College Living

It is that time of the year.  The car gets packed to the gills and you head out to start a new year.  College students all over the U.S. will be decorating their dorms and college apartments over the next few weeks, if they haven't already.  The first year is always the most exciting and overwhelming.  What to bring?  There is tons of advice out there on this.  I remember the monster list I had with great suggestions on items that I needed for the year.  Here are a few lists that I found online: Off-to-College Checklist, Bed Bath and Beyond, and the Container Store.  The Container Store also has some tips for college living on their main dorm room page. And here are some more suggestions to keep organized and manage in a small space.  National Geographic also lists some resources for taking your dorm room green. Remember to check with your school to find out what is allowed in your dorm room and don't forget to plan with your roommate!

My one suggestion would be to add some live plants.  They bring life to the room and offer an inexpensive option for decor.  Try African Violets, succulents, or a money tree for easy to care for options.  Lucky Bamboo or wheat grass are two other ideas that would work too!  Go to your local florist and see what is available that you like. 

[photos via pusgums and cyntheticflava]

Vases by Alyssa Ettinger

Alyssa Ettinger has some really nice white porcelain vases for sale in her etsy shop. I have a soft spot for old milk jug style jugs - so I just loves these! (Right: Milk Collection, $30; Left: Set of Three, NYC Theme, $110)

I also love the detail here for the knitware vase (Flat Mod Cable, $150).

Found via PoppyTalk and click here for more designs.

July 4th! Patriotic Flowers

Can you believe that July 4th is tomorrow!?! Hope you have some nice plans to celebrate the day with friends and family.  Here, many Atlantans celebrate by running the Peachtree Road Race - so if you are running, GOOD LUCK! :)  And don't forget to have some fun!

After the race, if you are going to a barbeque, think about taking a nice arrangement of red and white flowers in some blue vases.  Or just a few small blooms - one of each color to use in a small bud vase. 

Enjoy the fireworks displays!

[image from Rachel Ray]

Succulent Wreath

Succulents are so unique and interesting.  Instead of just putting them in a pot or box, you can make a cool wreath out of them. Click here is a beautiful example.  Use them for an event, such as a wedding or make one for a housewarming gift!  Check out this video on how to make a succulent wreath - Instructions from Martha Stewart.

Hat Tip

Father's Day Gifts

Father's Day is right around the corner - June 15th.  Don't forget to check out our website for some Father's Day Gift Ideas - Sphere of Tranquility Terrarium, Cactus Gardens, Poker Night gift basket, Chocolate Lovers Basket, and many more!

Year of Flowers

When Abbey, of the wonderful blog Abbey Goes Design Scouting, turned 29 this year, her husband gave her a very creative and thoughtful gift.  He made up 52 envelopes each filled with a note and a bit of cash to spend on fresh flowers from their neighborhood flower stands - a new note and bunch of flowers each week!  It is a gift that lasts the whole year.  I think he is going to have a hard time topping that one next year! What a wonderful idea! 

Abbey has been documenting her purchases each week on her blog and flickr account.  I always look forward to seeing what she comes home with.  Here are some of her latest choices:

 

Check out her blog for more each week and for some great interior design ideas too!  She also has two Etsy stores - stationery products and vintage decorative items. Take some time to poke around!

Mother's Day Special! Stargazer Lilies

We have Stargazer Lilies in abundance, and we are offering them to you at a special price of $3.50 per stem.

The royal Stargazer Lily is a floral jewel of extraordinary beauty and fragrance. Paired with red roses or by themselves, these large bloom Oriental lilies make a statement to remember.

Shipped to us straight from flower farms in South America, they are fresh, beautiful and the perfect gift for Mother's Day.

Call us today to order! 404-303-0530

Mother's Day! May 11th

Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Don't forget to plan something special for your mom.  Here are some great ideas for how to use flowers to make mom smile!

  

I love this idea!  Surprise mom before she wakes up in the morning. When I was little, we would celebrate mother's day by making our mom breakfast in bed.  We would write up a menu, and then, run upstairs to take her order.  My dad would make up the breakfast with us helping (washing the blueberries and pouring the orange juice).  We would then bring the meal up for her when ready.  We would have really pulled this together by placing a little arrangement of flowers around her bed post!   

I also like the idea of using real flowers to accent gift wrapping.  It is easy to do and adds a special touch to your gifts.  I have seen more elaborate arrangements placed on top of larger boxes, but I think the single rose pictured above works really well too!

Another idea for Better Homes and Gardens is to place flowers inside the present that you are giving to your mom.  If your mom likes to write, you can give her a hand-made pencil holder (like this, this, or this) filled with some of her favorite blooms.  Or if your mom likes to cook, take a mortar and pestle set and fill the mortar with some flowers. 

Just some ideas to get you started - we will post more throughout the week!

[pictures from Better Homes and Gardens]

Happy Administrative Professional's Day

A post on the Flower Blog points to research by Rutgers University about how bouquets send a very positive message to the receiver.  Not only are flowers beautiful to receive and look at, but they tell the receiver something about the sender (e.g., thoughtful, caring, and successful).   Click here for more information about the results.

[picture from Sister72]

Administrative Professional's Day - Tomorrow!

[picture from procsilas]

Don't forget about administrative professional's day!  Make sure you place your flower orders today. Recognize and thank the people who really keep the office running.

Happy Earth Day!

 

Grow grass inside! Aiming to green indoor living spaces, these frames of grass modernize the old Chia Pet.  Supposedly, the grass lasts for about 4 to 5 months.  The trays can be refilled to begin the process again.  Click here for purchasing information.

Something other than Roses

Some love to receive traditional and classic red roses for Valentine's Day.* Others hope for something a bit different and more unique. Some suggestions for choosing a great arrangement are available in this article Tips for Giving Valentine's Day Flowers. One benefit of choosing something different than red roses is that the price can be bit better. The price of red roses rises for Valentine's Day because of the high demand placed on the classic Valentine's Day flower. So, think about some other options to mix things up a bit! One way to select an arrangement other than red roses, is to choose an arrangement that sends a secret message with the specific flowers that you choose (as they did in Victorian times).

Or, if you are more straightforward, go with something that catches your eye, and attach a love note to the flowers. A mixed bouquet of roses, gerbera daisies, and mums can be eye-catching. French tulips are especially beautiful and delicate.

If you put a little thought into the flower you choose, you could really impress. Does your loved one have a favorite flower? Is there a flower that reminds you of your loved one? Did your wife include a special flower in your wedding? Did your mom always have a special flower in your house or garden when you were growing up? Does your daughter absolutely love the color yellow?

*If red roses are still on your mind though, check out this flickr group of red rose photos for some Valentine's Day inspiration; here is my favorite.

Valentine's Day One Week Away!

I always have the best intentions for buying gifts and sending cards early, but somehow the intentions escape me. I end up waiting until the last minute, running around all over the place, trying to put the best possible gift together. Those few times, when I have my act together, remind me how much easier it is when I buy my gifts ahead of time! With that said - make your plans, place your flower orders (hint, hint), and buy your cards - now! To get you thinking, we will take some time to let you know what we have in our shop, especially for Valentine's Day - besides flowers of course. :)

Stuffed Animals - We love GUND products! We love them so much that it is sometimes hard to choose which ones to stock. If we could, we would have one of each in the store, because they are THAT adorable! We have a great selection available to add to your order.

Box of Chocolates - Nothing says Valentine's Day like flowers and chocolate. Plus, chocolates are easy to share with co-workers and friends! Just let us know whether you want a small, medium, or large box!

Candles - Planning a romantic night at home, candles ALWAYS add to the mood. Really, who doesn't like candles?

Cards - We have a small selection of unique cards. So, if you did not find a card you liked at your favorite stationery store or at the grocery store, come on over to our shop. (Or we can just add it, with your note inside, to your floral delivery order.)

Balloons - And of course, we can add balloons to your order!

So, don't delay! Take sometime this weekend to finalize your plans. Valentine's Day is just a few days away!

[image from valart2008]

Unique Vases

Over the weekend, Inventor Spot posted a bunch of beautiful and unique vases that go beyond your typical cut glass or crystal vase. Any of the vases could make for a wonderful gift, maybe as a wedding present or for another special occasion. My favorite by far, is the Love is Blind vase below; it is subtle in its meaning and delicate in its beauty.

Love is blind by Jessica Lertvilai in Canada.

Can you see the braille on the vase? The braille transcribes words of love onto the front of the vase, making the vase a beautiful statement of romance. You can buy it at Fluke Collective for $87.00.

A close second favorite comes from Emogayu. The small, ceramic vases have an organic feel to them. They can double as candle holders, too. I love the little holes; they remind me of lava rocks, which is fitting, because the collection is called "Volcano".

Pictured above is one of the Volcano vases from Emogayu found via Below the Clouds.

Unfortunately, I am not sure how you go about buying the Emogayu vases. The designer is based out of Tokyo, so I guess you could travel there... Or Emogayu has an Etsy account. It may be a bit less expensive to contact the designer there, and see about getting your hands on these beautiful pieces.

Don't forget to take a look at the other vases posted by Inventor Spot. They also featured the chalkboard vase that we posted about a few weeks ago. If you really want one, and are feeling up to making your own, you could buy the vase, instead of making your own!

Shipping Deadlines Approaching

A few more gift guides from around the web - the last days for shipping in time for Christmas are quickly approaching, so get shopping!

not martha's ultimate guide to guides
My two favorite from the list are Design*Sponge's Gift Guides, which we mentioned earlier (now she has an ecofriendly guide posted) and Chow.com's 76 gifts, each grouped by price.

Unclutterer's Gift Guide for those who say "no" to more stuff.

Modishoppe's Gift Guide on homemade gifts from independent designers.

And of course the newspaper's and magazines all have their selections posted too! Here are a few of them...

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• New York Times
• National Public Radio
• Slate's guide to magazine gift guides

Gift Ideas - Regular Flower Arrangements

Receiving flowers always brightens your day. Why not give someone the gift of flowers? This is an excellent gift idea for someone special in your life. Who ever that person is he or she will receive beautiful flowers and a regular reminder about how much you care about them!

All we need to know is your budget, where you want the flowers delivered, and when and how often you want them delivered. If you or the receiver has particular likes or dislikes, please let us know. We will make a note on the account to be sure to incorporate the flowers you love into the arrangements and leave the flowers you don't like out of the arrangements.

Arrangement Bright, originally uploaded by KaBloom of Sandy Springs.

Give KaBloom of Sandy Springs a call at 404.303.0530 or visit our shop at 227 Sandy Springs Place, Building D, Suite 512, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, and we will set you all up!

Hanukkah almost here!

Hanukkah begins tonight! If you are in need of some inspiration for some last minute gifts, check out this great series by the Designist Dream. Having moved from America to Israel, Ziva now focuses this blog on Israeli art and design. Over the past week, she published a series of gift suggestions for the people in your life. Click here for the link to the first guide. While you might not be able to buy the exact products and have them delivered in time for tonight or this week, but you may find some inspiring suggestions. Below are some of my favorite items that she featured throughout all her guides.

Clockwise from left top. "DoorOrganizer" featured on the third guide and available at Amazon. Black lace bowl featured on the fourth guide and available at MoMa. Blue glass vase featured on the fifth guide available at Art Gallery 18. And the storage system featured on the sixth guide available at Design Within Reach. Click on each of the guides to reach links to where these items can be purchased. Happy Hanukkah!

We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating. If you need any floral arrangements, please give KaBloom of Sandy Springs a call!

Holiday Season has arrived!

First off, thank you for all your votes and well wishes for the Best of CitySearch for Atlanta Florist contest. We have a few more days, so keep the votes coming in!

Tomorrow is December 1st! Can you believe it is here already? The holiday season is in full swing. We hope you have recovered from Black Friday and Cyber Monday and have a good start on your gifts. A number of websites have created great gift guides to provide you with some ideas for those hard-to-buy-for people in your life. We will feature these lists, along with our own suggestion in the coming days and weeks. To get you started two great websites are listed below!

Design*Sponge, a wonderful blog/website on all things design, has created three different guides for different price points.

• Gifts under $100
  
• Gifts under $50
  
• Gifts under $25
  

Etsy, an online store for independent designers who sell hand-made items, has created gift guides for all the people and events in your life, in addition to specific price points.

More to come next week!