"Isn't it great to be in a business where we are able to be creative!! Sometimes my customers streeeeetch my creativity to it's limits, but I think that is how it grows!! Love my customers & this business…I think unique requests keep our minds from growing stale!!" – Buds 'N Bows Flower Shop, Crawford GA

One of our great member florists wrote this on our Facebook yesterday, and I just had to share. It's easy to forget that florists are also artists and love the challenge of creating something truly custom, just for you. From a unique bouquet inspired by your favorite band (Yes, I've seen Greatful Dead-themed flowers), to using special items to create flowers that are intimately personal (such as using Grandma's teapot as a vase).

When you send flowers, take your time and think about what special details would mean the most to the recipient. Not just, what are their favorite colors and flowers, but also think about their hobbies, collections, obsessions or anything else that represents that individual.

Get Creative This Valentines Day!

Valentine's Day is coming up. What ways can you get creative for your Valentine? Have a girl who likes to paint? Add a few paint brushes in with her flowers. Have a girl who can't get enough zebra print? Sounds like a MUST for your flowers. All it takes is a little thought and, of course, your local florist.

To custom order something for your sweetie this Valentines Day, DON'T WAIT! Order your flowers today! And always always always use a real local florist! If you don't know yours, you can use our handy florist finder to find them.

Can you believe Valentines Day will be here in just a couple of weeks? This Valentines Day, skip the red roses and go for something with more of a BANG! Create sparks with this colorful mixed arrangement! Roses are still featured, but in brighter, bolder colors. The green fugi mums explode like fireworks throughout this design. There's no doubt these flowers are HOT!

Send some heat to your girl on Valentines Day with this unique, yet oh-so-stylish flower arrangement. The bright colors remind us warmer weather is on it's way! Who wouldn't want this delivered to them on their very special day? This arrangement is not only perfect for your sweetie, but you can also use it to show your affection to friends and family members on this day of love.

If you plan on sending Valentines Day flowers, order right now! Use our handy florist finder to find a real local florist and order your V-day flowers EARLY to get the best selections available! Continue reading "FSN's Favorite Arrangement For February" »

We've already discussed this month how Valentine's flowers aren't always roses and baby's breath. Going the extra mile to make it extra personal always pays off in the end. Here we've compiled a list of the trendiest flowers for Valentines Day 2012 (Coming up Feb 14th) that doesn't include roses! If you don't know your honey's favorite flower, I can almost guarantee she'll love one of these!

 5. Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria is a beautiful and delicate flower that kind of resembles a lily mixed with a gladiolus. Their big, showy blooms come in many beautiful colors and are used by florists in so many creative ways.

These flowers work well in many styles of floral arrangements, especially in traditional or garden-style designs.

 4. Carnation

Carnations have made a huge comeback in recent years with the appearance of bright new colors and styles. Florists have also found incredibly creative ways to showcase this ruffly flower. And you've got to love their long-lasting abilities!

Carnations come in so many unique and vivid colors now, as well as different sizes and styles.

3. Tulip

The elegance of a tulip is undeniable. Even it's champagne glass-like shape echos romance. Even their flower meaning is about love. Red tulips mean declaration of love and yellow tulip mean hopelessly in love; what more can you say on Valentine's Day?

Tulips are available in many different colors and also sizes. Their stems are unique in the fact that they can be bent and shaped in many ways, this gives florists many more artistic options.

Continue reading "Top 5 Trendiest Flowers This Valentines Day" »

Still mulling over Valentines Day arrangements trying to find the perfect flowers to send to your sweetie? Well, let me give you a little secret, it really is the thought that counts.

The more thought and time you put into choosing your honey's flowers, the more she will undoubtedly appreciate them. Include her favorite color, favorite flower or both! Use her favorite song as lyrics in the card message.

The Most Romantic Valentines Day Flowers

For a truly romantic gift of flowers, send her flowers just like the bouquet she used on your wedding day. I'm sure you have a picture of it, probably in your wallet, you can easily show your florist. Use the same colors and flowers to recreate this very special arrangement that means so much to your wife.

Most brides spend hours going through color palettes, flowers, styles and so many other bouquet options before finally choosing their perfect wedding bouquet with their florist. She will most likely instantly notice her bouquet flowers and be overwhelmed with romance and love. (Especially good for newly weds!)

Custom ordering flowers for Valentines Day is easy, you just have to do it early — like right now!

And remember, always always always use a real local florist!

Continue reading "Send Her Wedding Bouquet on Valentines Day" »

Lack energy? Feeling unmotivated? Sounds like you have a case of the Winter Blues! The winter blues tends to get everyone this time of year. With the short, gray days, frigid cold weather, and lack of flowers outside, it's easy to fall into a slump.

But wait, there's a cure!

The best and only way to remedy the winter blues is with bright hues! Don't believe me? Check out this quote from one of our favorite 2010 articles, Our Get Well Flowers Have Healing Powers:

What exactly is this flower energy?

Light is a nutrient to living things, just like food. Our bodies need light (the sunshine vitamin), just like plants need sunshine to grow. Well, we all know light is energy, but did you know color is light? That's right! Color is simply light vibrating at different frequencies. So, if light is energy, and color is light, than that means color = energy!

There is growing evidence that humans respond, both physiologically, mentally and emotionally to different colors. Simply seeing these different colors can be therapeutic, also known as chromotherapy.

As you can see, color really can help, especially against the winter blues. And what's the best way to add some color to your routine? Why, flowers of course!! Have a big bouquet of beautifully colored blooms delivered to your home, office or anywhere you are going to be spending most of your time.

Flower Shop Network is an advocate of all local florists. If you order flowers to beat the winter blues, always always always order from a real local florist!! If you don't know your local florist, use our handy florist finder to find yours today!

Continue reading "Bright Hues Cure Winter Blues" »

Valentines Day this year (2012) is on a Tuesday! I know what you're thinking, "Tuesday? How can I be romantic on a Tuesday??" With our busy schedules, trying to find time on a Tuesday to breath, much less be romantic, is hard enough. However, with just a little thought and planning, you can have the most romantic Tuesday Valentines ever!

This is where your local florist comes in handy! Not only do they deliver the most beautiful and creatively designed flowers, but in addition, most florists offer uniquely personal gifts.

Getting a Jumpstart on Valentines Day

• Plan to stop by your local flower shop early to pick out gifts/personalized arrangement. Talk to your florist about your sweetie: her favorite colors, flowers, style, etc. Sometimes it really is the thought that counts! A flower shop will have lots of gifts to add, in addition to sending Valentines Day flowers.
• Schedule a Monday or Valentines Day (Tuesday) delivery. Surprise her on Monday or have them delivered on Tuesday, either way she'll be thinking of you all week, every time she peeks up at her beautiful blooms. Continue reading "Get A Jumpstart on Romance This Valentines Day!" »

The Chinese New Year is the most celebrated event in Chinese culture. This Year, Chinese New Year starts on January 23rd and lasts 15 days. The festivities end on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival, a celebration of light.

The Chinese calendar is lunar based, so this holiday is often called the Lunar New Year. Chinese New Year's Eve is known as chú xī (除夕). It literally means "Year-pass Eve," and is also a festive time just like the New Years Eve we have in the States. 2012 is the year of the dragon according to the Chinese Zodiac.

Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and folklore. In contrast to the 'evil' European dragons, Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck. With this, the Emperor of China usually uses the dragon as a symbol of his imperial power.

 龙
Means Dragon.

Red is also very important to the Chinese New Year because of it's legendary ability to fight off evil. If you're throwing a Chinese New Year party, use lots of red decorations. Yellow and gold decorations are also used for this celebration because it symbolizes luck and prosperity. A beautiful and easy way to decorate for Chinese New Year is with flowers! Order a variety of unique flowers in bright red and yellow with gold ribbon.

For more party ideas, check out last year's article filled with great ideas for your Chinese New Years Celebration!

Cascading Splendor, the arrangement above, is our favorite flower arrangement for Chinese New Years, but your local florist will have tons of great ideas for any size occasion. Continue reading "Year Of The Dragon: Welcome 2012" »

In the dog house? With the stress of recent holidays and the new year, it's understandable many loving couples are finding themselves quarreling during this time. It's perfectly normal for couples to have disagreements, and sometimes making up can be worth the whole conflict.

Before things get too heated, step back from the situation and ask yourself, "Is all this arguing worth it?" More than likely, it's not. When we stay mad, it affects our mind, body and more. Being angry makes it hard to stay focused and be productive.

Instead of staying mad at each other, take the higher road and apologize or come to a compromise. Show her she is more important to you than any squabble. Do something extra special and out of the ordinary for her, like sending flowers. Not only will she not be expecting it, flowers show her she means more to you than anything you could ever quarrel about. Continue reading "Florals End Quarrels!" »

Can you believe it's 2012 already? Ring in the new year with Silver Bells — our featured arrangement for January! This beautiful arrangement features flowers in winter colors, accented with unique silver leaves and ornaments.

Everyone's favorite Gerbera daisies are front and center, reminding us spring is on it's way! Blue delphiniums really shine when paired with white and silver. Blue flowers are a rare treat, and delphiniums are one of the few naturally blue flowers. Another rare treat featured in this January arrangement, are the uncommon star of Bethlehem flowers. Altogether, Silver Bells shares winter bliss with everyone! Continue reading "Favorite Flower Arrangement For January" »

Well, it's over! After months and months of shopping, decorating, planning and preparing, the hardest part of the holidays is finally over. Now it's time to settle down, relax and welcome the new year. Whether you're still amped up on sweets or  fighting to stay awake, you need to make a little time for yourself! You worked HARD this weekend, why not treat yourself with a little reward?

The easiest way to reward yourself this week is by ordering winter flowers for yourself, and here's why:

• Flowers are scientifically proven to improve moods.
• You can't help but smile when looking at big, beautiful blooms.
• The heavenly smell is an instant pick-me-up!
• When you order flowers for yourself, YOU get to pick out the style and colors.
• YOU can choose your favorite flowers to really put you on Cloud 9.
• Flowers are a treat with no calories. (Something we all could use this time of year!)

But what is the best part of treating yourself with flowers?

They come to you! Continue reading "Recharge After The Holidays! Time To Treat Yourself!" »