Sending Smiles ~

Back in 2009 I was asked to write a blog for Flower Shop Network called "Bloomin' Blog" and I really had fun writing it. Fast forward 4 years to 2013 and nothing has really changed so I thought it might be fun to re-post. Hope you enjoy!  Me ~ oh how I have changed in the last 4 years I've  noticed over the years that what I love most about my job is something that an average person usually hates. What is that, you wonder? It’s diversity, change, constant evolution and sometimes even chaos. The day in the life of a florist is anything but boring or mundane. I’ll bet if you asked someone what they thought it would be like to be a florist for the day, most would answer with cliche. The most common ones  I've  heard over the years is “It must be fun to play with flowers all day”. Play? Who said anything about playing. Last time I looked it was my job to be a florist, not my hobby. Another personal favorite is “It must be so calm and relaxing being surro

Well, we had another fun event here at our Princeton Flower Shop  this past week! Scarf tying along with wine and cheese with 29 ladies in attendance. As you can tell by these smiling faces, the ladies had a great time!  Dear friend Ann (Ann and I have known each other for over 20 years) has always worn scarves so who better than to lead our discussion, right?   Wearing her signature fun colors, she showed us many fun ways to tie scarves of all different shapes and sizes.  Great customer Martha shows off what she learned!   Martha has been to every class we have had so far!  Ann leads a hands on session where folks tried their luck at using their owns scarves. Between the discussion and demonstrations the ladies took sips of wine and at some snacks including wonderful cheese from Tre Piani Restaurant.    Be sure to look for our next classes and a list can always be found on our Princeton Facebook Page and you can now reserve your place on our website !  Yup, that

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 children at Springdale

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 24th, support the small businesses in your community! 

Just about every day we displaying more and more of our holiday gifts and aren't they cute. This tree pattern comes on a coffee mug (like this one), a tea pot, a pitcher, a cake plate ~ chip and dip combo. It's such a happy design, don't you think?  These snowmen salt and pepper shakers are such a cute gift for a secret Santa or grab bag, don't you think?  They are only $6.95!    This nativity sets has been a good seller already. What a sweet gift for a babies first Christmas.    You may have noticed that we have a new line of jewelry, scarves, head bands and now pocket books. This one is super cute and we love damask pattern and that pop of hot pink.    Rustic themed plates, pitchers and coffee mugs are super sweet and make great gifts. This plate would be adorable added to a gourmet basket or used as the base for a cookie bouquet.    Tea pots and so popular these days. Imagine this one with a super cute winter floral display created right inside.

 Did you know that we have a free book exchange at our Yardley Pennsylvania store? Started about 5 years ago, our "free library" of books has grown to over 500 in all genres. How it works is you come into the shop with a book (or 2) and take a book. It's that simple. No purchases is necessary and folks seem to enjoy it! Mysteries and romance novels top of the list of desired reading of course but we have self help, business and biographies as well!  Both Nora Roberts and Linda Lael Miller are popular reading at the book exchange. If you've never picked up a book by either of the authors, you really are missing some great stories. In addition to the historical and contemporary romance categories, we have many self help books and business biographies of well known entrepreneurs.  Debbie Maccomber is another popular author and we have many of her recent paper backs in addition to Susan Mallory, James Michner, Fern Michaels and Dan Brown. If you have never

It's officially fall here at the shop. Some folks think we rush it but as soon as we put out the fall products and merchandise our website with fall arrangements, they start selling. Take this dramatic floral arrangement for example:  It's one of our brand new designs for fall 2012. It's named   Autumn Expressions  and retails for only $42.95. The orange  cube vase makes such a nice keepsake and these rich autumnal colors really pop. Imagine this being delivered to you at work or home? We especially love the assortment of flowers and the dried wheat! Folks have also been starting to buy our Halloween and Thanksgiving table top pieces such as chip and dips, salt and pepper shakers, dried wreaths, wine glasses, pitchers, cookies jars and more. To see some of our new arrivals, check out this video on YouTube . Don't forget about our $5 flower specials and be sure to check out Facebook Page to find out what flower we have each week.

Because I failed Junior English in High School and did not pass Business Writing in College, it gives me the warm and fuzzies when people say they enjoy reading my blog.  If I could just go back and find those teachers.... well, I regress. I meet business owners and other florists who ask me why I bother to write a Blog. My reasons are actually pretty simple. I like writing, I like sharing the knowledge I've gained in my industry and I'm a social person. I write like I talk and although others might have trouble finding topics to write about, it's comes pretty easy to me. I think of things I want to talk about when I'm at home watching TV, driving in the car, taking a shower or even at 3 AM when I can't fall back to sleep.  I write down exactly what I would say if you were here in front of me, minus all the Italian hand gestures of course! Sharing advise, money saving ideas, new products and life experiences are all easy topics for me and it seems folks want

Ah, that is the question. Those who know me, know that I would answer that question with a resounding yes. Why? I love being Social. I love getting to know people and having them get to know me and my company. I was born to be a Social Media person but mostly what I love about it, is the fact that without having to leave my business, I can get to know others and they can get to know me. Years ago business was done by folks go out into a local business, seeing the owner, their staff, learning about what they had to offer. Years later, there was the phone and then next came website - a bit impersonal but still a wonderful addition. Did you know that on our website, the most often read page after the Homepage is our About Us page? That's because folks want to know more about us - know who we are on a personal level so they can determine if they wish to business with us. As a small retailer we've had great success in gaining new customers through social media such as blogging,

It's hard to believe that I became aware of  Homefront just about 20 years ago. My friend Ann was involved in the organization and told me all about it. It was perfect timing for me because I was helping my mother and father move from New Jersey to Virginia. My mom had 2 of just about everything in her kitchen and there was no way we could move it all. Ann told me I could donate all their  "perfectly good" extras to Homefront (then called the Exchange Club) and so she put me in touch with the founder, Connie Mercer. At that time, Connie and her band of volunteers were helping folks that were homeless and living in motels on Route 1 by getting them into "real" housing. Ever since then, we've been donating flowers and balloons for their clients and their special events. Fast forward to 2012 and my "visit" with Connie to Homefront this past Monday, I can't tell you how impressed I am with the amazing organization she has built. Touring th

Can you believe it, in just a couple short weeks it will be St. Patrick's Day? We always love that holiday around here and this year with it falling on a Saturday, we will be going all out. We've ordered in plenty of green balloons, green carnations and will even have little shamrock plants to sell. Shop Coordinator Sheryl is going to be making calls to local Pubs and Restaurants to see if they want to spruce up their places this year and really make the holiday one to remember! I personally can't wait!  Ok, so anyone that knows me knows I am addicted to peeps. How cute was our display of yellow chick peeps and daffodils. The perfect combination for spring!  We sell tons fo our decorated cookies and even though I loved the ones shaped like fall leaves and poinsettia flowers, I could not be happier to see the spring flower ones arrive once again. A fresh shipment just arrived of Get Well and Happy Birthday decorated cookies came in too. Lots of birthdays this time

 It's that time of year again and as has become the tradition, Shop Coordinator Sheryl has made my favorite sweet for us to share at the shop today! Email me at g@mondayflowers.com if you'd like the recipe but lets just say there is butter and chocolate involved so the yum factor is over the top! Thanks Sheryl, you make all the hard work during the holidays bearable!  Design Manager Holly also had the idea to treat us to some sweets today and stopped into a brand new cupcake company near her home in Columbus to bring us these beauties. I haven't had one yet but the hubby said the chocolate/peanut butter one was delish. Yes, we are in the flower biz and the designers have been busy refilling the coolers as the shop has been a revolving door today of folks stopping in for Centerpieces and Floral Gifts. We are sufficiently sugared so the energy level at the shop is "high".   We'd love for you stop in if you are in our area. Today is $5 Friday at

We had the honor last week of providing flowers for the Nassau Inn photo shoot. The Nassau Inn is located in the heart of the downtown Princeton shopping district. If you've never been there, it truly is a treat! It's always challenging to design arrangements that not only show off the location (which is the whole idea of the photo shoot to begin with) but also not be overly seasonal. Right now we are in the throws of fall flowers but folks viewing these pictures could be doing so in Spring, Summer or even in the dead of Winter. Our color theme for the shoot were rich reds, pinks and purples. Purple has been a hot wedding color for the later part of 2010 and appears to be going strong right into 2011. Red and pink are always classic so put the three together and WOW!! Drama!! Look at this lovely shot of the Palmer Room. One of my personal favorites at the Inn because it's elegant but cozy. This room also has lovely daytime light but when the sun goes down, the glow comes

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

About a month ago I was doing my usual buzzing around the shop and noticed a few people browsing. I greeted each with a "Hello" and a "Is anyone helping you yet?". Each told me they were being helped and I did not doubt it as all my employees were hard at work wrapping bouquets and bagging gift items. It's what I love about retail! That whole, I'm here, I need help and I need it now. I find it so stimulating! One woman, as I greeted her said "This place is amazing". She had this look on her face, her head was moving up and down, left and right and her eyes almost looked wild. I became alarmed!! What did she mean? Amazing good or amazing bad? I was almost afraid to ask but I said "Is that a good thing?" and she was like - "oh yes, this place is amazing". I had to ask further, "In what way" and she went on to tell me that she couldn't believe the selection of product we carried, how many employees were flitting her