Dreaming in purple

It's spring. The sun is shining (ok, it's usually shining. This is, after all, Los Angeles) birds are singing, the tree outside my window is once again covered in beautiful green leaves, and I get the itch for flowers. I always try madly to ignore this itch: cut flowers live for a short while and then die. Which equals big mess for Dani to clean up, before my cat-niece gets to it. And as for potted plants ... well, I've long ago come to terms with the fact that not only do I not have a green thumb, I have a black thumb. I have even managed to kill a cactus. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, plants and I don't get along. If I have to take care of them, that is.

And still, I love flowers. Maybe it's my girlie side coming through, maybe it's just my aesthetic sensibilities and appreciation for all things beautiful. I haven't often received flowers in a romantic fashion, though I really appreciate it when I do (in spite of the afore-mentioned clean-up).

My favorite flowers - by far - are tulips. In purple, naturally. My tastes lean in the direction of clean, crisp lines, and of all flowers tulips deliver on this aspect. Tulips are flowers that don't need company in a vase. They hold their own, proud, unhampered and unencombered by such fussiness as baby's breath or grasses. They are simple, classic, and timeless. As for the color - there is just something about purple that makes my heart go pitter-pat every time I see it. There isn't a splash of it in my apartment currently, though my car is, indeed, purple.

Now I've waxed poetic long enough about the virtues of purple tulips, and the urge to hop on over to Trader Joe's and buy a bouquet would be overwhelming if not for the fact that I'm down with the flu. For curious parties, here's a great arrangement of my favorite flowers, as done by FTD. It can be purchased here. Happy spring!