Posted by Rick Canale on Tue, Feb 21, 2012
When a music legend like Whitney Houston passes away, the world mourns. From Boston to Belgium, Miami to Milan, the world comes out in droves to show their respect. The above photo shows the public shrine of teddy bears, balloons and flowers all left at the church in memory of this icon. Whitney's music touched the lives of so many and although we see her faults, we also show our thanks for the beauty she let into our world. One of the many wonderful traits of fresh flowers is beauty. One beautiful blossom makes a statement of love and appreciation.
As a Boston florist who specializes in funeral tributes, I must give the utmost praise to whomever chose the flowers and styles for Whitney Houston's funeral. The subtle colors of lilac, white, off white and green are simple elegant and timeless that embody the grace and stature of Whitney Houston the artist.
Two traditional standing easel sprays were chosen to adorn the altar and flank each side of the casket giving the most traditional setting. Like the artist, the look is timeless.
Whitney's casket cover is spectacular. Kudos to the NY/NJ florist who created this masterpiece. The funeral flowers for the casket are the most important feature in any funeral. In the unfortunate event that you need to make funeral arrangements, do not neglect the importance of the flowers for the casket.
Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, Feb 20, 2012
Introduction....
"Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love,
and they blossom when we love the ones we marry" ~ Tom Mullen
Marriage is a wonderful occasion where two people are brought together by a mutual understanding of commitment, loyalty and most importantly, love. For centuries, couples have entered this cherished sanction, legally binding themselves with one another under terms of "in sickness and in health," "till death do us part" and "to love, honor and cherish," in order to demonstrate a promise to weather together all circumstances which life may bring. No matter which region of the world, culture, ethnicity, or era, matrimony has long been recognized as a sacred ritual composed of traditions designed to bless the beginning of a new unity. Each day, couples recite vows towards becoming a single entity with their loved one based on affections of friendship, compatibility and adoration, electing weddings one of the largest practices conducted around the world. With over 2 million marriages occurring yearly in the United States with average costs ranging anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 dollars, the importance of wedding planning has become essential in terms of selecting location, date and event design. The orchestration of collaborating specialty vendors within a cost efficient budget is often experienced as a massive undertaking, causing an abundance of anxiety and stress, two emotions which often interfere with the primary purpose of the initial wedding celebration.
Boston brides, have no fear. Amongst the mile long receipts, cross- fire opinions and endless to-do list that is being prepared, this city holds thousands of hidden treasures just waiting to make your special day spectacular in every way. Many soon-to-be's will become surprised to find the amount of time, energy and money saved just by utilizing creative concepts formidable to your vision of a picture perfect wedding. Equipped with four inspiring seasons, eclectic style, a bustling atmosphere with historic background and a multitude of authentic New England cuisine, walking down the cobblestoned aisles of Boston will be a cinch for the resourceful couples willing to think outside the "matrimonial box".
Posted by Rick Canale on Thu, Feb 16, 2012
If you ever delivered flowers in Boston or any city before, you have heard those words. It shows how much people love to receive flowers. Of course 999 times out of 1000, the flowers are often for someone else.
Exotic Flowers in Boston feels everyone deserves flowers. So we have supplied our drivers with the perfect weapon when someone asks if that Boston flower delivery is for them.
Welcome to the "Are Those for Me ? " card.
Next time you see an Exotic Flowers delivery person delivering flowers. Ask him, 'are those for me ?' That driver will say, 'not quite but these are.' He will then hand you a coupon for three free roses at Exotic Flowers in Boston.
Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, Feb 13, 2012
Although many of our drivers at Exotic Flowers do not look like Ashton Kutcher, they do love their job. Our two senior drivers have been with us for more than 20 years combined.
Delivering flowers in Boston can be stressful, but also rewarding. What better way to share an emotion with someone than handing them a beautiful flower arrangement.
At Exotic Flowers our Boston flower buyers often ask us if they should tip the driver ? Please do. Our drivers do not expect gratuities, but they sure do appreciate them.
Thank you for sharing your Boston Valentine's Day with Exotic Flowers.
Posted by Rick Canale on Fri, Feb 10, 2012
- It all happens in one day. Everyone wants delivery on the day and everyone wants it early.
- Weather - we are at the will of Mother Nature. If it snows, we are screwed.
- Prices - on Valentine's day a florist's rose prices double, of course we cannot double our prices so we work on a much slimmer margin.
- Media types cutting down flowers. Scientific research from Rutgers University proves flowers make people happy.
- Proflowers - their $19.99 street peddler type roses create the wrong image of the importance of receiving beautiful hand delivered arranged flowers.
I would love for my colleagues to share their dislikes too. Please share your comments below.
Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Feb 08, 2012
It has been said that there is a thin line between love and hate. Those of us swept up in the affairs of the heart are all too familiar with this concept, not only from the perspective of how tenuous it is to balance on this particular tightrope, but also in light of the complications that Valentine’s Day can add to the terrain. For some, the opportunity to express romantic inclinations regardless of age (remember back in the day when you used to count up all the little handheld Valentines you received in class?) or the tokens of affection involved (do we ever truly outgrow our fascination with the numerous sayings on a candy heart?) is one we embrace. Other more cynical types decry the occasion as more commercial than Cupid, where the delicate beginnings of a budding romance can be dashed on the rocks as we are forced to send the wrong signals too soon.
Truth is, while most of us have a keen awareness of the occasion and it’s romantic themes, we know little about Valentine’s Day’s origins and history. Hence, an opportunity to play one of our favorite games here at the old Exotic Flowers’ blog, “Fact or Fiction” (although given the nature of the holiday, perhaps “Truth or Dare” might have been more appropriate).
1) Valentine’s Day was an invention of the Hallmark Greeting Card Company to push love-themed paraphernalia for profit. Fiction. First, the earliest mechanically produced Valentines date back to the early 1800’s, prior to Hallmark’s existence. Second, the roots of the holiday are a subject of much debate. The general consensus is that it began as the Roman festival of Lupercalia, a celebration of fertility or the marriage of Roman gods Juno and Hera (depending on who you ask) dating back to the Middle Ages. The “Valentine” aspect was introduced when the Catholic church attempted to de-paganize the holiday by associating a catholic martyr named Valentine with it to create a feast day in his honor, bringing us to Fact or Fiction #2:
2) Valentine’s Day is a tribute to St. Valentine. Fact. Well, sort of. Little is known about the martyr Valentine, and there appears to be more than one in Catholic canon. There are stories of a Valentine who defied the Roman Emperor Claudius’ edict that men not marry (making military recruitment easier) by performing the illegal ceremony for young lovers, an activity he was ultimately executed for. A Valentine dating back to 200 AD is also purported to have helped free prisoners from jail, restored sight to his jailer’s daughter prior to being executed once he was caught helping others escape, and credited with possibly being the first to use the phrase “From your Valentine” in a note written to a female prisoner he had fallen in love with prior to his execution. There is no definitive historical evidence for any of these actions or the Valentines who performed them, hence the removal of the holiday’s status as a feast day from the calendar by the Catholic Church back in 1969 (wasn’t that the Summer of Love? Ironic, huh?).
3) More roses are sold than any other flower on Valentine’s Day. Fiction. I would have guessed red roses trump every other flora on this holiday, but according to History.com, mixed flowers are the number one choice, and according to noted authority and Exotic Flowers in Boston luminary Rick Canale, the number of red roses sold on Valentine’s day seems to decline every year.
4) Valentine’s day is an American holiday. Fiction. The roots of the holiday began in ancient Rome, as we discussed earlier, and iterations of it are observed all over the world, from Asia, India, Europe, and the Middle East, all the way to South America. Some countries have banned the holiday for its Western or “pagan” roots, and some use it to honor friendship or the beginnings of Spring. My favorite connection to the holiday is in South Korea, where on April 14th (Black Day), those who did not receive gifts from secret loves on Valentine’s Day eat black noodles to mourn the absence of love from their solitary existence. I also enjoyed learning about Jack Valentine, a mystical character who was legendary in Norfolk County, England for leaving treats and gifts for children on the holiday. Unfortunately, his presence and practices spooked the children of the region so badly that parents stopped propagating his lore.
Well, once again, Exotic Flowers blog has broadened your mind and helped you take your first steps into a much larger world. Now why don’t you take that newfound wisdom and share it with someone you love, along with one of the many tokens of affection that the Cupid consultants here at Exotic Flowers in Boston offer?
Jonathan Bornstein
On Twitter @Zucrow
www.enjoyeverysandwich.blog.com
Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, Feb 06, 2012
Uniquely Chic Bouquet - always one of our best sellers, this vibrant bouquet is long lasting and arrives in a contemporary clear glass cube. Hot pink and hot orange roses exude passion for this Boston flower delivery.
Dozen Red Roses - A Valentine's Day sure thing, our large head long lasting red roses are grown in Ecuador. If you need red roses in Boston, Exotic Flowers delivers the best. We bring in more than 10,000 red roses for Valentine's Day.
Enchanted Journey - fileld with purple and pink flowers, this Manhattan inspired design sets you apart from the typical Valentines Day flower deliveries in Boston.
Roman Holiday - Purple carnations, red roses, pink roses, all the colors for your Boston Valentine.
Orchid Plants - Some clients look for something that will last a little longer than fresh flowers. Exotic Flowers in Boston will have hundreds of orchids in a variety of colors available for a Valentine's Day delivery.
Posted by Rick Canale on Fri, Feb 03, 2012
On Monday February 6th, 2012 Exotic Flowers in Boston is proud to sponsor The Improper Bostonian's Top 20 Bachelor/ettes in Boston. The event will be held at Mistral on 223 Columbus Avenue in Boston. Along with Joseph Gann Jewelers, VisitFlorida, Equinox, Celebrity Series of Boston and St-Germain, Exotic Flowers allies itself with Boston's hottest and most captivating.
The Improper's list features the fun, the smart, the artistic and the beautiful. From the affable Chief Cheese Griller James DiSabatino of Roxy's Gourmet to the striking Julia Harte Owens of Ridgeway Philanthropy, the Improper lets Bostonians into the lives of these engaging personas. For example, meet Joselin Mane.
Joselin attended Holderness and Northeastern, climbed the ladder at IBM and is now the Cofounder and CEO of BostonTweetUp. Joselin's Twitter stream alone is worth knowing him. He is fun, engaging and informative. Check out this shot as he digs into his goodie bag after being named a top bachelor. (ed. note the beautiful cymbidium orchid in the gift bag is courtesy of Exotic Flowers in Boston).
On the night of the event that honors these charismatic twenty, Exotic Flowers will fill the room with flowers and also create one of a kind corsages and boutonieres for these icons.
Exotic Flowers in Boston - we are always partnering with those who share our vision statement, Reaction Guaranteed.
Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Feb 01, 2012
In the past ten years, flower shops in Boston and the United States have been closing their doors. The population of flower shops is descending at a rapid rate. Rising costs and a withering economy have closed the doors of many Boston florists.
As a Boston florist, we moved out of our Faneuil Hall location in May. The lack of florists is causing a huge void in a city where flowers are so loved. Wisteria is gone from Rowes Wharf. Holbrow's is no longer at government center but now in Quincy. Milk street florist used to be legendary. Anthony Depari, Joe Taibi, and Jack Ramsey of Gould's Florist have all passed away and their shops cease to exist. Winston Flowers is no longer on Boylston Street and moved their Post Office Square to a smaller store near South Station.
I miss the visuals of Dutch Flower Garden on Newbury Street and Harvard Square. Christopher's of Harvard Square in Cambridge was a huge talent that the floral industry and Cambridge suffer from their closing.
Minihane's of Brighton has sold their building and moved into retirement. Kaboom in Brighton has also closed. While B&G Sawin of Brighton remains in business, their storefront is no longer. Dahlia's in Boston also had their property sold and did not find no digs.
Zeeba Flowers in Brookline chose not to find a new location in Coolidge Corner. The Empty Vase and Flora & Fauna in the South End are no longer. Kabloom in the north end, School Street and South Station are all gone.The Boston Flowers Shop in Kenmore Square is gone.
Boylston Street Florist in Boston is gone. Rob Roy in West Roxbury gone for a long time. Flower Loft in Quincy ? Exotic Flowers in Cohasset ? Petal & Leaf in Jamaica Plain.
Where is my pal Kip Seltzer of Selzer's Chestnut Hill ? Rest in peace, Kip.
Rising costs and a poor economy are crushing the small business owner.
At Exotic Flowers, we have five florists in a one mile radius that includes Walk Hill Florist, City Farm, Louie the Florist and Flowerland. This plethora of florists is good for business. Competition breeds success.
Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, Jan 30, 2012
Artistry, photo opps, television star - the art of wedding cakes is fast becoming the pinnacle of your wedding planning. What shape ? What size ? What flavor ? Should my wedding cake have a theme ? Should I incorporate fresh flowers or should I use icing replica flowers ? If I am using real flowers, will the florist use flowers that will not wilt ? Will the flowers poison my cake ? What type of frosting should I choose ? Would my guests like chocolate mousse or vanilla custard ? One poignant question, should I entrust the cake making to friends or hire one of Boston's premier wedding cake bakeries ?
One of the most important tasks for your feature dessert is setting a budget. If you want to cut back on wedding expenses, there are a number of online recipes and step by step instruction for baking your own wedding cake. A great resource I have discovered is called “Wedding Cakes That You Can Make: Designing Baking, and Decorating the Perfect Wedding Cake" by Dede Wilson. Dede shares great tips and explicit directions.
If you do not wish to add any more stress to your wedding day then give Konditor Meister in Braintree a call. Konditor Meister is known for their decadent designs. Another icon in Boston wedding cakes is Monitlio's. The bakers at Montilio's can replicate any idea including their traditional model of Faneuil Hall Marketplace for Harborfest.
Themes for wedding cakes are endless. From Krispy Kreme donut cakes to wedding cakes made to look like sand castles, Boston area bakers love to showcase their talents. If you are a history buff, Boston's historic themes and landmarks offer lots of beautiful icons that be transformed into a wedding cake. The wedding cake can the most fun part of planning your Boston wedding.
Suzie Canale
www.beantowntales.net
On Twitter
@SuzieCanale