Flower Factor: A Lifestyle Blog From Aboutflowers.com

Having spent a majority of my life in a retail flower shop, I have experienced firsthand the emotional connection with beautiful product and wonderful people.

Flowers are like magnets and draw people to them. How many of us can pass up a collection of beautiful flowers without a second glance?

At the shop, every morning, we would begin by getting ready for the day’s activities. Each person that came through the door, emailed or called on the phone was driven by an emotion, and we needed to be ready to help. A new baby was born, someone was ill, a thank you was in order or maybe an apology, a prom corsage to be selected or a wedding to be planned, any of which could be the business at hand. They were happy, sad, concerned, excited, confused, and they knew who could help — their florist.

Before I was involved in the floral business, I was a floral customer. My brother needed a prom corsage, I took care of ordering it with the help of the local florist. My parents’ wedding anniversary needed attention; I just naturally went to the florist as they always knew the best thing to choose. When my grandmother died, the florist was at the top of the list.

We didn’t know a lot about flowers, but my family liked flowers and always made them an important part of family events big or small, happy or sad. We didn’t need to know a lot because the florist always gave us options and helped us make the right choices. I have to admit, they we took this service for granted. We would just call or pop into the shop with full confidence that they would take care of everything.   Read More

First impressions mean a lot when it comes to our homes. Our entryways – large or small – provide the opportunity for our guests to feel welcome the moment they walk in the door. Adding bright splashes of color to a neutral entryway can give the space a WOW factor. One way that’s simple and always makes a statement is flowers. They say, “I’m glad you’re here.”

I recently partnered with color expert Mark Woodman to show you how to make a meaningful first impression in your home.

What is your favorite way to make your guests feel welcome?

For more tips and advice, visit aboutflowers.com/twominutetrends.

With the new year, it’s human nature to reflect on the passing year. In 2017, we celebrated prom and Valentine’s Day in a big way. We showed the true power of flowers through Petal It Forward, randomly surprising people with flowers in more than 465 cities in all 50 states, and by participating with Wish of Lifetime on a “Cupid Crew,” delivering Valentine’s Day roses to seniors in assisted living communities. We got an inside look at the U.S. Postal Service’s new Celebration stamps, showcasing a corsage and boutonnière. And we saw some really neat trends, including Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year, “Boroccan” weddings, flower crowns, kokedamas, and much, much more.

Thank you to our contributors for their trend-spotting and sharing their floral expertise. And a great big thanks to YOU for reading and sharing the ideas on all things floral.

And now, please enjoy our look back at some of the most popular Flower Factor posts of 2017:

Wonderful Wristlets: Prom is such a special time! As a florist for more than 40 years, we have seen the prom corsage design change over the years. Even with all the change, flowers continue to be the star of the corsage, also known as “wristlet.” However, over the past couple of years not only has the flower been the main component of the wristlet, ribbon and flower accents have become a great way to add personality and make your wristlet uniquely yours.

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It’s back to school time, which means football games, pep rallies, parades and homecoming. For many high school students, this much-anticipated day is the first big social event of the school year. For college students and alumni, the big game and the many social events surrounding homecoming are an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and celebrate the big game.

Flowers have long held a place in the homecoming celebration. From the “football mums” for sprit week, lush bouquets of flowers for the queen and her court to the corsages and boutonnières for the dance, homecoming is in full autumn bloom.

Depending on where you reside in the country, your homecoming rituals may vary, but one consistent component is flowers. And really, what better way to show off school sprint than with corsages, football mums and roses?

Let’s take a closer look of some the staples when it comes to homecoming flowers.  Read More

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14. It’s no surprise flowers are a popular gift for mom! There is nothing like a gift of flowers to show mom she is special and appreciated. The beauty and ephemeral nature of flowers are a unique investment in memories. According to research, 77 percent of women can remember the last time they received flowers. Plus, receiving flowers — and just being around flowers — have so many wonderful emotional health benefits. A study by Rutgers University shows flowers create instant delight and increase enjoyment and life satisfaction. Who wouldn’t want that for mom?

How do you pick the best flowers for mom? That’s easy. Call your local professional florist who can customize the flowers to match your mom’s personality and style. Here are some ideas:

Colorful Mom: She brings fun and energy wherever she goes.

Trendy Mom: She deserves flowers that are as cool as she is.

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