Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, Apr 15, 2013
Patriot's Day in Boston is filled with an abundance of activities for all Bostonians and New Englanders. From revolutionary battle reenactments to the 11am Red Sox game to the Boston Marathon, this day is a major holiday in Massachusetts. In 2013, Patriot's Day happens also to fall on April 15th. While April 15 is synonymous with Tax Day, this year it is also Jackie Robinson Day. 
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy tells us that 42 is the answer to everything in the universe. Perhaps. But today I just want to share the 42 things we love most about being a florist in Boston in honor of the great Jackie Robinson.
- The Swan Boats
- The Boston Marathon
- Heartbreak Hill
- The Celtics
- The Museum of Fine Arts
- Fenway Park
- The Zakim Bridge
- Arnold Arboretum
- Franklin Park Zoo
- Santarpio's Pizza
- New Kids on the Block
- Paul Revere's House
- The North End
- Bunker Hill Monument
- The Freedom Trail
- Athens of America
- Hospitals in Boston
- Roxbury Latin School
- Sam Adams
- USS Constitution
- The Bruins
- Pizzeria Regina
- Mike's Pastry
- The Public Gardens
- Baked Beans
- Union Oyster House
- The Holocaust Memorial
- Castle Island
- Gardner Museum
- Boston Pops
- JFK Library
- Newbury Street
- The ICA
- Beantown
- Red Sox
- Hubway
- New Edition
- Faneuil Hall
- Walking City
- we 'Pahk ah cahs'
- Forest Hills Cemetery
- Bostonians
of course no tribute to Jackie Robinson we could be complete without recommending the new movie 42.
Posted by Rick Canale on Tue, Mar 05, 2013
International Women's Day is celebrated throughout the world every year on March 8th. The Day traces its beginnings to the early 20th century as a result of the socialist movement. The holiday recognizes the social and political struggles that women have faced for centuries. It is also a chance for us all to show women how much we respect them and appreciate them.
The holiday stirs more emotions in some countries than others. The custom of giving the mimosa flower can be traced back to Italy around 1946. The flowers were intended to be given as a sign of respect and the mimosa's symbolism rivals that of a red rose on Valentine's day.
Mimosa's origin can be traced back to Australia. It arrived in Europe around 1820. The plant is quite invasive and should not be placed too close to other plants. Its blooms are often harvested for cut flowers, honey and oils for perfume. You may recognize the blossom at the premium cosmetic store, L'Occitane en Provence.
Many clients from Russia, Eastern Europe and Italy will often call or email to check on this fleeting flower's availability for March 8th. Mimosa has a lovely scent and Exotic Flowers in Boston will have Mimosa for sale on International Women's Day.
Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Jan 30, 2013
"I mean it's just a bunch of pretty people runnin' around on the beach, ya know. CHANDLER: Well that's the brilliance of it. The pretty people... and the running." Friends
Baywatch was a pop culture phenomenon and remained on television for more than ten years as one of the most popular TV shows in the world. From 1996-1998, Cambridge native Traci Bingham played the role of lifeguard Jordan Tate on the hit show.
After a successful career in Hollywood, Traci has returned to her Boston roots. Traci remains at the top of every A-list in Boston. Actress, reality TV star, spokesmodel and Playboy model, Traci Bingham personifies the Exotic Flowers' vision statement of 'Reaction Guaranteed,'.
This Valentine's Day, Boston's Premier Florist is proud to work with Baywatch Star Traci Bingham as our very own Qupid. Traci loves flowers and really loves the flowers at Exotic Flowers in Boston. One of Traci's recent tweets lavished praise for her recent flowers from ExoticFlowers. ": !!!! .com !!!" You Do the BEST!!"
As Exotic Flowers' Qupid, Traci will be tweeting about Exotic Flowers in Boston and the benefits of having beautiful flowers for the most romantic day of the year. Traci will promote her relationship with Exotic Flowers on all her social media pages as well tweet daily the week of Valentine's Day. Traci will make a personal appearance at Exotic Flowers headquarters at 609 American Legion Highway in Roslindale on Valentine's Day from 2pm-4pm. She will be available for meet and greet, autographs, fan photos and even assist clients in helping select the perfect flowers.
At Exotic Flowers, we continue to be on the cutting edge of the flower business in Boston. We strive to bring new ideas, exciting in store events and the best flowers in Boston.
Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Nov 28, 2012
If Exotic Flowers in Boston wins the $550 million dollar jackpot in Powerball tonight, rest assured your December orders will be filled. Don't worry your Christmas traditions from Exotic Flowers will remain through 2012.
After Christmas however, the staff at Exotic Flowers would be bringing more than beautiful flowers with a half a billion dollars.
- we would have to turn the current flower shop in Roslindale into a year round Boston Botanical Garden which would be free to the public and kept in trust for the flower lovers in Boston.
- local Boston churches, charities and schools who have been so kind to Exotic Flowers over the years will be rewarded handsomely.
- the staff at Exotic Flowers in Boston would be handsomely rewarded and go on much deserved vacation.
- a concerted effort would be made to work with The Women's Locker Room Foundation in helping homeless women.
- and of course there will be lots of free flowers and roses for all our Boston clients until we close the doors.
If you're playing Powerball, keep us in mind when you win. No celebration is complete without flowers.
Posted by Rick Canale on Tue, Oct 09, 2012
Thank you for Frabz.com and my colleague Lisa Greene of Eric's Greenhouses and Flower Emporium of Reading, Mass.
Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Sep 19, 2012
Having worked in a Boston flower shop for more than thirty years, I am proud to share my experience in how to go about being a florist. I always joke that my first job was cleaning geraniums in the Lombardi Florist greenhouses in Roslindale when I was six years old. But you'd be amazed that creating amazing weddings and stunning florals starts at the bottom. My father has been an established florist in Boston for more than sixty years. His best advice has always been, 'never hire anyone who cannot sweep the floor,'.
I strongly suggest starting at the bottom, sweeping floors, cleaning roses, assisting flower delivery drivers. Start as an intern or apprentice in any flower shop. Whether you are in a Boston florist or New York city flower shop, never lose sight that the basics are so important to provide with you a solid foundation for your career choice as a florist. I also believe that your career path as a florist should begin in a flower shop and not in someone's garage or design studio.
I am not knocking the design studio florist. As a matter of fact, some of the most elaborate floral displays and wedding flowers are created in these flower design warehouses. I suggest working in a flower shop because you will be a witness to all types of clients and their unique requests.
In a flower shop, you will learn how to wrap flowers, make corsages, design funeral tributes like rosaries, crosses and heart shapes of flowers. The more every day requests you fill for a client, the greater your skill set will be. You will also be forced to think on your feet when dealing with rushed and demanding clients on the retail sales floor of the flower shop.
Turnover in a flower shop is generally pretty high. New associates often have no idea that the job is so physically and mentally demanding. What the floral apprentice must learn is that paying your dues, working for little starting pay and working holidays can lead to a great career. As florists, we make a difference in people's lives. Florists share emotions. When someone dies, when someone is born, married, sad, celebrating a birthday, falling in love; your local florist becomes a part of your life.
If you cannot wait any longer and your visits to Craig's List are just let down for job openings then get on Twitter and follow @GetFloralJobs. Recently, they posted a job link for a florist in Boston. Check out these requirements, do you have what it takes ?
Ability to work well in fast-paced environment
Completing tasks in an efficient manner
Pleasant manner and outstanding customer service skills
Ability to work well with others as well as independently.
High level of enthusiasm and self-motivation
Team members manage the following responsibilities on a daily basis:
Provide excellent service to customers
Assist clients with product selection
Flower Preparation and Processing
Floral Design
Ability to take phone orders.
Making impressive outdoor displays daily
Please send your availability include hours, from Monday-Sunday. Candidate must be able to work 30-40 hours/wk including at least 1 weekend day.
Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Jul 18, 2012
On Tuesday July 17th, 2012 the Langham Hotel in Boston hosted the Improper Bostonian's Boston's Best Awards. For the event, the floral design staff at Exotic Flowers created dozens of flower arrangements in purple and gold. For the first time, Exotic Flowers was awarded as Boston Best Florist by The Improper Bostonian Magazine. This best florist award has been collected by Boston floral icons Ilex and Winston Flowers in the past. Being recognized as Boston's Best puts Exotic Flowers in great company with places like Pizzeria Regina (best pizza), Legal Seafoods (Best Outdoor Dining), and J.P. Licks (best ice cream).
Being recognized as Boston's best also puts award winners under the microscope. Who is to say that Pizzeria Regina is better than Santarpio's or that Bernard's is better than Seven Star Street Bistro ? Awards like these do create a lot of buzz and recognition and I am certain that many of Stapleton Florist's customers are wondering how Exotic Flowers was considered the best florist in Boston.
Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Jun 27, 2012
#1 Holidays: Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas; most guys in Boston need to cover the bases on Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. These two holidays are the Super Bowl and World Series of flowers. Holidays are great for men, they get lots of national advertising and are always on a guy's radar. Holiday flowers are often the most memorable and can be tied into creating your own memories and traditions.
#2 Funeral Flowers - You may not expect funeral flowers to be the number 2 reason guys send flowers in Boston. Funeral flowers have been scientifically proven to ease the grieving process. Funeral flowers are the backbone of our business at Exotic Flowers. Funeral flowers represent more than 30% of our sales.
#3 Anniversaries - Wedding anniversaries, first date anniversaries, anniversaries of your engagement; these special days are often commemorated with rose purchases. Although not a huge delivery item, most men will walk into our flower shop to grab roses for their anniversary.
#4 Adoration - Guys send flowers to men and women they adore. No mystery there. Some of our top clients order flowers for their favorite person more than twenty times per year. Of course adoration can be viewed in many ways. We also have a handful of clients who will woo love interests with flowers. We often have guys come in who only know the first name of the recipient and they will often include their cell # on the card message in hopes of getting that first date.
#5 Apology Flowers - perhaps the greatest billboard ever created for the floral industry by the Society of American Florists (SAF), 'Exactly how mad is she ?' tells a story in three images. One of the reasons florists have stood the test of time is because guys screw up a lot and flowers are the peace pipe of our generation.
Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Jun 20, 2012
: Transportation...
"Two such as you with such a master speed cannot be parted nor be swept away from one another once you are agreed that life is only life forevermore together wing to wing and oar to oar"~ Robert Frost
The type of transportation that you choose depends on several aspects of your wedding planning including the couple's personality, location and time of year. The exit of the bride and groom from their ceremony and reception is often a memorable one for all in attendance, giving importance to the issue of selecting mobility that reflects both the essence of your matrimonial gathering as well as the symbolism unique to the two people starting their journey together. Another factor to be aware of is New England's predisposition to temperamental weather patterns, which although adored for her changing face throughout the year, can sometimes be unpredictable when it comes to precipitation and temperature changes. Coupes reciting their "I do's" within the Boston area should always take into consideration this safety factor as well as choosing a desired means. By referring to the following guidelines, you will find that this city offers an extensive array of solutions perfect for whisking the new "Mr. and Mrs." off onto their new adventure.
The Limousine~ The limousine is a classic choice, assuring passengers a safe yet luxurious ride to each destination. Generally equipped with mini bars, adjustable temperature controls, moon roofs, comfortable seating and a driver, this type of transportation is the best option for most newlyweds. Not only is the limo appropriate for anytime of the year, it is also reliable for any type of New England weather forecast. Although ancient lure believes that rain is a sure sign of good luck on a wedding day, the bride who is stuck in a sudden downpour without a roof overhead might disagree!
Horse Drawn Carriages~ Horse drawn carriages provide a romantic exit within a fashionable elegance and historic grace. Appropriate for those travelling short distances during the more temperate times of the year, the bride and groom will enjoy a relaxing and soothing ride in the back of a coach, comforted by blankets, champagne and the exquisite views provided by the surrounding scenery. This type of transportation is particularly sensational for countryside or metropolis located affairs.
Classic Cars~ For the past several years, the popularity of classic cars within event planning have grown considerably, appealing to those looking to shake up the wheels of their wedding. Rolls Royce's, Bentleys, Mustangs, Corvettes, and Model T's are both stylish and fun for a fast getaway to the honeymoon. Bon Voyage decor such as streamers, "Just Married" signs and strung cans looks particularly adorable when trailing the tail lights of one of these beauties.
Suzie Canale is a local Boston Author - Purchase a copy of her latest children's book, 'The Candy Roses of Cape Care' at
www.thebeantowntales.com
Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, May 07, 2012
Mother's Day is loaded with traditions. Many children, spouses and friends enjoy lavishing their moms with flowers, greeting cards and breakfast in bed. Mother's Day sees a huge surge in phone calls as well as greeting cards being sent. At Exotic Flowers in Boston, Mother's Day is our busiest week of the year. Second only to Valentine's Day as our busiest day, Mother's Day in Boston has our phones ringing off the hook.
Along with flower deliveries, we get many request for the tradition of wearing a carnation on Mother's Day. Tradition dictates that you wear or carry a white carnation if your mother is deceased and if your mother is alive then you wear a red or colorful carnation. Many churches in the Boston area will give out red and white carnations to their congregations on this day. Other Boston churches will also honor all living mothers with a corsage to wear on that day. Of course no one wore a better red carnation than Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando in Guys 'n Dolls. 
Another popular Boston tradition for Mother's Day has been Lilac Sunday at Arnold Arboretum. This fragrant purple event brings in visitors from all over New England. Weather permitting, this is a must see event and if you're visiting the Arboretum, why not stop at Exotic Flowers flagship florist and garden center at 609 American Legion Highway in Roslindale ?
Even Major League Baseball shows its respect for Mother's Day with its pink bats, cleats, wrist bands and base jewels. 
They have been using these bats since 2006 and then they auction them off with proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Organization.
So whether you send flowers, make dinner, go to a ball game make sure to take care of every mom in your life. It's the least you can do. Thank her.