What is Sweetest Day?

While today is National Boss Day, we have researched and got this discription of what tomorrow's holiday "Sweetest Day" is all about....

Sweetest Day ...

Is always the third Saturday in October.

This holiday is much more important in some regions than in others (Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo being the biggest Sweetest Day cities). It is a holiday that is gaining in popularity every year throughout the country.

How It Started

Over 60 years ago, a Cleveland man, believing that the city's orphans and shut-ins too often felt forgotten and neglected, conceived the idea of showing them that they were remembered. He did this through the distribution of small gifts. With the help of his friends and neighbors, he distributed these small remembrances on a Saturday in October. During the years that followed, other Clevelanders began to participate in the celebration ceremony, which came to be called "Sweetest Day". In time, the Sweetest Day idea of spreading cheer to the underprivileged was broadened to include everyone, and became an occasion for remembering others with a kind act or a small remembrance. And soon the idea spread to other cities all over the country.

What It Is

Sweetest Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in October as a day to make someone happy. It is an occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged, and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed.

Sweetest Day is not based on any single group's religious sentiment or on a family relationship. It is a reminder that a thoughtful word or deed enriches life and gives it meaning.

Because for many people remembering takes the form of gift-giving, Sweetest Day offers us the opportunity to show others that we care, in a tangible way.

Source- [This information was adapted from material provided by the Retail Confectioners International.]

What is National Boss Day?

So we wanted to find out what exactly is National Boss Day. Here is a great response we found...

National Boss Day is October 16 each year. When the holiday falls on a weekend, it is generally celebrated on the working day closest to October 16.

National Boss Day offers employees an opportunity to recognize those in supervisory positions. Popular ways to say "thanks" include cards, a lunch in the boss's honor, flowers, or gift certificates.

National Boss Day was started in 1958 when Patricia Bays Haroski, then an employee at State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Ill., registered the holiday with the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. She designated October 16 as the special day because it was her father's birthday. Ms. Haroski's purpose was to designate a day to show appreciation for her boss and other bosses. She also hoped to improve the relationship between employees and supervisors. She believed young employees often do not realize the challenges bosses face in running a business.

Our Source Microsoft Holiday Schedule Calendar

The Art of Fall Tablescapes Seminar

This past Saturday we did a seminar in our gallery at the International Design Center on Fall Tablescapes. It was such a great success!!

We showed tricks and trends of table decor incorporating fresh flowers and permanent botanicals. Some of our best work is from weddings and events, so guests got to see how creative In Bloom is. They felt first hand how flowers set the mood and ambiance for any size gathering.

Everyone walked away with inspiration for their home tables and the desire to have us come into their home to design the perfect tablescape for this fall season.

Until our next Seminar in November.... let us work with you to create the art of Floral Design~

Fall Floral Trends

With autumn right around the corner, our floral designers have begun designing fall floral designs. The latest floral design trends for fall appear to be right in line with the “green movement” and interpretations from Mother Nature.

We are bringing the outdoors in with grand and unique designs that have an all natural and organic feel. Earth tone colors schemes with elements like vines, twigs and eucalyptus are designed with other features like fruits and vegetable inspirations creating the organic and “green” floral trend.

For those who need that punch of color, floral designs are staying with fairly traditional fall color schemes of oranges, reds and yellows but this year they are adding a tropical twist. We are using some of our favorite tropical flowers like birds-of-paradise and tropical ginger blooms.

So if you aren’t sure of the best flowers for friends, family or yourself; our designers can certainly design the perfect creation that is “In Bloom” and “In Style” with the season.

International Design Center Welcomes Us!

Recently we sparked the attention of the International Design Center in Estero, FL. They were in need of high quality, high style fresh floral designs and permanent botanicals. This past month, an arrangement was negotiated and plans have quickly come together for us to showcase our work at the International Design Center. Our designers and staff have designed the gallery to feature unique styles of high quality, high style Fresh Floral Designs and Permanent Botanicals. All are accents for the home, commercial space or grand event!

Local, state and national artists will also consign their original works of art in the gallery location on the second floor of the elegant facility's three story complex. We are now open and are excited for everyone to see the newest from In Bloom. Mark you calendars for Saturday, October 10th from 3-5pm as we will have our Grand Opening Reception. Thank you for all your support and encouragement!

Flowers & Business

We know that in today's economy, businesses are striving to gain competitive edge and innovative ideas. With the constant fluctuations in unemployment it's no wonder that productivity and consumer confidence in down leaving it that much harder for businesses and employees to stay on the right track.

According to business experts, the key to gaining the competitive edge in the modern economy is easy to understand - a happy, productive workforce. And, while sometimes the easiest notions can be the most difficult to achieve, a recent scientific study conducted at Texas A&M University finds that nature can hold the secret to business success. The research demonstrates that workers' idea generation, creative performance and problem solving skills improve substantially in workplace environments that include flowers and plants.

So brighten someones day by sending them flowers to their office or bring flowers into the office to brighten the office mood. Flowers are sure to bring in some cheer and positive energy into the office environment.

Study courtesy of SAF

Wedding Wednesday

Where and how do I begin choosing a Floral Designer?

What would a wedding be like without the beauty and romance of flowers? The colors, shapes, textures and smell as well as quality design lend an air of ambiance to your event. Not to mention they are woman’s main accessory when walking down the isle.

So when do you need to start the process for wedding flowers? Well, you will want to have the set vision of your wedding. For example, you will want to know if you will be in a church, on the beach, in a formal hall or the casual outdoors. Have an idea of what the setting will be like. No, it does not need to be all set in stone, but this is going to help you know the style and have an idea of your budget for flowers.

On average you should expect to spend about 8-10% of your overall wedding budget on the flowers. This will include the bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and any ceremony and reception decor.

Collecting photos is going to be the next best thing you can do. Use the internet, bridal magazines and any photos to show your “likes” and even “dislikes.” This is going to help you narrow down designs trends.

Then it’s time to start shopping around for floral designers. Believe it or not, at this point you do not have to know the color of your bridesmaids' gowns, nor do you have to have a color scheme in mind. Your concern is to view their work and to feel comfortable with the designer. It is best to make an appointment, so you can be sure they will have time to talk with you. Don't be afraid to ask how many weddings they've done and to see photos of their work.

Once you have narrowed down your designer, secure the date. You will most likely have to put down a deposit to secure that date and make sure you get everything in writing.

As you get closer to your wedding date now you go armed and prepared! Show them everything you've got. Don't worry if you're stuck on ideas. Your designer will know how to draw out your likes and dislikes. It’s our job is to guide you, not to bowl you over with ideas that don't suit your personality and overall desires, not to mention budget.

The best part of a fabulous and credible floral designer is all of this can be done even long distance; so flower planning for a destination wedding can be easily executed. It is all about the feeling comfortable with the designer to craft beautiful floral designs on your special day.