Guest contributor Lynn Jawitz shows how to stretch your money by creating lovely and unique floral arrangements from grocery store flowers and inexpensive containers.

Lynn Jawitz of Florisan LLC is a talented floral architect who uses the best of English and Dutch traditional designs to create gorgeous bouquets, arrangements and floral fantasies.

Lynn is one of Manhattan's most sought-after floral designers, and below, she's sharing her best tips for creating chic and stylish arrangements with more budget-friendly grocery store flowers. With Lynn's advice, you can spruce up your home decor with fantastic, fresh floral designs.

Flea Markets

One person's trash really is another person's treasure. Often for just a few dollars, the "old fashioned," the kitschy and the unique are laid out for your approval.

Collectible depression glass and pressed glass make wonderful containers for your plants and flower arrangements. "Toby" mugs and souvenir beer mugs also provide interesting vases for your arrangements.

Clear beer steins ($2) are great containers for carnations ($10) because their weight gives them stability.

Tips:
1. More stability can be had for top-heavy flowers if polished river stones are placed in the bottom of the mug.

2. Color can be added with a wrap of acetate ribbon inside the glass.

3. Remove foliage from flower stems under the water line (keep greenery above the water line).

4. Mixed color carnations make a bright treat!

Antique Stores

Usually, an antique store is a slightly more expensive option, but it's still a resource for old vases that can be recycled and reused.

Ceramic teapots are great to use as vases. They work well with roses because of the versatility and diversity of rose colors. Taking a cue from the colors on your ceramic teapot, coordinate a rose bouquet for a festive, party look.

When roses ($10) are placed with antiques, it brings back feelings of "mom," "home" or "grandma's house" - of a more innocent time.

Tips:
1. Remove foliage below the water line.

2. For better control of your roses, you can place floral foam in the "belly" of the teapot.

3. Keep the arrangement away from heat and out of direct sunlight.

4. If you have any floral preservative, you can use it in the water.

Mason, canning and pickling jars ($3) are country-spirited containers that are very handy for a more informal look. Mason jars with daisies ($10) and/or gerberas ($15) and carnations ($25) are great for a "home country feel."

Tips:
1. These jars, with their medium height and shape, complement many varieties of flowers, which make them very functional vases.

2. Looks great in most kitchen environments with its country look.

3. The clear glass can be accented with colorful acrylic rocks.

4. Make sure that the height of the flowers is no more than 1-1/2 times the height of the jar.

Ceramic Pots and Pitchers

Ceramic pots (test to ensure that they are water tight) and pitchers are great with snapdragons ($10) and/or delphiniums ($15) and/or gladiolas ($10) because the height of the pitcher supports the length of the taller flower.

Tips:
1. Snap off the extreme pointed end of the gladiolas to encourage the stem flowers to open.

2. Dendrobium orchids ($15 - $20) also look great.

3. Make sure that the height of the flowers is in proportion to the vase as well as not too tall to tip the pitcher over.

4. River stones can add weight to the bottom of the pitcher, which helps stabilize extra tall arrangements.

Gourd Vegetables

Hollowed-out squashes, pumpkins and gourds make seasonal, watertight containers ($5). Gourd vegetables are great with autumn dahlias ($15) in rich fall colors and chrysanthemums ($10).

Tips:
1. Do not place directly on a surface in the home and be sure to use a plate underneath.

2. Keep away from heat, which will cause the gourd to decay faster.

3. For a slightly shiny and preservative effect, spray the exterior of the gourd with clear hair spray before you cut it.

4. Never eat the gourd after!

5. You can place a hidden glass vase inside the gourd as the base of your arrangement or use floral foam. If the gourd is not stable on the plate, you can shear off the bottom to flatten it, but the container will not last as long.