Q&A: 4 flower tips from a social media star
Want to shop, style and share your flowers like an Instagram pro? We asked Erin Sousa, the founder of Sparkle Media and stylish mind behind the account @erincg (which boasts more than 22,000 followers and counting) to share her tips and tricks to perfectl
QAWhat’s your go-to flower for an arrangement and why?
I love flowers that are both gorgeous, and substantial enough to stick around for longer than just a few days. Roses and peonies are my favourites for both those reasons, and I love to sprinkle single flower bouquets around the house.
What are the best flowers to pick in order to get more bloom for your buck?
Hydrangea can last for weeks if you treat it well, and they are oftentimes affordable and bountiful. I like to buy a big bundle at Whole Foods, and then put them in different sized vases around my home. They look modern cut at any length, but I love keeping the stems long.
Any tips/tricks to extend the life of a flower arrangement?
Wilting hydrangea can be remedied with a tiny trim, a big cut up the stem and almost-boiling water added into the vase. This works if you catch them in time, and can bring them back to life a few times over. For other arrangements, keep the leaves out of the water, then trim them and refresh the water with warm, filtered water every other day.
Your Instagram is full of beautiful flower shots. Any tips to take the perfect pic of a stunning bouquet?
They are my favourite thing to shoot. Lighting is key. Natural daylight will bring out the beauty of your blooms. I like to try different angles to get that pretty depth of field. Try laying the arrangement out onto a flat surface or shooting it in the vase from the top, slightly from the side.