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The Meaning of Flowers: What Does That Bouquet Say?

Filed under: Decor, Green

We use flowers to say so many things, from "I love you" to "I'm sorry" and everything in between. Humans have been using flowers to express and punctuate feelings since the dawn of time and so over the eons certain flowers have come to symbolize certain things. The meanings of flowers can vary based on culture, context, and occasion but here are some popular blooms and their most commonly associated messages.

Roses
The Romans and Greeks both associated roses with goddesses of love (Aphrodite and Venus) and although roses today are most often used to express romance and passion they can have other meanings as well.

Red -- Love, Passion

Yellow -- Friendship, Jealousy

White -- Humility, Innocence, Purity

Pink -- Gratitude, Admiration, Happiness

Dark Crimson -- Mourning

Betsey Johnson Harley Heels

Filed under: Shoes

Betsey Johnson's style is unique, edgy and unexpected to say the least. So its a little surprising to see how tame the Harley Sandals are. They feature a funky mix of dark and light floral prints and a cork heel which will add some extra padding and comfort. The skinny ankle strap and dainty bow at the toe instantly adds a flirty and feminine feel to any spring dress. Price: $175.

Mount Street Bag, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags


There is certainly no shortage of either color or femininity in this Mount Street Bag by Christian Louboutin! Bright fuschia petals cover practically every visible surface for a fun, flouncy effect that's the perfect burst of flirt for any occasion. Of course it features Louboutin's signature red as a lining and his signature shoe clasp fastening on the top, plus a delicate silver bead handle and a single interior compartment.

I think the pink is great but would love to see it in other colors too. $1,495

Carlos Falchi Floral Poof Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

Here's a great feminine, flirty neutral tote from Carolos Falchi. The Floral Poof Tote is made of beige python leather accented with a big "bouquet" of brown, beige, silver, and white flower appliques which make this otherwise plain bag a real outfit accessory as opposed to just a purse. The top cinches loosely for a casual (and dare we say "poofy?") vibe, with visible side knots, stiff loopy handles, and a flat bottom so you can sit it down without worrying about tipping or spilling. $2,965

Isabella Fiore Russian to Woodstock Hannah Satchel, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

Isabella Fiore Russian to Woodstock Hannah SatchelThe Isabella Fiore Russian to Woodstock Hannah Satchel has wooden handles and exquisite floral embroidery. The shamelessly springy feel of the bag is only enhanced by its vintage look.

This satchel's shape is a classic made modern by interior zippers and a cell phone pocket. The bag is made from soft, buttery lambskin, and features a magnetic closure at the top. Its generous 17"W x 9.75"H x 3"D size makes it bolder -- it's not just floral, it's a lot of floral.

For this and other reasons, we recommend keeping it casual with this bag -- wooden details are almost always a great match with denim. Wear what you would've worn to Woodstock (or what you did wear) with this satchel.

The Isabella Fiore Russian to Woodstock Hannah Satchel is available from Bloomingdales for $595.

YSL Mombasa Collector, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags


The Mombasa Collector bag from Yves Saint Laurent is all about the bright florals mixed with a certain old fashioned vibe. Canvas with bold and colorful embroidery lend it a casual feminine feeling, and then the handle made of deer horn adds something else altogether that I can't quite put my finger on. It's a shoulder bag that's tall and thin (10" high but only 1.5" wide) so you better like digging as things might be a little hard to find if you like to tote a lot of stuff. I think this is one that could easily be in style for more than just a summer or two. $1795

Coach Bleecker Leather Tooled Floral Large Duffle, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags


I warned everybody before that I was suddenly feeling springy and all about the florals, and today is no exception with the Coach Bleecker Leather Tooled Floral Large Duffle. It's got a classic feminine duffle shape but with an updated design of whimsical flowers that have a variety of different little designs in each petal (notice the Coach signature C!). It's neutral, which is always great, without coming off as plain, which is also great. Big enough to carry all your day-to-day essentials, I call this bag a spring must have. $798

Iannone Graphic Armoire

Filed under: Decor, Green

Michael Iannone's eco-friendly furniture makes use of reclaimed materials and simple modern design. The doors on this stunning armoire are made from Kirie, an engineered product constructed from reclaimed stalks of the Sorghum plant. The stalks are joined together using formaldehyde-free adhesive, creating a strong yet lightweight environmentally friendly substitute for wood.

The striking floral pattern is achieved with an overlay of gloss white laminate that is GREENGUARD certified. The cabinet itself is constructed from birch plywood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, ensuring that it comes from well-managed, sustainable forests.

Inside this gorgeous armoire are three adjustable shelves and two dovetailed drawers. The piece measures 70" high by 40" wide by 22" deep. In the hands of Iannone, green is beautiful. $3995.

Paul Smith Story

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

I love the bottle for the Paul Smith scent, Paul Smith Story. Shaped like a book, the bottle can stand upright or lie down flat. The vial is made of thick glass that "allow[s] the green glow of old apothecary bottles to shine through," giving it not only a distinctive look, but a sturdy feel. The idea behind the name is that they layered scent builds as you are exposed to it, starting with notes of grapefruit and bergamot, before progressing to jasmine and other florals. It is both romantic and provocative, a scent suitable for wearing both during the day and when going out. Price: £24.

Isabella Fiore Embroidered Floral Satchel, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

Isabella Fiore went bold - very bold - with her collection of handbags for the fall. Instead of sticking with staid blacks, browns and earth tones, she used vibrant colors and prints to add interest to the pieces and make them stand out. The Embroidered Floral Satchel has a design that almost looks like a bouquet of flowers set in embossed brown leather. An elegant top handle, secured with gold rings, and a flap closure top off this bag. Think of it as carrying around a bit of spring throughout the darker days fall and winter, not to mention that the colors actually make the bag work for summer evenings, adding to its versatility. Price: $425.

Kate Spade Palma Jocelyn, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

The Palma Jocelyn Clutch from Kate Spade is unique - and not just because of the unusually bright choice of fabric. The clutch has a fold-over design with a smooth leather handle accented by Spade's signature gold studs. The opening of the clutch is secured with a zipper, making it quite secure, and it could even be carried as a small handbag instead of solely used as a clutch. Getting back to the print, the cotton-twill fabric has a tropics-inspired color scheme that really makes a big statement for a relatively small, slim bag (7 x 11-in). Price: $165.

Miu Miu Peony Wedges

Filed under: Shoes

Another fun summer shoe, Miu Miu's Peony Wedges are similar in concept to the Coach Mattie Wedges. Just like the Coach pair, these wedges have a floral pattern to add interest to their 5-inch platform heels, though the earthy tones of the peonies are considerably more demure than the bright blooms of the other pair. The soft tan-colored leather straps will hold the sandals securely in place during all summer activities, and they fasten with a gold buckle. Price: $395.

 

 

Coach Mattie Wedge Sandal

Filed under: Apparel

These ultra-summery Mattie Wedge Sandals are just waiting to go to the beach or strut down the boardwalk. I love how Coach used an applique technique to print fun, seasonal images on the sides of these, and the straw heel gives them just the right look for casual, daytime wear. The 4 1/2-inch high heel is not too high, considering what skyscrapers some of this season's shoes are, and the platform base adds plenty of stability. The cutest thing about them is the bee detailing on the leather thong. Pick up the matching wristlet to put the look together. Price: $158.

Dior Large Wicker Bag

Filed under: Handbags

The Large Wicker Bag is one of the must-have bags for spring. This sweet, woven bag from Dior is made of natural wicker and adorned with colorful raffia flowers. The natural fibers give it a casual edge, while the soft pink leather straps and Dior-detailing, including a fully-lined interior and Dior-engraved silver metal studs, make it luxurious. It is great for pairing with a white spring sundress during the day, or just for accessorizing jeans. Price: $995.

Using the Fragrance Finder

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

After finding a forgotten bottle of body spray in the bottom of a long-unused suitcase, I popped open the lid to check out the scent. Not only did it bring back memories of the the beach, the harbor and good friends - it was from a trip to Sydney - but it smelled wonderful. It was fresh and flowery, with definite fruity overtones. Very feminine and very springy.

I'll be the first to admit that this bottle of Evoke Surf Chic body spray was a drugstore purchase, probably bought out of necessity at the time, but I was glad to have found it. The problem was that I didn't know how to get more. A brief search turned up no sites that would ship overseas to the US, though the company still makes it. I wrote down all the fragrance notes and, in the hope of finding something similar, I turned to Sephora's Fragrance Finder.

Floral was my first selection, followed by floral, again. Looking at the options on the very first page, I was completely astounded to find that Yves St Laurent's Baby Doll perfume contains the exact same fragrance notes. I drove out to the nearest Sephora to compare the scents and, except for the slightly more alcoholic note of the perfume, it was nearly identical. Twenty minutes later, I was home and reliving the memories of a great trip via my new perfume. Price, 1.6-oz.: $54.

 

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