FELIZ NAVIDAD, POINSETTIAS!

For centuries, Christmas has been celebrated with various flora and fauna, from trees to holly, but the poinsettia is a fairly recent addition. We have our own U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett, to thank for its introduction to the U.S. in 1828 (in a tribute to aimless walkers everywhere, he found it growing next to a road while out strolling), but botanists deserve our gratitude for breeding this feisty Southern flower into a demure house plant.

A beautiful poinsettia tree in Southern Living.

The U.S. National Botanic Gardens put on a display this season of various breeds of poinsettias, like these lanky, long-leafed beauties. The Aztecs prized poinsettias (called Cuetlaxochitl) and used them for red dye. 

Some of the specimens were 8 feet or taller - not exactly decorative material! I love the variegated patterns (below), the rarer, pink hues, and the tree-like limbs.

Do you bring poinsettias into your home at Christmas?

 /Images/ poinsettia tree/ all others, my own/

POM POM FRENZY

It's not enough that we have trendy shoes, trendy hair styles, trendy decor colors (Pantone says it's turquoise!), and trendy hem lines. There are trendy party decorations too. Last year, it was the chinese lantern. Weddings had them, anniversaries had them, parties for one-year-olds with helicopter mommies had them. But 2010 is the year of the pom-pom. They're everywhere, hovering over baby showers like so many miracle-grow fed cherry blossoms, or turning up at weddings, dangling off pews like over-sized coconut balls. But they're popular for good reason:  inexpensive, adaptable, and they come in every size! What could be better? Here's your inspiration -

             

Want to learn how to make your own? It's easy! Visit HERE.

P.S. TODAY is the last day for THE HOUSE IN MY HEAD book give-away! Click HERE to enter!

{Images: gift: http://hellosandwich.blogspot.com/2009/03/wrapping.html. On sticks: http://media.photobucket.com/image/tissue%20pom%20poms/ljprincess/Picture232.jpg. white: http://sarahlambersky.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/tissue-paper-pom-poms/. black and white tree: http://heavenlybloomsflorist.blogspot.com/2010/01/kates-minnie-mouse-birthday-party.html. polka dot: http://www.weloveindie.com/topic/listview/15/for-the-home/page/106.html. Green: http://greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/2009/05/fun-tissue-pom-poms.html. hung on chandelier: http://aubreyroad.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html. black and gray: http://designismine.blogspot.com/2008/10/martha-stewart-halloween-pom-poms.html. In trees: http://pinkbyecho.wordpress.com/2008/08/. With chinese lantersn: http://chekdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/07/lanterns-and-pom-poms.html. Around napkin: http://the6chicks.com/2009/07/10/inspirational-boardflamenco-pink-yellow. mini ones: http://www.favorsandflowers.com/martha-stewart-wedding-favors.htm.}

EMERSONMADE ME HAPPY

One of my favorite little companies that could, Emersonmade, makes charming fabric florals - brooches, hair accessories, bridal bouquets, boutonnières, and shoe clips. I adore wearing floral brooches, and their packaging is so much fun. I couldn't resist taking a few snaps when I opened a box of small flower pins in February (meant to share this earlier. Ooops).

More from Emersonmade....

What about you? Do you like to wear flower brooches, or are jewelry ones your thing?

Credits:  final five photos, Emersonmade.

Wear That Flower!

OK - Christmas decor break! I'm pining for a little fashion, and just in time to satisfy my smallest whims (most of which, tragically, go unnoticed) I found Emersonmade. And I am in love! Emersonmade handcrafts exquisite fabric flower accessories such as brooches, belts, buttonholes, and some home decor - even for guys. And everyone looks fly!

One of the most delightful things about perusing this little store was not just the (gorgeous) flowers and (darling) photography and (quirky) humor, but the wonderfully inventive way that the flowers are worn. No color is too bold and no pattern unmatchable!

These would make a great holiday gift for the woman, man, girl, or mouse (see the blog) in your life. Enjoy!

All images, Emersonmade.

Americana All Year Round

The Fourth of July is always a bright, fun-filled holiday, heavy with color. But for some homes, a more subtle approach can be very attractive, and a patriotic theme can work longer than a few days a year. The new Americana collection at Wisteria reminded me of some of my favorite patriotic decorations.

This regimental drum basket from Wisteria would look wonderful 

filled with a bouquet of flags or festive flowers, such as red tulips.

Folk art and traditional American symbols are a subtle way to bring a patriotic touch to the home.

You can use traditional wooden game boards as trays or table decoration as well.

Or, find something you enjoy that reflects a famous American home, such as a mirror reminiscent of the White House.

Products: Wisteria. Sketches: the White House. Table: http://www.table-settings-with-pictures.com. 

Sophie Dahy Designs

Aren't these beautiful? I can almost smell the lilies, the roses, a touch of gardenia... except, they're not real! Sophie Dahy Designs creates gorgeous faux flower arrangements for the home. Now, I know "silk flowers" is about the only phrase in the English language where silk = bad (Try it other ways: silk pajamas. Silk draperies. Silk gown. Silk lining. Silk ribbons. See what I mean?)

BUT, in our current economy, many folks are eschewing fresh flowers and turning to other, cheaper, options.  A cheery, realistic little bunch of flowers in a pretty vase may be perfect to bring needed brightness to a corner of your home. 

The Memorialized

One of the stranger cultural shifts I experienced when I lived up North was the observance, or lack thereof, on Memorial Day. In many areas down South, Memorial Day is much more than bar-b-que and burgers; it's an encounter with personal history. Faithful family members visit the graves of ancestors from conflicts past - literally, their memorials - and decorate them with flowers and flags in a very public expression of acknowledgement and gratitude. 

I would encourage you this Memorial Day to make an effort to do likewise - even if the graveyard holds strangers, you are heir to their sacrifice.  Don't ask that a low-flying flag or official proclamation recognize the day on your behalf.   Go and give thanks. 

A  S.P.A.R. uniform, WWII.

Picture, Jackson Library, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.