January 31, 2008 | out and about
by
Jacqueline - Editor
Since Valentine’s Day is two weeks from today, I’m offering these suggestions for how to make it memorable, fun and romantic. It’s easy if you think ahead!
10. Shake up tradition. This great idea comes courtesy of Flower Blog reader Barbara B., who recently made the excellent comment that the pressure shouldn’t be all on the men. She suggests turning to your guy and saying, “Honey, this year Valentine’s Day will be planned by me.” Then plan a really great day, evening or whatever with the emphasis on his pleasure and delights. Maybe his office could use a corporate bouquet while you get those yellow roses that you have always wanted. Do it right and by the time next year’s Valentine’s Day rolls around he won’t forget the date.
9. Act now. If part of your planning includes making reservations at a romantic restaurant, don’t wait till the last minute.
8. Plan a getaway weekend. Nothing reinvigorates a romantic relationship like new scenery and a few days in a welcoming, picturesque inn. Stumped for where to go? Check out bestweekends.blogspot.com for tons of great ideas.
7. Edify. Read some of “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer, the English author who helped popularize this romantic day. If 14th Century English just doesn’t do it for you, read on …
6. Have a toast to Chaucer instead. Buy a bottle of rose champagne (Nicolas Feuillatte is delightful and won’t break the bank). And of course treat yourself to something sweet. If pink bubbles and dark chocolate doesn’t make you feel romantic, nothing will.
5. Vintage rules. Get in touch with your inner Victorian and hand-write some Valentine’s notes. If you’re really ambitious, you could illustrate them. But any excuse to pull out colored paper, crayons, glue and scissors works for me. Wait, how old am I again? :)
4. Be the bigger person. Since the tradition of Valentine’s honors saints and martyrs, this is a good time to follow their example and decide to forgive that lover or friend who hurt you in the past.
3. Buy red roses. Regardless of who sends and who receives, decide that you’ll enjoy the luscious pleasure of fresh red roses in your home. Mmmm, roses. I’m having a flower lover’s version of a Homer Simpson donut moment.
2. Think of someone else. Send a cheerful bouquet to a friend or relative who might be in need of some pretty and fragrant floral company.
1. Kiss your Valentine! More than once! As much as you want! That’s kind of a no-brainer, doncha think?
Btw, what is your favorite spot for a weekend getaway? Drop me a note with the details … I sense another Top 10 list coming on!
January 30, 2008 | floral calendar
by
Jacqueline - Editor
Maymont Flower & Garden Show: “The Entertaining Garden – Party Among the Petals”
Garden parties and outdoor celebrations are highlighted this year. The MAC Events Home Show will be held next door.
When: Feb. 21-24, 2008
1-9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Greater Richmond Convention Center, 400 E. Marshall St., Richmond, VA
Price: $10 adults (discounts available)
Contact: 800-332-3976, macevents.com
January 30, 2008 | teleflora news
by
Public Relations
Great minds think alike, especially when it comes to gift-giving on Valentine’s Day, according to a national online survey conducted by Teleflora via Harris Interactive.
The survey found that 84 percent of women ages 18-34 chose diamond jewelry or roses as the gifts that come to mind when they think about this romantic day and 77 percent of men in that age group agreed.
As for the 45-54 group, 76 percent of women and 72 percent of men selected diamond jewelry or roses as gifts that celebrate Valentine’s Day.
The Teleflora survey also found that:
• From a list of Valentine’s Day gifts to receive, women ranked roses as the best (32 percent); diamond jewelry as the second best (29 percent); jewelry other than diamonds as the third best (26 percent); roses other than flowers as the fourth-best gift (24 percent).
• As for what men would want to give their significant other on Valentine’s Day, 53 percent selected roses from a list of gifts, followed by flowers other than roses at 39 percent. Additionally, 34 percent of men would give jewelry and 26 percent of men would give diamond jewelry.
One way to turn those wishes into reality is Teleflora’s Diamonds and Roses sweepstakes that runs through February 29.
Every time a Teleflora florist fills an order for the Diamonds and Roses Bouquet, $59.95, shown below, or the Diamond Cut Bouquet, $99.95, on Teleflora.com, a coded game piece will be included. Customers will be directed to DiamondsandRoses.com where they can find out if they have instantly won one of 1,000 diamond pendant necklaces, valued at $149 from Zales Jewelers.
All registrants are then automatically entered into the grand prize drawing for a beautiful pair of white-gold, round-cut diamond earrings, with a retail value of $50,000. The lucky winner will be contacted via phone on or around March 15.
Consumers who don’t purchase the bouquets will still have a chance to enter the Diamonds and Roses sweepstakes by logging onto DiamondsandRoses.com and mailing in a request for a game piece.
For more information on Teleflora’s Diamonds and Roses sweepstakes and how you can enter, please visit DiamondsandRoses.com or call 310-966-8328.
January 28, 2008 | out and about
by
Jacqueline - Editor
Flowers, like pictures, can speak a thousand words. After the news last week of Heath Ledger's untimely death, filmstew.com recalled a time that Ledger used a flower to protect his family's privacy.
In the fall of 2006, when a tabloid photographer tried to take pictures of Ledger's daughter, the actor instinctively grabbed a flower from a flower shop and handed it to the photographer, asking him to please not take photos of his daughter, who had just celebrated her first birthday.
"He just didn't want to take it [the flower], but I slaughtered him with kindness and he took the flower," Ledger is quoted as saying.
Shouting, swearing or trying to punch the guy weren't Ledger's style. Instead, his gesture reflects a sensitivity and spontaneity that also came through on screen, and reminds us in yet another way that the deep sadness of his death at age 28 will resonate for a long time to come.
