A few days ago in Los Angeles, I went with my daughter, Alexandra to look at Autumn arrangements with dried flowers and leaves. She had a gift certificate that my sister had given her. We took along the wooden vase that used to be mine (I love that she uses my hand-me-downs). This gave me some inspiration to make my own for gifts and I hope it will for you, too.
It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy and this week it’s about the things we did with Alexandra and her little family!
Autumn Arrangements With Dried Flowers And Leaves
We had fun perusing the preserved flower arrangements at Gilly Flowers. They are perfect for Fall and they last!
Alexandra selected an unusual bouquet and added a few stems of red leaves for color.
Here is the bouquet at home…
Shop Ready-Made Autumn Arrangements With Dried Flowers
Making Your Own Preserved Floral Arrangements
Yesterday, I decided I wanted to make my own arrangements for gifts. So, first I walked around our neighborhood looking for fall leaves but all we have are twigs, branches and dead palm fronds left behind from Hurricane Milton.
So, off I went to Michaels for the dried florals.
(Target didn’t have any in the store, but they do have these florals online). I was able to purchase a new green vase and another terracotta vase. I also wanted to use the vintage pitcher that I bought on vacation for my own arrangement.
And here is one for Mercedes as a hostess gift and one for Mona, our son’s fiancée.
Try making some arrangements of your own! When Mona saw hers, she said that she was going to make some arrangements for gifts for her friends. And that these would be good for a boho themed wedding or shower.
You may also like How To Have The Best Baby Girl Vintage Shower where we did something similar but with fresh flowers.
Shopping In Los Angeles Outfit
This is in front of Gilly Flowers and I sort of blend with the facade!
I am wearing a cotton shirtdress (comes in navy too) and Gazelle Adidas. You can’t see the quilted Italian leather crossbody purse that I have on my shoulder.
My Birthday Sheet Pan Dinner In Our Daughter’s Home
While in Los Angeles, Howard made the delicious dinner that Mercedes made for us recently (recipe here) Luca, Alexandra and Louisa loved it too.
Alexandra and Louisa made sprinkle cupcakes with vanilla ice frosting and fresh berries.
Watercolored Place Cards As A Gift From A Toddler/Child
We gave Louisa a Polywood picnic bench for her second birthday in August. She does art projects on the patio. Like the place cards below that she recently decorated with paint for me (with some supervision).
You can purchase 120 blank white cards on Amazon for $6. Or $7 for 50 light blue cards. Watercolor set on Amazon here. I feel like when Annie has grandchildren, this is something she will definitely do!
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Most Lovely Things
Cindy Hattersley Design
Shop The Post
For all of you who don’t have a decent Michael’s … peruse your grocery store or Trader Joe’s floral department. Even Costco! I’ve seen an increase in dried florals in those places. Hit or miss, of course.
Our Trader Joe’s floral department was empty due to the storm.
The dried floral arrangements look good, a great creative project to do and gift.
Your birthday dinner and cupcakes looked delish. Your family look to be cooks and bakers.
The place cards turned out so well.
They make a mess to create but it’s fun.
Hi Mary Ann
I haven’t made a dry floral arrangement in years. I know they have come back! We have the worst Michaels on earth here in Paso. I looked for some dried flora last week for a wreath and they had nothing! I want to make that sheet pan dinner! I pinned it when you last posted it. It sounds yummy!!
Yes. I was looking for more woodsy seeded things but they were out at our Micheal’s.
No place like home sweet home. I’m sure you’re wishing it wasn’t so far away from your precious grand babies. We’re staying put for a while as well. Returned from Italy to hurricane Milton and AA lost my luggage. Packed with Eileen Fisher clothes, shoes, purse, souvenirs and gifts. It was never scanned leaving Florence and still missing. They’re manually searching for it. What a lesson I’m learning. Tip:take pictures and save receipts.
oh Bess, I’m so sorry to hear that. That IS a good idea to take photos! Years ago, when my mother and sister were coming to visit us in Paris their luggage filled with Christmas gifts was lost and never found.
Oh Mary Ann! I love this post filled with creativity! I love the dried floral arrangements! All are so pretty! And the watercolor place cards with Louisa! Love your dress and your Gazelle!’! Perfect color choice!
Xx
Thanks, Annie. It was fun making the arrangements knowing that they won’t be thrown out in a week!