Bitersweet :)

Alas, my avid blog readers. I have some tragic news to share with you all. I warn you; you all may want to sit down while you read this. Are you ready?

Today's entry shall be my last blog entry you read for Arapahoe Floral.

Hush, sweet fans. Do not cry! For I have bright news about the future! A new Arapahoe Floral employee shall be taking over the entries. A light at the end of the tunnel! But of course I will share deep insight with you one last time about the underground world of flowers. Today's entry topic, you ask? Well, it's all about me :)

I thought it would be fun to do a verbal montage of my favorite blog entries [you know, similar to those sitcom series finales].

-"Somewhere over the rainbow...rose?" has always been one of my favorites. How could rainbow colored roses not cheer a person up? I'm guessing all of you reading this could use a rainbow rose right now. *sniff* I'll miss you too...

-"Fellas, This could be you". The bouquet in the picture is gorgeous, but honestly, Ashton Kutcher is just super hot.

-"Terrariums make a comeback". Maybe it's my draw towards vintage trends, but I think terrariums are pretty neat. Plus they are super easy to take care of. Win, win!

-Finally, "Everyone Likes A Nice Lei". Maybe it's because I happen to find myself entirely entertaining and truly just hilarious, but I thought the orchid lei blog wasn't too shabby :)

While we're on the subject of, well, myself, I would like to share some of my favorite flowers with you as well. Please feel free to send them to me as a goodbye gift. I shall miss having them in my house.

-Liatris: I've written a blog about this little flower gem before. I don't know what it is about liatris. Maybe it's the bright purple color or the unusual shape? Whatever it may be, I absolutely love it.

-Tulips: There are so many varieties of tulips. We ran across one in the store recently that I'm pretty sure we described as "magical". Absolutely gorgeous. Plus, they remind me of spring. I can't get enough of tulips!

-Spider/Fuji Mums: Specifically the green ones. Their color is stunning, and they last for such a long time! Plus, their shape is somewhat unusual, and I'm a fan of all things weird.

Well, avid blog readers. I hope you enjoy future posts as much as you have enjoyed reading mine. I don't doubt that you will. Just remember, shop local as much as you can, even when it comes to flowers!

Goodbye... for now ;)

Thinkin' Outside of the Box!

As promised, I have some alternative Mother's Day gift ideas for my avid blog readers! [Though I stand by flowers thru and thru.] We are going to keep this post simple and straightforward, bullet point style...

- Cards! It is nice to give a gift, but what you have to say along with it means the most. We all have a sentimental side, but, based off of personal experience, mommas tend to really love the sappy stuff. My exciting twist on the card? Make it yourself! And better yet, bring it in to us so we can attach it to a colorful arrangement.

- Plants! Before you say "psh, you're such a cliche gift idea giver", let me explain. You can absolutely stick with the classics and do a nice green or blooming plant in a pretty container, but this year we are thinking out of the box. Since you all read my blog religiously, I know you know what a dish garden is. Why not send your mother a collection of HERBS?! It is unique and functional! It will look pretty, smell incredible, and even taste delicious :)

- Gift Certificates! The ultimate cop out gift idea, you say?! Shame on you! We have seen some pretty creative gift card giving in our days. Bring us a collection of gift certificates to your mom or wife's favorite hot spots and we can make an arrangement with them! She can get all of her favorites in one: flowers, a spa day, a lovely dinner at her favorite restaurant, and maybe even a mini shopping spree. But don't think you have to have a ton of gift cards for one of these arrangements; you could have just one that we feature in the bouquet!

If you're still stumped, come into our store! We are full of ideas, and sometimes it's best to talk about them in person. But hurry up! Mother's Day is soon and you are running out of time!

Mother's Day Is Sunday!

That's right everyone, this Sunday!!! We know not all of you have sweethearts at Valentine's Day, but it is true that you have all had a mother at some point. This is the one day of the year that you should absolutely take the time to make sure they know how much they mean to you and how grateful you are for all that they've done. It's every mom's favorite holiday. That's what we are here to help you with.

Now, if you are anything like me, you might be thinking, "Hey, aren't flowers a totally cliche gift for Mother's Day?". Let me assure you, dearest friends, after careful research and contemplation, they most certainly are NOT. This year I asked around in order to get some ideas for my momma, and almost every mom I spoke with answered with a no-fail gift... a beautiful bouquet! This truly did surprise me until they explained that having flowers around the house is a luxury they don't often receive. It's rare for a person to buy themselves flowers, and almost just as rare for a hubby to bring them home :) So when one of their kids takes a minute out of their day to send them a nice floral arrangement, it not only brightens up their house, it brightens up their week.

The ultimate "push your mother's day gift over the edge and super impress her" touch, you ask? Make sure to ask the florist to include her favorite flower or color. It really shows and makes a difference when you add those personal touches.

Later this week I'll have a few more gift ideas and tips if you still aren't keen on a nice spring bouquet, but I'm tellin' y'all, it's a classic.

Oh yeah, that's me and my momma in the picture [I've heard we look alike] and her favorite flower [an iris]. Had to do a shout out to the lady I owe it all too :)

The Royal Wedding Bouquet!

Alright, readers, we finally have the inspiration behind weddings for the next ten years. The Royal Wedding has happened, and it's time for us to talk about the flowers!

First of all, let's give it up for Shane Connolly who was the lead florist. Know for his sustainable and green approach towards design, he stunned everyone with his unique but eloquent work. Westminster Abbey was adorned with English field maple trees. That's right... trees! Instead of using cut flowers, they decided to keep the plants alive! I applaud you, Shane, for you naturalistc and successful approach towards the ceremony.

Now... drum roll please... the bride's bouquet! I think our predictions were pretty dead on [way to go, guys]. The bouquet was white with green accents; it was elegant, demure, and simple. It was a small cascade and proportionate to Kate. Though it was beautiful, it didn't distract from the lace detail in her dress.

All of these are very important, but what I found to be the most impressive, interesting, and trendy detail was the significance of each flower. Style was important, but symbolism reigned in this wedding bouquet. Lily-of-the-valley represents the return of happiness. Sweet William was used not only for it's meaning [gallantry], but as a tribute to Kate's prince. Hyacinth [a personal favorite of mine for it's wonderful scent] means "constancy of love". Ivy, another form of foliage which was a theme throughout the ceremony, symbolizes fidelity, marriage, friendship, and affection.

Finally, the main attraction of it all, the myrtle! Myrtle may not be the most impressive amongst the list, but the back story to this particular myrtle is extraordinary. That's right, the sprigs of myrtle in Kate's bouquet were actually from a myrtle planted by Queen Victoria in 1845. Queen Victoria received this original myrtle in a nosegay from Prince Albert's Grandmother that gave it to her on a trip to Gotha, Germany. How's THAT for tradition!

So in one quick sentence, here is the rundown of the newest wedding trends, thanks to the Royal wedding... Your bouquet should be proportionate to your size, accentuate your dress, and most importantly should have personal significance and symbolism. Oh, and don't forget to think green! There you have it, folks. Happy Wedding Season!

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 :)

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 :)

Happy Birthday Molly :)

All right my fellow bloggers. Today is a very special day in our little shop. It’s Molly’s birthday! Molly is one of our beautiful and ridiculously [almost obnoxiously J] talented floral designers at Arapahoe Floral. From the Chicago area, Molly has been working with flowers for about 10 years. [That, surprisingly, does not make her old. I promise.] She is also one of the nicest people I know. So, in honor of my dear friend and our beloved employee we are going to blog about her favorite flower… hydrangea! And to be more specific, antique hydrangea, which is our featured picture today.

Hydrangeas are beautiful and delicate pom-pom shaped flowers that come in a plethora of color. Whites, blues, purples, pinks, and even greens! They look beautiful on their own in a simple clear vase or mixed into a lovely high-end arrangement. However, hydrangeas are most prominent and very popular [rightfully so] in wedding bouquets. They hold up well, have a beautiful round shape, match exquisitely with a palate of colors, and they subtly shout class and elegance.

Hydrangeas are so darn pretty you probably don’t ever want to part with them. Well everyone, it’s your lucky day! I am including a possible solution for your emotional attachment. Hydrangea flowers are great candidates for drying. Based off of my research there are a few important guidelines. If you are picking your own blooms, make sure to do so towards the end of their season, August-October. Simply let the stem dry; hydrangeas do not need to be hung upside down. Finally, if you don’t want to keep it au ‘natural you can use silica gel which produces breathtaking colors.

Help us celebrate Miss Molly’s Birthday! Give us a call and ask about her favorite flower. We would love to get some fresh hydrangea in for you, and maybe for us too J