Episode 212- Flowers to Wear and Share

Host J Schwanke shows you that you don’t need to wait for that fancy event—there are many simple ways to make, wear, and share flowers. Wearing a flower improves your mood—and it’s easy to do with items you already have on hand in your home and garden.Flowers to Wear and ShareThere is nothing quite like wearing a flower... I grew up in a florist family so wearing flowers was tradition- as well as part of our daily PR for being florists... it started with my Grandpa Carnation Joe Green- so named because he always wore a Red Carnation every single day... it started in high school for him- and he kept it up his entire life... my Dad kept the tradition alive- wearing a Red Carnation every day himself- that is why the Red Carnation is part of my history, collectibles and lifestyle... there was always a glass at the kitchen sink with a Red Carnation sitting in it... at my Mom's House and my Grandma's House... and today I keep that Flower at the sink as a reminder of my history and a living symbol of my love for flowers!Today on Life in Bloom- I'll be sharing my favorite ways to Wear and Share flowers... let's get started!How to make a Boutonniere - History of the BoutonniereThe Carnation Boutonniere is truly my family history- but it goes much deeper than that... The French invented the button hole- while it was technically- a way to shut the front of the waistcoat- on a blustery day- it soon became part of fashion and remains a part of most formal wear and suit coats. Typically the button hole is sewn into the lapel- but it's not open- so you do have go with a sharp utensil (I use a knife) like a razor blade or delicate scissors to actually create the opening... then you are able to place flowers directly through the button hole...My Dad- had a collection of sports coats- (he loved ultra-suede and had on in almost every color- JUST NO BLUE- my Dad hated the color blue for some reason... ) each coat had a button hole and he would  slip that red carnation into the button hole every day. The button holes were all stretched out... but they were his coats- and he loved wearing his Red Carnation- there are no pictures of him without it...In this segment- I also show how to pin a boutonniere on your sports coat- for many this seems a tricky process- but when you know the secret- its actually quite simple and easy. You simply place the flower/bout on the lapel where you want it to be worn- and turn the lapel over- and run a boutonniere pin through from the back- from one side to the lapel to the other- grasping the bout on the other side... watch the video here... it's harder to describe- but once you see it... you'll see how simple it is!Since I'm a 4th generation florist- I demonstrate how we would create a wired and taped Carnation Boutonniere- many professional florists- support the stems of the flowers with wire- and then add flower tape- a specialty tape that is coated with wax- when it's stretched it adheres to itself- and it was the preferred mechanic for creating flowers to wear and even bridal bouquets for many decades.Today it's much more popular to gather a boutonniere - with a few flowers and secure it in place with a decorative wire and pin it to the lapel. The Tradition of the boutonniere came about- from a bride selecting a few tiny blooms from her bridal bouquet and slipping them into the button hole of the grooms formal jacket... so the boutonniere was actually created by the bride- and placed on the groom before they went down the aisle... interesting fact.There are other historical notations- including the superstition that the boutonniere would ward off disease, evil spirits or the tradition- to overcome unpleasant odors... more interesting history!For many years- during the Glory Days of Hollywood- gentlemen always wore boutonnieres- and folks like Cary Grant - perfered a White Carnation- or Red Carnation- depending on the event, time of day or occasion.Vessels you can wearMy wonderful friend and mentor- Richard Seaboldt- left me his collection of Sterling Flower Vessels- these little vases- actually have a locking pin on the back (Like a brooch) and you can pin the vase to your lapel- (or women can pin to their dress, scarf or hat)... you fill the vase with water- and then add flowers. This simple Victorian tradition is wonderful- and I love sharing this little delicate collection with you... it would make Richard very proud to see his Wearable Flower Vases on National Television.Foliage CrownFlower Crowns have become a tradition for "Life in Bloom" and I make them at all my Live Events- it's become a little 'trademark' for me- and I also enjoy teaching "Flower Crown" classes - I've done these for 100's of people all across the USA... my favorite remark was a woman that sent me text- saying that she was a little down and decided to have a Flower Crown Day... she made a Flower Crown -out of flowers from her garden- and then sent me picture of her- Walking her dog- with the flower crown on... reading the paper- with the flower crown- washing the dishes with her flower crown- and even mowing the lawn- on her riding lawn mower with the flower crown. That's Definitely a way to lift your spirits- and have some flower fun!In this episode- I show how to create a FOLIAGE Crown- very same concept- only I used Foliage from the garden to create the crown. I selected the following foliage from my garden:Snowball Viburnum, Mock Orange, Blue African Basil, Nine Bark, Crocosmia Pods, Hosta Leaves and Forget Me Not Foliage...The process is simple and involves Aluminum Wire and Craft Covered Bind wire- I show you how to do it step by step in this segment of the show- watch Episode 212 - Flowers to Wear and Share here!Recipe in Bloom- Cream Cheese and Chive Sandwiches with Edible FlowersThis is a wonderful way to include Flowers in your Hors d' oeurves - and these edible pansies are colorful and delicious!Flower Cocktail Hour- The Aviation Gin CocktailThis classic cocktail includes a Flower Infused Gin- and Creme de Violette- to create this truly Lavender-colored martini coctail!Flower Crafts- with Angela Cunningham- Creating Flower Rings, Bracelets and MoreMy friend and Newscaster Angela Cunningham joins me in the studio to create flowers to wear- that are not your basic corsage or boutonniere- You can learn more about my friend Angela Cunningham here.  As Angela so eloquently suggests - "flowers make her feel pretty"- at the same time Angela concluded the flowers gave her Confidence... made her Stand Taller- and Walk with a different step"... that's great motivation to include wearable flowers in our lives.Of course there are health and wellness benefits to including flowers in our lives- and wearing them- allows us to bring those health and wellness benefits 'on the road'... My Grandpa Carnation Joe- knew that flowers made him feel special - and that it also added to his well being- and confidence.Go BEHIND the BLOOM with Angela and J- making Flowers to Wear- HERE in this exclusive Video!Angela and I show how easy it is to create flowers to wear- using Aluminum wire- (the same wire I used for the Foliage Crown) Today - jewelry crafting is popular- and you can purchase simple jewelry making tools at the craft store- along with decorative wire- to create bracelets, necklaces and other flower fashion jewelry- Angela and I touch on a few ideas in this segment- (Honestly- we had so much fun- that there will be a "BEHIND THE BLOOM- with Angela and more Flowers to wear- coming soon - to the website)...I loved Angela's observation and connection to the Great Billie Holiday - and Gardenias- (*one of my favorite flowers)... and I couldn't resist having Gardenias for one of the projects- and simply tying the Gardenia (or two) to a simple headband- for Angela to wear... there's nothing like the fragrance of Gardenias... and love how Wonderful she looked with the Gardenia in her beautiful hair.Of course I continue with my "Life in Bloom" Tradition of a Flower Crown for my Special Guest- and Angela wore it well- it's always wonderful to see how placing a flower on someones' head- creates an amazing smile and shares the love! Watch this "Flowers To Wear" segment with my Wonderful Friend Angela Cunningham in Episode 212 - right here now!Featured Flower- Mokara OrchidThe featured flower this week is the Mokara Orchid. The Mokara orchids is a genetically modified orchid that does not appear naturally in nature. The Mokara Orchid was introduced by hybrid experts in 1969 in Singapore. The Mokara orchid bloom is starfish shaped with 5 petals surrounding the center of the flower. Typically the flower blooms atop a stem from the top of the plant... rather than the base. The bloom stem is covered with 7-15 blooms.The Mokara orchid is hardy and a good orchid plant for the beginner. The Mokara Orchid (like other orchids) is an Epiphyte - meaning that it clings to other plants for support in growing- however it is not parasitic- meaning that the Mokara simply lives upon other plants- and does not draw nutrients or nutrition way from the 'host' plant.Flower Tip: Gluing a Corsage- with Garden FlowersThis simple flower craft- teaches you how to create a Corsage from flowers you have in the garden- using a bow as the base- and gluing the flowers into place with rubber cement- this is a simple craft that is fast and easy- and provides wonderful results.I hope that you enjoy this Episode of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom"- that shares the joy of Flowers- and that you'll be inspired to wear a flower or share one with a friend...