Sending Smiles ~

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,

I have to admit, I like flowers of all kinds, even ones that have gotten a little help from mankind such as these blue dyed dendrobium orchids. When you visit European countries, you'll notice that they love colorful flowers and have no issue with giving mother nature a leg up on both color and glitter - Yes, I said glitter. I especially love dyed daises and even these rainbow roses below. If you are thinking they are inexpensive because they are dyed, think again, these flowers come at a premium cost, not the other way around. Although, not for everyone, these dyed flowers can be fun and kwirky and depending how they are used can really start a conversation. We've even used them for weddings like this one for our bride Megan and few years back. Whether or not you love blue dyed orchids or roses or rainbow daisies or roses, you have to admit, they sure are different and if you love unexpected color, these little dyed beauties might be worth a second look!

Guest Blog By: Our very own - Kevin Vinicombe Most people aren’t aware of the significant Helium shortage currently in the United States until they try to purchase Helium filled Balloons from their local Party Shop or Florist.   Some retailers that use Helium for decorating or resale are finding it increasingly difficult to secure a supply; some vendors are rationing or completely cutting off retailers. Unfortunately the shortage as been creeping up on us for a long time, some experts say it began in the 1996 when the US Government starting selling their reserves to private refiners as part of the Helium Privatization Act.   This made helium a plentiful resource for years, until recently. Helium is extracted during the same process with Natural Gas and since we’ve experienced a mild Winter the extraction of Natural Gas has been minimized even though there is plenty of Gas available.   It boils down to basic Economics of Supply/Demand and Cost/Benefit for the company’s that ext

 I love giving helpful tips to save money when you need to decorate for wedding or other party. Here are a few of my favorites. The big, tall cylinder vases filled simply with river stones and three huge gerbers really make a big show on a table. Use them alone or pair off with other vase creations for more drama. Prices starting at $30 at our shop!  Who says a centerpiece has to be huge and have lots of flowers? These cute compotes have moss, berries, ivy and just 3 roses. Super simple but elegant, don't you think? Only $40 each.  How about starting with a vintage or quaint container like this pitcher? Add a single huge hydrangea and some greenery for a casual centerpiece . $28 each.  Have a large space to fill? How about huge vases (rentals of course) with gems, underwater lights and floating candles. What a simple way to fill in a large space and adding lighting at the same time. Expect to pay $18 to $25 per vase.  Our tri candle holders have become so popular.

 Last week I had the priviledge of being interviewed by Helen Burton (pictured below) on the Princeton Community Television. How cool it was to drive over to the TV Studio with butterflies in my tummy but full of excitement. For those of you that don't know... my first year of college was spent as a Communications major with the dream of becoming a TV Camera"man" someday. Back in those days, I loved being behind the scenes and even tried my hand at directing, which is just about the scariest thing I ever did! My buddy Mary and I would roam our College campus looking for folks to interview - her out in front of the camera and me behind. Well, this was certainly a change for me and a scary one at that! Being interviewed about what it takes to be in business was super fun and after a few minutes of staring at my hostess Helen, I began to relax and give my honest view points on what it's like to be the "Boss".  The program is called Skyrock Your Business a

 Looking for centerpiece ideas with a rustic flair? How about this idea from last weekends wedding at an elegant winery? The bride provided to us these cool boxes and we lined them with burlap to cover the mason jars that housed the loose and airy wildflowers that filled the boxes. Affordable and quite large, these floral arrangements took advantage of seasonal flowers and really looked full and lush.  The Escort Card table display used river pebbles and wheat grass with wine corks as the escort card holders.  Wine boxes held the grasses for a little more visual appeal and once the table was fully dressed with branched arrangements and floating candle holders, it truly was a show piece that greeted Rebecca and Patrick guests to the Vineyard. No two centerpieces matched which allowed us to use some expensive flowers like the Dutch Astilbe and Hydrangeas in this piece along with the more modestly priced Margarite daises and thistle. To see these and more of centerpiece designs

Flowers like this make me dreamy. I can imagine rolling up between the petals and falling off to dreamland in a fluffy cloud as soft as heaven. Ah, but I can fly away from myself into the world of floral fantasy. How gorgeous is this deep purple lisianthus? A flower often confused with a rose, each long stem has multiple bloomed flowers and "yet to open" buds. The stem is rather narrow and weak but is surprising strong giving how much weight is positioned at the tippy top. With multiple blooms and buds, the stem tends to arch and drape rather than stand straight up, again, part of it's subtle beauty that says "take me as I am, I'm not perfect but I'm lovely. I'm not weak but resilient."  Yes, yes, I know, you are wondering, "what the heck is Georgianne on today" but truly, when I look at flowers as gorgeous as this one, it's how I talk to myself. Soft mind full whispers of joy bounce around my head reminding me of why I love flowers,