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Archives for August 2008

Mark September With An Aster-isks

My mother is a Virgo. I’m dating a Virgo. Oddly enough, their birthday is the same day. Suffice it to say that gift giving in the Jackson family becomes very difficult around September 15th. I’m quite taken with birth month flowers as unique birthday gifts because it blends the traditional with the creative. This is a very endearing quality after three years of finding a unique gift for a man and a charming birthday gift for a mother all on the same day!

My fellow is fairly easy to please when gift giving is involved. His birthday is a fairly major occasion but finding a way to make him feel completely special on that day is difficult when we also celebrate Mom’s birthday on that day. Not this year! The two birth month flowers of September are aster and morning glory. My sweet pleasant beloved makes a point to call me from work every morning just to say good morning. For this reason, the birthday gift for him becomes *drum roll* … the morning glory! Coupled with a few wish-list gifts, a packet of seeds of this birth month flower will add a dash of whimsy to the traditional gifts. I’m still learning to knit so that I can watch him fake excitement over an ugly multi-colored sweater for next year. For this year, flowers and game consoles will do.

My mother is amazing. She’s the most incredible woman in the world (except for your mother, of course) and that near grasp of perfection can grind away at the nerves when birthday gift shopping. My mother either has everything, wants nothing, or won’t specify. Well, she’s not getting an option this year. My mother is an avid vegetable gardener. She also landscapes her yard and my grandfather’s yard to give them immaculate appearances. I know that she loves flowers and loves decorating her home with the flowers from her garden. This year she’s getting a bouquet of aster for her home and, since morning glory is typically a garden flower rather than a cut flower, a few started morning glory to add to her collection of incredible garden flowers.

Wonderful. I’ve finally found a way to satisfy all of the people in my life with September birthdays just by incorporating the September birth month flowers into a unique birthday gift. Thankfully October is all about me. Just kidding.

Contact your local florist for a unique birthday gift for your September friend!

The Friendly Florist That Will Just Make Your Day!

One of the joys of my job is that my faith in people and their good nature is daily validated by Flower Shop Network’s network coordinators. I recently learned of Fuqua and Sheffield Florist, a full service florist delivering flowers in Richmond, Virginia. The positive influence of these great people is so contagious that I couldn’t help but pass it along to you.

Lyle and his team light up the room even over the phone. Every employee seems delighted with life and genuinely excited about the work that is being done. Sending flowers from Fuqua and Sheffield Florist is a refreshing drift back to a time when working in a flower shop was invigorating and exciting because every new customer was a chance to let out the artistry and creativity of the designer. Each new face was a new opportunity for something bigger, better, and a brighter smile. This kind of enthusiasm is electric with the employees here and no doubt a direct reflection of the bubbly and pleasant rapport between Lyle and his customers. It is nearly impossible to keep from smiling after speaking with any of the wonderful people at Fuqua and Sheffield Florist.

There is a saying that it takes a dozen positive encounters to counteract the effects of one negative encounter. Lyle and his team are setting out to reverse that belief by delivering one intensely fun-filled experience after another. Passionate and driven, it’s instantly a treat to work with the team on creating romantic wedding flowers, beautiful birthday arrangements, sincere sympathy arrangements and any other floral dream in the imagination. How fun! After just one conversation, you know that Fuqua and Sheffield Florist will deliver the flowers that draw emotion from anyone—and be passionate about it!

There remains to be seen an occasion where Lyle and his team created an arrangement without vigor, drive, and contagious energy. Passion about flowers goes a long way, but when a whole team of people absolutely radiates happiness and enthusiasm—that’s impossible to keep to myself.

How Myspace Helps FSN Friends Reach New Heights

Flower Shop Network is continually searching for new and creative ways to further develop a community of florists and flower buyers. Presence on social networking sites such as the Flower Shop Network myspace.com profile, FSN facebook.com page, and others is helping Flower Shop Network and friends build relationships with other fascinating people with a love for beautiful flowers. Many of our Flower Shop Network friends have joined us on the social networking site Myspace.

One of the best things about social networking sites is that these sites enable users to interact with friends, family and acquaintances across the country and even the world. Florists continue to use social networking sites to showcase premium designs, contact other florists, and post contact information for other users. In this way, the florist’s profile becomes a high-tech billboard but with a much greater amount of information. Just look at these Flower Shop Network members that decided to get the word out via Myspace.com.

Apple Blossoms Floral Design Arrangement Live large with flower arrangements from Apple Blossoms Floral Design.

Scott Darhower of Apple Blossoms Floral Design is one of the premier Tampa, Florida florists. Having worked with flowers and floral design for more than 25 years, Scott is ahead of the game with creative flower arrangements, gift baskets, and even interior decorating skills that set apart every customer’s special event. Just as the website boasts, look to Apple Blossoms Floral Design for “designs for a lifetime…one seed at a time.”

PJs Flowers Citrus Arrangement PJs Flowers turns life’s lemons into…flower arrangements!

PJ’s Flowers and Events sets the bar for great flower arrangements and an eco-friendly mindset in Phoenix, Arizona. Florists are easy to find in Phoenix but PJ’s Flowers and Events goes above and beyond to ensure a quality customer experience. The team at PJ’s deliver unique and beautiful flowers to Phoenix and Maricopa County. Don’t believe me? Sneak a peek at the citrus collection, western styled gift baskets and more. Better still, if your conscience has you going green this year, trust the team at PJ’s Flowers and Events to go the extra mile for you and for our planet.

The Plant Bazaar Vase Arrangement Life is beautiful with flowers from The Plant Bazaar!

The Plant Bazaar applies creativity to more than just their name. A full-service florist in Westborough, Massachusetts, you can’t go wrong with the 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. Although, with more than 24 years experience in the floral industry it’s unlikely that such a guarantee would ever be tested. The premium quality floral designs offered at The Plant Bazaar have customers walking out of the flower shop grinning. Delivering flowers with a smile, the great people at The Plant Bazaar take customer service to a new high.

Floratique Rose and Lily Bouquet Everyone loves pretty pink and purple flowers from Floratique.

Mountain View, California florists are well aware of the colorful designs and quality fresh flowers delivered from Floratique. Serving a vast local area that spans four counties, Floratique is a well-known fixture in the Mountain View area. Enthusiasm and creativity are written all over the faces of the team at Floratique who works—though this much fun is almost playing—to make each experience as much about their customers as possible.

Piccadilly’s “Vibrant Violets” Arrangement It’s time for Vibrant Violets from Piccadilly’s Flower Shoppe.

When searching for Burnsville, West Virginia florists, look no further than Piccadilly’s Flower Shoppe. One of my personal favorites, it is hard to find a sweeter disposition on any florist in the quaint Southern town. Don’t let the size of the town fool you. This flower shop boasts “small town personal touches with the floral experience of major cities.” For great gifts and masterful flower arrangements, call on Piccadilly’s!

Need Ideas For Decorating With Fresh Flowers?

Throwing a dinner party for a “girl’s night out” treat? Why not spice up the decorations around the dinner table with some fresh flowers from your local florist. There are always tons of flowers from which to choose. Besides, what girl doesn’t like to stop and smell the freshly cut bouquet of roses in the antique vase from your great grandmother? (I’m pretty sure the standard cliche phrase was adapted from that sentence. Really.)

There are many ways that a florist can help you throw a party in style whether it’s a formal affair or a pajama party. For example, a girl’s only bridal shower is perfectly decorated when the bride is given a special corsage. With her pretty flowers on, everyone in the room (even the entertainers) will know who the lady of the hour is. It’s a great way to make her feel special!

Throwing a pajama party? Grab a few loose stems and create a fun centerpiece for your snack table. After guys and food, it’ll be a great conversation piece!  Better still, set a colorful flower arrangement in the middle of the room where you’ll be entertaining. Crank up the tunes! Many say it’s good for the plants. Don’t forget to watch out for vase arrangements during the pillow fights though.

For your time with the girls, stop in and ask your local florist for more great flower ideas.

Friendly Sunflowers Arrangement Friendly Sunflowers arrangements are great for house parties!

Flowers That Represent A Zodiac Sign

Ask the Expert: What flower represents the zodiac sign capricorn?
I’m trying to find out if there’s specific flowers that represent each zodiac sign.  For example, there’s flowers that represent each birth month, so I’m trying to figure out if there’s specific flowers for the astrology signs.  Jenn

Something Is Munching On My Peace Lilies

Ask the Expert: My outdoor peace lilies’ leaves are being eaten
my outdoor peace lilies are in the shade in front of my house and grow beautifully but something keeps eating their leaves down to the stem – they look as if chunks are cut out of them.  any ideas as to what could be feasting on them and how to get rid of it???

Trouble With Lucky Bamboo Potted In Soil

Ask the Expert: please tell me how to save my lucky bamboo

I live in the Caribbean and approx seven months ago, my mother gave me a soil potted lucky bamboo/dracaena sanderiana plant(which I fell in love with and have become attached to) as an additional wedding present. It was looking so healthy and growing tall (almost 5ft). However, the tips of the leaves started to turn brown so i assumed it outgrew the pot which it had come in, so I asked my husband who by the way normally has green thumbs, to help me to re-pot it. Since the new pots were not much larger than the old, we decided to attempt to separate the plant in two. The roots were tightly intertwined so we had to cut a few. For a few days after, the plants looked normal but a week later the leaves started to turn yellow first then brown. My husband thinks that our plant might be going through the shock of transplanting but honestly my heart is breaking to see it suffering. I pray that we haven’t killed my plants. Please help me to save them. I’ve been reading alot but haven’t come across any info about others in my situation. Any assistance from you would be greatly appreciated as I am presently in a state of panic. Thank you in advance.  Miriam

How Sending Carnations Says More Than You Think

How can you not love receiving carnations when you know what their fabulous flower meanings? Carnations of all shapes and colors have for years been my favorite flower. I was peering through the FSN flower meanings pages and decided to see what carnations represented. Let’s just say that I was very pleasantly surprised.

A carnation in itself represents fascination, woman’s love and pride. Red carnations say “my heart aches for you” and represent admiration. White carnations represent pure love, woman’s good luck gift, sweetness and loveliness. Pink carnations (my absolute favorites) mean “I’ll never forget you.” Though there are at least half of a dozen more colors of carnations, I mention these three for a reason.

My first Valentine’s Day with my honey brings up great memories of red, white and pink carnations. He and I had only been seeing one another for about seven (7) months. He knew which flower was my favorite but could not remember which color. In an effort to get it right, he presented me with a Valentines Day card and a small can of carnation milk—a drawing of red, white and pink carnations being right on the label.

Tickle Me Pink Carnations Arrangement.jpg

Tell her just how sweet she is to you with the Tickle Me Pink carnations arrangement.

One random day the next fall I walked him to his car to say goodbye. Here he remembered the three pink carnations that he’d snatched for me when he learned that his mother’s shop was refreshing their selection of fresh flowers. It was this random event that burned into my memory how much he thinks of me even in the little things. For this and so many other reasons I can look at him and say “I’ll never forget you” the way the meaning of his pink carnations gift spoke to me.

The next Valentine’s Day went just as smoothly because by then he had quite a grasp on which carnations were special to me. He presented me with a bouquet of pink carnations and another sweetly worded card. I still have those flowers and the card in a box with the can of Carnation milk and other valuable objects from our years together.

I can’t make your own flower memories for you but I can say that the flower meanings of carnations go a long way toward sending the right message to your sweetheart. Not a floral designer by trade? It’s ok. Do what I do and contact your local florist to help create a carnation arrangement that speaks the words your heart can’t find the strength to say.

Flower Shop Network Announces Florists Convention Winners

Flower Shop Network recently enjoyed a trip to the 2008 Arkansas Florists Association Convention in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Florists attending displayed their designs, network with other florists, and learn more about the latest tips and trends in the floral industry. While visiting the Flower Shop Network booth, visitors were given the opportunity to win either a free premium listing in Flower Shop Network’s online directory of florists or a complimentary website package to accommodate a directory listing. A drawing was held Monday, August 18 to determine the winners.

Flower Shop Network would like to congratulate DeAnna Allgood at The Morning Glory Flowers & Gifts in Lake Village, Arkansas on winning the complimentary premium listing. The premium listing includes a one-year membership to Flower Shop Network. Located in Lake Village, AR, this florist also delivers to Eudora, Arkansas as well as Dermott, Arkansas.

Congratulations to Carrie Skolarski at Buzy Bee in Ozark, Arkansas for winning the complimentary website package. Each e-commerce enabled website allows the holder to receive orders via the Internet. Customers also gain 24-hour access to information about the flower shop such as contact information, delivery location information, flower arrangement design styles and more. The Ozark, Arkansas florists at Buzy Bee also delivers flowers to these cities: Coal Hill, Arkansas; Cecil, Arkansas; Charleston, Arkansas; and Altus, Arkansas.

Each convention is a fun time for florists as well as Flower Shop Network representatives. Annual florists and flower shows are great times to renew friendships as well as make new friends in the floral industry. Joe Hays, one of the network coordinators representing Flower Shop Network, returned the day after the show with a particularly amazing story of goodness and generosity from one of Flower Shop Network’s kind friends in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

2008AFAConventionFriends.jpg

Rhonda Sade (left), Joe Hays (center), Karen Williams (right).
Read how Karen Williams florist’s disaster turned into a benefit for the community.

It is easy to make quality friends such as Karen Williams of Flower Basket in Walnut Ridge, AR who met Ms. Rhonda Sade at the conference and immediately became friends. Ms. Sade is a floral designer for Northwest Arkansas Florist in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She, along with many others at the convention, was taken by the outgoing nature and shared interest in flowers of Ms. Williams. These kinds of connections are common occurrences at the annual florists conventions which is why Flower Shop Network proudly attends these conferences each year.

Flower Shop Network also visited the Texas State Florists Association Convention in July. Congratulations to Nora Anne’s Flower Shop in Sugar Land, Texas who won a complimentary one-year listing in the Flower Shop Network online directory of Sugar Land, Texas florists. Nora Anne’s Flower Shop also delivers flowers to: Southwest Houston, Texas; Missouri City, Texas; Richmond, Texas; Rosenberg, Texas; Stafford, Texas; and Meadows Place, Texas.

The Virtuous Virgo Zodiac Flowers

The love of my life is a Virgo. I find him charming and unique but often have trouble finding charming and unique birthday gifts. My love shares a birthday with my mother which makes finding two unique gifts even more of an adventure. Thankfully for all with multiple Virgo birthdays, I have discovered the solution.

A flower arrangement designed with forget-me-nots, gladiolus, and violets will make any woman feel incredibly special. When I explain to my mother that her chrysanthemum gift is actually in line with her astrological sign, she will appreciate the creativity it took to select an arrangement and enjoy having something beautiful to lighten up her home.

My sweetie’s gift is a bit trickier but I hope this will help all women needing a clever gift for men. Celebrating both our anniversary and his birthday during the Virgo period between August 22 and September 22, a unique gift will help make both occasions feel special and fun. Very few men expect to receive flowers on their birthdays, anniversaries, or at any other time. Adding a dash of whimsy to the day by having a zodiac flowers arrangement delivered is certain to spice up the conversation around the dinner table. Be careful! Make sure your fellow has an easy-going sense of humor because jovial jabs at work are just as likely to follow.

For Virgo men and women with children, selecting arrangements or small flowers with which to decorate a home are a fabulous treat for parents. Planting or decorating with flowers alongside a giggling child makes a birthday an even more special and enjoyable day. I know that our daughter will be thrilled to play in the dirt with her father. I can already hear her chipper laugh as he lifts her by her waist to hang a potted arrangement near our porch swing. I share these same memories with my grandmother and my heart melts with joy when I dream about those simple moments together. Besides, in his mind, it’s one less thing for him to mow.

Visit your local florist today and design the astrological flowers arrangement that is right for your Virgo!

africanviolets.jpb Violets for my Virgo

orangegladiolus.jpg Gladiolus are a beautiful and unique gift idea!