Month: March 2019

image of a pink chrysanthemum by Florist with Flowers

Pocket Money Gifts for Mummy

admin Leave a comment

It’s the thought that counts when giving a gift….that’s what I was taught growing up, and I try to instill the same idea with my own children. Teaching kids that they have their own great ideas is an important lesson, and equally important is teaching them the value of money. We have recently started giving our older two children pocket money for doing some specific jobs around the house on top of tasks they normally complete just to contribute to the family. It’s only a small amount of money, but each of them is free to divide their pocket money into their three jars for spending, saving and giving. Thanks to the Barefoot Investor for such a simple system 😉

Morrisons pocket money friendly range, image by Florist with Flowers

It has been such a valuable tool for our family as they have been able to learn about the different denominations of money,  we can have conversations about money, the day to day costs of things and the considerations we make when buying something. These conversations can be woven into everyday life and we can really see the penny beginning to drop, so to speak.

Like many other modern families, we tend to carry very little cash around with us, and whilst we do not live on credit, we are paying for things day to day with what the kids must see as a magical a plastic card. As far as our kids could see we weren’t spending money, and let’s be honest, the transactions look no different whether you were spending $1 or $1000.

Morrison’s, a U.K. based supermarket has just launched a range of ‘pocket money bouquets’ for Mothers Day. The bunches will cost no more than the equivalent of $6.50 (Australian dollars) as research showed that the average child in the U.K. was getting approximately $9.30 per week.

A kid carrying flowers for Mother's Day, image by Florist with Flowers
Morrison’s has launched a range of pocket money friendly bouquets for kids this Mother’s Day

Now speaking as a florist, making small bunches is incredibly time consuming and fiddly, and in many ways could make an already hectic weekend of work positively insane, but as a mum of young kids I think it is a gorgeous idea! Morrison’s has chosen 4 flower varieties to use in the budget gift range, with several other options available at other price points.

As a small business, it is important to remember that kids are our future customers as well!

I think it a fantastic opportunity to teach kids a lesson in living within their means. Teach them to think carefully about who they are buying for and what that person likes. Teach them that they can make good choices.

And then watch their little faces beam with pride. Watch the way they study your expression when they hand you the gift they have chosen and paid for all by themselves. Listen to the language they use when describe the process.

Pocket Money Friendly Gifts, image by Florist with Flowers
The U.K supermarket Morrison’s has launched a range of pocket money friendly gifts from as little as $6.50 (Australian dollars)

There are many ways you can personalise your gifts this Mother’s Day. We will as always have a Mother’s Day range available. Alternatively you could choose a variety of market bunches and get the kids to ‘arrange’ them themselves in variety of teacups/vases/jam jars that you pick up from a local op shop.

What do you guys think about Morrison’s idea of kid friendly/pocket money accessible arrangements?

Fwf x

Featured image

Read More

Image of a little girl giving flowers to her mum

Some of the Best Mother’s Day Castle Hill Flower Delivery Ideas for 2019

admin Leave a comment

Mother’s Day in Australia is just a few weeks away. Do you already have a gift for one of the most important women in your life? If not, then this article will help you pick out the most beautiful flowers that your mother will surely appreciate.

 

The Origin of Mother’s Day in Australia

Mother’s Day 2019 this year will be on the 12th of May and will fall on a Sunday. As it is a weekend, it is appropriate for a full celebration to be planned. Besides letting your mum take a break from all the household chores, you may also want to take a look at picking out a beautiful bouquet for her. Here are some of the top same-day flower delivery Castle Hill ideas you should look into.

 

 

  • Send custom-made Mother’s Day flowers online

 

Remember that your biological mum is not the only mother in your life. Your grandmother, wife and perhaps sister are also mothers. Show your genuine love and appreciation for them by sending unique flower arrangements on Mother’s Day.

 

It is an excellent idea to send Mother’s Day flowers, purchased online that your loved ones can use or display at home. A flower arrangement made from various flower species and greens will be an excellent centerpiece for the living room, dining room, or in their favourite spot at home.

 

 

  • Same-day flower delivery in Castle Hill will be your best bet

 

The best form of surprise on Mother’s Day is acting naïve and sending your mum a flower arrangement through a reputable florist in your area. If you have a busy schedule and almost forgot to order a bouquet for your mum, don’t worry. There are florists that offer same day flower delivery in Castle Hill. For an affordable price range, you are guaranteed that all these mothers will get a fresh flower arrangement on this special occasion.

 

 

  • Love is in the air

 

Flowers should not only look beautiful but should smell fragrant, too. Your mother will surely love receiving flowers in full bloom and are putting freshness in the air. A great Mother’s Day flower idea is to send your mother a pot of sweet-smelling flowering plants such as gardenia, ylang-ylang, lilac, rose, and or Lily of the Valley to name a few.
If you wish to place an order early or if you want to discuss fresh and unique Mother’s Day idea with an experienced and talented florist, you may give us a call on 02 9871 1666 today.

Read More

IMG_0692

Shunning Wedding Traditions

admin Leave a comment

When it comes to weddings there are a few traditions that the majority of people still adhere to. One of the most common ones of course is the colour the bride wears. These days it does vary somewhat, with brides choosing one of 1000s of shades between a stark white and a buttery cream or a soft pink etc.

Guests of a wedding can really wear whatever they fancy whether they choose bright colours, pastels or patterns. The older generations wouldn’t dream of wearing black to a wedding, or on the flip side, risk overshadowing the bride by wearing white.

Oh, how things have changed. These days the rule book certainly has been thrown out, and people are making choices based on their own tastes, irrespective of tradition.

Black wedding dresses can cause quite the stir, but how stunning does Sophie Cahcia look!
Black wedding dresses can cause quite the stir, but how stunning does Sophie Cahcia look! Source: via Lost Misfits

25 year old, Melbourne based mummy blogger Sophie Cahcia made headlines for wearing black to her own wedding. Cahcia wore a stunning long sleeved gown with fishtail, lace sleeves and a choker. Her bridesmaids also wore black, and her hubby-to-be chose to wear a red blazer teamed with leather pants. They had chosen to dress for themselves, rather than follow tradition. And why not?

Her bouquet was a wild blend of greenery and berries featuring a rich and dramatic blend of reds and magenta. Her bridesmaids carried bouquets made entirely from greenery, and berries. In that way, it was a little reminiscent of Mortisha Adams, almost as it the rose blooms had been snipped off the bouquet one by one.

The bridesmaids carried bouquets made entirely of greenery.
The bridesmaids carried bouquets made entirely of greenery. Source: via Lost Misfits

Bouquets of greenery can be so interesting because there are so many different foliages out there. We are not talking about a bunch of Camellia leaves tied with a bow, oh no! Gorgeous flat tropical leaves such as philodendrons, and monsteras, heads of cordylines, or dracenas, tendrils of peppercorn berries, or asparagus fern… Add to that the array of bromeliads, or succulents that can add both colour and texture to your bouquet.

And remember, by choosing to have a bouquet of greenery, you are not limited to the colour GREEN!

Bouquet of greenery
Source: Studio Mondine via Brides.com
How interesting is this green bouquet filled with texture?
How interesting is this green bouquet filled with texture?Source: Inessa Nichols design via Knotsvilla
A foliage bouquet that steers clear of green
This foliage bouquet steers clear of traditional green leaves and packs a punch with rich Burgundy. Source: Happy Wedd
Foliage bouquet made with succulents, air plants and thistles in silver and blue tones
Source his bouquet uses succulents, thistles and air plants to add heaps of interest and texture to this bouquet. Notice that although it is a greenery bouquet, it isn’t green. Silver and blue tones shine through. Source: Knotsvilla

So, what do you think about a bouquet that uses no ‘traditional’ flowers? Is that something that you would consider for your big day, or do you think it’s too risky to turn up with something that isn’t traditionally ‘pretty’? If you are currently planning a wedding, or know someone who is, get in touch with our friendly staff on 02) 98711666 or browse our wedding gallery.

Love to hear your thoughts on any traditions you would consider compromising, or traditions that are non negotiable for you.

Fwf x

Featured Image: Homegrown.org

Read More

Image of a flower gift in a pot for Mums Day

Here are Top 3 Ideas for Mother’s Day Flower in Cheltenham You Shouldn’t Miss

admin Leave a comment

How do you show appreciation to the woman who brought you into this world? Besides waking up early to prepare a breakfast tray with all of her favourite food items, you can brighten up her day a little more by ordering online Mother’s Day flowers from a Cheltenham florist.

 

Show your genuine love and care to the person who raised you to the strong and successful adult that you are today by sending her exquisite and elegant Mother’s Day flowers from a reputable Cheltenham florist. Here are some sweet and unique flower ideas for your mum on Mother’s Day!

 

 

  • Go Custom Made

There are certain occasions that call for gifting flowers to a loved one. Mother’s Day is definitely a special occasion that is not complete without sending your mum a fresh bouquet of beautiful blooms. You can go generic and pick out the first flower arrangement that you see in the supermarket, or you may up the ante by ordering a custom-made Mother’s Day flowers arrangement in Cheltenham.

 

You can go elegant and classy with a fresh bouquet of a dozen red roses or pick out her favourite blooms and place it on one of her vases at home. She will definitely appreciate seeing fresh flowers around the home during Mother’s Day!

 

  • Pick Flowers in Season

To score beautiful and yet affordable Mother’s Day flower deals from a Cheltenham florist, make sure to pick a bouquet featuring seasonal flowers. Lily, anemone, gardenia, daisies, and daffodils are common during fall in Australia, thus they are more available and affordable in May. You can never go wrong by combining seasonal blooms with lush greens as fillers.

 

 

  • Give her something she can grow

Another unique Mother’s Day flower gift idea is sending your mum an exotic and beautiful orchid plant. She will be more than thrilled to receive a flower arrangement that she can eventually transfer to a pot or simply grow either indoors or outdoors. If your mum loves gardening or grows plants at home, sending her an exotic orchid variety will truly show your genuine love and care for her.
For more Mother’s Day flower ideas, you may visit our store here. To place an order or for other enquiries, you may contact us on 02 9871 1666 today.

Read More

IMG_0681

Having a Great Meeting with Your Wedding Florist

admin Leave a comment

When you run a business, is all money good in your books? This probably sounds like a pretty strange question, because the purpose in business is to make money right? But where each business draws the line in the sand is their choice. Recently I’ve heard of businesses declining working with same sex couples, other businesses refuse work on Valentine’s Day, some will not take on events during the Christmas/New Year period as so many growers shut over the holidays so stock is hard to come by. Each to his own I say.

When I was growing up, the old adage of never discussing religion, politics and money at a dinner party, seemed to be pretty sensible. In many ways, this decorum should also apply in business, after all, if a client wants us to decorate a chuppah, an Orthodox Church, or an arbour in a garden, what bearing should our personal views have?

IMG_0421

Like every other business in the world, all sorts of briefs are going to land on your table. Truthfully, the amount of times I’ve been handed a bunch of blue dyed orchids, and thought….what on earth am I going to create with these 😂  is more than I care to count. My personal view is that I am a designer, I am given a brief, and I execute that brief. Flowers choices aside, there are some scenarios or situations with the (ahem) ‘group’ dynamic that could perhaps influence a decision in taking on work. Like any relationship, communication with your vendors is so incredibly important. Both parties must feel they are able to work well together, that they are on the same page and that there is a mutual respect. Here are a few tips to getting the most out of your meeting.

  • If you have a budget- BE HONEST!

We all have a budget to work with in life, it’s a reality of the daily grind. If you have a non-negotiable budget the best conversation to have with your suppliers is one that lays this on the table, so they best understand what scope they have to work with. Let’s be real- your can’t have champagne on a beer budget.

Gorgeous candelabra table setting

  • Have your decision makers present

To have a productive meeting with your vendors it is imperative you have the decision makers present. Meeting your suppliers, getting that initial impression, building a rapport, and having a discussion that includes the vital players is the only way everyone can be on the same page. By the same token, having people there who are not vital to the process can be very distracting. The conversation can travel to too many places, and too many opinions can leave everyone confused.  Heard the saying ‘Too many chefs spoil the broth’? This is certainly the case when conceptualising with, or briefing your suppliers. Whilst it is a very exciting time for many members of the family, there may be other times throughout the planning process that you can utilise the many hands that make light work.

  • Schedule your meetings as and when you are ready to make decisions

There is a lot to organise in a wedding, but there is also a natural progression to ticking off the tasks. Have you decided on the date? Have you booked the venue? These are the very first things you need to decide upon before thinking about anything else.

Once you date has been decided, your flower choices are determined according to season. Does that mean you are now ready to meet with a florist? No. A wedding florist will generally provide a colour consultation free of charge, but the cost of sitting down with each client can be costly to a business if the meetings multiply or if meetings do not result in decision making.

If you want to get an idea of prices before you are ready to make design/concept decisions, Florist with Flowers has a Price Guide online that you can check out here.

Have your bridal gown, as well as any bridesmaids gowns purchased/ordered so that your florist knows what colour palette he/she will be working with.  If you could also have suit/tie/accessories worked out, it helps your consultant get the whole picture.

  • When things change- keep your vendors in the loop

Life rarely goes according to plan, things do change and everyone understands that. Just bear in mind that your vendors decline other work based on your booking, and the work involved in your brief. When reductions are required, give your vendors plenty of notice. Major reductions are usually not accepted closer to the wedding day as there is little chance the vendor will be able to recoupe the income will additional work. Booking deposits are generally non refundable.

Getting married or planning a large event is an exciting time. To have the best experience it is important to choose quality suppliers, be prepared to make compromises when your budget does not match your vision, and to communicate with all parties to make sure you don’t assume something is understood, but has been left unspoken.

Fwf

 

 

Read More

Happy Mothers Day Calligraphy

A Few Blooming Mother’s Day Flowers Sydney Suggestions to Remember

admin Leave a comment

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. And when it comes to celebrating Mother’s Day, there is no other sweeter showcase of love than to give one of the most important women in your life fresh flowers to make this event more special and meaningful for her.

 

If this is your first time to send Mother’s Day flowers online, we are happy to tell you that we have all the best Mother’s Day flowers suggestion online. Here are the best, sweetest, traditional flowers that you can choose to order online during Mother’s Day.

 

 

  • Carnations

 

When you take a closer look at the typical filler blooms, carnation has its own set of beautiful qualities; fragrant, simple, and elegant. Mothers are the light of a home. Sending her a big bunch of white carnations will certainly put a wide smile on your mother’s face.

 

 

  • Unique Mother’s Day flower gifts online

 

If you have siblings, you are most likely going to end up in a competition as to who can send your mum the best gift on Mother’s Day. If you want your gift to stand out whilst at the same time make sure your mum receives a gift that she will truly love and appreciate, why not send her a terrarium kit? Besides flower bouquets, florists in Sydney typically sell ready-made terrariums or DIY terrarium kits that they can build themselves at home. This interactive gift will encourage her to start a new hobby, too!

 

 

  • Request a custom-made Mother’s Day bouquet online

 

A simple and elegant way to build a Mother’s Day flower bouquet for your mother is to know her favourite blooms. Women usually have two, three, or more preferred flowers, so make sure to utilise this information wisely. You can request to build a flower arrangement or bouquet featuring all of her top flower picks. By doing this, you don’t have to worry if she will like your gift or otherwise.
If you would like to view more unique and brilliant Mother’s Day flowers and gift suggestions, visit us here. To place an order for Mother’s Day or for any other special occasion, you may call us on 02 9871 1666 today.

Read More

Top 3 Corporate Flowers Sydney Buying Tips

admin Leave a comment

image of a corporate flower arrabgement by Florist with Flowers

One of the easiest and sweetest ways to convey your love to significant people in your life is by sending them flower bouquets and arrangements. Whether you are saying thanks to a friend for hosting a successful event, wishing your best friend a happy birthday, or showing your significant other your love, sending flowers is the perfect way to convey your feelings to them.

To make the task of flower giving is less intimidating for the uninitiated, we have enumerated some tips on how to send flowers This will be especially beneficial to corporate staff who are tasked to send out flower bouquets and arrangements to clients, partners, suppliers, and other corporate entities.

 

 

  • Go big or go home

 

If you are sending out corporate flowers to potential clients, choose high-value flowers. Pick a flower variety that lasts for a long time and can travel better than others. An excellent flower option for corporate flowers are roses as petals can travel well without bruising. Delicate flowers such as lilies and daisies should be handled with more care. A seasoned florist will be able to provide you with floral arrangement ideas that will help the flowers last longer after delivery.

 

 

  • Less is more

 

When ordering corporate event flowers, make sure to limit the colour choices to 3 shades at most. This is especially true if you are ordering small flower arrangements or bouquets. If you want to add more colours to an arrangement, consider ordering medium to large flower arrangements.

 

 

  • Fill in moderation

 

Fillers refer to plants or ornaments that complement that flowers in an arrangement or bouquet. They usually come in white or green shades and are perfect accompaniments of brightly-coloured blooms or those with large petals. To ensure that your corporate bouquet will look elegant, do not overcrowd the arrangement with too many fillers.

For more tips on how to create the perfect arrangement for a corporate event or for you office, give us a call now on 02 9871 1666 today.

Read More

www.hdfinewallpapers.com

What is an Order Gatherer and How Do They Affect the Floral Industry

admin Leave a comment

What do YOU do when you want to send flowers to an unfamiliar area? Like most people you probably type something into google and pick the first (relevant) option, right?

Beware! The first few results are paid ads that sit at the top of the page by order gatherers. The problem with that is that these third party businesses are set up with the sole purpose of aggressively promoting the hire/sale of the goods/services you are seeking, with the intention to broker your business to local companies for fulfilment. This all happens for a fixed processing fee and commission….but this is not adequately explained when you make your purchase with them.

This isn’t something confined to our industry, this kind of thing is present in every industry on some level I’m sure- I’ve experienced it myself when hiring a car. The issue for florists however is that when you accept and fulfil orders from these so called ‘order gatherers’ you are never able to present your work in the best light. This is because the customer has paid a commission to the order gatherer, on top of the delivery and handling fee. What is left, (a fraction of the customers total spend) is all the executing florist can create the arrangement with. Can they do a $100 arrangement with $60 worth of flowers? As a customer do you think you would be satisfied with that arrangement considering what you have spent?

Flower fails from order gatherer

The customer often has selected a picture from a catalogue and therefore has expectations that the order will look like that on the other end. These catalogues tend to be fairly generic, and do not take into account each florists unique style, or what stock is available to them. This varies greatly, particularly in remote and rural areas. Often substitutions have to be made based on what they have in store, or what is in season.

Order gatherers are sneaky. They have domain names that sound like a little family business using a person’s name in the title like ‘Joanne’s Juicy Blooms’. This conjures up images of a cute little bricks and mortar corner store style set up. The reality is NO STORE even exists. They use names that include the suburb or city you are searching for…surely that means you have gone directly to a local business right? Wrong. They are savvy, and they rely on people making assumptions and being complacent or confused…

Order gatherers give you the impression they are a real store, but they are not.

Look, I’m not sure whether we need order gathers…but perhaps the biggest issue is the feeling that these companies seem to be misleading consumers rather than disclosing all relevant information. If the consumer is fully aware of all the costs and commission amounts that will be deducted from their total spend before the arrangement can be made, AND understand that the order will be forwarded to a local business with no guarantee that the order can be fuflfilled as pictured, then I see no issue. At this point though, order gatherers do not make it easy for the consumer to see what value of their order will actually be translated into flowers.

Many businesses have begun distancing themselves from relay services and order gatherers as they feel they are having a detrimental affect of the industry. Instead they are developing their own floral networks throughout the country so that local businesses can execute the work with integrity.

Florist With Flowers is your local Carlingford florist, we deliver locally and to surrounding areas our own, fresh product.

We do offer relay services and can guide you in your choices when sending flowers elsewhere, explaining what costs are involved in that service.

As a local family run business we rely on word of mouth by providing you with quality fresh flowers and great customer service.

Each order that we execute is potentially our first introduction to a new customer. That means of course we want to put our best foot forwards does every small business, so where possible try to order direct. Shop small. Support small.

Fwf x

Read More