love:

How cute are these snowpeople cake toppers? Image via Pinterest.

Ice lanterns! These look like they contain eucalyptus and holly. Image via Pinterest.

We love the milk glass and pinecone details. This is incredible! Image via Pinterest.

Flowers in season, November 19-26

2011-11-19T11:45:00.001-06:00

Anemone

anemone

Anemones are thought to bring good luck and protect against evil. People used to gather the earliest flowering anemone they saw, wrap it carefully in a piece of silk and carry it with them to ward off ill fortune and disease. If you see anemones close their petals, this signals that rain is on the way. According to folklore, fairies sleep beneath anemone petals after they close at night. Such associations with predictions and enchantment lead to the meanings of anticipation and expectation.*

anemone, poinsettia and amaryllis

*excerpt from The Secret Language of Flowers, by Samantha Gray

Surrounded by Perfection

2011-11-18T10:08:00.001-06:00

It never ceases to amaze me that despite being surrounded by flowers everyday I can still find just joy in a particular flower. Whether it be the color, the smell, the delicate shape of the petals, I continue to marvel at the perfection of nature. While going to buy some much needed eucalyptus I found myself distracted by selection at one of our wholesalers. I was so distracted that I forgot what I was there to buy. Below are pictures of a few of my extra purchases.

This was the only ranunculus of the bunch to open with this delicate center visible. I couldn't resist capturing it.

I'm not normally so taken with a red flower but with the pointed petals and this cherry red color I felt as if these tulips were trying to kiss me.

One glance at this bunch of clematis and I just grabbed them. I love the leaves, the buds, the flowers, everything about them.

Expert Advice From Elizabeth: Baby's Breath Ornaments

2011-11-16T14:31:00.000-06:00

Today's Expert Advice is a DIY tutorial on how to create these pretty baby's breath ornaments!

clouds of baby's breath

Step One: Soak Oasis floral balls in water and then attach fishing line that is strong enough to hold the water weight of the soaked sphere. Mark your fishing line with tape, so it doesn't get lost amongst the clouds of baby's breath.

Step Two: Clip the stems and cut small pieces, leaving an inch of stem at the end to be inserted into the foam.

Step Three: Gather several stems together

Step Four: Place gathered stems into foam, spaced about every half-inch around the sphere. This is time consuming (but totally worth it!).

Step Five: After you've done about half of the sphere, hang the ornament to complete.

Voila! Aren't they adorable?

Flowers in Season, November 13-19

2011-11-14T12:37:00.001-06:00

Hydrangea

Hydrangea Macrophylla

image via flickr

In Victorian England, to send someone hydrangeas was to suggest that he or she had been boasting.

Originally a marsh plant native to Asia, the hydrangea was introduced to Europe in the 18th century. It was associated with boastfulness because it produced such magnificent flowers, but no fruit.

Expert Advice from Elizabeth: Amaryllis

2011-11-09T15:20:00.000-06:00

With holidays fast approaching, a classic winter flower, the amaryllis is starting to pop up in arrangements and decor. Here's how to coax your closed blooms into looking full flowers and keep them beautiful:

Step One: Take a pin and poke a hole straight through the stem just below the flower.

Step Two: Cut the stem at least an inch from the bottom, at a diagonal.

Step Three: Place in warm water - the warmer temperature will encourage the petals to open.

A fun little tidbit: if you listen near the poked hole, you will actually hear the flower drinking water!

Voila! Several days later, you'll have gorgeous, blooming amaryllis to display!