Flower power

Corsages and boutonnieres have long been part of formal events, but don’t think these are the same flowers your mom wore to her prom. Susan Engle, owner of Englewood Florist, 1101 Mass., said there were new options for those looking for flowers with a modern twist.

One new item is wrist corsages with beaded bracelets instead of traditional elastic bands. The bracelets come in different colors and sizes, ranging from pearls to pink beads. These new bands are especially good for girls with small wrists and are thicker, so they don’t move around as much, Engle said.

“There are a lot of girls who want to keep these forever and ever,” Engle said. “Now they have something that will keep a little better.” Get more flower tips on page 3E.

Flowers are also popping up on two accessories you wouldn’t expect — rings and purses.

Flower rings are great for girls going in a big group who don’t necessarily have one date, Engle said.

Purses also can get a special treatment. Florists can construct flowers as ornamentation, attaching them to a pin that can be attached to a purse or even worn as a brooch.

Flowers can even be made to match a retro look. Engle said flowers like smaller daisies and button poms could be combined for a modern twist to a throw-back look.

“If people come in and know the style of dress, we usually try to match that tone in the corsage,” Engle said.

So what do you do if you have no idea what to say when ordering your flowers?

“It’s enough to know the color,” Engle said. “Then we can get creative with the placement and add flowers that people might not know to ask. There are a lot of ribbons and sparkles that are easy to add. People usually just say they want some bling.”

Flowers are also popping up on two accessories you wouldn’t expect — rings and purses.

Flower rings are great for girls going in a big group who don’t necessarily have one date, said Susan Engle of Englewood Florist.

Purses also can get a special treatment. Florists can construct flowers as ornamentation, attaching them to a pin that can be fixed to a purse or even worn as a brooch.

Flowers can even be made to match a retro look. Engle said flowers such as smaller daisies and button poms could be combined for a modern twist to a throw-back look.

“If people come in and know the style of dress, we usually try to match that tone in the corsage,” Engle said.

So what do you do if you have no idea what to say when ordering your flowers?

“It’s enough to know the color,” Engle said. “Then we can get creative with the placement and add flowers that people might not know to ask. There are a lot of ribbons and sparkles that are easy to add. People usually just say they want some bling.”

Cocktail capers

The big day can be stressful — hair appointments, nail polish and last-minute details to tend to.

These nonalcoholic coolers are a festive touch. You can sip while you’re getting ready or greet your guests with something light and fruity. MartiniArt.com has great recipes for a nonalcoholic Cosmopolitan and a berry martini called Berry Me Deeply. If you’re in a time crunch, Jayni Carey, host of “Jayni’s Kitchen” on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6, said sparkling juice was a quick and safe bet.

“It looks and tastes great,” she said.

Here are some nonalcoholic drink recipes to consider for prom:

BERRY ME DEEPLY MARTINI

2 ounces blueberry juice

1 ounce pomegranate juice

6 frozen blueberries

2 ounces fresh raspberries

2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Pour blueberry and pomegranate juice into a shaker half full with cracked ice.

Shake for a full minute, and then let shaker stand for another minute.

Rub two raspberries (smashing them) around the bowls or two frozen martini glasses.

Pour one tablespoon into each glass, swirl and pour out.

Strain juices into each glass.

Source: martiniart.com

INNOCENT SANGRIA

3 cups sweetened grape juice

2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate

1 small orange, cut into half slices

1 small McIntosh or Cortland apple, unpeeled, cored and cut into 8 wedges or 1 large peach, unpeeled, pitted and cut into 8 wedges

3/4 cup apple juice concentrate

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 small lemon, cut into half slices

3/4 cups seltzer or club soda

Combine fruit juices in a pitcher and stir in sliced fruit. Refrigerate until cold. Just before serving, add seltzer or soda. Serve over ice in wine glasses. Makes 8 5-ounce servings.

Source: www.cook.com

COSMO-NOT MARTINI

6 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice

2 ounces freshly squeezed tangerine juice

2 orange rind twists

2 very thin orange slices

1 lime cut in half

3 ounces cranberry juice

1 ounce pomegranate juice

4 drops vanilla extract

1 ounce seltzer water

Add all of the juices and vanilla extract to a shaker half full with cracked ice.

Shake for a full minute.

Squeeze in the lime juice and swirl the shaker 10 times.

Strain into 2 large, frozen martini glasses.

Top each glass with an orange slice and one orange twist.

Slowly pour one tablespoon of seltzer into each glass.

Tress test

Wispy, feminine looks are in this spring, striking joy in the hearts of those petrified of bobby pins and hair spray. Marci Durkin, owner and stylist at Avanti Salon, 1540 Wakarusa Drive, said a low ponytail was an easy look to create at home.

“It’s really about looking pretty,” she said. “Just secure the ponytail at the nape of the neck. You can wear it kind of wavy and curly; then accessorize.”

Durkin said that brooches or rhinestone clips were quick ways to glam up a basic look.

Flowers also are an easy way to dress up any style. Engle said flowers could be picked up before heading to the salon so they could be attached during the visit or placed more casually before heading out the door. If you order in advance, a florist can create a custom hairpiece that will attach to a clip or pin, Engle said.

Stylist Marci Durkin of Avanti Salon said brooches or rhinestone clips were quick ways to glam up a basic look.

Flowers also are an easy way to dress up any style. Susan Engle of Englewood Florist said flowers could be picked up before heading to the salon so they could be attached during the visit or placed more casually before heading out the door.

If you order in advance, a florist can create a custom hairpiece that will attach to a clip or pin, Engle said.

Fool-proof photos

What’s a quick way to look perfectly made-up without a lot of effort? Babette Crowder, make-up artist and owner of Babette, 924 1/2 Mass., said a tan was a great way to get a polished look.

“There are so many self-tanners out there now,” she said. “You can get spray tanned, or you can do it at home.”

Crowder said that false lashes also were an easy way to open up eyes in photographs. They really aren’t hard to apply if you allow yourself enough time, she said.

Powder is another must for good photos, she said.

“Young women don’t want to be too shimmery or too shiny for photographs,” she said. “Choose something long-wear, and make sure to use powder with your foundation.”