Sending Smiles ~

Had to share these lovely photos from Kyo Morishima Photography of last months Scottish wedding. I have to say this was a favorite of mine, only because it was so different and fun to create. The grooms flower was a mixture of a pheasant feather a loop of willow, a touch of red hypericum and seeded euc berries and some blue thistle. A tiny piece of the grooms Scottish Tartan finished the look. The brides bouquet also had all those elements but large red tea roses made a very textured but elegant bouquet. Thank you Kyo for the amazing photos and to the Nassau Inn who hosted this amazing wedding. To see this and more of our wedding designs visit our website at www.sendingsmiles.com and go to the wedding link to view our gallery.

Last weekends wedding for bride Allie had us using lots of peach flowers such as these gorgeous Alejandra roses. What we love about this rose is the vintage coloring of the outer petals. A hint of green along the edge and then a deeper shade of peach towards the center, looks especially gorgeous as it opens more fully. To see more of the flowers we created for Allie's wedding, visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/localflorist or our website at www.sendingsmiles.com

 Are you planning an event that requires floral centerpieces? Are you overwhelmed with all the flower, color and container options? If so, this blog should help you at least understand how the container being used to "house" the flowers can help or hurt you with regards to size and budget. Read on to learn how important choosing the right container can be! Let's talk about the flowers pictured below. These floral centerpieces were created in elegant wooden pedestal bowls. There are a few reasons that I personally like this way of designing. First off, the container, although adding to the cost of the over all table display, also creates a wonderful starting point for the flowers. The container is interesting in and by itself and the flowers only add to the elegance. The pluses to use a container like this one is that the flowers are slightly elevated off the table making the arrangement look more substantial. The fact that the container is decorative means you need less ...

Ta da! Here it finally is. Our new van has it's big daisy and our new logo and we love it. Remember, if you see our van out making a delivery and you snap a quick photo to post on our Facebook page, you'll get a $50 gift certificate from the shop! Visit us at www.facebook.com/localflorist and if you haven't already clicked the "Like" button - feel free!

Sorry, long time - no blog!! I had the honor of being included in a panel discussion at the SAF conference this past week in Orlando Florida. What fun and I sincerely hope that the florists in attendance enjoyed the discussion. My partners in crime were Rick from Exotic Flowers in Boston, Mass and Mandy from Hothouse Design Studio in Birmingham, Alabama. We spoke on the use of Social Media in the Floral Industry.   As you may know, I serve on the advisory committee for Floral Management Magazine and it was my opportunity to meet my fellow adviser's and all the writers and editors of the magazine.  Kevin and I especially enjoyed the Outstanding Varieties Display at the Conference. This room was filled with amazing flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors. It's wonderful to see all the new varieties being created! For my buddy Rick who had to actually judge these flowers, I have no idea how you could choose one over the other. They were all amazing! This new variety ...

What do lobby flowers and our company name have in common? Quite a bit actually. People often ask where the name Monday Morning Flowers came from and actually when I started the company - all those years ago - I specialized in provided lobby florals for smaller corporate and doctors offices and so the name Monday Morning Flowers. These early Monday deliveries are still a big part of our business and are very affordable. Starting at just $30.00 per week,  we give you both a loaner container and complimentary delivery. Fresh flowers are a sign of success for any business so why not consider starting your weekly flower delivery today!!

Samantha , originally uploaded by Georgianne at Monday Morning Flowers . Have you ever tried to spin a clay pot? Remember art class where you sat there just trying to get that clay to turn into something of beauty? If you are like me, the clay fought me every step of the way and never was much to look at! I'm the same way with paint. I marvel at how someone can take that little colorful liquid and turn it into an amazing landscape or portrait. Well, the same holds true for flowers in the hands of truly gifted artist. Believe me, I've seen designers come and go through my shop doors who think they have talent but are unable to really craft the flowers the way they should. Even with talent someone needs lots of practice and design instruction to really create beautiful floral displays and bouquets. Don't forget, flowers are not only delicate but they are perishable. Working with flowers means that they must be kept cool and can't be done too far in advance. Transportat...

Well, it's Memorial Day and I'm at the shop waiting for Kevin to return from dropping off multiple flower and balloon decor for various events being held on Princeton's campus. Reunions and graduations at Princeton University always keeps up busy! To kill some time I love looking at the photos posted on The Trenton Thunder Ballparks website. Kevin and I don't get to go often but we love being a partner with the ballpark and supplying them with flowers and balloons all during the season. I have to admit, I get a kick out of seeing our 7 foot long banner in the stands too. It's funny how many people tell me they see our flowers in the ladies rooms (who expects to see flowers at the ballpark, right?) and we especially enjoyed sponsoring the events during the game on Mother's Day this year.  Every mother received a hot pink visor that included the Thunder logo along with ours and the other co-sponsor, Chauncey Conference Center. If you've never been out to a...

Need something affordable to decorate tables for a picnic, shower or other event? Personally, I love these simple floating gerber daisies. These were created for an event at Princeton University and the black stones and orange gerbers really scream Princeton! Five inch square vases give the daisy plenty of room to spread out and show the black river stones. Easy for guests to take home and very long lasting.  Sometimes simple works best!!

http://www.per/ Wow - Say Pink! , originally uploaded by Georgianne at Monday Morning Flowers . These wedding bouquets were created last weekend for our bride Amy's wedding. Wow! Talk about punching it up with color. Light pink alstroemeria, shocking pink roses, fuschia mini callas with loops of lily grass created fun, spring bouquets. Even though pink never truly went out of style, it's back with a vengence! The deep color was limited to the bridal party and by the time guests arrived to the Breakers Hotel at the Jersey Shore, they were treated to more serene shades of pink (see escort card table arrangement below) using dendrobium orchids accented with grasses and white hybrid lilies. The sun was shining and the ocean shone a dazzling blue. A perfect day for bride Amy!!

Escort Card Table , originally uploaded by Georgianne at Monday Morning Flowers . It's funny how trends change, things go in and out of style. Sometimes slowly, sometimes very quickly. One thing that I've noticed is that more bride are asking for lilies again. There for awhile, most brides I suggested them to showed a dislike of these pretty blooms. Last weekend we had three weddings and this particular bride used lilies in both her bridal bouquet and this piece that was created for her escort card table. What I love about lilies is not only their star shape but also their buds. This design included simple foliages accented with lily grass. Add a few pale pink Erica dendrobium orchids and a stunning display is born. Two weeks ago one of our clients chose all white hybrid lilies in tall rectangular vases accented with navy ribbon tied simply on the vase in a knot. The perfect centerpieces for the two young boys celebrating their holy communion, the mother said she was still g...

Family and Flowers , originally uploaded by Georgianne at Monday Morning Flowers . Sometimes I loose perspective on the product that I sell. No really, it's true. I know I talk about flowers - a lot but sometimes I forget the impact they have. This past weekend Kevin and I had to rush from the shop, after setting up numerous events for our clients, we had to actually attend a backyard party in honor of our nephew who was making his Communion. As I ran around, trying to get out, wrapping his gift and writing out his card, I asked designer Samantha to make me a pretty little basket of flowers to take with us. Well, of course, the flowers were a hit and much appreciated by everyone there. The next time you are going to a party, will you consider stopping at your local florist for a bouquet or arrangement? Family, friends and flowers, perfect together.

I'm just sitting here between trying to read my Floral Management and cathing up on e-mails, something catches my eye which gets me to thinking. This weekend we have two parties - one a bar mitzvah and one a bat mitzvah where we will be using one of my favorite "accents". Curly willow. I love using curly willow. A delicate and graceful natural branch that can add a bit of drama to floral design work. About 3 years ago my niece Rosalie met with me to talk about her wedding flowers. "I want lots of roses, pearls and sticks in my wedding arrangements, Aunt Georgianne". Um, Rosalie, has your Aunt not taught you that those are not sticks - branches, my dear, they are branches.  If I told my brides that I wanted to add sticks to their wedding flowers, they would want to hit me!! But truly, how can you call these lovely line elements sticks? Still fresh and bendable when they arrive to our shop, they are such a fantastic floral tool both natural and architectural in ...