DIY Mother's Day Bouquet: Video

                                                                                                                         via The Daily
      

I am so excited to present this video that I worked on with THE DAILY!  Mother's Day is right around the corner and  there isn't a mom in the World that doesn't love receiving flowers. Unfortunately, prices double or triple as appreciative children, husbands and partners rush to place last minute orders through a florist.  To avoid this expense and the potential of impersonal flowers, I demonstrate how to arranging them yourself.  Additionally, you can always customize a bouquet using her favorite flowers.  I chose peonies, lilacs and hydrangeas because in my opinion there is nothing more feminine than a peony, lilacs smell AMAZING, and hydrangeas are inexpensive and dry beautifully.

Step By Step Instructions:
* When you get home from the store with your flowers immediately remove rubber bands, plastic wrap.  Trim stems 1 inch and put in warm water.*
1.) Always start with a clean vase or container.
2.) Fill vase 3/4 full with warm water.
3.) Add flower food and stir until dissolved. (Use packet from flower shop or make your own, see recipe below).
4.) Tape grid using floral tape.  Start with your first strip of tape in the center of vase and continue, then cross the opposite way.  The grid holes should vary in size based on the thickness of stems.  This grid will help keep the flowers in place.
5.) Remove all leaves and foliage, unless you want to include it in your bouquet.  Always remove all leaves that will fall below the water line, this prevents rot.
6.) Lay out flowers and sort by type.
7.) Trim stems by cutting at an angle; the slanted cut allows for more water absorption.
8.) The peonies should vary in height 1-3 inches taller than the vase.  The lilacs and hydrangeas should be cut to the same height as the vase.
9.) Start with the peonies.  Place the tallest stem in the center of the vase and work your way outward.  As you move outward the stems should get shorter, thus creating a dome.  Alternate hydrangeas and lilacs around the perimeter of the vase.
 * To keep your flowers alive longer, trim the ends of the stems and replace water and flower food every 2 - 3 days.

Flower Food:
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp household bleach