DIY: No Sew Flowers

I cannot sew. I'd like to learn, but as of right now, my crafty projects cannot include anything requiring a stitch which is why I adore this No Sew Flowers tutorial by Made. The steps look simple and doable and although I know I should be making some for Mother's Day, I'm really just interested in making some for myself. Ungrateful daughter, I know. Check out the tutorial here. 

images: Made (found via Creature Comforts)

Interiors: Granny Chic Florals

I'm conjuring up my inner grandma today with these lovely floral bedrooms.  Nothing says "granny chic" like floral wallpaper.

images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
images 1 and 3 were found on Your Granny Was Chic, one of my very favorite tumblr pages and also the *inspiration* for the title of this post.

Language of Flowers

{via}
I know close to nothing about flowers and plants. I've been lucky enough to keep our little house plant alive and attribute it's long lifespan to the plant's resiliency which has miraculously survived my sporadic watering routine.  I may not know a thing about how to keep greenery alive, but I have always been interested in flowers' symbolic nature. The poster above (date unknown) illustrates the positive nature in which humans regard these colorful beauties. I wonder if instead of creating bouquets for purely visual pleasantries, if instead we created bouquets to say something.  What if every flower in a bouquet was like a line of poetry...
"I bask in your youthful splendor and am bashfully in love with your modesty and innocence."   
Let's pretend that my feminine charm reeked of modesty, innocence, and playful coquetry for a second (I know it's hard to imagine but work with me), wouldn't a bundle of carefully chosen flowers be just the medium to express one's love?  I'll have to pay more attention the next time I buy someone flowers, wouldn't want to send the wrong message, you know?

Negative Space

Sometimes the negative space is as important, or more important than the subject itself. Sometimes it's the things we don't do, rather than the things we do, that make a difference.
Sometimes the best action is no action at all. Isn't that what Sunday's are for?



Source: @Maco's Flickr Polaroid set
I'm off this Sunday and due to my hectic schedule, any time off leaves me with the anxiety ridden questions of what to do (or not do). I think for now, I'll not do...
What do you do when the chaos stops?

Paper love

I came home to this small surprise yesterday- a sweet trio of lovely flowers made by an even sweeter B.

I remember him picking me up on our first date and shakily handing me a red paper tulip.

I loved him before that day but when I saw that flower I knew I would never be the same. How many men make origami flowers for women they barely know?

That was the first and last paper flower I received...until yesterday.

If you think these are good, you should hear B sing...

Out of the box bouquet

After this morning's man post, I thought we could all use some girly flowers. If you're bored with a space, don't have a lot of money to decorate for a party, or just need a little pick me up, why not throw together an interesting bouquet?

Try to think out of the box and if all else fails, go pick some weeds.

source: Angus Fergusson via Desire to Inspire
I wish the color of the vase/flower pot was different, but you get the idea.
via Kathy Dalwood
This glass jar is simple and such a nice complement to the orange/reds in the flowers.
via Design Sponge
Simple, clean, white. So pretty.
via Gemma Commas Photography
Oh wow, this is what I'm talking about.
via Lucyina Moodie
A gloomy brown corner is instantly transformed by this bouquet.
via Shootfactory
There's no need to stop at one bouquet, why not add lots to an open space?
via Shootfactory
Sometimes a pair of little buds is all you need.
via Louise Rastall
Do you keep bouquets in your space or do you prefer single flowers? I think I'll take whatever I can get.

Be not afraid of the flower

Warning: If you do not like floral motifs this post is not for you. Feel free to skip and come back tomorrow where you can enter to win something special (shhhh!)
I just came back from a lovely lunch with B and I think my right arm is sun burnt (yay for the sun, boo to skin damage!) Today is just a tease of the heat that's about to come to my little city and my hair is not long enough for a pony tail yet (grow hair, grow). For whatever reason, I'm in an obnoxious floral mood so I gathered some interiors with bold floral pattern to share with you. There's really no rhyme or reason here, just BIG flowers (oh and don't say I didn't warn you).

The wall is bold while the furniture is neutral (except for the lamp).

source: Living Etc.
How do you feel about a flower that's bigger than you?
source: Living Etc
I wonder what the owner of this room is like...probably not a quiet individual.
source: Country Living
I really like the contrast of the sharp, angular star against the multiple floral patterns.
source: Country Living
I admire the commitment here (even if it is a bit much for me).
source: Country Living
Maybe a bold floral sofa is all you need to make a point?
source: Domino {via Flickr}
I do really like this wallpaper and it fits nicely into a small space.
source: Domino {via Flickr}
Floral wallpaper and a floral canopy (is that what that is?)
source: Apartment Therapy
This is probably the closest to my taste and even though there's definitely floral in there, it's not overwhelming.
source: Apartment Therapy
There really isn't much floral in my house (except for the actual flowers we have). In fact, I'm having a hard time thinking of any decor we have that's floral. Well, I'm glad I got this out of my system...if you made it through the floral mess what do you think? Could you handle a room full of flowers?

Kill them (mean people) with flowers

Someone was mean to me this morning (I sound like a child saying that), but really, someone was just really ugly to me and it always takes me off guard because it doesn't happen that often. I don't know this person, but I have to see him on a regular basis which makes him being to mean not so easy to shrug off. Ok, but that's not the point of this post. In an attempt to rid myself of negative feelings I'm posting some flower vignettes that simply make me happy. I do not want to indulge myself in feeling hurt or angry, so instead, I'm offering up some pretty photos (well, because they're pretty and I'm having trouble focusing on anything more in depth). Enjoy...

source: We heart it

source: Katie Sellers
source: Country Living
source: Country Living
source: Desire to Inspire {via We heart it}
source: We heart it
source: AT
Ok, I am going to start my day over (beginning now) sans mean dude. I'll be back later in response to a tag and tomorrow I have a surprise for you...but first, tell me, how do you deal with mean people?

White flower vessel

It's still raining here this morning, well no scratch that, it's actually storming and the weather service says possible tornadoes this afternoon. I like storms...I don't like tornadoes (I mean, who really likes tornadoes?) They're cool to look at, but hopefully, I won't be seeing one today.

So recently I discovered that B isn't thrilled w/white things (i.e. white frames, white accents). This is a problem b/c I like white accents; they instantly add a modern touch to just about any space. I'm also thinking that some white, ceramic vases would be really nice in our bathroom. I'll have to find a way to compromise with B...
All vases shown are under $50!
Dent Bud Vase $26
source: Olio United
Ceramic Pigeon Vase $45
source: Three Potato Four
Pure ceramic Vases, Classic $16-$39
source: West Elm
Stylish White Vase- Second $12
source: Pottery Seconds
Arbor Trunk Vase $24.99
source: Target
Bird Vase- White $19.99
source: Target
Do you have a favorite?

Faking it

Alright Readers, I need your help. I need to know if faking it is ever ok...let me explain. Yesterday, B and I were at the grocery store doing our normal Sunday afternoon errands. I walked by the fresh flower stand, stopped, picked up some lovely deep fuschia gerbera daisys and debated on whether or not to buy them. I LOVE having fresh flowers on the kitchen table, however, in this case I put them back. Fresh flowers simply are not in my current budget. Occassionally, I'll treat myself to them, but I couldn't justify it yesterday. Does this make me sad? Yes, but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do.

So I guess my question is, is faking it ever ok? Now before you scream "NO" at your computer screen, pause and take a deep breath. My initial thought is that fake flowers are just that...fake and who wants a cheap imitation lying around? But then, I saw these photos yesterday and they make me second guess myself.
So simple, so easy, and I like the look of these (and I have vases very similar.)
But they're fake.
source: Apartment Therapy
These fake beauties are submerged in water.
source: Apartment Therapy
They never wilt and you don't have to water them.
source: HGTV
These aren't trying to be real.
source: Allen Company Inc.
So what do you think? Do you have fake flowers in your home? Is faking it ever ok or am I supposed to be flowerless until my finances get better?