Holiday

[Oznell]

I have not many florals--  am more of a twiggy, ( like real twigs) spiky bamboo, or real, dried botanicals type. Love pu s s y willows, always have them.   Two or three times a year, real flowers.

I do have: faux lavender, faux white magnolia, and faux hydrangea from Valerie, as far as "flowery" bouquets.  All small.

And for some reason, I don't want to spend money on faux flowers!  Last year, I mentioned getting a tall bunch of these pink and red ones below.  This year, here's a variaton on that affordable idea for Valentine's:

Go to Walmart.  The stores have their more spring-y items in.  Get one, or preferably two, of the popular "Dahlia and Tea Rose" mix. They are often stuffed down willy-nilly in a bin, and need to be fluffed.

It's just $6 something per bouquet  From a bit of a distance, looks fairly plausible. The burgundy dahlias might be a little too 'silky' looking-- you could bring down the shine with a little baby or talcum powder, I think?   I don't bother. 

But, if I put faux flowers out, they are usually up high, or positioned so you're not really close enough to thoroughly inspect, anyway.

The colors are perfect for Valentines'-- red, pink and white. If desired, you could always leave the tall bunch as is, put in nice vase, maybe add some filler eucalyptus or whatever. Doesn't really need it.  You can manipulate the wired stems into natural shapes.

BUT:  since it is popular, I like the idea of disguising it. I have two, and cut one up, so I can re-combine the flowers in smaller bouquets and different configurations.  Used hubby's "tin snips",  but you can even worry the stems back and forth with your hands, and the stems will eventually break off, but not as cleanly.

So, now for Valentine's I can put together a short bouquet of just pink and dark red flowers, ( and save the whites for a different bouquet).  Or, you could have just red, or just pink, or put the pink and white together...

The new combos are good, b/c they're now not necessarily as recognizable as before.  They're more subtle, short bouquets that can fit and be tucked in more places.

And if you really wanted to go wild, you could get the also- pretty white rose bouquet, "Mainstays Rose Floral Bush White" at all of $3.97.  Then you could cut it up ( or not),  make even more combinations...

Have mentioned before my only other nod to Valentine's--  I put out my two Royal Doulton ladies, one of whom has a red dress, and one, a pink:

Royal Doulton  "Winsome"

and 

Royal Doulton  "Ballad Seller"

 

Usually group those two ladies on a side table, along with a tiny, vintage pink Toby jug. 

Have a happy Valentine's *Month*,  everyone!

[Roscoe the Rascal]

---

@Oznell wrote:

I have not many florals--  am more of a twiggy, ( like real twigs) spiky bamboo, or real, dried botanicals type. Love pu s s y willows, always have them.   Two or three times a year, real flowers.

I do have: faux lavender, faux white magnolia, and faux hydrangea from Valerie, as far as "flowery" bouquets.  All small.

And for some reason, I don't want to spend money on faux flowers!  Last year, I mentioned getting a tall bunch of these pink and red ones below.  This year, here's a variaton on that affordable idea for Valentine's:

Go to Walmart.  The stores have their more spring-y items in.  Get one, or preferably two, of the popular "Dahlia and Tea Rose" mix. They are often stuffed down willy-nilly in a bin, and need to be fluffed.

It's just $6 something per bouquet  From a bit of a distance, looks fairly plausible. The burgundy dahlias might be a little too 'silky' looking-- you could bring down the shine with a little baby or talcum powder, I think?   I don't bother. 

But, if I put faux flowers out, they are usually up high, or positioned so you're not really close enough to thoroughly inspect, anyway.

The colors are perfect for Valentines'-- red, pink and white. If desired, you could always leave the tall bunch as is, put in nice vase, maybe add some filler eucalyptus or whatever. Doesn't really need it.  You can manipulate the wired stems into natural shapes.

BUT:  since it is popular, I like the idea of disguising it. I have two, and cut one up, so I can re-combine the flowers in smaller bouquets and different configurations.  Used hubby's "tin snips",  but you can even worry the stems back and forth with your hands, and the stems will eventually break off, but not as cleanly.

So, now for Valentine's I can put together a short bouquet of just pink and dark red flowers, ( and save the whites for a different bouquet).  Or, you could have just red, or just pink, or put the pink and white together...

The new combos are good, b/c they're now not necessarily as recognizable as before.  They're more subtle, short bouquets that can fit and be tucked in more places.

And if you really wanted to go wild, you could get the also- pretty white rose bouquet, "Mainstays Rose Floral Bush White" at all of $3.97.  Then you could cut it up ( or not),  make even more combinations...

Have mentioned before my only other nod to Valentine's--  I put out my two Royal Doulton ladies, one of whom has a red dress, and one, a pink:

Royal Doulton  "Winsome"

and 

Royal Doulton  "Ballad Seller"

 

Usually group those two ladies on a side table, along with a tiny, vintage pink Toby jug. 

Have a happy Valentine's *Month*,  everyone!

---

I have several Royal Dalton's.  My husband and I collected them for a bit and he would get me one every so often.  I love them.  I have them in my curio cabinet.  I have 14.

[jlkz]

@Oznell 

Last year I bought several of those bouquets for $7 at Walmart.  I needed something simple for the front deck that I painted with cement stain....I didn't want real flowers any more:

By the way, after I had paid for them and was waiting for DH to wheel his fully loaded cart ( he is a shopper ! ), a woman walked by and exclaimed how beautiful my flowers were !  She found it hard to believe they were faux.

And, yes they look just as great for their " re-entrance ! "

[spiderw]

The Doulton ladies are beautiful and are eye catchers and stand outs when displayed.  I love figurines and have many throughout the house.  I especially like my children collections, Special Friends and Francis Hook creations.  As far as florals I do put them out for the seasons and always like how they brighten up the rooms.

Your recommendations to go to Walmart is interesting.  I rarely shop there but the florals you showed are so pretty., the colors lovely.  I enjoyed your post and all you said, I admire your taste in decorating and I am sure your home is filled with treasures.  I always say that displaying decor always gives me a good feeling.  And that for me is why I enjoy doing so.  Thanks for your tips and information, always welcome!!!!!

[GingerHead]

@Oznell 

Thanks for your tips!

I too love more twiggy, branches and dried botanicals but I have recently (in the last year or so) gotten some faux flowers as well.

I found some pretty realistic floral bunches similar to yours at Michaels and I have a couple of floral picks from Walmart as well. My Walmart one's are eucalyptus, olive tree and a drapy, viney, green looking thing of some sort....I don't know if it's a replica of something in nature or not.

Your Walmart picks are really nice and you can't beat that price! I'm not sure if I like the mixed colors or the all white. I do tend to buy white forals as I think they look more realistic and I just like that look. 

Your Valentine's ladies are lovely as well!

Below is a picture of my viney green picks from Walmart with a purple bunch from Michaels. I keep the vines in year round and change up the rest for the holidays (this was for Haloween).

[GingerHead]

@Oznell 

Also, I really like the first bunch of mixed colors a lot (the pink peonies are especially nice, I think that's what they are) and I love your idea of getting a second bunch and cutting them up and placing them in smaller vases.

Hmmmm. I hope my Walmart has these.

[Oznell]

@Roscoe the Rascal ,  fantastic!  How lucky you are to have 14, and that your husband gets them for you -- so sweet!  My parents gave me one as a teenager, and I've accumulated 4 more, so I have just 5.  "Leading Lady", (blue dress and upheld book or script )  "Winsome", "Ballad Seller",  "Lorna" ( green dress and stole)  and "Soiree" (green dress and fan).  They're not on display all at once-- I rotate them in and out.

@jlkz ,  what a great idea-- those look wonderful, lush and flourishing on your patio, and you cannot beat the maintenance.  I love what I can see of your house too, looks like Spanish influence...

@spiderw ,  how dear of you to say so, thank you.  You and I are both "obsessed" with all things decor, to use the current phrase, ha.  I will look up those children's collections you mentioned, Special Friends and Francis Hook.  I bet they are darling.

@GingerHead ,  as usual, I love everything you show!  Your beautiful bust, creatively festooned with vines, great.  Of course love the crows!  That purple and yellowy green is a super combo.  Also, that portrait just behind intrigues me... 

Just saw your next post. Oh, I bet your store will have them-- I think they are ones they usually have in stock right there, at least in spring. I'm really having fun trying to figure out which of my vases I'll put my newly constituted bouquets in.  The vases have to be opaque, to hide the fact there's no water in them and enhance the illusion of "reality" ( such as it is)....           

[twinny70]

Hi

---

@Oznell wrote:

I have not many florals--  am more of a twiggy, ( like real twigs) spiky bamboo, or real, dried botanicals type. Love pu s s y willows, always have them.   Two or three times a year, real flowers.

I do have: faux lavender, faux white magnolia, and faux hydrangea from Valerie, as far as "flowery" bouquets.  All small.

And for some reason, I don't want to spend money on faux flowers!  Last year, I mentioned getting a tall bunch of these pink and red ones below.  This year, here's a variaton on that affordable idea for Valentine's:

Go to Walmart.  The stores have their more spring-y items in.  Get one, or preferably two, of the popular "Dahlia and Tea Rose" mix. They are often stuffed down willy-nilly in a bin, and need to be fluffed.

It's just $6 something per bouquet  From a bit of a distance, looks fairly plausible. The burgundy dahlias might be a little too 'silky' looking-- you could bring down the shine with a little baby or talcum powder, I think?   I don't bother. 

But, if I put faux flowers out, they are usually up high, or positioned so you're not really close enough to thoroughly inspect, anyway.

The colors are perfect for Valentines'-- red, pink and white. If desired, you could always leave the tall bunch as is, put in nice vase, maybe add some filler eucalyptus or whatever. Doesn't really need it.  You can manipulate the wired stems into natural shapes.

BUT:  since it is popular, I like the idea of disguising it. I have two, and cut one up, so I can re-combine the flowers in smaller bouquets and different configurations.  Used hubby's "tin snips",  but you can even worry the stems back and forth with your hands, and the stems will eventually break off, but not as cleanly.

So, now for Valentine's I can put together a short bouquet of just pink and dark red flowers, ( and save the whites for a different bouquet).  Or, you could have just red, or just pink, or put the pink and white together...

The new combos are good, b/c they're now not necessarily as recognizable as before.  They're more subtle, short bouquets that can fit and be tucked in more places.

And if you really wanted to go wild, you could get the also- pretty white rose bouquet, "Mainstays Rose Floral Bush White" at all of $3.97.  Then you could cut it up ( or not),  make even more combinations...

Have mentioned before my only other nod to Valentine's--  I put out my two Royal Doulton ladies, one of whom has a red dress, and one, a pink:

Royal Doulton  "Winsome"

and 

Royal Doulton  "Ballad Seller"

 

Usually group those two ladies on a side table, along with a tiny, vintage pink Toby jug. 

Have a happy Valentine's *Month*,  everyone!

---

I love all of your Ideas.  Since my Mom & Mil were both born in England, I have a nice display of Toby Mugs.  They are so darn cute🤗🤗😍.

Glenda

[GingerHead]

---

@Oznell wrote:

@Roscoe the Rascal ,  fantastic!  How lucky you are to have 14, and that your husband gets them for you -- so sweet!  My parents gave me one as a teenager, and I've accumulated 4 more, so I have just 5.  "Leading Lady", (blue dress and upheld book or script )  "Winsome", "Ballad Seller",  "Lorna" ( green dress and stole)  and "Soiree" (green dress and fan).  They're not on display all at once-- I rotate them in and out.

@jlkz ,  what a great idea-- those look wonderful, lush and flourishing on your patio, and you cannot beat the maintenance.  I love what I can see of your house too, looks like Spanish influence...

@spiderw ,  how dear of you to say so, thank you.  You and I are both "obsessed" with all things decor, to use the current phrase, ha.  I will look up those children's collections you mentioned, Special Friends and Francis Hook.  I bet they are darling.

@GingerHead ,  as usual, I love everything you show!  Your beautiful bust, creatively festooned with vines, great.  Of course love the crows!  That purple and yellowy green is a super combo.  Also, that portrait just behind intrigues me... 

Just saw your next post. Oh, I bet your store will have them-- I think they are ones they usually have in stock right there, at least in spring. I'm really having fun trying to figure out which of my vases I'll put my newly constituted bouquets in.  The vases have to be opaque, to hide the fact there's no water in them and enhance the illusion of "reality" ( such as it is)....           

---

@Oznell 

Hi! I took a little break so just now seeing this. Even though this is my one and only "social media" it can be a bit time consuming at times.

Anyway, thanks! As for the portrait, 

I saw it a couple of years ago at a local Antique's Mall.

It was just propped up against the wall unframed, which is how I still display it. I prop it up against the wall with another antique mall find frame leaning against it. I need to frame her.

My husband talked me out of buying her even though she was only $10 (I sometimes have a problem with "collecting"  home decor and have asked him to police me, haha).

Anyway, I couldn't get it out of my mind and kept telling my husband I wish I would've bought her etc and the next day he surprised me by going back and buying her for me.

There's just something about old portraits that I love so. Now I just bring her out when I'm recreating my Halloween Haunted Mansion look. But I need to find a more permanent place for her.

Also, I haven't made it to Walmart yet to look for those flowers but they are on my list!

[Oznell]

Glenda / @twinny70 ,  how neat, lucky you, I love Toby jugs!  I used to have a few Royal Doulton ones, apart from this funny little pink one.  Now I just have that, plus one of Anne Boleyn with the executioner's axe forming the handle!

@GingerHead ,  I knew there was a good story to that portrait, not the least of which was your sweet husband's thoughtfulness in surprising you with it!  Good idea to be displaying it more, it's such a winner.