Blumz Helps Getting Your "Cupid" On

Valentines... 
Valentine' Day is celebrated as one of the most romantic days of the year. And as such, couples wish to celebrate this day with fun & creativity. So how do you achieve this annual feat? First of all, Valentine's Day must be memorable and it should leave a wonderful and lasting impression in the mind of the recipient. . Therein lies the challenge.  Many people find it extremely difficult just voicing their feelings, much less actually orchestrating a phenomenal celebration.  Here is where Blumz can help you.  We have developed our "Week of Romance"... Seven days of special ways to let that person know you love and appreciate them.  Think of it sort of like the 12 Days of Christmas, but actually WAY MORE affordable!!  Check out the description below outlining the entire week.


Blumz... A Week of Romance
Day 1 - Tues, 8th - A Romantic Card (For You to Place on the Seat of the Car before work)
Day 2 - Wed., 9th - Balloon Bouquet - "I Love You" & "Happy Valentines" (Delivered to Work with a note saying "But Wait, There's More!!")
Day 3 - Thurs., 10th - A Cuddly Plush Animal (For You to Leave on the Bed to be found that evening with an invitation to snuggle)
Day 4 - Fri., 11th - Scented Candles Gift Bag (For You to Leave on the appropriate side of the Vanity to be enjoyed together)
Day 5 - Sat., 12th - Pamper Basket with Fresh Rose Petals (Delivered at Home with a note that says, "Relax & Pamper Yourself With a Rose Bath")
Day 6 - Sun., 13th - Chocolates with an "Invitation to Dinner" for Monday Evening for You to Present.
Day 7 - Mon., 14th - Floral Arrangement Delivered to the Local Dinner Restaurant of Your Choice

Believe it or not... All of this can be achieved (including 3 Deliveries, Day 2, 5 & 7) starting at $199.99.  For more information, contact us at 248-398-5130.  Or visit us at Valentines Day Flowers


Can't swing the "Week of Romance"?  No problem.  Here are some helpful hints when looking for the right way to express yourself on Valentines.


For Her...  Romantic and Personal! are the KEY words.   Take clues from her personality, her favorite colors that she wears and her hobbies.  What is it that makes her unique and special and how can you incorporate that into what you do?  If she loves flowers and you are married, see if you can have the florist recreate her wedding bouquet.  Or at the very least, an arrangement containing flowers similar to the ones from your wedding. (Cant remember what they were... dig out a wedding picture!)   GUYS! also.. FYI, all the national surveys say that most women prefer roses of any color OTHER THAN RED!  I know, its Valentines.. so red symbolizes love.. but it only takes one red rose to do that.  Surprise her with a vase of very cool varieties and uniquely colored roses with one red rose in the middle!!  Trust us!!! we are the professionals!
Pamper Baskets of lotions, body wash, scrubs and more are always good... and can be lots of fun if you offer to help use them!   NOTE!  Unless your love is a "work-out" fitness person, stay away from anything that hints of weight loss, working out, etc... Just saying!!

 For Him...  Keep it Simple, not fussy, fluffy.  Guys do like flowers... just remember to make sure they are brightly colored, masculine, designed in a geometrical form (think angles not round).  Exotic flowers are always cool.  Guys respond to the color red.  So keep that in mind when selecting flowers, gift items and more.  A Warm fuzzy scarf with a chocolate heart attached.  A favorite "beverage" wrapped in red fabric and tied with a festive bow is always a great option.  Candles are nice, too provided they are not too "floral" and feminine.  Food is always good... Heart shaped cookies or brownies with x's and o's on them in a decorative tin or a heart shaped pizza with his favorite toppings.  Electronics are fine, just not very romantic unless you spin it with either a DVD of a romantic movie or a CD of love songs.  Guys are fairly simply and easy to please creatures... as long as you don't insult their masculinity!  Remember they are little boys inside big bodies!

Looking for more ideas on what to give your loved one on that day of romance, Valentines Day?  Here are some suggestions:

1. An iPod with favorite love songs downloaded on it.

2. A CD of romantic songs.  Create it yourself with songs you know they love.

3. Air tickets for a weekend trip to your favorite destination.  Or a "Stay-cation" at a local Hotel with room service.

4. Jewelry, always nice.  Find something unique and special that reminds you of your loved one.  On a budget, cruise a local flea market, and pickup something fun and silly together.

5. An entire day with you, which starts with a brunch at home or your favorite diner, a day spent roaming a museum or art exhibit, a romantic movie matinee, followed by a warm candle lit dinner, and ends with both of you gazing at the moon.

6. A photo frame with a nice photograph of both of you in the frame.  Better yet, take the day making fun photos of yourselves all over town doing the things you enjoy doing.  Then put them all in a book to share with captions about each picture.

7. A bottle of favorite perfume.

8.  A book of poetry (possibly some you have written) or a romantic novel.


9. Plan a Couples massage.

10.  A Decorative box containing hand-made coupons or "passes" to be used as needed for things such as, a free back rub, a favorite meal, an "Im Sorry" card, etc..


There are many valentine ideas and tips but the first and foremost thing to be kept in mind is to create the love ambiance around you and your beloved. Your valentine day gift to your loved one need not be expensive but it should be straight from the heart.

Happy Valentines Day!!
The Staff of Blumz... by JRDesigns
Detroit/Ferndale

Blumz Wedding Trends 2011

A New Year... a new approach... a fresh outlook.  As with the beginning of each new year, the first question on clients lips are "What is the newest trend... the latest and greatest for weddings?" 

Weddings in the year 2011 will cover the gamut of looks, colors and styles.  However, there are several "trends", if you will, that are common in most areas.  Some are a carry-overs; tweaking of trends from last year.  Others are newly minted and ready for your approval.  Here are a few key trend words for you to share with someone who is planning that "special day" in 2011.



1.  Green -  Yes, its still strong and growing. Whether it is shades of green color or the desire to be more "green" in planning and designing the event.  Green has definitely moved beyond the use of just foliages.  With the availability of many new varieties of green flowers and floral materials, the options are many.  Green as a concept in planning and design encompasses things as diverse as the use of recycled/re-purposed clothing (which also ties into the trend of vintage), containers, accents and more to the planning of "staycation-moons" (the stay-local option for a honeymoon), use of local farm grown food and paperless (electronic) invitations.






2.  Navy Blue/blue - Strong color alternative to the ever popular black.  The navy blue tuxedo was even spotted at the Emmys.  Navy under artificial light can actually look blacker than some blacks.  While white and cream are a safe bet for flower colors, Navy can be comfortably paired with complimentary colors of peach or coral, Pantone honeysuckle, and violets, blues and greens for wonderful colorful options. 














Blue is present in floral designs as well.  Natural blues are a bit challenging to come by with hydrangea, delphinium, iris, cornflower, and hyacinth being the most common. 

3.  Vintage/Nostalgia - both as a "style" influence as well as a way of paying homage to the parents and grandparents generation.  Use of actual vintage or vintage inspired clothing, vintage automobiles, hair styles, hats, and venues/settings can give an "old world" look to the event.  This then is further enhanced through the use of black and white photography resulting in photos with an almost movie set like look.  Bouquets of flowers that reflect back to days past bring another level of "realism" to the vintage look.  Roses, gardenias, lilies and yes, CARNATIONS, are the flowers that would have been in grandmothers bouquet.  Vintage brooches, pins and other jewelry, possibly grandmothers heirloom pieces, can be incorporated into the bouquet for that "something borrowed" requirement as well as provide a way of invoking the presence of a favorite loved one.

4.  Floral trim gowns, Feminine silhouettes, and soft fabrics are strong in the dress selections.  Yes, pickups are still strong!   The full skirt and the trumpet skirt are gracing the aisle this year.  Satin sashes of contrasting color and empire waists are giving brides more options when trying to find a dress that flatters a real body as opposed to that of a runway model.  Romantic, flowing gowns of chiffon, tulle and lace are popular.  Embellished bodices are still very strong.  

5. Monofloral displays for reception table centerpieces... one type of flower either singly in a collection of vases, a mass of one type of flower, or each table being a collection of monofloral designs.  The look of vases of mixed flowers that match from table to table is tired.

Clean line contemporary looks are still very strong.  Use of simple geometrically shaped containers such as cylinders, cubes, and trumpets remains very strong.  The use of submerged flowers is weakening.  Flowers with high petal counts such as roses, peonies, dahlias and hydrangea can be massed for that opulent, full look.





10 Other strong trend words that are being noticed are briefly touched on below.  

1.  Man caves - giving the guys a place to retreat to during the reception, ie... a sports theme or nightclub lounge setting complete with TV/video gaming equipment.  You may have to go find the groomsmen!

2.  Eastern Indian inspiration - is one of the strongest influences particularly in style.  The strong colors of red, orange, golden yellow and metallic gold are mixed with lavish fabrics, beading and drapery.  (Actual birth ethnicity not required.)

3.  Chalk board chic - stylish slate signs are popping up to take the place of printed programs, seating charts, menu cards.  Elegantly or fancifully decorated, the humble chalk board has left the classroom and has become a "Cinderella" for the reception.

4.  Food trucks - having local "street" vendor trucks pay a visit as a way of providing a snack during an outside cocktail hour or a late night nosh is becoming very popular.  Particular attention to the reception venues' outside food restrictions are very important.

5.  Cocktail length dresses - Raised hemlines are very hot right now for the brides dress, many of which resemble the simple wedding dresses of the 50's.  Sassy, fun, chic and meant to actually be worn again (really, not just saying it!)  For the right figure and personality, it would be smashing.

6.  Honeysuckle - the Pantone 18-2120 has been declared the 2011 Color of the Year...  It is a coral pink that actually looks good on many skin tones.  Its complimentary colors include a peach, aqua and slate.  While Pantone colors affect all aspects of design, i.e. home, fashion, commercial, it will be a strong wedding color.

7.  Prohibition chic - a spin off of the Vintage trend.. here all stereotypes of the prohibition era are game for use as inspiration.  Think Flapper meets Rum runner!  Have fun and plan a theme event complete with "moonshine and bathtub gin" cocktails, Roaring '20s big band music, wing tip shoes and lace dresses.  Channel your inner Mobster and Dame.

8.  Black swan inspiration - the movie "Black Swan" will bring the ballerina flavor to the party.  Romantic ceremonies by candlelight, feathered headpieces (chic and tailored, please!), pale pinks and black, tiaras, ballet slippers and ties, and tulle.  (Men in tights, optional)



9.  DIY - Do It Yourself, still very strong... but if you plan to do this... please practice early so that you are not stressed from realizing that its usually best to let the professionals do some of the things!  Your wedding day is not the day to find out that you can't really make a bouquet!!

10.  Rustic - can combine facets of "green", folksy, vintage, country chic and organic.  Play around with it but remember, attention to the details is "queen"!   Outdoor settings, farms/barns (clean, non-smelly ones!), back yards, river side parks, make for natural settings that work well with this them.


To Talk to a Wedding Professional at Blumz... simply fill out our Wedding & Event Consultation Form
One of our Blumz Staff will contact you to set up a time, date and location to meet.
Also, Check us out on FACEBOOK

Valentines Tips for Success... Spicing Up the Holiday

Valentine’s Day 2010....

Our shop is filled with heart cut outs and will soon be stocked with red roses as far as the eye can see!  Let me tell you, there will be about four pots of coffee consumed that day, per person.  We know that Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year.  In our experience, we’ve noticed that people tend to neglect the day of love when it falls on a Sunday.  There are a few reasons, but we’ll spare you the business logic.  Your brain doesn’t need to be functioning on high when you’re reading this. Sit back and relax and let us give you some advice on how to make the love-y stuff that we all enjoy last a tad bit longer.   

Ladies and gentlemen, we know that almost everyone loves to get flowers at work.  Trust us, our delivery guys spend more on gas that day than they do on almost any other day of the year.  You can still get the same (if not even better) response when Valentine’s Day is on a weekend by doing one of two things.  Listen, we’re spelling it out for you.  Write this down!   

Option One: Send the flowers on Thursday with a card that says “Dear Love, I just couldn’t wait three more days to say that you are the most beautiful, amazing, person in the world.”  If you have “surprise” Valentine’s Day plans, have us incorporate a little hint or riddle to Sunday‘s affairs.  Going out of town to the weekend?  Let us theme your flowers around the destination!  Why Thursday? Well, if there are any absent coworkers that day, your significant other can still show off your amazing efforts when they are back in the office on Friday.  Ah ha! Genius, I know. 

Option two: Have us send them on the Monday after your Valentines weekend activities.  Write this down again people.  Have the card say “Just because Valentine’s Day has passed, doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t shower you with the love you deserve every day of the year.”  Now, your significant other can keep them in the office for all his or her friends to envy for an entire workweek! Talk about your major brownie points.

Valentine’s Night- “Spice it up baby!”

A girl friend of mine asked me the other day why Cupid represents Valentine’s Day. She said, “Love is supposed to be sexy. The last thing that comes to my mind when I think sexy is a chubby naked baby with wings.” Ha!  We’ve realized that flowers have kind of taken the Valentine’s role of sweet, cute, and thoughtful.  Oh no. We can have way more fun than that!  Here’s the Cosmo cover story version of flowers. 

·        Did you know? If a woman wears red on a night out, a man is likely to spend more money to attract her. Apparently men subconsciously associate the color red with sex. Hmmm.  Explains the red lipstick, too!  So, let’s start arousing those visual senses with some sensuously dark crimson toned flowers i.e. dark long stem roses. The second color that is most associated to sex is black, which followed by dark purples-the perfect flower for this the dark eggplant mini calla lily.

·        Nix the baby’s breath accent. Baby’s breath is a softer fluffier flower. We want to stay far away from the fluff and use more structured flowers to mimic the long lines of the gorgeous human body. 

·        Ask us to put your arrangement in a vase with an hourglass shape. It will mimic that sexy shape that we kick our behinds at the gym for.

·        Have us do a black satin or animal print ribbon cross wrap on the vase to make it look like it’s wearing a corset (perhaps this is similar to your lingerie!).

·        So, you know those rose petals that we throw on our beds or bedroom floors? The night before put them in a zip lock bag with some cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon (the sticks aren‘t as messy though) and stick them in your refrigerator. Cinnamon is a natural aphrodisiac, and now, it’s fused to the velvety touch of rose petals…mmmm. Imagine rolling around in those!  For an even stronger scent, set Red Hot’s on the night stand next to your flowers, or have us hide a few in the petals of the roses.  Then, you can suck on a few while you’re in bed and kiss that cinnamon power even farther. 

·        A final touch, there are these handy little waterproof LED lights called Acolytes. Drop one into the flower vase when you turn out the lights for a little glow in your otherwise dark bedroom. Go for a classic clear night-light or spice it up with a sultry red glow. Your flowers themselves will even glow. It’s the modern alternative to candles.

Now, turn on some sensual music. Combine it with that lacy number in your top drawer and you’ve got yourself (and your lucky lover) an arousing… florally erotic…sexy Valentine’s night… with each of your five’s senses peaking!
 
Author
Dawn McCreary, Events Designer, Blumz... by JRDesigns

Finding the Right Wedding Florist

You’ve got the ring, you’ve set the date and now its time to talk flowers.   How do you find the right wedding florist for your special event?  Choosing the right blooms to decorate your very special occasion requires a few basic decisions and a few realizations.

First, be realistic with your budget and expectations. It's ok to want your wedding to look like something out of Oprah's magazine or Martha Stewart's book, but that is only realistic if you have the bank balances that those two ladies have to work with. And even though there are "calculators" on web sites such as www.theknot.com that are supposed to tell you how much you should spend on flowers, cake, etc., these are only general calculations and are usually very minimal when compared to what young women often visualize for their weddings.

So how do you select the right floral source? Do you go with the well-established "wedding" flower shop or do you trust a friend or associate that likes to dabble in flowers and is willing to help you with yours as a favor?

Basically flowers can come from many sources. The source you select should be based on your expectations and needs.

Do you expect full service with several consultations, delivery, set up and rental items, or are you planning simple bouquets and flowers to wear that you or a friend can pick up the day of the event?

Are your tastes in reception flowers less complicated such as daisies in a simple vase or are you wanting raised and low centerpieces requiring a skilled and talented floral designer? Knowing the answer to these and many other questions requires you have a clear theme or "look" in mind and then selecting accordingly.

Here are a few questions that can help you in selecting the right florist/ floral source for you and your budget.

Is the wedding formal or casual? More formal weddings usually require more experience and training of the florist. Their knowledge in design, materials, event planning, venue requirements, and execution of the plans is priceless to insure a less stressful and more beautiful event.
Casual weddings for the most part are not as "detail" oriented (unless it is a casual affair in theme but highly detailed and orchestrated in actuality). They may not require as much floral presence and therefore may only require minimal arrangements of non-structured design.

Are the flowers desired readily available with very few restrictions? If you are getting married in September and you REALLY want tulips, then you need to be dealing with a professional florist that specializes in wedding and events. Yes, tulips are available in September if you are willing to accept the costs and their limitations.

However, there are certain things that you would need to be aware of when making those decisions that a professional floral designer would be able to assist you with.

If your flower requirements are very open to interpretation and you feel comfortable just going with what is available the week of the event, then you may not require the services of a traditional flower shop.

Is your budget very generous or restrictive? The answer to this question is highly subjective and relative.

Whether your budget is generous or restrictive, a professional florist will be able to give you many suggestions on how to make that budget give you the most value for your dollar.

Never assume that you cannot afford a big name florist. Most are just as willing to work with a bride whose budget is slim as they are with a big ticket wedding. Simply ask if they have any minimum requirements and what your expectations are. Just remember, keep your expectations realistic.

After you have answered these questions, shop around. Do an on-line search of florists in your area and look at their web sites to get a feel for what they can do and have to offer. To what professional organizations and associations do they belong? What is their educational background and how many years experience do they have? Select the three that most fit what you are looking for and then contact them about setting up an appointment to meet with them.

As you meet the floral providers, treat the consultations like you would job interviews. Is this shop right for the job? Does their "look" reflect your style? Does the person you are speaking with understand your expectations? Do they have a good reputation in the area for excellent work, personal service and professionalism? Are they able to provide references and vendor information besides just floral? What other services do they provide that may make it easier for you, such as linens, invitations, cakes, etc.?

Finally, go with the florist that you feel understands your desires, that are willing to work with your budget and with whom you feel a personal connection. When it really get down to it, when comparing apples to apples, most floral shops of comparable abilities, products and levels of service, will have comparable

prices. It really does boil down to finding someone with whom you connect.

Once you find that floral shop, trust them and listen to their recommendations. They are the professionals and have a professional stake in your wedding. Yes, it is your day, but it is also their name on the flowers. Communication is crucial. Allow them to guide you in what flowers are in season, what designs are going to look best for a given situation, and how to make your wedding day as beautiful as possible.

Once you do that, relax and allow the professional to do what they do best. Enjoy the day and know that you have selected the right florist for the job.

Now go and be a beautiful bride.

Written by Robbin Yelverton AIFD, CFD, PFCI
Co-Owner of Blumz... by JRDesigns, Floral & Event Professionals
http://www.blumz.com