At 1pm on Saturday, September 8th, 2012 - Exotic Flowers favorite author Suzie Canale will be signing and reading from her latest children's book, 'The Candy Roses of Cape Care,'. 

SUZIE CANALE: "The Candy Roses of Cape Care" (Andover)

The Candy Roses of Cape Care is the third installment in The Beantown Tales: Green Series where a group of six cousins rally together to save a magical beach's candy sprouting roses from extinction. Growing every sweet treat imaginable from lollipops to gummy bears, the team must work fast to clean up their sandy shores before pollution threatens to halt the production of an enchanted potion produced by the sea. Keeping in theme with the prequels, The Land of Chocolate Cosmos (winner of the 2011 Green Difference Book by the Massachusetts Green Schools Org and 2011 Honorable Mention by the New England Book Festival) and The Popcorn Hydrangea of Poppingtom, Suzie Canale, the author educates while empowering readers to make key changes within their communities. This book tantalizes tummies with yummy imagery nestled in fantastical worlds. Suzie is also an Exotic Flowers' blogger and our poet in residence.

A surprising and moving novel of fathers and sons, forgiveness and redemption, set in the world of Major League Baseball… A quick read, kind of like a good short story; vintage Grisham. Cannot wait for the movie.

 On vacation but feel like you should be building your business ? Marketing guru, Lou Imbriano sets forth an ideal blue print for growing your business. Many of Lou's ideas are cost effective and easy to implement right away. 

No mystery why this novel remains a best seller. Now in paperback, you have no excuse but to pick up a copy. This is one of the best books I have read in years. If you enjoy baseball and have always wanted to find a great novel, you cannot miss with this book.

Micah Solomon's latest book really hits the mark. He lays a great foundation of customer service applications in the first seven chapters. With real world companies used as models, Micah provides a foundation that businesses of all sizes can implement.
Great takeaways include the importance of a company culture and showing how it really defines your business. Micah's book addresses an important need of creating on line loyalty. This question is asked by brick and mortar stores every day. Micah really understands the importance of quick response, anticipating a client's needs and the need for standards.
From his principles of on line self service to his theme of 'let customers hear from you before they have to ask for anything themselves.' This book will remain on my shelf as a reference/ customer service text book for years to come.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a web presence of any type, no matter how big or small.

: 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.

"In all of the wedding cake, hope is the sweetest of plums."
~Douglas Jerrold

It is the pinnacle of the wedding planning process, one which you must denote serious thought and scrutiny to. What size, shape, style, variety, and color will justly represent your affair? Should there be icing replicas of the bride and groom? Should the design use sugar or real flowers such as gerberas, roses or chocolate cosmos for decoration?  Perhaps the couple is looking for an altogether different theme such as seashells? Is the white vanilla frosting the ultimate in taste tantalization or is the dark chocolate mousse the fork-full that will make your guests melt in their seats? How about the question of buffering your budget by making it yourself or splurging on one of Boston’s award winning bakeries? Have you guessed what this mouth watering bridal task is? Planning your wedding cake of course!

One important issue which is critical towards completing this mission successfully is to solidify a set budget of expense for this sweet desert. Wedding cakes can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand depending on the bakery making it wise to do a fair amount of investigating before committing to a vendor.  If this is an area where you are willing to tighten the belt buckle in regards to expenses, there are numerous recipes for making your own cake with step by step directions on baking and decorating. One resource worth checking out in your local library is the  book, “Wedding Cakes That You Can Make: Designing Baking, and Decorating the Perfect Wedding Cake” by Dede Wilson. Not only are you given clever baking tips, but you are also shown explicit directions on baking, decorating and icing. A second useful resource are specialty wedding sites such as allrecipes.com or lovetoknow weddings which give easy and descriptive recipes for just about any cake imaginable.  If you are interested in previewing your "sweet" ideas, visit Designed by the Bride which allow visitors to design a "virtual" cake to encourage creative thinking within this area.

If your baking skills are somewhat challenged and you own oven mitts which are for display only, consider Konditor Meister of Braintree, Ma or Montillio's of Quincy, Ma to fulfill all of your wedding desert needs. Holding a long standing reputation for their decadent wedding cakes, these ingenious bakers can pretty much replicate any idea, object or theme into edible bridal art. Beach themed weddings can be represented with sand dollar or starfish pieces added to their cakes as well as a sugar constructed sand castles.  Outdoorsy couples can serve guests a forest inspired desert incorporating pine trees or mountain landscapes into the design while the history lovers can marvel at a reconstruction of famous Bostonian landmarks such as the Freedom Trail, the Boston Public Garden or even Paul Revere's house. Taking a picture with you for model purposes is a helpful tip and try to remain open to options suggested to you by the professionals. The possibilities are endless so let your "sweet tooth" creativity run wild. Have fun with this project and indulge in the romance of a scrumptious wedding cake!

The following is an excerpt from "Walking Down the Cobblestone Aisles" - Exotic Flowers Free Wedding Planning ebook.

Chapter 2: Where to Say "I Do"...

"I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, A church filled with family and friends.

I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for,  

He said one that would make me his wife.” ~ Author Unknown

With a multitude of posh hotels, quintessential New England sites and natural attractions, Boston brides can luckily fulfill any dream day wedding wishes that appeal to her!  Perhaps she has always had her heart set on the lavish gold of the Fairmont Copley Plaza or maybe her "dare-to-be-wild" personality draws her to the slopes of Killington Mountain?  From the glamorous city ballrooms  to tented receptions lit by the stars above, there is an ideal location to fit every couple's individuality as well as their budget.  By taking a closer look at the specific vision that appeals to those readying to walk down the aisle (or ski, swim, run), wedding planners can begin to design the model appropriate for them by taking in account their spirit, tastes and cost allowances.  Here are a few suggestions to get the ball rolling...

Boston Hotels~ There is no shortage of enchanting hotels in the Boston area, painting skylines with contemporary architecture and divine antiquity style.   The Four Seasons Hotel, which is centrally located, provides a choice of four rooms, allowing you to choose desired views, style and occupancy accommodations.  Not only will the staff assist you with finding photographers, transportation and decorators, this hotel also offers discounted rates for Friday/Sunday affairs.  The Ritz Carlton is another excellent choice providing visitors with historic grandeur and magnificent views of the Boston Commons.  Couples will also be delighted to learn that a five night complimentary Honeymoon package is included when booking their reception in the grand ballroom.  Other recommended hotels include The Omni Parker House, The Charles Street Inn and The Grand Harbor Hotel.

"Young princess, when you get your wedding ring,

your man is saying she's my queen." ~Nas

Boston Landmarks~ For the bride searching for reception locations which reflect the authentic Bostonian essence, she is in luck!  Landscaped with the stunning gardens of the Boston Commons, galleries such as the Museum of Fine Arts which hang the highest, celebrated art work and the towers of Alden Castle staging the perfect wedding for a prince to his princess, Boston is comprised of beautiful sites which not only tell the stories of our yesteryear but also stand proudly to encompass the beginning of a couple's journey together.   The Old State House of Boson offers the comprised package of luxurious event rooms while also revealing a rich tale of our city's heritage and the Boston Public Library is a desirable location equipped with a courtyard for cocktails and function hall which amply fits 350 guests.  For those interested in the Boston Tea Party, The Odyssey or Spirit Cruise Lines are a fabulous choice to coast these majestic waters which shows crystal clear skylines of Boston at sunset.  Whichever location of historical reference you choose, guests will be enthralled by the interesting atmosphere which of these cherished sites possess.

New England's Natural Attraction~ There are a multitude of reasons why planning an event within a natural setting can be an alluring alternative to traditional venues.   Resorts, function halls, restaurants and hotels rest under restrictions, sometimes creating problematic situations such as room rates, availability and occupancy constraints.  A secret which many couples are unaware of are the natural surroundings that bless New England, including  stunning forests, oceans and even large acreage meadows.  One reason for considering an "earthy" wedding is that nature provides the wedding decor for you.   Rooted paths with wooded landscapes exuding the aroma of sweet pine and silky sands with melodic sounds of crashing waves are available at no cost and are exquisites sights for reciting your "I do's".  Limitless guest space is another positive attribute, as long as it is kept in mind that the  wedding date should not coincide with the months engulfed by New England's Nor'easter season.   Suggested locations include Harold Parker State Forest located in North Andover, Ma,  Long Beach of Gloucester, Ma and Blissful Meadows of Uxbridge, Ma.