Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most brilliant. (The Pet Rock, white tee-shirt, and Pussycat Dolls come to mind.) This can be especially true of flower arrangements, which can look even more stunning thrown into the right vase or properly accessorized than they would grouped in a fancy flock.

Take this solo dahlia from Rose & Radish’s blog for example.

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Or this clever arrangement by L.A.’s brilliant celebrity event planner pal Yifat Oren.

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Or this beautiful ensemble by Taste Catering in San Francisco.

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Even something as simple as a single bloom can become inspired when placed with the right unexpected object, such as this rose situated with a shell. (Taken at knits designer Laurie B.’s house.)

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I’m always looking for cool and effortless ways to create pretty florals–mostly because I’m too cheap to buy blooms so I pluck stuff from the garden and then need to figure out how to make it fancy. Here are a few ideas I’ve used in the past:

1. A row of squat-shape champagne glasses holding one flower each.

2. Basic grocery store flowers cut super low, tightly grouped in a trio of small vases, and garnished with small jingle bells (for holiday).

3. One floating flower in a square vase with an arched criss-cross of bear grass to give it an architectural quality.

4. A trio of dahlias in a pilsner glass.

5. A mixed bouquet in a teapot.

6. Loose flower petals floating in a large decorative bowl filled with water and garnished with a few big and colorful floating blooms or candles.

7. A cluster of mini vases filled with a variety of random small flowers plucked from the yard.

8. Leftover fresh herbs in small vases on the table.

9. A low white arrangement of Gerbera daisies with one gorgeous bead pinned into the center of each one.

Got any flower tricks in your back pocket? Please share!

Erika Lenkert

Technorati Tags: flower arranging ideas, tricks, floral, fast, easy

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Happy Monday! I’m a tad late on sharing the week’s best of the Glam blogs, but if you want a little light reading this fall morning, check out the following posts by me and my Glamorous pals:

GlamBlush - India throws down a killer exclusive interview with Diddy.
GlamChic - Susan busts out with the New York spring 2008 trends.
GlamLive - Reminds us of all the must-sees this week with the fall TV lineup.
GlamNest - My guest blogger, Urban Baby, antes up the best baby shower gifts.
GlamScene - Gets up close and personal with Mariah Carey.
GlamSpirit - Doles out information on how dance can help tone you up.

By the way, I have lots of great stuff coming up this week, so drop by often!

Ciao for now.

Erika Lenkert

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Now that I’m a mom I have no time for flowers. Don’t get me wrong. I love a gorgeous bouquet or lanky orchid plant as much as the next girl. But who has time to rinse and replenish murky floral water or tend to a tired orchid after its bloom have wilted and fallen?

A look around my abode proves that I don’t. The last bouquet I bought was intentionally rife with flowers that look as lively dead as they do alive–and they’re sitting in an arid vase that was previously filled with water right now.

I’ve got at least four dusty-leaf orchid plants that I long to throw away, if only I didn’t feel guilty about killing any living thing. (I catch and release spiders, too.)

My situation made me especially appreciative of the following arrangement, which I spotted on the incredibly inspirational blog of San Francisco florist Rose & Radish.

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Totally chic and totally low-maintenance, it’s something that could sit on my coffee table until my two-year-old goes to college and still look fresh.

Check out Rose & Radish’s blog for more fun florals. I spoke with their staff today while researching for a holiday entertaining article for a magazine and learned that they try to shoot everything they do. You’ll find lots of inspiration there.

Erika Lenkert

Technorati Tags: flowers, florist, san francisco, rose & radish, chic and easy flowers, decor

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When I was thrown a baby shower I ended up with enough onesies that my daughter would never have to wear the same one twice, despite the fact that I’d registered for very practical presents with nary a onesie in the mix.

Afterward, it occured to me that people, experienced parents included, really like to give cute gifts, even if they aren’t as useful as a diaper bin.

So when I told the fabulous Brooke Showell of UrbanBaby my plight and she agreed to offer up her top 10 baby shower gifts, I was excited to see what she’d come up with. Turns out I’d have been extra psyched if my baby booty had included her recommended loot. See for yourself with Brooke’s great guest blow below.

10 Great Baby Shower Gifts
By Brooke Showell

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The baby world has traded ducks and bunnies for serious design – as in David Netto’s nursery line, Lela Rose’s new Quinny stroller and all that mini-me fashion. A baby shower is the perfect time for glam goodies. But how do you make your carefully chosen gift stand out in the heap of blankies and burp cloths? At UrbanBaby we’re always looking for the latest gear that’s cool and practical. Here are some of our picks for shower gifts with “wow factor.”

1. Bloomers Baby Diaper Cakes

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You can never have too many diapers, and this couture diaper cake does the trick. It’s tied with beautiful ribbon and wrapped in tulle, and looks good enough to eat. People on the subway actually stopped me on my way to a shower to ask where I got it (Note: Do not ride the subway with a giant diaper cake).

2. Build Your Own Box from Sophia Bean

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Soledad O’Brien tipped me off on these custom gift sets, and I’ve passed on the tip to my girlfriends – one even sends them overseas to colleagues in Hong Kong. You choose all the onesies, blankets, bibs and hats your heart desires, and they’ll wrap them up in a cute little cardboard box.

3. “This is” books by Miroslav Sasek
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It’s never too soon to start building baby’s library. This series of travel books for little jet setters offers an inside look of cities like Paris, San Francisco, New York and Rome in the 1950s and 1960s. The books have been reissued for modern babes, and the illustrations still hold their charm.

4. Hushamok hammock

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New Zealand is the latest epicenter of cool baby gear. This new Zen-like swing/cradle is perfect for nature-loving parents – you can use it indoors or outdoors, and it travels well.

5. Puella Petit

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We just cannot resist the ruffled bloomers and sweet little tops in this girls’ collection, inspired by its LA-based women’s line, Puella (Kate Hudson is a fan).

6. Pastel Toys
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With all the noisy, plastic electronic gear out there, any new mom will love an old-fashioned twist on toys. These charming wooden trucks and trains are handmade in Israel by adults with special needs.

7. Skip Hop Splash bottle drying rack, Chow baby food organizer and Toolbox diaper caddy

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The design of these accessories is so modern and cool – not to mention space saving – that you won’t mind keeping them out on display.

8. Serena & Lily Crib Bedding

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There’s a lot bedding out there. But Serena & Lily’s prints are simple and sweet yet not too cutesy. And we love the coordinating eco-friendly paints.

9. Mama Mio New Mama Kit
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A shower is all about the baby, but Mom’s got some hard work to do, too. These luxe creams keep a beauty junkie satisfied while her skin is going through some major changes.

10. JJ Cole Changing Pad & Tote

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This portable pad fits into a larger diaper bag, or can be carried as a tote. The pad’s modern stripes and cool color combos don’t scream “diaper.”

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Still want more ideas? Visit UrbanBaby. It’s an ultrahip source for all things parent and child.

Technorati Tags: designer, baby shower, gifts, diaper, bag, crib, chic, trendy, furniture, swing, handmade toy

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I’m headed out to New York City at the crack of dawn (more on my adventures later), so my delicious intern Amy Copperman kindly filled in for my Wednesday entry with an exploration of the latest addition to the Idiot’s Guide series.

Go, Amy, go!

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Kabbalah Book Review

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At first glance, there seems to be something sacreligious about the notion of The Complete Idiot’s guide to Kabbalah. The Idiot’s series could help me learn to play the guitar, teach me Spanish, and walk me through the steps of creating the perfect resume. but can it really guide me through a “spiritual journey?” Hmmmm.

As I reach for the book I’m highly skeptical that in under 300 pages I will be taken through a “6000-year journey of the five spiritual worlds” or “discover the essence or purpose of my life” as the back cover promises.

And I must admit, I am more interested in exploring the pop phenomenon the religion has become than actually embarking on a spiritual journey, especially one led by a how-to guide.

But I’m lighting some incense, sipping Yogi tea, and opening my mind to find out if this complete idiot can gain some spiritual wisdom… or at least try to understand how and why Madonna went from Material Girl to Kabbalah poster girl.

Turns out the pages tell me quite a bit. Apparently not only has the ban on the average person to study Kabbalah been lifted (it used to be reserved for married, male, Jewish scholars, over 40 years old) , but now enlightenment is as easy to come by as a decaf soy latte. Flipping through the book I learn that regular “idiots” can, in fact, join the likes of Madge, and embark on a trendy spiritual journey with this surprisingly clear and thorough introduction to Kabbalah.

Delightfully, it also answers the qustion, why has Kabbalah taken the world and MTV by storm. The guide says that though Kabbalah is an ancient method to answer the questions of life, the turbulent, overly materialistic current times are prompting people to ask the questions the spiritual science attempts to explain.

This may explain why celebrities, who seemingly have everything but a sense of Zen, are drawn to the spiritual science that offers explanations as to why their overstimulated lives lack purpose.

Will I be sporting a telltale bracelet from here on out? No. But I do now know enough to have meaningful, dare I say spiritual, dialogue with Madonna, Demi, and Ashton, should our paths cross.

Technorati Tags: kabbalah, idiot’s guide

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