TLC Tuesdays [Prolonging the Life of Fresh Flowers]

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I don't know about you guys, but I LOVE having fresh cut flowers in my house. I find fresh flowers to be the ultimate little luxury-they dress up any room and give it a sophisticated feel. I tend to have quite expensive taste when it comes to choosing flowers, I've been known to buy myself $12 roses for no reason (but that's what life is about). I don't feel the slightest bit guilty about splurging on beautiful flowers, but I do get a bit salty when they die within 2 days. 

What's a girl to do? Well, I went to one of my oldest friends, Alan, former Whole Foods flower connoisseur and current nursing student/perfect wavy hair haver, to gather his tips and tricks for prolonging the life of your foliage friends. 

First of all, you should know that Alan finds orchids to be "low maintenance", which really proves to you how adept he is at caring for plants. I personally killed an orchid in a record 72 hours. 

• An Alka Seltzer tablet or piece of grilling charcoal dropped into the water will keep it clearer, longer. (Also, changing said water every day goes a long way)
• Dropping a couple pennies in with a vase of tulips will keep them standing taller and straighter (but not for longer than usual)
• Ice cubes dropped in tulips will keep them closed for longer, but ice cubes dropped in roses will help them open and flourish
• Hammering or peeling the stems of hydrangeas (my favorite) will help them absorb more water, thus prolonging their lives 
• Also, if you are hell bent on raising some orchids, Alan's suggestion is to water them once a week and keep them in your bathroom where they will thrive in high humidity and indirect sunlight
• I've heard that pouring a bit of vodka in your flower water will prolong their lives as well, but it may be a better idea to drink a bit of it yourself-then your flowers will look perfect #VodkaGoggles

The gorgeous Ecuadorean roses that I picked up from Fairway on my day off. Swoon. 

Here's a delightful and blurry picture of Alan and me at his high school prom! xx Thanks for helping a sistah out!