U.S. flower giants are beginning to respond to criticism over abusive labor practices.

For conscious consumers, the hypocrisy is striking every Mother’s Day: those colorful blossoms given to brighten Mom’s day are most likely produced under a dark cloud of abuse that often harms female workers most. Before buying a bouquet, consider selecting a Fair Trade-designated arrangement from either FTD or 1-800 Flowers.

The U.S. Labor Education in the Americas Project reports that in Colombia and Ecuador, the two largest flower exporters to the U.S., workers earn poverty-level wages. What’s more, 55% of women workers in Ecuador have been victims of sexual harassment, and 66% of all workers suffer from work-related health problems due to handling dangerous pesticides. This exposure causes workers to experience higher rates of premature births, congenital malformations, and miscarriages. The stress heightens during the busy season, when workers can put in 70-80 hour work weeks with no overtime pay.

In February, Change.org drew a bulls-eye on 1-800-Flowers, calling for a boycott of the flower provider for Valentine’s Day due to these barbaric practices. More than 50,000 members signed a petition urging the flower giant to offer fair trade selections by Mother’s Day.

The company responded, offering six new, clearly labeled arrangements (Change.org called for five), and three fair trade gift baskets. The “Planet Friendly Smile” prices are only slightly higher than the conventional choices. The flowers in these selections were grown and picked in accordance with fair trade criteria and are certified by Fair Trade USA.

1-800 Flowers is now reportedly working to increase its transparency and is moving towards partnering with more fair trade-governed flower farms. Customers need to encourage a full-scale operational transformation by buying these newly available selections. Consumers always have a vote by deciding where and how to spend their money.

Change.org has also turned its eye on FTD, but the company needed little urging before it followed 1-800 Flowers’ lead. FTD hasn’t come as far as 1-800 Flowers yet, but they offer five fair trade arrangements and, we hope, will move toward greater transparency in sourcing soon. 1-800 Flowers and FTD are both major U.S. flower vendors, so if their lines are successful, it will set a powerful precedent.

image: Pink Sherbert Photography

It starts with a sinking feeling in your stomach. The feeling doesn’t care that you have a killer dress on, or that you’ve finally discovered high heels that aren’t permanently mutilating your feet. The feeling doesn’t care that you share a mutual love of Anne Sexton with only single groomsman. It is, of course, the feeling you get when you realize you forgot the cardinal rule of wedding attendance as a single women – you didn’t flee the room like your hair was on fire when they announced the bridal bouquet toss.

The bouquet toss is a wedding tradition that originated out of an old habit of tearing the bride’s wedding dress to pieces. Back in olden-times England, the bride was considered infused in good fortune. So her guests would claw at her dress to get some good luck for themselves. As a way to stay clothed, the bride would toss her flowers at the congregation to distract them from her threads. So the singleton who caught the bouquet would also catch the bride’s good fortune and presumably, not the plague or bad teeth.

I caught the wedding bouquet – once. It was my sister’s wedding and I was 24-years-old. When my 7-year-old niece was informed that I caught the bouquet at her mother’s wedding, she laughed and offered “Well, that really worked!” She said this a few months ago, when at aged 38, I did wed.

And what does getting married in my late 30s mean? That somewhere around the age of 30, my interest in getting tossed at a wedding shifted focus from flowers to booze. For me, age 30 was The Year of Many Weddings. This was also the year when a groomsman asked me why I was still single as we walked down the aisle together. This happened because I went against type. At age 30, I should have been juggling cats in my Miss Havisham threads, not wearing a Vera Wang bridesmaid’s dress I couldn’t afford.

So when the bouquet toss was announced at this particular wedding, the atmosphere was ripe with delight and tension. Since this was a family wedding, I had the pleasure of cousins shoving me out on the dance floor into the lineup. In between leaving nail marks dragged across the floor, I grabbed my 5-year-old cousin to go up with me. I promised her that it would be delightful. Accordingly, I practically threw her at the flowers when they came our way. Let me just say – rolling around on the floor with a crying child in your arms does nothing for Vera Wang.

And yes, we know, some people like to toss the bouquet at their wedding. Others will lunge for it like it’s a life jacket on the Titanic, having lots of fun along the way. To these people – we hear you, we love you, and comment away on our lasting discomfort.

But not everyone wants to get up there and dive for flowers. So here are their thoughts and stories – most now married, some happily single, all united in their survival of tosses past. (Note: Our survey was completely scientific in that we called our friends. In that it wasn’t. At all. And partially anonymous to avoid hurt feelings. But still!)

Sara from San Francisco tells it bluntly: I once witnessed a bouquet toss done by the father of the groom who said, kid you not – microphone and all – “Will all the virgins please stand for the bouquet toss?” There was an uncomfortable murmur that ran through the crowd, and he said defensively, “What? If you’re not married wouldn’t you be a virgin?” Cue a bunch of weirded out women in their 20s and 30s not getting out of their chairs.

Anonymous from New York City reminisces: There’s always the married girl at your table that starts yelling “That’s you, that’s you!” when they ask for all the single ladies – as if you didn’t know you were single.

Kacey from Los Angeles is thoughtful: The bouquet toss really does define what kind of a woman you are (or at least where you are in life). Whether you go to the front of the pack and fight for it or stand in the back and avoid it pleasantly to appease the bride. Or, maybe you’re just a camera whore and you want to make sure you make it in the album for posterity.

Starre from Norwalk, Connecticut, is passionate: I hate the bouquet toss! It makes women seem so desperate and pathetic, I just can’t get over it. Why does anyone do this anymore? It’s just insulting in this day and age. I personally have refused to do this at weddings and the one time I was forced into it, I stood in the back, very embarrassed. Seems mean to the bride if you don’t, but makes me feel like a total schmuck to stand there, I just can’t bring myself to do it.

Anonymous from Los Angeles is fired up: No way would I do a toss after seeing grown cousins ripping each other’s hair out over bad roses, baby’s breath and a prayer. Also at my friend’s wedding, she threw a splintered bouquet, which splintered to many different people. But my splinter was the official “catch”. What was my prize? An excruciatingly embarrassing piece of wedding theater – I had to sit in a chair while the drunken guy who caught the garter got to put said lingerie on my leg (some obnoxious song in the background).

Amy from Chicago talks battle wounds: All can say is there is nothing worse than being pushed out on the floor to catch the bouquet by “well meaning” friends, (I seriously question that,) and realizing that your only competition is 13-year-old girl. Or worse, for me, once a 6-year-old girl.

Laura from Long Beach remembers: At one wedding, the bouquet was tossed into a crowd of women who let it land without anyone catching it. Then everyone just stared at it on the floor.

Andrea from Arlington, Virginia, is frugal: Flowers are too expensive to throw, who are we kidding anyway?

Anonymous from Seattle is sweet: I got married at 22 and threw the bouquet – don’t you remember grabbing for it?

And finally, we end on a positive toss. Clearly, these people know how to party .

Image: molly_darling

Having fresh flowers in your home or office can brighten up a room literally and improve your mood, too. If you’ve created a gorgeous garden of blooms, why not use your hard work in the garden as your source of flowers rather than forking out cash at the store or market? If you follow our tips for cutting fresh flowers, you’ll be able to enjoy them to their fullest. And you can read our guide to flower arranging to make sure your bouquet is one to impress.

When to Cut

You may be tempted to snip a few blooms when you’re outside midday, but this isn’t the best idea. If you cut flowers first thing in the morning, you’ll get ‘em after the cooler temps at night have helped to restore their strength. If you cut them at night, they’ll be filled with food. Either option is a good way to maximize the longevity of cut flowers.

How to Cut

Picking flowers might sound like a fine idea when the feeling strikes, but you should never break or pull flower stems. Instead, bring a sharp pair of pruning shears, or scissors if you’re cutting thin stems, outside, so you’ll make clean cuts. You don’t want to damage delicate stems.

Keep Them Wet

When you go out to cut your flowers, take a bucket or cup of water with you. This way, as you cut each flower you can place it in water. If the stem is left to fly in the breeze, the air will start to seal up the flower so it will wilt before you get a chance to enjoy it.

Re-Cut the Stems

Once you get your cut flowers inside, you’ll want to re-cut the stems. Do this underwater for the best results. Also, this time, take care to cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. The angled cut will help ensure your flowers will absorb the maximum amount of water in the case, as it keeps them from sitting flat in the vase.

Blooms from Bulbs

Some flowers need special care when cutting. Blooms that grow from bulbs can struggle to drink water unless you snip of the white part at the bottom of the stem before you put them in water. Watch out for this with daffodils, crocuses and tulips.

Milky Stem Flowers

Sunflowers and zinnias are what green thumbs call milky stem varieties. To keep the flower from losing all of their nutrients, which are important for them to keep looking beautiful once you take them inside, you should dip each stem in boiling water for about 30 seconds before placing them in the vase.

Woody Stem Flowers

If you have a dogwood or lilacs, you’re in luck with great blooms, but you have to be sure to cut the stems properly to enjoy them in the house. Use a hammer to smash the thick stems at the bottom until they’re frayed.

Food for Longevity

Since you won’t get a packet of powder (which contains who knows what!) when you get a bouquet of flowers from your backyard, you can use DIY solutions to make the flowers last. Everyone has their own recommendation for what you should put in the water. Since bleach and aspirin don’t appeal to our eco side, try a copper penny and a cube of sugar; two tablespoons of both apple cider vinegar and sugar; or a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar – yes, vodka.

Images: eedrummer, per Ola Wiberg-Powl

There are bursts of color extending from delicate stems this time of year. Case in point: Hydrangeas and dahlias are displaying their bountiful intricate blooms. My favorite vessels require only a blossom or two. The Recycled Glass Balloon Vases (starting at $39) by VivaTerra are “˜perfectly imperfect.’ And the Stem Vase by Ferm Living (€39.95) provides a porcelain vessel surrounded by natural alder wood.

These porcelain Test Tube Vases (starting at $28) by Pigeon Toe Ceramics are a lovely display whether mounted on the wall or suspended with grace. Pigeon Toe Ceramics has handfuls of cast ceramic products that are begging for a sprinkle of petals.

Vintage containers by Terrain (or your local antique store) provide a nostalgic way to let your flowers lounge. The Boston Bread Mold ($68) can handle a garden of floral delights. And while you’re at it, adorn these gorgeous French Baby Bottles ($28) with a delicate stem or two.

The more I learn about Monsanto and its seed patenting, genetic modifying and monopolistic tendencies, the more I worry about where our food supply is headed. As such, I eagerly accepted my friend’s invitation to visit the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Bank in Petaluma.

The Seed Bank is fittingly located in a beautiful historic 1920′s building in downtown Petaluma that previously housed a Sonoma County branch of Bank of America. The high vaulted ceilings make idyllic browsing amongst the rows and rows of seeds.

Perhaps most impressive were the number of varieties of cucumbers and eggplants. Amazing when you consider the typical grocery offers one, maybe two varieties of each vegetable at most. Here they housed over 30 varieties of cucumbers alone, such as the Hmong Red, Parisian Pickling or one of our favorites, the Jaune Dickfleischige.

And eggplants! With over 40 varieties of eggplants, I was astounded to learn that eggplants come in all shapes and sizes, and often resemble tomatoes. Biodiversity, represent!

All and all, the Seed Bank offers over 1400 varieties of seeds. In addition to vegetables, they offer a large swathe of flower and herb seeds, as well as gifty-type products such as pickles, aprons and postcards, or more utilitarian items in the form of gardening tools or “how-to” books.

Luckily, many other heirloom seed companies exist throughout the country. My mother raves about the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa and many offer mail-order. I highly recommend jumping on the heirloom seed bandwagon when planting this spring season. You too could grow Chioggia Beets and Purple Podded Pole Beans!

The slogan for the gardening center in my neighborhood called Flowercraft is, “We Sell Happiness.” Too true. As springtime is now in full swing, I find myself at the nearby gardening center on a weekly basis. I feel my spirits lift from the moment I walk into the bounty of plants, a feeling then carried on through the day while watching my “little babies” grow at home. What is it about growing plants that is so exciting?

Whatever it is, it’s exciting enough that anytime I happen by a garden nursery I have to pull over to check it out. I recently unexpectedly found myself at the Berkeley Horticultural Nursery. I was so completely mesmerized that my partner looked at me with near-concern when I didn’t answer his question in my glassy-eyed state, “What do we need again?” As my dad used to joke when we guiltily ordered a third donut at the bakery growing up, “What does need have to do with it?”

The selection at any nursery these days is copious, as it’s high planting season. The number of options can be a little daunting. I highly recommend planting a few flowers in and amongst your vegetables and herbs to create a varied, living environment. Current favorite accents: Alysum, Cosmos and Lobelia. Happy planting!

Images: JannK, ddsnet, LadyLoneRanger

Sure, you’re forced to take down the ghosts and fuzzy spiders (news flash: your neighbors are pissed if you haven’t done so), but some of the seasonal elements we put up to get in the mood  should endure until the end of the year, if not beyond.

Here is my list of favorite affordable decorative displays for the festive and frugal in all of us.

1. Lanterns

Rice paper lanterns bobbing outside (with solar lights) or in your rooms make a huge, happy statement. I love the cylinder shapes with Asian motifs like the ones found at My Green Party Goods, $3.50 each.  Keep out of wind and rain and purchase eco options.

2. Mini Pumpkins

Don’t toss these babies out with the bad Halloween candy. They transition to the Thanksgiving table (orange+pumpkin) and even co-mingle happily pomegranates and pepper berries for winter holiday merrymaking. You can buy organic by the case at Baldor, if you haven’t already succumbed to the adorable guys at the farmers’ market.

3. Bowls of shells

It’s likely you have amassed these already. Gather them in a pretty bowl for the coffee table, scatter on the table, line them on the mantle. Shells – often used to evoke romantic, seaside summer lazing – work just as well in fall and winter. I like combing the beach for sand dollars and tossing them into my mix.

4. Strung Cards

I string three rows of natural wire along my dining room wall to hang beautiful cards from the high holidays and my daughter’s October Bat Mitzvah to Halloween, Thanksgiving and winter holiday greetings. Just pick up some clamps and you’re in business. Guests love them and cards are so cool, why toss them out?

5. Photo Displays

I’ve mounted many photo walls for clients and friends, which is affordable art for the home and a way to display treasured memories from the year. Of course, assorting eco frames on various tables throughout the house works well, too (school photos, Halloween shots, other fun scenes).

6. Foliage

Harvest leaves, twigs and pine cones and branch out in your earthy styling of tables, entryways and other venues that smack of fall color. I like how Arenamontanus gathered a grouping for a desk.

7. Candles

Beeswax candles come in all shapes and sizes and really set the mood for seasonal statements. Mix ‘em and match ‘em, turn off the lights and turn on the tunes. For a great assortment visit 1000 Markets.

8. Recycled Cloth Coasters

Like these vintage treasures from Etsy, turn your excess fabric into coasters with easy sewing for delightful results. When do you put them away? Never.

9. Table coverage

Roll out the organic runners and roll out the fun, kids. This sumptuous moss design from Amenity can take you through the seasons and inspire unique styling. I use them to dress up many surfaces from the dining table to the buffet and entry way.

10. Vintage Dishes

This peach glass from Step Toes is a lovely example of the menagerie of collectibles you can break out to display and use for serving, from favorite heirloom porcelain to tea pots and even plates hung for display. This is where you canhave blast and save on that styling budget.

We have long sung the praises of Midwestern textile designer, Amy Butler, who introduced an exotic, Indian-inspired organic bedding collection of five designs this year. She even rolled out rugs to match!

The lovely and much needed bedding (still can’t find organic in many of my favorite haunts) includes 400-thread count sheeting, elegant embroidery and paisley flourishes woven without harmful dyes.

Among my faves is the Bucharest motif (above) with patterns found in Romanian embroidery and the flourishes of formal gardens. While modern and bold, the charcoal gray and ivory palette imbues the collection with understated warmth. The duvet would be at home in many environments – perhaps even yours.

Leave a comment here and you could be sleeping in the bedding soon as part of our decor give-away.

I would even repaint my master boudoir gray to complement this lovely duvet. Hey, that rhymes! Lemon yellow would work well as a backdrop, too, don’t you think?

Image: Amy Butler Design

It’s all about fun in the sun when dressing little girls in the ultra bright and cheerful colors of the season. Nothing better suits their bubbly personalities than golden sunflowers, blissful seahorses and garden ladybugs. Go wild but don’t forget the sunscreen (summer’s most crucial fashion statement).

EarthGroovz Sunflower Tunic from Etsy, $26, blooms nicely over jeans (above)

Baby Blend Natural Beach Cruiser Tee, $23.50, for catching buttery waves

Faeries Dance Ladybug Oneside, $20, can wing it during her summer daze

Sitting pretty in Silky Fishy Print ensemlbes, $20 – $140 at Round Belly

Yes It’s Organic Sea Horse Dress, $35, in pretty baby blues and greens

Arabella Miller Soil Association Certified organic tees are rooted in nature

Kate Quinn Organics Printed Halter Dress, $36, will keep her cool and hip

Happy Green Bee Girl’s Sport Suit, $38, has vintage boardwalk vibes

Ready for tea in this Cherry Floral dress from the fair trade UK company Piccalily

Hats Off to I Play Baby Wear for a stylish summer coverage for delicate skin

Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Victoria Everman.

Having a sustainable wedding is as easy as locally-grown, organic pie. In the midst of planning my own event, I’ve found that being planet- and money-conscious is not only feasible – it is fun.

It is so easy to get overwhelmed by the wide world of weddings that you might forget about your green goals. Even I’m guilty of it. That’s where my eco-wedding blog comes in, where I catalog my visual inspirations and favorite sustainable wedding companies.

Ready to save some time and a nice chunk of change? Just check out my list of eco-conscious wedding-related companies and creative ideas that are a click away!

Ink and Wit

There are a number of wonderful eco-friendly wedding invitation companies out there, but Tara Hogan’s Ink+Wit has a special place in my heart. I’ve been a long-time fan of her letterpress art and stationary, so when the time came to began planning my own wedding, I knew she was the designer for me.

Just recently, Tara launched a pre-designed line of wedding invitations that can be easily customized and come in any Pantone color you can imagine. Working with her on my custom invitations has been a fantastic collaborative process; I couldn’t ask for anything better.

Earthly Affair

For those who like more traditional invitation designs, Jen Stambolsky’s Earthly Affair collections are just the thing. With
18 designs to choose from, you can choose the type and colors on all the styles. Though she doesn’t do custom work, she does stick firmly to her sustainable manifesto. A small, eco-friendly, affordable business – Earthly Affair is a triple treat!

Sarah Seven

Choosing a dress is one of the toughest tasks when planning an eco-friendly wedding. For the non-traditional bride, my favorite handmade gowns come from Sarah Seven. Handmade in Portland, Ore. with recycled bustiers and fabrics, Sarah’s designs are mostly above-the-knee, but she will happily customize them to any length (and color) you choose. She has also developed her first bridal line that will make any bride stand out … sustainably.

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com

If you like traditional styles but can’t bring yourself to pay $6,000 for a dress, check out PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. The site features over 2,000 gowns by any and all major designers you can name, all of which have been either never worn or worn only once. I’ve found over 20 gowns that fit my style, budget, and body. Of course, most gowns will need to be tailored after you receive them, but is a small price to pay compared to how much you can save!

Krikawa Rings

Sustainable rings are another difficult task for a green wedding. There are a number of great companies out there for ethical diamonds and recycled metals, but that is all too traditional for me. Instead, I prefer lab-created color “diamonds” and gems set in palladium – the lesser-known (and more affordable) sibling of platinum. Krikawa Rings specializes in both and makes some beautiful custom bands in varying prices.

Snippet & Ink Budget Tips

Saving money can easily be connected with saving the planet. Snippet & Ink, one of my all-time favorite wedding blogs because of their constant source of inspiration, has a full category of real and idea weddings based on budgets. I’ve found money-saving ideas in their posts that I’ve never seen elsewhere. Inventive and thrifty – that’s a winning combination in my book.

Martha Stewart’s Free Templates

No one can deny the mastery of Martha Stewart and her Weddings magazine is always fantastic. Add a bit of her crafty world to your wedding, thanks to her free downloadable templates. Available in a host of patterns and colors, she offers up options for everything from favor bags and seating cards to centerpieces and thank-you postcards. Who ever said you can’t get anything good for free?

Laurie Cinotto + OnceWed’s DIY Projects

Creatively-endowed or not, you can easily pull off one of Laurie Cinotto’s spectacular DIY wedding projects. Flower arranging, ring pillows, vases, boutonnieres, garlands – there are six pages of simple projects that will create a big impact for your special day. Each project has clear step-by-step instruction and pictures, including an item-by-item cost roundup to help budget. These are not to be missed!

The Small Object Cake Toppers

Be prepared to say awwww, because these cute creations are incredibly swoon-worthy. Handmade by The Small Object’s founder, Sarah Neuburger, these wooden cake toppers are made specifically for each couple and can be customized right down to their wardrobe and flower colors. Sarah recently added cupcake toppers to her list of creations, perfect for anyone with a smaller budget or quirky sense of humor.

Have your own favorite green wedding vendors? Share their website links with us in the comments section.

Victoria Everman is an eco writer, consultant, model, photographer, crafter and yogi. You can check out her process of planning a local,
eco-friendly, independent wedding at Planning an Eco-Indie Wedding. For more eco inspirations, visit her main blog at victoria-e.com.

Images: Fevi in Cayman, Victoria Everman