July Musings of a Sacramento florist

July used to be the month for summer vacations, trips out of town, camping with friends. Here in Sacramento, people long to go out of town where it is a little cooler than 100 degrees F. Naturally, most businesses like the flower shops tend to slow down. After the June weddings, florists like to take it easy, others close shop for a week or two. And since it's supposed to be slow, I allowed my helpers to go on vacation. I am finding out though that business still has to go on, people still have birthdays, anniversaries, boys still mess up so they say sorry to the girls, and people still die. So, here I am, working double time, blowing up balloons, arranging roses, arranging plants in baskets, making silk arrangements, and candy bouquets.

June is for Graduations and Weddings

June is a busy month for graduations and weddings. And so here we are busy each week either making leis, corsages and boutonnieres. It seems leis are favorites for graduations and also small wrapped bouquets custom made with care specially for the graduate and yet we charge the same as the grocery store. Tomorrow we have bridal bouquet, corsages and boutonnieres for an intimate wedding at an LDS church. On Saturday, we have a bridal bouquet, 3 bridesmaids bouquets, 4 corsages, 5 boutonniers, flower girl's flowers and a tossing bouquet for another intimate wedding in Auburn. I had to turn down another wedding because I was already booked for these two small weddings.
There's 3 more weddings to deal with after this weekend and the month will soon be over. Then we will have to deal with the summer heat, hopefully, we will survive the hot days of Sacramento summer.

June weddings

The wedding has been announced .... which creates the excitement and the flurry of planning the "day". A florist is usually thought of later down the line closer to the set date. As professional florists, we would like to know the bride better, assess her personality, style and taste and appearance, so that we will be effective in helping her not only with the flowers but other details that she might otherwise overlook in the process. The most important information we need to know is the date, time and location of the wedding, and the color scheme and or theme. When planning to see and meet your florist be prepared to provide these following information:
1. Date, times and venues, and when are the flowers needed for picture taking, what time could the florist start setting up decorations.
2. What is the color scheme, and what flowers are preferred.
3. How big is the wedding, is it an intimate one, a grand wedding, in other words, what is the budget for flowers.
May and June are the busiest times of the year for weddings. Most florists like us, prefer to book only one wedding per weekend. That way, we can concentrate on providing the best service for that one special bride. I highly recommend that you see your favorite florist soon after you've decided on a date, so that you can book the date with the florist. The months of May and June are the months that florists are busy because of high school dances and proms, and Mother's day. If at all possible avoid getting married a week before or during Mother's Day. Most florists will have their attention on fulfulling mother's day orders and high school prom corsages and bouttoniers.
Good Luck!

Proms, corsages and boutonniers

It's prom and school dance season and kids can't seem to get it together. My son knew he was going to the school dance on Friday. His friend called at 1 pm wanting to know if I can have a corsage and boutonnier made and "by the way, your son is going too, so he needs one set too."

Today, I was about to close the store for the weekend at 3:30 and here comes a Mom and his son wanting a corsage. So, I make one and charge him a little more than I would have charged him if it was pre-ordered at least a day in advance.

Somehow, the scene of this Mom and son reminds me of Anna Nicole and her son Danny. I know for a fact how a mother grieves for the loss of a son. My mother grieved so much when my brother died at 9 months old, she was inconsoloble for a long period of time. But, unlike Anna, my mom had a family support system. They were there to take care of the other small kids, and whatever household chore that got neglected. For Anna Nicole, she was not left alone by the media, they did not give her space and time to grieve. Her mother did not extend her hand to help, instead she was out attacking her own daughter and accusing her and her partner for the demise of Danny. And then she tried to stop the burial so she can take Anna's body to Texas knowing full well that Anna wanted to be with her son. What was Virgie thinking? She's a mother and a grandmother, but is her motivation driven by grief of a daughter's loss or greed for the potential inheritance? She did not seem loving at all when she was out in public talking about her grandson's death. For a normal person, she should have tried to extend her helping hand to her grieving daughter; she should have tried to avoid the press; or should at least be quiet and give her daughter the chance to grieve. If she did that, people might just have been more sympathetic to her when Anna died instead of being booed. I feel sorry for her for the loss of her daughter, she's still a mother who lost a child.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Don't forget to wear green tomorrow, - it's St. Patrick's Day. However, drink that (Irish) beer in moderation. Enjoy the day and the rest of the weekend!

Springtime in Sacramento

It's almost spring time, birds are a-chirping in the early mornings, the sun is out and yet the air is crisp and the weathermen predict a couple of rainy days in the coming week.
Young brides-to-be have been calling about wedding flowers and our June weekends are almost fully booked. It is exciting to be part of the exciting life changing event of our young generation.

Valentine's Day, Roses, and the Florists

It's the eve of valentine's day and I just found out that one of the big florists in Sacramento recently closed its doors, I can't believe it! Closing the business right before a holiday - it's the only time when florists expect to make some profit. And yet, I wonder if I am in the right business - a little florist in sacramento - selling roses and posies at very affordable price, trying to compete with grocery stores, hardware stores, drug stores and the big box stores like Target and Wal-Mart. How can a small florist compete with those that have big budgets, I wonder and I shudder and brace myself for the one day holiday that's meant to express one's love. We have hundreds of roses and other flowers, will men come at the last minute to buy their valentine flowers?

Christmas in Sacramento, CA

With a 6 year old at home, we get reminded of how soon Christmas will be here, the number of days until Christmas and until Santa comes to drop off presents. Every morning we hear the same excitement and joy from our 6 year old. It's a good thing because it gets hectic during the day. Just going to work and coming home, the traffic on Watt Ave. is so busy especially around the shopping centers starting from Arden until Marconi. It's the same story on I80 towards Roseville.
For those that want to avoid traffic and the hassle of going to the malls and looking for parking space, there's an alternative. Visit your local florists - they have unique gift items that they can put in a gift basket, creatively packaged and delivered, or check their website; some offer specials for your website order, or give the florist a call.
Order flowers or plants for people that have everything. They'll appreciate that they received something that won't add to the clutter in their closet.

Shop at a Real Flowershop

Real florists - those of us who have brick and mortar shops, know
flowers, and our local area have a real challenge when it comes to
competition, not with other florists in the general area, but with
online businesses that claim to be local florists delivering in Sacramento.
If you are planning to order flowers or centerpieces, balloons,
candles, roses or plants for your loved ones in Sacramento, CA, we are online; check
us out at http://www.citrusheightsflorist.com, or stop by and see our
wide selection of Thanksgiving centerpieces, or autumn flowers, plants, and other gifts. You might just find the perfect gift or plant, or fresh flowers that you'll find more affordable and fresher than ones you'll get at the grocery store.
avflorist
Real Sacramento Florist

Hot Apple Cider on this cold autumn day

With the rain last night and the moisture it created, the air is nippy which makes it nice to stay indoors and watch the leaves falling from the trees.
Take this moment to plan and send a smile, or express your appreciation for your loved ones. We have bright and cheerful flower arrangement for the dinner table, or the coffee table, balloons or plush toys, or plants.
Make a pot of hot apple cider, make a list of things to do, stay warm and dry.

Remember our Veterans

On Nov. 11th, we celebrate Veteran's Day. I have 2 cousins who died serving this country. My father-in-law served in the Navy and he died 2 years ago on Veteran's day, so we will go to the cemetary, like so many families who lost their loved ones in wars that this country has been involved in, to visit their gravesite and leave fresh flowers to honor the great sacrifice they willingly offered.

We will also have red, white and blue flowers, that customers from out of town ordered to be delivered in gravesites, which we will deliver in honor of our veterans.

For those celebrating a serviceman, here's a red, white and blue bouquet in a glass cube - a patriotic tribute for Veteran’s Day… or to welcome home someone who’s served our country. A clear glass cube vase. The bouquet includes red roses and carnations, white daisy spray chrysanthemums, and accent flowers, and a miniature American flag.

God Bless America!

Homecoming is Upon Us

The corsages and boutonniers have been picked up and the kids are now currently enjoying and having fun at their homecoming dances. Next week another school will have their homecoming. We will again be busy making corsages and boutonniers for teenagers this time for Rio Americano High School. This will also be the first time that the football game will be held at the school, a true "home' game against River City High School. The Rio Raiders had always had their home games at El Camino Fundamental School, and for the first time in Rio's history, they'll really be playing at home. The game is on Oct. 7, Saturday; JV starts at 11 a.m., Varsity starts at 1 pm. It will be a very interesting day in the history of Rio Americano H.S. I'm glad the hard work of the parents of athletes will finally be paid off. I'm glad my son who's a senior varsity will experience the thrill of being in the first batch to play in their home turf. GO RAIDERS!

Fall flowers and foliage usher the start of the holidays

The weather has started to calm down, the temperature in Sacramento did not even reach the 90's - it was breezy, easy and generally very nice day to spend outdoors. You'll see kids playing outdoors, riding their bikes or scooters, and adults taking afternoon walks. It's a very nice relief from the sweltering temperatures of summer.
Don't forget the Grandparents on September 10th, Sunday. To all the grandparents, Happy Grandparents Day, enjoy it because you deserve it. For the rest of us, let us show our love and appreciation, visit or take them out for dinner or something.
It is not Fall yet, but I'm rejoicing that it's almost here!

Send a long lasting gift and fresh air - send a plant

Aside from flowers, most florists offer plants as gifts. One plant that is usually recommended for gift giving is a hardy ever blooming indoor plant commonly called Peace Lily or spathiphylum.
This tropical evergreen perennial not only tolerates the low light and dry conditions found in most homes, it actually makes the indoors healthier! When NASA did a study on ’sick building’ syndrome, peace lilies were rated among the top ten air cleaning plants for interiors.
Lovely when flowering, no home should be without the peace lily’s elegant lance shaped leaves and snowy blooms.

Peace Lily Plant

Sacramento Wedding Flowers -A Style for every Bride

In the past, many of the decisions made during the planning were based around traditions. Today, we still incorporate tradition, but often, contemporary weddings now showcase the individuality of the brides and also of the grooms.
Despite the explosion of individuality, one tradition endures: Fresh flowers remain at the heart of the event, symbolizing its beauty and solemnity.
Flowers provide the bride a beautiful opportunity to express her own unique style.
10 Things to Know before you consult your florist

1. Your wedding budget, including the amount available for flowers.
2. Your vision or concept of the event.
3. The style and color of your dress.
4. Number of attendants and the style and color of their outfits.
5. Other people who will need flowers such as flower girl/s, mothers and grandmothers, sponsors, etc,
6. Location and time of the ceremony and reception
7. Any restrictions imposed at the ceremony and reception.
8. Format of the reception, i.e., sit down dinner, buffet, etc.
9. The floral styles you like. Bring magazine pictures, bouquet styles, and mention to the florist what flowers you don't like.
10. The services you need the florist to provide, such as transporting the flowers from the ceremony to the reception, etc.

For more information about your dream flowers, visit your local florist at the flowershop or check out the website at: http://www.amfilflorist.com

and at this site: http://www.citrusheightsflorist.com

Sacramento Florist - flower delivery

Ordering flowers online is easy, but ordering flowers online from your neighborhood florist is easier, and you get more value for your money. No time to stop by for a gift you need today? Call your local florist where you can get good suggestions for what to send. Most florists offer not only flowers but also plush toys, novelty items like singing balloons, lucky bamboo for good feng shui, etc. To express your sympathy to someone who lost a loved one, local florists would be able to deliver to the home or to the church or to the mortuary or cemetery.
For a list of reliable local sacramento florists visit this site: http://virtualfun.hypermart.net/sactoflorists.htm

Roses for you

Roses are men's best friend. Men order roses for their special girl for birthdays, anniversaries, or just a pick-me-up for down days. For proms, most order corsage of roses. My brother-in-law have beautiful rose plants in his yard in Vallejo. Most of his roses are the hybrid type. My husband bought me a rose plant one valentine's day because he said he'll be saving a ton of money by having fresh roses from the garden every valentines day. Unfortunately, we lived in WA state then, and the rose bush produced flowers only during summer when there was less rain, and the sun peeked more often.
There are several types of roses:
- Floribunda - used in landscapes because these have showy clusters of flowers on top of the stems.
- Grandiflora - rose flowers are larger than those of the Floribunda, have multiple flowers on a single stem and can grow tall.
- Shrub rose - used in landscapes because of their shrub character, stays evergreen during winter.
- Miniature - sometimes called baby roses, perfect for containers, good container plant for gift giving.
- Hybrid Tea - This is the florist-type rose because it has a single flower on long stems, but generally prone to disease, so these need a lot of care.
- Groundcover rose- can grow to 3 ft tall but spreads to 6 to 8 ft., disease resistant and stays evergreen during mild winters.

The most fragrant cut rose is lavender, however, this opens up quickly and don't last long.

Order flowers online safely and securely from a real florist, reliable and affordable at:

www.avanityfairflorist.com

Sacramento Florist Delivery

An e-florist from Old Saybrook Connecticut sent me an order for 18 roses of mix colors for delivery the same day at a particular time. I went to their website which showed they had a $5.00 off special for the week; however, they charged an additional $2.99 for same day delivery and $11.99 for handling fee. Poor customer from Sacramento had no idea that he was ordering from an e-florist who cannot deliver what was ordered. The e-florist sent the order for the amount of the flowers, but not the handling fee or the amount they collected for same day delivery.I sent the order to another florist in town. The next day, I again get a call from the e-florist asking if I could deliver 18 roses to the same person.
Their customer must be very unhappy with his order because the delivery is now late for his anniversary. In this case, even if the e-florist sends all the money paid to him, I would not accept the order - their customer might think that it was my flower shop that dropped the ball.
If the customer was more diligent in his search for a florist that could deliver his flower order, he would have found our flowershop - it is listed on the first page of the Yahoo and the MSN search engine for search terms - Sacramento florist, or florist Sacramento. He could have saved more money since we don't charge handling fee nor same day delivery fee and we are having a rose special this month.

For your gift and flower needs, you can order online securely with us at
http://virtualfun.hypermart.net
Call us at 916-488-4573

Ten Reasons to using a Real Florist

Many phone directories and websites route shoppers to fictitious flower shops. Often times, customers are connected to a telemarketer who takes the order, subtracting service fees and commissions. Then they pass the order along to a local flower shop at reduced value to the florist and the customer. Be sure to always verify the address of a "local" florist; your money will go much further and you will be dealing with the actual local florist who will be delivering your floral gift.

Top Ten Reasons to Order from a "Real" Florist

1. Ensure Maximum Value

* Save on extra service fees by cutting out the middleman.

2. Speak Directly To a Real Florist

* Find out what flowers and plants are in season, what looks particularly good, or whether any blooming plants may be planted outdoors later.
* Have a custom design created to your specifications.

3. Communicate Special Requests

* Does the recipient have any favorite flowers? Any dislikes?
* Should the recipient be called prior to delivery?
* Is the recipient hard of hearing, or slow answering the door?
* Is one entrance better than another?

4. Select Additional Gift Items

* Many flower shops also carry unique gift lines, such as candy, potpourri, figurines, plush animals or candles, which can be added to your order or sent independently.

5. Get Same-Day Delivery - If Possible

* Call early to get same day delivery without incurring additional delivery charges.

6. Pay Accurate and Appropriate Delivery Charges - No More, No Less

* Pay the right local delivery fee without having it deducted from the value of your order.
* Some locations, such as gated communities or certain businesses may require an additional charge.

7. Familiarity With Local Delivery Regulations

* Hospitals, funeral homes, schools and businesses may have delivery cut-off times or size limitations.
* Hospitals in particular often limit the size, quantity, or types of balloons that can be delivered.

8. Familiarity With Local Funeral Customs

* In some areas a standing spray of flowers is customary, while in others a basket of flowers is most appropriate.
* In smaller towns, a local florist may know what has already been ordered or sent to the funeral, and can then help you choose something different.

9. Establish A Relationship With The Flower Shop For Future Orders

* Many shops offer a reminder service for sending flowers at special occasions. Your local florist will be able to help you with a floral gift in another part of the country through their affiliation with a reliable wire service usually offered at no additional cost to you, one of the services they offer so that you'll use them for other floral gift giving.

Only nine reasons, you ask? The tenth is simple and universal:

10. Everyone Loves To Receive Flowers!

Research conducted by Rutgers University and the Society of American Florists indicates that flowers have an immediate impact on the happiness of the recipient, have a long-term positive effect on people's moods, and increase the connections among family and friends. Not only that, but a study by researchers at Texas A & M University shows that flowers and plants improve productivity, innovation, and creativity in the workplace.
Source: Flowershopnetwork.com

T G I F

It's toasty hot here in Sacramento, so how do you cool off?
Fill a nice tall glass with ice and water, take off your shoes, grab a book, find a cool place in the house and read.