Amber/Orange two-toned miniature calla lillies. They are dancing in glass and light.
As many of you know, we have been honored to be in the running for the Best of Citysearch and we are being selected in the category of Best Florist in New York City. To us this would be such an honor! To everyone that we work with, to all our clients that have helped to put us on the map, we would are so grateful!
If we have had the chance to work together in the past, if you like us, if you feel that we deserve to stand a chance to win, please follow this link and give us your vote of confidence. To vote for us and/or to post a comment, click here:
I just wanted to share this website with everyone. This is a friend that I have met through business. Their company makes and distributes handbags made of bamboo. Some of the designs are really cool and they are eco-friendly too! Check them out – here is a link:
Someone sent me a link to this video a little while ago. I really think it offers a few amazing thoughts for all of us to ponder… Or, what I would call “ponderisms”!
When you are done, visit our new website… still under construction, but you can navigate it. It will be a while before we are completely up, but in the meantime we are waiting for your thoughts and comments on how to improve it. Tell us what you like! Go to: www.starflor.com.
A tight nosegay of yellow gerbera daisies presented in a geometric vase. Catalog item SQ043, by Starbright Floral Design
Over the years we have had many opportunities to meet many of our clients and to be of service in many different ways. For all that we have been able to do and for all that you have helped us accomplish, we will always be grateful. Thank you for helping top put Starbright Floral Design on the map as one of the premier florists in New York City and for making us your “go to florist” for all your floral and gift giving requests… We have always said that if there is something that is an issue that has come up with our service, we want to know about it so that we can make it right for you – no matter what it takes. If you are pleased with our service we want you to tell the whole world about us!
So here is the favor.. for those of you who know us, for everyone that has ever experienced the Starbright Standard: We have been nominated by Citysearch as a contender in the Best of Citysearch poll to be voted The Best Florist in New York City. This is quite an honor! An even greater honor is to know how many of our friends and clients are supporting us with their votes on Citysearch right now.
If you would like to vote for us and if you truly believe that we deserve to be called the Best Florist in New York City in 2009, then please go to this link:
And now the reward! You will not see this posted anywhere else! THIS IS AN OFFER THAT IS EXCLUSIVELY POSTED FOR THOSE WHO READ OUR BLOG… Give us a call at any time in the month of September and mention that you have read this blog entry – we will in turn give you a 50% discount, that is right – half price, for any floral request that you may have to deliver flowers anywhere in Manhattan. Yes, mention that you have read our blog and get your flowers HALF PRICE in September!
We are very grateful for all that we get to do together. Thank you from all of us at Starbright Floral Design…. (www.starflor.com)
Triple stem, white, phaleonopsis orchd presented in a black ceramic bowl with willow branches, bamboo, raffia and sheets of green moss.
We just received a shipment from one of our greenhouses of the most amazing purple and white orchids. They truly look spectacular and they are going to last for a very long time. Give us a call – they would be limited to pickup and New York City delivery. 800 520 8999 or click the Contact Us link on the website (www.starflor.com)
Red tulips in a modern cylindrical vase with leaf wrap treatment
All too often men (mostly) do not know what to send to their romantic interest, their partner, wife or significant other. Often the “safe choice” is a dozen roses. If we are in trouble then the safer choice is to two dozen roses! It seems that we (men) have this philosophy that the bigger the problem that we are trying to overcome, the more roses we tend to send!
In many instances the thought goes something like – “Eh, I don’t know a thing about flowers, all women like roses, don’t they?” That looks like a safe choice! Well the truth is that everyone loves receiving flowers and nobody will ever doubt the sincerity of the thought that goes along with a bouquet of roses. You thought about her! What could possibly be wrong with that?
There is nothing wrong with it! You can, however, do much better! Often times, for less money and with more of an emotional impact and with a deeper display of emotion and sensitivity. Take the time to educate yourself about flowers. Learn about different varieties and what is in season.
With time, if you send flowers often (and you should!), you will not be as boring! The question, the anticipation becomes “what flowers did he send me this time?”. When you surprise her a few times a year with a bouquet of red roses (in between other flowers), the flower has a deeper impact. You are no longer the guy that does not know a thing about flowers, you sent roses for a reason and they will mean so much more!
Take the time to learn about flowers. You don’t need to spend a whole long of time doing it. A few moments here and there on our website (www.starflor.com) will give you a great visual impact of what you may or may not like. Reading our blog from time to time will spring an idea forward.
What colors different flowers come in and what their seasons are… There are tulips, orchids, amaryllis, sunflowers, hydrangea, peonies and so much more… Learn about these blooms and send a surprise! Go to our website (www.starflor.com) and click on FLOWER ENCYCLOPDIA. You will not be the same old boring guy! You will be sensitive, understanding, interesting and a real hero! Try it once!
Here are a few more hints – now that I have your attention: Talk to the florist who will make the arrangement. Ask him/her for advice. Ask what came in today, what is really fresh.
Never send a “contrived” arrangement that looks like grandma’s favorite in a cute but overpriced container! Keep it simple. Only send flowers, stems, vase and water (nothing else). Make sure that you don’t mix too many colors and too many varieties in one arrangement. It becomes more expensive but “cheapens” the presentation. Mixed flowers are never as dramatic.
I have nothing against roses – they are an amazing bloom and you should keep them in your repertoire. Just don’t send them exclusively! If you sent roses last time, send a vase of purple orchids this time! Get creative with the message on the card and watch what happens! Let me know!!!!!
A gala event on the last evening of a conference for Enterprise (Rent-a-Car) at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
So you want flowers for your event but are not sure of what to do? Are you looking for a place to start? Are you trying to find a way to simplify the process? Perhaps a checklist?
Give us a call! That is the easy answer. We will be more than happy to help…. But until you do, here are a few things that you need to consider –
Is this a corporate function or perhaps a social one (like a wedding or a family gathering)?
How do you plan on using flowers?
Will there be entryway décor? Is there a stage that should be accented with plants, or maybe a display in front of the podium? How about the tables? Will there be centerpieces with florals?
A good place to start is your budget. Once you set it, you should be flexible enough to be able to adjust for a concept that “WOW’s” you but rigid enough to be able to stick to your principles. If you do not, the organization of your event will deteriorate (fall apart).
What is the most important floral element that you must include? In some instances it is the stage because that is where the attention needs to be drawn. The stage can be a focal point.
Other events that we have been involved with give greater attention to the entryway décor. The “front of the house” is the first thing your guests will see. It sets the mood, gives momentum to the evening.
The easy answer is to focus on the table centerpieces – simply because there are so many of them and everyone sees them throughout the entire evening. Centerpieces can be memorable and often times are an item that everyone desires to take home as a memento.
Is there a theme to the event? Perhaps you are organizing a “casino night” theme. The décor will be completely different than if we are planning a luau-type event. The floral décor should always play into the theme, NEVER detract from it and should always be supporting of the theme NOT overpowering it. You should also consider the fact that your guests should “get it”. They should look at your décor and understand that they are at a beach party and not a Broadway-type “Great White Way” event. All of this takes thought and planning.
You should pay attention to elements like your linen, your china, your chairs, chair cushions or covers with ties. All of this should compliment and either make the event more formal or more casual and always on point.
The venue plays a big part of your theme too. Many of our events are in the middle of the Hudson River on yachts like World Yacht or Spirit Cruises that sail the waters around New York City. Our advice to our clients is ALWAYS that on a venue like that, the greatest décor that is going for the event is the skyline of Manhattan and its twinkling lights. Do not diminish this and besides it is FREE décor! Flowers on such a venue should be an accent thought and not designed to keep you away from looking out the window!
Give us a call or stop by our store. We will always be happy to visit with you and answer any questions that you have. We will be thrilled to lend our expertise at any capacity.
Flowers are our passion. Events are the highlight of everything Starbright!
The question comes up often. We think about this when we want to send someone flowers for any occasion (I Love You, Just Because, Get Well, etc.). If you want to send someone a bouquet that is going to last, if you want the flowers to appear fresh for a long period of time, ALWAYS-ALWAYS pick a vase over a basket. Here are the reasons why:
Flowers drink water and in a basket they are arranged in a small square of a sponge-like material that is meant to absorb water and then let the flowers “drink” from its absorption. It is highly unlikely that even half of the water that is in the sponge ever makes it to the flowers themselves.
The exact opposite happens in a vase. There is an abundant quantity of water in the vase and ALL the water goes up the flower stem and to the bloom. There is no question that the person who receives the flowers will enjoy them longer if the flowers are in a vase. PLUS it is easier to see if the vase is low on water (add), or if the water is murky (empty and refill). After the flowers have been in the vase for about 3-4 days it is a good idea to take the stems out one-by-one clean out the old petals and cut the bottom of the stem at an angle. This cleans up any bacteria that has collected at the bottom of the stem and has “plugged up” the passage of water to the bloom itself.
Sending someone flowers is a very thoughtful gesture and is truly appreciated. You should see the smiles that we see all day long as we deliver flowers to “Ms. Jones”! That is only half of the flower receiving experience. The other half is how long the flowers live. Imagine getting a phone call a full ten days AFTER the delivery and the recipient of the gift says something like: “You won’t believe this, but your flowers are still amazing!”
There are really only three factors that can make this happen:
Selecting a florist that has fresh flowers.
Sending flowers in a vase of water and not a basket with a sponge.
Taking good care of the flowers by replenishing the water, fresh cutting the stems, etc.
Having flowers in the home is a little bit like caring for a micro-garden. It is an extremely therapeutic and very rewarding. Keeping flowers alive as long as possible is a pleasant challenge for the mind and the heart. It really gives us pleasure and helps us take our mind off things.
So remember: Send lots of flowers to lots of different people! AND make sure that the flowers you send are in a vase and not a basket! No sponge!
Visit our website at www.starflor.com, or give us a call at 800.520.8999 and all of us at Starbright Floral Design will be thrilled to hear from you and to help in every way possible.
While I have written many times on many different blogs – The begining is always wierd! The first entry! What in the world do you write about? How do you keep one’s interest? How do you create the aura of a blog that is in widely read by many? You simply do not!
Actually what you do, is you hope nobody visits your blog posting until you have at least a dozen or so entries and this one is buried deep in the page – so far down that nobody will scroll that far and want to read the first entry. This is where I get the salvation for these random sensles thoughts that are currently occupying pixels on the screen.
Anyway – Welcome to our wonderful world of flowers. Starbright Floral Design is located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District. We have been here for the past fifteen years and we are having the time of our lives!
Stick around. We are not professional writers, but we will keep your interest. In the pages that will follow, you will find random thoughts about arranging flowers, what is in season, gift protocol, how to buy flowers in the farmer’s markets and much-much more!
If you have a bit of free time, please visit our website at http://www.starflor.com. Here you will gain a much broader perspective on who we are and the type of work that we do. We look forward to hearing from you and making our conversations as interactive as possible.
Give us a call, drop us a line, visit our website or send us a smoke signal – know we love you!
Blooming Thoughts 