Sending Smiles ~

Who's ready for Spring? Monday night our store hosted a hands on workshop showing how to create your very own bulb garden for the home. Lead Designer Alanna lead the class showing the students how to break apply stones for drainage, break the bulbs into multiple smaller plants and finally how to decorate the garden with moss and tiny little creatures such as butterflies and birds!  What topic would you like to see us cover in our next class? 

Wednesday, March 8th is  International Women’s Day . Started in 1909, the first Women's Day honored the 129 women who died in a factory fire in Chicago. In 1914 the Holiday was officially observed on March 8th and has remained that date since and seeks to  raise political and social awareness of the struggles of women. More than 100 nations recognize Women’s Day (35 declared it a national holiday) with thousands of events held by organizations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media. People give flowers and other small gifts to their mothers, wives, grandmothers and daughters, as well as coworkers, teachers, and friends to show respect, appreciation and love.  Very popular in throughout Eastern Europe and Asia the holiday has been described as a combination of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day.   The flower most often associated with Women's Day is the bright yellow mimosa acacia flower. This custom started

I had a thought while driving in the car this morning ~ I think sending flowers is almost a "Random Act of Kindness". When we make flower deliveries the person receiving the floral gift does not expect them. Sometimes it's their birthday , sometimes it's a get well but often they are not expected. I guess by definition, it's not totally random as the sender knows the recipient but it really is unexpected and to me that makes it one of the most powerful gifts you can give. I think most of our Floral Stylists here at the shop think the flowers are the most important part of the gift and of course, a gorgeous, fresh arrangement never hurts - but the card sentiment really convey's the message, making the receiver feel loved and special.   Want to make someone's day? We say send them a bouquet of flowers and that will do the trick!! 

Can you believe the Christmas/Hanukkah season is over? I know I can't but I'm personally excited for the start of 2017! Every year at this time we revamp the shop, clean out the old and in with the new. January is always a great time to freshen up the home or office with plants which is why we bring in plants of all types and sizes.  Right now Succulent Plants are very popular and they make such nice gifts for pretty much an occasion. We have them potted and ready to go.  We also have loose plugs that can be combined into gardens in just about any kind of container.  Wouldn't these be cute for the office.  Succulents planted in ceramic and/or glass.   We also restocked our selection of tillandsia....  Small Bonsai Plants It's also a great time of year for a big, bold bunch of fresh flowers!   We're also restocked our selection of adorable little angels including this one that says "Have Faith" We've always c

We love doing Winter Weddings and here are a few of our favorites from the last few years!  Bride Alexa had super fun with her girls - they each carried baby's breath and don't you just love her adorable blue sweater. Her bouquet was blue hydrangea and white anemone's with navy blue centers.   This tear drop bouquet was gorgeous (even if it's not the best picture). Garden roses and stephanotis looked amazing with a back drop of all rich red poinsettias. The flower girl even carried an adorable wand of fresh roses with streaming gold ribbons.   This New Years Eve wedding was so simple and elegant - all white roses, calla lilies and silver brunia berries.   This early winter wedding at the Nassau Inn had a Scottish theme!  Winter white with accents of silvery ~ the bridal blue had a hint of midnight blue delphinium.   This elegant design was placed in the lobby outside the Prince William Ballroom at the Nassau Inn - so pretty and matched all

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is a day  dedicated to supporting small businesses nationwide. Last year,  over one hundred million people* came together to Shop Small® in  their communities on Small Business Saturday®. Small Business Saturday is a day for everyone — from the business owners who create jobs to the customers who buy locally — to support small businesses that invigorate the economy and keep communities thriving. It began in 2010 when American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. Last year, over 100 million people came out to shop at independently-owned small businesses on the day. Now, in its third year,  Small Business Saturday  will be even bigger.  This November 26th, support the small businesses in your community! 

This is what happens when April Sette from New Jersey Buzz says she's coming to visit us at the shop!! We all shower, put on our best uniforms and do our hair and make up nice! Check out our Facebook Live interview here !! 

Can you believe it's November? We can't! Halloween is over and now we look forward to the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah Holiday Season. Of course, we've added some new gift options to our website and wanted to share all our new Plants and Indoor Gardens. Perfect for fall ~ indoor house plants make great gifts for any occasion such as get well, birthday, Thanksgiving or sympathy. The design below is called Table Top Basket Garden starting at $60. Another new plant design is our Ceramic Dish Garden   - multiple tropical plants arranged in a beautiful ceramic container starting at $50.00.  Looking to send a plant that is really easy to care for and great for a table top at home or at the office? The Pothos Plants are such an affordable plant to send and only cost $30 in a pretty wicker basket or upgrade to a ceramic pot for only $40 each. Looking for more types of plants? We also have Schefflera Plants here , ZZ plants here , Peace Lily plants here , Orchid

I was listening to the radio coming in to work today and heard a great comment that inspired this blog. "There are multiple right answers". It didn't really apply to the flower business specifically but after seeing this bridal bouquet being created today, it made me think how often folks think that there is a right or wrong answer when choosing flowers. Whether it's a wedding or other event, there are many choices and multiple right choices. Take this bouquet for example. The bride is truly a free spirit and allowed her friend (our designer Alanna) to create her bouquet. Kate loves everything natural (she's a Vegan who runs a rescue farm for animals) and is wearing a Chakra Crown to her wedding. Imagine her delight when she sees that Alanna has added healing stone and crystals to her bouquet? Is this right for everyone? Would Kate love this bouquet if it did not have the stones? I think we know the answer but how awesome is that she trusts her friend to cr

Fresh Flowers + Gift Option =  A Great Value? Yes if you send one of our new value bouquets .  Did you know that 92% of women remember they received a gift of flowers. That's a pretty powerful gift and now you can send fresh flowers for only $45. Included in each bouquet is an assortment of 3 large focal flowers, 1 style of accent flowers and fresh foliage all wrapped up elegantly in fancy paper. We guarantee that there will be at least 15 stems of flowers in each bouquet and the flower selections changes daily to allow for the freshest selection. Why not send a bouquet to someone special right now? www.sendingsmiles.com - or call 609-520-2005

Oh how often I hear ~ "I want my wedding flowers to be simple but elegant". What does that mean? I think this bouquet below fits the bill perfectly, don't you? Last weekends bridal bouquet for Sangy consisted of soft white hydrangea, creamy white hydrangea, ivory and pale pink tea roses and.... well, that's all! Hand tied and loosely wrapped in a soft satin ribbon, this look is not only elegant but classic. 20 years from now this bridal bouquet will still be in style. What does simple but elegant mean to you? We'd love to know!! 

Do you ever think, "I'm not going to buy flowers because they don't last long enough"? If so you are not buying the right flowers. At our shop we sell a mixture of unique and common blooms and some last longer than others. Here are a few example of flowers that can not only brighten up your home but will last 2 weeks or longer! Protea ~  considered a tropical flowers native to South Africa, these funky and fun flowers last for weeks and weeks. No only are they unique but they come in cool colors like yellow, orange and red! The cost per stem is a bit high but you don't need many to make a statement.  Carnations ~  before you think or say "No Carnations" you need to think again. Not only do these fluffy blooms last a long time, they come in amazing colors. Just a few in a short vase with fresh water every few days can last 2 to 3 weeks!  Daisies ~  now these are not your grannies daisies. These "Micro Poms" (as they are calle

Sorry folks, we've been a bit light in the blogging department but it's been a busy few weeks at the shop and so we thought we share what's been going on through the eyes of our Instagram account!! A few weeks ago we created this adorable LEGO themed party. So cute right?  While I was in a Wedding Flower meeting the ladies had a little fun and shot this Selfie! !  Lots of purple flowers leaving the shop like these designs created for a photo shoot at Chauncey Conference Center. Do you like them?  Each week we create lobby floral designs for about 30 companies. Aren't they adorable?  Last but not least, slowly but surely we have been changing over from stock design photos to real photos and here's another one that seem to be a big hit on Instagram. Do you like it?  There you have it, a few photos from our recent Instagram feed. We hope you follow, like and share!