Wanna Get Lucky!

O.k. People get your head out of the toilet. This is a clean pg rated blog. Got your attention though didn't it. I want to share an experience of mine. It shows just how powerful flowers can be. A customer of Al Medina Floral and Gifts recently went through a very messy divorce.  Her habit was to come and buy a flower bouquet for her moms grave at the funeral home down the street once a week.  I Noticed that for a few weeks she seemed quiet when picking up her flowers, usually she had something to say.  So I asked How are you, and if everything was o.k. That was when she told me of her divorce.  I listened and reassured her that all would be o.k.  After all everyone knows the old saying " life must go on". She came for two more weeks and after that She quit.  So after about 3 weeks of her not showing up for the weekly bouquet we

decided to just send her a bouquet of flowers with a note that said " Hope all is well from your friends at Al Medina Floral" .  The very next day we get a phone call from the customer,  Thinking us for the flowers and how happy she was to know that someone was thinking of her. Turns out that after the divorce she went into severe depression to the point that she was just staying in the house not wanting to go or do anything. What she told me next is why i am writing  to you.  She told me that the flowers I sent, just out of the blue, showed her that people do care which helped her to get out of bed and start enjoying her life again.  The lesson I have learned is care for others! if there is someone who you know is upset of acting different ask if they are o.k. Listen and don't judge. Its also good to give a little something, just for the sake of giving. If we can all do a little of this we are truly lucky in our lives and business.

Indo/pak weddings

The Desi South Asian Wedding season is in full swing at the shop. Orders are coming in daily for the wedding Harr or wedding Garland. So for those who don't know much about South Asian Culture a Harr or Wedding Garland is a necklace of flowers worn around the neck of the bride and groom during there ceremony.  The most common request are roses and carnations. Some clients request all carnations.

or a mix of carnations and roses,

Back in the South Asian countries like India, Pakistan and Napal the Harr's are made with jasmine buds which are tied together with the strings. However here in the States This extremely fragarent flower is not available, and if imported would mean prices which no one is willing to pay.

Succulents!  I am amazed of the huge popularity of these little guys.  We are getting request left and right for these easy to care for drought resistant plants. Our designers have been busy trying to incorporate them in anything and everything. Customers are requesting them in floral wedding bouquets and corsages.

Potted succulents are especially popular right now. I mean whats not to love about the little guys. If in the home or at the office, just water once every 2 weeks and they are good to go. At the shop we have them all over the place and no matter where we put them they do just fine.

With over 2,000 different varieties to choose from its hard so see how anyone could get tired of  working and designing with them.

Research on the benefits of sending Sympathy Flowers

Did you know Research said:

·         It is important to remember that flowers can be a great source of comfort to those grieving the loss of a loved one, and should be regarded as an important gesture.

·         Recent research indicates that sympathy flowers may not only brighten and warm a funeral or memorial service setting, but also have a positive impact on the emotional well-being of the bereaved.

·         A behavioral research study conducted at Harvard by Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., reveals some of the calming, fortifying feelings flowers create. The study reveals that flowers feed compassion and chase away anxiety and worries. Research participants lived with fresh flowers for just a few days and reported increases in feelings of compassion and kindness for others. Overall, people simply felt less negative after being around flowers.

·         Previous behavioral research by Rutgers University also found that flowers improve our emotional health, according to The Journal of Evolutionary Psychology. Research participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.

·         The bereavement process is a pivotal time when worry, anxiety and many sad emotions are present. With such compelling research that shows how flowers impact emotional well-being, flowers should be regarded as an essential part of the bereavement process.

Big Bad Blue

Good Evening, and Oh Yea Happy New Year.  I will start the new year by addressing a common question many customers ask.  " Do you have blue roses?"   I always answer,"yes".  Blue roses are not natural though,  every blue roses out there is either dyed or painted.  At Al-Medina Floral we always use paint to achieve this color rose, carnation or stock.  As these are the flowers that can be painted or dyed and still look good. In the photo are some baby blue roses for a customer. Baby blue was his girlfriends favorite color.  Flower paints and dyes are a wonderful tool florist use to fix faults or satisfy customer requests for specific colors.  The disadvantages of them are that it decreases the life of the flower and it is not a uniform color like a natural flower. I hope this helps answer the blue rose question. Remember Valentines Day is coming up. Place your orders early. and Yes, we can send your loved one blue roses.

Finding Happiness in a Sad World.

We are at all systems go here at the shop today.  Pretty much all the flower designs are Fall colors.  Reds, orange, yellow, bronze.  Our one wild card is a 1dz. purple Roses bouquet, from the " Luckiest Man in the world"  the card said. Lol.  Its nice to see Love is in the air, given all the doom and gloom of the government shut down now a days. That,s if anyone really notices, none of my customer seem to. Now for the sad part.  I had a funeral order for a baby yesterday, Man, they are always so sad.   I was amazed at the mothers calm and good spirit. She was truly happy and content with the short time we had with him. She asked me to make him a rocking horse made of flowers and feathers.  This project was a challenge but very fun.  Being a new Father myself, I cant imagine having to loose my little munchkin.  I wanted it to be great.  This is what i came up with

Mission accomplished she loved it. 

Hello There! I think we can all agree.  Flowers are happy lively things. What else can soothe the grieving heart of a family member or friend who has passed,  or caused one to smile when they don"t normally.   As a Florist I experience, every day the Power of Flowers.  It is my hope in creating this blog to pass my experience of this power to anyone interested.  Today, the Power of  flowers, will celebrate the 2,573 best day of someones life,

 give a luck lady something to brag about at the office,

and give sympathy peace and comfort to a grieving coworker.

Nice! great day today.  Temps in the 80's. Fall is in the air.