It's Administrative Professionals Week!

That's right all you bosses out there, it's the time of the year where you show all of you wonderful employees how much you appreciate their dedication and hard work!

Let's reflect on what Administrative Professionals Week is all about. Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week. It's one of the most recognized workplace observances, next to employee birthdays and major holidays. The name was changed to "Administrative Professionals Week/Day" from "Secretaries Week/Day" in the year 2000. The main reason for this name change was simply to keep pace with changing job titles and workplace's expanding responsibilities. Not only is this holiday a great way to celebrate your employees, it also introduces the opportunity for community events, educational seminars, and corporate activities.

Now lets get to down to business... what more simple and better way to thank your employees then to give them the gift of flowers! If you have lots of people on your gift list, you can stick to smaller, colorful arrangements, or even single flowers! Little plants are a great idea, as well. Whatever budget you have for this holiday, we will be more than happy to accommodate you. And... we can deliver to your work place!

So on behalf of your employers, my dearest readers, thanks for all of your hard work! Now, let's just hope my boss doesn't forget to celebrate Administrative Professionals Week!

Love My Momma :)

I'm unfortunately far away from my family, and around the holidays it gets extra tough. Fortunately, my mom knows it's hard on me and somehow always manages to include me in celebrations despite the distance.

This Easter I got a special surprise in the mail from my wonderful momma... and English Garden! English gardens, in a florist's world, are arrangements of plants. They are skillfully organized in a lovely white wicker basket. With lots of green plants and bursts of blooming plants, these arrangements are stunning. Their classical look is reminiscent of actual English gardens, staying true to their namesakes. If you decide you want to spread your plants throughout the house, you can take them out of the basket. That's right! These aren't planted together like a dish garden; they are still separable- mind blown. Plants outlast flowers, so as long as you take care of them they'll stick around. Hopefully I'll have mine for years :)

Not only did I get a lovely English Garden, she even included a stuffed pet for my dog. Little Dubs got her own duck that she promptly destroyed. [Her favorite past time is tearing stuffing to shreds] She proves that gifts from a flower shop can be creative if you think outside of the box. We have stuffed animals you can cuddle, or stuffed animals you can share with you doggie.

My momma knows me and my pup well. It's the best gift I could have asked for :)

Super Saver Tips Continued!

For flower shops, Easter is over, and I have some super saver tips for you!

Flower shops tend to carry a lot of holiday themed flowers, containers, vases, and accessories. At Christmas time we have lots of winter containers, ornaments, and santas. Valentine's day calls for heart containers, chocolates, stuffed animals, and occasionally an overflow of roses. The lovely Easter holiday means we have lots of Easter lilies, bunny containers, and other themed items around the shop. Every holiday comes with some sort of theme!

This means those flower shops probably have some leftover holiday stock, and they will want to get rid of it. Bunnies are cute and all, but if we have them laying around the shop for no good reason, we tend to look (and feel!) a bit cluttered. If you're looking to be prepared for decorating your house next year, or want to celebrate a little later, it's a great idea to head to a flower shop a day or two after the chosen holiday and check out their sale selection! My mom and I do this every Christmas, and I think it's slowly becoming an every holiday tradition for me...

Sometimes it pays to be frugal :)

We Love Wedding Season!

To continue on our wedding-themed topic, today I am going to talk about the 2011 wedding season's color choice of the year... Honeysuckle!

For those of you unfamiliar with honeysuckle, it is a gorgeous shade of pink with hints of darker rose hues. It is very feminine and perfect for spring and summer weddings! You can expect to see it used in textiles, accessories, apparel, decor, attire, and of course FLOWERS!

When it comes to using honeysuckle colors in a flower bouquet you have lots of options. You can have the color stand alone with a simple monochromatic bouquet, or you can pair it with neutrals like whites and creams- perfect for the classical romantic garden wedding which is so very popular right now! Some flowers that can come in these shades are roses, gerbera daisies, lilies, and even tulips... and those are only a few examples!

Honeysuckle isn't just a color either. They are actual plants that springs beautiful flowers! The flowers are sweetly scented and trumpet shaped. They bloom primarily in early spring and last all summer. These plants do best outside, often being used as a ground cover. They also prefer lots of light and moderate water.

So set up your wedding consultation with us and we'll make sure you have the brightest and best wedding you could ever imagine <3

Wedding Season Starts with a Royal Theme

Celebrity gossip has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, and I know I'm not alone. The highly anticipated royal wedding is quickly approaching [April 29th], and what we're most excited about at Arapahoe Floral are, of course, the wedding flowers! With Kate's class and elegance, there are some pretty high expectations for the wedding bouquets. Not to mention, a whole new trend is likely to emerge from the royal theme and decor!

So I've been snooping and guessing. Assuming you are as excited as I am, I figured it would be fun to share it with you all! There have been reports that the flowers at the ceremony alone are going to be budgeted around $800,000. [Woah, right? If only we were all princesses...] The "experts" are saying that Kate will be carrying an all white bouquet. The flowers are also going to be locally grown. The only ones predicted to be flown in are fair-trade roses from Kenya, where the couple was engaged. Adorable and responsible; I would expect nothing less :)

I think we can make some educated guesses when it comes to flower specifics, as well. Kate's wedding flowers will most likely be of a very different style than Princess Diana's were [pictured], but they will probably be as extravagant, dramatic, and breathtaking. They will be spring flowers [seasonally appropriate]. White lilies are Kate's favorites, so I bet we will see those featured. Myrtle is traditional in royal wedding bouquets. Myrtle is a beautiful green sprig with a lovely fragrance. Other flowers that people are guessing to be present include gardenias, lilies of the valley, delphinium, and [like I previously mentioned] roses.

The cake will also be adorned with flowers! All will be symbolic. They will represent the four corners of the United Kingdom: the English rose, Scottish thistle, Irish shamrock, and the Welsh daffodil.

So future brides-to-be, get ready for some new and excited trends. Expect a follow up after the wedding and details are released :)

Terrariums Make a Comeback!

For those of you unfamiliar with the crafty world of terrariums, I am here to inform you today. Terrariums are enclosed areas where ecosystems are recreated on a smaller scale. They can simulate a dry habitat, like a desert or savannah, a temperate woodland habitat, or even a jungle-like one.

Our terrariums include soil and supports a variety of plants, anywhere from african violets to bromeliads. You mist the terrariums, and a natural water cycle occurs within the environment by condensation forming on the lid causing precipitation. Terrariums need a lot of light for both the plants and condensation. Besides that, they are very easy to take care of! So don't let this little ecosystem scare you off if your green-thumb is slow to develop :)

As our title proclaims, terrariums have made quite the comeback recently... with a modern twist! Instead of the 70's style fish tank terrariums, more elegant and creative containers are being used; we have one in our store right now that is in a cylindrical vase! Terrariums are the perfect craft and opportunity to turn your drab interior into a bright a green landscape. Not only are terrariums super trendy, but they are budget-friendly! Which is a rare plus when it comes to home decor. And if you really want to think out of the box, we can add figurines or even driftwood to yours!

Now, don't get us wrong. We love flowers, but plants tickle our fancy too. So if you're looking for a peaceful, inexpensive, and modern way to spice up your decor, come to Arapahoe Floral and have us create a one-of-a-kind terrarium just for you!

Are You Feeling Lucky?

I'm not sure I want to admit this to you all, but I used to be so bad with plants that I couldn't keep the notoriously simple bamboo plant alive. Oh, the good ol' college days! Don't worry though, my green thumb has grown.

However, I have recently learned something that made me feel a bit better about my past life. Bamboo, aka "lucky bamboo' is very easy to take care of, but you do need to know a few things! Bamboo loves lots of indirect sunlight, but make sure to keep it out of the way of direct rays. If it is in direct sunlight, the leaves will turn yellow. Change the water once a week to keep it fresh. It is also a good idea to use a low fluoride water. If the leaves are turning yellow and it's definitely not in direct sunlight, it's probably because of the amount of fluoride in your tap water. Try using bottled water instead!

Now that you know how to take care of your "Lucky Bamboo", let me fill up your brain-box with some fun facts! Lucky bamboo that you get at your local flower shop, like Arapahoe Floral, is not actually bamboo! In fact, it isn't even related. Shocking, I know. They actually grow in rain forests, such as the tropical parts of west Africa [i.e. Cameroon]!

So when you're feeling exotic and want to step away from traditional flowers, Lucky Bamboo is a great option! We carry it in a variety of sizes from 3 inches to a couple of feet tall. Give us a call and let us balance your home's feng shui. It will help your chi flow :)

In Your Dreams!

I don't know about you, but I have some crazy dreams. [Don't worry, I won't make you read the specifics.] When it comes down to it, no one really knows the exact reason or meanings behind dreams, but recently Arapahoe Floral discovered some very interesting influences on them.

German researchers performed a smell-exposure experiment in 2008 which consisted of three sleeping groups. While the first group slept they were exposed to rotten-egg smells. The second group was flushed with the scent of roses, and the third group was the control group therefore they were not introduced to any smells while sleeping. All of these people were roused and asked to describe their dreams. The incredible conclusion, you ask?

Good smells = good dreams! Smell significantly affects the emotional coloration of one's dreams. The sweet and lovely smell of roses lead to sweet dreams. The unpleasant smells resulted in a more than average unpleasant dream experience, often creating nightmares for the participants.

Our conclusion from the researches conclusion, you ask, again? Flowers! If you want sweet dreams and a good night of sleep, keep a nice, fresh, and fragrant bouquet by your bed! I would recommend roses, as they used in the experiment, but also stock, oriental [aka stargazer] lilies, carnations, and eucalyptus because they also have lovely scents about them.

So, avid readers, it really is science. Let Arapahoe Floral will tuck you in with some of our freshest flowers, and let your dreams come true :)

Purple Sticks of the Gods. Wait. What?

Sticking to the wildflower theme of Wednesday's blog post, I have decided to indulge you all in one of my personal all-time favorite flowers... Liatris!!

Liatris are native to North America [that's right, you can grow them], Mexico, and the Bahamas. They also have some nicknames [which are always fun]: "Blazing Star", "Gay-feather", and "Purple Stick of the Gods". [Alright, I made that last one up, but I thought it sounded pretty legit. And only the last one. I promise.] They also tend to attract butterflies and are low maintenance- perfect for an at home garden!

And lucky for all of you, we at Arapahoe Floral carry liatris all the time! The bright purple works beautifully with any color palate [my personal favorite being with greens and warm hues]. They add height to arrangements, and their unique look will impress anybody and everybody. They also tend to age well, so if you want a long-lasting arrangement, liatris is a great way to go.

Swing by and pick up a bunch or just ask us to include some liatris in your next arrangement. You'll be happy you did. Trust me. I have great taste :)

Colorado Pride :)

We might have had some crazy weather this past week, but you can't ignore those few sunny and warm days we've had too! And for me at least, it reminds me of how much I love good ol' Colorado. Spring is officially here, and I'm ready to get my pack out, drive to the mountains, and go hiking! This weather also promises blooms. So while you're enjoying nature and loving Colorado, pay attention to the wildflowers! Wildflowers are what I'm going to pay homage to today, and, more specifically, Colorado's very own state flower... the Rocky Mountain Columbine!

Columbines [aka Aquilegia caerules] are white, blue, and lavender in color. It was adopted by the General Assembly as the official state flower on April 4, 1899, and in 1925 it was made the public's duty to protect this rare and beautiful bloom. This means while you're hiking along the Rocky Mountains [or any other public land] you are prohibited to dig or uproot this fragile little guy. You can gather the buds, stems, and blossoms, but you are limited to 25 a day. So don't be greedy, kids!

Unfortunately, the rareness and protection of the Columbine means that we can't have them readily available for you at Arapahoe Floral, but even if we could, once these flowers are cut, they don't last long at all. If you really love that wildflower look though, just let us know! We can customize the perfect arrangement just for you :)

Alright folks. I know this blog is addicting, but get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and go find some Columbines!

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is soon to be here, and that doesn't just mean it's almost time to drink soda and eat candy again, folks. But it does mean that it's time to stock up on your palms!

In many christian churches it is tradition to decorate with and distribute palm leaves, which are often tied into the shape of a cross. Palm branches symbolize triumph, victory, and welcome. When you take your palm home it is common to save it, often by placing it on a crucifix, holy picture, or other blessed object in the house. This reminds those who see it that Christ is a part of their daily lives. It is also tradition to burn the palm the following year in order to provide ashes for Ash Wednesday. [Christians love recycling too, not just hippies!]

Palms are typically only in demand this time of year [surprising, I know], so they aren't that easy to get ahold of. Luckily, at Arapahoe Floral we have a few tricks up our sleeves. That's right, we're not just about flowers! We have your backs once again...

Give us a call [the sooner the better] and we can have palms ready for you to pick up whenever you find convenient. We are always more than happy to accommodate any order- no matter how big or small! Happy Holy Week, readers :)