I have a fabulous find to share with you today!  I love sending flowers to friends and family;  I think it’s a great way to say Happy Birthday, Congratulations or Get Well if you can’t do it in person, and I especially like the idea for a hostess gift! When it’s your turn to be the guest be gracious.  A wonderful and surprising way to express gratitude to your host is by sending flowers the day before a party.  In the midst of preparations, it is a treat to receive a beautiful arrangement that says, “we’re excited and grateful to be with you tomorrow”.

My pick, for doing just that, this summer is the Berry Beautiful Bouquet by 1-800-Flowers. Money is tight for everyone these days and this arrangement is not only beautiful, it’s two gifts in one!  The roses, daisy poms, carnations and asters in this bright and beautiful bouquet are delivered in a reusable ceramic berry bowl. It’s decorated with a delicate strawberry pattern and has holes so that you can rinse and serve delicious berries in the same bowl.  The arrangement comes in Large $69.99, Medium $59.99 and Small $49.99.

I have been using 1-800-Flowers.com for years. It takes the risk out of sending flowers, because the arrangements are true to the quality and color represented on the site. There is also such a wide variety of styles, colors and price points to pick from and the designer lines are very special.

As a special gift to Partybluprints’ Blog Readers 1-800-Flowers.com gave me a $40 Savings Pass to give away.  To be eligible to win, leave a comment here and let me know the name of your favorite 1-800-Flowers arrangement.  Share your picks and discover those from others!  Winner will be selected randomly and announced August 20th.

Disclosure: I was not paid for reviewing this product.  These are my opinions and the post represents my personal pick for a great gift idea.

Here are 3 of my favorite decorating ideas from the fabulous 15 you can find at GoodHousekeeping.com this month!  Party like a patriot and get the red, white and blue pumping through your guests’ veins.   With these special touches, everyone will feel the spirit of the holiday and you can be FREE to enjoy your day too, because they’re easy to do!

For safer-than-sparklers favors, fill a pail full with red, white and blue pinwheels.  Try making  cheery DIY scrapbook-paper pinwheels mounted on slim wooden dowels yourself ( the how-to instructions. ) or if it’s sweat equity not money you want to save buy a bunch at the local party store.

Let the Fourth of July party spirit blossom with all-white flowers like hydrangeas in a vase that evokes the stars and stripes.  For instructions go>

I am crazy about this decorating idea which uses red and white striped dish towels and a zip lock bag full of blue hydrangeas.  For the simple to make but oh so special look go>

Memorial Day is a holiday that calls for patriotic party decor.  Be festive and frugal at the same time with these tips for adding some red, white and blue to your table.  Color is what gives a table its vibe.  For Memorial Day go Americana and pick patriotic colors.  Apart from the obvious choices of going red and/or blue with your tablecloth and napkins add a few touches that will show guests you put some thought and effort into creating a table to share time together.  Use patriotic “slap bracelets” as napkin rings, then let your guests don them for the the day ( image from BHG.com)!

Berries are in season and are the perfect color for Memorial Day.   Use them as centerpieces and when all your guests have arrived, put out dip and let guests dig in! This is a fabulous way to stretch your dollar.   Bowls of strawberries or blueberries add a great punch of color to your table.  If yours is rectangular, line 3 or 4 bowls down the center.  For round tables, one large bowl in the center looks pretty.    If you don’t want to go monochromatic use mixed berries, the red and blue tones are very patriotic.

Flowers always make a table feel special, so take care to choose them in the holiday colors.  Daisies, tulips, hydrangea and carnations are all inexpensive year round.  When using a flower like these, pick one and go monochromatic. Daisies and Carnations don’t look as rich in a mixed arrangement as they do in a bunch.  Create an arrangement with daisies by filling a big bucket or pitcher.  A great way to use carnations is to gather them tightly and use them en masse or create several small arrangements and put them out in groupings .    If you love mixed arrangements and want to create one with red, white and blue flowers, make up several and keep them small. Add greens to these arrangements, it keeps them looking natural.    Another really simple way to add a festive feel to your party is to stick flags or patriotic pin wheels in potted red geraniums.  A couple of these in your yard will really stand out and you can enjoy the flowers all summer.

Whether you do it on a large or small scale, take some time and add the red, white and blue to your celebration.  It will signal to your guest that you are treating the holiday and them to something special!

For simple directions on the floral arrangements above visit BHG.com here>

I love this idea for glamming up your next party!  Tissue Paper Pom Poms are hot right now and for good reason, they add a festive feel for people on a tight budget, yet are special enough for those that are not.  With just a few you can add a pretty punch of color to any room or outdoor space.   Go all out and hang a bunch and you can create a very dramatic feel by transforming your party space.  Tissue Paper Pom Poms are available in several stores online and off, Martha Stewart even sells a kit and has instructions on how to DIY!   I love, Pom Love on Esty, the site rocks poms in every color as well as selling them on stems or ones you can hang.

images from Martha Stewart Weddings HostessWithTheMostess Blog and PomLove Esty Shop and TheTomKatStudio.com

The “IT” color for flowers this year.

The Society of American Florists threw a Twitter Party last week, hosted by Jeanne Benedict, Kelli Ellis and Christine Arylo.   The tips were great and you can see the show in its entirety at  The Flower Factor .  During the show, I asked Jeanne what color she thought was hot right now.  See her special video message …

And see why yellow has always been a hot color for Elizabeth in her 2 part post:

• Let the Sun Shine Part I: Brighten Up your Outdoor Space with Yellow Flowers>
• Let the Sun Shine In Part II – How to brighten up your inside space from the outside in>

Jeanne Benedict, one of my favorite entertaining experts, tells us that yellow is the new IT color, especially with flowers.  She anticipates seeing yellow in everything from wedding bouquets to Thanksgiving centerpieces. The Indian summer color palette will dominate many floral arrangements for months to come.  To learn more from Jeanne visit her blog at JeanneBenedict.com.  Also, be sure to check out Flowerpossibilites.com,  this site has easy DIY RECIPES for creating your own floral arrangements!

Flowers are a must for mom.  Learn how to create the perfect Mother’s Day tea party centerpiece below.

Here are our video tips for a Mother’s Day Tablescape for The Clorox Company,  see more at SimpleandSurprising.com>

• Be selective when purchasing your flowers.  Choose flowers that are meaningful for the occasion and make sure they are fresh.

• Carnations are traditionally associated with Mother’s Day.  Purchase two dozen carnations (not mini) all in the same color.  Arrange this monochromatic multitude of flowers en masse to make a great impression.

• Prepare your flowers before creating the arrangement by cutting 1” off the bottom of the stems and removing all leaves and blossoms that will fall below the water line of your arrangement.  Submerge the ends of the stems in water until you are ready to arrange.

• Choose a vase appropriate for your arrangement.  As the centerpiece on your Mother’s Day table, keep it low.  An arrangement that hinders conversation will quickly be removed.  Our favorite arrangement for carnations is in a low glass cube vase – an eye-catching modern look with widespread appeal.  Tightly gather carnations and cut the stems short so the bottom of the flowers skims the top of the vase.

• As a special touch for a clear glass vase: cut a large green leaf width-wise to fit the height of vase and use it to “line” the interior of your glass vase.  If you are using a tall vase, use a few leaves to line your vase.

• Fill your vase with water. If you want your flowers to look their best and last longer, add 1/4 teaspoon Clorox® Regular-Bleach to the vase for each quart of water. The bleach inhibits the growth of bacteria, which can make flowers wilt prematurely and also helps keep the water from developing a nasty odor.

• Arrange tightly gathered carnations in the vase.

Image and Craft Directions From the Good Housekeeping Website

I love this Easter table idea from Good Housekeeping, it makes great fun for the kids’ table! Plus this one is fun to make with the kids and is inexpensive too. Create different versions for each place setting and personalize each if your are assigning seats at your table. You can add jelly beans and treat each one of your little guests to an Easter basket designed by you!

Directions:

A patterned paper plate creates a fresh-as-spring table setting. For the basket, flip a 7-inch square plate over; cut out a 1 1/2-inch square from each corner. Fold up the sides of the plate as shown; with hole punch, create two adjacent holes at corners. Thread in 3 inches of ribbon and knot.

Fill with paper grass and a chocolate rabbit.

Then craft a disposable placemat from inexpensive wrapping paper: To do: Trace a standard 12″ x 16″ mat onto the back of your paper (opt for heavier stock papers for best results); cut out placemat.

To create a trim, snip out a strip of solid colored paper roughly an inch wide and as tall as your placemat (12 inches). Affix with double-sided tape under the strip.

Be sure to check out the other Easter Paper Crafts ideas at GoodHousekeeping.com>

This goes out to my sister Donna’s friend Dina from Cedar Grove, NJ. Like many families, Dina hosts a crowd for the Holidays. Sit down dinners are not possible, but creating a pretty tablescape still is – you just need to alter the plan.

The image above illustrates a simple but special way for you to decorate your buffet table. All you need is a pretty pitcher, some pussy willow branches or twigs from your yard and a few colorful hanging egg ornaments (you can string your own too). Add greens and a daffodil or two if you have them to make the arrangement fuller if that is your preference.  Then make up a few pitchers and place them anywhere you have set out your buffet stations. It won’t cost a lot and it will make the table feel festive. The branches give necessary height to your buffet and the eggs will add a punch of color! Plus remember all that gorgeous food, let it be the star!

Global color authority Pantone has declared 2010 as the year of turquoise, referencing its color no. 15-5519. This green shade of turquoise combines “the serene aspects of blue” with “the invigorating aspects of green,” according to the company.   It’s the reason this color is the perfect pick for a spring table and what better time to turn your table turquoise than Easter.   Dye your Easter eggs turquoise and place 1 in nests made from a white peony ( use a footed ice cream dish as your vase).  Create bunnies to sit on each place setting with crisp white napkins.   Add turquoise to your table with a bowl, salad plate or go all out with a new set of dishes!

Above is an inspiration board for you full of ideas for achieving this look in your home.  Below are the “where to buy” and “how to” source links.   If you try it, let us see it and send in your pictures – we’ll post them here.

Peonies Nest Centerpieces from Better Homes and Gardens

Simply Fine Lenox® Chirp 4-pc Place Setting

Hanging Easter Egg by Paula Egan

Fiesta Dinnerware from Kohl’s

How to fold a Bunny Napkin

Turquoise Table Runner

Last year I tried naturally dying my Easter Eggs with the skins of red onions, hoping to get purple eggs. Instead they came out looking like Chocolate. I actually liked the way they look and how natural they appeared. My kids had to do a double take to see if they were real eggs or ones made from chocolate.

• Start by peeling the skins from Red Onions .
• Add to a generous amount of water with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
• Bring the skins to a boil and add the eggs .
• Once the eggs turn chocolate brown, take them out to dry and add them to your Easter display.