3 Great Party Ideas For Your Summer Entertaining
Backyard BBQs, pool parties, picnics — you name it, it’s happening now! Summer’s here and EVERYONE’S outside enjoying the sun!
The Patriotic-Themed Summer Party
Just because the 4th has passed, doesn’t mean you have to put away your patriotic decor! You’ve got the perfect party theme! Decorate your porch, yard or rented pavilion with everything red, white and blue. Find 4th of July themed party supplies like hats and glasses to force everyone into the festive spirit! (Since the 4th is over — think: clearance, clearance, clearance!)
For food, think traditional American — hamburgers, hot dogs, and anything else that cooks on a grill! Adorn your desserts with fresh strawberries, cherries and blueberries on top of white icing for a delicious red, white and blue treat!
A party just isn’t a party without beautiful table decor. Ask your local florist to create a patriotic floral centerpiece for your guests to enjoy, just like this one by one of our great members, Hart Floral.
Garden Party
Gardening has quickly regained it’s status as a favorite pastime all over the world. Between you and your friends you are bound to have at least one…
Read more about Ideas for Summer Entertaining…
FSN’s Favorite Flower Arrangement For July
Summer is here to stay! Send summer flowers to a friend or use in your decor to celebrate the beginning of summer. Corporate picnics and family reunions aren’t complete without a beautiful a festive summer centerpiece! Yellow Aglow would be a perfect table topper!
Use Flower Shop Network’s handy local florist directory to find your city florist and ask about the Yellow Aglow today!
FSN At AIFD’s National Symposium
FSN was on the road this past weekend to Boston, MA. where the AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) was hosting their extravagant National Symposium! This is where the top floral designers in the United States and around the world come together to network, learn, and really show off their stuff! These are the floral artists. They know the ins and outs of their trade like no others, and are there to show their passion as well as give a few pointers, tips and techniques along the way. We just got back yesterday, July 7th, and are slowly posting all of the great media we recorded while there. Be sure to check out the FSN Photos of AIFD Revolution as well as the video interviews with event directors, presenters and even local florists attending the event as they are posted.
One interesting European trend brought to us by presenter and designer Emilia Oliverio from France was all about WOOL… You may ask yourself… How in the world could a florist use wool in their designs?? It’s all about TEXTURE. The wool is a very rough and rugged texture that contrasts incredibly with the delicate nature of flowers. Oliverio uses dyed wools and felts through her designs — especially bridal bouquets — to give it an added, contrasting element of roughness.
Flowers In The News
The past month was an interesting one for flowers. They were all over the news!
A rare MSU plant blooms for the first time in 15 years. “It’s so big and it smells so nasty, like a dead animal on the side of the road that’s been there for about seven to eight days, but it’s a way cool thing,” said Norm Lownds, curator for the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden and associate professor in the MSU Department of Horticulture.
Those aren’t the only famous flowers for the month, Micheal Jackson’s mausoleum was donned with almost $5,000 worth of sunflowers for the anniversary of his death.
Read More About Flowers In the News…
Flowers Are The Best Way To Say I’m Sorry
It summer and it is hot. So, a relaxing day by the pool is just what my niece (Jordon) needed while studying for her nurse practitioner exam. Lucky for her, she has an aunt and uncle with a pool who are willing to let her use it on a hot summer day. So what does this all have to do with sending flowers?
Everyone has had one of those days when relaxing becomes stressful. Who knew a simple lunch invitation would turn into a fender bender?
While relaxing and studying, Christen (a friend of Jordon’s) stopped by and invited her to lunch. They jumped in his car and proceeded down the drive-way.
Find out what happened to Jordon and Christen…
ASK THE EXPERT
Every week our Plant Expert answers YOUR most challenging plant care & identification questions.
Question About A Spikey Pink Pinecone-Looking Flower
Can you identify this plant please. As you can see by the photograph, before the flower opens it looks rather spikey like a pink pinecone but opens into a simple type of bell flower. Can it be grown in Zone 3? Kate
Our Expert’s Answer
This flower identification was a hard one for me. So, I contacted Rick Pudwell at the Memphis Botanical Garden. Luckily for me, he was able to identify it. Here is his identification:
It appears to be Mountain Laurel, Kalmia latifolia. It is a native shrub in the North Eastern U.S. through the Smoky Mountains. It is difficult to grow unless you live in an area with similar conditions.
Mountain Laurel’s cupped-shaped flowers bloom from late Read more about the mountain laurel…
As some of the flowers expire in your arrangement, you may want to remove wilted or dead flowers and rearrange the remaining flowers. To rearrange, recut stem ends under water using sharp shears or a knife. Use a clean container with warm water and flower food from your florist.
WE’RE SOCIAL
Love flowers? Follow us on the above Social Networks! We are always sharing the latest articles from our Bloomin’ Blog, as well as the most fascinating news on the net!
DESIGN INSPIRATION CHALLENGE
Congratulations to MaryJane’s Flowers & Gifts in Berlin, NJ for winning Round 1 of our challenge. See more Round 1 entries.
Congratulations to Forget Me Not Florist in Northampton, MA for winning Round 2 of our challenge. See more Round 2 entries.
Last month’s Design Inspiration Challenge proved to be a BIG hit with florists! With each round our contest gets bigger and bigger, thanks to our wonderful florists!
Design Inspiration Challenge: Round 3 is on right now! Check it out!
JUST FOR FLORISTS
FLORISTS BEWARE – Hearing Impaired Scam
We got a call from Greg of Burnett Flowers, a local Ohio flower shop, who let us know about a phone scam going around in Ohio. He did a little research and found out that several other florists had been targeted by these cons. Since, many florists on our Facebook and blog have reported similar situations from all across the country, we wanted to get the word out. Read more about the Hearing Impaired Scam Targets Florists…
What Is YOUR Birthday Promotion
Contrary to popular belief, a local florist’s work can be exhausting and stressful at times, especially for the owner. When is the last time you and your great employees really cut loose and had some FUN? Research shows that the more FUN you have in your shop, the happier and more productive your employees will be. Here are a few tips you can use to shake things up a bit. More about Birthday Promotions For Your Flower Shop…
7 Great Ways To Keep Up With Trends
In this fast-paced world, it can be hard to keep up with the latest and greatest floral design trends. Here are 7 easy ways to keep up with the latest in the floral design industry. Read more about keeping up with floral design trends…
JULY 2010 — FLORAL CONVENTIONS AND FLOWER SHOWS
July 10-13, 2010: The annual Ohio Florists Association Short Course will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus Ohio. Florists who are members, as well as non-members will enjoy the OFA Short Course.
July 16-18, 2010: The Oklahoma State Florists Association is hosting its annual convention and trade show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Florists who are members, as well as non-members can come and enjoy the show!
July 23-25, 2010: The Texas State Florists Association will host the 97th TSFA Annual Convention & Trade Show at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in San Marcos, Texas. Florists who are members, as well as non-member florists are invited to attend. (FSN will be attending.)
July 25-26, 2010: The Louisiana State Florists Association Convention will be at the Sai Convention Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. Florists who are members, as well as non-member florists are invited to attend.
View More Floral Conventions and Flower Show on the Calendar.
What do you think of our new monthly newsletter format? Your opinion really matters to us. With your help, we can make the FSN newsletter just what you want and need. You can drop us a note in the comment section on the blog or email us at social@flowershopnetwork.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!
