These were $20 from Trader Joe’s! Gahh!
A couple months ago, my friend Alison wanted to brighten up the winter. “Whenever I walk into Trader Joe’s, all the flowers look so pretty,” she told me. “So, instead of spending a lot of money at a florist, I decided to treat myself to $20-$25 worth of flowers to make my own arrangements.”
How gorgeous are these???? Here are Alison’s six steps…
1. Buy four types of flowers:
* a seasonal flower (tulips, daffodils, whatever)
* a filler flower (like one with little buds on it, like baby’s breath)
* a flower that fits the color palette (spray roses look good with everything)
* greenery (“I generally like bigger wider leaves,” she says)
2. Greenery goes first, since it’s the foundation to hold everything together.
3. Add the filler flower.
4. Layer in the spray roses.
5. Lastly, add the seasonal flower, which is usually the most delicate, but everything else will hold it up.
6. Enjoy!
As for pro tips? Alison removes any leaves from the parts of stems that will be under the water line. “If underwater, leaves make the water gross and the flowers will rot more quickly,” she explained. Also, if you have time, change the water and recut the bottom of the stems every few days: “That way, the flowers can better suck up the water and last longer.”
“The flowers make me happy every time I see them on my kitchen table,” she told me today. “Arranging them also scratches a creative itch.” But maybe keep your kids out of sight. “My daughter Georgie tries to help but just pulls off the tops of the flowers.”
Thank you, Alison! Follow her on Instagram, if you’d like.
P.S. Alison’s week of outfits, and five ways to arrange grocery store flowers.
