The Truth about Keeping Cut Tulips

Thursday, January 19, 2012

It is tulip season! Of course we haven't seen them poke their heads up from the cold, frozen earth yet, but hot house tulips and Dutch tulips are now available. Yay! There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding tulips and their care. I am here to set you straight.
Home remedies abound for keeping cut tulips fresh longer in the vase. Add pennies, they say, or aspirin, bleach or a dilution of 7-UP! This is all really false information and based on old "wives tales". The Dutch experts say that the best thing for tulips is clean, fresh cold water in a clean bacteria free vase. Are you really going to argue with the Dutch about tulips? Think of all the bacteria and grime on a penny....would you put that in your mouth? No, I didn't think so. Tulips don't want pennies where they drink either. Sure, you may have seen some instant perking up of your tulips with the addition of these remedies but in the long run and for the longevity of your cut tulips it is detrimental. Science has proven it. It's true.
Did you know tulips keep growing after they have been cut? That tulips take water in from their whole stem? So only give them a little cold, fresh water at the bottom of their vase and re-cut their stems every few days to help prevent them from drooping; eventually, nothing will stop tulips from drooping as they get older. Tulips do not like preservative solution (those little packets of powder you get from the flower shop). They are one of the few flower types that do not.
There! Now you know the real truth about keeping cut tulips. Please go fish those pennies out of your tulip vases.....and save them instead for a worthy charitable organization, or more cut fresh tulips :)

Labels: cut tulips, flower care, fresh flowers, keeping tulips, spring flowers

posted by Bella Fiore @ 12:10 PM

Photography Love

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

I LOVE photography. Let me rephrase that, I love good photography. I love photography almost as much as I love floral design or cheesecake. Uh huh. It's true. To say I am passionate about photography is an understatement. I am not a photographer. I do play with my camera, but by no means am I an expert. I do believe I have a good eye though, and can spot a good photograph when I see it. In my profession as a floral designer who specializes in weddings and events, I see a lot of engagement and wedding shoots. I also use photography as an inspiration for my own work, so I am constantly looking at photographs whether they be fashion, editorial, or wedding related.

I want to plainly state that I do not know personally the photographer of this image. I have never met him, nor worked with him. I also want to plainly state I do not know this couple. I have never met them. I did not design the flowers for their wedding. I do not receive any sort of monetary or other type of compensation for loving this photo. I just love it and that is all.

Recently, I was perusing some engagement photographs in an online contest that a bridal magazine was holding. There were many, many images, and as I was clicking through them I was .... "ho hum".... Don't get me wrong, there were some "nice" images there, but nothing got me excited, it was pretty much all the same old stuff except for a few exceptions. Then BOOM. I clicked on this photo by Brian Van Wyk. "Yesssssss!!!" I said. Then I clicked "Like". Then I instantly went to his website link. That is when angels starting singing, because I learned that he was a young photographer living in my hometown of Victoria, B.C.!!! I am delighted to show love to someone local and who is so young. I cannot wait to see how he evolves as a photographer, but most of all, I want to say, " Congratulations Brian!! You won the contest! I knew you would!!"

I love this photo because it is authentic. It instantly gives you an impression. You believe this photo. You believe that this couple would walk arm and arm topless down a remote beach. Sure, they are a beautiful couple, but they are natural. No perfectly applied make-up and hair, no Armani suit. Just them. Authentic.

I love that this photo is a piece of art. Iconographic. It's the kind of picture the couple would perhaps put up on their living room or bedroom wall, blown up, poster size, in a black matte frame, and people would admire it, and then exclaim, " Wait. That's you!!!" When they are old, and are grandparents, I imagine their teen-aged grandchildren saying, " Look at how hot Grandma and Grandpa were!!" or the little ones giggling, " They aren't wearing any shirts!" But every one of their children, or grandchildren will want a copy of this picture because it is iconographic. ( I hope they don't hate me, for I am making them have children, and so soon!!)

I love that in this photo they are not afraid to show their sensuality. This couple fits together. One of my pet peeves in staged shoots is that models are chosen that do not look like they belong together, on this planet or any other....absolutely, no chemistry....ill fitted, poorly cast. Ick. I blame my theater background for my complete intolerance of this. Nothing drives me more nuts, well, except maybe having the subject pour something out of a bottle in a photograph and there is nothing in the bottle!!! I am details driven. I admit it. Please forgive me. I am not meaning to offend anyone, but to inform.

I realize that not all couples are going to feel comfortable removing their shirts for a photographer, or rolling around in the waves. I understand. I believe it is the role of the photographer to find out what the " essence" is of each client, and portray their own individual story through images. It is my belief that this is what makes art, as opposed to putting out the same sorts of images that everyone else is doing. I believe it is the photographers job, as it is the floral designers job, or any creative professional to find your own unique style within your chosen art form and make it shine.

I love this photo because it shines.

Thank-you Brian for allowing me to share this image and comment on it....especially, when you had no idea what I was going to say! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Keep on shining!

Labels: B.C., beach weddings, Brian Van Wyk Photography, bridal magazines, engagement photography, Floral Design, Photography Victoria, wedding photography, wedding photograpy Victoria

posted by Bella Fiore @ 1:58 AM

Sabrina and Kristian

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Meet the beautiful bride Sabrina. She is originally from Argentina.
The close up detail of her bouquet with cream roses, wired fuchsia dendrobium and blush cymbidium orchids, and stephanotis with pearl inserts. Ultra feminine and romantic.
So beautiful.
The beautiful chapel at St. Anne's Academy.
The lovely orchid and rose pew dressing.
Here we go!
About to exchange vows....
Ta da!
Isn't she lovely?
The boys.
Orchids and roses for boutonnieres.
The ladies carried roses and orchids.
So cute!

The wedding party.
Close up detail of the centerpieces. I loved the pale pink mums because the colour was so delicate and soft.
Dressing up the reception tables.
All dressed.
Sabrina and Kristian married! I would like to than Trish Glab for sharing her photos of the day with me.
Congratulations Sabrina and Kristian! Thank- you so much for choosing Bella Fiore as your wedding floral designer. I wish you both a lifetime of joy and happiness together!

Labels: church flowers, cream roses, orchids, reception flowers, Saint Anne's Academy weddings, Saint Anne's Chapel, wedding bouquets, weddings in Victoria British Columbia

posted by Bella Fiore @ 4:10 PM