There is a lot of mystique surrounding skill of flower arranging, but with practice, you will find that your eye soon develops so that you create increasingly effective arrangements. Once you have chosen a group of flowers and foliage that you think will go well together, consider where arrangement will be place and which container you plan to use.

It is then a matter of creating a shape that suits all three and that shows off flowers and foliage to their best advantage. Some people find this a very simple process; others have to take their time and make what they believe to be mistakes along way.

Keep a record of arrangements that catch your eye and try to think why they attract you, is it choice of colours? The container? Or particular flowers that have been used? Dramatic arrangements in hotel lobbies, for example are great inspiration for smaller scale arrangements in your own home.

Used books, magazines, fabrics, and gardens to give you ideas of colours and shapes, too, but don’t be afraid to experiment, you will soon get to know what works and what does not.

The Talking Cure Keeping lines of communication open is essential. Before you even step foot in your dorm, give your roommate a call and find out who you'll be living with for next year. Here are some tips for getting off to a good start:

Discuss important issues and establish rules. If you can't study with music on, then come to an agreement about quiet hours. If she likes to have lots of friends in room all time, and you don't, make a schedule so that you can both enjoy room at different times. If your roommate would rather you didn't study with light on when she's trying to sleep, she should tell you. If you make house rules, and communicate openly and often, you can avoid unpleasant surprises down road.

Be respectful. Successful roommate relationships are based on mutual respect. If your roommate doesn't like anyone borrowing her clothes, respect her wishes. If you don't like music on while you're studying, she should respect your needs, too.

Be willing to compromise. You and your roommate may not agree on everything, but you both have to be willing to compromise a little bit. If you're a slob and she's a neat freak, you should start cleaning up, at least in parts of room you share. And she should try to be flexible and realize your unmade bed doesn't affect her.

Be courteous. Courtesy is contagious. If you behave politely to your roommate, she will likely follow your lead. Take messages when people call for her. Wish her luck on an exam. Ask if you can pick up something for her while you're running errands. And, don't borrow anything without asking.

Good friendships often begin by sharing space with strangers. So, who knows... maybe that loud, partying roommate you thought you'd never last with will become your good friend.

dan the roommate man