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Purple is a popular color in 2011 & 2012!

Jul12

We did not realize the trend we have been experiencing  until we started to review some pictures yesterday.  Purple — in all different shades and hues — has been a very popular color this year and last year.

We have featured it all alone — with its many shades — and also combined it with a number of other colors like green, white or pink.    Deep Red and Deep purple also also combinations that we have found delightful.  We thought you might enjoy seeing how each bride’s vision can be  similar — and yet totally totally different!

Enjoy!!

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Why We do What We Do

Feb5

Sometimes, people ask me why I design wedding flowers.

Over the years, I have given this question a lot of thought because it can be a very stressful but also very rewarding career.

Just the other day, a note from our December 3, 2011 bride  reminded me again about why I love my work:  Here’s there message:

“Dear Cheryl:

Thank you for the fabulous flowers, centerpieces and trees.  Heinz Chapel was breathtaking too!  Your gift of understanding a bride’s vision will never go un-noticed.  the bouquets were beautiful and they complimented the dresses and tuxes perfectly!  Thank you again and again!  Lindsey B. and Andrew “

A warm glow came over me, and a smile stayed on my face all day that day, as I recalled the flowers we had provided for Lindsey and her bridesmaids and the University Club.    Lindsey is actually the second daughter in this family to use our floral services.  (We did her sister’s flowers a couple of years ago).  My warm glow was in knowing that we had done our very, very best work for our Stunning December bride. …….and that she appreciated it.

Sometimes, it’s just the little things in life that count and make me continue to do what we do best…….try our very best to satisfy all of our brides dreams and desires.

Thanks for allowing us to help you Lindsey….and for the beautiful note!

Pennies from Heaven

Aug5

Sometimes, the very simplest things are the most awe inspiring to me.

Our Bride and Groom today, Kaitlyn and Dan, had the most wonderful way of remembering a number of family members that were no longer here.  I just had to share their story and thoughts.

As we set up the outdoor garden for the ceremony, I noticed a number of pennies seemingly strewn down the main isle.  I was puzzled.  More pennies than someone who had dropped a few……more like a man with a really big hole in his pocket.

Then I opened their wedding program, and found the meaning of the pennies on the isle.  The pennies were scattered in loving memory of those who were no longer with them.  This poem (source unknown) accompanied the scattered pennies.

When an Angel misses you,

They toss a penny down.

Sometimes just to cheer you up,

or to make a smile from   a frown.

So, don’t pass by that penny,

When you’re feeling blue.

It may be a penny from heaven,

That an Angel has tossed to you.

What a wonderful way to  include and remember those that you care so much about!

Kaitlyn and Dan, my very best to you today…..and thanks for the wonderful  new tradition to share.    Your ceremony was beautiful and very meaningful.                     And……..  I’ll be looking for those pennies.

 

Erin & Mark’s ‘Heinz Field’ Wedding

Jul19

And no, it was not for a Pittsburgh Steeler!

Did you know that Heinz Field can be rented for weddings and other fun events?  Many people do not know that!  Our wedding on Saturday, July 16th, took us to Heinz Field for both the ceremony and the reception, which took place in the West Club area.

We were able to set up early.  Very, very large carts helped us move all of our equipment, flowers and “stuff” from the loading dock to the club area. Elegant white linens with champagne satin sashes provided the perfect touch to a sports world kind of place. There were also monitors throughout the club that had Erin and Mark’s name on it. What fun!

We finished rather quickly, and then returned later in the day with the personal flowers and bouquets.  Erin was a very understated, classic bride.  However, her dress had lots of detail and bling! Her handsome groom, in his dress uniform, is an active duty member of the US Coast Guard.

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More pictures will be posted later — but we just wanted to tease you a little!  Oh, and what is a wedding at Heinz Field without a Steelers Cake for the Groom? Just the right touch, but a total opposite of the elegant wedding cake Erin chose.

Celebrating Flag Day

Jun3

On June 14th, people around the United States celebrate and recognize the flag of  our country. Many years ago, as far back to the 20th century, Americans took the meaning of our flag very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that there is even a code of ethics for our flag! Some of the rules are included in the following:

- Our national flag may not be used for advertising.

- Our national flag may not cover any monuments or ceilings.

- Our national flag may not be folded when it is being displayed.

- Our national flag must not be written on.

- Our national flag must not be lowered on a ship unless only slightly to greet another ship.

It wasn’t until 1912 that the United States actually had a standardized flag, which was originally called “Stars and Stripes,” or also “Old Glory.” Not to mention, our flag is the most complicated flag to make in the entire world as it requires 64 pieces of fabric to make!

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress announced the adoption of our national flag. People started hanging flags at all of the government buildings to honor the adoption of the flag.

However, it wasn’t until June 14, 1893 that was claimed to be the first observation of Flag Day which was celebrated in Philadelphia, PA. It was later made into an official holiday in 1949 when then president Harry S. Truman made its declaration.

In 1812, lawyer Francis Scott Key was inspired by our flag when he saw that it had survived through war between the British and the Americans in Baltimore Harbor. He eventually wrote a song that became famous (and still is famous in our society!) which is known as “The Star Spangled Banner,” and more so known as our National Anthem.

To this very day, many different ways of honoring and respecting our American flag take place every day. Most elementary schools have their students pledge to the flag at the beginning of each school day. Also, at many large public events, especially sporting events, the national anthem is either played or sung (ie., the Superbowl).

Celebrating our flag not only provides the opportunity to appreciate how it came to be, but it also encourages the bonding between fellow Americans by displaying our pride for our flag and for the greatness of our country!

For more information on Flag Day, visit www.about.com.

The Importance of Memorial Day

May12

During the month of May, we do not just celebrate and recognize our mothers,  we also celebrate and remember those of whom surrendered their lives in honor of our nation’s service. This particular day of remembrance and honoring our nation’s heroes is May 30, otherwise known as Memorial Day.

“Decoration Day,” which was its original name,  made its first appearance three years after the Civil War on May 5, 1868. The Grand Army of the Republic declared May 30th as the day in which people were to decorate the graves [with flowers] of the soldiers who had served and were buried in the Arlington National Cemetery. It is believed that this date was chosen so that all of the flowers placed on the graves would be in bloom all over the nation.

Over the years, the true celebration and remembrance of the soldiers on Memorial Day has decreased and the real meaning of the day has been lost to many. Therefore, in December of 2000, a “National Moment of remembrance” was declared. This motion asked all Americans to take a moment of silence, respect, and remembrance for all of the soldiers at 3 p.m on Memorial Day.

The flower that has been designated the Memorial Day flower is the poppy (more so the red poppy). The reason for this designation stemmed from the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae. The poem reads,

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


The representation of the poppy flower in the poem is to mean the fields of graves and the bloodshed that the soldiers went through. Also, in many countries, the poppy is known as the “flower of remembrance,” which led to its declaration as the official Memorial Day flower.

As Memorial Day approaches us, take some time to remember and celebrate those who have made this very holiday an existence. If you have  family, friends, or know of a soldier who has passed in the name of war, make a visit to their burial site with some poppies or even a flag to show that they are still being remembered and honored for their heroic efforts in war for our nation!

- For more information about Memorial Day or the poppy flower’s signification, visit www.usmemorialday.org/ or www.classbrain.com/. -

Origins Of Wedding Traditions

Mar27

As the sunny, blue skies of summer are surely approaching, so are the summertime weddings. So we figured, why not reflect on some of the origins of wedding traditions to help kick off this season of love?

 

 

Read on below to learn some “did you know?” facts about wedding traditions!

 

 

  • Did you know that the word “wed” came from the ancient Greek word “pledge” ?
  • Did you know that originally, wedding gowns were worn in a rainbow spectrum of colors? White gowns only became popular about 150 years ago.
  • Did you know that the veil was once representative of obedience and submissiveness?
  • Did you know that the reason we wear our wedding rings on the third finger of our left hand is because the Greeks believed that the vein in that particular finger was connected directly to our heart?
  • Did you know that during the time of the Romans, wedding guests would throw cake crumbs at the bride and groom as a symbol of fertility? These cakes were typically scones or biscuits made by the guests themselves. Eventually, this “piled high” concept was extracted by a French baker who used the idea to build a multiple-tier cake.
  • Did you know that at one point in time, the bride stood to the left of the groom so that his right hand would be free to fight off any individual who planned to ruin the ceremony?

 

Those are some pretty interesting facts, huh? It sure is amazing how much things have changed over the years!

Birthdays Have More Than Just Birthstones

Mar1

I think it is safe to say that most of us are aware of what our birthstones and our astrological signs are. Yet, there are more meanings to our birthdays than just gems and stars. You guessed it, we have birth-flowers, too!

Can you guess what type of flower represents your month? Give it a try!

Take a look below to see if you were right, what your birth-flower is, and also the meanings that each birth-flower depicts.

January – Carnation/Snowdrop

These flowers stand for fascination, love, and consolation.

February – Violet/Primrose

These flowers stand for modesty, faithfulness, and virtue.

March – Jonquil/Daffodil

These flowers stand for regard, devotion, and sympathy.

April – Sweet Pea/Daisy

These flowers stand for innocence, bliss, and affection.

May – Lily of the Valley/Hawthorn

These flowers stand for sweetness, happiness, and hope.

June - Rose/Honeysuckle

These flowers stand for love and devotion.

July – Larkspur/Water Lily

These flowers stand for laughter and purity.

August – Poppy/Gladiolus

These flowers stand for strength, grace, and imagination.

September – Aster/Morning Glory

These flowers stand for love, daintiness, and affection.

October – Calendula/Cosmos

These flowers stand for joy and modesty.

November – Chrysanthemum

This flower stands for cheerfulness, lovliness, and wealth.

December - Narcissus/Holly

These flowers stand for formality and good wishes.

If you know someone whose birthday is soon approaching, try sending them an arrangement of their birthday flowers. You’ll be sure to score some creativity points!

Spring Forward With Flowers!

Feb19

Sun leads to Spring, which then leads to the tulips, daisies, daffodils, etc. that are all arriving at the store. We’re excited, and you should be, too! All of this sun means flowers are soon to be blooming, while bringing with them the beautiful colors and scents back to Pittsburgh.

And, now that the sun is waking us every morning instead of snow(thank goodness), it will be a lot easier to roll out of bed to go out and enjoy the day. Not a morning person? Well, that’s something us florists can fix!

Forget about that morning cup of coffee, because there is something else that can brighten up your morning. According to research posted on the Society of American Florists’ Website, flowers are the perfect incentive for that morning moodiness.

Studies from this research have shown that placing flowers in the rooms most visited throughout the morning had put people in better moods, and had even increased their energy. How cool is that?!

The Society of American Florists’ Website also listed a few tips on how to truly perk up your mornings with flowers.

  • Be spontaneous with what you place your flowers in to ensure that the container suits your personality.
  • For a “sunny” feeling (which I would say is appropriate for the weather these past few days), incorporate flowers that are of the yellow or orange spectrums. For a special touch, add lemons or limes to the arrangement.
  • Match your flowers to your room palette to really accentuate the colors in that particular area of your home.
  • Set your flowers in an area that, at times, may get messy. This will help to ensure that your house will remain tidy.

– To check out the article, click the link above.–

Who knew something as simple as flowers could do so much? (We did!)

So if you know someone who isn’t necessarily a morning person, give us a call and we’ll help brighten up their day. We all need to be able to enjoy these gorgeous days Pittsburgh has been giving us!

Phil Did Not See His Shadow!

Feb3

Hip-Hip Horray!

Phil the Groundhog did NOT see his shadow yesterday. So that means the prediction is for an early spring, and not 6 more weeks of bad winter weather. I am so ready! Bring on the sunshine!

Tulips are coming into the shop already.  Bright Gerbera Daisies almost every day.  Beautiful mixed bunch bouquets for a super quick treat.

Stop in today …or any day.  We are always here and are ready to help with your every whim and desire!