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.

Get Your Daily Dose of “Vitamin F”

Small Doses of Nature, Like Flowers, Can do a Wonder for one’s Well-being-

From A to E, vitamins are known to be responsible for strengthening our senses, bolstering our bones and invigorating to our bodies from the inside out. And now, we would like to add Vitamin F to list of vitamins that have benefits to our bodies.
Research has linked flowers with happiness, creativity, compassion and tranquility. Mind and matter are said to be interconnected and when we are surrounded by beautiful nature, our emotions are calmed and harmonized.

We are fortunate to come to work every morning and get our daily dose of “Vitamin F.” When walking into our design center our senses immediately perk up with the smell of fresh flowers and the sight of bright beautiful colors. There is an “at ease” feeling with nature coming from the outside, in.

Anyone can let Vitamin F fortify their home, office and favorite interior by simply bringing in a unique and beautiful floral design. Try it, and see for yourself the positive energy it brings!

Research from SAF

The Power of Giving Flowers

Happy birthday, congratulations, thank you, I love you, thinking of you. Each day, millions of gifts are exchanged by people who want to send thoughtful regards to deserving friends and loved ones. According to research from Rutgers University, the presents we pick to convey our special messages say a lot about us.

Rutgers University researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., director of the university’s Human Emotions Lab, explored what the gifts we choose say about who we are and whether they affect how we are perceived. The research reveals that those who send flowers, in comparison to other gifts, are viewed as successful, caring and emotionally intelligent people.

More specific findings include:

• Both men and women who give flowers are perceived as happy, achieving, strong, capable and courageous people;


• Men and women come across as more emotionally intelligent; they give the impression they can effectively express their feelings and take time to understand the feelings of others;


• and Female floral gifters are viewed as more appreciative of beauty and nature.

“Our findings show that you can influence and change what people think of you in a significant way through the gifts you give,” says Haviland-Jones. “That news is particularly important to those interested in enhancing friendships and romances, even business relationships.”

Discovering the scientific power of flowers is not new to Haviland-Jones. Previous Rutgers University research conducted by her team found that flowers create instant delight and happiness, and increase enjoyment and life satisfaction. Specifically, upon receiving a gift of flowers, the female study participants responded with true smiles and reported positive moods that lasted for days. The presence of flowers also led to increased contact with family andfriends.

“Flowers have evolved to activate positive emotional responses from people,” says Haviland-Jones. “Each bloom has the potential to put a smile on our face and sway our opinion of a friend, colleague or loved one. That’s powerful.”

Study by Rutgers University & SAF

Flowers Boost Morning Moods

Recent research confirms that flowers might be the perfect pick-me-up for millions of Americans who do not consider themselves “morning people.” Participants of a behavioral study conducted by researchers at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital confirmed that they feel least positive in the early hours but reported being happier and more energetic after looking at flowers first thing in the morning.

“The morning blahs, it turns out, is a real phenomenon, with positive moods – happiness, friendliness and warmth, for example – manifesting much later in the day,” says lead researcher Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D. “Interestingly, when we placed a small bouquet of flowers into their morning routines, people perked up.”

Dr. Etcoff is referencing the fact that participants in the study responded to the flowers, which had been placed in rooms they frequented in the morning. Overall, the participants reported they liked to look at the blooms first thing in the morning, particularly in the kitchen. The final study results demonstrate that flowers impact people emotionally at home, causing them to feel less anxious and more compassionate. They even reported a boost of energy that lasted through their day.

“What I find interesting is that by starting the day in a more positive mood, you are likely to transfer those happier feelings to others – it’s what is called mood contagion,” says Etcoff. “And, the kitchen is the place where families tend to gather in the morning – imagine how big a difference a better morning mood can make.”

Study conducted by Harvard University & Massachusettes General Hospital

Wedding Wednesday

Consider the Season

Consider the season in which you are marrying when deciding on which flowers you want in your arrangements. Marrying in summer or in a humid climate? Go for hardy flowers that won't wilt, such as sunflowers, zinnias, dahlias, lilies, and hydrangeas. Avoid gardenias, lily of the valley, tulips, and wildflowers.

Talk to your florist about what flowers will be in season during your wedding. Remember that flowers are always available, however the flowers that are in season means it is easier for the florist to access. This will potentially lower your cost.

Donations for kids.... FREE Roses for you!

We are looking forward to all of the Fort Myers area donating school supplies for kids affected by HIV/AIDS served by ICAN (Island Coast Aids Network) this year!




Drop off supplies at our Floral Design Center, located on the corner of Metro Parkway & Crystal Drive.


As a "Thank You" you for your contribution, we will give you a dozen of roses free!
What we need.... *Backpacks, *Binders, *Pocket Folder, *Pencils, *Notebook Paper, *Rulers, *Markers, *Crayons, *Glue, *Gift Cards

FREE roses for helping kids

We are offering one dozen roses FREE in exchange for your donations of school supplies for kids affected by HIV/AIDS served by ICAN (Island Coast Aids Network).

What we need...




Backpacks
Binders
Pocket Folder
Pencils
Notebook Paper
Rulers
Markers
Crayons
Glue
Gift Cards

Donations are accepted until August 20. Deliver items to In Bloom located in Ft. Myers in the Metropolitan Commercial Park plaza at 12155 Metro Parkway, Suite 10 on the corner of Metro Parkway and Crystal Drive.

Vapiano Restaurant Evening Celebration

As they rolled out the red carpet to invite guests to celebrate their 1 year anniversary, Vapiao's Restaurant, in the Gulf Coast Town Center, had gorgeous floral designs. We created unique designs throughout the restaurant to add flair and elegance to the evening festivities.

Flowers are great for setting the mood for your gathering, from an informal gathering to a extravagant event. Fresh flowers lend an air of ambiance to your event. The colors, shapes, textures and smells as well as quality design let people know something essential is going on.