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Pretty! Easy! Garnish, decorate & accessorize with flowers!

Whew!! We just made it through another holiday season and everything’s coming up roses! I’m sure I’m mixing up my seasons (and expressions)… but who cares? We have flowers on the brain this week so I thought I’d remind you there’s more to November, December and January than fall foliage, poinsettias and mistletoe. We’re lucky enough to be able to get fresh flowers year-round, so why not make use of them as often as you can? If you live in Southern California like I do, your garden probably still thinks that it’s summer so you might even find some lovely blooms right outside your door. (Or your neighbor’s door. Not that you’d ever help yourself to your neighbor’s flowers. That would be un-neighborly.)

These fresh flowers are bloomin’ beautiful!

I especially love to use edible flowers at the bar or incorporated into the menu: float them in a drink, garnish a dessert, add them to a salad. All are such simple ways to make the presentation pretty and colorful. Just please, please, pretty please do your homework and make sure the flowers you use are edible! For example, do not, I repeat DO NOT be tempted to plop an oleander sprig into anything! Talk about being un-neighborly. Luckily, you should be able to find plenty of fresh flowers that complement your food and drinks without sending anyone to the hospital. If flowers are in short supply right before your event, you can always use some herbs for a similar effect. They’ll add less color, but more flavor, and will look just as fresh and pretty.

Where to find The Party Goddess! ideas galore?

If you’ve been one of my loyal blog followers, you know that we publish these image roundups weekly. We feature a particular event for a particular client so you can go deep on the particular theme. If you know what’s up, skip this part. New visitors, take a look below…

In case you missed it, here’s what we’re doing, mentioned in the first blog. (And if you already know what’s going on, skip to the first photo!) Every day we’re posting event photos & inspiration to my Instagram page to give you ideas for your own events. And, of course, to encourage you to hire yours truly, one of the top wedding planners in Los Angeles, for your next soirée! In terms of format, we’re trying to capitalize on the whole hashtag calendar world and take advantage of #WeddingWednesday (#WW) and #ThrowbackThursday (#TBT) by posting wedding photos and cool stuff we’ve done on Wednesdays and on Thursdays, harkening back to a past client’s event, be it a celebrity, or just one of us tastemakers.

Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Monday:

Roses & rosé! Sounds like a dreamy Valentine’s Day girls’ night out “event” at the local wine bar when none of you have dates. But actually, it’s what you should do at your next party if you have a few extra flowers. Put them in the ice bucket and voilà! So pretty!

How To Up The Pretty Factor With Fresh Flowers! | The Party Goddess! — Love this? Pin it to your Pinterest Events Board.

Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Tuesday:

A single stem flower: the simplest, classiest party favor — even if it’s not the kind of party that calls for favors. Your guests can take them home to enjoy. Or if they’re feeling especially festive and dapper, you may even see flowers on some gentlemen’s lapels (LOVE when a man wears a flower!) later in the evening.

Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Wednesday:

The perks of having wallflowers! I just love these threaded flowers. They’re like door beads, only with flowers, which would make them door flowers. Or wallflowers, depending where you hang them. They make a great backdrop for photos. Or hang them so people can stand behind them. Either way, super pretty. Happy #WeddingWednesday!

Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Thursday:

Bartender, there’s a flower in my drink. Nice! Upgrade your home cocktail aesthetic to professional level with the simple addition of a fresh flower. Served in a cool glass with a fancy ice cube (if called for) and you’re ready for the big leagues of bartending! #TBT

Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Friday:

Petal pusher! Easiest way to pretty up a homestyle dessert like cinnamon buns? Sprinkle with some rose petals and a few sprigs of something green! These might not even be homemade, but who’s gonna notice? #TGIF

Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Saturday:

Bride, bridesmaid, party guest… a flower in one’s hair is always beautiful. It’s perfectly feminine, a little bit of a throwback detail that I wish we’d see more of! Maybe if you put one at each place setting (see Tuesday’s post), this look — and the boutonnière — would make a comeback!

Event Photos and Inspiration – Plus, tell me what else you want to see on the blog!

So, what do you think of these simple ways to use fresh flowers to kick things up a notch? Which is your fave? Let me know in the comments below!

And because we love that you love parties, we’re giving this away for FREE! It’s our Super Secret Party Tips Guide that has tons of useful tips for fetes of every shape and size. Check it out!

xoxo M

P.S. Of course we’ve got more info on what to do with fresh flowers! Check out: Make A Scene With…Flowers?, 4 Easy Steps To Creating A Hanging Centerpiece! and Making Your Cut Flowers Last. You can find more interesting blogs and images on our website, or just contact us to book your next event! And if you like this blog, would you be so kind as to share it with a friend?