Flower of the Month Of March - Daffodils

Daffodils come out early in March, that's probably why these were designated as the flower of the month of March.  The botanical name for daffodils is Narcissus and the common name is Daffodil, Jonquil or Paper-white.  All Daffodil blooms have petals emanating from the base of a trumpet-shaped cup (corona).  The single flower variety have six petals; the double flower variety have 12 or more. The blooms are at the top of the stems and when open, face perpendicular to the stems. larger varieties sport a simgle bloom per stem, and the smaller variety sport clusters of blooms per stem. The stems of the Daffodils are hollow and leafless. They come in several colors, the most abundant of which is yellow; other colors are orange, peach, pink, white, and cream.
Before florists arrange these flowers into a beautiful bouquet, the stems are cut about half an inch off the bottom and kept in separate container for at least 6 hours. Daffodils exude a slimy substance that is harmful to other flowers. After 6 hours, the harmful sap will have leached and the flowers can then be arranged or placed with other flowers.  Like most bulb flowers, daffodils have short vase lives.

A Very Memorable Birthday

When I was young, we didn't have much. My parents had 7 girls, all were in Catholic schools, so we didn't have birthday parties. My mother then made sticky rice cake, bought some cookies and prepared hot native chocolate drink to celebrate my younger sister and my birthday together. The only birthday party we celebrated at home was my older sister's 18th birthday because she had finished college and had a job.

On my second year in college, Martial Law was declared by then President Ferdinand Marcos. The administration started rounding up student activists including my younger sister, myself and another girl who was boarding at my parents house. We were detained at a military camp called Camp Dangwa. While in detention, I became ill in the camp, and later was taken to the hospital; and that was where I spent my 18th birthday. Imagine the anguish my mother felt when two of her young children were taken away and detained for months and then seeing one of them in the hospital on her 18th birthday. I had no idea what my mother felt and went through at that time.

This year, should be a very memorable birthday for me, one that would never be ever forgotten, a real celebration of life, and real greatfulness for the good Lord's power.

The day before my birthday, I called my son to ask where he was when I stopped by his house. He was already at work, and informed me he rode his bike to work. He uses our other car which was at his house but we needed it for valentine flower deliveries. He told me to go ahead and take the car and that he'll see us on Tuesday to help with flower deliveries.

At about 1:30 am on February 13, the phone rang, and I thought it was a prank call; then my cell phone rang, but I didn't pick it up because I was trying to get to sleep so that I have energy for a busy day. After several rings, I finally got up at 5:30 to pick up the call on my cell phone. It was a social worker from UC Davis Medical center. She informed us that our son was in a very bad accident, he is serious, but calm and collected and was able to give our business phone, home phone and my cell phone. The other passenger was more seriously injured with broken back, eye and head and leg injuries and at first was not expected to live.

At the end of his shift, it started pouring rain so his friend offered him a ride, will drop him off by his friends apartment which is halfway to my son's house and he will ride his bike home from there. It was a ride he won't ever forget. His friend drove too fast for the weather condition and lost control of the car, hit a tree and then another tree. It's a miracle my son survived - he had a cut on his chest, broken sternum, broken tibia and a day later, they found that his hip was broken too. It was a shock to be awakened with such a terrible news. I can't express what I felt; I just fell on my knees and prayed for my son and the other passenger and for the driver who lost his life that dark, ominous morning.

I called my helper to come in early, informed my daughter of the news, and then rushed to the hospital. My son was in the operating room when we got there and expected to be in there for a couple of hours. We went to work and got busy with valentine orders. We informed his employer of the accident, and I sent a text message to one of his roommates.

After not getting any news, my husband went back to the hospital and found our son in recovery but was sleeping. About 10 of his friends were in the OR waiting room - my husband told them to go home because they are not yet allowed to see him while he was in ICU recovering. When we got back to the hospital at around 6 pm that night, he woke up and had the guilty look in his face and apologized. It was such a rough day seeing my only son all battered, bruised, in pain, and hooked up with mask-like breathing instrument. etc. and can't barely move.

This particular birthday, I am grateful for the gift of life, I feel so blessed and thank the Lord my son is alive.

February is - Black History Month

On the second week of February in 1926,"Negro" History Week was establshed. Dr. Carter G.Woodson, who originated this event, chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans: President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass. Woodson also founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

Black History month should be a time to honor those whose struggles, accomplishments and contributions brought us to where we are in this country. We could start by learning and discovering who Dr. Carter Woodson is and his accomplishments.

In Sacramento, the local libraries are presenting a variety of cultural programs for all ages in all its 28 locations throughout the month of February. Programs include art displays, arts and crafts hands-on projects, story telling, geneology workshops, drumming and dancing, cooking and much more.

February is the Month of Love and Romance

Valentine's day is on February 14th. It's time for expressing our love and affection for those who are most important to us. And naturally enough, sending flowers is one of the best romance ideas of all. Not only that, studies show that there is a link between flowers and the emotional health.
Anyone, of any age who is presented with flowers elicit a geniune smile.

For Valentine's Day, roses are the most popular flower that express love and romance and the favorite flower men order for their loved one. Professional florists offer lots of choices of roses and spring flowers and many of these flowers have a very sweet scent.

If you've decided to send flowers for valentine's, consider sending your flowers on Monday, February 13th, especially if they're being delivered to a place of work so they can be admired and enjoyed for several days more.
Don't wait until the last minute….call or visit us soon and let Cupid's arrows fly. Your local florist - A Vanity Fair Florist, can help you express your feelings of love and romance with flowers.

February is the month of Violets, Amethyst and Aquarius

It's February and today is my sister's birthday, and my niece's too. What a birthday gift, a blessing to my sister on her birthday to give birth to a beautiful daughter 25 years ago. Here's wishing them both a blessed day as they celebrate this day apart, a continent apart, and yet just a click and a phone call away.

The flower for the month of February is the African Violet and the birthstone is Amethyst. Violets represent chastity, humility and faithfulness.

February's purple birthstone has been found among the possessions of royalty throughout the ages. The intense violet hue of Amethyst appealed to early monarchs, perhaps because they often wore this color. Amethyst is also symbolic of spirituality and piety. It has been used to ornament churches and crosses used in religious ceremony, and worn in rings and on rosaries by bishops and priests.

For the Aquarian, enjoy this month's segment of a Gregorian Birth Stone Poem:

The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.

Before the Golden Age

What do you call the period of time before the so called "golden age" - the time period when one is about ready to retire (from work) but yet have to continue working to be able to pay bills, and also continue fulfilling family responsibilities like caring for an aging parent.

Working in a flowershop, I get to work a lot on flowers for funeral services, flowers for grieving families, or flowers for gravesites for loved ones who passed a long time ago. When working on flowers for people I know, it becomes a personal "mission". It is very sad to note that last year I learned of the passing of high school classmate, and early this year, the passing of a college friend. They are my age, and I realize and I'm thankful for each day I wake up, alive!

Bringing Beauty and Hospitality In Your Home

During this holiday, you get to be invited to friends' and relatives' homes. And when you enter a house and are greeted by the sight of fresh flowers, you know at once you are in a home where beauty and hospitality are important.

The familiar phrase - "Say it with flowers" - becomes meaningful because flowers do say special things - often very hard to find the right words.

Flowers are very pleasing to the eye and when set on the dining table, help whet the appetite, and express that the meal signifies a very special event, a celebration of frienship, the bond and love of family, and on this holiday, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So many of the things in the world today are mass produced, but the flowers that adorn the table are usually hand arranged individually by a florist near you.

Golden Angel Centerpiece

I am very Thankful For Special People and Places

1) My late parents - they who even in poverty and limited education were rich with love, were wise in raising their 7 children, all girls, in a God loving and fearing home. They worked hard, emphasized work ethic into their children, and encouraged us to get educated. They sent us to Catholic school even if they had to scrimp just so they can pay our tuition.
2) Humble beginnings - that molded us into the person that we are to be able to survive whatever challenges we are faced with, such as the current economy.
3) My Siblings - strong women, very loving, helpful, supportive, very generous and very motherly to us the younger sisters.
4) My Cousins - they are like our siblings, having grown up together, our fathers being the only 2 males in their family.
5) My Spouse - my rock, my best friend, my strength, my partner and lover.
6) My Children - my favorite beautiful people, my hope for the future, the most precious priceless gift of all
7) My country - the land I chose for the opportunites it provided for me and my family
8) The Land of my birth - a beautiful country, a beautiful city - Baguio City was called the summer capital, the city of pines where I learned to love life, have fun, work hard and get educated. It is where a lifetime of friendships have been formed. This is where I learned the value of hard work from watching my parents and my relatives, good education from Catholic nuns and priests who also taught us morals and values and nurtured our spiritual growth.
9) Good friends from near and far - who remind one of the joy of their companionship, their support and their love.
10) Good Health - so far, so good and one that definitely makes one so greatful.
11) The Good Lord - Psalm 30:12 ESV That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

A special Centerpiece

To A Dear Classmate

When one hears of a death of a friend, the initial reaction is of disbelief, it can't be, "she's too young." And then you learn that she's been ill for quite a while. For loved ones, when death occurs, even if there's ample time to accept to the eventual end, it still comes as a shock. Loved ones can be overwhelmed with anguish and deep grief. For most of us who have religious beliefs and faith, when death finally comes after a prolonged period of illness,we say "It's a blessing, she hasn't had a meaningful life for a long time." And we believe God has called her to rest. But for the rest of us that are left behind, we get the sobering fact that we are mere mortals, that we will eventually die. And for me, I feel so sorry I have not known my classmate was living and working in a city next to mine, that I have discovered where she has been upon her death. I am sad for what could have been.
Good bye Myrna Ray Orduna Amis and may the Lord bless and keep your family and friends you left behind.

A Practical Guide to Choosing a Local Florist

Searching for a Local Florist
When searching for a florist online find and contact a local flower shop or florist in the city where you need the flowers delivered. This way, you'll get the most value for your money.

Local florists will gladly serve your flower and rose deliveries with ease. They know the area very well and can help you with your order. If you have your favorite florist in your town, they will gladly find and send your order to a reputable florist where you need your order delivered.

Avoid online florists that appear to be local florists. Most online florists only provide toll free number and no physical address. These are middlemen or order takers - they take your order then turn around and call it in to a local florist. By using the florists that appear to be local florists, you can end up spending more for less flowers .

Ordering Advice:
Be ready with the name, complete address and phone number of the recipient. If it's going to the workplace, give the company name and department the recipient works for.

Keep the order as general and open as possible. Because flowers are usually better in some seasons and not others, and some flowers are more readily available in some places than in others, it is wise to allow the florist to pick the types of flowers used so they can give you the best quality.

In addition, not all colors are available for all types of flowers. While you can specify the overall color or colors of the arrangement (i.e., spring colors, fall colors, pastels, etc.), it is wise to allow the florist to pick the individual colors and flowers so they can give you the best quality.

The same is true with plants specially if you require plants that are in bloom. Let the florist know what houseplant you prefer or ask what plants they have in stock.

Autum Delight

Making your Bouquet of Flowers Last - Flower Care

How to care for your bouquet of flowers

You just received a beautiful bouquet of flowers, maybe for your birthday, a special event or occasion, or perhaps it is a single flower. You want these to last as long as possible, make the memory last.


Here are tips and instructions to help in keeping your flowers last as long as possible.


Remove any leaves that will be under water in the vase.

WIth the end of the flower stem under water, cut about an inch off the stem with a sharp knife. Cut at an angle. This will open the veins in the stem to allow more water to pass through.

Mix floral preservative to fresh water at room temperature or slightly warm water as indicated on the package. It comes with most floral arrangements intended for vases.

Fill a clean vase about 3/4 to the top with water and preservative mixture.

Arrange your flowers as you prefer. Then leave them in a cool, dark room for a couple of hours to allow them to settle into their new home.

Always display your floral arrangement in a cool area.

Keep them out of direct sunlight.

Keep the water fresh. Add the water daily and change the water in about 3 days.

In the evening before you go to bed, place your floral bouquet in the coolest place in your home, perhaps the garage. But, do not leave them in any area which could reach the low thirties or freezing temperatures.
Enjoy your bouquet, and for a longer period of time!

Did you know?

Flowers do not like Ethylene gas. Sources of Ethylene gas include ripening fruits and vegetables, cigarette smoke, and car exhaust.

Basics of Floral Arranging

The best reward for our work as florists is when we get a compliment from our customer or the recipient of our floral bouquet. The best compliment is getting a repeat order for our work.

The basic guideline we have followed for years is the following
- Always place larger flowers first, the smaller flowers can be used to fill the form of the design.
- Flower color influences the visual balance of the design. Darker flowers are usually placed at the base since they appear heavier, soft colored flowers are placed along the perimeter since they appear lighter.
- Maintain a proportional balance.
- Add filler flowers and foliage after the main flowers are in place.
Delightfully Spring

In Loving Memory of a Loved One, Delivering Flowers to a Gravesite or Niche

When a loved one passes, the grief and the feeling of loss stays for a long time after the funeral service. Relatives leave to go on with their lives and friends' calls and visits fade slowly. For close relatives who live far away from the burial place, it makes it difficult for them to make the trip to visit the gravesite.

Florists like us offer the service of delivering flowers for those who can't make the trip. We have a few customers who rely on us to deliver flowers on holidays, the loved one's birthday, or some choose to have flowers once a month. We then send the picture of the flowers we delivered at the gravesite for them.

Florists like us are grateful that we are able to help express the loving memories of those who our customers miss dearly.

The cemeteries we deliver to are:
Sylvan Cemetery District which is located in Citrus Heights and the oldest District cemetery established in 1862 serving Citrus Heights, Rio Linda, North Highlands, Natomas, Orangevale, Carmichael and Fair Oaks.
Calvary Catholic Cemetery at 7101 Verner Ave., Sacramento, CA 95841
Eastlawn Mortuary and Sierra Hills Memorial Park at 5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento, CA 95841
Eastlawn Memorial Park on 43rd and Folsom
Sacramento Memorial Lawn at 6100 Stockton Blvd.
Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery
Sunset Lawn Memorial Park at 4701 Marysvilee Blvd.

July weddings and other Stuff in Sacramento, CA

As a small business in the floral retail industry, the months of May and June are usually the busiest months. Schools have the high school prom, senior dances and graduation. We also celebrate Mother's Day in May. June is full of weddings - big and small, planned and last minute. This year, July has been unusually busy with weddings and we are booked until the end of July.

My Favorite Flower - Bird of Paradise

My favorite flower is the Bird of Paradise, whose botanical name is Strelitza reginae, commonly called the crane flower.

The flower head is a boat-shaped bract from which pointed featherlike flowers emerge. Each flower has a blue or purplish structure called a tongue. The bract extends from the top of a smooth leafless stem at an angle about 90 degrees or less.

The flowers are bright yellow to yellow-orange to orange with blue/blue violet tongues. Bracts are grayish green to purplish green and edged in red.
If flowers fail to emerge from the bract, the can be gently pulled out, one at a time, by hand.

The Bird of Paradise is a subtropical plant so it is sensitive to chill.
Birds-of-paradise are one of the few flowers polinated by birds; however, the common name was given because the open blossoms resemblea crested bird's head or the wings of a bird in flight.

Caring for Your Valentine Plant

So you received a potted flowering plant for valentines, or for your birthday or any occasion and you want to make sure your gift last as long as possible.

You should locate your plant in a well-lit area and avoid direct sunlight.
Always keep plants away from ripening fruits, cigarette smoke, or a heater. Ripening fruits produce ethylene gas which can cause flower bud to wilt, and leaf yellowing and/ or dropping and makes flowers die quicker.
Check your plant for watering needs. Water only when needed and make sure water drains from the pot. Never let plants dry out and avoid water on leaves or flowers.
Follow the care tag instructions so that you can enjoy your plant a lot longer indoors.
After the flowers are spent, you can usually take your plant outdoors, other tropical plants prefer to stay indoors.

A beautiful Pink Azalea from your local Florist - A Vanity Fair Florist

Roses on my mind

It's February....already, in just a few days, Valentine's day will be here; I've been thinking roses since the beginning of the year. Rose is the most popular flower people order as gifts on Valentine's Day. Aside from the wide variety of roses, from the ever popular red, it comes in a variety of attractive colors and very sweet scent.

One Dozen Red Roses

A dozen red roses is always the perfect choice. One dozen red roses in a clear glass vase professionally arranged. Order this from your local florist, hand delivered to your loved one. And yet, there are also a variety of ways of rose arrangements to choose from to best express your love, one of which is a mix of roses with other attractive flowers.

Love is Divine

Give Thanks

November 25th, 2010 is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. There is so much to be thankful for - family, friends, home, love, health, faith and hope and the determination to survive, work hard, seek opportunities to grow. Even in this difficult economy, there are still a lot to be thankful for.

With all the festivity on thanksgiving day, make your table look festive and complete with a bright harvest centerpiece. Send it to family who are out of town, or take it as an appreciation to the dinner host for her dining table. Enjoy your family and loved ones this thanksgiving day.

Bronze Centerpiece

Funeral flowers

A funeral for a friend or loved one can be difficult, but funeral flowers from A VANITY FAIR FLORIST of Sacramento, CA (CA) can help begin the healing process. Funeral flowers provide the opportunity to express how much the departed means to you. Celebrate the life of your loved one with one of the beautiful funeral flower arrangements found on our websites: White Promises Spray, Mixed Flowers Sympathy Tribute or one of our Basket or Vase Arrangements.

One of our customers ordered this online for a memorial service and rosary at the East Lawn Andrews and Greilich Mortuary on Sunday, 11/21/2010.

White Promises Spray

Roses for any Season

Roses from A VANITY FAIR FLORIST in Sacramento, California (CA) always make an impression. Nothing says I Love You more clearly than the rose. You can express yourself in a variety of ways from the simple Rose Bud Vase to an extravagant Two Dozen Roses or more arranged in a vase. Show your flair for the creative with the Rose Garden Topiary or the Rosy Posy arrangement.

Browse our Rose Pictures to find the best arrangement of roses for you. If you don't see something you like give A VANITY FAIR FLORIST a call. We can arrange roses in a variety of styles to suit your special occasion, style or color such as: yellow roses, white roses and pink roses. Send your message of love with Roses from A VANITY FAIR FLORIST today.

Sixty four percent of Valentines roses sold are classic red. But did you know that women prefer to receive other colors - yellow, pink, peach or white? Two shades that are growing in popularity are orange and lavender.

Autumn Roses that say Thank You for being you!