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Sincerely
Mark and Stephanie]]> FlowerHaus News http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry080505-054149 mark enriquez Mon, 05 May 2008 12:41:49 GMT http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/comments.php?y=08&m=05&entry=entry080505-054149 http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry070725-114402


Welcome to the FlowerHaus 2.0! As some of you may have heard and/or noticed, the FlowerHaus retail storefront closed its' doors last week. After 5 long years of battling ravaging hurricanes, unresponsive landlords, leaky roofs and Big Box retail giants such as Wal-Mart, Target and Publix who sell loose flowers cheaper then even we pay for them, My husband Mark and I decided that we had "lost the passion" for the retail side of the flower business. So instead of giving it less then a 100% effort, we decided it was best for both ourselves and our loyal FlowerHaus customers if we moved in a direction away from the "traditional" retail flowershop.

We decided to focus on what is really important to our customers; delivering the freshest possible flowers with the highest quality designs. Isn't this what you really want when you purchase flowers for the important occasions in your life? Or when you decide upon a professional to provide focused attention to detail on that most special of days, your wedding? We think so!

The next month or so will be a time for transition for us, but we really feel it's in the best interests of both ourselves and our loyal FlowerHaus customers to make this move. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING ORDERS AND WEDDDING CONSULTATIONS THROUGH OUR WEBSITE AND TELEPHONE. We are adopting the "warehouse" florist model, where we keep our cost down to a minimum so we can deliver the maximum of VALUE and QUALITY (the hallmarks of our success) to our cherished customers.

We will miss our retail shop...my husband Mark and I spent countless hours renovating the space to create a unique environment for shoppers, but the time is right for the FlowerHaus to "grow" (pun intended) into our new skin. Many thanks to all of our fantastic customers for making us the #1 flower shop in Brevard county, and thanks for the memories.

Sincerely,
Stephanie and Mark, Owners
Uniquely Stephanie's FlowerHaus]]> FlowerHaus News http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry070725-114402 mark enriquez Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:44:02 GMT http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/comments.php?y=07&m=07&entry=entry070725-114402 http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry070301-070827 so we put together a quick primer on the different type of styles that the FlowerHaus offers its valued customers...

Hand Tieds

As the name implies this is a collection of flowers, arranged in the hand and then delivered ready to be popped straight into a vase. Usually they'll be delivered in a water bubble so that they stay fresh till the person has time to unwrap them as they cannot stay in the wrapping for longer than a few hours. A great idea for most people, but please note that they are NOT RECCOMMENDED for hospitals, new mums, funerals or sympathy flowers.

Wraps

Some people hate them but if you know a person who likes to arrange their own flowers or don't want to spend a fortune then these are a great way of saying ‘I'm thinking of you'. Arrange in a flat style and usually wrapped in a swathe of cellophane or Kraft paper, they're great for delivery to houses but please note these are NOT RECCOMMENDED for office deliveries, hospitals, or new mums as they need to be put in water fairly quickly after delivery.

Vase Designs

Made into glass or acrylic clear vases these are a wonderful way of sending a profusion of flowers to a special person. The flowers will be delivered in water but it will need topping up and it may be that the florist will line the vase with interesting leaves or textures. Great for office or home delivery, and, as long as an acrylic vase is used, hospitals.

Container Arrangements

Made into floral foam, which provides good moisture facilities, container arrangements can be made into virtually anything … from baskets to funky tin buckets and all points in-between. You can even have a profusion of flowers made into pretty mugs, cool handbags or hat boxes so that there's a prezzie to keep after the flowers have died.
Container arrangements are perfect for every location … and HIGHLY SUITABLE for hospital deliveries. However, only basket designs are suitable for funerals or sympathy gifts.

Planted Bowls

Well actually planted bowls, tins, baskets and boxes. If it can hold soil it can hold plants and the perfect choice for green fingered people who like nurturing something. The choice of plants can either be all green or flowering or a mixture of the two. However the florist will choose plants that work well together to give your gift plenty of texture and long life.

Sympathy Flowers

Funerals are tough at the best of times which is why the flowers you choose are so important to the bereaved. You can either select a formal tribute made onto a foam based shape or a sheaf of flowers, the more natural looking alternative. However please give yourself time though when ordering as you and your florist will want this final goodbye to be absolutely right and it may be that some flowers will have to be ordered in advance.

Wedding Flowers

When it comes to weddings whatever takes your fancy is possible but you need to book early to make sure your the FlowerHaus can fit you in as they won't take too many on one day. You'll usually have to pay an initial consultation fee, refundable when you place your order, and you should ideally have chosen the style of dress and colour theme so that the florist can make suggestions.]]> FlowerHaus News http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry070301-070827 mark enriquez Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:08:27 GMT http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/comments.php?y=07&m=03&entry=entry070301-070827 http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry070205-085156 event could not have been more beautiful. Soon, we hope to have a few representative pictures up to share the event with the world.

[EDIT 2/17/07]Here is a link to the wedding photos...

Interesting enough, however, for my vows I did some research on the history of the Bridal Bouquet and thought I would share my findings with the FlowerHaus bloggers...

Bridal Bouquet - The lore and symbolism of the bridal bouquet.

Flowers are pretty, and they are a lovely accessory for any woman to carry at any time. A bouquet of them ends up in the hands of the bride, however, for other reasons. The bouquet she carries is a symbol of sexuality and fertility. Easily-broken blossoms signify the same characteristics inherent to a woman's virginity. Flowers also testify to fruit-bearing properties and thus represent an emblem of pregnancy promised.

Some flowers are more favored for incorporation into bridal bouquets than others. White flowers alone are traditionally eschewed because of associations between them and death; if white blooms are used, they must be mixed with other colors. But not red (or at least not unaccompanied red). No caution-minded bride thinks of carrying a bouquet made up solely of red and white flowers; that floral combination is a harbinger of death.

The marigold is commonly included in bridal bouquets because its bloom faithfully follows the sun, opening its petals in the sunlight but closing them once the light has gone. This behavior has elevated it to a symbol of constancy and endurance of love.

Early bridal bouquets were often composed of herbs, not flowers. Dill was especially popular, and the bridal dill was served up at the wedding feast to provoke lust. In 16th century England, marigolds (an edible flower) were carried for the same reason.

These days the bride tosses her bouquet away as a way of discerning whom Fate has next selected from all the unmarried females present to be the next bride. Customarily, the bride turns her back on the assembled maidens and flings her bouquet over her shoulder without looking, thus leaving Fate a free hand. (Modern custom now sometimes sees the groom throwing his wife's garter to his unwed groomsmen for the same purpose.)

Catching the bridal bouquet wasn't the only way to determine who was next selected for matrimony; undressing the bride on her wedding night provided the bridesmaids with another opportunity. Whoever was the first to draw one of the bride's pins was said to be next to the altar. Bridal pins, however, could not be kept; they had to be disposed of once they'd served their one and only purpose of holding things fast on that key day. To leave a pin on the bride would bring her ill fortune, so she had to be checked over very carefully.

If the bride (or her principal bridesmaid) stands at the head of the staircase and tosses the right bridal shoe into the crowd of guests assembled at its base, the one who catches it will be the next to marry.

I hope you brides-to-be find my above essay interesting and helps you to understand the long history of the bride's bouquet in a historical context.

- mark]]> Our Weddings http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry070205-085156 mark enriquez Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:51:56 GMT http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/comments.php?y=07&m=02&entry=entry070205-085156 http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry061109-071945
So what does that have to do with the FlowerHaus? We'll, it turns out flowers have a secret language of their own, too, and, thankfully, it consists of a lot less acronyms then the programming one does!

Learn the language of flowers and unlock the mystery! Many popular flowers have a unique meaning, below we've listed several. Now you can easily create a gift with that extra thoughtful touch.

Here is a list of flowers, along with its "secret" meaning.

Amaryllis - Pastoral poetry.
Aster - Daintiness & love. Fidelity.
Azalea - Take care of yourself for me. Fragile passion.
Bells of Ireland - Good luck.
Bittersweet - Truth.
Cactus - Endurance.
Camellia - Admiration. Perfection.
Carnation (general) - Fascination. Love. Distinction.
Carnation (red) - Deep love & affection.
Carnation (pink) - I'll never forget you. A mother's undying love.
Carnation (purple) - Capriciousness.
Carnation (green) - Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Carnation (white) - Sweet & lovely. Innocence. Pure love. Good luck.
Cattail - Peace. Prosperity.
Chrysanthemum - Cheerfulness & rest. You're a wonderful friend.
Chrysanthemum (red) - Love. Good luck & best wishes.
Chrysanthemum (white) - Truth.
Chrysanthemum (yellow) - Slighted love.
Daffodil - Regard. You're the only one.
Daisy - Innocence. Purity. Gentleness. Loyal love.
Delphinium - Open heart. Ardent attachment.
Gardenia - You're lovely. Secret love.
Gladiolus - Remembrance. Sincerity.
Heather - Admiration. Solitude.
Hyacinth (purple) - I'm sorry. Please forgive me.
Hyacinth (pink) - Play.
Hyacinth (white) - Loveliness. I'll pray for you.
Hydrangea - Thank you for understanding.
Iris - Faith. Hope. Wisdom & valor. My compliments.
Ivy - Wedded love. Fidelity. Affection.
Larkspur - Lightness & swiftness.
Lily (general) - Purity of the heart.
Lily (calla) - Beauty.
Lily (tiger) - Wealth.
Lily (white) - Innocence & purity. Sweetness. Majesty.
Lily (yellow) - Gratitude & gaiety.
Lily of the Valley - Sweetness. Return to happiness. Humility.
Magnolia - Nobility.
Mistletoe - Kiss me. Affection. To surmount difficulties.
Orchid - Love. Beauty. Refinement. Wisdom.
Orchid (cattleya) - Mature charm.
Peony - Happy marriage.
Petunia - Your presence soothes me.
Poppy - Eternal sleep. Imagination.
Primrose - I can't live without you.
Rose (bridal) - Happy love.
Rose (coral) - Desire.
Rose (dark pink) - Thankfulness.
Rose (dark crimson) - Mourning.
Rose (lavender) - Enchantment. Love at first sight.
Rose (peach) - Modesty.
Rose (orange) - Fascination. Enthusiasm.
Rose (red) - I love you. Respect.
Rose (pale pink) - Grace. Joy. Admiration.
Rose (white) - Innocence. Spiritual love & purity.
Rose (yellow) - Joy & gladness. Friendship.
Snapdragon - Gracious. Fascinating. Protection from evil.
Stock - Bonds of affection. Promptness.
Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage. Desire to travel.
Sunflower - Power. Warmth. Nourishment.
Tulip (general) - Gift from a perfect lover. Love.
Tulip (red) - Irresistible love. Believe me. Declaration of love.
Tulip (yellow) - Hopeless love.
Violet - Faithfulness. Modesty.
Zinnia (mixed) - Thinking of an absent friend.

Fun!

- mark]]> Random Rants http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry061109-071945 mark enriquez Thu, 09 Nov 2006 15:19:45 GMT http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/comments.php?y=06&m=11&entry=entry061109-071945 http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry061016-092438 Birthdays, congratulations, get well, new baby, thank you, sympathy -- the list can go on and on for occasions to send flowers.

Sending flowers is an easy way to express your feelings, or at least it should be. Sometimes, though, the sender makes it much more difficult than necessary.

Before you pick up the phone to call your florist, take a minute to get organized. Your florist will want the name, address and phone number of the recipient. If you know the recipient will be at work, let the florist know the best time for delivery or a place that the flowers can be dropped off.

If you don't know what kinds of flowers you want to send, help the florist make this decision for you.

A good florist is an artist and loves the opportunity to create something unique. Let her know a little bit about the recipient's personality. Is she dramatic or romantic? Perhaps artsy or outdoorsy? Does he or she have any special interests or hobbies?

If she has a favorite color this can really personalize the arrangement.

If the arrangement is going to be sent to a home, think about what the home is like. Traditional, contemporary, or country, your local florist can create a beautiful design that will fit the surroundings.

Let the florist know whether the recipient is a romantic interest, a good friend, family member or business acquaintance. Florists are experts at expressing your feelings without words and sending the message you intend.

Next, the florist will need to know your budget and how you plan to pay for your purchase. Have a credit card ready so you won't have to search for your wallet or purse while on the phone. No matter your budget, your florist will create something special and unique.

Lastly, the dreaded card message.

It seems to catch almost everyone off guard when the florist asks what the card should say. Think about what you want to say before you call. Write it down and read it aloud to yourself. If you still aren't sure, your florist will be happy to help you.

Because there are so many reasons to send flowers, here is a final suggestion: Supply your florist with dates for special events in your family or business such as birthday's and anniversaries.

As the special day approaches, your florist will contact you with a reminder. You will never again forget or wait until the last minute to make someone you care for feel truly special.

]]> FlowerHaus News http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry061016-092438 mark enriquez Mon, 16 Oct 2006 16:24:38 GMT http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/comments.php?y=06&m=10&entry=entry061016-092438 http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry060812-122627 2 blogs a second are being added to the Internet), but this is how I feel about random blogs.

Our unBlog is here for a very good reason, to let our valued and much loved customers know what's new and happening here at Melbourne Florida's Best Flower Shop / Florist, Stephanie's FlowerHaus! We have become the top wedding florist in south Brevard county and are constantly looking for new ways to meet and help our customers. This unBlog is an effort in that direction to allow us to communicate with potential customers and brides, and allow others to join in, too.

We want to post ideas to help our brides with wedding themes. We want to show off pictures of stuff we have done, and mostly we JUST WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN here. Flowers are so awesome! We really love them, and wish more people would recognize the beauty and power that flowers hold to change people's lives in such a positive way.

We will be talking about flower "industry-insider" stuff as much as possible...there are a lot of things wrong in the floral industry these days, but there are a dedicated group of floral professionals who are fighting to keep the mom n pop floral industry strong and healthy.

Anyway, this is it. It will change on a daily basis, as I have time to work on it. Please, feel free to comment on any or all of the issues that come up here, and if we were lucky enough to be selected as your wedding florist, expect to see pictures of your arrangements and bouquets here online.

Thanks for reading this, and stop by any old time...]]> http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/index.php?entry=entry060812-122627 mark enriquez Sat, 12 Aug 2006 19:26:27 GMT http://www.usflowerhaus.com/unBlog/comments.php?y=06&m=08&entry=entry060812-122627