CONNECTIONS & COLLABORATIONS

2025 is rolling right along and we’re about to find ourselves springing into March! This month's blog post is focused on connections and collaborations. I will (of course) be combining the topic with how flowers can help!

Connections

The two big connections in life are with family and friends. But connection with nature is right up there as one of the most important. Current research is showing that doctors are now prescribing time in nature for their patients' health. You can read about A Prescription for Nature and the benefits being in nature have HERE, so I won’t go into that. What I will do is share three ideas of small things you can do at home to connect with nature by using flowers that won’t cost a lot of money or take a lot of time. 

1 -Consider buying one bouquet of flowers and then breaking it down into bud vases so you can place stems of flowers all around your house instead of in just one place. 

2 - When buying plants, choose ones that flower. I know people who have Christmas Cactus that bloom year after year or orchids that they can get to rebloom. One plant which shares its blooms year after year - that’s a good investment! 

3 - Don’t forget about lavender. Grow lavender in your garden (or like I do, in a pot on my 11th floor balcony). Not only does it flower all summer long, but you can also cut the stems and dry them, to use as a soothing fragrance in your home all year long.

Collaborations 

This year not only am I collaborating on blog posts with my friend Amy, but I will also be presenting a workshop called A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, YOU - Wellness Through Flowers, at a retreat for educators by Coastal Elements and Magnolia Health and Wellness. 

When planning a collaboration, to be successful, you need to have the right mindset. For me, certain attributes are a must - goodwill to others (delphinium), harmony (cosmos), kindness (bluebell), loyalty (bamboo), patience (aster), and grace (jasmine). 

I hope (snowdrop), this will be the first of many times I will present this workshop. If you are hosting a wellness retreat or seminar and would like to collaborate, please don’t hesitate to contact me - mary@marykelava.com.

To learn more about the specific meanings of flowers, take a look at my award-winning book A BOUQUET OF WORDS - Express Yourself Through the Language of Flowers HERE.

Using flowers to cope with Blue Monday in January

Did you know the third Monday in January has been named Blue Monday?

What is Blue Monday you may be wondering. It’s a day that is supposedly the most depressing day of the year! (Sounds delightful, doesn’t it???)  

Before you get too worried about it, this is not something factually accurate, it’s a myth that the media created stating that this is the day people are feeling most let down after the holiday season and having eaten too much, spent too much, and have failed at their New Year’s resolutions.

I have no idea why this is something we need to have ‘a day’ dedicated to, but in truth, we should acknowledge that a lot of people do feel a bit down or in low spirits at this time of year. Perhaps for the above reasons, but also due to the shorter, darker days and the colder, wetter weather.

However,  you can counteract a case of the doldrums with something as simple as - you guessed it - flowers! 

It’s almost magical the way flowers make us feel better. Their colour, fragrance and freshness make an impact on us without us even realizing it. 

Here are my top 5 suggestions on how to use flowers to boost your mood:

1 - Have a small bunch of brightly coloured blooms on your bedside table.  When you see flowers first thing in the morning they give you an instant mood boost. Not only that, but that initial boost will make you feel happier and more energetic throughout the day.

2 - Have a vase of fresh flowers in the kitchen. A communal spot like the kitchen is a great place to have flowers so everyone in the family can enjoy them.

3 - Have flowers on your desk at work. Even a bud vase with one stem of flower will give you a cheerful pick-me-up every time you glance at it throughout the day. Research also shows that having fresh flowers at work can increase your productivity.

4 - Give a bouquet to someone. Giving someone flowers not only has a positive impact on the receiver but also on the one who gives them. This is such a great way to brighten someone else’s day as well as your own. 

5 - Choose flowers in your favourite colour for an extra boost. Flowers in a colour you love makes them extra special and will have an even bigger mood-boosting impact.

Having fresh flowers around you every day is a small step you can take to create a positive and uplifting environment for yourself, and those around you. 

Top tip: You do not have to have a big bouquet to reap the positive benefits of flowers. Consider buying one bouquet and dividing it into several vases, thus making your ‘flower dollars’ go further.

Bonus information: Because we are talking about Blue Monday, I want to share some information with you about blue flowers.

Only 10% of flowers come in the colour blue – that makes them the rarest of colours to find. But they do exist, so don’t buy any that are fake or dyed. ‘True blue’ flowers are definitely the only way to go. 

Blues can range in shades from soft and pale to rich and vibrant. What you choose, and what you pair it with can create an impact ranging from a peaceful calm, to a sophisticated elegance. 

Some of my favourite blue flowers are cornflower, tweedia, nigella, hydrangea and delphinium.  If you are unfamiliar with any of these, have a chat with your local florist who should be able to help you, or please message me with any questions. I’d also love to know your favourite blue flower.

There is so much to learn about flowers. My book, A BOUQUET OF WORDS, is packed full of information and will show you a new way to incorporate flowers in your everyday life. 

Click HERE to order A BOUQUET OF WORDS Express Yourself Through the Language of Flowers

Just a Reminder....

Just a reminder of why flowers are so important for us:

Intuitively we know flowers make us happy. Scientific research backs that up. Flowers boost our mood, brighten our environment, improve our sleep, decrease our anxiety, increase our productivity, and strengthen our memory. Flowers make life happier and healthier.

Unfortunately, there are some people who think flowers are a waste of money. The reason why? They think because flowers die, you shouldn’t spend your hard earned money on them. If you think about that, this reasoning doesn’t really make sense. You’ll spend money on a movie, but that experience is over in about two hours. You’ll pay to go out to dinner at a restaurant - again, over in a couple hours. You’ll pay for a bottle of wine, that you’ll drink, and a box of chocolates that you’ll eat, but neither of those last for long. I could go on and on with examples of how we spend money on things that don’t last. But instead, here are my top three reasons for why I think we should have flowers in our lives, and why they’re worth every penny we spend on them:

1 - Flowers spread joy:

Flowers are instantly mood-boosting, brightening the day of whoever sees them. When I delivered flowers for my floral business, not one person receiving them ever responded with a frown. The added bonus is, giving flowers not only boosts the mood of the one receiving the flowers, but also the one giving them. So right there you’re doubling the value of your money. And the great thing is, this works just as well with a massive bouquet as it does with just a few stems, so you don’t have to spend big money to feel the positive benefits. 

2 - Flowers are suitable for every occasion:

No need to waste time wondering what to get for a birthday or anniversary gift, or to thank someone for helping you out, or to congratulate someone for a job well done, or to send your condolences – flowers work for all these occasions. You don’t even have to think about it, flowers suit the occasion. Knowing this saves you time - and time is money, they say! So once again, your money is well spent.

3 – Flowers create lasting memories:

Research shows that flowers, with their vibrant colours and fragrant scents, have the ability to recall memories more than other objects. In fact they have such an impact, they create a ‘memory picture’ of the day that is called upon again and again. So you give flowers one day – creating warm, happy feelings – and this moment is relived over and over, for years to come. So…pay for one gift, and that gift is enjoyed multiple times. That’s well worth your money.

If you’re one of the people who think that flowers are a waste of your hard-earned dollars, I hope you’ll now reconsider. Make someone’s day (and your own), better and brighter with the gift of flowers.

“Just living is not enough…one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”

Hans Christian Anderson

Six Things You Need To Know

Here’s something interesting to think about. Flowers are often seen as something for special occasions. But scientific studies have proven over and over that flowers make us happier and healthier. So why are they not something we have in our lives on a regular basis?

Here are six ways flowers have a positive impact on our lives.

1 – Mood:

Flowers boost our mood: Instinct tells us that flowers make us happy. Scientific studies have proven it. We can literally change our mood or someone else’s with fresh flowers. When you see flowers, the positive effect on your happiness is immediate. Your spirits will be lifted, and that in turn will improve your mental and emotional well-being for the rest of the day.

 2 – Environment:

Flowers brighten our environment: It’s scientifically known that adding flowers to an interior promotes well-being. Flowers brighten up a space, creating a more positive atmosphere, making it more welcoming. Think of flowers as a form of natural art.

3 – Anxiety: 

Flowers decrease our anxiety: In a life that moves at a frantic pace, flowers provide a moment of calm. Studies show that the presence of flowers can decrease anxiety, making them a must-have at home, work and in the classroom.

 4 – Sleep:

Flowers improve our sleep: Some of us struggle with sleep every night and some just occasionally, but either way there are things you can do to improve your chances of having a good night’s sleep. Something as simple as having the right flowers in your bedroom can make a difference.

5 – Productivity:

Flowers increase our productivity: Whether you work from home, in a small business or the corner office of a big corporation, research has shown that employees’ creative performance, problem-solving skills, and creative thinking improves when there are flowers in the environment.

6 – Memory:

Flowers strengthen our memory: Flowers, with their vibrant colours and fragrant scents, can conjure memories more than other objects. The memory of the sweet scent of flowers can cause a powerful emotional reaction. Creating these moments in childhood will strengthen your memory when you’re older.

Addtional Information:

If you’d like to read more about how flowers have a positive impact on our lives, here are links to some of my previous blog posts:

Calm Down - How Flowers Can Help

Five Ways You Can Use Flowers To Boost Your Mood

Happy And Healthy At Work With Flowers

Here's Why Flowers Are So Great

I’ve spent years collecting information on all things floral. I’ve learned all about edible flowers, flower arranging, travel destinations with a flower focus, the language of flowers, flowers in art, music and literature, and how to care for flowers. But by far, the most important thing I’ve learned is that flowers have a positive impact on our well-being.  

Flowers boost our mood, brighten our environment, improve our sleep, increase our productivity, decrease our anxiety and strengthen our memory. The bottom line -  flowers are good for our mental, physical and emotional health.

One of the most amazing things is that flowers work their magic on us without us even realizing it. And it doesn’t require a lot of effort or a big budget to reap the benefits flowers offer. A few stems from the garden, a small arrangement from your local florist or a quick grab-and-go bouquet from the grocery store – all will do the trick.

Having flowers around us is a small step we can take to promote the mental, physical and emotional well-being for ourselves and those around us. Why not give it a go and add some flowers to your life today.

Rest Your Eyes - Flower Therapy

Welcome to my shortest blog post ever! It may be short, but it’s meaningful. Here is my best tip on how to effectively use flowers to decrease anxiety and stress.

Most of us have ‘our special spot’ at home where we sit to unwind. Place a floral arrangement within eyesight of where ‘your spot’ is. Then sit down and just rest your eyes on those flowers. No reading, no watching tv, no checking your phone. Just rest your eyes on the flowers.

It’s amazing how quickly you start to feel less stressed and be more at peace.

Calm Down - How Flowers Can Help

Calm down! Sound familiar? In a busy and stressful life, I think we’ve all felt like there are times when we just need to calm down. The good news is, flowers can help us. 

Scientific studies prove flowers positively impact our well-being in many ways, and one of those ways is by creating a sense of calm and well-being. 

Simply seeing flowers can decrease your stress level

Most of us have ‘our special spot’ at home where we sit to unwind. One of the simplest and most effective things you can do with flowers to decrease anxiety and stress is place a floral arrangement within eyesight of where ‘your spot’ is. Then use those flowers as a place to rest your eyes. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you start to relax.

Try arranging your own flowers for another layer of stress-relief

When you’re arranging flowers your thought process shifts. You’re forced to slow down and connect with the present moment. You start focusing on the flowers and not on work or your busy day.

Don’t make flowers another chore on your to-do list

Keep it simple! A few blooms are all it takes to feel the calming effect of flowers.

Being surrounded by nature has long been known to be healthy for us. In nature we feel calm, stress slips away, and our anxiety eases. Having flowers in our home is a way to replicate that feeling. It’s time we all start to take advantage of the healing properties of flowers.

To note: When arranging flowers no special skills or tools, or any artistic flair is needed. You just need some flowers, some scissors, a container of water, and a few minutes of time. You’ll learn as you go and every time you’ll feel satisfied that you created something with your own hands.

A Dozen Flowers Even Allergy Sufferers Can Enjoy

Allergy sufferers don’t despair. You may have thought you were doomed to a flowerless life, but fortunately, that’s just not true. There are many varieties of flowers you can enjoy without suffering the miserable symptoms of allergies. 

Below is my list of a dozen flowers for you to choose from. I’ve also included what each flower's meaning is.  Every flower has a special meaning attached to it and once you know what those meanings are, you can choose the perfect flower for every occasion. 

Here’s my list of a dozen hypoallergenic flowers and their meanings:

1 - Carnations - Admiration/Affection

2 - Daffodils - New beginnings

3 -  Hyacinths - Dedication/Sincerity

4 - Hydrangeas - Perseverance

5 - Irises - Faith, hope, wisdom

6 - Lilies - Beauty

7 - Lisianthus - Appreciation/Gratitude

8 - Orchids - Refined beauty

9 -  Peonies - Happy life

10 - Roses - Love

11 -  Snapdragons -  Graciousness/Strength

12 -  Tulips - Perfect love

*A special note about lilies: Lilies have a strong scent which has made many people (myself included) assume that they are an irritation to allergy sufferers. They’re not. Lilies are a hypoallergenic flower.

PS: If you’re giving flowers as a gift, and you’re not sure if the person you’re giving them to has a flower allergy, err on the side of caution and choose flowers from my list.

Bloom - You Won’t Want to Miss This

I’m very excited to introduce ‘Bloom’ - a series of workshops hosted by my two daughters and myself .

These workshops are designed to give you low-effort practices that will help you to flourish.

Our first workshop will focus on how to practice stress relief and resilience through three different avenues of wellness - holistic nutrition by Olivia, mindful movement by Rochelle, and the healing power of flowers by me.

A bit about the workshop:

Rather than offering stress-management techniques and tasks, we’re going to teach you how small tweaks to your diet, mindful breathing and movement practices, and the healing power of flowers, can support your body through stressful times so that you continue to pursue optimal health.

A bit about each of us:

Olivia - “I’m a Registered Holistic Nutritionist specializing in postpartum wellness and women’s health. I primarily work with moms in the early stages of motherhood to help them build nourishing diets that fit into their busy lives stress-free.”  www.livwell.love | @oliviakelava.  | liv@livwell.live 

Rochelle - “I’m a yoga teacher and certified Life Coach offering practices of mindful movement, breath work, and reflective inquiry. I support clients in times of transition and growth to find clarity and ease, creating space for more of what they love.”  https://www.fjaka.ca | @ro.kelava |   rochelle@fjaka.ca

Mary - “My first career was an early childhood educator and my second career was a florist. I now combine my love of teaching with my knowledge of flowers to share all the ways flowers have a positive impact on our daily lives.” www.thefloralprescription.ca |   @thefloralprescription   | thefloralprescription@gmail.com

The three of us, working together, are excited to share the tools we have in our back pockets to help you be proactive and learn intentional practices to help your body cope with stress in a way that limits its long term effects.

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WORKSHOP DETAILS:

SATURDAY APRIL 17

10:00-11:30AM PST

ON ZOOM

RECORDING AVAILABLE

COST $35 CDN (Can be paid online through Rochelle’s website: www.momoyoga.com/fjaka/ )

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This will be a restorative morning that we hope will give you some lessons and tools to walk away with, as well as some space to breathe and reflect.

We hope to see you there.

Register by April 9 to be entered to win our door prize

‘Bloom - (verb) - to come into or be in full beauty or health; to flourish”

Floral Acts of Kindness - What you can do and What Others are Already Doing

“I love the fact that something as simple as giving a flower to someone will brighten their day.”

Wednesday February 17, 2021, is Random Acts of Kindness Day.. 

There are thousands of ways you can show kindness to others, but I’m going to focus on acts of ‘floral’ kindness. 

I’ll give you some ideas for what you can do on February 17th, as well as ways you can continue with floral acts of kindness throughout the year.

Then I’ll share a list of wonderful organizations who are already promoting kindness through the use of  flowers. I’ve included their locations and linked their websites where you can go for more information.

What you can do on Random Acts of Kindness Day:

• Buy some stems of flowers, and as you walk down the street, hand them out to strangers;

• Give two flowers to people you meet, encouraging them to keep one and give one to someone else;

• Create a few small bouquets of flowers and place them on benches or public areas around where you live. Leave a little note with the flowers saying it’s a bouquet for them on Random Acts of Kindness Day;

• Drop off some flowers at a neighbours door.

What you can do long-term:

• If you have an event donate your flowers afterwards to a care facility;

• Start a flower garden and give some of your flowers away;

• Volunteer in organizations that repurpose flowers (see list below);

• Start an organization that repurposes flowers.

• And of course continue with small acts of floral kindness.

List of organizations promoting kindness through flowers:

There are some truly great ‘floral angels’ out there who volunteer their time to pick up donated flowers, repurpose them into bouquets, and deliver them to places in their city who are in need of some joy and beauty.

While each organization is similar in their goal to take flowers that would otherwise be wasted and repurpose them to bring happiness to others, they all approach this a little bit differently.  If you’d like more information about any of these organizations, just click on their link to be taken to their website.

Random Acts of Flowers:  Knoxville/Tampa Bay/ Indianapolis 

Vision: “Our vision as a flower charity is to inspire and nurture a culture of care and compassion.” Random Acts of Flowers, delivers “recycled flowers, encouragement and personal moments of kindness” to improve the emotional health and well-being of individuals in healthcare facilities.

Petals for Hope: All US States

Mission: “To help transform the event and wedding industry into a more sustainable one by creating a streamlined and cost-effective donation process.” Petals for Hope, repurposes donated flowers from floral events and businesses by restyling them into bedside bouquets and arrangements. These are then delivered to those in the community in need. They also use the flower donations to host floral arranging workshops for children’s hospitals, nursing homes, at-risk children, and shelters.

Rebloom Flowers: Across Canada

Mission: “To ensure flowers are enjoyed for days, not hours, and our environment doesn’t suffer from our enjoyment of them.” Rebloom, uses a three-step process: Step 1: Pick up flowers that would otherwise end up in the garbage and redesign them into bedside table arrangements;  Step 2: Deliver newly redesigned flowers to a charity of your choice: senior homes, patients in hospices, cancer treatment centers, mental health facilities, domestic abuse and homeless shelters; Step 3: Compost the flowers: When the flowers have reached the end of their life span, Rebloom will collect them and take them to a compost facility to complete the organic life cycle. (Note: Rebloom charges for their pick up and compost service)

Bouquets of Aloha: Maui, Hawaii

Mission: “To bring joy and kindness to those in need and a new life to flowers.” Bouquets of Aloha, accepts donated flowers and restyles them into bouquets which are then delivered to the elderly in senior centers.

The Reflower Project: Boston and South Shore, MA areas

Goal: “To be ‘green’ and we are dedicated to improving the health of the environment and well being of our community.” The Reflower Project, re-purposes and delivers flowers to community centres.

Bouquets of Kindness: Northeast Florida

“Strengthening our community, showing kindness to our neighbors and growing friendship in unexpected places with the gift of flowers.” Bouquets of Kindness, accepts donated flowers and then takes the flowers, some tools and supplies to senior living facilities. The Bouquets of Kindness volunteers stay and encourage the seniors to create their own arrangement.

FloweRescue: Helsinki

Vision: “No flower goes to waste before bringing joy to someone.” FloweRescue collects surplus flowers from those in the floral industry and repurposes them into bouquets they then deliver to residents, hospitals, and charity partners.

The Floral Project: UK

“Sow. Grow. Give.” The Floral Project, has gardeners - experienced and new - all around the UK, creating a cut flower patch in their own garden as a way to grow flowers and give to those in their community.

These are organizations I’m aware of who are making a positive impact in their community with flowers. If you know of any others, please let me know as I ‘d love to add them to my list.  

Have a great time bringing joy to others on Random Acts of Kindness Day. 

“Being kind to someone inspires them to be kind to someone else.”

5 Ways You Can Use Flowers to Boost Your Mood

It’s winter, and during these shorter, colder, darker days, we can sometimes start to feel a little bit down. An easy and affordable way to boost our mood is with flowers. 

For centuries people have intuitively known that flowers have a positive impact on our emotions. Having fresh flowers in your home and workplace is a natural way to improve not only your own well-being, but the well-being of those around you.

Here are my top 5 suggestions on how to use flowers to boost your mood:

1 - Have a small bunch of brightly coloured blooms on your bedside table. When you see flowers first thing in the morning they give you an instant mood boost. Not only that, but that initial boost will make you feel happier and more energetic throughout the day.

2 - Have a vase of fresh flowers in the kitchen. A communal spot like the kitchen is a great place to have flowers so everyone in the family can enjoy them.

3 - Have flowers on your desk at work. Even a bud vase with one stem of flower will give you a cheerful pick-me-up every time you glance at it throughout the day. Research also shows that having fresh flowers at work can increase your productivity.

4 - Give a bouquet to someone. Giving someone flowers not only has a positive impact on the receiver but also on the one who gives them. Such a great way to brighten someone else’s day as well as your own. 

5 - Choose flowers in your favourite colour for an extra boost. Flowers in a colour you love makes them extra special and will have an even bigger mood-boosting impact.

Top money-saving tip: To make your flower dollars go further, buy one bunch of flowers and divide it into several small vases, spreading those vases throughout the house. 

It’s almost magical the way flowers make us feel better. Their colour, fragrance and freshness make an impact on us without us even realizing it. Next time you’re out-and-about pick up a bouquet, and see how something so simple can make you feel so much better.

3 Ways You Can Use Flowers to Create Strong Memories

Use flowers to improve your memory

Scientific research has proven flowers can strengthen our memory. The vibrant colours and enticing fragrance they have affect our senses so strongly they create memories that can be recalled decades later. 

My first flower memory is of sweet peas growing in our garden. That may have happened as a child, but as an adult, every time I smell sweet peas I am transported back to that moment.

Floral memories can start as young as three or four years of age and those connections between the past and the present are an important part of our well-being. But if you’ve reached adulthood and don’t seem to have any strong floral memories, it’s not too late to start creating them for yourself. 

Here are my three suggestions for creating your own flower memories:

1. On your birthday every year buy yourself a bunch of flowers. Choose the same type of flower each year making sure it is seasonal so you’ll know it’s available. In fact, buy two bunches! One for you and one to give to someone else. You’ll always remember your ‘birthday flower’, and how it made not only your day special, but someone else’s too.

2. Some flowers have a scent that will stay with you even if it’s years until you smell it again. Start exploring different flower fragrances, and when you find one that you connect with, take note of it. Every chance you get, try and smell that flower, buy bath and beauty products with that fragrance and treat yourself to a fresh bunch of that bloom when they’re in season. One of my favourite fragrant flowers is plumeria, but other great floral scents are jasmine, gardenia, sweet peas, garden roses, honeysuckle, lilac, lily of the valley, freesia, and lavender.

3. If you’re planning a vacation, choose a destination known for a specific flower and try and organize your trip for while they’re in bloom. Some suggestions are Provence – lavender; California – poppies; England – bluebells; Japan - cherry blossoms; and Holland – tulips. A trip like this will certainly create lasting memories. 

It’s true that flowers fade away, but the emotions we connect with them, and the memories attached with them, will be relived over and over.

INTERESTING FACT: A study was conducted where 15 of Britain's most popular flowers were rated and ranked by the public. Here are the results  of the most memory-evoking flowers:

Gold: 1. Roses; 2. Bluebells; 3. Daffodils; 4. Sweet peas; 5. Sunflowers    

Silver: 1. Snow drops; 2. Honeysuckle; 3. Meadow buttercups; 4. Pansies; 5. Primrose        

Bronze: 1. Snapdragons; 2. Heather; 3. Forget-me-nots; 4. Geraniums; 5. Marigolds

What would be your number one pick?