Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Be her Hero this Valentine's Day




What's the best way for a man to make an impression on a woman? Recent consumer research shows that the answer to making a memorable impact is right under his nose– through flowers. In fact, the study shows that 92% of women can remember the last time they received flowers, and 89% say receiving flowers makes them feel special.

Giving great floral gifts, however, still remains a mystery to most men.
If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then the pathway to a woman’s heart is through her other senses,”
“Flowers are a sensual gift that can express any emotion so simply – with just a little knowledge and a phone call to the florist.”

Here’s some advice advice to all of you men on how to send just the right message to the woman in your life – a new girlfriend, that special someone, Mom or a good  friend.

The New Thing. This emotion may be the most difficult for a man to express, here’s some  style advice for the guy who wants to show his new romantic interest exactly how he feels. “A passionate arrangement is filled with hot pinks, oranges, reds and golds.  Add a thoughtful card to help communicate just the right sentiment

The Real Deal. Flowers are intimately – and internationally – linked with the art of romance, and for good reason. “As relationships grow, flowers become symbols of different events and milestones in our lives together. Take note of her favorite flowers – the varieties at your wedding, flowers you sent her when you first started dating or the ones she buys for herself. Those will have great meaning and impact.”

Leading Ladies. “No woman – especially moms, grandmas and sisters – should live without a little TLC,”. A fabulous flowering plant or a garden-style arrangement with greens and soft pastel hues – no matter what the flower – will send the message that you care.
The Gal Pal. “Flowers that show you’re thinking of someone, but not in a sensual way, have a natural, just-picked feeling,”ask for a selection of garden-style flowers or a bright bold color palette that is fun and whimsical. A basket with a mix of flowering and green plants delivered to her door or office is also a sure fire winner.
Research shows that 96% of women like to receive flowers when they’re not expecting them. “Guys should know that they don’t have to wait for a special occasion to give flowers,” Cole says. “Make an occasion by sending flowers to the woman in your life, just because. They’ll never forget it.”

For men willing to try something trendy. She suggests these three top design styles that men can ask for with confidence:

Monobotanic. Arrangements featuring only one type of flower (such as all roses, tulips, lilies or gerbera) are in style and may even include different colors of the same flower in the vase or container.

Monochromatic. Pick a color, any color and stick with it! If her favorite color is pink, for example, ask your florist for a fresh bouquet of different flowers in the same color range.

Bunches of texture. Ask your florist to select complementary flowers of various textures to place in bunches in an elegant glass container. This unique look has a bold, contemporary feel and will surely provide the “wow” factor
A Guy’s Checklist of Things to Remember
 
          
Be Spontaneous. You don't have to wait for a special occasion to give flowers. In fact, most women say “no reason” is the best reason to get flowers.
Size Doesn’t Matter. Trust your florist to help you send an arrangement that is appropriate for the occasion. Bouquets both big and small can make a bold statement. It’s the sentiment that makes the impact.
Score Big Points. Surprise her by sending a bouquet to her office, and see how much attention you’ll get because of the attention she got.
Relax. Flowers don't have to mean commitment. Women know when an arrangement simply means that you care.
“The most important thing to remember is that you simply cannot go wrong with flowers,”. “Your florist is there to help, but you’ll get all the credit.”

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Christmas Flowers



 
Christmas is a time for personal celebrations and traditions shared with family and friends. Flowers and plants have long played a special role in Christmas festivities and are as personal and individual as the people doing the celebrating.Great holiday arrangements begin with greenery. In ancient cultures, people believed that bringing foliage into the home during the season was lucky and guaranteed the return of vegetation in the spring. Even today, green remains a staple in holiday décor. Incorporate a scented pine or other greens into a centerpiece or table arrangement. Accent the greens with flowers that complement the home's décor.
It is well known that people remember receiving flowers. According to a recent study, 92 percent of women remember the last time they received flowers. Because they are a time when memories are made, there is no better time than the holidays for sending a sentiment of caring.
Sending flowers for the holidays is the gift of emotion. The season has a way of conjuring up feelings of nostalgia. We think about grandma's house, the cozy fireplace, the great feast and good times with family and friends. Flowers and plants are the finishing touch that make the holidays complete.
We have a great selection of custom Holiday Arrangements available for in store pick up or delivery. Visit our website at www.tkandbrowns.com or call us at 860.563.8880 for your holiday flowers.

 

 

 



Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Angels

 
Yesterday, I spent the day at The Newtown Florist with Judy, her team and my fellow members of The Connecticut Florists Association, designing flowers for the angels of last Friday's tragedy in Sandy Hook. It was a day of sharing our talents...sharing our love for flowers...sharing our love for the community.
The Connecticut Florists Association, our state floral organization of "Real Florists", united together to provide designers and product donated from our members and suppliers to assist in the overwhelming task of designing flowers for the families who lost their loved ones last Friday.

Certainly, there is no right time for this type of tragedy, but taking place so close to one of the most joyful and lest we forget, one of the most holiest times of year, is much more painful....it is a time of year when innocent children, their eyes aglow in wonder... leave cookies for Santa & carrots for his reindeer in hopes he comes down the chimney....light  candles on the Menorah....await baby Jesus...

This year for 26 families in Connecticut it will not be like past holidays, for they are mourning the loss of their babies, their brothers & sisters, their daughters, their wives, their girlfriends...this year they would only wish that they could hold them again...to tell them they love them and how much they mean to them...to laugh with them...to hug them...
 
This holiday season, tell those around you that you love them...tell someone how much they mean to you....give hugs...pray...be patient...be kind.....be respectful....give more hugs...smile...laugh...pray some more.... and always surround yourself in love & peace....
for tomorrow it may be too late....

Saturday, December 15, 2012

A heavy heart....



I just cannot find it in me today to post the "Twelve Days of Christmas" series that we have been posting this past week for the Christmas Holiday as we as a nation are with heavy hearts today.

This morning the spirit is just not in me as we have a town, a state, a nation in mourning...
mourning for God's new angels, the children and their teachers who were so horrifically taken from us yesterday and we also mourn for the parents who will never see their babies grow up, the spouses who will never give their wife or husband a kiss again and for the children who will never be able to hug their mom or dad again.

The children, so innocent and full of wonder, going to school feeling they were safe yet unknowing that in such a short time they would be taken away from this earth.

 I ask myself in sadness and anger what is wrong with our world, our society, our nation that this type of tragedy can occur and cause such pain and sorrow….where did we go wrong…what can we do to bring back the feeling of safety and security that I experienced when I was growing up.

As we are all preparing for our holidays at home with our family and loved ones take a moment and say a prayer for those who lost their lives on Friday and for our nation and the world that we live in.
May their someday be Peace on Earth.

Peace & Love to all,

Friday, December 14, 2012

Five Golden Rings & Mistletoe

The "Twelve Days of Christmas " has always been a favorite Christmas song of mine...I remember always singing it with my sister during the holidays....but this year I thought I would give it a new twist. From now until December 22nd we will be giving something away to our customers who visit our store...no we will not be giving away French Hens, Pipers Piping or Golden Rings however there will be something different every day for twelve days....Day Five.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

my "Real Local Florist" gave to me....

A $5.00 Coupon and 2013 floral calendar.....

Stop in at TK & Brown's to receive your gift.

Offer is only valid through  12.24.2012



Mistletoe
Most people have heard of mistletoe, particularly at Christmas time. It is a parasitic plant which often grows on other trees and shrubs. The white berries are full of a sticky juice.

There are lots of legends and traditions surrounding mistletoe, the most well known and popular being the kissing one. It was believed that kissing under the mistletoe would lead to marriage.
In ancient times the Druids believed that mistletoe would bring good luck and health. Although it has been used to treat some ailments, the berries are in fact poisonous and should not be touched by children. Mistletoe has also been associated with fertility, a good crop being a sign that the following season's harvest would be a good one.
 
 
 
 
think.buy.shop.local

Thursday, December 13, 2012

On the Fourth Day of Christmas....

The "Twelve Days of Christmas " has always been a favorite Christmas song of mine...I remember always singing it with my sister during the holidays....but this year I thought I would give it a new twist. From now until December 22nd we will be giving something away to our customers who visit our store...no we will not be giving away French Hens, Pipers Piping or Golden Rings however there will be something different every day for twelve days....Day four...roses for you

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

my "Real Local Florist" gave to me....

not four calling birds, but

Four Red Roses and 2013 floral calendar.....

Stop in at TK & Brown's to receive your gift.

Offer is only valid in store on 12.13.2012


Watch for tomorrow's gift



think.buy.shop.local


 
 
 
With the holidays upon us it's easy to go online to order your holiday flowers from the first online floral company that pops up.... please BEWARE, the majority of those companies are "order gatherers" or OG's as they are known in our industry and are third party order takers for the "Big Guys". I have listed some guidelines for you the consumer to keep in mind when you need to order flowers whether it be for the holidays or everyday occasions. Remember, your local professional florist has the knowledge and design talent to properly service your order.
 
Keep our Local Economy Strong
For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.
Google “flowers” or “florist” plus the name of the delivery city
Ex: florist “Rocky Hill”
Check out the resulting websites, looking for a local phone number—not just a toll free number. If only the latter appears, beware; you probably landed on an order gathering call center. (Don’t assume a street address is legit; quite often, they’re commercial addresses at p.o. box locations.) Generally, the listings at the top of the page are order gatherers, scroll down a bit to the local florists.

Next, call the local phone number
When they answer, say the following (exactly as written):
“I’d like to come by to pick something out in person. Where are you located, and what are your hours this week?”
If they answer you straight up, it’s a brick and mortar florist. If, however, they work toward getting you to order over the phone or online instead, you just found a call center. Next in line, please….(Side note: After they confirm they’re an actual store, it’s okay to come clean. There isn’t a brick and mortar florist in the country who won’t thank you for checking to be sure they’re real.)

Separate delivery from daisies
If you want a $50 floral arrangement, ask for a $50 floral arrangement. If, instead, you want the $50 to cover both the arrangement and delivery, tell the florist up front. Don’t assume delivery is free–it’s not (in spite of what the online sites lead you to believe…they may advertise a $50 arrangement with free delivery, but the expense comes out of the portion you thought was allocated for flowers).
Between paychecks, gas, and insurance, florists pay a premium to offer delivery service, then price it as low as they feasibly can. Don’t haggle; they’re already cutting numbers to the bone.

Mission Accomplished
Your goal is pretty straightforward: Find pretty flowers, pay for pretty flowers, send pretty
flowers—not fund a call center or national processing service. Dialing up a phone number or two instead of trusting your keyboard will make the difference between “ooh ahh” and “oh well” on the receiving end.







 


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

On the Third Day of Christmas....Free Poinsettias

The "Twelve Days of Christmas " has always been a favorite Christmas song of mine...I remember always singing it with my sister during the holidays....but this year I thought I would give it a new twist. From now until December 22nd we will be giving something away to our customers who visit our store...no we will not be giving away French Hens, Pipers Piping or Golden Rings however there will be something different every day for twelve days....here we go day three, stop in for your free poinsettia.

On the Third Day of Christmas...

my "Real Local Florist" gave to me....

not three french hens, but

one 3 inch poinsettia and 2013 floral calendar.....

Stop in at TK & Brown's to receive your gift.

Offer is only valid in store on 12.12.2012 to the first 50 people


Watch for day four's gift



think.buy.shop.local