In his beloved play, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare taught us that, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” In other words — a person or thing is special because of what it is, not what it’s called. And regardless of its name, we think it’s clear that a rose is pretty unique. Just seeing one conjures up images of love, beauty, and hope. In honor of spring’s bloom, here’s how to say “rose” in 45 different languages. Continue Reading…
FRESH TALK® – Your Floral & Gift Newsletter
You can make your beautiful fresh-cut roses last longer than you ever imagined by dipping the open blooms in melted wax! The best time to dip your roses is at the very end of their shelf life–after you have enjoyed their beauty for over a week–when the rose is in full bloom.
I have waxed roses many times over the years using paraffin wax. Now that soy wax is readily available, I decided to give that I try… and I’m glad I did! Soy wax is a completely natural and renewable resource, has a lower melting point, and cleans up easily (with just soap and water). And soy wax is so versatile that you can melt it in the microwave! Continue Reading…
Most holidays are meant to be a show of love, affection and gratitude, but no holiday does it better than Valentine’s Day! After the Roman Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage, Saint Valentine continued to marry men and women in secret. Even then, it was traditional for men and women to exchange flowers on their wedding day, as a sign of good luck and the start of a “blooming” relationship. Today, we continue to celebrate love on February 14th, the day Saint Valentine died, by exchanging flowers, and the more modern chocolates and teddy bears. Think you know all there is about this centuries-old holiday? You may be surprised at these Valentine’s Day fun facts!
We know that every year you SAY you’re going to plan Valentine’s Day early (or maybe you’re a really honest person), but it rarely ever happens. So this year, make it your New Years resolution to get your gifting out of the way and you can get back to the game! Who wants to spend football Sunday worrying about which flowers to buy, anyway? If you need a little extra motivation, here are 5 reasons you should order your Valentine’s Day flowers and gifts ASAP:
Just like Black Friday has the best deals for Christmas a few weeks in advance, you can also find the best deals on Valentine’s Day flowers & gifts if you plan ahead. According to the Society of American Florists (SAF), 44% of florists provided early-order incentives last year, which means there are plenty of reasons not to wait till the last minute. You can save up to 40% on our Valentine’s collection here! Continue Reading…
It seems like John Lennon was right when he said, “love is like a flower, give it time and it will grow.” Romance is a complex mixture of panic, excitement, and joy. And while you may feel as though love and affection are entirely up to you, there’s actually a lot of science going on behind the scenes that you may not even realize. Here are some fun facts about romance you may not have known:
According to researchers, it only takes 4 minutes to decide whether or not you like someone. Maybe that’s why we put so much stress on a first date! Hugging someone actually releases a chemical from your brain called oxytocin. When this hormone is released, it triggers feelings of intimacy and comfort. Continue Reading…
You did it — you survived your 20s! Over the past decade, you’ve loved, you’ve lost, and you’ve probably burnt a dinner or two along the way. But most importantly, you learned a lot about yourself and how you want your life to be, which we think warrants a celebration! If the fact that you’re turning 30 has left you feeling a little overwhelmed, take the guesswork out of celebrating and embrace this momentous milestone with something from our list of 30 fun ways to celebrate the big 3-0. Continue Reading…
That time of year is finally here! A time of candy hearts, sweet sentiments, and celebration of love all kinds – from friendly to romantic. There are countless ways to celebrate this lovely occasion; whether you surprise a special someone with a Valentine’s Day gift, gather your pals for a Valentine’s Day themed party or simply mark the occasion in your own unique way, there is no one right way to celebrate.
On the days leading up to February 14, add a festive touch to your days with help from some “lovely” tunes. And of course, what could be more festive than a feel-good song that also has the word “valentine” in the title?! You can even take it to the next level by using the sheet music from your favorite Valentine’s Day song and turning it into a candle.
Read on for 16 songs with “valentine” in the title. Did we forget one of your favorites? Make sure to share it with us in the comments! Continue Reading…
If you’ve fallen madly in love with someone, sometimes a simple, “I love you” just won’t suffice. For centuries, writers have dazzled us with their ability to describe the seemingly indescribable feeling of love. Below we explore the origins and meanings of some of our favorite sayings about love.
Every night, thousands of parents turn their children’s lights off, start to shut the door and whisper, “I love you to the moon and back.” The phrase of course means that you love someone a lot (477,710 miles to be exact), but where did the expression come from? The phrase originated from the best selling picture book, Guess How Much I Love You by sam McBratney.
The entire passage reads:
‘I love you up to the moon,’ said Little Nutbrown Hare.
‘Oh, that’s far,’ said Big Nutbrown Hare. ‘That is very far.’ Big Nutbrown Hare settles Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves.
He leaned over and kissed him goodnight. Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, ‘I love you to the moon and back.’
Valentine’s Day is essentially the most romantic day of the year, but have you ever wondered why an entire day was dedicated to telling our loved ones how we feel? After all, you should be able to show your appreciation for someone every day of the year! Well, the truth is that Valentine’s Day wasn’t necessarily always about sending Valentine’s flowers, exchanging gifts and munching on some of the sweetest treats – here’s how it really all began.
Although three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus are recognized by the Catholic Church, one of the most popular Valentine’s Day legends is centered on the saint that was a Roman priest during the third century. At this particular time, history explains that there was an emperor named Claudius who felt that single men, rather than men who were married and/or had children, were better off as soldiers. As a result, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for men, at which point saint Valentine stepped in to marry men and women despite the emperor’s ruling. Continue Reading…
Roses are red, violets are blue … and picking the perfect Valentine’s Day flower is so hard to do! Actually, it only feels like it is. When you’re looking for a truly original bouquet for your Valentine, it may seem like there are way too many options out there. But knowing what each type of flower symbolizes helps you choose the one that best represents your never-ending devotion. Not a flower expert? Not a problem! Here’s our guide to five popular Valentine’s Day flowers and their meanings so you can find the best way to say, “You make my heart bloom with passion!”
