Breast Cancer Awareness - "It's October"

                                                  Our October "Pink Dessert Table"
     As a special tribute to those that have been affected by the disease of breast cancer, we dedicate this blog to all of you.  Breast Disease Awareness Month is dear to our hearts.  That's why we chose to feature a "pink" dessert table showcasing the symbol we all need to remember.   And please spread the word, "Get a mammogram". 
                                                  
     The ornate round wooden side table is a perfect size for our display.  Cascading an antique lace runner on top of the table adds a sense of elegance.   

      Tiered and towering silver bowls hold jumbo cupcakes with piled high pink icing and then topped with fresh red strawberry fans.  The cupcake holders are made from several different pink card stock designs.
     Pink candy in a crystal bowl and pink marshmallows in a small vase are placed to the left of the cupcakes.
     Finishing the table with pink ribbons, paper roses and the Breast Cancer Awareness symbol validates our "Special October Table". 

Tropical Fruit and Floral Arrangment

We've placed an array of gorgeous tropical fruits in a floral arrangement.      
Who would have thought it would look so good? 
We started with a medium sized unpeeled papaya and cut it in half lengthwise, leaving the seeds intact.  Other tropical fruits we used were persimmons, blood oranges, star fruit and pomegranates.
The florals we used were orchids, lilies, sea grape leaves and protea.

   

                                TIPS TO MAKE THIS ARRANGEMENT WORK FOR YOU  

1.    Search around the house for a container that has lots of dimension.  The detail will look good with the brilliant color of fruits and flowers.
2.    Keep the container 6 to 8 inches deep and not too large.
3.    As a substitute, you could use a colorful salad bowl or wicker basket.
4.    Secure floral foam in the container and start building the arrangement.
5.    Use wooden skewers to secure fruit and delicate flowers.
6.    Fill in empty spots with green leaves or additional flowers.
7.    Specialty grocery stores and open markets are good sources for tropical fruits and flowers.
8.    If you can't find tropical fruits, use what's available in your area.  You could substitute with pineapple, oranges, apples and bananas.  Use your imagination.
9.    Substitute exotic flowers with gladiolus, sunflowers, cactus flowers and a few artificial orchids.
10.  Have fun!

Fall Table Centerpieces with a Garden Theme

                                         It's that time of year to decorate for Fall.

I've put some gorgeous yellow and rust colored mums in large wicker baskets by the front entrance and a delicate woven twig wreath on the front door.  Now I'm up to the challenge - inside the house. 
I'm putting 3 different arrangements around the house.
1.   Kitchen table - I've put a bright orange pelee mum in an amber crystal bowl and surrounded it with green moss, a white 6" pumpkin, a striped gourd and a gold 3" fake pumpkin from Michael's (50% off).
2.   Dining room table - I've continued the same garden theme around a tall artificial baby yellow mum arrangement encircling it with more moss, rocks, gourds, pumpkins and 2 green ceramic birds.
3.   Coffee table - I have a low 20" silver bowl that I've put green moss in and filled it with a low twig arrangement and large and small varied pumpkins in white, green, gold and green striped.  I've used both artificial and real pumpkins.

 - Remember, not everything needs to be live.
 - Mix artificial with real pumpkins and flowers.
 - Follow a theme and color scheme
 - The professional look will come through

HAPPY DECORATING!!!!!!!