“Happy gobble-gobble!” That’s the traditional way to say Happy Thanksgiving in my family. A table full of food is my favorite thing about Thanksgiving Day but there’s a lot to love about the holiday. Friends and family gather around to celebrate a day off of work, a really good football game, a feast of delicious food and the turkey coma that follows. What an incredible day!

What’s kind of sad is that the real meaning of the holiday is becoming lost in the muffled voices of people eating, so I’ve decided to reiterate a bit of it. We all know the story of how the pilgrims came over on the Mayflower to settle the colonies that would later become America. The winter was bleak and barren but the local Indians were kind enough to share their food as well as teach the pilgrims some survival tips for the next winter. We owed them a debt of gratitude for their hospitality, began saying thanks by dining together which formed a strong bond, and thus began the tradition of Thanksgiving.

Dining together still forms a wholesome bond between people, but sometimes celebrating Thanksgiving in this way isn’t possible. For this reason, many choose to send Thanksgiving flower arrangements or cornucopias. After all, everyone loves receiving a gift even if it is in lieu of the sender’s company. The hard part comes in finding the right card message to go along with the gift of flowers. To make it simpler, local florists have provided their favorite choices for Thanksgiving card messages. Enjoy!

Giving Thanks With The Top 20 Thanksgiving Card Messages:

1)       Among the Many Things We Give Thanks For Are Loyal Friends Like You Who Have Helped Make This Year A Success For Us

2)       Giving thanks for your friendship

3)       May your life be filled with good things to be thankful for as ours are filled with thankfulness for you

4)       Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to tell you how very much your friendship means to us

5)       1. Me - 2. Your family - 3. Everyone who recognizes kindness, caring, and generosity of spirit. Just a short list of the people whose lives you’ve touched. Happy Thanksgiving.

6)       May your heart be glad and your home be happy at this joyful time of thanksgiving.

7)       When I count my blessings, I count you twice. Happy Thanksgiving.

8)       Our homes may be far apart, but our hearts are as close as always.

9)       Thinking of you and wishing you all the blessings of this beautiful season.

10)     Happy Turkey Day.

You’re only halfway through! View all Thanksgiving enclosure card messages. Brought to you by Flower Shop Network.

There is a kind of unspoken controversy over men giving women flowers. On one hand, you make the woman happy, on the other it could seem like you have ulterior motives. So, why should men give women flowers?

Penelope Trunk recently posted an article on her blog outlining several good reasons to give flowers:

1. Flowers Make The Giver Happy

This is so true. Flowers never fail to put a smile on the face of the giver and givee.

2. People think you are smarter if you’re a guy who gives flowers.

Believe it or not, studies show by sending flowers it gives the impression you a much more caring and emotionally intelligent.

3. You will be a better manager.

As she points out, not every bouquet means ‘I love you.’ You can send a bouquet of congratulations flowers for a job well done, or even use flowers to increase productivity by lowering stress and anxiety.

All of these are very good points that I’m sure all females would agree upon, but I still hear men arguing in the background! So for those unconvinced…

Listen up guys, when is it ever wrong to see your lady smile? It is never a bad thing to make the person you love happy and sending flowers always does the trick! If you think flowers are just a cliche gift without any spontaneity then you, my friend, are doing it wrong! Give gifts for reasons she wouldn’t expect.

Flower Arrangements For Men

For instance - a friend of mine’s husband was leaving on a trip, and she was not looking forward to coming home from work to find an empty house. Instead, when she opened the door there sat a beautiful bouquet of her favorite flowers. Not only had her hubby made her happy, she also did not feel as lonely as she would have without them. Not only was this spontaneous it showed he was really thinking about her.

There are so many reasons to give flowers … even if it is just a couple of stems you picked up at your local florist … they can really turn a bad Monday into a happy occasion with one simple gesture.

But you know, ladies, men aren’t the only ones who are skeptical about sending flowers. Guys enjoy getting them just as much as we do! (Though they may not admit it) Many florists offer dish gardens or garden planters. These are neat little containers with everything you need to keep a tiny desk garden at your office - men love these … (Much more manly than roses … )

There are so many reasons to give the gift of flowers and plants for men and women. So next time you are looking for something to cheer up your loved one, you know the perfect gift!

I’m a rock chick through and through. To see this article and find out that this florist rocks the world of flowers, well, that was the clincher.

Apparently TLC is going to air a series about Jeff Leatham. Let me tell you, this man is COOL. He is a former male model who has now been dubbed “The Rock N’ Roll Florist”. He has the word “rock” in his title. Do you really need more than that? I don’t. If you do, check out the article about Jeff and the new show set to premiere tonight, November 4th at 10/9c. Don’t forget to log back in and tell us what you thought of “Flowers Uncut”.

To see what other talented florists are doing, visit Flower Shop Network for other florist spotlights or ask your local florist what great things they have in store this year.

Camellia, The Alabama State Flower

It’s common knowledge to Alabama school children that the state flower is the Camellia (Camellia japonica). It’s less known to Alabama florists and that’s just tragic. There is so much to be gained from camellias and the possibilities are almost endless!

Camellias (Camellia japonica) are beautiful flowers found in many gardens. The bloom itself can be a cut flower known far and wide for its full, mass flower appeal and unique variegations. Much like peonies and carnations, camellias are a great mass flower for florists as their unique shape is easily identifiable and classic. “Beautiful” goes without speaking.

Until I started researching some of the unique ways to use camellias, I had no idea that they were so versatile. One of my favorite techniques involves waxing them which provides a really cool finish and helps them keep longer. I even saw one waxed and spray painted gold. Now if you really want a fun corsage idea for prom, why not use camellias and those techniques? But I digress.

As the Alabama state flower, camellias come with a bit of power. They’re more meaningful and recognizable because they are a state symbol. Translation:  perfect gift.

They are easy to market because there is a lot to do with a state flower like the camellia. The symbolism of the flower makes its inclusion in arrangements more special. Plus it provides the opportunity for unique card messages. Then there’s always the opportunity to send camellia flower arrangements important holidays in Alabama. “Governor appreciation day” comes to mind but there are plenty of others. Florists are some of the best marketers around but having a flower with that much worth helps greatly.

Christmas Flower Arrangement

Red poinsettias, ‘Casa Blanca’ lilies, and the scent of fresh Christmas greens are the basis for many Christmas decorations.  Sure flowers make great decorations, but what about sending flowers as Christmas gifts?  Flowers are a fantastically appropriate gift for Christmas and other religious holidays. You won’t have to worry if they are the right size, shape, or color.  You can rest assured they won’t already have one.  Whether you use flowers for decorations or as a gift, now is the time to explore the world of Christmas flowers.

What Christmas Flowers Options Are Available?

At one time or another we’ve all sent a poinsettia to a loved one or friend for the Christmas holiday.  Although a quintessential Christmas plant, poinsettias are not the only Christmas flowers you can send.  Roses, mums, lilies, tulips and many other wonderful floral blooms are available at your local florist shop.  In fact, Christmas flowers run the gamut from traditional red roses to lime green “Fuji” mums as well as a host of plum and purple flowers.  Variety doesn’t stop with the flowers. Christmas arrangements can range from a traditional table centerpiece with candles and flowers to a contemporary arrangement with glitzy ornaments and flowers. Best of all, giving flowers as gifts during the Christmas holidays can make short work of buying presents for those hard-to-buy-for friends and loved ones.

Who Can I Send Flowers To At Christmas?

You can send flowers to anyone; your child’s teacher, your hairstylist, your uncle and aunt in TimBukTu. Sure, you could simply exchange cards, but why not add a bit of Christmas joy with some flowers? Do you have trouble finding an appropriate gift for your boss? Do you ponder with each item you look at “Is it appropriate?” or “Could it be misconstrued?” Flowers are the perfect solution—not too fancy, not too expensive, yet very thoughtful. Flowers eliminate all gift choice second guessing. The number one person to Read the rest of this entry »

Why not get the best you can possibly have all in one stop? South Loop Floral & Events is amazing. They have a wedding consultant on staff who makes sure that the day is always about YOU. They rent limousines for brides, couples, bachelor parties and other events. They rent tuxedos. They have on-site floral decorating for the wedding reception area and venue. If you need a wedding florist in Chicago, South Loop Floral & Events is the place to go.

Gorgeous Wedding Flowers

While wedding services are a large part of the South Loop offerings, these Chicago florists have a heart for wedding flowers. Beautiful, stunning wedding flowers are tailored to your desires first and foremost. If you prefer on-site decorating, no florist in Chicago can top the quality service of South Loop Floral & Events. Why? Because they work harder, stronger and longer to make sure that your every wish for your wedding flowers is fulfilled. The other services are just the icing on the cake.

Of course, being the finest Chicago florists, South Loop Floral & Events cannot pull themselves away from a love for flowers. Creating enchanting flower arrangements is what they do on a daily basis. The florist in the shop, Lyle Wilson, knows the ins and outs of floral design and works with precision to create the best bouquets for every event. Birthdays, baby showers, new babies, just because, holiday designs and other arrangements are available from South Loop Floral & Events.

Most importantly, you can trust the same quality to each bouquet you receive from South Loop. Whether a wedding bouquet or a get-well gift, you’ll be regarded as the #1 person on the priority list each and every time. Who gets better service than the top dog? Get the attention you deserve from these Chicago florists. At South Loop Floral & Events, the #1 person is you.

English Garden Style Arrangement For Searcy AR Wedding

History: English-garden designs are inspired by early English gardens which people had at their homes to produce vegetables, flowers, herbs and fruit trees. These items were grown for their fragrance, cosmetic and/or medicinal purposes.

English gardens went by many names at the time including “kitchen gardens,” “cottage gardens,” and “cuttings gardens.” Among those credited with developing the modern English garden floral style are Constance Spry, Julia Clements, and Gertrude Jekyll.

Style: Loosely structured oval or round arrangements of a variety of garden flowers (or flowers that can be easily grown in a garden). No particular style (form, filler, line, mass) of bloom is used. No particular amount is selected. This style is based on the availability of flowers grown in a home’s garden and therefore represent a less defined but very “full” look.

Flowers Used: Popular flowers in modern English Garden style designs are spike flowers including larkspur, delphinium, foxglove, hollyhock, and snapdragon. Popular mass flowers used include tulips, snowballs, marigolds, sweet peas, geraniums, stock, aster, daisies, lilies, poppies, cornflowers, all kinds of roses and carnations, lavendar, dahlias, ranunculus, anemones, and agapanthus.

All flowers used must bloom in the same season. Compatibility of the flowers is very important as this style reflects what home gardens would have had at a particular time, far before worldwide delivery was readily available.

The use of fragrant flowers and herbs is appropriate.

Basic Characteristics: Features more foliage than many other styles. The use of evergreens and woody-stemmed, leafy foliage is popular. Examples of these are Euonymus, Pittosporum, Camellia, huckleberry, boxwood and blackberry.) Weeping or trailing ivies or materials are popular with this style. Plumed grasses are appropriate as well.

Full, large arrangements that are usually round or oval. They are characterized mostly by their use of a wide variety of flowers and keen use of foliage.

Usually seen in bright, complementary colors. However, monochromatic or analogous color harmonies have become appropriate choices for modern renditions of this style.

Containers Used: While vases are often used in English Garden styles, most floral arrangements in this style are featured in an urn or similar container with durability, strength and a unique appearance.

Morning Glory VIne

Ask the Expert: what type of vine is this that has a purple flower I’m doing a project and I’m having a hard time identifying this vine. Tabetha

Plant Expert Reply:
I believe what you have is a type of morning glory. The funny thing about the morning glory is there are 1000 plants in the morning glory family - Convolvulaceae. Some look very similar and some don’t. Yet, commonly they are all called morning glory even if they are also called by other names. There are 10 genus associated with this family - Calystegia (island morning glory), Convolvulus (bindweed - bush morning glory), Ipomoea (orn sweet potato, moon vine, morning glory), Merremia (Spanish morning glory), Rivea, Astripomoea, Operculina, Stictocardia, Argyreia and Lepistemon.

So long answer short, I believe it is a Ipomoea tricolor.

Flower Shop Network recently learned that one of our favorite florists in Asheville North Carolina was dubbed the 2009 Reader’s Choice Best of the Best Wedding Flowers for Asheville by The Bride’s Book magazine. What an honor!

It is always a special moment when you receive an award. However, this award is extra special for Janet Frye and the team at The Enchanted Florist because this is not a peer review. It is an award chosen by the people that The Enchanted Florist serves. It’s an award that says “we choose you for our wedding flowers because we know you’re going to go above and beyond everyone else to exceed our expectations.”

This is indeed a proud moment for The Enchanted Florist of Asheville NC. All of us at Flower Shop Network are thrilled to see your hard work and dedication pay off. The reader’s have it. If you want quality service and beautiful wedding flowers, The Enchanted Florist is the place to go.

"Abundant Beauty" Fall Centerpiece

Need a gift for a Thanksgiving celebration? Throwing a festive fall party but need something to liven up the decorations? This fall flowers centerpiece is for you.

Fall flowers add cheer faster than Uncle Bob’s silly jokes, so fall in love with the Abundant Beauty centerpiece this year. Don’t be surprised if your other decorations get jealous.

Candle wreaths are very popular but the “Abundant Beauty” centerpiece adds a great deal to the traditional idea. First, they start with warm colors. The colors of autumn create a rapturous combination in the “Abundant Beauty” centerpiece, enough so that it become an irresistible part of your fall decorations.

The “Abundant Beauty” fall centerpiece is a gorgeous combination of fall flowers in a rust colored container. Inside lay a few cinnamon colored candles for a very unique fall centerpiece. Whether attending a fall party or hosting your own, the “Abundant Beauty” centerpiece is the perfect way to greet autumn.

“Abundant Beauty” recipe:

Bronze Or Rust Colored Metal Container
Wet Floral Foam
Orange Pillar Candles
Foliage: Seeded Eucalyptus
Stem Orange Asiatic Lilies
Rust ‘Red Rover’ Chrysanthemums
Montebresia
Bi Colored Orange & Yellow Tulips
Bronze Cushion Poms
Preserved Fall Leaves