Fresh-picked joy!

“I love sprinkling my patio table with tropical flowers—it makes me feel like I’m on a vacation even if I’m just enjoying a meal outside with friends,” shares Lauren Blum, FIRST assistant editor. “Last week, I added some island-inspired style by using a pretty plated centerpiece. To do: I snipped about a dozen blooms from my bougainvillea vine to

2". Next, I poured water onto a plate, then placed blooms one by one, forming a mound. To finish, I tucked leaves into gaps and displayed on a table—so easy!”