Times have changed and we are seeing a lot of celebrations rather than somber services. More and more people are planning advance funeral services, taking the responsibility off of their loved ones and family members. Cremation has become increasingly popular for several reasons. In addition to the appeal of cutting traditional funeral costs in half or more and taking up less space, it also is a favorable alternative to cemetery burial for today's transitional society. A lot of people who maybe are from up north-for example-have lived here for the last 15 years, they don't have any ties left at home, they never got a burial plot, they don't have a lot of family left, so they are just going with cremation or a memorial service.

With all of the changes from the traditional service to a more modern service, floral tributes have changed also. Personalization of tribute flowers is the most notable change, like bridal customers who incorporate their personal styles into their wedding, "one size" no longer fits all for sympathy services. Those who celebrate the lives of loved ones increasingly seek flowers that are symbolic to the deceased, keepsakes that represent their families, hobbies or vocations, and new ways to incorporate photos and video into services.

Designs are becoming more contemporary, yellow, blues and decorative greens create a color harmony that unites these compositions. Decorative grasses such as lily or bear grass give movement and visual appeal to designs.
An all white memorial or casket piece is classic and elegant. An arrangement in shades of red flowers is quite dramatic
and look great with wood tones.

I've made a lot of casket pieces over the years, and we have used lots of things incorporated along with the flowers to personalize the pieces. A riding saddle for a horse lover. A hand made quilt that lay on the casket with a spray of flowers on top, it was beautiful. When we had our shop in South Carolina, we were in a farming community, so there were a lot of farmers and we would make detailed small farms. It was very time consuming but a piece the families were so happy with. We have incorporated vegetables and fruits into sprays for farmers, broken pottery pieces for gardeners. Tackle and rods for fishermen.

Think outside the box the next time you need a tribute arrangement. Make it connect with family and friends. Celebrate the life of a loved one.

Have you ever thought about floral trends before? You know, concepts, color, flowers, elements, textures. Well if you haven't, maybe you should before ordering flowers to send as a gift or purchasing for yourself.

For instance, TechnoGlam is sophisticated and modern. Powerful color blocking. Colors such as orchid, deep pinks, greens and deep yellows pared with Matte black, grays and silver. For flowers think, green Anthurium, green Cattleya orchids, deep purple anemone, yellow roses. Damask in contrasting colors is a popular fabric to use in your home.

ECOnomics is multilayers of urban concrete, steel and glass. Think organic, earthy. Colors such as moss green and white greens. For flowers think, kale, dusty miller, button mums, ferns, green orchids, green roses with a pop of purple. Wheat, pods and berries are great also. For fabrics, think leaf patters.

CURIOsities, I think is my favorite, it's a shabby chic meets global country. Reminds you of Grandma but more modern. Colors such as peach, corals, lavenders, golden yellows, greens and turquoise. For flowers think, Gerbera, garden roses, Ranunculus, leucandndron and lisianthus. Hobnail vases, antique frames. For fabrics think, floral and patchwork patterns.

PatchWORLD is just what it implies, a patchworld of all cultures. Vibrant and polychromatic. Think earthy, vegetables. Colors such as orange, browns, greens, deep purples. For flowers think, carnations, kiwi or grape vines, orchids and hydrangea. It's bright and bold using vegetables and fruits. Rustic pottery and wooden elements. For fabrics think, tribal weavings, primitive patterns, distressed wood.

Then there is the NEWneutrals. It doesn't over power and can partner with everything. Neutrals are safe, but also comforting in uncertain time. Colors such as grays, taupe, sand, champagne. For flowers think, any white flower will do. It is just that simple, all white.

I hope this article makes you think about the rooms that you live in. What is your style?

Yeah, we are getting ready for Mother's Day. The second largest floral Holiday in the year.

We don't have an shopping cart on our site. Why you ask? Because we feel service should be more personalized when ordering flowers. How can we capture your emotions from a shopping cart? We can't.

Mother's Day is probably the most emotional time for you to send flowers. You are trying to convey your feelings to the most important person in your life, whether it is your Mother, your wife, a Grandmother, a sister or a special lady in your life

My Mother passed away when I was young and my Dad raised 4 children on his own. He was both Father and Mother to us. So every year for Mother's Day, we do something special for him. So it really doesn't have to be a female that your honor on that day. One of my fondest memories of Mother's Day would be when my Mom cut a rose off of the rose bush in the yard and made a corsage for us to wear to Church that Sunday. I still wear a corsage and make corsages for my sister and her daughters for Mother's Day.

Flowers show emotions, are fragrant, bring memories to mind, brighten a room and ease depression. Flowers are good for our overall health.

We are going to have a wide variety of fresh flowers, Rose corsages, plants and hanging baskets for gift giving this Mother's Day. Place your order and let us help you share your emotions.

Happy Mother's Day.

So many times we spend months looking for just the right dress, weeks looking for shoes and jelwery. We make sure our appointment at the salon is scheduled months ahead of time. But when it comes down to the flowers for Prom, we all call the florist the week of and say is it too late to get a flower. It's almost an afterthought. But the corsage and boutonniere shouldn't be an afterthought. Flowers can compliment your dress and his Tux in ways you could never imagine. In 2010, flowers are more of an accessory, just like jewelry.

Corsage can be created in forms to be worn over the shoulder, perfect for a strapless dress. In a style to adorn the wrist, which is the most popular form of corsage. Some of the new Fitz Design band are awesome. With the use of deco wire, a necklace can be formed and adorned with jewels and flowers. Something I have been toying with is a coring. It is a ring made from deco wire with just one small flower attached and embellished with jewels. There are arm bands as well, like a Cleopatra band with flowers, ribbon and jewels. Kinda neat if I must say so. There is also a small corsage for the ankle that has no straps and looks like it is just floating. We never had anything like this we I went to Prom.

Flowers that can be used range from, baby roses, several types of orchids, mini calla lilies, lilies used in a composite form, Mini Gerbera daisies, alstromeria, buttons and daisy poms. For a clean classic look, we avoid using accent flowers.

But if you prefer an accent flower, Baby's Breath is out and some of the more popular accent flowers include hypericum berries, waxflower, caspia, solidago and seeded eucalyptus.

For the guys, boutonnieres have never been more fun, deco wire, cording and ribbon treatments for the boutonniere stem are fashion statements. After all, you are renting a Tux for around what, $120.00 to $150.00? So why not have a boutonniere that compliments the Tux?

One of the most important things for Prom goers is in my opinion, placing the corsage and boutonniere order together. Matching flowers and accessories are a must.

But, the MOST important thing of all, please order you Prom flowers early, like 3 to 4 weeks before Prom. Don't leave your flowers till last, they are a very important part of your special night.

We are wishing all of the 2010 Prom goers a safe and wonderful evening.

By reading our blog, you can save $5.00 off of your order of one of our floral Easter baskets on our website. Just mention that you read our blog. Code word is EGGS.