A new soccer dad?

Recently one of our customers decided to leave the working world, and spend more time at home with his family. To wish him well we sent him a Teleflora Ford Pickup Truck. A nice gift for any man, or a mom with a new bouncing baby boy.

Football Mums & Weddings: do they go together?

They do, when you are huge Gator Fans and are you getting married before the Florida Gator - Miami Hurricane Football game. A few weeks ago, I got a call from Erin, who was coming to town to marry Derek, before the game. With a casual ceremony on campus, surrounded by good friend & family. Orange, blue & white are the colors of the day.
Corsages of white football mums for the moms, orange spray rose for a friend and orange rose bouts for the guys.

Erin bouquet was a hand tied of orange roses, with a smaller one for her attendant.

Being a Gator fan, myself.....I added a Gator pin to the blue ribbon holding the bouquet together. A nice surprise for the bride.

Best wishes to Erin & Derek and GOOOOO GATORS!!!!!!

Grandparents Day, Sunday September 7th

Grandparents Day is a family day. Schools, churches, and senior organizations honor grandparents with special events. Some families enjoy small, private gatherings. Others celebrate by holding a family reunion.
Everyone is a grandchild and can be involved in the observance of this day - a time to discover one's roots and learn patience, understanding and appreciation for the elderly. Grandparents Day is the perfect time to enhance communication between the generations.
Many times, only grandparents have answers to questions about family histories. When this information is passed down to the grandchildren, everyone can be assured of his heritage being preserved. .
Most important, Grandparents Day can signify a loving spirit that lives with in us throughout the year--a spirit of love and respect for our elders.
Why send flowers, or a card, or give your "Grandparent" a call.

Birthday Wishes to Jennifer!!

A very Happy Birthday Wish to one of my favorite customers........ Jennifer.

Jennifer's birthday is this upcoming weekend, but we sent her flowers from her friend Kim (another one of my favorite customer)a few days early. Jennifer loves the English Cottage Garden look. I called my supplier, and we came up with a great garden look for her gift. Hydrangea, Iris, Bupleurum, Salal leaves, Calycinia, and a little Bear Grass. Instead of a basket or vase, I used a metal planter, with a vase inserted in the middle. The cream colored tin features a design of hydrangeas, which can later be used as an accent piece in the home or office.

Hope everyone has a great and safe Labor Day Weekend.

Baby Boy!

The last few days we have had quite a few orders for baby arrangements. I thought I'd share a few with you. The first has a before and after. A florist called up and wanted us to send The Crystal Baby Block from Teleflora. However, they didn't want it to look anything like the picture in the Teleflora book. Their customer wanted a little orange and blue, because the proud parents are GATORS. But they also wanted pink spray roses (always a nice touch to do something for mom, since the baby doesn't know where it's fingers are, mush less the fact that there are flowers around). Well, we didn't have any pink spray roses, but I came up with an idea for the florist to give the sender.
Here is the empty container. It spells out BABY as you turn the sides. Always a nice gift, as it is made of crystal, and can be used in the nursery.

The concept I came up with, was Orange, Blue & White, with an extra special gift added. A pair of Gator Baby Booties. The sender thought it was a great idea. So here is what we sent.....

The Gator Baby Booties are dear to me, as Terry brought a pair to me in the hospital when Abbey was born. In true Terry style he proudly announce that he had shoplifted them, much to the astonishment of the nursing staff in the room. I then had to explain that he had "stolen" them from my store, so it was not really shoplifting.

Another arrangement I did was also for a baby boy. This one is in a blue ceramic container, which can also be used in the nursery. I used dark blue Delphinium, green Carnations, yellow Daisies, with a touch of Caspia.

Sorority Bid Day

Sorority Bid Day at The University of Florida was this past Sunday. So, Monday morning we got calls from proud Moms and Aunts wanting to recognize their new pledges. Below are some of the arrangements we sent out. We tried to match the sororities colors or flowers for them.

For Ann at Alpha Delta Pi:

Colors are Azure Blue & White. Blues & White in a blue vase.

For Katherine at Chi Omega:

All white Carnations with Bluperium and greens in frosted white vase.

For Alyssa at Alpha Chi Omega:

Colors are Scarlett & Olive.

Red Carnations and Green Hypericum in a red vase with Olive Ribbon

Friday, August 29th

College Colors Day seeks to celebrate and promote the traditions and spirit that make the college experience great by encouraging fans, alumni and students to wear apparel of their favorite college throughout the day of Friday, August 29, 2008.

College Colors Day, which coincides with “back to school” and the kick-off of intercollegiate athletics, strives to promote higher education through increased public awareness and celebrates the achievements of colleges and universities, acknowledging their critical and fundamental importance to the United States.

We will be participating. Hope you do as well.

Kelley and Scott, Pretty in Pink Bouquets & Reception

Here are the pictures of the Bouquets and Reception. The Cocktail Hour was done Gator Style: Orange & Blue, with a touch of white/ivory flowers. The Reception went back to Pink, Ivory & Brown, with the use of Calla Lily, Roses, Hydrangea & Curly Willow.

Kelley's Bouquet: Matron of Honor:
The Escort Table:

With an engagement picture in the background, done by Powers photography.

Kelley & Scott used Silver Photo albums, which let guests know at which table to sit. Inside the album was a card to present at their place, so that Sweetwater staff would know their meal choice. The tables were named by the Couple's Firsts...... First Vega Trip, First Ski Trip, First Christmas, etc. Which gave the guests a little insight to the couple adventures over the years.

Guest Table:

We used containers that the bride provided for half of the tables.

The Sweetheart Table:

The Cake: Another gorgeous job by Vivian Sparkman

Kelley & Scott are Pretty in Pink Ceremony

Kelley and Scott wed on Saturday. Pink, Brown and Ivory were the colors of choice. Kelley used traditional arrangements for the ceremony, and then went a little contemporary for the reception. At the Church we did pew markers, greenery accents on the doors, traditional altar arrangements and florals on the candelabras. Her bouquet was made of Hydrangea, Rose, Spray Rose, Calla Lily, & Hypericum. The Matron of Honor bouquet was made of Calla Lily, Rose, Spray Rose & Hypericum. The Bridesmaids were similar, but without the Calla Lily.

The Doors to The Church:

One of the Candelabras

Ceremony: First United Methodist
Reception: Sweetwater Branch Inn
Photographer: Powers Photography
Florist: Us
Caterer: Sweetwater Branch Inn
Cake: Vivian Sparkman

Stacy & Lance, Lovely in Yellow

Stacy & Lance were married this past weekend on the grounds of Haile Golf & Country Club. Sunny Yellow was the color of the day, even though the sun was not out for the beginning of it. The bride's bouquet was near and dear to my heart, as it was made of my mom's favorite flowers....yellow roses & white daisies, with a little bluperium added. The bridesmaids were clover green, and their bouquets were a mix of yellow daisy, white daisy and green button mums and green hypericum.

Ceremony: Haile Golf & Country Club
Reception: Haile Golf & Country Club
Photographer: Caroline Johnson
Florist: Us
Caterer: Haile Golf & Country Club
Cake: Cake by Jenny

Pink Perfection

Kristin & Nick said "I DO" this past spring. Pink was the color of the day. If you ask Kristin, she would say that you can never have too much pink. Nick on the other hand......
The ceremony was at The Baughman Center, followed by a wonderful reception at Haile Golf & Country Club. Allison Middleton was the coordinator, and Ms. Debbie made the cake. J.S. Photography captured these images for me to share with you.
Here is a close up of her bouquet of Pink Roses and Stephanotis:
I just love this shot by J.S. Photography, what an intimate moment.

Ceremony: Baughman Ceneter
Reception: Haile Golf & County Club
Photographer: J.S. Photography
Florist: Us
Caterer: Haile Golf & Country Club
Cake: Ms. Debbie
Planner: Allison Middleton

Abbey goes to Disney

Here are a few highlights from our Disney Trip. We spent a few Magical days at The Magic Kindgon with two other families. When you ask Abbey what her favorite part was she says "EVERYTHING". Enjoy the pics. I know we will enjoy the memories for years.

HUGE SALE, August 9th & 10th

Now that we are settling into our new space, we have started cleaning out our storage unit. You would not believe what we have found (Christmas, Halloween, Fall and Valentine Decorations). We have decided that many of these items need to go to a good home. So we are having a Parking Lot sale.

Saturday, August 9th - 7am - 3pm

Sunday, August 10th - 7am - noon.

Please join us and give these items a good home. Mom and Dad are even bringing us some of their Mangos and Avocados to sell. There will also be house plants (rented at weddings), some clothes, books, toys, kids videos, and furniture.

Abbey is Four and Fabulous

Abbey turned 4 and here she is in all of her glory. We once again held a party in our backyard. Later this week will be heading to Disney for her first visit with Mickey mouse.

ABBEY, 4 years ago

So, today, Abbey turns 4. This is what she looked like 4 years ago. My how she has grown.

Sweet Sixteen!!!

Torie is turning 16, and one of our customers (Kim) ordered flowers for her. Not knowing what Torie liked, I emailed her mom (Jenny, another customer of ours) to find out. After a few emails back and forth, we decided to do something to go with her party theme, instead of her favorite colors of Purple and Pink. Wanting to do something young and fun, I put together 16 red roses, in a red vase and accented them with pearls. The party colors are Black and White with red accents.
Happy Birthday Torie. I hope you have a great day.

Alex and Jeff - a Hipp Affair

Alex and Jeff came to me two weeks before their wedding, wanting me to do their flowers. They were married in the the Historic Hippodrome State Theatre. Alex choose a non-traditional wedding dress of red, while Jeff wore a chocolate brown suit. For the bouquets, we did a mix of red, peach, and different pink roses, with a touch of peach hypericum.

To accent the Cinema Room they were using for their ceremony, we did two arrangements that sat on columns, and were later moved to help decorate the Art Gallery, where the reception was held.

When I went back Late Saturday afternoon to pick up the items

we had rented them (Votive holders, Peace Lilies, & Columns), I noticed a special personalized touch that they added to their reception...... Private Label Beer bottles. I just could not help snapping a picture of a few of them to add to this posting.

Ceremony: Hippodrome State Theatre
Reception: Hippodrome State Theatre
Photographer: Donna Mitchell

Florist: Us

Caterer: Elegant Events

Cake: A Friend

Keri and Branden

Keri & Branden were married on Saturday. Red and Black for the colors of the day. The large stage at Westside Baptist Church was adorned with columns topped by ferns. To include some red we added Carnations, in water tubes. The ferns were later transported to Savannah Grande for the reception. Keri and her attendants carried bouquets of red roses, handtied and wrapped with black ribbon.

Walking up the aisle, Keri passed 8 shorter columns, which held candles and arrangements of red roses.

Cakes by Jenny made this marvelous cake, which we provided red roses and spray roses to be used as the topper and between layers.

Ceremony: Westside Baptist
Reception: Savannah Grande
Photographer: Amantez
Florist: Us
Cake: Cakes by Jenny

Kristen and Todd's Cake

Vivian Sparkman had the honor of baking the cake for Kristen and Todd. The cake was accented with flowers and ribbon.

Kristen and Todd

I first met Kristen at one of the Jay's Bridal Wedding Expo where she was drawn to one of the sample centerpieces I had made. She and Todd were married on February 9, 2008 at The Baughman Center. She wanted to focus her colors on the rich red dresses the bridesmaids were going to wear, plus it was just before Valentine's Day. So ivory, red, and hot pink were the colors of the day. Kristen's bouquet was hand tied and featured roses, gerbera daisy, hydrangea, alstromeria, salal tips for greenery and a little bit of bling to add some sparkle. The bridesmaids bouquets hand similar flowers, but the opposite in color and were mainly ivory, with a touch of color, so they would stand out against their dresses.

Ceremony: Baughman Center
Reception: Sweetwater Branch Inn
Photographer: Beautiful Wedding Photography
Florist: Us
Cake: Vivian Sparkman