Peonies - A tour of Styer's Flower Farm

During a recent visit home to the east coast, I was lucky enough to attend Styer’s Peony Festival. What a delightful treat right in Chadds Ford, PA! 😍

This is the 3rd year they've opened their flower farm for tours. I strolled endless rows of my favorite flower in all of her glorious colors. The shades, the smells, the number of photos I took… each blossom was prettier and more interesting than the next! The flower farm has 25 acres of more than 55,000 peonies in bloom! It was pure peony heaven 🌸

Not only is the peony flower glorious, simply witnessing her lifecycle from a tight bud to a stunning lush bloom full of petals and personality is awe-inspiring. One of the things I love most about the peony is her short window of availability, which makes this coveted flower even more special.

I even got an insiders peek into the family farm, which was magical. The barn that they use as an event venue and the beautifully overgrown and dilapidated greenhouse was my favorite. This instagram post explains why it was a dream setting for me.🌿

The Styer’s Peony Festival happens in May and I hope you find an opportunity to visit next season! In the meantime, treat yourself to some of their flowers online. For now, also enjoy some of the highlights I captured from this perfect flower-filled day! ✨

A Guide To Fresh Florals (3 of 3)

We’ve walked through what to look for at the market, we’ve talked through what to do once your chosen flowers arrive at home. Let’s discuss what to do with the florals now to make them last, and keep them blooming beautifully for a longer period of time.

This is the third and final part of this three-part blog series.

• Refresh water at least every other day… daily if possible.

• Give the stems a fresh angled cut every water change so they can drink fully again!

• Continue to remove leaves as needed to keep them out of the water.

• Place flowers in a cooler area of your home, avoid direct sunlight and heat.

• Keep your fruit bowls at a distance, the ethylene gas fruits emit can shorten the life of your florals.

• Some flowers naturally live longer than others, continue to remove the dying stems periodically and create and enjoy a new arrangement each time!

Overall, enjoy your flowers and the lifetime that they have! And remember…

“Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower.” (John Harrigan)

Click HERE for part one of this blog series; click HERE for part two.

A Guide To Fresh Florals (2 of 3)

We’ve all been there, wanting our beautiful flowers to last as long as possible. This blog, brought to you exclusively by Huntress Florals, will bring you both simple and practical tips to help you keep your blooms looking fresh and lasting the longest amount of time.

This is part two in a three-part blog series. Click HERE for part one!

First things first, once you arrive home with your flowers, prepare your clean vase with room-temperature water.

When buying from HUNTRESS, you won’t need flower food, as we only use the highest quality product that has been professionally processed in our studio.

However, if you buy from the grocery store — feel free to drop that flower food in. Follow packet instructions for the appropriate amount.

Next up, unwrap the florals, discard any rubber bands and clear plastic wrapping. We repurpose or recycle all of these materials, and encourage you to recycle as well :)

Avoid bacteria by removing any leaves that may fall under the water level in your vessel.

Give your stems a fresh cut — about 1-inch off the bottom at an angle, allowing them to drink more water. We all get thirsty after long travels!

Next, arrange your flowers intuitively — we like different heights to add dimension. Maybe cluster similar flowers as they tend to grow in nature.

Play around and don’t overthink it!

The flowers will tell you what to do. Create something YOU find pretty! Happy SLAYing! 💐

Stay tuned for part three of this blog series.

A Guide To Fresh Florals (1 of 3)

Here at Huntress Florals, a question we frequently get asked, is how to keep your flowers fresh and long lasting. Well — you’ve asked, and we’ve delivered!

We present to you, a guide to fresh florals, a series all about how to help your florals last a good long while.
This is part one in a three-part blog series.

While at the market, when selecting florals, look for stems and buds that aren’t damaged, moldy or wilting.

Also, tighter blooms mean they're fresher and have more time to fully open.

Be mindful not to hold a bunch of flowers over others. If you see rose petals that have brown spots, it’s usually from water dripping onto them!

Choose blooms in various shapes, sizes, and textures to enhance your design. Select a color palette that blends well together, while keeping in mind your seasonal theme and the area you plan to display them.

And MOST important, follow your heart! Pick the buds that make you smile. Flowers are already beautiful on their own. You really can't go wrong or mess this up!

Stay tuned for parts two and three of this blog series.

A few Thoughts and Questions for the New Year

As this unprecedented year comes to a close, we want to invite some thoughts into your heart, and also give you a few questions to ponder…

First, a few considerations…
As you seek resolution in your mind and heart from all that the year 2020 has been, may you find joy and anticipation for all that the future has in store.

Hold onto the notion that January is full of hopefulness and abundance. Even if it doesn't feel like it right now, and although circumstances won't change overnight, there is still something to be said for fresh starts and new beginnings. So, cling to that newness. Rest in the brilliant possibilities. Commit to doing something you may have put off in the past. Dream big. Share your light with the world. Keep curiosity and wonder alive 

We often fall back upon the guiding principles of HUNTRESS, particularly during challenging times, and welcome you to harness them as well. Beauty, Grace, Strength, Resilience, Life. These traits are within you, surrounding you, and can be called upon anytime. Step forward with clear intention and watch what blossoms. 

And now, the questions to reflect upon…
~ What are you most grateful for from 2020?

~ Are there any lessons that came forward for you?

~ What are you most proud of this year?

~ Is there anything that you are leaving behind?

~ What are you taking into the next year?

For us, we know that there is a lot of goodness brimming on the horizon for Huntress Florals! We are coming to you soon with expanded offerings and thoughtful ideas. So, stay tuned! And, in the meantime, best wishes for a healthy, peaceful new year 🏹💐🖤

WINTER SOLSTICE | 2020

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

To celebrate this winter season, we've put together a solstice playlist just for you! Take a listen on Spotify, HERE ❄️🎶

2020 has been memorable...
Our world was different overnight. COVID-19 came unexpectedly. We shut down.
We reprioritized. The unknown became familiar. Emotions ran high and changed by the moment.
We reconnected to what truly matters. We’re grateful for the gifts of this time and hope you are finding some light moments to cherish during this season as well✨

Listen to our playlist on shuffle, and let us know what you think! In the meantime, have a relaxing weekend connecting with family, friends, and loved ones near and far 🏹💐🖤

“Even the strongest blizzards start with a single snowflake”

— Sara Raasch

Five Year Reflections | Happy Anniversary, Huntress!

In case you missed it, Huntress Florals celebrated its FIVE YEAR anniversary this past weekend, on December 11, 2020.

WOW! How has it ALREADY been five years?? And yet, it’s ONLY been five years?!

I’ve been working in the events industry for about 20 years now, and have had an open floral business for seven of those. There have been many highs and lows throughout the journey, but one thing remains the same — Huntress is all about you and me, us.

Huntress would be nothing without ME and my heart behind it. It was my decision to follow a dream, to reconnect with my true self, that has made Huntress what it is today. I’m thankful for so many amazing people who have walked beside me along the way.

And, Huntress would be nothing without YOU. Your constant support, encouragement, and love for what I do keeps me inspired and moving forward, especially during challenging times.

I am so very grateful…
Grateful to be a part of your story.
Grateful that you are a part of mine, part of OURS — the story of Huntress.

Looking back, I see how much I have opened my heart, found courage, and fought for myself — my true, authentic self and a life with meaning. And here I am. Here WE are.

As I reflect on Huntress over the years, here are just SOME of the fond memories that come to mind —

• The start of it all, with a friend and business partner that I connected with in floral design school. The business began so effortlessly and came together naturally in those early days.

• Learning the trade from a long list of incredible teachers and mentors over the years. They really helped shape and then expand my knowledge of floral design, business, and the industry as a whole.

• I am thankful for the friendships that have been built through various Huntress partners… buyers, wholesale vendors, other florists, event planners, DMC partners, photographers, makeup artists, networking groups, industry colleagues, and so many more! Florals have been the common thread between me and so many other amazing creatives, and I am thankful to flowers for connecting us in wonderful ways.

• The honor of working with amazing wedding clients. Being part of their love story on their wedding day, and then slaying for them as time moves forward too, is incredible. Watching both their love and families grow over the years is a unique experience that I cherish!

• The amazing retail customers that have become true friends over the years. The loyalty of our clients-turned-friends is humbling and encouraging, especially as Huntress continues. And, the way that these friends refer their own friends and families to me, has expanded my network in the most heartfelt ways.

• My corporate clients. Afterall, it’s my background and a joy to bring event visions to life year after year. I enjoy focusing on the creative aspect these days and the freedom we’re given to infuse our style and elevate their experience as one to remember.

• Acknowledging that I’ve been able to continually innovate and make forward progress with Huntress. Over the years, we’ve evolved, shifted, and grown, providing more expanded offerings (like Flower Therapy), giving back through flowers (#cgfloralfinds and Hospice of the South Coast), making connections (@strangerswithflowers), aligning in our purpose more fully, and so much more.

Flowers are a tremendous gift! …and they’re such natural and insightful teachers, too.
Everyday flowers remind me of beauty, grace, strength, resilience, and life. These are our guiding principles and those I come back to when I need to be reminded of my being and the heart of Huntress.

Over the years, I have tried, and stumbled, and tried again. I’ve learned that it’s all about resilience and strength, coupled with beauty and grace, to make up this messy and awe-inspiring thing I get to call life.

To celebrate this life and the five years of Huntress with us, we’re offering an Anniversary arrangement! This unique arrangement will be available to you in one of our square wooden vases, as the traditional five year anniversary gift is wood!

For the remainder of December and throughout January, help us celebrate all that Huntress is, by requesting our anniversary arrangement in a wooden vase, during our biweekly offerings. Purchase on our website for $55 or email us to customize for more.

THANK YOU for being part of the Huntress story!
I’m honored that you are here.

~ Jen
Owner and Chief Creative, Huntress Florals

PS — enjoy a blast from the past! Have fun flipping through some Huntress photos that have been snapped over the past five years…

Holiday Grounding Practice

Today, we want to guide you in a short, but impactful grounding exercise, a few moments to take just for YOU. Follow the prompts outlined below, and feel free to eventually make them your own. Enjoy!

Make yourself comfortable.

• Maybe that’s a seated position in a chair or on the couch, or laying on the floor or in your bed.

• Find a cozy space to be in, and a comforting position to relax into. Maybe you have a favorite blanket to wrap up in, light a candle or some incense, apply your favorite essential oil

Take a few deep breaths

• These may simply begin as regular breaths at first. Bringing awareness to your breath is enough.

• Eventually try to deepen your inhales and lengthen your exhales with each breath that passes through your lungs.

Soften your gaze.

• As you come to a more relaxed spot, drop your eyelids ever so slightly.

• Begin to journey inward, closing your eyes between reading the prompts, if that feels comfortable to you.

Check in with your senses and the space around you.

• What do you see in your surrounding space?

• What are you feeling around you?

• What sounds do you hear?

• What are you experiencing in the space that you are in right now?

• Simply notice, without judgement.

Take inventory of your body.

• What areas of your body can you extend awareness to?

• Breathe into any areas that you feel tension. Perhaps you can release further into your seat, drop your shoulders, unclench your jaw, relax your forehead.

• Scan your way up and down your body until you feel more at ease.

Be intentional about feeling grounded in the present as your mind journeys.

• Think back to a fond moment or even a place that brings you joy, and imagine yourself there.

• What do you see? Smell? Hear?

• Listen, really listen.

• Feel, really feel. As if you are back in that exact place. That precise moment in time.

• Perhaps you are alone or sharing the experience with someone.

• What about that memory brings you joy?
  

Take a few more deep, slow, continuous breaths. Inhale through your nose and audibly exhale through your mouth. Let it all go.

When you're ready, begin adding slight movement back into your body, gently wiggle your feet and hands, curve your lips into a smile and slowly open your eyes.

And now, go about your day — hopefully feeling more centered, more grounded.

And if the holidays feel chaotic, or a moment becomes overwhelming — be intentional about taking a few minutes out of your day to listen to your needs, to focus on your senses, to check in with your body, and to ground yourself.

A few of our Favorite Gratitude Quotes 🍂

Today, we’re sharing a few of our favorite quotes on thankfulness to keep the momentum of a grateful spirit forging ahead, into the weekend.

Which quote resonates most for you? Comment below!

1. “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” (Amy Collette)

We love this quote, because we’ve experienced firsthand how powerful gratitude is. It really does spark happiness in your heart. And that joy? It’s quite contagious when you start within and then expand it out toward others and into the world ✨

2. “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” (Cicero)

So much of life, and so many virtues in this world, stem from gratitude. A thankful heart truly is a great starting point to live a rich, beautiful, full life 🖤

3. “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” (Brene Brown)

This quote by Brene Brown is so simple and profound. Paying attention and practicing gratitude — these two, things can cause loads of contentment. Even the mundane moments of life can be beautiful. Seek the beauty in the every day 💐

4. “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” (Alphonse Karr)

We saved the best for last! This quote is one of our all-time favorites. Thankfulness and perspective go together. Sometimes all we need is to choose to see the glass as half full, or, in this case, the thorns with the roses. What a glorious way to view life 🌹

Flower Therapy Offering | November 12 & 13

Our biweekly Flower Therapy is coming to you again, on November 12 and 13!

We can all agree that times are tough. Life is messy and imperfect and wonderful and beautiful — all at the same time. Why don’t you lift your spirits and celebrate the small gifts life offers us with some flower therapy?

A simple way to brighten your day, or add a smile to a loved one’s face. Our beautiful blooms will lighten your home, bring some nature inside, and make you feel a bit more alive.

Wrapped bouquets or vased arrangements available, pricing begins at $40+. Free curbside pickup in North Park. *Service only available locally in San Diego at this time.

Send us a DM us on Instagram or text us at 619.777.6188 and we’ll get you on your way to some #flowertherapy soon! Sending you SO MUCH LOVE ♥

Día de los Muertos | 2020

Day of the Dead is my most favorite and meaningful celebration.

The theme may be death, but the purpose is remembrance and celebration. Today, during the Day of the Dead — may you, alongside me —  honor those who have passed.

Remember their stories. Remember their love. Remember their dreams. Remember their lives.

Let’s express love and gratitude for the times that we were able to share with our loved ones!

There is no loss without love. I’ll gratefully surrender to both.

All Hallows Eve | 2020

The leaves have turned from their vibrant oranges and yellows and reds, and are falling back to the earth. The warm apple cider smells divine. The air is chilled, the fireplace is roaring, the pumpkins are carved and creative costumes are abundant. Childhood nostalgia settles in.

Even if you don’t live in a part of the world that experiences all of these autumn happenings — the seasons are still changing, it’s a time to embrace the darkness, go inward, and reflect. We want to wish you a safe and memorable Halloween!

It may be different this year in some respects, but we still hope you get indulge in the traditions that make you feel at home in the spirit of the holiday.

Remember to also bask in the full moon light tonight!

HUNTRESS gets musical

Are you on Spotify? Music is another creative outlet we love, so figured we'd get in the mix. Give us a follow under HUNTRESS for some nature (and nurture) inspired tracks. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We'll be creating seasonal playlists and maybe others eventually. Kicking off with a chill Winter Solstice one that includes mostly oldies (but goodies) that you can cozy up and hibernate with.

Check it out here: Winter Solstice  | 2018

days are shorter. there's a crisp chill in the air. hibernation sets in. evenings full of hot teas and warm layers. new beginnings on the distant horizon. quietly nesting, while carefully considering the next slay 🌙❄️🖤

EMERGING SOON...

A SPACE FOR ALL THE GATHERINGS & OFFERINGS.

A collection of thoughts, inspiration, words & ideas to share. All that nourishes our soul and creative process.