Sending Smiles ~

The Pantone color of the year for 2013 might be Emerald but brides are still in love with orange. In shades from peach to a burnt brick orange  they really do make a strong statement. Orange is not just for fall any more with many couples choosing this color in the Spring and even Summer. Not sure what flowers come in orange and peach? How about roses, mini calla lilies, gerbers, hypericum berries, dahlias and even tropical protea's ~ today's brides can achieve just about any look from modern to romantic.  To see more Orange Wedding Flowers  be sure to visit our wedding site.  What's your favorite orange flower? 

When I meet with couples, I sometimes chuckle at the questions they ask me. For some they have read the "What to ask your florist" section in their wedding planners and although some are good questions, others are not really telling you what you need to know about the ability of the florist to do a great job on your wedding flowers.  Of course, nothing replaces recommendations from venues and friends and with all the places to view online reviews, this is the first place to start. If the florist is a "busy wedding florist", you should be able to see many reviews that will often stress similar things such as "they got my vision", "they worked within my budget" and the ever popular "they exceeded my expectations". Finding out from others about their experience is easier than ever. Sometimes depending on the review site, you can even email the past bride and ask questions. I know my brides have done it!  If a dear friend was look...

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. As for me, it was a great day off and I wanted to share a peek into our morning at Longwood Gardens. It's become our tradition for Kevin and I to visit the gardens for just an hour or 2 before heading to family and this year was once again a sight to see!  I know I'm surrounded with the flowers 7 days a week but I admit that I can't get enough. Blue is my favorite color so I especially love the blue flowers like these Salvia and baby blue eucalyptus.    I fell in love with Camellias and because we usually only use the foliage in our floral designs (the flower blooms for such a short time it does not make a great cut flower for commercial use) it was so nice to see the actual flowers blooming on the plants.    This had to be my favorite part of the display this year! This long "dinner" table was set with a moss runner and then begonia and orchids running the entire length of this enormous table. I especially lo...

Are you surprised that we have so many December weddings? We're not, we love December, January and February weddings, especially when they have a winter theme. White and silver is so popular right now and I'm seeing lots of couples using silver and gray as an accent into 2013. High on the lists seems to be gray and silver brides maids dresses, accents of silvery beads in the bridal gown, gray tuxes and even silver shoes and jewelry.  Yesterdays bridal bouquet for Lesley was styled using ivory roses, white mini calla lilies, ranunculus, stephanotis and touches of lacy dusty miller foliage. Isn't it lovely?  The brides maids carried simple bouquets of ivory roses with touches of dusty miller. Lesley wanted her Maid of Honor's bouquet to be a bit different than the rest of the brides maids so we added touches of deep blue delphinium and silver craspedia along with roses, mini calla lilies and the dusty miller. I personally love silver with blue and I can only ima...

I admit that I love doing winter weddings. Last weekends wedding for bride Suzanne was especially pretty. Her bouquet was created using white anemone's, silver brunia berries, white roses ~ both tea and sweetheart size and light accents of lace dusty miller.  The reception was very intimate and romantic with lots of warm candle light and keeping the white and silver color theme going. The Nassau Inn's Palmer room was the perfect place for this winter reception, don't you think?  Low and long centerpieces created with roses, hydrangeas, dusty miller cedar and gerbera daisies were perfect for the 2 long guest tables. Floating candles added a soft glow to the room. To see this and more of our wedding designs, be sure to visit our wedding website at www.perfectweddingflowers.com 

Happy Monday! Can you believe we are just 1 week away from Christmas? The holiday season is a busy one for us here at the shop and in addition to a higher than usual volume, we still have all the usual tasks to squeeze in. We still have to design floral arrangements for birthdays , get well , sympathy,  and even weddings . Toss in the fact that we too want to enjoy the holidays with family and friends and it makes for a super busy time for all of us!  Designer Norman makes a huge Boxwood Tree for a customer. Don't you love all the pods and flowers? Makes such a sweet gift for the holidays.    It's that time of year where not only do we decorate for parties, we try to attend a few too. This holiday event was held at the Rocky Hill Inn for a group I belong to called Coffee Talk. It's a group of us that get together to discuss Social Media and other Marketing Topics for Business.    The hubby even took a little time to play Santa to some childr...

It may be Christmas around her but if you are within 50 miles of Princeton University, you are bound to see some Black and Orange, like at this event we just created centerpieces for. We love working with the folks at the University ~ both Staff and Students and it's we are always looking for creative and affordable ways to do up the Tiger theme of Black and Orange.  These centerpieces were designed in plastic black footed bowls using roses, berries, lotus bods and cat tails with a few unusual painted craspedia and pin cushion proteas. Designed with a touch of boxwood, they look seasonal while still being well within the Princeton zone!   Nope it's not Halloween - it's an event at Princeton University!  To see this and more of our event decor for businesses, school and social ~ Be sure to check out event website at www.mondaymorningballoons.com  

Join us on January 16th, 2013 to learn the many ways you can dress up your everyday scarves.  Learn tricks that will take you from casual to fashionable with knots, clips, and great styles. MMF long time customer and friend Ann Kosco will be here to show you how to wear your many scarf styles and look amazing.  Whether you are going to work, out shopping, or out on the town you will know how to dress up or down with the hottest trend right now: the scarf!  The class is from 6:30-8PM and only $20.  Everyone leaves with a brand new scarf, and of course, wine and snacks will be served.  We have been having such a great time at our in-shop classes, so if youre looking for a few hours out this is a great way to meet some new people and learn some fashion tips!  Call 609-520-2005 today to reserve your spot!  

I'm always adding cute little gift items to the website, especially around major holidays like Christmas. Isn't this adorable? A tiny 4" poinsettia plant tucked away in a keepsake " Ornament Candy Jar ". What a sweet gift to send to the hospital or the office, perfect to sit bedside or on some one's desk.  Available within our local delivery area of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, I'm thinking they won't last long priced at only $39.95. To see this and all our custom floral and gift arrangements, be sure to check out our website at www.sendingsmiles.com   ~ Happy Holidays everyone! 

The holidays are the perfect time to send friends, family and clients flowers through a florist but buyer beware. Sending flowers is easy and affordable and did you know that people that send flowers are seen as "thoughtful and sincere". It's true and a Rutger's University study proved it.  So for that person who has it all, sending a pretty floral centerpiece for the holiday could be the perfect gift but buyer beware so read on!  Over the years there have many businesses that have popped up online acting as if they are a real florist when in reality, they are a call center collecting orders. These business have been funneling orders away from local florists for years, charge the consumer an extra fee (sometimes as high as $17!!!) and then transmit the order back to a local florist for them to full fill and deliver. Some of these businesses are down right sneaky and have names that make them appear to be located in a certain town. When ever you order onlin...

Beginning in January 2013, Monday Morning Flowers will be hosting monthly discussions for brides-to-be.  In our Princeton showroom, we will be having a guest speaker each month specializing in various aspects of wedding planning - everything from music to flowers to hair!  Find out ways to perfect your wedding day and make it exactly what you want, by hearing from the pros!  Learn tricks on how to save a few dollars here and there, while having all of your wedding planning questions answered.  Of course, there will be champagne and snacks!  On January 22nd, Jasmine Cianflone of This Moment Events will kick off our "Hot Topic Bridal Discussions" with a talk on "DIY? Oh No you Don't! 5 Things you Should NEVER DIY."  Check out our website for a list of upcoming discussions!  Call 609-520-2005 today to reserve your spot as space is limited!

Designer Norman finally got the front of our shop decorated for the season and we are thinking he did a mighty fine job. Pine and Laurel Garland really make for a festive outline and a few wreaths with bright red ribbons make the shop stand out from the street. We've started taking orders for the holidays and so far we are noticing centerpieces and decorated boxwood trees seem to be the most popular floral gifts. Be sure to check out all our new arrangements on our website at www.sendingsmiles.com . We also brought in an extensive line of Decorative Gifts such as pillow and ornaments along with fun gift items such as coffee mugs, wine glasses, platters and more. Don't forget our line of jewelry and also our gourmet items such as chocolates, poinsettias and stuffed animals . We also have fresh evergreen wreath and grave blankets for sale.  Don't forget that we deliver 7 days a week and we can also handle your "Out of Town" orders for those folks who liv...

Last week we held another fun class at our Princeton shop and Designer Norman, Shop Coordinator Sheryl and 7 amazing ladies had fun learning to make boxwood trees. As with all our classes, the night started with laughter, wine and yummy cheese from Tre Piani Restaurant, located next to us here in Princeton Forrestal Village. After a half hour and full bellies, the ladies move over into the design area to begin their lesson!  Below Norman works one on with Melissa (who works at the Windrows just up from our shop). As time goes on the trees begin to take shape!  Jean, Melissa and Jan all work on forming their trees. Next step is to decorate them!     Fast friends through our classes, Jean and Martha pose for a photo during the class.  Well ladies, you must all be very proud of your creations. After the class ended at 8 pm, the ladies moved back into the shop and enjoyed savings of 25% off everything in the shop! Each left with a goody bag...

Had to share one of this weekends wedding bouquets and what a colorful bouquet it is! It's not December yet and this colorful, fall themed wedding bouquet proves it. I love when brides are not shy about having colorful bridal bouquets like this one. Made from mini callas, orchids, hydrangea, hypericum berries, mini gerbers, roses, safari sunset, pin cushion protea and even blue thistle, this bouquet is sure to  be a look as she walks down the aisle.  Do you like this bouquet? Would you carry something so colorful on your wedding day?