Thanksgiving Centerpiece Inspiration Series: Happy Homecomings Petite Bouquet Trio

We gave four bloggers an FTD Thanksgiving table centerpiece and $50 to create the perfect tablescape.  See what they created. 

Our fresh and colorful Happy Homecomings Petite Bouquet Trio inspired the charmingly festive tablescape created by Courtney O’Dell of Sweet C’s Designs. The delightful bouquet of autumn sunflowers, roses, statice and solidago beautifully complemented Courtney’s table dressings and striking metallic accessories. Mimic how she also personalized the tablescape with simple fall accents like miniature pumpkins and dried corn cobs.

I love Thanksgiving. It’s one of the holidays centered around my favorite things: delicious food and time with family. Plus, it’s an excuse to get fancy with your table, even if you go a bit over the top.

I love to create stunning tables full of items I have collected through the years: the dinnerware we were gifted at our wedding; the gold chargers I bought when I was engaged and frequently threw extravagant parties; embossed glassware like the ones at our favorite café; and, of course, the beautiful silver treasures my husband and I like to collect from antique shops when we travel.

When incorporating FTD’s Happy Homecomings Bouquet Trio into my tablescape, I was thrilled with how well the bouquets lent themselves to a mix of natural elements like a jute table runner and woven placemats, as well as more striking statement pieces like gold chargers and silver platters. Setting up the bouquets was insanely easy—I simply removed them from the box, filled the jars with water and set the flowers Then, I was able to personalize by adding small pumpkins, dried corn cobs and other accents to make our table look authentically festive. Best FTD coupons and promo codes. Today's top deal. Find discount Anniversary Flowers at FTD! Go through this coupon and save up to 10% OFF! 

I also added some fun confetti made out of glitter scrapbook paper as well as gold embellished craft paper notecards as place settings.

I love using cards as a way to mark guest’s seats, because you can scribble little notes of gratitude or mix it up with some fun conversation starters. Place cards are a classy touch to make guests feel individually welcomed and appreciated without spending a ton of money.

About the Author:  Courtney O’Dell lives in Northern Colorado with her husband, two toddlers and Angus, her black lab, where she writes the popular lifestyle blog Sweet C’s Designs. Courtney loves crafting, skiing, traveling, cooking, home decor and creating recipes that her family and friends love. You can often find Courtney reading about photography, taking as many pictures as possible, playing around with photoshop, playing with her kids or basically doing anything she can do to avoid housework. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

An Autumnal Take on Birthday Party Ideas

If you have a loved one with a autumn birthday, consider one of these three fun and festive birthday party ideas to celebrate!

Ladies’ Autumn Wine Tasting

One of the simplest birthday celebrations to coordinate is a wine tasting, or wine and cheese pairing. Appetizers, a little bubbly and conversation are the basics to catching up with girlfriends!

Putting together a tasting is easy, but certain elements are essential. To add some feminine details to this event I used a simple piece of fabric in fall colors as a table runner. I also incorporated a gorgeous autumn-colored bouquet from FTD. These flowers were the ideal decor for this gathering. If I wanted to set the tone from the moment the guests walked through the door, I might have added a wreath to the front door. This one is beautiful, and fitting for any fall occasion.  Find discount Anniversary Flowers at FTD! Go through this FTD flowers coupon and save up to 10% OFF! 

For the cheese tray, I used some of the treats from the Fresh Fruit and Cheese Box. Cheese trays don’t need to be complicated, especially if the event is only for a few ladies. Base the number of items and the quantities, on the number of guests.

A wine tasting like this one can be planned and assembled relatively quickly, especially when some of the crucial elements are delivered to your doorstep! Cheers to that!

Outdoor Family Game Night

Nothing says October quite like a campfire and roasting marshmallows! Crisp, cool autumn nights are ideal for gathering outdoors.

To assemble family-friendly games, choose ones that can work outside, as well as ones that will appeal to many ages. One tried-and-true game — bobbing for apples! Laugh at the wet faces and splashing, and warm up next to the campfire.

For the food, this party can be as simple as making s’mores over a fire! Enjoy roasting marshmallows. It’s fun for the kids and adults alike, and requires little advance prep work!

Decorations for this event can be a mix of rustic and outdoorsy paired with an elegant centerpiece. I used small hay bales, pumpkins, pinecones and acorns for the natural elements. The FTD bouquet was a beautiful addition to soften the rustic pieces.

This birthday party ideas is truly more about enjoying company, rather than stressing over the details. Gather some friends, roast a few marshmallows, play games and celebrate a loved one!

Kids’ Pumpkin Painting Party

Pumpkin painting is a fun, safe alternative to carving pumpkins, and is more appropriate for young children. For this birthday party theme, participants use paint brushes instead of any sharp equipment, and they can truly express their individual creativity.

The necessary items for this party: kid-friendly paint, small pumpkins and snacks. I purchased the plastic paint palettes from a local craft store.

The decor for this event is bright and partial to kids. To achieve this look, splatter several colors of paint on some inexpensive white fabric (or even butcher paper), then layer it with cute orange and white dot fabric. Keep in mind, you’ll want the table to be covered to protect it from messy little hands and stray paint!

I also incorporated the autumn-colored flower arrangement again, because every party should have flowers!

These kid-friendly finger foods are a mix of supermarket favorites and treats from the FTD gift box. Those bright-colored fruit snacks helped inspire this party theme! Another treat from FTD that would be ideal for this party would be these school-themed chocolate-covered oreos!

The kids will enjoy this activity, and the parents will love seeing their imaginations come to life. Don’t forget to take advantage of the photo op.

Fall is a lovely time to celebrate a birthday! Enjoy the company and the season.

What Flowers Are In Season?

Seasons seem basic, right? Shop flowers at FTD.com and Follow this link to save 25% OFF Select Flowers, Gifts, and Plants at FTD! Click here

They’re one of the first things you learn about when you are young. As soon as you understand them, you have to pick a favorite. Maybe you live to splash in the ocean and bask in the sun, or maybe you love watching the leaves change colors as you sip on warm apple cider. Perhaps you eagerly await the first snowfall, or you might long for April showers (and May flowers). But though we all understand seasons, and are attached to one in particular, we experience and respond to seasons differently depending on where we live, and so do flowers.

In some places where it’s relatively warm year-round, certain flowers, like carnations and roses, are able to flourish all year long. In other places where the frost sets in around November, they have a more difficult time. Though exact bloom times differ by hardiness zone, most species have one or two seasons when they do best. Whether you’re planning to revamp your garden or looking for seasonal wedding flowers, understanding when flowers are at their peak bloom times is important. To help you do this, we put together a guide that gives you a month-by-month breakdown of what flowers are in season, so you’ll know when your favorite flowers are at their best.

Fall

Fall flowers are the best of both worlds. Some September and October blooms, like geraniums and phlox, hold on to the bright hues of summer. Others, like cardinal flowers and black-eyed susans match with the warm reds and yellows of the season, and, as the days get shorter, they’re the perfect addition to your mantle as you cozy up on the couch with your loved ones. You can complement these colorful blooms with neutral flowers like daisies and Japanese anemone, which bloom all the way into November, to create a vibrant, seasonal arrangement.

Winter

As expected, there are few flowers that can survive the chill of winter, especially in zones where temperatures drop below freezing. But the flowers that do bloom during this time are unique. There’s nothing quite like seeing a soft pink lenten rose push through the bright white snow as winter begins to wane in February, or filling your house with arrangements of poinsettias and manzanitas throughout December to get you in the holiday spirit. You can accent these arrangements with holly, and maybe even some mistletoe, to make them extra festive and help you ring in the new year right come January first.

Spring

There are few things better than bright flowers in the spring to reassure you that winter has passed and warmer days are here. Whether you’ve been anxiously awaiting this season so you can watch your garden come to life, or you just enjoy strolling through the park and observing the blooms, neither will disappoint. Spring flowers cover nearly the whole color spectrum. From orange daylilies to purple lilacs, you’re sure to be able to find something that makes you smile. Forget-me-nots and poppies can even bloom throughout March, April, and May, giving you something to look forward to all season long.

Summer

Summer also has a huge variety of colorful flowers. It’s caught in the middle of spring flowers finishing their bloom and fall flowers get ready to blossom. Summer flowers thrive in the long, sunny days of June, July, and August. Many, like geraniums, lavender, and black-eyed susans may even bloom all season. The variety of summer flowers doesn’t stop at color, shape also plays a big role. There’s tiny yarrow, voluminous dahlias, and feathery fleabane, giving you endless opportunities to pick wildflowers and maybe even bring some home to craft beautiful bouquets.

Maybe now you’re inspired to pick up some chrysanthemums and dahlias, or take a trip to your local garden center or arboretum to see what’s blooming. But as the temperatures continue to drop and fewer flowers blossom, there are still ways to enjoy your favorite plants. Houseplants are a great option and so are festive holiday bouquets. They’ll capture the spirit of the season as you gather with your family and friends, reminisce on the past year, and get excited for the great things that will come in the year ahead.

10 Ways to Reuse Your Vases This Fall

Your boyfriend sent a bouquet to the office for your anniversary, you bought flowers specifically for your sunshiny kitchen windowsill, or you had a centerpiece delivered for a dinner party.

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After about a week, you’ve enjoyed the blooms but they’re past their prime. Toss the flowers but don’t toss the vase. Here are 10 ways to reuse, revamp and revise those containers.

1.   Desk Organizer

Your desk is cluttered with scissors, pens, pencils and paintbrushes. Clean it up by putting everything into the vase. Even if it’s littered with paper clips and thumbtacks, the contained chaos will also act as desk decor.

2. Kitchen Utensil Holder

Use a wide-mouth vase as a way to store your kitchen utensils. From spatulas to wooden spoons, whisks and ladles, your kitchen organization is getting a makeover. And your utensils will be easy to grab when you’re cooking.

3. Terrarium

Turn your vase into a terrarium. Fill the container about a third of the way with sand. Choose succulents from your local nursery or garden store. Succulents need very little water to survive, so they make great plants for those who don’t have a green thumb. Check out the Stephmodo blog for inspiration.

4. Coin Catcher

Coins just make your purse heavier to carry around. Create a home base for these loose coins and use the vase as a modern day piggy bank. If you have a lot of pennies, use the vaseful as a copper-colored decoration. It works great with an old-world look or muted color scheme. Check out this antique-feeling piece.

5. Collection Display

Marbles? Billiard balls? Seashells? Wine corks? Whatever your collect, put it in a vase. The vase acts as both a container and a pretty way to display, making your collection into a work of art.

6. Luminaries

Create luminaries with a vase and a tea light. Play with designs like lace, or wrap the jar with yarn and paint. These will give the vase a fresh face lift and you’ll want to debut them on your brick fireplace or front step.

7. Lanterns

Create a hanging lantern arrangement. To make a lantern, put an inch or two of sand at the bottom of the vases. Then, set the base of a candle into the sand. If the vase is larger, you might consider a cluster of three candles. Use wire or string wrapped around the bottleneck to hang it. Cluster different shapes and sizes together, and pair the lanterns with hanging wildflower bunches for a stunning display perfect for an outdoor wedding, party or dinner

8. Bookend

Load up the vase with pretty stones or marbles and use your new creation as a bookend. It’ll stand out on the bookshelf and hold your books upright in place. It’ll also add height to your current book arrangement.

9. Picture Frame

Mount a photo to colorful paper and place it inside the cylinder of a vase, hugging the inner edges against the back, with the photo facing the inside. The bend of the glass will give an interesting — almost fish-eye lens — perspective to the photograph and makes for a conversation piece among your family photo frames.

10. Vase 2.0

Go to town with Washi tape, available in different widths and patterns. Decorate vases for a holiday, or just to display on the living room shelf.

Think before you put away that vase. With so many ways to repurpose and reuse, we know you’ll find a project that fits your space best.

How to Preserve and Repurpose Flowers

Fresh flowers hold special memories. They remind you of the time you spent choosing your wedding flowers to create that perfect centerpiece. They take you back to prom when pinning on a boutonniere seemed like the most daunting task. They signify favorite holidays, exotic travel destinations, and people close to your heart. Because flowers are so sentimental, you always wish you could do something to make them last a little bit longer. Well, you can! Pressing and drying flowers is a great way to preserve them. If you’re not sure how, here’s a quick reminder on how to press and dry flowers.

1. Press Flowers With Books

The most basic way to press flowers is by using books. First, arrange your flowers on a white piece of paper, making sure that they don’t touch. Flowers that touch will stick together after pressing. Then, cover your flowers with another white sheet of paper and place them in a book. Stack more books on top for added weight, and wait two to four weeks for the flowers to press.

2. Press Flowers in the Microwave

If you want to speed up the pressing process, you can also press flowers in the microwave. To do this, cut out two pieces of cardboard. Place three paper towels on the first piece of cardboard and arrange your flowers. Cover the flowers with three more paper towels and the remaining piece of cardboard and rubber band the entire thing together. Microwave for one to two minutes and then let cool for fifteen minutes. Repeat this process until the flowers are pressed and dry.

3. Press Flowers with an Iron

You can also press flowers in about five minutes by using an iron. Place flowers in parchment paper, and place this parchment paper between two paper towels. Then, make sure your iron is free of water and set it to medium heat. Press flowers with iron for ten to fifteen seconds and then let up. Do this continually for about three minutes.

For more information on this process, check out this post on how to press flowers.

4. Air Dry Flowers

If you want to dry flowers instead of pressing them, air drying is the most common method. You should start drying your flowers right after they begin to open. Clean the stems of leaves and then rubber band flowers of the same species together. Each bundle should have about ten flowers. Hang them upside down for two to four weeks, and then they’re ready to use! To better preserve them, you can lightly mist them with hairspray.

5. Dry Flowers in the Microwave

Like with pressing, you can speed up the drying process by using a microwave. For this, you need a desiccant like silica gel or cat litter to absorb moisture. Add some of your desiccant to a microwave-safe bowl, then put your flowers in and add more desiccant until they are covered. Heat in microwave for two minutes and check. If the flowers are not dry, heat in one minute intervals until they are completely dry.

After you’ve preserved flowers, what do you do with them? We’ve put together a visual to show you the variety of ways that pressed and dried flowers can be used to freshen up your beauty routine and decorate your home. Whether you want to maintain the shape of the flowers to create a lasting piece of art or bring out their scent in bath bombs or potpourri, the possibilities are endless. Plus, most of these suggestions are fast, easy, and perfect if your friends are the type that appreciate thoughtful homemade gifts.

Now that you know all of the things that you can do with flowers, maybe you’re next time you’ll get a mixed bouquet with blooms that are good for pressing and drying. Remember, flat flowers like violets, pansies, and geraniums can be pressed best, while more robust flowers like roses are best dried. Today's top FTD Flowers coupon code: 20% Off Your Order. Get 45 FTD Flowers coupon codes and coupons for 2016.

If you’re not the crafty type, don’t worry, there are other ways that you can repurpose bouquets, like donating them! From Flower Angels USA to Random Acts of Flowers, there are programs all across the country that facilitate flower donations to brighten hospital rooms and cheer up patients, and many will even come and pick them up from your doorstep.

FTD Supports Our Local Florists

FTD is an Official Supporter of Small Business Saturday, taking place. This is a day dedicated to strengthening every community by supporting the small businesses that provide delightful goods and services as well as jobs to strengthen local economies.

We’d like to say thank you to all of our FTD Florists … we wouldn’t be FTD without you.

 Our hardworking member florists are a diverse group. You’ll find them in big, bustling cities and in small towns everywhere. Yet, they all have one thing in common—they care deeply about the lives and the stories of the people in their local communities.

When words simply are not enough, we turn to these folks to help us express our most heartfelt emotions. There are few other jobs out there that exist simply to bring joy into people’s lives quite like this. We take pride in that.

When you choose FTD, you know our hardworking members are always willing to go that extra mile for you. They’re up at the crack of dawn, selecting farm-fresh flowers at local markets, then spend hours meticulously handcrafting each artisan-designed FTD bouquet to make sure it will achieve its goal—delight its happy recipient when it’s hand-delivered.

We, at FTD, are dedicated to providing our florists with products, tools and inspiration to help them connect with their communities and better serve them.

For them, each day at work may simply mean “another day, another dahlia.” But that dahlia is about to bring someone joy and make a memory that will last a lifetime. We think that’s a good reason to pay your local FTD Florist a visit this Small Business Saturday just to say “thanks!”

Use our exclusive FTD coupons and promo codes to find fresh flowers, original gift baskets, and lush greenery for any occasion at a great value.

Camellia Meaning and Symbolism

Camellia Flower Story & Origins

The camellia is native to China where it has a rich national history, particularly in the southwest region. Here, camellia flowers grow wild and during the early spring entire fields will be covered in colorful camellias. Camellias are also a highly respected flower in Japan, and is often referred to as the Japanese rose. See all FTD coupon codes, free shipping coupons, and promo code discounts on flowers, gifts and more

Camellia Flower Meanings

In China, the camellia represents the union between two lovers. The delicately layered petals represent the woman, and the calyx (the green leafy part of the stem that holds the petals together) represents the man who protects her. The two components are joined together, even after death. Typically when the petals of a flower fall off, the calyx will stay intact. With camellias however, the calyx and petals fall away together, which is why the camellia also represents eternal love or long-lasting devotion.

In Latin, camellia means “helper to the priest” and was named after the Jesuit botanist, Georg Joseph Kamel who practiced pharmaceutical botany in the late 17th century. He is known for his work in the Philippines, where he lived for more than 20 years dedicating his life to discovering new treatments from native plant sources. Although there is no record of Kamel working with camellias, the flower was named after him by Carl Linnaeus to commemorate his many contributions to the world of pharmacy.

Camellia Flower Symbolism & Colors

Generally, camellia flowers symbolize love, affection, and admiration. Camellia flowers are available in white, pink and red with each color having its own unique symbolism.

• White camellias symbolize adoration and is given to someone who is well-liked.
• Pink camellias symbolize a longing for someone and is given to someone who is missed.
• Red camellias symbolize love, passion, and deep desire.

Camellia Flower Cultural Significance

The white camellia flower holds a special significance in the iconic novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose is an ornery old lady who is known for her racism and intolerance. One day, Jem cuts off all the camellias from her garden out of frustration and anger towards her. Upon learning of his son’s behavior, Atticus forces Jem to apologize and sends him to her home everyday to read to her.

From this experience, Jem realized that Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose was battling her own demons — her morphine addiction. She was able to kick the habit with Jem’s company and when she passed away, she gave Jem a box with a white camellia inside.

The camellia represents understanding and patience. After Jem has cut off all of her camellia flowers, Mrs. Dubose reminds him that in order to kill the plant one must “pull it up by the roots.” This particular quote indicates that deep-rooted issues such as racism and intolerance can not be solved with surface-level tactics like violence and rebellion. Instead, it is through compassion that one can achieve the understanding to really make a change.

Camellia Flower Facts

• The camellia became the official state flower of Alabama in 1959.
• Camellias represent the number 11.
• Camellia japonica is one of the most popular camellia species and is also known in Japan as the tsubaki flower.
• There are over 40,000 registered camellia cultivars.

Camellia Flower Uses

Known as the tea camellia, Camellia sinensis is used to make most green and black teas. The leaves and petals of the camellia plant are dried and are known for their high levels of caffeine. Green tea is made by drying the camellia leaves and black tea is made from the same process, with an added fermentation stage. Green tea in particular is known for its antioxidants which have many health benefits including lowering cholesterol, reducing heart disease, and boosting metabolism.

Words of Encouragement: 34 Inspiring Quotes for Women

Do you need some encouragement?

When we’re feeling stuck or when we’re faced with an unprecedented challenge, it’s often helpful to read a few words of encouragement to not only encourage ourselves, but to inspire us to be an encouraging force for others.

To kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness month and to celebrate the power of women everywhere, we’ve rounded up 34 of the most encouraging quotes for women including quotes from breast cancer survivors such as Robin Roberts and Betsey Johnson. We’ve also included encouraging words by some of the world’s most influential women including politicians, authors, human rights activists, fashion icons and Grammy award-winning artists.

These words of encouragement will be sure to inspire you to reach your goals, whether it’s achieving your dreams, inspiring others, or becoming more compassionate, these quotes are sure to bring a bit of positivity and optimism into your day.

Quotes on encouragement and compassion

1. “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” — Diane Mariechild
2. “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” — Mother Teresa
3. “If you’re feeling helpless, help someone.” — Aung San Suu Kyi
4. “One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.” — Simone De Beauvoir
5. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
6. “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” — Mother Teresa
7. “No one has ever become poor by giving.” — Anne Frank
8. “People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Never throw out anyone.” — Audrey Hepburn

Quotes on courage and determination

9. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion with one’s courage.” — Anaïs Nin
10. “It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.” — J.K. Rowling
11. “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” — Rosa Parks
12. “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” — Malala Yousafzai
13. “Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” — Martha Graham

Quotes on strength and confidence

14. “The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.” — Blake Lively
15. “I may not be perfect, but parts of me are pretty awesome.” — Anonymous
16. “Do you want to meet the love of your life? Look in the mirror.” — Byron Katie
17. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
18. “I think the best way to have confidence is not to allow everyone else’s insecurities to be your own.” — Jessie J
19. “I’m stronger than I thought I was. My favorite phrase has been ‘This too shall pass.’ I now understand it really well.” — Robin Roberts
20. “When there is no struggle, there is no strength.” — Oprah
21. “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” — Judy Garland

Quotes on life choices

22. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” — Amelia Earhart
23. “I know for sure that what we dwell on is what we become.” — Oprah Winfrey
24. “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not making decisions.” — Catherine Cook
25. “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” — Katharine Hepburn
26. “You learn something out of everything, and you come to realize more than ever that we’re all here for a certain space of time, and, and then it’s going to be over, and you better make this count.” — Nancy Reagan

Quotes on perspective

27. “Keep your sunny side up, keep yourself beautiful, and indulge yourself.” — Betsey Johnson
28. “I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.” — Anne Frank
29. “If you don’t have any shadows you’re not in the light.” — Lady Gaga
30. “When you notice that you’re having negative thoughts about how all of this is going to pan out, you need to remind yourself that you are not a very good fortune teller.” — Donna W. Hill

Quotes about success

31. “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” — Helen Keller
32. “Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get.” — Ingrid Bergman
33. “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estée Lauder
34. “Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” — Oprah

We hope that these words of encouragement will bring some positivity into your day and bring you one step closer towards achieving your goals. Spread the message with an encouraging gift for a loved one or friend with a bouquet or sentimental gift inspired by these encouraging quotes. best FTD coupons, Ftd flowers 25% off and promo codes. Today's top deal: 30% off. Find more exclusive coupon codes and discounts.