TWO WEEKS UNTIL “Bride on Buck”!

Meet Giovani Ravello!
Meet Giovani Ravello!

In two weeks HOUSING WORKS is hosting an amazing sale of Bridal Proportions!

Bride on a Buck Wedding Dress Sale and Vendor Extravaganza returns on Wednesday, October 21!   $300,000 worth of deeply discounted designer wedding dresses and other bridal goodies are on sale! The list includes dresses from:

Giovanni Ravello
Peter Langner (valued at $7,300)
Monique Lhuillier (valued at $6,200)
Ulla Maier (valued at $4,900)
Jenny Yoo Collections (30-plus gowns)
…and veils valued at $1,000 slashed to $250.

Through it all the best part is that the event is sponsored to support an amazing cause!

ABOUT HOUSING WORKS: Housing Works is the largest community-based AIDS service organization in the United States, as well as the nation’s largest minority-controlled AIDS service organization. Since 1990, we have provided lifesaving services to more than 20,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS. For more information visit www.housingworks.org

All of us at Starbright Floral Design are proud to be sponsoring this event.  Come on over! Check out the fashions, enjoy your favorite beverage and meet everyone! Starbright design consultants will be on hand.  We would love to see you there…

Click on the photograph above to get more information on the event.

About Starbright Floral Design – we are one of New York City’s premier florists and floral design organizations.  We can deliver your gift of flowers, balloon or gourmet goodies anywhere anytime and on very short notice.  We would love to hear from you!  Visit our website at www.starflor.com or give us a call at 800.520.8999.

See you soon!  AND DON’T FORGET TO BUY A WEDDING DRESS (even if you don’t need one! It is for a great cause!)…

Nic (The Official Florist)

What Every Diva Knows….about flowers.

Vanda Orchids and Eggplant Mini Calla Lilies - By Starbright

An entertainer’s dressing room is their sanctuary.  It’s an oasis, where they can relax and prepare in total peace and tranquility.  Despite the sacred nature of this space, family, friends, and fans often want to invade this domain with floral offerings.   What most people don’t realize is that there is an art and a science to creating bouquets for such an environment.  You can’t just simply throw any random flowers in vase and send them over to Madison Square Garden for Beyonce’s green room.  Heaven Forbid!  There are several key choices that can be made to ensure the flowers are enjoyed and appreciated, rather than being sent directly to the dumpster.

  1. Keep it simple.  In most cases less is more.  This goes for both the size of the arrangement and the combination of the flowers.  If you do something too big, there is a chance the flowers won’t even make it to the dressing room.  Often the larger arrangements are left outside or in a separate dressing room.  When choosing the types of flowers, one or two varieties is usually best.  A lush bubble bowl of cream colored roses can make a better impression than a vase of mixed flowers.
  2. If you can smell it, don’t send it.  Many artists are fanatical about keeping their dressing rooms free from scented flowers.  Singers are especially known for this quirk.  It’s understandable that a sneezing or histamine fueled attack would want to be avoided at all costs.  For this reason, never send lilies, freesia, gardenia or tuberose unless they have been specifically requested.  Most roses acceptable due to the fact that hybrid roses have had the scent bred out of them.
  3. They’ve seen it all.  Most famous entertainers have been sent enough flowers to cover a Rose Parade float.  There probably isn’t a combination they haven’t come across.  However… that doesn’t mean we should stop trying to keep their flowers unique.  A celebrity flower order is the perfect chance for a floral designer to try that new technique they saw in a magazine or book.  Ask your florist if they have any unique varieties of orchids or roses they could recommend.  Perhaps the florist has an interesting or funky vase they could fill with a bold bouquet of hydrangea.  It never hurts to ask.

Flowers are a great gift for celebrities and us regular folks alike.  It just takes a little extra care and thought to make the perfect addition to a diva’s dressing room.  While roses may be thrown at their feet, you don’t want to have your roses thrown in your face.  Remember to keep it simple, scentless, and special and your flowers will be the toast of the town!

This article was contributed by Tom our Artistic and Creative Director.  The direction of floral design that Starbright takes is determined in no small part by Tom’s personal creativity.  His contributions in all areas of the company and his design elements have been an inspiration to us all.

Starbright Floral Design (starflor.com) is located in the heart of New York City; on 28th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue.  We are in the heart of what has been known for over a century as the Historic Fl0wer District.  Many have dubbed us as The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps because of our contributions to the Hiospitality and Special Events markets.

Give us a call (800.520.8999) or visit our website to learn more about us.  We would love to be of service by delivering the most amazing flowers to your loved ones – in New York City and beyond!

Having an Event? Looking for a Producer?

Linwood Peel's Tribute to the Drifters
Linwood Peel's Tribute to the Drifters

In the past fifteen years Starbright Floral Design has made  many friends in many different walks of life.   From time to time, we like to talk about our friends and let the whole world know about all the great people we know!  My very close friends at Mark Sonder Productions are  in that group!  MSP is a group of agents/producers that are capable of introducing the highest level talent to your next event.  The most sought after headline entertainment and the most customized shows imaginable (to fit your event’s theme) can be brought to life  from this extraordinary organization.

A current headline at Mark Sonder are the LPT Drifters; here is what I know about them….

You remember The Drifters…those great tunes, that patented choreography.  Classic Rock, Classic R&B, Oldies, Rock, R&B, Pop, Male, ’50s, ’60s, ’70s…Now they are back!  Today, Linwood has united his former group members as Linwood Peel’s Tribute to The Drifters to commemorate much of the great material to which is still known, sung and covered worldwide.  Not only does the group perform many of the Drifters tunes that they were noted for, but an abridged potpourri of standard rock songs.

The Drifters Million Sellers
On Broadway
Under the Boardwalk
Up On the Roof
This Magic Moment
Save the Last Dance For Me
There Goes My Baby
Dance With Me
True Love, True Love
I Count the Tears

For more on Linwood Peel’s Tribute to The Drifters click here.

For more information on Mark Sonder Productions… Visit their website

Starbright Floral Design is your go-to florist for flower deliveries anywhere in  the world, events in Manhattan and beyond.  Recently, Starbright was selected as  the top florist in New York City by Citysearch.  Visit our website at www.starflor.com to learn more about the work that we do.  We will always be thrilled to hear from you and to be of service in every way possible…. NF

A Day Trip to a Vineyard!

Spend the Day at a Vineyard!
Spend the Day at a Vineyard!

All of us at Starbright Floral Design are fans of the Three Tomatoes.  This is an amazing group of ladies that enthusiastically embraces all that life has to offer.   It is a “how to” a “guide” that makes everyone an expert at navigating New York City.  Take a moment and check out their website – http://www.thethreetomatoes.com/.  Check out Tomatoes In The Trenches!  My personal favorite.

Anyway – on the 11th of October the Three Tomatoes are going to Long Island’s North Fork for a day trip in the Vineyards.  Everyone will visit three fine vineyards, wine tastings, picnic lunches, jazz and a local farm stop!  It should be really cool! Cost is $85 and there is luxury bus transportation too.  There is a deadline to sign up, but you have to click here to find out the details.  Cheryl and gang are really great friends of mine and big supporters of Starbright.  I am passing on the word and I hope you are on the bus!  See you then!

Did you know that Starbright Floral Design has been voted the top florist in New York City?  Visit our website at www.starflor.com and learn more about the type of work that we do and the services that we provide.  Same day delivery of the freshest seasonal blooms is always available.  Give us a call at 800-520-8999 to find out more!  We look forward to being At Your Service.  Nic and the entire Starbright Team.

Thinkig of Starting a Business?

This post on a blog bumped into me… More accurately, should I say that I stumbled upon it?  Probably.  Anyway, for those of you that have ever thought of starting a business, being your own boss and working independently… This “easy read” article makes a lot of sense.  It gives a general insight of what the profile of an entrepreneur in America really is.  Click Here to read it.  Let me know what you think! NF

Starbright Floral Design delivers the most amazing floral arrangements in New York City and beyond.  This diary of our lives at Starbright is not always about flowers and the things we do… We hope that you enjoy the diversity!  When you have time, please visit our website as well so that you can gain a broader perspective on who we are and the work that we do.

Our Mission Statement

A bubble bowl of Vandella Roses (a light cream color).  This can be a casual centerpiece  or decor for a cocktail table.
A bubble bowl of Vandella Roses (a light cream color). This can be a casual centerpiece or decor for a cocktail table.

“When the history books write the Starbright Story…  We will be judged kindly if we remembered to always do our best, give everyone we meet a smile and and lead our industry with innovation, creativity, quality and service.” STATEMENT OF MISSION, Starbright Floral Design, September 14th, 1994.

This is the premise that we were founded on.   These words were written before we served our first client.  We served three clients our entire first week!  Fifteen years later, we  still read these words and try to live by them daily.

We are truly honored to have been given the opportunity to be of service.  Thank you for all you have done top help put us on the map as a premier florist in New York City.

We invite you to visit our website to gain a broader perspective on our organization and the work that we do.

The Starbright Team

The Voting is Closing Soon!

Amber/Orange two-toned miniature calla lillies.  They are dancing in glass and light.
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:

http://newyork.citysearch.com/bestof/nominees/2009/florist

Thank you for your trust, your confidence and all the wonderful years that you have given us the opportunity to be of service!

With our warmest regards,

The Entire Starbright Team

Don’t forget to visit our website at www.starflor.com!

Just an amazing personal story…

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”!

http://www.wimp.com/awesomemotivation/

Enjoy!

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.

Have a great day everyone!  Nf

A Favor & A Reward….

A tight nosegay of yellow gerbera daisies presented in a geometric vase.  Catalog item SQ043, by Starbright Floral Design
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:

http://newyork.citysearch.com/bestof/nominees/2009/florist and vote for us.  If you would like to share some thoughts and comments about your experiences with us, we would all be very grateful!

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)

A Man’s Guide to Sending Flowers – the truth about roses…

Red tulips in a modern cylindrical vase with leaf wrap treatment
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!!!!!