News

It's been about 9 years (woah!)  since I first blogged about floral foam and I'm still foam free.  I shared an old msds sheet for a popular brand of regular foam online so folks could see what was in it.  I even made some suggestions for more transparency, better alternatives.

Have companies offered alternatives in response? There are the new plastic cages from Holly Chapple that allow you to design foam free. But still, it's plastic. Would love to have seen a reusable metal version. There is also a biodegradable foam from a major brand that is said to biodegrade in under two years in a biologically active landfills.  But I have not heard anything about the msds cautions or if the formaldehyde and other toxins and carcinogens are still in this new formula. But, there is still plenty of metal chicken wire, and that is still what I depend on the most.

Florists all over the world are noticing that we don't need to depend so heavily on plastics and foam, and there seems to be more movement in this generation to go back to old methods of floral design without plastics. (I for one try to never use plastic vessels)  There is even an instagram movement to share foam free designs and to get more information about floral foam's effect on the environment and oceans on a molecular level. 

Let's continue to fuel this movement toward a healthier floral industry, including florists and the planet we live on.

Nothing quite like the drama of a black velvet backdrop to make your flowers float in luxury. This one's called the Muted Beauty.

From our daily offerings for bike delivery.

Apart from our usual daily offerings for local bike delivered flowers and gifts, we create designs special events and weddings.  Here are a few designs from a special event that required vivid florals and a genuine feel of Mexican art and culture.  I gathered some beautiful vases from an artist in Baja Mexico, and tried to translate my own experience of Mexican art and culture into the designs.  I think they came out well.

G&G

I love this vase.  It's ceramic, and reminiscent of a pickle jar.  So meet: The Fancy Pickle Jar arrangement by Gorgeous and Green. The wide mouth allows for a full and playful design that spreads wider than our other arrangements, and it still is floral foam free! We use some tape mechanics to help keep the stems of foliage and blooms in place.

Available for local delivery to Berkeley, Oakland and Emeryville (by bike if available) 

Order online!

Last year we helped create a photo tutorial with Cheers Babe for Molly My's online magazine.  Here's the step by step of the door swag, beautifully photographed for your enjoyment:

Some materials to have: clippers, wire snips, scissors, tape, wires

lineup your foliage stems in a bouquet shape

Tie with wire, and add in layers of textures and blooms

Add in blooms that are dried or will dry well

Tie with wire along the way, to make sure each layer is nice and solid

Wrap with ribbons

cut stems to the same length for a clean look

Hang in the middle of your door.

Enjoy!  G&G

Blog by Pilar Zuniga, owner of Gorgeous and Green,  a sustainable florist and online boutique featuring gifts and florals for local bike delivery to Berkeley, Oakland and Emeryville.  Pilar specializes in using locally grown and sustainably grown flowers, foliage and greens in floral designs for small and large weddings, corporate and other events, restaurants, offices as well as gift and home use. The Gorgeous and Green online store includes an array of local and sustainable gifts, recycled jewelry, paper free cards and local grown and or organic flowers when available.

This past season we had the pleasure of working with Alexa and Aran for a wedding at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden.

Originally, she was just going to order some floral designs for the wedding parts, bouquets and boutonnieres and such. And she actually submitted an order via our online store for small event orders.  But as time went on, she ordered a little more and a little more, and we ended up doing all the florals for the event.

We were so lucky to work with an amazing team including the Photographer, From the Daisies , the Caterer, Trumpetvine Catering and the Wedding Planner, One Fine Day SF.  We also were lucky to have the whole event shared up on the June Bug Weddings Blog earlier this season.

Here are a few snapshots from the gorgeous moody and oh so romantic florals, decor and feel of that day.

The Bridesmaids looking adorable in the Berkeley Rose Garden. Photo by From the Daisies.

The Beautiful and simple archway created by the couple, adorned with a burst of burgundy blooms and foliage by G&G. Photo by From the Daisies.

The Gorgeous Redwoods in the grove. Photo by From the Daisies.

A lovely moment during the ceremony at the Grove. Photo by From the Daisies.

Wedding Party goals: Beautiful people and flowers in blush and burgundy hues. Photo by From the Daisies.

The outdoor patio at the reception adorned with tables and florals by G&G. Photo by From the Daisies.

A closeup of the natural and romantic florals by G&G. Photo by From the Daisies.

An intimate moment in the Rose garden. Photo by From the Daisies.

Roses all around the love. Photo by From the Daisies.