Sending Smiles ~

Thank goodness it's Friday! Well, it's actually Saturday but when I thought I wanted to share what's going on in the shop today, I automatically thought of that old "office battle cry" because it absolutely does not have anything to do with working in a floral design shop in May. When Friday at 5 pm rolls around, it does not stop for us and as a matter of fact, things really heat up. Today we had many parties to set up, we're hot and heavy working on tomorrows 3 weddings (we had a small one today too) and I even got out to do a Floral Demonstration at D&R Greenway Land Trust for a couple of hours last night and this morning.  Here is designer is hard at work making Bridal Bouquets like this one for bride Jeri. Lavender and purple flowers hand tied ~ so elegant. We hope she loves it when she sees it tomorrow morning!    Roses, lisianthus, freesia, mini calla lilies... such an amazing combination for Spring.    Lots and lots of party floral cen

Join us each Thursday beginning on October 7th for wine tastings at our Yardley store. Located at 45 E. Afton Ave right between the Yardley Inn and the Continental Tavern, our shop will be open to browsers and wine lovers a like. Beginning at 4 pm until 7 pm, each week we will highlight a different wine from a local vineyard. October 7th's tasting will be a lovely wine from Hopewell Valley Vineyards (yum, my favorite local vineyard). Start the weekend early with a tasting, a bouquet of flowers (but no pressure to do so) and then perhaps venture down to one of our fabulous Yardley restaurants for dinner. Remember, shop and buy local!! For more information visit our Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/localflorist  or shop us online at http://www.sendingsmiles.com/ To find out more about the local businesses of Yardley, PA visit the Yardley Business Association website at www.yardleybusiness.com/  and for more information on Hopewell Valley Vineyards visit their site at www.h

Have you ever had a bad day and just wanted to buy something that makes you feel better? Sometimes it's treating yourself to something as simple as an ice cream cone or even buying a little plant to put on your desk. I've noticed over the last few weeks at the flower shop that many people are coming in for a "little something" that brighten their day. Yes, we still get the usual customer coming in for a quick housewarming bouquet of little plant to take to a friend who's feeling blue but it's always fun to help a customer who is treating themselves to something. I guess with the economy the way it is we may need a little pick me up but need to keep the $'s in check. What's easier than picking up a fresh bunch of tulips or even daisies or a tiny violet plant for the window sill. It's amazing how a $10 bouquet of fresh flowers can lift your spirits. Just remember that you deserve pretty things in your life, even if it's not your birthday!

As I sit here at my desk at just before 6 pm, waiting for my husband and driver to return from setting up a large floral event at the Hyatt in Princeton, I'm reading an online article from the Society of American Florist in their E-Brief. I love these e-mails that arrive every Wednesday with bits of new of the floral industry. The article I just read prompted me to think about what, if anything, sets a local florist apart from the local Supermarket. Aside from the fact that we usually offer delivery, which most markets don't, along with a wider range of "arranged" flower selections, we sometimes sell the exact same flower. People may ask why the flowers from the florist cost more than the Supermarket, and the truth is that it's about buying power, gross margins and acceptable spoilage. A local florist will buy far less than a Supermarket, thereby paying a higher price. They don't have the volume to make up for low margins. The Supermarket can also afford to