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!" »

Keeping Christmas Flowers Fresh

So, you've got your beautiful holiday centerpiece, maybe a gorgeous Christmas flower arrangement or a lovely red poinsettia, but now what? With a little extra care, you can keep your holiday flowers all the way to New Years!

For Christmas Arrangements & Centerpieces

• Keep flowers watered. The water level of your arrangement needs to be high enough to cover all stems. If your flowers came in a tray with foam, keep the water topped off.
• It's important to add fresh water every day.
• Carefully remove any wilted or dead leaves from the arrangement. Make sure there is no foliage dipping down into the water.
• It's time to change the water if it gets cloudy!
• When changing water, re-cut stems with a sharp knife at a 45° angle before adding new flowers. This will help them absorb more nutrients.
• If your florist provided you with floral preservative, use according to directions when changing your flower arrangement's water.

Caring For Your Poinsettia

Keeping the soil moist, but not soggy, is essential when caring for poinsettias. This can be accomplished by watering it thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch. Make sure the container has drain holes. It is imperative to remove any excess water from the saucer.

Poinsettias do best in high humidity with a temperature range of 60 degrees at night and 72 degrees during the day. Avoid exposing poinsettias to temperature swings from cold drafts, heating vents or doorways. Poinsettias need approximately six hours of indirect light. Do not fertilize when the plant is blooming.  - From 2007's Legend of the Poinsettia

What Causes Poinsettia Problems

• Temperature swings
• Over-watering
• Under-watering
• Over exposure and lack of light will cause stress to the poinsettia.
• Stress of any type will cause the bracts to have a shorter life.

Poinsettia care if done properly will keep your plant healthy for a long time.

By following these tips, you can keep your holiday flowers lasting well into the New Year!

With a brand new year on the horizon, we've all started thinking about what we can do to make it better than the previous. We all have good intentions when creating New Years' resolutions, however, most of us never follow through. Why? We tend to make a lot of promises to ourselves we can't keep — Loose 20 lbs; stop smoking; read a book every month. While these are great goals to have, it can be extremely overwhelming to start these all at once on January 1st.

How To Keep Those New Year's Resolutions

Choose New Year's resolutions that aren't as hard to keep. Instead, make goals to yourself that are broad, fit into your routine and are also fun to do! Instead of focusing on drastically changing your habits, choose resolutions to enhance those aspects of your lifestyle.

Let Flowers Symbolize Your New Year

Each flower has a meaning that dates back as far as Victorian times. These meanings symbolize anything from 'love' to 'wealth & prosperity.' This New Years, let flowers symbolize what you want 2012 to mean to you. Symbolic flowers with specific meanings will help you visualize and empower your goals. Order flowers for yourself or to decorate your home for the new year, make it a new tradition. Use the flower meanings tool to find symbols of exactly what you want your new year to be for you and your family.

Best New Year's Resolutions To Keep

• Spend more time with family. (Aster, Lily, Statice)
• Go to lunch with friends more often. (Aster, Peony)
• Enjoy life more. (Gerbera Daisy, Peony, Statice)
• Find time to read more. (Iris, Protea, Heather)
• Learn something new. (Iris, Protea)
• Join a gym class you'll actually enjoy. (yoga, dancing?) (Gerbera Daisy, Protea)
• Save money. (Iris, Heather, Bells of Ireland)
• Find ways to recycle more. (Iris, Aster, Protea)
• Cut back on smoking. Find ways to commit to the quit. (Protea, Gerbera Daisy, Aster, Lily)
• Devote more time to hobbies and fun. Especially with the family. (Aster, Peony, Statice)
• Visit somewhere new. (Protea, Heather, Gerbera Daisy)
• Give or volunteer to help those in need. (Aster, Protea, Heather)

Here are a few good flower meanings to get you started: Continue reading "Let Flowers Symbolize Your New Year Resolutions" »

By now you've probably got all of your Christmas decor up, shopping mostly done, and are looking forward to the last of the holiday parties. Have you gotten a hostess gift yet? If not, your florist has you covered! Skip the busy mall and visit your local flower shop for the best selection of holiday flowers and gifts.Think flowers are a bit old fashioned? Think again!! Contemporary Christmas floral styles are incredible and will have your hostess' jaw on the floor!

From traditional red and green, to bright and colorful, your florist can do it all! Going to a themed Christmas party, or know the specifics of your hostess's decor? It's not to late to order something completely custom! (But you better hurry)

Need a last-minute gift for the person who has everything? Flowers of course! Order now and your florist will take care of all the hard work for you! Your beautiful Christmas arrangement will be delivered right to their door. No wrapping, on time and hassle free — what could be better than that!?

Just check out these DAZZLING styles:

Continue reading "Jazz Up your Christmas Decor With A Little "Holidazzle" From Your Florist" »

If you haven't taken the time to stop by your florist this season, what are you waiting for?? In addition to great holiday flowers and centerpieces, your local flower shop will also have unique holiday decor, the best poinsettias, gifts and most importantly, TONS of holiday inspiration!

The photo above is the inside of Trig's Floral & Home in Minocqua, WI. You could walk around this store for days and still not see everything worth seeing! Here you can find the best in holiday gifts and decor, why would you need to go anywhere else?? This florist is a one-stop-shop for the season!

Need gift ideas? Check out this florist's shop in McFarland, WI. The Petal Patch truly has something for everyone! Whether you need something for your niece, brother, or that friend who has everything, they've got your covered!

Continue reading "The Holiday HotSpot: Your Local Flower Shop" »

While it's not the biggest holiday on our radar this season, the African holiday, Kwanzaa, is celebrated by millions all across the nation. It's a perfect holiday for this season with it's focuses on family, community and culture.

Like the winter solstice, the celebration of "first fruits" is ancient and dates back to Egypt and Nubia in Africa. Kwanzaa's name comes from, "Matunda ya Kwanzaa" meaning "first fruits" in Swahili. Kwanzaa celebrations last 7 days; observed from December 26 to January 1 each year.

The principles of Kwanzaa are incredibly powerful and meaningful. They focus on not only building ones self, but also family and community. Each of the 7 days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to a specific principle.

The Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba):

• Umoja (Unity): Re-affirming unity of family and community, as well as nation, and race.
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves stand up.
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
• Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore people to traditional greatness.
• Kuumba (Creativity): To always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
• Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

No matter what your race, religion or background, the principles of Kwanzaa are values we can all support. They not only are building blocks for ourselves, our family and community, but serve to reinforce and enhance them. Continue reading "Kwanzaa: Family – Community – Culture" »

I have to admit, probably my favorite part of this job is looking at all of the beautiful pictures of flower arrangements posted on our Facebook wall every day. I am always astounded at the creative and out-of-the-box methods florists use to create incredibly unique holiday arrangements every year. No two are ever alike! The way florists keep it fresh every year stems from their creative abilities. I love these beautiful holiday flowers, and I know you will too…

The three pictures above are all from the talented Tom of Crossroads Florist in Mahwah, NJ. Tom decorates the lobby of the same hotel every week, and it always looks outstanding! These three are the holiday designs he's created this year, and we LOVE how creative and unique they are! Instead of going with the traditional red and green, Tom has chosen small details of the season to highlight. The white and silver for winter; the cranberry and popcorn as hints of Christmas tree garland traditions, and the green tree ornaments mixed with mesh and star-like orchids. Fabulous work, Crossroads!

We can't leave off this beautiful BLUE Christmas tree also shared with us by Tom at Crossroads Florist. Done for a large corporate lobby, this uniquely hued tree is sure to catch everyone's attention! The blue used is so vibrant and vivid; we love it!

We love these festive, holiday centerpieces created by the talented designers at The Enchanted Florist in Asheville, NC. These designs feature the elegance of sleek, curved Calla lilies, mixed with the traditional Christmas cedar and a various of red ornaments. Janet, owner of The Enchanted Florist says, "Christmas Centerpiece doesn't always have to be the same ole thing." And she's definitely right! These were for a corporate Christmas party in her city.

Click to see LOTS more pictures from "Creative Flower Shops And Their Latest Christmas Floral Designs"

Burrrrr!! It's pretty shivery outside. Everyone is bundled up in thick, winter coats, layers upon layers of heavy clothes and all thoughts set on shopping; it's easy to let romance slip our minds.

While holiday distractions abound, send your sweetie a special surprise of tulips that radiates romance! The delicately beautiful blooms of tulips will make her heart melt. Going the extra mile to send surprise winter flowers just because is one of the most romantic gestures you could do. Most of us are busy bees, planning, wrapping and decorating; it's important to take a time out and rekindle the flames of love.

Pucker Up For Tulips:

These are just a couple of tulip options, your local florist will have even more romantic flower ideas!
Tulips aren't the only flower to get her fired up, send her favorite flowers for optimal potential!

Remember to always send from your local florist!

Continue reading "Cold Lips? – Send Tulips and Feel the Heat!" »

Can you believe it's the first of December already? The holiday season is in full force. With the big sales after Thanksgiving and everyone getting their Christmas shopping done early, it's no wonder most people are taking time in early December to relax. What better way to de-stress than by ordering beautiful flowers for your home?

This December, our favorite flower arrangement is Winter Wishes. This non-traditional design is perfect for those wanting a little fun in their holiday decor. It features everyone's favorite flowers, red Gerbera daisies along with shimmery silver ornaments that ring in the Christmas Spirit! With it's bright red carnations and playful white snapdragons, this flower arrangement is perfect for all ages. Move over poinsettia, this fun holiday design is coming through!

Remember, always shop local when buying flowers. Flower Shop Network is here to help you connect to a real local florist.

Continue reading "December's Favorite Arrangement" »

During Halloween, jack-o-lanterns are on doorsteps everywhere! While pumpkins are typically used for Halloween, they are also great for fall and Thanksgiving decor! (Just without the faces.)

We spotted this adorable pumpkin decor idea and had to share: Mumkins! You know we love it because it mixes chrysanthemums with this iconic Halloween/Fall/Thanksgiving symbol.

Creating a mumkin is easy!

• Step 1: Use an awl or ice pick to poke holes, approximately 1/2" apart, around the entire pumpkin.

• Step 2: Cut blooms with 2" to 3" stems off the plants. Strip leaves from the stems. (Larger pumpkins will need around 120 blooms to completely cover them; smaller pumpkins need about 100 blooms.)

• Step 3: Stick blooms in the holes. The moisture from the pumpkin flesh will keep your “mumkin” looking good for 3 to 4 days.

Create mumkins out of several sized pumpkins for great table decor.

Continue reading "Mumkin Pumpkin – Fall Decor" »