I found some fab flowers on clearance at Kroger this past weekend.   I bought both white and red tulips and as you may have seen on Facebook, a small bunch of hyacinth.  I wish you could smell the hyacinth – it’s wonderful!

While I don’t think you can go wrong with flowers alone as a gift, this time I cut and arranged the white tulips in a pink vase and used them as part of a gift basket for an expectant first time mom.

I already had the vase and the basket but if you don’t already have those items on hand they are quite plentiful and really inexpensive at thrift stores.   Besides the bouquet of flowers, I added in a few treats:   tea, dark chocolate almonds, sparkling water, a candle (the Citrus Ginger scent by Caldrea is so lovely!), and Burt’s Bees Belly Butter.  Although it’s not pictured, I also included a book for the parents to read to baby.

This was my first time putting together a basket like this and I want to make more.  It is fun to find and build a container of treats you know someone likes.  It feels more tailored and personalized and it was pretty easy to do!

Have you created gift baskets? Or added any fresh flowers for spring?
-J

For once, my monthly flower fix didn’t come from the grocery store.  Several plants were on sale at Lowes last week so I picked up two tulip deck planters for $5/each.  You may recall, I‘ve bought red tulip bouquets before, but these were a little different from the bunches in the past.   I love how these red blooms have white edges.   It just makes them seem even more dramatic and fabulous.

Instead of keeping them indoors,  I planted them outside in pots.   They are a welcoming, instant pick me up for the front door.    This is such a simple way to spruce up your front entry – add a little dramatic color!

How have you welcomed spring?   Any fresh blooms around the house yet?
-J