We're Moving!

by LeAnne Nelson
www.afloral.com

Hello all. Just wanted to let you know that our blog is moving! You can view all of our new (and of course old) posts at:
www.afloralconnect.com/flowers-blog

We are stilling working out a few tweaks...but I hope you like the new blog!

Fun Valentine's Day Facts

by LeAnne Nelson
http://www.afloral.com/

Here are some fun Valentine's Day and flower facts for you! Enjoy!

• 74% of Americans celebrate Valentine's Day.
  
  
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• Approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year.



• Hallmark has over 1330 different cards just for Valentine's Day.
  
  


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• Only the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Australia, and the UK celebrate Valentine's Day.
  
  
• In Victorian times, it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine's Day card.
  
  
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Teachers receive the most valentines.

Approximately 15% of women send themselves flowers for Valentine's Day.

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In mythology, the red rose was the flower of Venus, the roman goddess of love. Red stands for strong feelings -- which is why a red rose is a flower of love.

64% of men don't make plans in advance for a romantic Valentine's Day with their sweetie.

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The Italian city, Verona -- where Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" lived -- receives about 1000 letters to Juliet for Valentine's Day every year.

valentines romantic flowers rose
sweetie holiday celebrate cards
facts shakespeare love hallmark

"Love is the true means by which the world is enjoyed: our love to others, and others' love to us."
~ Thomas Trahern

Brief History/Facts of the Rose

by LeAnne Nelson
http://www.afloral.com/

Still going on about roses....

Ever wonder where the beautiful flower came from? Well, here are a couple facts & history of the well known flower:

The rose is approximately 35 million years old -- wow!

15th Century -- Pick a side!
The rose was used as a symbol for the coalitions fighting to control England. The white rose represented York, and the red -- Lancaster. This is why the conflict between the two is now known today as the "War of Roses."

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17th Century -- Roses become a high demand!
During this time, royalty considered roses and rose water to be legal tender. Because of this, peasants were forced to cultivate roses to meet their high demands. The rose was used as a form of payment and to barter with. Royalty also used them in bath water, as confetti during a party, as a sweet smelling perfume, and even in medicine.

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Napoléon Bonaparte -- And his wife!
Josephine, (Napoléon's wife), was royalty during the 17h century. She acquired an extensive collection of roses and kept them in the garden known as Chateau de Malmaison. This is where the famous botanical illustrator, Pierre Joseph Redoutes, is rumored to have began his career. It is also the spot where Pierre did the majority of his work for his watercolor collection, "Le Rose."

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Did you know that there is a rose named after Napoléon? The Chateau de Napoléon!

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18th Century -- Let me introduce you...
This is when the cultivated rose was first introduced from China to Europe! Most of our roses today can be traced back to this time.

Greek Mythology -- How the rose was created.
In Greek mythology it is believed that Aphrodite gave the rose it's name, though Chloris created it...
Chloris (goddess of flowers), was cleaning up in the forest when she came across the beautiful but lifeless body of a nymph. She felt terrible and to right the death, she called upon several gods and goddess for help to create the flower -- Aphrodite (goddess of love), gave the body even more beauty; Dionysus (god of wine), added nectar, to help the flower smell sweet; the 3 Graces gave the rose charm, brightness, and joy; and Zephyr (the West Wind), blew the clouds away so that Apollo (sun god), could shine and make to beautiful rose bloom.
And so, the rose was created!

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"What's in a name? That which we call a rose; By any other name would smell as sweet."
~William Shakespeare

Coming Up Roses

by LeAnne Nelson
http://www.afloral.com/

Since we are talking about Valentine's Day and the oh so popular flower of the holiday -- roses -- I thought I would share some of my favorites! There are thousands of different roses in various sizes, shapes, and colors...you name it, I'm sure there is a rose for it!

Here are my 5 favorites! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Cajun Moon Rose

Photo property of http://www.johnnybecnelroses.com/


Cherry Brandy Rose

Photo property of http://www.floraya.us/


Black Magic Rose

Photo property of http://www.rirs.org/


Moonstone Rose

Photo property of http://www.growquest.com/


Black Bacarra Rose

Photo property of http://www.fiftyflowers.com/

roses valentines cajun moon flower
moonstone black bacarra beautiful
black magic favorite cherry brandy

"Just living is not enough...
One must have freedom, sunshine, and a little flower."
~Hans Christian Anderson

Valentine's Day is Drawing Near!

by LeAnne Nelson
http://www.afloral.com/

There are only a few weeks left until Valentine's Day! Are you ready?! Do you have your flowers, cards, candies, and perhaps even jewelry bought??

Maybe you are prepared for V-Day -- and maybe you would just like to know a little more about the holiday. The history and fun little facts. Here a a few website I came across the will help give a little more meaning to Valentine's Day! Check them out:

www.crewsnest.vispa.com/valentine.htm

http://www.history.com/minisites/valentine/viewPage?pageId=882

www.brownielocks.com/valentineshistory.html

If you are looking to purchase some silk flowers for your sweetie...as always, check out the deals at http://www.afloral.com/!

valentines romantic flowers rose
jewelry candy chocolate history
cards be mine sweetie holiday

"Just living is not enough...
One must have freedom, sunshine, and a little flower."
~Hans Christian Anderson

Unique Wedding Cake Idea

by LeAnne Nelson
http://www.afloral.com/

Want a unique and different wedding cake design? Having trouble imaging your perfect cake? Take a tip from Chidi Ogbuta -- why not have your cake be a replica of yourself?

Wow. My only question...where does the first piece of cake get cut?!

Check it out:

Photo property of www.metro.co.uk

View article at:
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=83520&in_page_id=34

wedding bride cake unique
idea replica different frosting

"Just living is not enough...
One must have freedom, sunshine, and a little flower."
~Hans Christian Anderson