show me yours
Not exactly a thriller or chiller kind of book, but oh-so-pretty!
by AimeeKay of How can you help?
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The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers
by Amy Sewart
Does it matter that a bouquet of roses travels halfway around the world before it arrives at your supermarket or florist? Or that growers force tulips to bloom in December? Are we being tricked when a scientist engineers a lily that doesn't shed pollen?
For over a century hybridizers, geneticists, farmers, and florists around the world have worked to invent, manufacture, and sell flowers that are bigger, brighter, and sturdier than anything nature could provide. Almost any flower, in any color, is for sale at any time of the year.
Amy Stewart travels the globe to take us inside this dazzling world. She tracks down scientists intent on developing the first genetically modified blue rose; an eccentric horticultural legend who created the world's most popular lily (the 'Star Gazer'); a breeder of gerberas of every color imaginable; and an Ecuadorean farmer growing exquisite, high-end organic roses that are the floral equivalent of a Tiffany diamond. She sees firsthand how flowers are grown and harvested on farms in Latin America, California, and Holland. (It isn't always pretty).
What has been gained—and what has been lost—in tinkering with Mother Nature? Should we care that some roses have lost their scent? Or that most flowers are sprayed with pesticides? In a global marketplace, is there such a thing as a socially responsible flower? At every turn, Stewart discovers the startling intersection of nature and technology, of sentiment and commerce.
You'll never look at a cut flower the same again.
The nails :
I am terrible at doing my own nails so I have to go to a professional. I got them done by Holly at Sky Blue Nails. The nails are a simple white french tip, with a silver line. Then Holly did a flower on each ring finger nail to go with the book. She even put on extra clear coat so I might make it home to get a picture of the nails and the book cover without mussing the nails up. ( I am a super-klutz when it comes to not damaging my manicure)
by AimeeKay of How can you help?
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How to play:
1. Email me (vvb32 at yahoo.com) a picture of your Books & Nails.
2. Tell me the title and author of the book you are reading.
3. Provide a description of your decorated nails (optional).
Anyone can join!
If you prefer, you can send me a pic with nails au naturel.
* inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post
