Adorable Attire For Flower Girls

The flower girl is always one of the most precious parts of a wedding. When she totters down the aisle, every guest at the ceremony will smile. Make her look her most adorable by choosing very pretty flower girl attire.

Most flower girls are between the ages of three and eight, which is the perfect age for a big party dress with a twirly skirt. Many a little girl has been seen before the wedding spinning from side to side to watch her skirt flow and twirl. For a wedding of almost any level of formality, a traditional party dress with a crinoline is a wonderful choice.

Flower

Typically, the flower girl's dress will either be in the same shade of white or ivory as the bride's gown, or it will be in the color that the bridesmaids are wearing. If you like the idea of the white dress, you can always add a sash in the same color of the bridesmaids' dresses to tie your bridal party together. The all-white flower girl dresses are usually the most formal, and they may have some details that are similar to the embellishments found on the bridal gown, such as lace, embroidery, or light beadwork.

The ideal length for the flower girl's dress is below the knee or tea length. Please do not put your flower girl in one of those floor length dresses that makes her look like a miniature bride - it is creepy, not cute! Also not cute is any dress for a little girl that is too tight or even remotely sexy. Especially when dressing a child to be in a wedding, always err on the side of being more conservative and traditional.

For an informal spring or summer wedding, your flower girl could wear a cotton dress with a dainty floral print in your wedding colors. A sleeveless pinafore dress that buttons down the back could be worn alone for a hot summer afternoon, or with a short sleeved white blouse (with a Peter Pan collar) for a wedding closer to Easter. For a winter wedding, velvet would make a beautiful choice. If your venue is not going to be too cold, a short sleeved dress will be easier for your little one to move in (long sleeves in velvet can be very stiff). You can always have a fancy little cardigan for her to wear during the reception.

Speaking of accessories, your adorable flower girl outfit is not complete until you have put together the finishing touches. For shoes, she should wear either patent leather Mary Janes or white ballet slippers. White tights are best for cold weather, or white ankle socks for a warm day. If a young lady is old enough to wear pantyhose, she is too old to be a flower girl; promote her to junior bridesmaid.

It is customary for the bride to give a special gift to her flower girl, just as she does for the rest of her bridal party. The most popular gift is flower girl jewelry. Most little girls do not own much in the way of real jewelry, so a dainty pearl pendant or a special silver bracelet will be incredible meaningful to your flower girl.

Then all that remains is to put a wreath of flowers or a fancy barrette in her hair. Hand your flower girl her basket or mini bouquet, and she will be all set to march down the aisle. Just watch the hearts melt as she does!

Adorable Attire For Flower Girls

Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Flower girl jewelry is a very special gift from the bride to the youngest member of her bridal party.

Orchid Flower Arrangements - 3 Ways to Best Show Your Orchids

Orchids are believed by many to be the most beautiful flowers in the world. If you want to decorate your home with these wonderful flowers you need to decide which is the best way to display them.

There are several basic orchid flower arrangements to consider when decorating your home. Below are the three most popular ways of displaying orchids.

Flower

1. Single flower vases - Although these are a relatively new idea, they have grown in popularity so quickly that they are now easy to find. Before you choose your vases decide on the approximate height you would like. If you are using the flowers on a dining table then you need to decide if your guests will talk around the vases or over the vases.

2. Plants in pots. Since orchids do not need much water they also do not need large pots. For this reason you can use live orchids in pots as your decorations. This will create a stunning and long lasting display.

3. Traditional mixed flower arrangements. Until recently the most common flower arrangements where created from an assortment of different flowers and foliage. These took experience and practice to get to look good. They also required more planning as you would need an oasis to support and hold the flower displays and you would need your selections of plants and flowers for the arrangement.

The orchid is an elegant flower with long elegant leaves, for this reason many people will choose the simplicity of single flower vases or plants in pots to best display these flower. It can seem more suitable than surrounding them with the clutter of a traditional flower arrangement.

If you want to have orchids around all the time then you are definitely best off considering displaying your plants in pots. Before you purchase your orchids you should review the requirements of the orchid and make sure that you are buying one suitable for your environment. Most orchids do not need much water however they do need light. It is important with an orchid to be able to shield them from direct sunlight as this can burn the flowers; so be careful not to harm your orchid flower arrangements.

Orchid Flower Arrangements - 3 Ways to Best Show Your Orchids

Learn more about orchid flower arrangements

If you want to successfully grow orchids visit at http://theorchidwebsite.com

Flower Gardening

Gardening is a favorite hobby for many, especially mothers and home keepers. However, gardening today is no more done just for pleasure, but it is soon being accepted and recognized as an art and a talent. Not everyone has the capability to decorate their garden with wonderful plants and flowers. Garden is an important part of the house. You can spend your leisure time happily over there with your friends or family. If this place is good then your time will also be good. Flower gardening is a good option to make your garden beautiful.

Every morning when you get out of the house the first thing that you see is your garden and if this place is nice, then your whole day is beautiful. Flowers are liked by everyone, so why not use them to make your garden beautiful. Flower gardening is a good choice to make our garden beautiful. This type of gardening involves decorating your garden with plants that blooms wonderful and colorful flowers. You can decorate the flowers as you wish. Aromatic flowers will spray their aroma while colorful and larger flowers will display their beauty.

Flower

Gardening is of many types. You have herbal, botanical, bonsai, community gardening, Japanese gardening and so on. The list is endless but flower gardening stands apart from all of these. It not just decorates your garden but also fills it with aroma and makes your house welcoming. It is an art which is not for everyone. You must have an idea of what color combination should be used so that it blends well with your house.

Not every seed you sow bursts into a plant, so you must take care that you buy good quality seeds, otherwise your flower garden will not look as attractive as you want. Here are some flower gardening tips that will help you out with your garden.

Do not fill the whole garden with flowers, so that no one will be able to see the flowers, which are planted at the corners. Make pathways so that people can freely walk through the garden to enjoy your art. However, make sure that along with the flowers you also plant the "Do Not Touch Me" boards. This will save your flowers from your destructive neighbors.

The main thing about flower gardening is to choose the right flowers. Opt for those flowers that bloom twelve months in a year. If you want to plant your favorite flower that blooms only in summers or spring, then make sure, that you plant it in such a place that you are accessible to it. Ensure that you can cut them at the right time. Do not let the flowers bloom, die and then dry. As soon as they bloom, keep them for a day or two and then cut them off so that they do not spoil the beauty. The most commonly liked flowers that are suitable for flower gardening are marigold, cosmos, zinnia, sunflowers and morning glory. They not just look pretty but also are best suited for the garden atmosphere.

Therefore, if you have brought a new house, which has a garden, then make sure that you decorate your garden first with flower garden and make your whole house look appealing and beautiful.

Flower Gardening

Pearl Jolie is an expert in providing information regarding Flower Gardening.

Flower Girl Dresses For Every Season

Flower girl dresses come in many different fabrics, shapes, styles, and colors. They range from colorful reminders of spring to the all-white mini versions of a traditional wedding dress. The sight of the young girl dressed in a beautiful gown sprinkling flowers down the aisle before the bride brings a smile to everyone's face.

There are many dresses that allow for both innocent beauty and maximum comfort for the flower girl. After all, a young child has less of a tolerance for uncomfortable clothes than an older girl. Often flower girl dresses are white cap sleeved gowns with a sash to match the wedding colors that fall at either ankle length or knee length. This does not have to always be the case however. There is room to express lots of the child's personality while still matching the style and decor of the wedding.

Flower

Tea length satin ball gowns work well with all seasons of the year and all types of weddings. They can come in a variety of colors ranging from elegant ivory to a deep candy apple to a summery grass green. A contrasting color sash can be tied around the waist to continue a color scheme or just to add an extra splash of color. Satin is the most common fabric used in flower girl dresses as it is often temperature appropriate in all seasons. Similar dresses can also be found in breathable cotton, which are great for warmer seasons. Like satin, cotton is easily dyed to come in a wide range of colors.

For a casual spring wedding, such as a garden party, a short sleeve dress with chiffon is suggested. These dresses feature crinkle chiffon, so are best for a more casual affair, but ensure that girls will never look as if they have wrinkled their gown! Available in a wide range of colors, chiffon dresses work well with bright hues that may look too matte in another fabric. Chiffon dresses often have an empire waist with beading or ribbon detail.

Lightweight organza gowns are often paired to warm weddings, especially those taking place in spring or fall. They are often tea length with puff sleeves. Organza gowns are often white with a sash or other waist accessory, such as a flower. These dresses can have lots of detail without wearing down the dress or holding the girl back! Embroidery and lace are common detail features that are delicate and dainty.

Many brides choose girl dresses that are reminiscent of a miniature bridal gown. These white gowns are usually spaghetti strap A-line floor length gowns. Some bridal companies have flower girl dresses that match the bridal gown precisely for an elegant seamless look. These gowns can have features such as ribbon sashes, beading, sequins, lace, and even pick-ups! White formal gowns are a classic look at an elegant winter wedding.

For those who like the look of a white flower girl dress that looks young and less like a bridal gown, there are many options. A great option is a tea-length white dress with tiered tulle layers. Add a colored sash at the waist and the flower girl can still match the color scheme. With this style dress, the flower girl still looks young, and is guaranteed to be comfortable throughout the entire ceremony.

White dresses aren't the only option for formal weddings. Fancy tank bodice gowns are very popular for formal events, especially those taking place in Autumn or Winter. A popular style of these dresses is a tea length A-line gown featuring lace on top of a colored satin with a ribbon and lace "belt" at the waistband. This look is simultaneously delicate, age appropriate, and elegant. Any young girl would feel like a princess in satin and lace! Another popular style is a simple tea length satin and organza gown, with a ruffled and pleated neckline. These dresses often come in pastel colors, and can be matched well as a slightly lighter shade of any wedding color scheme.

In addition to the dress, flower girls often have other matching accessories. White satin gloves are often paired with formal gowns, while a tiara can be paired with any flower girl's dress. If you are looking for something slightly less formal than a tiara, a floral headband or wreath is elegant and child-like, and is a perfect pair to an outdoor wedding.

Flower girl dresses can be matched to the wedding decor, the style of the wedding, and the season of the wedding, though they should always match the personality of the flower girl herself. With the bride feeling like a queen, and the flower girl feeling like a princess, everyone will be joyful and exuberant. By first knowing the season of the wedding, how formal the ceremony will be, and then taking the flower girl's personality into perspective, the perfect flower girl dress will be an easy find!

Flower Girl Dresses For Every Season

Jordan Brown is a freelance writer who writes about weddings and specific products such as flower girl dresses.

The History of the Christmas Poinsettia Flower

In addition to being the most widely known holiday flower of all, the Christmas poinsettia is also the most popular flowering potted plant, with thousands being sold throughout the UK and the United States each and every year.

Also known as "the Christmas flower," "lobster flower," or "Mexican flame leaf," the poinsettia has a rather colorful history dating back to the ancient Aztec people who viewed the plant as a symbol of purity. A few hundred years later, Christians in Mexico thought the star-shaped leaves symbolized the Star of Bethlehem that led Joseph and Mary to the stable where Jesus was born. This, coupled with the fact that the plant was in full bloom during Christmas time, caused people to associate them with the holiday, which is why they are still the most used plant during that special time of year for decorating.

Flower

Poinsettias also have a place in Mexican legend that tells why the usually red plants are said to be known as Christmas flowers. Long ago, a poor child was said to be wandering down a road on Christmas Eve on his way to church worried that he didn't have a gift to offer the Christ child on his birthday. He picked a few weeds growing along side the road and brought them into the church where the congregation said that any humble gift given out of love was good enough, and soon the weeds turned into colorful red and green leaves, causing the people to call it a Christmas miracle.

A native to Central America, those in North America can thank a man by the name of Joel Roberts Poinsett for bringing the plant back with him to the States after visiting Mexico while serving there as the very first U.S. Ambassador in the early 1800s. Poinsett, the son of a French doctor, was a botanist from Greenville, South Carolina who once attended medical school but had a great interest in plant life.

While in southern Mexico, Poinsett noticed the fiery red blooms flourishing in abundance in an area known as Taxco del Alarcon. Because he already had his own greenhouses at home, he excitedly sent a few of the plants back where he would soon begin growing them and sharing with friends and colleagues.

Now, the poinsettia can be found in several different colors in addition to the traditional Christmas red. The plant blooms naturally in shades of cream, pale, lemony yellow, pinks and peaches, both with splashes of gold and white throughout the leaves, which are erroneously called flowers but are actually the plant's upper leaves known as the bracts.

Poisonous Poinsettias?

Contrary to popular belief, the poinsettia, or any part of the entire plant, is not poisonous. Scientific research conducted by various entities such as Ohio State University and Carnegie Mellon University and Children's Hospital, both in Pittsburgh, have found no toxicity, either to animals or humans.

Of course, the flower is still not meant to be ingested and may cause a cat or dog to get an upset stomach after eating quite a few of them, but there's no need for pet owners to avoid enjoying the beauty of the poinsettia at Christmas time for fear of an accidental poisoning.

National Poinsettia Day

In great honor of the man who first introduced the now familiar plant to the country, December 12th has been named National Poinsettia Day in the United States, marking the date of the death of Joel R. Poinsett. In addition to having the Christmas plant named after him, interestingly enough, Poinsett is also credited with founding what we know as The Smithsonian Institute.

The History of the Christmas Poinsettia Flower

Why not buy a beautiful artificial Poinsettia and enjoy the flower in all it's glory all year around. We have a great range of Christmas Poinsettia flowers in red and white in pots, bouquets and single stems.

Onam Pookalam

Onam is a festival celebrated in the Kerala (a state of India). Government of Kerala considers it as Kerala's state festival and allocates a lot of funds to conduct the related activities and sports. Along with the onam celebrations of 2008 there will be many onam pookalam competitions in coming weeks (pookalam is an art by flowers done in Kerala). The onam-2008 is on 12th September 2008.

The Story of Onam:

Flower

The origin of Onam is a story connected with the mythical King Mahabali. Kerala people believe that, thousands of years before King Mahabali ruled over Kerala. As per the story, when he was ruling, there was no poverty, famine and people never use to lie. Since the King Mahabali's rule was so good, his name spread all over the earth and the heaven. Due to this, the king of the heaven Lord Indra got upset. He thought that if Mahabali's name spreads like this, soon he would lose the heaven to Mahabali. So he prayed to Lord Vishnu for help, to protect the heaven from Mahabali (who is a Damon king). Accordingly, Lord Vishnu visited King Mahabali in the form of a small Brahmin boy and pushed down him in to a place called Pathalam with his leg. (Pathalam is the world under earth as per Hinduism). However, before pushing him down in to the Pathalam, Lord Vishnu blessed mahabali, and permitted him to visit Kerala once in a year as long as the world exists. Kerala people celebrate this day as Onam.

Onam Pookalam:

In Malayalam, meaning of the poo is flower and kalam is drawing or artwork done in front of the house. Therefore, it is the artwork done by fresh flowers in front of the house. It is one of the main attractions of onam. It starts 10 days before (called atham) and ends on Onam. There will be a pookalam In front of each house of Kerala on Onam.

Natural Awareness:

Normally it will be done by the kids. All over the Kerala we can see kids roaming around with flower baskets to collect the flowers for it, during this season. It will help to create natural awareness about flowers and colors in the kids. When a kid searches for a certain colored flower to make it, he watches the flowers, nature, birds etc. This will help him to increase his awareness about the nature.

Pookalam competition:

As with the other popular events in the world, it is also attracted the attention of business world, as an advertising opportunity. Therefore, many malayalee associations are organizing competitions in every year, with the sponsorship of big business Establishments. Almost all malayalee associations in different parts of the world including Singapore, USA, UK, Australia and Middle East will be conducting Pookalam competition along with their Onam celebration. Different teams headed by one or two artists will be competing in these competitions.

General Rules of Pookalam:

The rules of the will change as per the nature of organization conducting the competition, as some organization may allow displaying sponsor names where as others may not allow it. However, there are some common rules to be followed in these competitions

1. Materials: - Teams can use only fresh flowers and leaves to make the Pookalam. They should not use the sawdust, shredded coconut, and artificial colors. If requested by the judges, they should show and prove the materials used in it. Colors of the flowers should not enhance by using the artificial colors. If any team is using any of the above practices, it will lead to disqualification of their team.
2. The Big flowers: Teams should use sepals of flowers only. They should not use the whole flowers. Even if you are creating the same flower itself, you must separate the sepals and keep it back. Sepals of the flowers may cut in to the small pieces. Using whole flowers, instead of sepals to make it will lead to disqualification of the team.
3. Place: They should make it on the place provided by the organizers. Making it on a paper or on a pre-drawn board will lead to immediate disqualification. However, teams can use a pre-drawn paper or drawings, and transfer the drawings to the place provided by organizers.
4. Discipline: A team should be disqualified, if any of the team members intentionally disturb or mess up the area allotted to other teams,
5. Traditional Decorations:. Teams can keep Nirapara (Indian style measuring cup), Nilavilakku (in style lamp) and/or any other traditional materials to increase the appearance and traditional value of it. However, they must keep these things according to the traditional way and at the correct corner. They may lose points if you keep Nirapara and Nilavilakku in the wrong side of it.
6. The theme: The theme can be an art with Indian cultural value, or kalam itself. The theme can carry negative points (instead of positive points), to discourage them from using themes which is not suitable for the occasion. This will encourage the artist to select broad and diversified themes without worrying for points. Theme can also reflect the nature of the organization or the area of interest they are involved in. (If you restrict the theme to Kerala, all themes will be of Kathakali, Mohinyattam (Kerala Cultural dances) and Vallam Kali (Kerala boat race), which will take away the beauty and diversity of it)
7. he artistic value: - This point is for the artistic value of it. We can consider this point is for the artist who has designed it.
8. Quality: This point is for the quality of flower arrangements and neatness of surroundings.

Onam greeting cards:

Lot of Online greeting card sites are using it as their theme for onam card.

Onam Pookalam

Note:-You can find lot of onam greetings with Onam Pookalam and kerala background. Flash cards with onam animations are also available.

Author is inviting you to visit 365greetings.com for sending free birthday cards to your relatives and Friends.

Hibiscus Care

Growing hibiscus is not a very hard task. You will only need to know certain facts about the plant, and follow directions on how to care for the plant. One of the most important things to remember is that these plants are typically grown in tropical and subtropical areas, which means that these plants require plenty of sunlight, as well as a warm surrounding. You will need to keep them in temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In hotter temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to increase the water and humidity level of the plant. The ideal temperature for these plants to grow in is between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hibiscus will grow better in high humidity climates. Therefore it might be necessary for you to occasionally spray the plants with water that is not too cold. Ideally, you should use a humidifier, or keep the plant in a humidity tray.

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Type of Soil and Fertilizer:

The type of soil that is best for growing hibiscus is the type of soil that is very good quality potting soil, as well as well drained.

Hibiscus requires a good amount of nutrients while growing and blooming. During this time of their development it is best to feed them at least once every other week with an all purpose, water soluble fertilizer. During the winter months, you should cut back the feeding to once a month.

Repotting:

Crowding them in a pot will actually benefit their growth and blooming ability. If you feel that they are too crowded in the pot, you may place them in a slightly larger pot, no bigger than two inches more than the current pot. If they are already in a large pot you should not repot them. Instead you should simply replace the topsoil of the plants.

Hibiscus Fertilizer

Growing and caring for hibiscus begins with the type of soil and fertilizer you use. If you use the wrong type you will have a hibiscus plant that will not grow up to its potential. It might not grow to its full size, or it may produce substandard looking flowers.

Type to Use:

In order to prevent the roots from rotting you will need to use soil that is well drained and loose. The soil is the most important part in growing a beautiful hibiscus plant. The use of fertilizer is also necessary for optimum growth of the plant. It is very important to the well being of the plant that you lightly fertilize the soils often. You will need to use a well balanced type of fertilizer with trace elements for best care of your hibiscus.

It is very important that you use a water soluble fertilizer that can be applied at least once a week. Keeping the mulch at least two inches from the trunk of the plant is also essential. If the mulch gets too close to the truck it could possibly cause the truck to rot or become infested with molds.

Other Advantages of Using the Right Fertilizer:

We are all well aware of the helpful properties of using fertilizer on the hibiscus plant when it comes to helping it grow up to its full potential. However, there are other benefits to frequently fertilizing the flowerbed. The fertilizer can also act as a repellant against insects and bugs that could damage the plant. There are many different types of insects that could potentially do a lot of damage to your hibiscus plant. The fertilizer can act as an insecticide and kill these insects before they do any damage. They can also be used to prevent weeds from growing in the flowerbed and potentially take nutrients away from the plant.

Hibiscus Care

Hibiscus provides detailed information on Hibiscus, Hibiscus Flower, Hibiscus Plant, Hibiscus Care and more. Hibiscus is affiliated with Care of Orchids.

Peace Lilly - Brown Tips on the Leaves - Why?

The "Peace Lilly" is a beautiful plant, with dark green leaves boosting bright
white flowers - the down side - they can get brown tips on the end f the leaves.
Why? There are lots of reasons the tips may turn brown. Everything from
over-watering, under-watering, heat exposure, too much fertilizer, or a
combination of these factors, can cause your peace lily to have brown tips.
Throw in a mix of the different varieties and Peace Lily confusion sets in.

There are dozens of Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) grown today. Some varieties are
grown for their mass of flowers, but flowers come at some expense. The expense
of nutrients the flowers take and the plant cannot use. Peace lilies usually
have lots of leaves, and may need more moisture to support the foliage. If you
notice lighter colored leaves and if the plant dry out too much the plant may
get browning tips.

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Where are the Brown Tips on Your Peace Lilly?

The older leaves will be lower on the plant. If this is where the brown tips
show up - these leaves do not "pull" food, as new rapidly growing leaves will.
Brown tips and leaf loss in this case may be natural.

Some varieties are not grown for flowers like Supreme, Lynise, and Sensation.
These are plants usually grown in 10 inch and larger pot size and may present
the same problem in looks, but for a different cause.

In the nursery these plants receive water and fertilizer on a regular basis.
They may be watered daily or every other day. Suddenly, the plant is shipped to
a nursery or garden center and now does not receive the same treatment.

If the plants get less water and the fertilizer (salts) in the pot increase
because of the reduced moisture can cause burning of the roots. This stops the
plant from using all the moisture and food available with a complete root
system.

What about Under-Watering?

Under-watering can occur in two ways (and probably more). The first - the plant
just does not get enough water and wilts down before the next watering. A little
droop may be OK, but not laying on the ground. This is rarely the case with
houseplant owners.

The second method we'll call "fake watering". You assume you are watering but
really do not. This happens when the soil dries out, and may even pull away from
the pot and the soil is re-watered. The water takes the path of least resistance
and goes straight to the bottom of the pot. The soil may become moist in some
areas but soil mass never becomes evenly moist. The plant may perk up some but
the soil is still too dry.

Result - Brown tips.

Remedy - Water slowly and not in one small area, completely saturate the soil with moisture.

Brown Tips from Over-Watering!

Over-watering can produce brown tips too. The reason - the root system cannot
use all the water available. The roots swimming in water rot off. Less roots
means less leaves, and usually the oldest leaves go first.

Heat Stress

Too much heat is another possibility. You may wonder how you can have too much
heat, when it is 72 degrees in your house. The temperature may read 72 but to a
plant sitting next to the window the temperature can be much higher than you
realize. We all can find hot and cold spots indoors.

House Plants - Great Communicators

Plants are great communicators, they re-act in ways we can easily understand if
we stop and look at the situation. Plants may not tell us exactly what is wrong
BUT they do tell us to LOOK something is wrong.

When you are looking for answers to WHY, ask some questions. Many times the
little things we may not pay attention to cause the problems. First, did
anything change in the environment?

Something as simple as - Opening up the house after a long winter to air things
out can cause problems. The temperature may be a little cool and a light sweater
or long sleeve shirt may be fine for you but did the plants get a sweater?

Here are a few other questions to ask:

* Did you move the plant?

* Has the watering changed?

* Is the plant new and getting acclimated?

* What is the root system like?

* What variety is it?

* Is the plant actively growing? Putting out new leaves with good color.

ALL valid questions.

Do not assume because you see some brown tips your plant may need repotting or
fertilizer. It may be just the opposite.

Peace Lilly - Brown Tips on the Leaves - Why?

Thomas Fryd shares his plant experience at http://www.plant-care.com and recommends Indoor House Plant Secrets where you can learn house plant care from the pros.