Centerpieces

Think of them as plants with benefits—an ordinary flowerpot with edible greens gives you a centerpiece that's beautiful (and tasty), spring through fall.

Garden variety:

You don't have to have a whole garden plot to grow your own vegetables. The first step to starting your own potted vegetable garden is selecting the right plants. These colorful, container-friendly veggies not only deliver in the flavor department, they're also unusually fetching—enough to rival any garden flower.

• eggplant Small purple-striped or pure white varieties both have lilac blooms.
• tomatillo This relative of the Mexican tomato produces husks like little paper lanterns.

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Spectacular centerpieces take inspiration from unexpected places—ours began at farmers' markets.

It's time to bring a little of the outdoors indoors with a spectacular floral arrangement. We have created a series of uniquely beautiful centerpieces that carry the appealing colors and heady fragrances of the outdoors to your table. In keeping with our love of all things food-related, each centerpiece features an unexpected edible element: Asparagus and baby artichokes replace traditional greens in an elegant array; glowing grapes cascade over the edge of a tall vase filled with budding branches; and fresh herbs impart a savory note to a sweet-smelling bouquet of lilies.

Check out our slideshow for easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and use the tips below for new ideas so you can express your own sense of style.

general arrangement tips:

Use Your Instincts
There are no hard and fast rules for combining colors, shapes, and scents in floral arrangements. Experiment, take risks, and trust your senses to create a stunning centerpiece that is appropriate for the season and the occasion. Play with complementary and contrasting colors and textures, a variety of shapes and heights, and sweet, savory, and even spicy fragrances.

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It's Friday, people. Who really wants to work? You've got farmer's markets and twelve loads of laundry on the mind. You've got a Mother's Day bike ride to plan and would rather be sorting through recipes online so you can take something to the potluck brunch that won't cause seven pounds of weight gain just by licking the spatula. You are ready for a giant coffee or gimlet, not more stuff to tick off from your to-do list.

Fear not, I've made it easy for you to avoid any of those to-do list items and still get your dose of healthy living (or close enough) posts in that are at home in other areas of Shine. The most work you'll need to do is click on the links, do some reading (skimming is also understandable at this point in the day) and possibly let out a little laugh or "hmmm." Easy peasy, right? Read More »