We're so happy to be celebrating our second anniversary here at H.Bloom today! In the past two years we've enjoyed incredible growth and have had such fun designing and delivering our bouquets each week. None of it would be possible without the support and continual feedback from our subscribers. We're so thankful to share our designs with such an amazing group of people and are looking forward to the many flower-filled years to come.
It might be considered old-fashioned in 2012, but sending snail mail still has an unmistakable charm. There is nothing more exciting than opening your mailbox and finding a hand-written letter [just for you] amongst all the superfluous catalogs and bills. In the spirit of staying in touch, we’ve highlighted four of our favorite online stationary spots to help you send that same sensation to the ones you miss the most.
Images clockwise from the upper left: Aloha Letterpress, Dutch Door Press, Rifle Paper Company, Trade From Scratch
Finally, for those of us without abundant space, a chic alternative to fickle houseplants or bulky planters.
A self-described lover of modern art and the natural world, Denver-based craftsman Michael McDowell has been designing his hanging air plant pods since he came across tillandsia–a true air plant. Completely self-nourishing (it draws nutrients from the air through its leaves), tillandsias are as independent as a house qa.hblplant can be. And now, thanks to McDowell’s elegant capsules, these fuss-free plants have a home to call their own.
By adding hanging greenery above your tabletop bouquet, you can transform your urban oasis into a lush, greenhouse-like environment. For more information on mudpuppy, click here.
There is no better sartorial welcome to Spring then the brandishing of flora. And this season there is no better platform for our favorite printemps prints than a stylish pair of pants. From Isabel Marant's diaphanous cotton silk blends to Céline's structured twills and Mary Katrantzou's patterns, this Spring promises a vernal-inspired trouser for any sensibility.
Get your legs in gear (images from left to right): Mary Katrantzou, Isabel Marant, Tucker by Gaby Basora, Céline.
Flower presses date back to the 17th century, when botanists used them to help catalog and identify species. Today, the press remains the perfect mechanism for preserving interesting flowers you might encounter in your travels. It consists of a few key components and is an incredibly user-friendly, simple device.
A sturdy wooden lattice forms the two bookends of the press; it holds everything together and keeps the flowers intact. To begin adding flowers to your press, lay a piece of cardboard over the bottom half of the lattice. Then, place a sheet of blotting paper over the cardboard. This serves to absorb any moisture extracted from the flowers while they dry. Next, add a piece of tissue paper or newspaper long enough to be doubled over. Arrange a batch of fresh flowers on the bottom half of the tissue and cover with the top half, keeping everything in place within the press.
At this point, if you have a lot of flowers to press, you can add another piece of cardboard and start the layering process again. Once all of the layers have been added, cover with a final piece of cardboard, and then add the top lattice to seal everything together. Wrap your straps tightly around the whole, stacked press. If you’re not using a kit, bungee cords can be used as a suitable replacement.
Allow everything to dry for at least two weeks and anticipate some exciting results. We’ll follow up on this post in a few weeks with images of our own pressed flowers and some easy ideas on how to use them.
Tall, all around arrangements are perfect for any space that attracts attention from 360 degrees, such as a kitchen table or large window. Here are some quick tips to help take your at-home floral arranging skills to new heights.
Start with tall branches: Determine the desired height of your arrangement based on the ceiling and cut branches to size accordingly. We recommend cutting at an angle with a one-inch slit up the center of the branch to help it absorb water. Be sure to remove anything from the portion of the branch that will rest inside the vase, including any twigs, buds, and leaves that may be attached.
Turn the vase as you go: For an all around arrangement, it’s important to view the flowers from all angles, so keep turning the container as you add more branches. You’ll want to make sure it looks great from every direction!
Fill out with flowers: Add flowers in groups of three to make your arrangement look big and lush. And remember to keep rotating the vase while you add.
Use wire to cluster grass: To create a stunning spray in the center of your arrangement, tie together a cluster of grass and place it in the middle of the vase. If you want to add a bit of width to the overall arrangement, create large loops by bending a couple of blades from the central bunch and affixing their tips to an inner branch with floral wire.
Create striking shapes with leaves: Big, broad leaves are perfect for adding the final touch to your arrangement. With sturdier leaf varietals, it’s actually possible to pierce the stem through the center of the blade to create a gorgeous play on form. Once you’ve manipulated the leaves, place them just inside the rim of the vase, so they surround the bottom portion of the arrangement.
The final result is a stunning variety of height, color, and texture certain to captivate. To view a range of our tall arrangements by subscription, click here.
This year, Passover and Easter coincide, which means that families all over the world will be celebrating at once. Preparing a table fit for either occasion, we recommend a bouquet of pale yellows, vibrant pinks, and lush greens surrounded by crisp, white tableware.
For a seasonal accent, look no further than our Arrange Your Own bundle (or your garden!) to find several newly budding branches or blooms. Place a three to five inch clipping atop a white linen napkin, tie with cooking twine, and you’re ready to entertain in simple elegance. For our full selection of Easter and Passover gifts like the one below, click here.
This week’s bundle includes:
For other tips from past weeks, please visit our YouTube video channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/HBloomVideo
Hello, Exotic Collection subscribers!
Choosing next week's bundle is easy. Simply log in, click on your delivery date for the week of 4/9, and choose the bundle you'd like to receive. This week's choices are:
The bouquet at left includes:
The bouquet at right includes:
If you select a bundle, we'll hand-tie and hand-deliver precisely the bundle you choose. We'll keep the selection open until noon Wednesday.
If you'd prefer to choose via e-mail or phone, just drop a line at hbloom@hbloom.com, or give a ring at.
Enjoy the blooms!
Hello, Contemporary Collection subscribers!
Choosing next week's bundle is easy. Simply log in, click on your delivery date for the week of 4/9, and choose the bundle you'd like to receive. This week's choices are:
The bouquet at left includes:
The bouquet at right includes:
If you select a bundle, we'll hand-tie and hand-deliver precisely the bundle you choose. We'll keep the selection open until noon Wednesday.
If you'd prefer to choose via e-mail or phone, just drop a line at hbloom@hbloom.com, or give a ring at.
Enjoy the blooms!