Flowers have a magical way of saying what words sometimes cannot. The words that accompany the flowers can have a power all their own. Those words can be heart wrenching or funny, a simple “I love you” or something a bit more complex such as those the great Irish writer and poet James Joyce wrote to his wife:

“You are my only love. You have me completely in your power. I know and feel that if I am to write anything fine and noble in the future I shall do so only by listening at the doors of your heart. I would like to go through life side by side with you, telling you more and more until we grew to be one being together until the hour should come for us to die”.

Unfortunately, we were not all born with the ability to so eloquently put our feelings into words. However, there is help out there! Do you remember the wonderfully romantic book of love letters that Carrie Bradshaw read to Big in the movie Sex and the City? At the time this book did not actually exist. However, there was such a demand for it after the release of the movie that St. Martin’s Press quickly published a version called Love Letters of Great Men.

If you are looking for a fun way to translate your love note into a different voice, visit the Hand Me A Line Facebook application from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. You can always use help turning your typical Valentine’s Day message into a work of art.

Sometimes you can just have fun with a line! Here are some ways to let your Valentine know you love them and give them a good laugh at the same time.

I Love You A Bushel And A Peck

This is one that I made for my husband to give to our youngest daughter. When she was a baby he always told her “I love you a bushel and a peck to pieces so much! Pals are pals and pals stick together!” He combined a few famous sayings and made up one that is all their own. They still say it to each other 22 years later!

Orange You Glad We’re Friends

Valentine’s Day is about all kinds of love, including the love that you have for a friend. This is a fun way to let someone know how much their friendship means to you.

Your Two Lips Are The Only Lips For Me

This play on words along with the stunning purple and red tulips makes this gift both beautiful and funny – just like your Valentine!

You Really Know How To Sake It To Me

This year the Chinese New Year – the year of the tiger – falls on February 14th. Celebrate both with a few stems of fresh orchids displayed in a sake vase and add a votive candle to the sake cup. Anyone old enough to remember the ground breaking TV show Laugh In would get a kick out of this play on words! “Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me…”

I Love You “Sew” Much

A sweet rose bouquet nestled inside of a vintage sewing basket would be a beautiful way to show any Mom she’s loved on Valentine’s Day, and everyday.

Valentine’s Day is all about love and expressing your feelings, so I prefer to keep the event itself low key and comfortable. At the same time the mood should be sensual, encouraging contact and communication. There are a few key elements that definitely help you to create this vibe: flowers, candles, and food that can be eaten (and fed to each other) with your fingers!

Food and Flowers

The simple act of sharing food has long signified trust and bonding. There are however, certain foods that are know to be natural aphrodisiacs for various reasons. Fruits are said to entice passion with their sweetness and succulence. Oysters have been linked with love and sexuality for thousands of years. “Aphrodisiac” was born from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, who was said to have been born from the sea, causing many types of seafood to have reputations as aphrodisiacs. According to the website Alternet.org, the top ten aphrodisiac foods are: honey, oysters, garlic, figs, chocolate, basil, bananas, avocado, almonds, and asparagus.

The presentation of the food itself can be the strongest aphrodisiac. Here are a few ideas to help you set the mood this Valentine’s Day.

Oysters on the Half Shell
How’s this for a sexy way to serve oysters?! Simply fill a tray with crushed ice and line the sides with red roses – the flower of love and passion. Cut the stems very short and place them right into the crushed ice and lay the oysters over the “bed” of ice. Certainly a good way to get the party started!

Chocolate Strawberries and Champagne
Enjoy strawberries dipped in rich dark chocolate with a light bubbly glass of champagne – this is a sweet and sensual way to end the night.

Candles

Can you really have too many candles when setting the mood for love? An easy and inexpensive way to add a Valentine touch to a simple clear glass votive is to wrap it with ribbon, decorative trim, or real rose petals. What’s nice about doing this is that you can have a dozen or so plain votive holders that you change out according to the occasion or event.

A Super Bowl party is not the time to fuss too much with decorations – food, drinks, and of course the game will take precedent for this occasion. However it’s still a theme party and what’s a theme party without themed decorations! Just keep it simple and make it fun. I decided that in honor of the sport I would use only white “football” mums. White flowers will work with all color schemes, whether you decide to go with the official navy blue and bittersweet orange colors of Super Bowl XLIV or your favorite team colors. Game Day Parties (www.gamedayparties.com) has a great selection of Super Bowl XLIV paper goods, as well as, solid blue and orange so you can mix and match.

DECORATIONS

Bloomin’ Football Koozie

These fun little arrangements are so inexpensive and you can put them all around the house, on the buffet, even in the bathroom. The container is an actual can or bottle koozie that I found. I lined the koozie with the bottom half of a disposable water bottle. You can even give one to each guest at the end of the party as a parting gift!

Beer Mug Arrangement

Can you believe that this mug of beer is actually an innovative fresh flower arrangement? You can find this Beer Mug of Blooms at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. It would be a great, unexpected gift to send to a friend that you are unable to be with on Super Bowl Sunday. Let them know that you are together in spirit!

Did you notice the arrangement in the background using the referee bottle koozie? Fun, simple, inexpensive, and easy – that’s the way I like it!

Super Bowl XLIV Centerpieces

I love the graphics and the colors for this year’s Super Bowl. To create these themed vases, I scanned the image on the napkins that I ordered from Game Day Parties and sized the image accordingly for the glass cubes. For the smaller version with the single football mum, I used double-sided tape and attached the image to the four sides of the cube. With the larger version I had a smaller cube inside the larger one and placed the super bowl image on each side between the two vases.

FOOD

I am trying not to think too much about all of the Super Bowl type food right now. I am trying to eat healthy and in moderation (of course I am – it is still January), but I still love all of the chili cheese dogs, hot wings, nacho type of food that is standard Super Bowl style grub. What I plan to do is make a few of my favorite dishes healthier. For example a quick, easy, and delish dip is:

Chili Cheese Dip

Ingredients:
1 – package of cream cheese softened

1 – can chili
1 – 8 oz. cheddar cheese

Directions:
Spread the cream cheese around the bottom of a baking dish
Top with the chili.
Cover with shredded cheddar cheese.
Microwave for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted
Serve with tortilla chips.

This year I am going to use fat free cream cheese and cheddar cheese, salsa in place of the chili, and baked pita or tortilla chips. There are so many sources for making your traditional Super Bowl food healthier. Websites like Weight Watchers and Hungry Girl, as well as, new books from Bethenny Frankel and Rocco Dispirito are a few to check out.

Football Cake

For a dessert that is as much fun to look at as it is to eat, make a football cake using a football cake pan. To display the cake, I used a Clementine crate. The ends of the crate reminded me of goal posts. I reshaped the scanned image of the Super Bowl XLIV napkins and scaled it to fit the sides of the crate. You can fill the crate with wheat grass or green paper shreds to mimic the football field. And if you wanted to continue with the lower calorie versions of your favorite recipes, you can try a diet soda cake recipe. I’ve never actually tried it myself, but I have heard that it is quite good!

Additional Super Bowl Party Tips:

• Play CD’s from The Who to get everyone psyched up for the group’s performance during the half time show.
• Order yourself something football themed, yet feminine to wear to the party. The NFL Shop has a nice selection of clothing, including a few hot items from Touch by Alyssa Milano. You could encourage your friends to order something for themselves and put on your own half-time fashion show!

I’m still thinking about this whole feeling good and being happy thing. Of course, I immediately think of the power that flowers have on one’s well-being and state of mind, but there are so many little ways and things we can do each day to make a difference. Have you heard of The Happiness Project? It’s a book by best selling writer, Gretchen Rubin, that is an account of the year she spent test-driving studies and theories about how to be happier. She also has a website and a blog where she shares insights to help you create your own happiness project. I highly recommend checking it out. At the very least, take one minute to watch this utterly charming, sweet, and heart-warming video that Gretchen made based on one of the Four Splendid Truths that she identified – “The days are long, but the years are short.” To view the view click here.

One of my goals this year is to work on my own personal happiness project. From time to time, I will share with you some of the things that I have found or learned that might be of interest to you too. It might just be a quote or a beautiful image. Please feel free to pass these along and share your thoughts with me. As Chris McCandless (on whose journey the book “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer was based) wrote at the end of his Alaskan journal in big block letters: “HAPPINESS ISN’T REAL UNLESS IT IS SHARED.”

And speaking of flowers in pitchers, have you seen the new 1-800-FLOWERS.COM commercial featuring the Make Lemonade in a Pitcher arrangement? If not, check it out here.

I love this product. It’s a bouquet of white and yellow daisies in a clear pitcher with floating lemon slices. It’s a fresh feel-good bouquet, which you can definitely see in the commercial. Flowers are a very simple and easy way to make someone feel better. Whether your problem is a Frank Lemon or a baby yellin’, flowers will bring a smile to your face.

Click here to see a few other beautiful bouquets in pitchers from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM!

Now that you’ve put all of your holiday decorations away doesn’t your home look so plain, empty, and boring? A simple bunch of fresh flowers can make a world of a difference! Try it – you’ll be amazed at the difference they make to your home. Pick up a bunch of flowers while you’re out or take a minute and order some online. You deserve it! I’d recommend getting a single variety or a mixed bouquet of loose stems that you can display in one of your own vessels. Make lots of smaller arrangements that you can place all around the house or make just one perfect bouquet that will welcome you home the minute you walk through the door.

One of my favorite vessels to display flowers in is a pitcher. Pitchers are both practical and pleasing to the eye. They are made from many different materials and come in all shapes and sizes. I have lots of different pitchers that I have collected over the years. I’m always pulling one down from the shelf to drop a few stems in and I’m always so pleased with the way they look. Here are a few photos that might inspire you to dust off that old silver pitcher from up in the attic or take the ice tea pitcher from the kitchen cabinet and create your own stylish bouquet!

And best of all 1-800-FLOWERS.COM has some great single variety bunches on sale right now so what are you waiting for? I would recommend these three blooms in particular for different reasons (besides being a great value):

Tulips, one of my favorite flowers, are the easiest flower to arrange and they come with their own foliage attached to each flower!

Spray roses have multiple blooms on each stem and come in a wide variety of vibrant rich colors.

Alstromeria also have multi blooms per stem and come in a variety of different colors but the shelf life of a cut alstro makes it a real winner. Alstro will last an average of three weeks as fresh cut flowers!

And, if you need even more of an incentive, I’m giving you 15% OFF of your purchase, because I really want you to feel have the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from having flowers in your home!

Use Promotion Code: PITCHER
Expires: January 31, 2010

Fire and Ice
This is a fabulous look for any special occasion during the winter and creating the dramatic effect of fire and ice couldn’t be easier.

Here’s what you need:

• Double sided tape and/or spray adhesive
• Glass votive candleholders
• Plain clear glass beverage glasses
• Container of stardust glitter

For the raised candle centerpiece, first I sprayed the outside of the votive holders with spray adhesive and then dusted them with stardust glitter. After I sprinkled faux snow on the glass top of a pastry stand and placed the candles in a line down the middle of the stand. For a little more sparkle weave a strand of crystals around the candles. The flickering light of the candles reflects in the crystals – the look is stunning. It’s so simple, yet so elegant.

Create coordinating vases by placing a band of double-sided tape around a beverage glass and sprinkle the tape with the glitter. Drop a few stems of white tulips in the glass and you’re good to go! Place several of these beautiful vases around the dining or buffet table for maximum impact. When the party is over and you need drinking glasses, simply remove the tape and they’re as good as new!

Sophisticated Soiree
For a look that is clean, elegant and sophisticated, use a single variety white flower such as the tulip, a lot of sparkling clear glass vases and candle holders, and add a couple of chandelier crystals. The result is breathtaking. This is a perfect look for celebrating the start of a brand new year with all its limitless possibilities.

A Meaningful Memento
Since ancient times, evergreens have been a symbol of life, rebirth, and the stamina needed to endure the winter months. Use sprigs of evergreens tied with silver ribbon and a sparkle monogram to create a place card with a message.

Wishing you good health and peace in the New Year – remember that every day is a gift to be cherished!

Whether you are planning an intimate dinner for a few close friends or going all out to ring in the New Year you’ll want to have party décor that will set the mood. Two key elements for a New Year’s celebration are candles and a bit of sparkle. I’ve included these key elements along with natural elements, such as, evergreens, birch branches, and pinecones to create a few sophisticated styles. It’s not too late to pull a few of these ideas together. Even though these styles look fabulous, they are all very easy to do. Not to mention you probably have most of the elements needed. Add a few fresh flowers and you’re all set!

Icicle Splendor
I absolutely love the way it looks when the bare tree branches of winter become covered with ice. You can easily create that same dramatic look in your home using birch branches and acrylic icicles. First, I filled the cylinder with a strand of clear lights and pinecones, before I inserted the branches, which gives this arrangement even more impact.

New Year’s Wishes
A nice touch for a New Year’s party is to have small cards and a pen set up near a tree. During the night, encourage your guests to write down their wish for the New Year on one of the cards and hang it on the tree. At midnight gather around the tree and make a toast to all of your hopes and wishes for the New Year that lies ahead.

Up next, a few last minute ideas including using chandelier crystals and how to get a lot of sparkle from a little bit of glitter! Think “fire and ice”.

The Christmas tree market was born in 1851 when Catskill farmer, Mark Carr, hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree, and 20 years later, the custom was nearly universal.

No one will have a tree quite likes yours when you create your own version of the Holiday Flower Tree. Here are four trees that I created for you!

Modern Vintage
I found these sweet beaded flowers in an antique shop, and then came across the black & white polka dot vase. I think the finished product has a nice modern vintage feel to it. It also reminds me of Mary Engelbreit! When I was done I thought a bowl of cherries would be a nice prop and I could call this the “Life is just a Chair of Bowlies” tree!

Nantucket Christmas
With the traditional Nantucket basket as the base and natural decorations of pinecones, pods, and seashells this tree symbolizes the incredible natural rustic beauty of New England.

Star Light, Star Bright
Star light, star bright, do you have a Shiny Brite ornament for me tonight? Create a small boxwood tree in a vintage container like the Fenton hobnail milk glass bowl I used here in the picture. This is a perfect way to display your treasured collection of vintage ornaments.

Santa & Me Tree
I’m always coming up with new ways to display all of the Santa & Me photos that I love bringing out every year. Each one holds such wonderful memories. I love this idea of a Santa & Me themed tree. I scanned the images (which I realized was a good thing to do anyway, because now I have them preserved) first and then cropped them to 2” x 3”. For the base, I scanned the front of an old Santa & Me photo holder, sized it to the dimensions of the ceramic cube I was using as the base, printed four copies and used glue dots to attach them to the sides of the container.

I was thinking of making one for my daughter’s new apartment. I think it’s important to have some nostalgic pieces among your holiday decorations!

1-800-FLOWERS.COM and I recently hosted a DIY Holiday Flower Tree Workshop for some of our friends and fellow bloggers! I am so proud to be a part of this amazing community of women. The workshop was low key and intimate, which gave us all a chance to get to know each other and catch up, in a very creative and relaxing environment. Basic instructions for making a Holiday Flower Tree were provided, but each participant was encouraged to then take the instructions and run with them. Once you know how to make the base of the tree, you can make it any size, use any waterproof container, and add flowers and decorations of your choice. In the end, the finished trees were as unique as their creators.

Here are some photos from the workshop as well as the basic step by step instructions if you would like to give the Holiday Flowers Tree a try! If you do, I’d love to hear how it went and see some photos. I too created a few versions of my own that might give you a few ideas. I’ll be posting those photos shortly.

Thanks to my friends Tracy and Vilma: Ascending Butterfly – Katia: Skimbaco Lifestyle – Lisa: New York Chica – Nikki: Blasian Baby Notes for your continued enthusiasm and support. It was fun!

For all my Facebook friends, click here to see pictures from the event.