Have you seen the beautiful, glamorous, and captivating floral designs created by Karen Tran? Both Chuck and I have gushed over her work for a while now–it is all so perfect and gorgeous. So I have a real treat for you today! We’re featuring Karen’s lovely designs and announcing a 3-day master class she’ll be teaching this June in San Diego, California. For any of you who would like to learn large-scale design, I would highly recommend taking this class with Karen! The opportunity to learn how to create a large-scale ceremony canopy or Chuppah, not to mention the extravagant tablescapes she creates, is rare. I had the chance to meet Karen while attending the Chapel Designers Conference in NYC and watching her teach & design a large-scale piece was quite impressive. Here is the information about her master class; to register or for more information, contact Karen at Karen@KarenTran.com

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Visit link: Eye Candy and Class Announcement with Karen Tran

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Cinco de Mayo, meaning “the 5th of May” in Spanish, is celebrated each year on, you guessed it, May 5th. This date commemorates the impressive Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.  In recent history, the holiday has grown in popularity tremendously in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. All over the country, people come together to throw fiestas and sing the praises of a colorful culture.
Want some ideas for your own Cinco de Mayo fiesta?  Check out this FSN party guide!

And what better way to add to festivities that sending bright beautiful blooms to be enjoyed by party-goers? Whether celebrating your roots or just appreciating someone else’s, contact your local florist to help add the perfect punch of COLOR!

See original here: Fiesta Time – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

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Awhile back I emailed Laurie of Fleurie Flowers, Reedley, California to ask if she’d like to join me for a lecture at Ron Morgan’s Antique Store, LOOT, in Oakland, California. What started out as one lecture soon evolved into a two day flower excursion in the Bay Area which we dubbed “The Excellent Flower Adventures of Alicia and Laurie”. We thought of all the places we’d like to visit and wrote them down, knowing we’d never make it to all of them, but prepared to hit as many as possible. Well, I’ll tell ya, we sure did have a great time and had plenty of adventures! We met on Sunday morning at our hotel in Berkeley and drove to Filoli Gardens in Woodside where we spent most of the day exploring the beautiful gardens. How is it that I’ve lived in San Mateo most of my life and never made it too Filoli in Woodside, I’m ashamed of myself! Next we drove to Flora Grubb in San Francisco which was on Laurie’s list of must visit locations. It truly is an amazing place, we were the last to leave Flora Grubb when it closed – surprised they did not have to physically push us out! Next we headed back to Berkeley, however neither of us were done with our flower hunting – we heard of the Berkeley Rose Garden and headed out to see it, so glad we did! Next was the huge adventure, where sometime around 11pm I developed severe pains in my right side and we ended up in the Emergency Room in Oakland at midnight! If you know Laurie, ask her about her adventure in the waiting room (yikes!) … I’ll tell you, I knew Laurie and I would be fast friends when I first met her in Santa Barbara at Florabundance Design Days last January – we definitely bonded after 7+ hours in the Emergency Room! (Doctors never did pinpoint why I was in severe pain. Even a subsequent visit to my Doctor did not answer my WHY questions. It was actually my first visit ever to an ER for myself .. and hopefully the last!!). I was released around 7am, Laurie and I went back to our hotel and took hour long naps. We did miss our trip to the San Francisco Flower Mart, I’m sad about that. However, we did rally and made it to the Lecture at LOOT Antiques at 10am, where Marian of Savage Rose Flowers joined in on our Excellent Flower Adventures. After the lecture was over Laurie and I headed over to Oakland’s Morcom Rose Garden where Laura of Laura Miller Design joined us for a walk and a relaxing afternoon of visiting and chatting about the flower industry.
ER visit aside, it really was a fantastic trip, I love surrounding myself with floral designers who are equally as passionate about flowers and the floral industry as I am!

Now grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit back, because I’m about to fill this blog with a lot of photographs of pretty flowers – it’ll take awhile to look at all of them! Most of the Filoli, Flora Grubb and Berkeley Rose Garden photos were taken by me. Laurie took the majority of the photographs from the Ron Morgan lecture and the Oakland Rose Garden.

Today I will start with Filoli ….

When we turned the corner into the gardens this was our first sight, I cried out with delight. Laurie says – yes, we are definitely going to be friends .. ha ha!

Beds of Ranunculus

This photo is for Laurie, she loved this moss covered tree

Just Joey Rose

One of the floral displays inside the Mansion

They had a few floral displays in the Mansion, all designed by volunteers.

That’s a clematis, just in case you were wondering. I was quite pleased to just stand and stare at it for awhile.

What do you think of the beautiful flowers and gardens of Filoli?
I’d love to visit there throughout the year to see how the gardens change with the seasons!

Tomorrow I will post the photos from Flora Grubb

See more here: Excellent Flower Adventures :: Filoli, Woodside, California

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In every family there are those stories, you know exactly the ones I’m talking about. I like to call these Mom Moments. Someone new comes to a family gathering and before you know it, your sibling is loudly regaling them about that none-to-flattering time you… And a cut-off never seems to work. The story gets told. Faces turn red, and laughs ring out. You might be safe after that point as long as no one scrambles for the photo album. There are other stories we often share. Everyone has memorable funny or sweet stories to tell about their mothers.
With Mother’s Day coming up, take time to recall a mom moment. Maybe it was the time your mother took you to pick flowers when you were young, or taught you to whistle. How she always sings along with the radio even if she doesn’t know all the words. Sometimes, our mothers have the seemingly supernatural way of knowing when we are sick or need a care package at college. Being able to make a grilled cheese sandwich just the way you like it is a job skill worthy of a resume.
Our mothers are amazing! Celebrate by showing your mom how special she is.

Bring Mom Moments to Life
Here are some ideas you can make highly personalized to show her you remember all times she saved the day, made your day or just taught you well.

Think of a time when your mom did something special for you. Find a picture that represents that time. It could be during a vacation with the whole family. Or just pick a photo of you from that age and frame it. Take the photo to your local flower shop and they can build an extra special arrangement that surrounds this cherished image with beautiful colors and the heavenly scent of fresh flowers. For the card message, write a little reminder about that memory of yours. For years to come, your mother will know a specific moment that she made an impact in your life.
Did you ever break your mom’s favorite vase or make a huge mess knocking over a potted plant? Whether you cried or she yelled, those times in our lives taught us about unconditional love. Show your mother you still carry that love today.  Call a local florist and send a breath-taking vase of flowers or a healthy new houseplant.
Take a photo of something very ordinary and turn it into custom flower card. Order your mom’s favorite flowers and give the florist a wallet-sized photo as the card message. When your mom receives a beautiful bouquet to enjoy, her curiosity will also be peaked by a little photo of, yes, your sneakers! Turn it over to revel the message “Thanks for helping me master the basics, Mom” and she is sure to have a laugh and a sense of pride in how her baby has grown. Other photo ops: a dish she taught you to cook, a stack of perfectly folded towels, or a sandwich with the crust cut off.
Host a Mother’s Day Brunch. With a little help from this WPN guide, you can plan a flawless event with your mother as guest of honor. She’ll be overjoyed to celebrate in style with her favorite people. Take turns going around the table and telling the best memories of your mom. Embarrassing stories optional.
Whatever life lessons you remember from your mother, take the opportunityon May 12th this year to honor all her love and support.

See the rest here: Mom Moments: Bringing Memories To Life

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After leaving Filoli Laurie and I drove north to San Francisco, we were ecstatic to get to Flora Grubb!
I have to say that if you are ever in San Francisco make sure you visit Flora Grubb. *Part* of what really gets me about Flora Grubb is its location, it’s in the center of an industrial part of SF, however when you walk into their gardens you would think you’ve been transported to a faraway land – it is quite magical. To top it all off, they have a cafe inside where you can order a cappuccino and a sugary treat. Laurie and I did just so, we took our afternoon pick-me-ups into the garden and sat at a table where we relaxed and took in this whole urban oasis.

Entrance to Flora Grubb.

Here’s Laurie at Flora Grubb Gardens

This is a wood table with a runner of succulents growing in the center. This is where Laurie and I enjoyed our afternoon treats.

Our pretty little cappuccinos

love this way to display chairs for sale

How about a moss bar?

Love Passionflowers!

View post: Excellent Flower Adventures :: Flora Grubb, San Francisco

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May is definitely the month for honoring American military heros. With 2 holidays that focus on those that serve our country, you have twice the opportunity to show your love for the red, white and blue this month. Send fresh flowers to service members and their families to express your appreciation of their hard work and sacrifice.
Armed Forces Day  – May 18th

In the United States, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and support of our country’s soldiers.
In 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. This decision came after the consolidation of the 5 branches of military services in the U.S. Department of Defense.
Memorial Day – May 27th
Memorial Day is a federal holiday that falls on the last Monday in May.  It is observed as a day for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military. Formerly known as Decoration Day, the holiday began after the Civil War to commemorate the Confederate and Union soldiers who died in battle.
By the 20th century Memorial Day came to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Take this time to honor family members and loved ones who have fallen by placing patriotic tribute flowers at their final resting place.
What About Veterans?
As Armed Forces Day celebrates active military and Memorial Day honors the fallen, those that have retired from the military have their own special day to be remembered as well. Veteran’s Day is November 11th.
This month, take time to remember that the great strength of our county comes from the collective efforts of military men and women.Give thanks to our military members for their patriotic service and honor them with beautiful flowers from a real local florist.

See the original post: Salute The Red White & Blue With Flowers!

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Ron Morgan Design in Oakland, California! Visiting Ron’s store called LOOT and attending his lecture on floral design is what started our whole Excellent Flower Adventures trip in the Bay Area. When I was in the Emergency Room all night I just kept thinking – I cannot miss his lecture! (flower addict and proud of it). Laurie and I really did rally and got a second wind of energy to make it to his lecture on time. Our friend, Marian of Savage Rose Florals, was already there, she is a huge fan of Ron Morgan. Laurie and I grabbed our seats and enjoyed the show. Ron is a hoot! He kept the ladies entertained with all his stories and his design style is so natural, he just keeps going and never hesitates where he’ll place a flower. I quite loved his designs, especially the white and green piece and the all orange piece.
Now I’m going to be a tattle-tail. I really, really wanted to get nice photographs of the arrangements for all of you to see .. however, a few of the other ladies in attendance did not act very mature – they grabbed the arrangements after Ron was done speaking and would not let the rest of us ladies take a few photographs. Ron does sell the arrangements at a very nice price after the lecture and these ladies were not about to lose the arrangements.
I’m so thankful that Laurie was able to get as many photographs as she did!

Definitely a fun lecture to attend. If you are ever in Oakland I would suggest visiting LOOT and attending one of Ron’s Lectures!

Go here to see the original: Excellent Flower Adventures :: Ron Morgan Designs

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I’m thrilled that I was able to visit the Skagit Tulip Festival last week in Mt. Vernon, Washington. Our first stop was to RoozenGaarde® and believe me, my mother and I were the first two in the gate. ha! We had a great time walking around the grounds and viewing all these beautiful tulips and daffodils. RoozenGaarde® starts with manicured gardens and after that visit we were able to go across the street to see the tulips fields.
I tried to narrow down how many tulip photos I’m posting here, but there are so many beauties to share!!
enjoy…

yes, those really are tulips growing on the tree.

The farm workers clear the older tulips and leave the petals in between the rows.

Farm worker whistling while he works…

Daffodil Field

More: Skagit Tulip Festival – RoozenGaarde®

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We also visited Tulip Town in Skagit Valley, just a few blocks away from RoozenGaarde® farm. Their tulip fields were quite impressive, rows and rows of tulips to view.

Read the original post: Skagit Tulip Festival – Tulip Town

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Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle is such a fun place to visit, I haven’t been in years and it was fun to go back. On this visit the stalls were filled with flowers, it was just dreamy! So many tulips and daffodils on display!

Here are the flowers I purchased at Pike Place Market:

The bouquet I designed with the flowers I purchased (with Pieris Japonica from the garden):

While we were in downtown Seattle I thought to visit Fiori Flower Shop. I’ve communicated over email and social media with the owner, Miles, for some time and thought it would be fun to find his shop. I was thrilled when I got to step inside his huge walk-in cooler, so many flower treasures were inside. (I apologize for the poor photos, I only had my iPhone at that point and the photos are a bit fuzzy. My photos don’t do the flowers justice, he truly had the best variety of flowers — I was in love with the hellebores, bleeding hearts, fritillaria and anemones!!)
To learn more about Fiori, read our interview here.

See the article here: Pike Place Market & Fiori, Seattle

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