Mason Jar Herbs

Some people have it, some people want it, and some people are defined by it. We’re talking about style. Style; the ever-present, ever changing and ever subjective subject matter that forever oscillates between the new and trending and the old and timeless. Personalities worldwide on constant display, all thanks to our old friend, style.

But today we want to talk to you about one style that seems to never go, well, out of style: mason jars. Yep, we said it, mason jars. The jars that predate back to 1858 when inventor and tinsmith John L. Mason patented his very first mason jar.

150 years later, we’d like to think John Mason would be pretty proud to know his invention has made a significant name for itself in the vast world of style.

From the perfect candle-lit ambience to cake-in-a-jar, there is a mason jar for just about every use. So what are we using our mason jars for currently?  Well, we are putting our mason jars to use by growing herbs in them.

Okay, so maybe it doesn’t sound as enticing as the cake-in-a-jar, but it does make for great kitchen décor, centerpieces, and you get fresh herbs for your inner culinary chef—what’s not to love about that?! Herbs such as basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme and rosemary are all herbs you can get pretty regular use out of, even with basic dishes, so why not give it a whirl?!

So, what do you need other than some sunlight and proper drainage? Below is a great how-to as written by another blogger on the web.

1. First, fill the bottom of your mason jars with sand, marbles, pebbles or gravel. You’ll need about an inch or so of material, depending on the size of the mason jar. These elements will act as drainage, absorbing any excess water.

2. Fill the jar up with organic garden soil and transfer your herbs. Be sure to use light, fluffy soil (not clay-like soil) to promote drainage.

3. If you want to start your herbs from seed, place the seeds underneath a thin layer of seed starting mix after you fill the jars with soil. Care for your plants according to package instructions.

Finally, add some labels so you won’t forget what you planted! (This gives you another creative element to play with, so have fun!)

Well, that’s a wrap on our end today. Just remember to have fun, feel free to step out of the box and get creative, and if you have kids, this is a great project for them as well!

Check out the mason jar herbs below that we made ourselves particularly for CBS’s The Talk. And if you’re just not into D.I.Y.’s, we’ll gladly whip some up for you

Today we’d like to talk about another wonderfully inspirational flower show; the Royal Horticulture Society Chelsea Flower Show.

 In case you didn’t know, the Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture. So what does a royal horticultural society do, we asked? Well, RHS provides a multitude of educational and fun activities such as: shows, gardens, , library, archive and other collections, science and advice, shops, plant centers, products, and horticultural halls. Next, we wondered how does a charity support such a vast and impressive production? We learned that they are able to provide these commodities due to the support and generosity of flower and garden lovers like us! These activities would not be funded without member subscriptions, donations, sponsorship and income from flower shows and plant centers.  So, I’ve got to hand it to RHS for their hard work and dedication…but I’ve got to hand it to the rest of us for the value we place in nature’s finest.

And onward now..

The Chelsea Flower Show has been deemed the most famous flower show in the UK, but it’s enchantment and wonder is known and shared worldwide.  So, what sorts of things do those planning to go this year, have to look forward to? For one, there are green spaces. An environmental feature at this year’s show will focus greatly on green space and the wide range of benefits that urban greening provides. Keep your eyes peeled for not one, but two 2.7m high green walls in the style of a massive QR code and you’ll know you’ve arrived. This particular exhibit will give you advice on every aspect you can imagine regarding improving your urban environment.

We read online that another exciting exhibit this year is ‘Fresh.’ According to RHS’s website, Fresh is an entirely new area that includes modern, inventive gardens with new design ideas and trade stands offering what are thought to be, ingenious new products. 

We even found the rundown of the 2012 show gardens: 

The M&G Garden, designed by Andy Sturgeon. Andy’s design is heavily inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and landscaping. Andy will create a “New English” design for M&G investments. (M&G also sponsor the flower show.) There is said to be a ‘dramatic focal point of the garden’ and this will be ‘an energy wave’ sculpture. In case you haven’t visited and navigated their site, we’ll save the rest of the juicy details and only give you the obscure version of what to look forward to.

Next, is The Daily Telegraph Garden, designed by Sarah Price. The Daily Telegraph has stolen Best in Show consecutively for the past three years. However, this will be the first time Sarah designed a major Main Avenue show garden, and it’s the first large garden at Chelsea that she has designed on her own. The vibe is atmospheric and contemplative. Oooooh.

Following the Daily Telegraph Garden is Furzey Gardens, designed by Chris Beardshaw. This design is said to replicate a sloping woodland, but we won’t tell you all of the cool incorporation's this one involves.

There is also The Brewin Dolphin Garden, designed by Cleve West. Cleve is said to be setting next year’s big trend with a topiary garden which will celebrate the 250^th anniversary of his sponsor, Brewin Dolphin.

The Ripple Effect by World Vision, designed by Flemons Warland Design Ltd., is also on show. The garden is evidently a sculptural reference to “the ripple effect,” showcasing how World Vision’s work with children helps families, communities and entire countries.

The Homebase Garden, designed by Joe Swift is on display. This garden is using natural materials and plants, energizing the space. This will be Joe’s first show garden at the Chelsea Flower show!

There will be Quiet Time: DMZ Forbidden Garden, by Jihae Hwang. Jihae is presenting an evocative garden or near pristine vegetation representing Korea’s Demilitarized Zone, commemorating its 60^th anniversary in July.

The Laurent-Perrier Bicentenary Garden, by Arne Maynard is displaying an ornamental garden encapsulating timeless elegance intermixed with contemporary elements. This is his welcome return after 10 long years!

Flemings will present Trailfinders Australian Garden, celebrating Australian outdoor living with modern and luxurious twists.

Jo Thompson will be displaying A Celebration of Caravanning, which evokes a fun and relaxing atmosphere. RHS’s site concludes that the garden will promote the best of what a break in Britain means.

And lastly, The Arthritis Research UK Garden, designed by Tom Hoblyn, creates a garden inspired by the great Renaissance gardens of Italy. This garden will capture the drama, formality and sheer beauty of these historic gardens.

Now with that kind of in-depth run down how can you resist going and knowing that you’ll not only ooo and ahhh with every blink of the eye, but that you’ll contribute to an incredible charity foundation that keeps gardening alive?

InJoy!

The Meaning of Mothers Day

With Mothers Day around the corner, we thought this would be a perfect opportunity to write about, well…moms. Some of us are close to our mothers and some of us are better off distances away from them. But whatever your relationship is like with your mother, one thing has long been certain, a mother is and always will be the most prominent female figure your life will ever know. Besides, they do have their own holiday.

So what exactly is the meaning of Mothers Day? Is it as simple as acknowledging your mother and her years of effort on one appointed calendar day of the year? Sure. But we wanted to dig a little deeper and see what Mothers Day meant to other bloggers, too. One blogger says (in more words or fewer) that to realize the true essence of Mothers Day it is essential to understand your own mother. This writer goes on to tell us that aside from those nine, generally uncomfortable months of carrying you from egg to human-form, your mother has first and foremost presented you with the greatest gift of all; the gift of life. That in itself has got to place her right up there with how we feel about higher powers and the divinity that nature unfailingly provides, right? Some bloggers believed mom always put a smile on your face when you needed it, and being a teenager once, myself, I may disagree with that sentiment, but what I can say is that whether she made you smile or clench your teeth, nobody was messing with her baby, (except maybe her).

For me, personally, it took surviving childhood and my teen years to understand just how incredible my own mother was. Once I was capable of seeing past personal walls, defenses, fears and the toll that life can sometimes create (hers and mine), I was able to see my own mother for her truly beautiful, light soul. And one particular blogger got it right when she ended with "your mother is your best friend and she always will be."

Now for a little history on Mothers Day, according to the second blog I stumbled upon, Mothers Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe (who also wrote the words to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”). She declared Mothers Day as a day dedicated to peace. By 1907, Ana Jarvis began a campaign to establish a national Mother’s Day. After much writing and support of ministers, businessmen, and politicians, Mothers Day was introduced as a national holiday in 1911. According to my calculator, that makes Mothers Day 101 years old!

One blogger writes that while attending her five year olds’ Mothers day celebration at her nursery school, she was given a card that read: “I love my mommy because I just love her.” This, while simple, was so poignant because of how difficult that sort of grand, unconditional love is to articulate! Why does it matter why or how you love someone, anyway? Reading about this precious five year olds’ matter of fact declaration of her love for her mother warmed my heart but also made me laugh a bit. Love is love is love is love, so 'why' really doesn’t matter at all.

In my own head, Mothers Day is a day to certainly acknowledge my mother on a deeper, more focused level, but also to find the time to attempt to articulate not necessarily why I love her, but just how much loving her and being loved by her means to me. Besides, my mom makes the idea of me being a total nut job laughable rather than deeming me a lost cause. She’s the woman I can share all of my ideas, judgments, joys, and admittedly, road rage with every day and when I hang up with her I know I wouldn’t be able to confide a fraction of any of that with any one else ever again.

To conclude our Mothers Day blog, we’d love to hear your own feedback about what Mothers Day or your mothers mean to you. Maybe you’ve got a funny story or something poignant you’d like to share. Well, we’d love to hear from you!

And don’t forget, if you’re looking for the perfect, custom-made floral arrangement for your mother, we’re a phone call away! Mention our flier below and receive 10% off of your purchase. 

Phalaenopsis Orchids

You might not recognize it by its name, but when you think of an orchid you’re more than likely envisioning a phalaenopsis orchid, as these are the most popular orchids gracing coffee tables nationwide. There are about 60 true species of phalaenopsis, which are native to tropical Asian countries like the Philippines, Java and elsewhere. Phalaenopsis orchids have been crossbred extensively, so there are thousands of phalaenopsis hybrids ranging from stark, classic white (also commonly referred to as the moth orchid), to the jewel-like miniatures with hints of yellow and cotton candy-pink blooms.

Phalaenopsis Orchids are most characterized by their graceful, elegant appearance. They produce multiple blooms per stem and are relatively low maintenance. The orchids take well to a fairly warm climate, making them perfect houseplants. These temperatures range from 62-65 degrees at night and 70-80 degrees by day. These orchids are low-light orchids and are most suited for an east window or a shaded southerly or westerly exposure. However, place these orchids in direct sunlight and watch them quickly fade. Since the phalaenopsis orchid is monopodial, it does not have the water-storing pseudobulbs found on sympodial orchids, therefore making the plant much less tolerant of drought. When the exposed roots of this plant turn silvery-white, it is time to water them.

Phalaenopsis Orchids typically bloom in late winter or early spring. The beautiful blooms sit upon arching branches and open successively.

Below are our own phalaenopsis orchid designs we are pleased to share with you.

The Scoop on Succulents

Succulents are a worldwide hit and there’s no wonder as to why.

With little maintenance and their aesthetic appeal, succulents have long been thought of as one of the most fascinating group of plants in the world. Succulents often have a wide array of leaf colors ranging from ice blue to blue grey, pink mother of pearl to deep maroons, ensuring a lush appearance no matter what part of the world you’re in. Some have glaucous leaves that create unusual tints, while others have green leaves tipped with red or pink. With such a grand color scheme, it is easy to understand how the use of succulents has been so deeply engrained in modern-day floral art and design.

The history of succulents, though, is almost more interesting than our present-day use of them as vibrant centerpieces.

Succulents have been famous since the fifteenth century, when famous explorers like Vasco daOld World Map Gama and Bartholomeu Dias were collecting the plant from Africa, Caralluma, to India during their exploratory trips to find a new trade route to India.

For centuries, explorers and botanists have enthusiastically collected and discovered new species from Africa, America, India and Madagascar. New species of succulents to this very day are still being discovered.

Even in the early days of Egyptian tombs, cave paintings and fossils, succulents were a much examined and prized plant.

Succulents differ from most other species of plant because of their ability to survive drought and multitudes of other harsh climates and conditions. Some succulents evolved in the jungles of central and South America, while many succulents adapted to the arid climates of deserts. Other species of succulents evolved in the cold, alpine regions of Europe where they endured the poor, rocky soil and strong winds. Even in areas where the salt concentration is extremely high, you will find succulents thriving. They have an extraordinary ability to store nourishing ingredients in their stems, roots, and leaves.

Check out our collage below of our own prized succulent designs!

Sources: http://archive.suite101.com/article.cfm/florida_gardening/16085

http://members.tripod.com/~Pharm_D/cachistory.html

http://www.cactusbookstore.com/h3.html

http://www.succulents.co.za/succulent_distribution_History/where_are_succulents_found.shtml

Chic Events

We are thrilled to feature Rachel Hollis and her company, Chic Events in today's blog. We interviewed Rachel to get more personal with her business and now we will share some of Chic Event’s history.

Ten years ago, Rachel Hollis was working on another day of events with her job within the entertainment industry, but on one tumultuous day of many with her boss, she decided to quit her job and start Chic Events...that very following Monday.

We were really impressed with that sort of boldness, even if she felt naiveté and youth was her present guide, so we asked,  “How long did it take you to fully execute all of your ideas and create such a successful company?” Rachel responded, “I was able to book social events right away through word of mouth, but it was at least a couple of years until I was really making good money and doing the kind of events I was proud of.”

Next came one of our favorite questions to ask.. What went into planning the name of your company? “I’ve long been obsessed with the word Chic, it’s meaning is a fashionable lifestyle ideology or pursuit. I like that CHIC is the pursuit of something better than you are today, that’s my life motto, “a little better every day,” she says.

Our growing curiosity didn’t stop here though and next we inquired about her unique approach to event planning. In which we found that Rachel likes to create never before seen events for people who have seen it all. She wants to show people a different approach to everything from the food to the drinks to the décor. “I believe in high quality everything and producing an impeccable party so that the client can totally enjoy themselves,” she concludes.

And with Rachel’s eclectic design aesthetic, you get exactly what she was going for in that approach. Chic Events has a talented and fun team, though, so we can’t leave them out of Rachel’s wonderfully executed event planning.

Rachel tells us that her favorite part of the job is actually her daily blog,www.mychiclife.com, which surfaced after years of clients asking, “how did you do that?” It is her daily inspiration and she loves sharing fun tips and tricks with her readers.

That led us to find out what one of her favorite events Chic Events planned was. “We did a party for Al Gore and An Inconvenient Truth years ago, which was so inspiring because it was right at the start of a global awareness of taking care of the environment. That was a really great thing to be a part of. We’re so lucky to work with many non-profits and we get to see how our events directly impact their annual budget, which in turn enables us to see the good work they are able to do in the world.”

We pried further and asked what skills did Rachel think anyone interested in pursuing a career in event planning should have, to which Rachel replied, “Extreme grace under pressure. So much of this job is troubleshooting and staying calm when the sky starts to fall. It’s your job to protect your client from that. If you’re not someone who is naturally that way, I’d recommend arming yourself with loads of information, research, and options for plan B, C, and D, so that you are prepared to handle anything.”

And if you’re looking to intern with a terrific event planning company, you might just be in luck, as Chic Events typically takes on one or two per quarter. 

Check out her blog that we must admit, we spend a lot of time on!

www.mychiclife.com

FloraHolland Aalsmeer

FloraHolland, is an international floriculture sector based in the heart of the Netherlands, where the commercial trade of flowers and plants take place. Floraholland consists of 8,000 floriculture growers. With its first-rate network of companies, ranging from breeders and growers to sales experts and export firms, FloraHolland represents just about every aspect of the business you can imagine. The company’s site divulges that the Netherlands is where supply meets demand. The infamous auctions plays a key role in this successful pairing and always fulfils its role as a matchmaker, mediator and knowledge center.

In a wonderfully-done video introducing FloraHolland, it is described as the place beauty meets business. Millions of flowers from all over the world are assembled here so it can appear at the auction clock. Traders then make bids on the flowers and ship them internationally within 24 hours. FloraHolland helps the grower to develop new ideas and also lends advice on more practical implementations. The grower can then choose to sell the flowers by auction or mediation between the grower and the buyer.

FloraHolland is a modern-day business with six different auction centers, a national intermediary organization known as FloraHolland Connect and an internationally active import department. Each location has a unique setting and upholds their reputation of a strong logistical network

The company describes its mission as always providing a market that is characterized through upscaling and internationalization. They pride themselves on maintaining and increasing a strong market. They attain this through offering the best and broadest international commerce, while offering its members the best sales opportunities at the lowest possible costs.

Now we would like to focus on Aalsmeer, one of FloraHollands six centers. FloraHolland Aalsmeer auctions around 20 million flowers every day. The export auction is famous for its broad and deep range of flowers and plants. When visiting the center, you can see into auction rooms while the flowers are auctioned at the clock and where the products are shown and the buyers permit business. The route is marked in four languages (Dutch, French, German and English), but you can choose to also be accompanied by a guide. The center is wheelchair-friendly and has a restaurant and souvenir shop to indulge while you’re on site. Auction hours are open to the public from 7am-11am Monday-Friday and closed weekends.

The decor at the Aalsmeer center has in recent months been renovated and is known for its sophisticated facility and chic, small bouquets. Some recent renovations include beautiful life-sized photographs relating to the import trade have been hung, the concrete walls have been painted a silver-gray, and the lighting has been upgraded. 

Check out this creative video created to give you the lowdown:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slf_XNroXS8&feature=player_embedded