Today, I encourage you to go beyond your comfort zone.

Have you ever felt like you weren't ready for something, so you didn't do it? Or wanted to try something new, but opted out because you didn't want to mess up? 

I recently spent a month exploring Maui and there were several times I found myself feeling unsure and afraid. A 10-mile warrior hike - am I even capable? What if I sprain my ankle? What if we get driven off private property?  First time snorkeling (in the ocean I might add) - what if I embarrass myself? What if I panic? Maybe I won't be able to breathe properly. What if I get attacked by a shark? 

Our minds can seriously go THERE, to all the dark places and through all the ‘what if's’…that usually never happen btw.  So why do we allow our minds to crush our dreams? How often has fear stopped you from saying yes? 

A wise person once said, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

This became my mantra during the trip. And I have to tell you, completing that hike was EXHILARATING. Snorkeling in the ocean was BREATHTAKING…in the best way possible! Beyond my comfort zone and out of my element, I experienced nature in new ways and got lost in those moments.  I felt the reward of growth on the other side, along with genuine joy, pride, and confidence from moving forward, despite being afraid. Saying yes was BEYOND WORTH IT!

There is something about familiarity that brings humans peace. We like our creature comforts. Yet, as in nature, there are seasons and cycles to be enjoyed and variety that we get to experience in each new day. 

So today, I invite you to try something different. Take a different route to work, pick up a hobby, do something you've always wanted to but haven't, try a food that you've never tasted, walk through fear. Just dip your toe in…even if only for this moment, for this day. Say yes, and see where it leads you.

Take a deep breath and trust that you've GOT THIS!  🖤

Welcome Summer - a seasonal tribute

A season of brightness, energy and motion, Summer is here.

When all living things bask in the sunshine, a time to feel truly alive.

Bees buzzing about, flowers abundant, sun-kissed skin, longer days, later sorbet sunsets.

It is in the heart of summertime where we celebrate the brighter daylight.

The renewed sense of time and making fun memories with friends. All of nature is awake.

Summer, we welcome you. Let's smile and dance and feel it all.

We honor you and celebrate your beauty, light and unique gifts.

What are your favorite ways to spend summer? Any seasonal hobbies, favorite things, or nostalgic memories come to mind? Share yours in the comments, we’d love to hear!

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! ✨

Connection Through Florals

Flowers truly bring people together. They are a natural magnet that connects us as humans in the most wonderful and thoughtful ways.

I absolutely love getting a peek into my clients’ worlds through flowers.

It is through an intimate bond of florals that I am allowed a glimpse into their lives, able to hear their stories, and learn more about who they are…

Bride.
Groom.
Expectant mother.
Graduating senior.

Grieving family.
Lover.
Friend.

One of the best parts of flower design, I dare say THE best part of being a florist, is the clients that I have. Stunning people, beautiful stories. We are all connected... their circles of the universe and mine… bridged by way of flowers.

It’s an honor to play a part of clients’ stories, to be a part of each of their lives and memories that last a lifetime.

Some clients even receive flowers from me once, and then become a client/friend for life. I’ve even seen wedding clients grow families as the years pass by. I’ve walked through relationship milestones with young couples who grow older together. 

It’s all about connection… the beauty of relationships and companionship… in this vast universe that is sometimes made smaller and tied together in a beautiful way... through flowers.

Valentine's Day Fast Facts

Valentine’s Day — some love it, some hate it, some are utterly indifferent to it. Regardless of your stance, here are six facts that you might not know about the history of the February 14th holiday.

Learn something new, tell someone you love them and are grateful for them, and have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

1- February 14th hasn’t always been about cutie couples…

Some historians believe that Valentine's Day began in Rome by being a pagan fertility festival called Lupercalia. This “festival” included animal sacrifices and the whipping of women to signify their fertility. What the actual heck??!?

2- Pope Gelasius to the rescue…

In the 1300s, Roman Pope Geasius officially declared February 14th as “Valentine's Day” and started associated the day with love (not whipping and bleeding...thank you very much!), because it was believed that birds start mating season each year on the 14th of February.

3- Time to get romantic…

The very first valentine was sent in the 1400s, a poem from a French medieval duke named Charles, written to his wife. Although he was imprisoned in the Tower of London while he penned the poem, he brought the romance… One of the lines in his letter read:
"I am already sick of love, My very gentle Valentine." So sweet! And so 15-century, too 😉

4- Let’s jump ahead a few (hundred) years…

Individuals began exchanging handwritten cards to both romantic partners and friends during the 17th century. BUT it wasn’t until the 1840s until the first Valentine’s Day cards were mass-produced in the USA. The “mother of the american valentine,” also known as Esther A. Howland, is known as the one who commercialized Valentine's day cards in America. I miss being exchanging them as a kid with classmates 💌

5- These days…

Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is a widely-celebrated holiday, with nearly 55 % of Americans celebrating on February 14th each year. And, get this, nearly 6 million couples get engaged on Valentine’s Day. That’s a lot of people popping the question on the same day! ♥️

6- Depending on who you are and where you’re at…

Valentine’s Day is celebrated very differently in various parts of the world. Lots of Latin American countries call the holiday, “el día de los enamorados” (day of lovers) or “día del amor y la amistad” (day of love and friendship). How wonderful is that!

In Japan, it’s more widespread for women to give chocolates and gifts on February 14th, and exactly a month later, on March 14th, men “repay” the favor and celebrate women with gift-giving and more.

And so…

Wherever you are, and however you celebrate, here at Huntress Florals, we wish you a fun, safe, and enjoyable Valentine’s Day! May your February 14th be full of lots of love, friendship, gratitude, simple pleasures, and of course beautiful flowers, too! 💐 XOXO

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…