flower blog

We're excited to see how well our 10th anniversary of Make Someone Smile Week is managing to reach people across the country! ... Read More

It began with leftovers. A group of florists wondered why the flowers left after a florist convention ... Read More

For a second year, Teleflora has announced a new commercial set to air during the Big Game ... Read More

Today's post is from guest blogger Thomas Kinkade, ... Read More

By now, you may have seen Teleflora's Christmas commercial. ... Read More

We like to be a little irreverent and funny in our advertisements ... Read More

Teleflora’s coming to television again ... Read More

The novelist George Sand said: “There is only one happiness in life – to love and to be loved.”

Whether or not you agree, the topic of love and romance has long been rich fodder for storytellers and screenwriters. And, given its universal appeal, love will continue to be explored, celebrated, chased and cherished for years to come. A case in point: This Saturday marks the premiere of the Hallmark Channel original movie “Flower Girl” ... Read More

Turn on the Hallmark Channel next Saturday to see a fairy-tale romance and flowers galore. Marla Sokoloff (“The Practice”) plays Teleflora florist Laurel Haverford in “Flower Girl,” ... Read More

With age comes wisdom … and smart deals for flower fans who are members of AARP ... Read More

Everyone at Teleflora is excited about the new movie “Love Happens,” a romantic drama, starring Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston in which two people who have met the right person at exactly the wrong time will find out if they are able to give love another chance. We’re excited because ... Read More

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (September)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON SEPT. 4, 2009 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON SEPT. 30, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about Sept. 30, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064

If you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz, you’ll want to know about some very cool happenings in honor of the movie’s 70th anniversary.

First, Sept. 29, Warner Home Video will release (on Blu-Ray™ and DVD) the 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition of the film, which has been beautifully re-mastered for today’s viewers.

Teleflora, in partnership with Warner, created a commemorative bouquet to celebrate this special occasion. It’s a great keepsake collectible and makes a terrific gift for any Oz devotee.

The Wizard of Oz bouquet is a hand-painted sculpture of the beloved characters, the Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Dorothy and Toto on the yellow brick road. The arrangement holds a festive array of yellow flowers: chrysanthemums, roses and alstroemeria.

It’s available through a local Teleflora florist or online at teleflora for $64.95.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Entertainment has been celebrating the 70th anniversary The Wizard of Oz for the past year with a slate of festivities, culminating in a spectacular event at Tavern on the Green in New York City on Sept. 24.

I’ll be writing more about this enduring film classic and sharing more details about the festivities next month so be sure to stop by regularly to stay up to date.

Until then, have a great weekend!

Maybe they baked you cookies or read you bedtime stories. Maybe you both have a green thumb or are great with numbers. It’s hard to think of people in your life who are bigger champions of the wonderfulness of you! I’m talking about … grandparents!

Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 13 and it’s a terrific time to let them know how much they mean to you. Of course, there are many ways to express your love and appreciation: a phone call, a card, a letter or a visit. If you’re also looking for a little gift to underscore your affection, consider this special Teleflora keepsake, designed by renowned artist Susan Winget, who draws inspiration from her life on a farm in North Carolina.

Susan Winget’s Songbird Bouquet

As Susan Winget puts it: "My grandparents always held a special place in my heart and it is a privilege to create art that will honor beloved grandparents throughout the world. Celebrating with flowers speaks to the simplest language of beauty and caring."

There are two versions of Susan’s ceramic planter: Susan Winget’s Songbird Bouquet features white roses, spray roses, delphiniums and button-spray mums; the Songbird Planter arrives with a yellow kalanchoe plant and a bird’s nest with eggs.

Susan Winget’s Songbird Planter

Once the flowers are gone, these keepsake containers can hold pens, keys or various plants.

Shawn Weidmann, president of Teleflora, says, "Anyone who recognizes the importance of family bonds will want to send one of Teleflora's new bouquets, reminding grandparents just how important and loved they are."

Stay tuned: Next week I’ll be running a Q&A with Susan about her life on the farm and her artistic inspiration.

Calling all foodies: If you or someone you know likes food and flowers, we've got some exciting news.

Teleflora has three new bouquets inspired by Bravo's hit show "Top Chef" bravotv.com/top-chef and we're running a terrific sweepstakes! Grand prize is two tickets for a weekend in New York City where the winner and guest will have a gourmet meal prepared by a former Top Chef contestant and receive a signed cookbook, chef's hat and jacket.

There are also 10 first prizes: a gift pack that includes a Top Chef cookbook, apron and T-shirt. There is no purchase necessary to enter and the contest runs through the end of the year. For more information, visit: teleflora.com/top-chef-bouquets/teleflora-bravo-top-chef-flowers-sweepstakes.asp.

And don't forget: the new season of "Top Chef" starts on Wed. Aug. 19 so keep your eye out for these stunning bouquets as they receive their 15 minutes of fame!


Teleflora's Top Chef Kitchen Connoisseur Bouquet

Teleflora's Top Chef Culinary Classic Bouquet

Teleflora's Top Chef Citrus Bouquet

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (August)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON AUG. 4, 2009 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON AUG. 31, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about Aug. 31, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Thank you to all who entered the Flower Blog July Sweepstakes. I have drawn the winner's name at random and will make the announcement as soon as I hear back from the person selected. I wish I could send you all free bouquets – alas there is only one winner.

But don't give up hope: the Flower Blog August Sweepstakes starts today. I will keep running these on a monthly basis, so keep the comments coming. After all, comments are like flowers, you can never get enough! :)

Celebrate summer by entering Flower Blog's monthly bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered. The winner for July will be picked in early August. To see the official rules, visit http://www.teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Feeling-lucky-Here's-your-chance-to-win-free-flowers!.aspx.    

Good luck!

Here at Teleflora HQ, we're gearing up for one of our favorite programs: Make Someone Smile® Week, July 19-25. Now in its ninth year, this is a unique chance for the company, suppliers and our florists to give back to their communities.

Florists across the country deliver surprise bouquets, free of charge, to people in need of a smile – in nursing homes, pediatric wards, treatment centers or shelters. “Every year it warms my heart to see the overwhelming response from our florists,” says Rich Salvaggio, vice president of industry relations and publications.

Teleflora donates its keepsake Be Happy® Mugs, wholesalers and growers donate the flowers, and florists donate their time to this terrific program that celebrates the special joy of giving just-because flowers. Florists choose the recipients for the free deliveries.

As we're spreading the word, we're also keeping track of what makes us smile. So far on the list:

Bells of Ireland and hydrangea

Popcorn and peanut M&Ms

Midafternoon breaks for frozen yogurt

Russell Crowe

Madonna

Asking our colleague, Daniel, to do his belly dance

Cat videos on YouTube

"The Office"

Trying new flavors of POM Juice, our sister brand

Care to share? Drop us a note and tell us what gives you a grin. :)

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (July)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON JULY 1, 2009 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON JULY 31, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about July 31, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Today's post is from the trend-setting designers known as the MiGi Girls, Michele Adams and Gia Russo. MiGi and Teleflora have teamed up to create a fabulous line of baby bouquets.




Who doesn’t like receiving flowers, especially unexpectedly? Michele and I have been working with flowers for several years and LOVE them. Whether it’s buying fresh flowers at the local farmers market, receiving them as a surprise or giving them as a gift, flowers will always put a smile on your face.

As designers and lifestyle experts, we are always thinking of unique ways to use flowers. Here are some of our favorite foolproof ideas:

1. Gift-wrapping a present and incorporating a flower adds a beautiful simple touch to any gift. Tuck the flower bloom into the knot of the bow. Choose flowers that are hearty and can sustain being without water. Some floral recommendations are tulips, roses, daisies or even a tropical leaf.



2. Purchasing seasonal flowers by the stem from your local Teleflora florist is perfect for a get well, thank you or hostess gift. To make the bouquet special, wrap the bouquet in piece of tulle or paper (to create a cuff) and tie the bouquet with a beautiful satin or grosgrain ribbon.



3. A potted orchid, hydrangea, tulip, or daffodil from your local Teleflora florist makes a beautiful gift. For a personalized added touch, cover the pot in a piece of fabric and tie a ribbon.

This week marks the launch of a fun new product line for babies (see below), designed for Teleflora by the trend-setting designers known as the MiGi Girls, Michele Adams and Gia Russo.

Flowers are special, almost as special as a new baby! And think how cute these bouquets would look in a nursery or as a decoration at a baby shower. Once the pretty flowers are gone, there's a practical gift to enjoy. The keepsake container becomes a darling toy or a great spot for cotton balls and Q-Tips.

                                                                  

I can't wait to send them to friends of mine who recently became parents. Also, I'm very excited to welcome a series of guest blog posts starting tomorrow from Michele Adams and Gia Russo. Thank you, Michele and Gia, for sharing your creativity and cool ideas!

MiGi's Baby Elephant Bouquet by Teleflora sells for $56.95. MiGi's Baby Circus Bouquet by Teleflora is $46.95. The bouquets will be featured at chic events this summer; I'll keep you posted on when and where.

Did you know prostate cancer affects one in six men? In honor of Father’s Day Teleflora has joined forces with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and a portion of sales proceeds from Teleflora’s baseball-themed bouquets will go to the organization to raise funds for research.

Did you know prostate cancer strikes one out of six American men? To help raise funds for research, Teleflora is teaming up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). A portion of the sales proceeds from Teleflora’s new baseball-themed bouquets Big Hit and Play Ball (below) will go to the organization. Teleflora is also running its Triple Play sweepstakes June 1-26. The grand-prize is a three-day baseball journey for two. If you're looking for a Father’s Day gift, flowers make a refreshing change from ties and slippers.

One of PCF's goals is to spur discussion about prostate cancer and men's health and a blog is an ideal home for that. Chef and PCF Consultant Beth Ginsberg kindly agreed to participate in a Q&A about healthful eating.


                      BETH GINSBERG

Q How can we eat right while traveling, ie restaurants and airports? 
A Nowadays eating "on the fly" is a lot easier. Most airports do have healthy choices or at least "healthier choices." Even chain restaurants at airports have calorie counts. When traveling, ask for a low-fat protein and veggies. Whole grain bread on sandwiches, mustard rather than mayo. Water rather than soda. Dark chocolate rather than a candy bar. You can do this. Not eating right is an excuse to be bad.

Q What do you say to people who don’t make an effort to eat healthfully on the basis that health issues may be largely genetically determined?
A I equate not eating healthy with cigarettes. Why would you want to do something that is harmful to yourself? Would you put sand in your engine rather than gasoline? Some people do not want to change bad habits until it is too late. It is personal choice, that is what I say. Now what do I think...guess! 

Q What’s your opinion on taking vitamin supplements?
A I am not big into supplements. I believe in eating my nutrients. It is great to eat fruits, veggies, nuts, flax (except for protein powder to support lean muscle mass).

Q Do you agree that it’s good to indulge a craving now and then so that you don’t feel deprived?
A Take Saturday night and Sunday off, indulge in your food fantasies and then back on track Monday morning.

Q What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
A Red wine and dark chocolate of course!

Teleflora's Big Hit bouquet is bound to delight Dad.

Did you know prostate cancer strikes one out of six American men? To help raise funds for research, Teleflora is teaming up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). A portion of the sales proceeds from Teleflora’s new baseball-themed bouquets Big Hit and Play Ball (below) will go to the organization. Teleflora is also running its Triple Play sweepstakes June 1-26. The grand-prize is a three-day baseball journey for two. If you're looking for a Father’s Day gift, flowers make a refreshing change from ties and slippers.

One of PCF's goals is to spur discussion about prostate cancer and men's health and a blog is an ideal home for that. Chef and PCF Consultant Beth Ginsberg kindly agreed to participate in a Q&A about healthful eating. Check back Monday for Part Two.


                    BETH GINSBERG

Q Do you have some general guidelines for the healthiest ways to fuel your body and feel satisfied? Is there one golden rule?
A My golden rule: Eat foods that contain no additives, chemicals or preservatives. Try to buy organic when possible and in budget. Eat an array of colorful fruits and veggies everyday. Eat whole grain products and stay away from useless calories like sodas, chips, candy.

Q Are there any foods or food groups that should be avoided all together?
A This is really an ingredient issue rather than a particular food group. Foods that contain senseless calories and harmful ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup and artery clogging fats should be avoided.

Q Are there any foods or food groups that men in particular should make a point of eating?
A Lots of vegetables and fruits such as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy brussel sprouts. Tomatoes, especially cooked tomatoes for the lycopene. Whole grains and high fiber cereals such as oats. Walnuts, almonds and flax seeds. Low fat proteins, wild fish high in omega 3 fatty acids. Live a little, have 1 glass of red wine per night with a piece of dark organic chocolate.

Q Is it true that grazing, ie eating smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to a few large ones, is easier on your body? And is late-night eating a no-no?
A It's way better to eat five smaller meals. That way you stay full and learn portion control which is essential to stay at a proper weight. I am not big on eating a night for a few reasons. Normally when people eat at in the evening it is some form of empty calories such as sweets, chips or something fattening and not nourishing. When you are sleeping you do not burn calories. If you must eat at night try some protein powder in water to fill yourself up. That is what I do. It helps maintain healthy muscles and fills me up. Try to have a low-fat dinner rich in vegetables, whole grains and a low fat protein so you are not hungry at night.

Q We know that portion control is key to maintaining a healthy weight and yet that is often easier said than done. Do you have any advice for being full on less?
A Here is a trick to eating less and being full. Try having a leafy green salad with a low-fat dressing (the dressing is what contains all the calories) or a bowl of a low fat soup before a meal. This will fill you up and you will eat less. Stay away from the bread on the table!

Teleflora's Play Ball bouquet will catch Dad's eye and provide a handy container after the flowers are gone.

Proving that flowers make any event more elegant, arrangements from Teleflora caught several guests' eyes at a recent VIP gathering.

At the Byron and Tracey Salon in Beverly Hills, the focus was on looking good, feeling fab and welcoming summer. Celebrities, including Rosario Dawson, Amanda Peet, Ali Larter and Abigail Breslin, were on hand to mix, mingle, sample cool products and indulge in luxe treatments like volumizing blow-outs.

To see more photos, visit: http://ow.ly/aXbi or http://ow.ly/apjw.

Welcome summer by entering Flower Blog's monthly bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered. The winner for May will be picked on or around June 6. To see the official rules, visit http://www.teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Feeling-lucky-Here's-your-chance-to-win-free-flowers!.aspx.    

Good luck, flower fans!
 

With weddings in full swing and Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s an ideal time to think about men and flowers.

First, in honor of Dad’s big day, Teleflora is teaming up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), to help raise funds for research. A portion of the sales proceeds from Teleflora’s new baseball-themed bouquets, Big Hit (see below) and Play Ball (bottom image) will go to the organization. Teleflora is also running its Triple Play sweepstakes June 1-26. The grand-prize is an all-expense-paid, three-day baseball journey for two, including tickets to two major league games, plus the chance to watch pre-game batting practice (retail value of $3,000).

I’ll talking more about this partnership and the contest in the next few weeks. And I have some great guest bloggers lined up to talk about raising awareness of prostate cancer, which strikes one out of six American men.

In the meantime, if you’re involved in planning a wedding or special event where men will be wearing boutonnieres, this is a chance to have fun and get creative. But don’t feel you have to wait for a big event. A boutonniere is also a super way to honor a special guy – Dad on Father’s Day – or taking your boyfriend out for dinner on his birthday. It tells the world something special is happening!

When you work for a flower company, it's a little hard to forget about Mother's Day. But for everyone else, it does happen.

And if you're pressed for time, buying flowers online is the expedient and elegant answer. All you have to do is choose a bouquet, fill out some info and you're good to go. Lovely flowers are a luxury for Mom and you don't have to guess her size, hope that someday she'll use that hi-tech gadget or work her way through a hefty bottle of new perfume.

Check these out for instance. All these bouquets can be used over and over again, once the flowers have faded. Sweet. And a bonus: Both of you will be entered in a $20,000 shopping spree!

So act now and show Mom she means the world to you, even if you're a little late with your shopping.

	Orchid Teacup Bouquet by Teleflora $46.95

	Teleflora's Polka Dots and Posies $39.95

	Teleflora's Daisy Colander Bouquet $56.95

	Teleflora's Spring Pitcher Bouquet $56.95

Her to-do list never ends. She’ll bail you out in a heartbeat. No one else makes lasagna quite as good as hers. She’s aces at the whole forgive-and-forget thing. When you were growing up, she had quite the resume: 24/7 teacher, chef, laundress, seamstress, day planner, entertainer and diplomat extraordinaire as well as on-call nurse, part-time chauffeur and full-time cheerleader. Even today, she’s a PR mastermind at touting your achievements!

For all our moms do, from making us laugh to making us better people, here’s to making their day with flowers. Oh, and btw, she still has that picture of you running around the back yard with your diaper falling down. Stay on her good side and make sure that “adorable” shot does not garner a wider audience -- don’t forget to call her this Sunday and see how she liked the bouquet. :)

Check out these pix if you still need inspiration. We love to see smiling moms so if you have some memorable photos, from this weekend, from 1958, 1979, 2002 or any great time with Mom, send them in and share!

 
Jay Dargan receives flowers designed by Sterling's Floral Design at 18252 Dallas Parkway, in Dallas, TX, 972-447-9151.


Pink blooms were clearly a hit with Stacey Harari. Her flowers were arranged by Petals & Stems at 13319 Montfort in Dallas, TX, 972-233-9037.


Flowers from Petals & Stems in Dallas helped create a special moment for Madelyn Gilley this Mother's Day.
 

On Teleflora.com, our Mother's Day shopping guide identifies various types of moms - for example, Super Mom, Gourmet Mom, Modern Mom, Classic Mom, etc. On the blog, I'm highlighting a series of real moms who exemplify each one of the categories.

Finding support and sharing common experiences has been a recurring theme for many of our real mom bloggers. And that's certainly true for today's Modern Mom Jennifer James, editor of the Mom Salon, http://www.themomsalon.com/.  

As Jennifer puts it: "I began blogging in 2004 because I needed to find community online. I was desperate for it. I was a mom with two toddlers and was going a little batty. I simply needed to talk with other mothers who were going through the same things I was and who also needed an outlet to share, network, and communicate."



Five Minutes with a Modern Mom

Q What was the biggest surprise for you as a mom?
A My biggest surprise as a mom is that it's not as tough as I thought. So far I've been able to manage motherhood quite well (knock on wood) and still remain committed to who I am as an individual and as a woman who still has ambitions in life. I wouldn't change a thing.

Q Tell me about a tough choice you made as a mom.
A One of the toughest choices I made as a mom was to start my own business. Being a businesswoman means sometimes I have to travel away from my family and I have to make sure some of my work is done before I can play with my daughters or just come together and share our day.

Even though it was a tough choice, I wouldn't change it for the world. I want my daughters to see me as a strong woman and mother. It is important to me to show them a good example of someone who values hard word, ingenuity, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Q What is your favorite piece of parenting advice and how did you acquire it?
A I have no idea where I heard this, but it has been with me for years: If your children know how to read well and know how to travel, then they will make it far in life.

Education is important to my husband and me, and we are raising daughters who ardently believe in the gift of traveling and exploring new places. I believe those two things will make them well-adjusted adults.

Q What inspires you?
A I am inspired by creativity and beauty.

Q What’s your favorite gadget?
A I have one gadget that I do not live without: my Peek. If there is one thing I believe, it's this: There is beauty in simplicity. My Peek does nothing but email, so when I'm traveling I can check my email only without all the bells and whistles of taking pictures, using the phone, getting on the Internet, etc.

I like simple.

Imagination Blooms puts a unique, modern twist on Mother's Day flowers.
 

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (May)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON MAY 7, 2009 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON JUNE 6, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about June 6, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 
 

On Teleflora.com, our Mother's Day shopping guide identifies various types of moms - for example, Super Mom, Gourmet Mom, Classic Mom, etc. On the blog, I'm highlighting a series of real moms who exemplify each one of the categories. 

"I’m a writer trapped in a mom’s body and I love it," says Super Mom Kathryn Thompson, a Seattle-area mother of two, who is expecting a third child. "I blog to capture the small moments of motherhood and to let other women know that they’re not the only ones baffled by and enamored with this strange new world of people-growing."

Catch up with Kathryn on a regular basis on her blog Daring Young Mom, www.daringyoungmom.



Five Minutes with a Super Mom

Q What job, prior to motherhood, best prepared you for being a mom?
A Serving food in the football players’ cafeteria during college. It was messy and frequently thankless but I had tender feelings towards the people I was serving.

Q What’s a lesson your child(ren) taught you?
A My children have taught me to keep trying no matter how many times I fail and that even if I fail completely, I’m not a loser.

Q What’s the greatest gift you hope to give your children?
A I want my children to know that they are loved and that they are worthy of all that love and more.

Q What is your favorite piece of parenting advice and how did you acquire it?
A Always say ‘yes’ unless you have a reason to say ‘no’ and are willing to explain it. My mom taught me this by example. I knew that ‘yes’ was her default answer so when she said ‘no’ it didn’t sting as much and knew that I could always ask why.

Q What inspires you?
A I am inspired by people who are comfortable in their own skins, who know their limits and are not constantly apologizing for them.

Q What would you do with a spare half-hour?
A Normally I’d take a spare half-hour to write but during this pregnancy any spare time is spent sleeping while the baby sucks the life force from my being.

Teleflora's Pink Wink will show Mom how much you appreciate her constant love and support.
 

On Teleflora.com, our Mother's Day shopping guide identifies various types of moms - for example, Super Mom, Gourmet Mom, Modern Mom, Classic Mom, etc. On the blog, I'm highlighting a series of real moms who exemplify each one of the categories.

In the spotlight today is Modern Mom Kelcey Kintner of The Mama Bird Diaries, http://www.mamabirddiaries.com/.  

Here's why she picked up a pen, figuratively speaking, of course: "I started blogging because as a former TV reporter/anchor, I really missed that daily creative outlet. Blogging allows me stay at home with my girls and pursue my non-fiction, humor writing. Plus, I love being a part of the parent blogging community."



Five Minutes with a Modern Mom

Q What was the biggest surprise for you as a mom?
A I knew my life would change but I just didn't realize how much I would change. Motherhood altered me forever. I worry more and stress more but love more deeply. I can't even imagine a life without out these two dazzling, beautiful little girls. They are my everything. And the things I used to worry about just seem so silly now.

Q Tell me about a challenge or a tough choice you made as a mom.
A My husband and I made the decision to change our daughter's name at 8 months old. I knew early on that the name just wasn't the right fit but I thought people would think we were crazy if we changed it. We finally went ahead and I have never regretted it for one moment. We changed her name from Presley to Summer. And she is perfectly Summer.

Q What is your favorite piece of parenting advice and how did you acquire it?
A Pick your battles. Yesterday, my daughters wanted to have their pudding dessert while they sat in their bubble bath. At first, I said no and then I thought, heck why not?! And they loved it. And my older daughter went to school for two months in the same Dora nightgown (I washed it nightly). At the end of the day, I would rather support their creative, free spirit and put my foot down about important things... like they have to hold my hand when we cross the street.

I'm sure I acquired the advice from other moms. That's where the best advice comes from. Those parenting books never helped me much at all.

Q What inspires you?
A My 4 1/2 year-old daughter inspires me when she takes the time to smell every tulip on the 20 minute walk to school (and there are A LOT). It inspires me to take the time to appreciate life. I am also inspired by compassion. When I see others doing good things or treating people with tremendous kindness, I am inspired to follow their lead.

Q As a Modern Mom, you typically have a very full plate and are juggling a number of different jobs. What’s your favorite way to de-stress and recharge?
A Honestly? Eating leftover Easter candy while watching "Gossip Girl." It takes a strong woman to admit that. Yoga also really helps me de-stress if I can drag myself to the gym. And blogging helps me recharge as well. It gives me the chance to focus on my own thoughts and creativity and it leaves me feeling very fulfilled.

Floral Fantasia makes a fantastic addition to any Mother's Day celebration.
 

Don't forget: this Sunday, May 10, is Mother's Day! If you're scrambling for the perfect gift, consider Mother's Day flowers. They're fresh, fragrant and super easy to send, with no worries about color, size, fit or calories.

Teleflora's fun Moms shopping guide will ensure that you make the best choice when you buy flowers for Mother's Day. The kinds of moms include Classic Moms, Super Moms, Stylish Moms, Down-to-Earth Moms, Gourmet Moms, Modern Moms and of course Grandmothers.

Meanwhile, I'm profiling real-life moms, who also run blogs, and talking to them about motherhood.

Today, meet  Super Mom Dee Dee of http://fiddledeedee.net/, http://reviews.fiddledeedee.net and http://twitter.com/fiddledeedee.  

Why did she start blogging? "Three years ago, my husband came home to find me face down on the carpet, fetal position, talking to myself. 'You need a blog,' he quipped. 'What’s a blog?' I asked, secretly hoping it was a drink adorned with a tiny umbrella. The isolation of staying at home while raising 3 small children was taking its toll. Thus, Fiddledeedee.net was birthed.

"I quickly discovered my people. There were lots of other moms out there in the same sinking boat that I was in. My blog has morphed into a place where moms from all walks of life can come, prop up their bunny-slippered feet, and laugh at our predicaments. Because after all, laughter is way cheaper than therapy."



Five Minutes with a Super Mom

Q What job, prior to motherhood, best prepared you for being a mom?
A I lived in Los Angeles for 10 years prior to getting married and having children. I supported myself for a time as a children’s entertainer at celebrity parties. I played Cinderella, Snow White, the Little Mermaid, and even put in some time as Big Bird. I learned the art of story telling, making balloon animals, face painting, and cutting with precision, a small portion of cake. It was at this time that I also perfected the “stink eye.” You know, that look you can give a kid that stops them dead in their tracks. Only now I don’t have to follow it with, “if you pull my tail one more time, I’m going to sit on you.”

Q What’s a lesson your child(ren) taught you?
A Never ever turn your back on the 4-year-old while he’s in the bathroom. He has been known to stick his head in the toilet and flush himself. He has also been caught licking the seat. I still shudder.

Q What’s the greatest gift you hope to give your children?
A That they can rest in the knowledge that their parents will always love them and accept them, no matter what. No matter how crazy they make us.

And my husband and I rest in the knowledge that when we’re old and gray, we will live with them, and they will have to drive us around. While we sit in the backseat and bicker with one another.

Q What is your favorite piece of parenting advice and how did you acquire it?
A When I attended a MOPS group some years ago, a woman whose children were all grown up came and talked to us. I’ll never forget the tears in her eyes, when she said, “I would give everything I have, just to have my one more day with my children when they were young.”

Enjoy them while they’re little. In the blink of an eye, they’ll be gone. Sob. Sob.

Q What inspires you?
A Large amounts of caffeine. Friends. Laughter. And if I can have all three at once, I’m golden.

Teleflora's Strikingly Chic bouquet features a burst of bright fresh flowers, including roses, dahlias and gerberas.
 

Five Minutes with a Stylish Mom

Q How do you stay in touch with your inner-fashionista? Any great comfy-shoe ideas or time-saving style tips?
A

Teleflora's Posh Pinks is a great idea for any fashionista.
 

It's all about moms (for once!) on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10. So make her day special with Mother's Day flowers.

Teleflora's Daisy Colander Bouquet will brighten up a kitchen counter after the flowers are gone.

Teleflora has launched a fun shopping guide to help you buy flowers for Mother's Day. The kinds of moms include Classic Moms, Super Moms, Stylish Moms, Down-to-Earth Moms, Gourmet Moms, Modern Moms and of course Grandmothers. We know not everyone fits easily into a category, but it's nice to have a little guidance when choosing which flowers best reflect her personality.

In conjunction with launching the guide, I'm profiling real-life moms, who also run blogs, and talking to them about motherhood. Get to know them, visit their blogs and if you know an amazing mom, drop me a line and tell me about her.

Today, I'm talking to Gourmet Mom Anne-Marie Nichols. Anne-Marie is a blogger and social media consultant. She runs The Write Spot Blog Network, which includes: http://www.amamasrant.com/, http://www.myreadablefeast.com/, http://www.thismamacooks.com/, http://www.thismamacooks.net/.  



Five Minutes with a Gourmet Mom

Q What surprised you most about being a mom?
A The range of emotions I go through in a single day. There are times when I’m so frustrated with my kids or the situations they put me in like when they’re sick or when they’re being naughty. Then moments later, they make me laugh and I look into their eyes and realize how happy I am that they are here on Earth and part of my life.

Q Tell me a lesson your child taught you.
A If you can make people laugh even when you’re doing something very bad, you can get away with it. Sticking French fries up your nose isn’t socially acceptable and hardly good manners. But boy is it hilarious.

Q Who are your cooking/gourmet idols or role models?
A First, there’s Julia Child and James Beard for inspiring my mom to be such a wonderful cook who made everything from cherries flambé to escargot in the shells. Then there’s my dad for refusing to ever eat a bad meal after serving as a private in the Army in World War II. There is nothing my father liked better than good food prepared well, and for a skinny man, boy did he eat!

Both my parents exposed my sister and me to all kinds of foods and amazing meals both at home and in restaurants. And they appreciated ethnic food from their own backgrounds – Jewish, French, and Greek – as well as food from other cultures. My husband and I continue this tradition with our children and go out for dim sum, pho noodles, Greek food, tapas and American classics like barbecue and pub grub.

Q What’s your No. 1 piece of advice for cooking with kids?
A Don’t look when they’re using sharp knives. They are not going to cut off their fingers, and staring at them cutting things will only freak you out.

Q What would you do with an extra half-hour of spare time?
A Read a book for pleasure, not work. I love historic fiction, but adore culinary memoirs – a cookbook and a novel all in one!
 

Plain and simple, moms rock!

They do so much, they give so much, they teach us so much, 24/7, 365 days a year. Their collective compassion and common sense is enough to make the world a way better place. So, never miss an opp to say, "Thanks, Mom. I love you," especially on Mother's Day itself, which is Sunday, May 10. And to convey that grateful, loving feeling in visual form, you know you can count on flowers to do the job.

But there are sooo many Mother's Day flowers to choose from (that's a good thing, but still ...). And motherhood has evolved so much since the days of June Cleaver or Marion Cunningham that today there's no such thing as a typical mom (that's an even better thing ...).

So to make your shopping easy, Teleflora has launched a fun shopping guide to help you buy flowers for Mother's Day. The kinds of moms include Classic Moms, Super Moms, Stylish Moms, Down-to-Earth Moms, Gourmet Moms, Modern Moms and of course Grandmothers. We know not everyone fits easily into a category, but it's nice to have a little guidance when choosing which bouquet best suits her unique personality.

In conjunction with launching the guide, I thought it would be fun to profile some real-life moms, who also run blogs, and talk to them about motherhood. I've read their answers already, of course, and I'm very excited to introduce you to some smart, funny, eminently capable and pretty amazing women. Check out their answers, visit their blogs and if you know an amazing mom or two, drop me a line and tell me about her.

First up is Modern Mom Christine Koh. Christine is a music and brain scientist turned freelance writer, editor, and designer. She is the founder and editor of Boston Mamas, the designer behind Posh Peacock, and writes a personal blog at Pop Discourse. She resides in the Boston area with her husband and 4-year-old daughter. Her blogs can be found at: http://www.bostonmamas.com, http://www.poshpeacock.com, http://popdiscourse.com.  



Five Minutes with a Modern Mom

Q What was the biggest surprise for you as a mom?
A I was surprised by how generous motherhood made me -- not just towards my daughter (which was something I had anticipated) but towards other people in my life. I'm a generous person in lots of ways, but also can be very protective of my time.

Laurel's healthy arrival (after a somewhat traumatic delivery) really knocked things into perspective for me in terms of how very tremendous life is -- the miracle of it in general, and how fortunate I am for the relationships I have in the now.

For example, this played out in an inter-generational context in a significant way; Laurel was 4 months old when my dad was diagnosed with cancer -- we learned of the diagnosis literally the weekend before I was scheduled to return to work full time from maternity leave.

I talked the situation over with my husband, then immediately called my boss and told him I was only coming back to work part-time (with an eventual plan to ramp up back to full time later in the year).

It was a move I doubt I would have made pre-motherhood; reduced time is frowned upon in academia because the publication clock is always ticking. On the one hand, I was surprised by how quickly and dramatically my role as a mom changed my perspective; in other ways it felt totally natural and intuitive. And it was incredible to be able spend so much time with my parents and Laurel; my dad died 7 months later -- I miss him tremendously but feel very much at peace about our relationship.

Q Tell me about a challenge or a tough choice you made as a mom.
A Honestly, no challenges or tough choices in the traditional sense come to mind. But what has been weighing on me a lot is privilege. We don't live extravagantly but we live well and have all the basics we need. And so do those around us for the most part. But my growing up was not like this; I'm the 6th of 7 children and didn't even really know that toys existed until I received my first stuffed animal when I was 5, after I got my tonsils out.

I want to instill in Laurel the understanding that we are truly blessed to have what we have in our lives and shouldn't take it for granted - but in a way that makes sense and is reasonable for a 4 year old. Essentially, my challenge is to translate these messages without unfairly loading my personal childhood baggage on my daughter.

Q What is your favorite piece of parenting advice and how did you acquire it?
A Trust your instincts. It wasn't until I became a mother, actually, that I suddenly started having really strong instinctual reactions. And I found that things worked so much better when I followed - instead of resisted - my instincts. So I started trusting my instincts in other areas of my life other than motherhood -- even when from a rational, linear perspective the choices didn't make sense. Following my instincts has served me enormously well both in personal and professional ways.

Q What’s the greatest gift you could give your child?
A Unconditional acceptance and support. I spent so many years of my childhood and adulthood constrained into boxes laden with expectation; most notably as a violinist (I studied for 20 years, performed solo recitals, etc.) and as an academic (I earned my Ph.D. then did my postdoctoral fellowship at Mass General Hospital/Harvard Medical School/MIT). When I let go of both of those trajectories, particularly the academic path, I felt very certain I was making the right move (this is where the aforementioned instincts came into play) but of course I was wondering about the expectations of the "grown ups" in my life.

At the point when I was making my major professional leap, my father was gone; I'm not sure whether his passing contributed to her response, but my mother gave me the best gift she could ever give me: her blessings and encouragement to do what brought me joy. I want to give that same gift to my daughter; I want her to follow her passions, even if it means swimming against the tide at times.

Q As a Modern Mom, you typically have a very full plate and are juggling a number of different jobs. What’s your favorite way to de-stress and recharge?
A There are three major things that help me de-stress and recharge. The first is a night out with my husband. I am so grateful to have such a fantastic, thoughtful, and funny partner in life and we need our nights out as grownups.

Second is time with my girlfriends. I'm blessed to have a lot of amazing girlfriends in the area, some who reach back as far as elementary and middle school. They are my confidantes and have accepted me through all the good and bad. And third is self care in the form of exercise and occasional massages and pedicures. The former I do regularly, the latter I wish I did more regularly!
 

* Not sure just what kind of flowers to buy? Let Teleflora's Shopping Guide do the work. Whether your mom is a Super Mom, Modern Mom or Gourmet Mom, you'll find the perfect bouquet.

* On Flower Blog, I'm really excited to introduce you to some real moms who exemplify these categories. I reached out to mom bloggers around the country and asked them to discuss the many facets of motherhood. I will start sharing their answers with you this week. If you are a mom blogger or you know of any mom bloggers who want to participate, send her my way! It's been really fun reading their entries so far and I can tell you they are smart, funny and generally pretty amazing.

* And if you love to shop until you drop with Mumsy, you'll love this: Teleflora is also running a Mom’s Shopping Spree Sweepstakes. The grand prize is a $20,000 shopping spree; first and second prizes will be shopping gift cards. How cool is that?!
 

We all like to know we're doing a good job, especially when you're doing so many jobs and wearing so many hats. Can you guess who I'm talking about? Professional Secretaries, of course!

Sir Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." And I think secretaries and executive assistants, these hard-working office stalwarts, know that truth perhaps better than anyone else.

You have to give your all to juggle so many projects, arrange so many meetings, attend to so many crucial details and keep so many people happy.

If you run an office or team, think for a second about life without a secretary or assistant. Not a happy thought for most people. If that's the case for you, don't forget to say thanks and show your appreciation. He or she is probably too busy to have lunch so why not reward a job well done with flowers?

I think this one is stunning and would brighten any desk or cube. Want to see more? There are plenty more where that came from. Just visit:

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (April)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON APRIL 7, 2009 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON MAY 6, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about May 6, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 
 

Thank you to all who entered the Flower Blog March Sweepstakes. I have drawn the winner's name at random and will make the announcement as soon as I hear back from the person selected. I wish I could send you all free bouquets – alas there is only one winner.

But don't give up hope: the Flower Blog April Sweepstakes starts today. I will keep running these on a monthly basis, so keep the comments coming. After all, comments are like flowers, you can never get enough! :)
 

Don't forget to enter Flower Blog's monthly flower bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered. The winner for March will be picked on or around April 6. To see the official rules, visit www.teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/It's-that-time-again-a-chance-to-win-flowers.aspx. Good luck, flower fans, and enjoy your spring bouquets.





Lilies are the birth flower for May and the 30th wedding anniversary flower. Lilies of the valley are the 2nd wedding anniversary flower.
 

After a long and relentless winter in many parts of the country, most folks are ready to celebrate spring! And with Easter right around the corner (April 12) why not welcome the season with a beloved tradition for kids and adults: Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit.

Since 1996, as part of its licensing agreement with ©Frederick Warne & Co., Teleflora has featured a bouquet with this adorable bunny and this year’s arrangement, full of fresh spring flowers, is especially cute. After the holiday, the container makes a perfect cookie jar.

Peter Rabbit’s literary legacy stretches back more than 100 years, to 1902, when Potter published “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” In 1903, Potter showed that she was a keen merchandiser as well as a gifted artist by making Peter the first patented soft toy; he’s now the oldest licensed character.

She published another 22 small-format books and worked with the UK’s National Trust to preserve the beauty of the Lake District, in Northern England, before her death in 1943. To learn more about her life and her art, visit www.peterrabbit.com.  

Teleflora’s bouquet is a great reminder to introduce a child in your life to Potter’s unforgettable series of books with their charming stories and lovely illustrations or to bring back your own fond memories of reading about Peter, his sisters (Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail), his cousin Benjamin Bunny, Squirrel Nutkin, Tom Kitten, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and many more whimsical creatures.

In honor of Peter and his pals, take our trivia quiz on Beatrix Potter and her work.

1. Potter was born in 1866 into an affluent London family and was taught by governesses. She later became a lecturer in art history at Oxford University. True or False.

2. At 15, she kept a diary and wrote entries in a secret code so that she could freely express her criticisms of artists, writers and politicians. Later in life, even she found it hard to understand, but the code was eventually cracked. When did that happen?
A. 1945
B. 1950
C. 1953
D. 1958

3. Potter was engaged to her publisher Norman Warne, but he died before the marriage took place. She was unmarried for several years until she wed solicitor William Heelis. How old was she at that time?
A. 25
B. 37
C. 47
D. 51

4. In “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” Peter disobeys his mother’s warning and eats vegetables from a garden. Name the farmer who planted them.
A. McGregor
B. McDonald
C. MacIntrye
D. McKenzie

5. At the end of the story, what does Peter’s mother give him before bedtime?
A. Bread and jam
B. Chamomile tea
C. Porridge
D. A carrot

6. In the 2006 movie “Miss Potter,” Texan actress Renée Zellweger played the title role. Who played her fiancé Norman Warne?
A. Colin Firth
B. Ewan McGregor
C. Cillian Murphy
D. Ryan Reynolds

ANSWERS

1. False. As a Victorian girl, Potter received no formal education and was discouraged from developing her intellect.
2. D. 1958
3. C. 47
4. A. McGregor
5. B. Chamomile tea
6. B. Ewan McGregor

 

Teleflora's Victorian Garden Basket

And later, after the basket arrived: "My Mom & Dad received the flowers, they are so happy. Thank you so much again. You have made 3 people very happy."

For those who entered but didn't win: the Flower Blog March Sweepstakes is under way. I will keep running these on a monthly basis, so keep the comments coming. After all, comments are like flowers, you can never get enough! :)
 

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (March)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON MARCH 6, 2009 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON APRIL 6, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about April 6, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 
 

Thank you to all who entered the Flower Blog February Sweepstakes. I have drawn the winner's name at random and will make the announcement as soon as I hear back from the person selected. I wish I could send you all free bouquets – alas there is only one winner.

Btw, our January winner Virginia P. chose to give her bouquet (below) to her son so that he could give his girlfriend a bouquet for Valentine's Day. What a cool mom!

Says Virginia: "The Valentine's flowers were delivered to the house on Friday afternoon. They were gorgeous. As of today almost a week later they are still beautiful. My son brought them to Torries' house on the 14th where she just melted. Hugs and kisses were in store for my son. I can't believe how much he can smile. Thank you again for the opportunity of the contest and THANKS for picking my name!!!!"

Teleflora's Princess Roses bouquet

For those who entered but didn't win: the Flower Blog March Sweepstakes is under way. I will keep running these on a monthly basis, so keep the comments coming. After all, comments are like flowers, you can never get enough! :)
 

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (February)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON FEB. 7, 2009 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON MARCH 5, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about March 6, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 
 

Thank you to all who entered the Flower Blog January Sweepstakes. I have drawn the winner's name at random and will make the announcement as soon as I hear back from the person selected. I wish I could send you all free bouquets – alas there is only one winner.

But don't give up hope: the Flower Blog February Sweepstakes starts today. I will keep running these on a monthly basis, so keep the comments coming. After all, comments are like flowers, you can never get enough! :)
 

Everyone knows that one of the best reasons to watch the Super Bowl is to see the cool commercials. (I'm pretty sure I know who's playing.)

And this year Teleflora is part of the lineup with its funny ad featuring talking flowers. What do they chat about -- fertilizer, florists, the secrets of sharing a vase? Actually, it's all about the Teleflora difference. With Teleflora, every single order is hand-arranged and hand-delivered in a vase by a florist from our 20,000+ network.

No one else in he industry can make that claim. In fact, it's not uncommon for other floral providers to send a bunch of blooms casually dropped in a box. Our edgy and entertaining Talking Flowers commercial makes the case clear: What are you saying to someone when flowers show up in a box, often past their peak of freshness? Let's just say: not pretty.

But if you want to make the right impression, our exquisitely arranged and expertly delivered bouquets let you do just that. Whether you're conveying all-out passion, exploring a quirky flirtation or honoring a treasured friendship, why not use the freshest, fullest, most fabulous flowers in a keepsake vase that lasts forever?

Teleflora's Rubies and Roses Bouquet

For extra points, if you choose Valentine's flowers from our Rubies and Roses collection, you can enter our sweepstakes to win a $60,000 ruby necklace as well as other terrific prizes. Valentine's Day is less than 2 weeks away and there's no time like the present to place your order.

OK, now back to the game. Is there any bean dip left?
 

Teleflora and The School of American Ballet both mark their 75th birthday this year. And so they're pairing up as they both take a bow.

The School of American Ballet, the pre-eminent academy for classical dance in the U.S., is shaped by the artistic principles of founder George Balanchine, who developed a uniquely American way of dancing, emphasizing speed, musicality and expansiveness.

For the month of January, we'll be featuring blog posts from various people affiliated with The School.

Today's guest post is from Jock Soto. Jock began training at the School of American Ballet in 1977. He joined New York City Ballet in 1981, was promoted to Soloist in 1984 and to Principal dancer in 1985.

After an acclaimed 20-year career with NYCB, Jock Soto retired from dancing in 2005. He has been a member of SAB's faculty since 1996. In this post he recounts the special part flowers paid in his retirement from New York City Ballet.



Jock Soto welcomes flowers to mark his retirement

I love flowers—ranunculus are my favorite variety—so I always enjoyed receiving flowers from well-wishers before or after a performance during my career. It was always a nice surprise to find flowers waiting for me at the stage door or in my dressing room either on a special occasion or simply to signal that a friend would be watching in the audience that night.

Flowers are especially front and center in the swirl of memories surrounding my final days at New York City Ballet. They were everywhere.

As I arrived at the theater each day in the week prior to my final scheduled performance on June 19, 2005, I found armloads of bouquets waiting for me. They were from my partner, my family, friends, board members and patrons of NYCB, and some were even from people I had never met.

I collected such an abundance of flowers that week that I simply could not take them all home. I gave away some of the bouquets to ballerinas in the company and even to fans who were waiting outside the stage door after each night’s performance. I had so many flowers in my apartment that it looked like a funeral home.

Most nights at New York City Ballet, flowers are nowhere to be seen when the curtain comes down on a performance. My fellow dancers and I only received flowers onstage when a new ballet premiered (and usually it was just the women who got the bouquets), and unlike some other companies, at NYCB it is not the custom for audiences to throw flowers onto the stage at the end of the performance. The night of my final performance, however, was a whole different story.

I danced in five ballets that night, and at the end of the first four, my female partners were all presented with bouquets. My partner in the fourth ballet, After the Rain, was Wendy Whelan and she took her bouquet of roses and laid it at my feet.

The last ballet I performed was the “Royal Navy” section of George Balanchine’s high-spirited Union Jack. It ends to the sound of canon fire as the orchestra plays “Rule, Britannia!”.

As I stood alone on the stage taking my final bow after the ballet’s rousing finale, I was showered with roses that floated down from high above the stage. All of NYCB’s ballerinas then took the stage one by one and offered me gorgeous bouquets.

I accepted each one until I finally was so overloaded that I had to put them down on the stage floor alongside other flowers that had been thrown from the audience. Just when I thought the flower offerings were over, my fellow male dancers from NYCB presented me with an enormous basket full of blooms.

I was truly overwhelmed by the amount of flowers given to me that day. I even received flowers from someone I had not seen or been in contact with since I was ten years old. She was a fellow dancer at my ballet school when I was growing up and had flown from California to see my final performance.

In the end, since there were practically enough flowers to open my own Teleflora franchise, NYCB helped me to donate most of the flowers from that special night to the patients at a local hospital.

While it wasn’t possible to physically keep them for long, I will always hold on to what they so beautifully represented--the love, friendship and mutual respect I shared with my friends and fans throughout my career.
 

With Valentine's Day coming up, this is the perfect time to enter Flower Blog's monthly floral bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered.

The winner for January will be picked on or around Feb. 6. To see the official rules, visit teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/With-the-new-year2c-new-chances-to-win-flowers.aspx.  

Good luck, flower fans, and enjoy your Valentine's bouquets, especially the ones at teleflora.com!  
 

Men and shopping don't always go hand in hand so Teleflora has a quick and simple way to help that includes a chance to win a $60,000 Ruby and Diamond Necklace.

With so many flowers to choose from for Valentine's Day, our "Gentleman's Guide for Valentine's Day" teleflora.com/valentines-day-flowers/valentine-flowers-mens-gift-ideas.asp should take the guesswork out of gift-buying. Is she a free spirit? An uptown girl? No matter what her personal style happens to be, this handy online tool makes shopping simple. Men can choose from six personality types and the site will show beautiful bouquets specially designed for that kind of woman.

"We want our customers to feel good and confident about their purchases and the guide will help them accomplish that goal," says Shawn Weidmann, Teleflora president.

Teleflora's Rubies and Roses Bouquet

And there's more: In our Rubies and Roses sweepstakes, consumers will have a chance to win lots of great prizes:

* Grand prize is a ruby and diamond necklace, with an approximate retail value of $60,000

* 100 consumers will win a ruby and diamond heart-shaped pendant, with a retail value of $600

* 1,000 customers will win a ruby pendant, with a retail value of $150.

Every time a Teleflora florist fills an order for one of four arrangements tied to the promotion, he or she will include a game piece with an entry code. Customers will be directed to teleflorasweepstakes.com where they register and enter the PIN code.  The contest runs through midnight (PST) February 27, 2009. Potential winners will be contacted on or around March 6, 2009.

And remember that for the freshest, best-looking flowers, it's always best to shop early!
 

If you are celebrating this historic Inauguration Day, you can count on flowers to dress up your place. Whether you choose a stylish bouquet from a Teleflora florist or you simply gather together some simple blooms, flowers are particularly fitting to honor our newest president. The bouquet below features gerbera daisies, carnations, white roses and delphinium, all of which lend a special significance to the event.

Since Gerbera daisies signal youth, what better way to celebrate the drive and energy of our 47-year-old president, Barack Obama?  

We know that the Greeks used carnations, a flower with a 2,000-year history, as ceremonial crowns. Some theorize that that word carnation comes from the Greek word for coronation.

White roses symbolize reverence and delphinium represents ardent attachment, a prerequisite for any leader! Clearly, there is much more to a floral bouquet than meets the eye.

Flower Fact of the Day: Carnations are also the January birth flower.
 

At the end of the performance, Suki Schorer (above), my teacher who coached me for the ballet, received an enormous bouquet of white roses as we took our bows onstage. She then plucked two roses out of her bouquet and handed one to me and the other to the lead soloist (below).

I have so much respect for Suki, and after having worked very hard with her for months on Barocco, this small token came to mean a lot to me. I knew I could never bear to part with this rose, and I pressed it in-between the pages of my journal so I will always have a reminder of one of the best experiences of my life.

After my first performance with New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center last spring, my parents once again presented me with a lovely bouquet of white flowers. Receiving white flowers for my debut as a professional dancer was particularly meaningful to me since I had received white flowers so many years ago for my very first performance as a budding ballerina duckling.

I love receiving flowers when I perform. I keep each and every one of the bouquets for as long as I can, and every time I look at them all the special emotions and excitement from the performance come flooding back. To me, flowers are a symbol of the great memories I have of past performances, and I look forward to many more special occasions – and beautiful bouquets of flowers – yet to come.
 

With the new year comes a milestone birthday for Teleflora: this year we turn 75.

Much has changed since Edwin S. Douglas founded Telegraph Delivery Service, the predecessor of Teleflora, in 1934. But, much has stayed the same – delighting our customers with hand-arranged, hand-delivered flowers, building our florist network and helping them excel.

Stay tuned for more updates on how we'll be celebrating throughout 2009.

Meanwhile, if anyone in your circle has a b'day coming up, remember that flowers are a wonderful winter treat and couldn't be easier to send.

Flower Fact of the Day:
 

You'll get a chance to win free flowers by entering Flower Blog's monthly bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered. The winner for December will be picked in early January. To see the official rules, visit telefora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Flower-Blog-December-Sweepstakes-Win-free-flowers.aspx.  

Good luck.
 

Feeling like you forgot a gift? Flowers are a safe bet for nearly anyone, including yourself.

You'll get a chance to win free flowers by entering Flower Blog's monthly bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered. The winner for December will be picked in early January. To see the official rules, visit telefora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Flower-Blog-December-Sweepstakes-Win-free-flowers.aspx.  

Good luck.
 

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (December)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON DEC.  11, 2008 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON JAN. 5, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about Jan. 5, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 
 

No matter how you celebrate the holidays, the love and warmth of home is key.

That’s the idea behind TF’s “Home for the Holidays” bouquet (below), inspired by the artist Thomas Kinkade. An arrangement of red spray roses, white spray roses, noble fir and flat cedar (accented with oregonia and holly) surrounds a hand-painted cottage modeled after Kinkade’s childhood home.

Inside, a vignette inspired by the recently released movie, “Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage,” shows a family gathered around a flickering fireplace.

Not only that, there’s a chance to win terrific prizes, thanks to our Thomas Kinkade’s Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes, which runs through January 9, 2009.

Here’s what you might win:

Three Grand Prizes:
A trip for two to Monterey, CA to enjoy the local sights and have lunch with Thomas Kinkade, as well as a framed limited-edition Christmas Cottage Canvas, personally signed by the artist and $5000 USD in spending money.

Twenty First Prizes:
A framed limited-edition Christmas Cottage print.

One Hundred Runner-Up Prizes:
Exclusive framed Thomas Kinkade print.

For more details and to see the full rules, visit: teleflorasweepstakes.com/kinkade/rules.
 

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.



Oh, how time flies! December 12 marks the end of the sweepstakes promotion that has been running in conjunction with the purchase of the Teleflora WILLIAMSBURG Golden Pitcher bouquet. Sadly, that also brings my blogging on the Flower Blog to a close.

For years, I have been demonstrating ways to bring touches of “Williamsburg” into the home for the holidays. Whether you live in Tacoma or Tampa or anywhere in between, a Williamsburg-inspired look is always a timeless and beautiful choice.

So, for my last blog entry I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorite ways to embellish your home with the natural elegance that has become synonymous with Colonial Williamsburg.

Magnolia leaves are abundant in Virginia, and it’s a good thing because they are, without doubt, one of my favorite things to decorate with. The large, glossy leaves with brown “suede” textured underside couldn’t be a better base to other arrangements on a table, mantle or sideboard.

With their stems trimmed off they make a wonderful “placemat” to side dishes or individual place settings. Or, use small branches to fill a large vase to turn your unused fireplace into a decorative oasis.

Stemware is easily transformed into a beautiful table decoration when filled with fresh evergreen and holly. A small bouquet is all you need to turn an ordinary martini glass into a stunning individual place setting arrangement.

Another option, fill the bottom of the glass with cranberries allowing the greenery to flow over the top. These smaller arrangements beautifully accent a centerpiece that shares similar elements to complete the look of your table.

Bay leaves, great when dried, can become a charming chair decoration. Simply bind the stems with ribbon or raffia to make a small posy of appropriate size for your chairs (4” to 6” in length” and tie on the back. For a little hint of color, weave in a stem of berries or a bouquet of small seasonal flowers.

Have a mix of greenery that you want to showcase? No problem. Clear glass hurricane globes make a beautiful statement when filled with your favorite greenery and accented with lady apples and pinecones. From a large floral arrangement to a small grouping of apples and berries, you might be surprised how a few sprigs of greenery can make a room come alive!

Using fresh greenery has been associated with the decorations in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area since 1940. There is no better or easier way to add a touch of tradition to a table or a room than by incorporating fresh materials of the season.
 

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.



Now that it’s the beginning of December, I guess I need to start formulating my holiday gift-giving plan. Truth be told, I’m a bit of a last-minute gift buyer.

On the other hand, I can usually expect a call from my grandmother no later than July 1 to ask for gift ideas. Extreme? Maybe. But the ways that we go about expressing appreciation for the people in our lives are as diverse as the choices of “stuff” to buy them.

We all know people that seem to give tons of presents to everyone they know and then there are the “minimalists” that have a short gift list and you can count yourself lucky if you’re on it!

How we evolved to being such prolific gift givers, I’m not sure. In the 18th century it was customary for gifts to be given only from a master or parent to a dependant, child, apprentice or servant. Gifts were simple and practical, most commonly cash (some things never go out of style!), books, sweets and alcohol.

The giving of gifts was not reciprocal so kids and house servants did not exchange presents with their parents and employers, as we often do today. The main purpose of this tradition was for superiors to offer a small token of appreciation for a year of hard work and service.

Teleflora's WILLIAMSBURG bouquet teleflora.com/williamsburg.asp is a simple, thoughtful gift.

I take us on this short walk down history lane because I think there is a timely message here. Sometimes less really is more. A box of homemade cookies, a small bouquet of flowers, or some chocolates – rare is the person that wouldn’t appreciate the gesture behind a simple, thoughtful gift. When you get right down to it, how many gifts does it take to make a friend or loved-one feel special?

This year I am going to veer from my usual course of action. Instead of giving many gifts to a few family members, I’m going to make a list of people that make my life easier or more enjoyable to live and, in keeping with the 18th century tradition, express my gratitude with a small gift.

Reaching out to all the people that make your life a happier place, in whatever small and meaningful way you choose – that’s what the holiday season is all about! 
 

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.



With Thanksgiving right around the corner, even in times of struggle it is important to acknowledge what we have to be thankful for. For most people in this country ”winterizing” consists of shutting the storm windows, flipping the switch on the central heat or, maybe, chopping wood.

What we do to prepare for the winter and the coming year bears little resemblance to the necessary labor that consumed our 18th century ancestors at the harvest time.

Imagine this. If you lived on a plantation in colonial Virginia your autumn days would have been spent getting your corn, wheat and tobacco fields harvested and plowed to sow next spring. You would have then carted your corn and wheat to town to be sold.

You would then gather peas and beans. Don’t forget to dig your potatoes, carrots, and turnips. You could make cider and brandy and take that to town to sell also. In the orchard you would do the final apple and grape picking and then plant for next year.

Finally, any repairs to be done on livestock shelters and fences would need to be completed before it got too cold. Oh, and did I mention cutting firewood on your free time? Tired yet?


Teleflora's WILLIAMSBURG bouquet www.teleflora.com/williamsburg.asp is a luxury of the modern age.

While things are not perfect in our world, we have made industrial advancements that allow most of us to spend this time of the year enjoying the company of family and friends. The biggest domestic decision many of us will make is whether to make the pie from scratch or pick one up at the market.

Whichever you choose, have a happy and hearty Thanksgiving!
 

Aaah, the holidays: family, friends, festivities, food and flowers. Ask any hostess: a bouquet of fresh, cheerful blooms is a quick and easy way to brighten any room in your house.

You'll get a chance to win free flowers by entering Flower Blog's monthly bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered. The winner for November will be picked in early December. To see the official rules, visit teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Flower-Blog-November-Sweepstakes-Official-Rules.aspx.  

Good luck.
 

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (November)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON NOV.  6, 2008 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON DEC. 5, 2008.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about Dec. 5, 2008 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 
 

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.





It’s probably no secret that in the 18th century, when the rules of courtship were very strict, flowers were used to communicate messages between lovers. Seriously, how romantic!!

I think today it is commonly known that a red rose signifies love but you might be surprised how many flowers have meanings attached to them.

For fun, I decided to “de-code” the Williamsburg Golden Pitcher bouquet, teleflora.com/williamsburg.asp to see what “message” it is sending.

Here’s a list of the primary flowers in the arrangement and their individual meanings:

• Carnations - fascination, admiration

• Chrysanthemums - cheerfulness, abundance, wealth

• Rose (yellow) - joy, happiness

• Rose (orange) - enthusiasm

• Golden Rod (Solidago) - the word solidago is Latin and means to strengthen.

With a lineup like that, clearly, this arrangement is meant to help heal the woes of the difficult times that many of us are experiencing. It is no mistake that when I look at this arrangement it makes me happy - it is full of positive “vibes”!!

Curious about the meaning of your favorite blooms? Teleflora.com has a great section that tells all about it. Here’s the link: teleflora.com/about-flowers/flower-meaning.asp.
 

On Wednesday, I joined several of my Teleflora colleagues at the Women’s Conference 2008 in Long Beach, CA. One of the nation’s largest women’s gatherings, the event drew 14,000 attendees. It was a great chance to connect, listen to amazing stories and get motivated to pursue your dreams. Oh, and see more than a few A-list celebrities (see below). This is a stone's throw away from LA, after all!

In addition to the conference sessions, there was also a huge exhibition hall, entertainment, shopping and snacks.

The Women’s Conference is a non-profit, non-partisan organization led by California First Lady Maria Shriver. With a mission of empowering, inspiring and educating women, the conference has formed partnerships, developed programs, and supported initiatives in California and beyond.

Thanks to the efforts of Joanne Milichich and her team at Glo White Florist, glowhiteflorist.com, Teleflora was able to donate more than 300 Sweet Pinks bouquets to this year's event. Sweet Pinks, pictured here, is among several Teleflora bouquets that help raise money for breast cancer research.

Maria Shriver’s speech, about aging, finding real courage and becoming your authentic self, had the entire audience close to tears. I will share excerpts from her talk in upcoming posts. Her daughters gave an intro speech; her sons were in the audience.

She and husband Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger welcomed an incredible roster of speakers and guests including:

Madeleine K. Albright, former Secretary of State

Dr. Condoleezza Rice, United States Secretary of State

Cherie Blair, human rights advocate and wife of former prime minister Tony Blair

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Christiane Amanpour of CNN

Chris Matthews of Hardball, MSNBC and The Chris Matthews Show, NBC

Dr. Mehmet Oz

Indra Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer, PepsiCo.

Gloria Steinem

Bono, of U2 and co-founder of the ONE Campaign and (RED)

Diahann Carroll

Jamie Lee Curtis

Sally Field

Billie Jean King

Heidi Klum

Jennifer Lopez

Jenny McCarthy

Bonnie Raitt

Rachael Ray

Rita Wilson

To see a live webcast of the main stage sessions, view video highlights or to get more info, visit californiawomen.org.  

Flower Fact of the Day: Teleflora donates 15% of the purchase price of each BCRF arrangement to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The partnership runs through August 31, 2009. To learn more, visit: teleflora.com/bcrf.asp.  
 

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.




My last blog entry generated some interesting conversation amongst my colleagues. Inspired by our vase discussions, I thought I’d mention a few more vases that were in vogue in the 18th century. It also might be educational to point out that these vases were designed to showcase each individual stem. This idea was popularized in the 18th century when William of Orange came to England from Holland, bringing with him his love of tulips. With that tulip-mania was born!!


Tulipiere for WILLIAMSBURG by Andrea by Sadek

At that time, a single tulip bulb could command prices well in excess of the cost of a large house on one of Amsterdam’s grand canals. With those prices, it would have been a crime to hide these “exotic” stems in a large arrangement! This tulipiere is an adaptation from a delft version in The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s decorative arts collection.





Five Finger Vase for WILLIAMSBURG by Andrea by Sadek

This “Five Finger” vase was clearly meant to make the most of just a few prized stems. However, not intended just for tulips this vase would look beautiful with roses, iris or any bloom that is special to you.





Floral Brick for WILLIAMSBURG by Andrea by Sadek

The “Floral Brick” was meant to display a select grouping of flowers in an easy, organized way. Remember, 18th century decorations were all about symmetry and balance!!





Pique Fleurs Vase by Richard Hutten at www.Christofle.com

The epitome of “new traditional”, this version of a tulipiere was featured in the NY Times Magazine recently. Clearly a modern interpretation of one of our 18th century favorites. Just goes to prove that what’s old, really is new – in one way or another!!
 

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.



Trends in floral arranging and the containers that you put the arrangements in date back thousands of years. Let’s walk back in time to learn what has contributed to the floral arranging melting pot that we have today.

THE BUD VASE: There is documentation to suggest that it was around 2500 B.C. when showcasing just a single bud in a vase became popular. Often arranged with a leaf on either side and used to create a simple pattern. Using a single bud or a bud and some greenery at each individual place setting has recently come back into style as a wide variety of single stem vases are currently in the marketplace.



”Paperwhite place card holder” from williamsburgmarketplace.com


THE CORNUCOPIA: Many popular floral arranging methods were established during the Greek and Roman times. It was during this time that the Cornucopia, a popular table decoration in modern day times and a symbol of harvest and abundance during Thanksgiving, was developed. Filled with flowers, gourds, veggies or fruit the cornucopia is a timeless addition to any table.

                            
”Heavenly Cornucopia” from teleflora.com


THE URN: Starting with the over-the-top styles during the Baroque period, large containers filled with flamboyant arrangements were sure to make a resurgence in the future. After a conservative break in “big” during the Georgian era, this idea was taken to new heights when, during the Victorian period, very lavish floral design became all the rage. Flared vases, or urns, of all types and finishes were used to display a number of popular garden flowers. Today, the urn is interchangeable as an indoor or outdoor decoration.



“Florentine Urn” from williamsburgmarketplace.com


THE GOLDEN PITCHER: Came into vogue in October 2008 with the advent of the widely popular WILLIAMSBURG arrangement by Teleflora! This ceramic pitcher has a golden metallic finish which perfectly complements the warm tones of the carnations, roses and mums in the arrangement. With an ample opening, compact design and FDA approved for use with liquids, long after the flowers are gone this container will make a nice statement piece for a number of home decorative uses.
”Williamsburg’s Golden Pitcher” bouquet from teleflora.com
 

To accompany Disney’s new animated movie, “Tinker Bell,” out on Blu-ray and DVD on Oct. 28, Teleflora has created magic in a vase with its exclusive Tinker Bell Bouquet.

A hand-painted Tinker Bell sits atop roses, carnations, hydrangeas and button spray chrysanthemums in a pink cube with pink tulle. I love her sparkling wings.

And in the movie, this whimsical fairy will speak for the first time! I wonder what she’ll say to Peter?

If you buy the Tink arrangement and the Blu-ray™ Hi-def or DVD of “Tinker Bell,” you’re eligible for a $5 mail-in rebate, through January 31, 2009. You can buy the floral arrangement online at teleflora.com, flowerclub.com, at eflorist.com or through a local Teleflora florist.

Also, Disney Movie Rewards is hosting an online sweepstakes starting Oct. 16. One lucky fan will win an all-expense-paid trip for four to the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, FL. In addition, five first-prize winners will receive a year of Teleflora floral arrangements. For additional information, go to teleflora.com/tinkerbell.asp.

Flower Fact of the Day: The 15th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, which took place earlier this year at the Walt Disney World® Resort, featured 30 million blooms.
 

Eitel's Flowers & Gifts in Greencastle, Ind., eitelsflowers.com celebrates 100 years of selling flowers! Congratulations to everyone there.

Kenneth Eitel, Jr. currently runs the business. His family came from Germany to the U.S. in 1908 and began working in the floral industry.

I look forward to talking with Kenneth soon, but wanted to say congratulations!

Flower Fact of the Day: Indiana's state flower is the peony. One of the most popular flowers with brides, peonies are supposed to bring good luck and happiness.