Fine Flowers Blog by bbrooks » bbrooks member artisan florist

In Favor of Kissing

Estelle Mays — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:58:32 +0000

Mistletoe, or Phoradendrum Seritonum, has been a symbol of love and fertility for thousands of years, having once been used in Druid ceremonies and then evolving into “kissing balls” in 18th century England - under the mistletoe kissing ball, it was bad luck for a lady to refuse a gentleman’s kiss.* While we don’t advocate forcing your object of affection to kiss you under the threat of a years’ worth of bad luck, hanging mistletoe in doorways is a long-standing tradition. Tack sprigs of it outside your front door on New Years’ Eve to welcome the new year and guard against evil spirits like the Celts, or hang it above a newborn baby’s crib to prevent fairies from snatching him and putting a changeling in his place – new holiday mamas take note!

As seen on Austin, Tx member La Fleur Vintage blog site.

*from The Secret Language of Flowers, by Samantha Gray

Great Gift Item ~ Elegant Wall Art

Estelle Mays — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:11:57 +0000

Looking for a magnificent gift to send along with your floral order?

This gorgeous balsa wood wall sculpture, from Venice, CA member Floral Art, is available in several colors.

Hand painted with a white lacquer background encased in a clear acrylic box frame-24x 24 x 5D

For more gifting ideas please see their facebook page.

Memories of Christmas Past

Estelle Mays — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:27:42 +0000

bbrooks member Stahl Del Duca in Summit, NJ, shared this sweet remembrance online at www.facebook.com/StahlDelDucaFlorist.

…my dad started our tree tradition in the early ’70′s…christmas greens remind me of him…an amazing man…miss him like crazy…

Luscious Autumnal Designs

Estelle Mays — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:16:50 +0000

Thank you to member Ovando for this delightful Thanksgiving greeting!

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Me oh my, Thanksgiving is but a week away. We certainly appreciate longstanding traditions just as much as the next designer, but who’s to say that you can’t dress up your décor with a more modern spin?

Less really can be more: Warm colors will never go out of style for the fall season. You can easily offer more modernist appeal by working with fashioned, multi-stem arrangements. Succulent Beauty Mark, featuring swooping callas and our signature succulents, is the quintessential contemporary design for Thanksgiving. Delicately bold, endlessly elegant, and sure to be admired by all of your dinner guests.

FallPlatter

Brown cymbidiums and orange roses are enfolded by magnolia leaves for lavish fall look.

Now, who said that “modern tradition” was an oxymoron?

We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

In Memory of Jane Packer

Estelle Mays — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:20:56 +0000

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Jane Packer has passed away.

Noted International florist and author, Jane championed the vision that flowers are as exciting as fashion and interior design, but entirely more accessible. Her passion for flowers and inspiration taken directly from nature has contributed greatly to the florticulture industry.

Jane’s legacy is an international business – London – Tokyo – New York -Seoul – Hong Kong, and despite the worst recession in living memory, the business has gone from strength to strength. In the UK alone, the recent launch of the acclaimed JANE PACKER fragrance range, the expansion of the JANE PACKER on-line flower shop, and the opening of our latest store in association with John Lewis on London’s Oxford Street, are all testimony to the potency of the JANE PACKER philosophy and brand.

Jane has been busy building a strong creativeteamwho succeed her, led by her husband, Co-Founder and CEO Gary Wallis

To learn more Jane and her contribution to the floral design industry please see

www.jane-packer.co.uk

Oysters Served up with Flair

Estelle Mays — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:23:47 +0000

Long time member Mitch’s in New Orleans is carrying an elegant new line of hand-crafted oyster plates as gift items.

These gorgeous serving plates were recently featured online at: www.theadvocate.com.

A Visionary

BBrooks — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:25:49 +0000

We are deeply saddened by the loss of a great man, Steve Jobs… someone whom many of us claimed as a mentor – A visionary who had the courage and discipline to strip away all the clutter and give us just what we wanted, only what we needed.

“Flower Power” featuring Sandra de Ovando

Estelle Mays — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:17:38 +0000

Get creative with your entertaining and design by incorporating flowers. Sandra de Ovando, founder and creative director of Ovando Floral & Event Design shows us how to work flowers into everyday design.

Video clip courtesy of www.nbcnewyork.com

CheBella Sympathy Wreath

Estelle Mays — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:05:28 +0000

Long time member Che Bella, www.chebellafiori.com, features a traditionally beautiful Sympathy Wreath with a contemporary flair -created by their designer Thea. Gorgeous Hydrangea, Casablanca Lilies, Arabicum, Leonidas Roses and Magnolia on their website.

Barbara Wyeth collection at Williams-Sonoma

Estelle Mays — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:21:48 +0000

Barbara Wyeth, of long-time San Francisco member Bloomers is an accomplished photographer of botanical subject matter.

Williams-Sonoma now carries a limited edition collection of Barbara’s striking images featuring gorgeous fresh produce. Congratulations Barbara!