Fleurtations
Flowers open hearts.
Christine Arylo, popular author of Choosing ME Before WE, inspires women to find the success, happiness, and love they want by starting with their most important partnership first, the one with themselves. She shares creative and fun floral gifting advice for building loving relationships, sending spontaneous love, lifting the spirits of a friend, and loving yourself.
When you receive flowers, the doors of your heart swing open. When you give flowers, doors swing open in response. Expressing love and kindness through flowers – to a friend, family member or lover – is faster and less complicated than words and communicates so much about you, too. Research says, as I always believed, that flower givers are seen as caring and loving people, proving that we all have love to give.
Fleurtations
Gorgeous florals are the ultimate compliment to your guests, letting them know you care enough about your time spent together to surround them in beauty and scintillate their senses.
Jeanne Benedict, host of DIY Network's Weekend Entertaining, is a party expert, chef and author of four books including The Sophisticated Cookie and Celebrations. She shares easy, uncomplicated ways to use flowers to make a statement at parties and get-togethers.
Never has entertaining at home been more en vogue. We cherish celebratory times together – beyond just traditional holidays – we are inventing our own individual reasons to celebrate and are finding that spur-of-the-moment celebrations with family and friends create the memories we remember forever. The sensorial qualities of flowers make them a natural to enhance celebrations no matter how intimate the gathering. Better yet, they are an easy, uncomplicated way to make a statement or simply decorate! A Rutgers University study says it best: Flowers create instant happiness, exactly the mood you want for a party.
Fleurtations
Flowers and plants have the natural energy to infuse peace and harmony into living and working spaces.
Kelli Ellis is a featured designer on Bravo's Real Housewives of Orange County, columnist, furniture designer and most recently created a line of designer linens.
Like your wardrobe, iPod playlist and even your refrigerator door, your home is a reflection of who you are, whether you live in a single family home, apartment or dorm room. As an interior designer, I believe your living space should reflect your sense of style and personality. One easy and versatile way to show your style is to tap the power of flowers to express your individuality and mood as it changes – on a weekly or even daily basis. Today, you feel playful, next week you may want to feel relaxed. Flowers can match – or even make – your mood. And, while no home will ever be picture perfect, flowers can be used to create favorite spots we love to walk by, relax in, or re-energize in. Why do we need these go-to spots? A Harvard study showed that having flowers in the home decreases anxiety and provides bursts of energy that last well into the day.
Society of American Florists
Jennifer Sparks oversees the Society of American Florists’ consumer education, marketing, and research programs. Having been with the Society for almost 20 years, Jennifer feels fortunate to be able to see all aspects of the industry at work -- how floral products get from the field, to the florist, to the people who ultimately benefit from the true power of flowers. She experiences daily the research-proven benefits of flowers creating instant delight and happiness. Jennifer lives in Lorton, Va., and loves the beach, collecting sea glass, hiking, gardening, and spending time with her husband, two children, and Shetland Sheepdog.
Society of American Florists
Jenny Scala is the director of consumer marketing for the Society of American Florists. In addition to being responsible for communications about the association’s marketing programs and the floral industry’s speakers bureau, she coordinates the industry’s longest running, live national annual floral design contest, the Sylvia Cup Design Competition. With more than 10 years experience with SAF, Jenny talks with flower growers, florists and floral designers from all across the country and around the world and has participated in floral efforts decorating Presidential Inauguration events. She sends floral gifts to family and friends, and loves it when her husband surprises her with flowers. Jenny lives in Alexandria, Va., near George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and enjoys monthly potlucks, book club meetings and Kennedy Center performances.
Florist
Ardith Beveridge, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, CAFA, is the director of education and an instructor at Koehler & Dramm’s Institute of Floristry in Minneapolis. She has demonstrated floral design on national and cable channels and PBS stations. She creates floral designs for prestigious events, such as the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Minnesota State Governor’s office. Ardith has achieved membership in the American Academy of Floriculture, the American Institute of Floral Designers, Professional Floral Communicators-International and Canadian Academy of Floral Arts. Ardith is the author of “Faux Florals in Glass,” “Fabulous Faux Florals,” “Fabulous Faux Florals for Weddings,” and “Wreaths and Wall Flowers,” and has compiled “Terminology of Floristry Techniques” and “Design Styles and Forms.” In addition, Ardith is a licensed auctioneer. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, especially her grandson.
Florist
In addition to operating a successful retail flower shop for most of her 45-year floral career, Carol Caggiano, AIFD, PFCI, has traveled extensively sharing her design skills, creative techniques and business knowledge with florists in more than 300 programs throughout the United States. Japan, Korea, Italy & Singapore have been part of the itinerary where she has been invited to teach and present design programs. Garden Clubs also have enjoyed Carol’s presentations, as have other community groups and organizations. As a two-time regional finalist in the prestigious America’s Cup Floral Design Competition, Carol’s achievements in floral design are well recognized. Several floral industry publications have featured her designs. As the floral design director for a floral wire service, Carol heads a group of florists who create and photograph floral arrangements available for order in florist shops nationwide. Carol has created floral designs for Presidential Inauguration events and floats for the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day. She is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers and Professional Floral Communicators – International. When Carol is not designing flowers, she and her husband are spending time with their daughters and granddaughter.
Flower Grower
A fourth generation flower grower from the Netherlands, Lane DeVries is the president and CEO of the Sun Valley Group. The company has operations in California and Canada and grows tulips, lilies, irises, foliage, evergreens, and other specialty flowers. Lane immigrated to the U.S. in 1983 after his family sold its farm in Holland, and soon after, landed a job at Sun Valley. After building the company’s first Dutch glass greenhouse, he was promoted to greenhouse manager and then general manager. Three years later in 1991, he and two Dutch partners purchased Sun Valley. Lane is active in several organizations and is chairman of the California Cut Flower Commission, trustee for the American Floral Endowment and on the Board of Directors for the Society of American Florists. He lives in Arcata, Calif., with his wife Kathryn and two children.
Florist
Tim Farrell, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, is an accomplished floral designer, educator and retail shop owner for more than 25 years. Tim owns and operates Farrell’s Florist in Drexel Hill, Pa., and teaches floral design and business skills to florists across the country. His work has been featured in several national publications, and he has designed flowers for high profile events such as Presidential Inaugurations and the Academy Awards. Tim also represented the United States in an international floral design competition in Tokyo in 2006. He is a member of the American Academy of Floriculture, American Institute of Floral Designers and Professional Floral Communicators – International. Tim loves traveling with his wife and three children, doing weekend home improvements, and just spending time with family and friends.
Society of American Florists
Sharon provides administrative support for the Society of American Florists’ consumer marketing and research and information departments, and the Professional Floral Communicators-International. Sharon lives near George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and enjoys gardening, biking, the shore, and spending time with her husband, son, and spoiled English bulldog, Daisy.
Florist
Lisa Greene, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, is with Gordon Greenhouses, Inc., in Ipswich, Mass., where she has contributed beautiful flowers to the north shore area for the past 14 years. Lisa is a teacher, working with institutions such as the New York Botanical Gardens, North Shore Community College and the Garden Club Federation. In 2005, Lisa was a member of the team that provided flowers for the Presidential Inauguration. Lisa’s hometown is in western Massachusetts and she lives about 20 miles north of Boston with her husband and son. Lisa is a member of the American Academy of Floriculture, American Institute of Floral Designers and Professional Floral Communicators – International. When not working with flowers, she enjoys crocheting jewelry out of wire. The Greene family shares its home with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Florist
Leanne Kesler, AIFD, PFCI, is the director, president, and with her husband David, co-owner of Floral Design Institute, Inc., in Portland, Ore. Together, Leanne and David have built Floral Design Institute into the largest privately held floral design school in the world. Leanne is a floral designer, speaker, educator and floral business consultant. Her expertise encompasses care and handling, color, principles and elements of floral design, weddings and trends. She has held leadership posts in the American Institute of Floral Designers and Northwest Florist’s Association, and she is a member of Professional Floral Communicators - International. Outside of the floral industry, you will often find Leanne working out at the gym or running through the city of Portland preparing for the next half marathon and burning calories so she can enjoy her second favorite past time, fine foods and wine.
Florist
Mandy Majerik, AIFD, PFCI, is truly a modern age flower child. Although staying true to her Alabama Southern roots, Mandy has made her move into the national limelight as one of the floral industry’s rising stars. Weddings and events are her area of expertise, landing her favorable spots in floral industry magazines such as Floral Management and Florists’ Review, and floral enthusiasts publications such as International Floral Art (a yearbook of original and innovative designs), and numerous wedding publications. This third-generation floral designer is an active member in several associations such as the American Institute of Floral Designers and Professional Floral Communicators-International. Mandy enjoys traveling the country presenting industry floral shows as well as working with brides all over the Southeast making their wedding dreams come true. Mandy resides in Birmingham, Ala., sharing her time between her floral workshop, Hothouse Design Studio, and her loft with Jasper, her spoiled cocker spaniel.
Florist
Shelby Shy began her career in the floral industry when she was 14. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s of science with an emphasis in business communications and marketing, Shelby took a detour from flowers to become a buyer for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., where she earned numerous Buyer of the Quarter awards. Five years later, she returned to her family’s business and became the third-generation florist of Shirley’s Flowers and Gifts, Inc., in Rogers, Ark. In 2007, Shelby took on the roles as the shop’s manager, marketing director and senior wedding consultant. Shelby is active in the floral industry, serving on the Society of American Florists’ (SAF) Consumer Marketing Committee and presenting educational seminars for other florists at the SAF conventions and Arkansas Florists Association’s conventions. In addition, Shelby is a board member of the Rogers/Lowell Arkansas Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders and a founding member of the Northwest Arkansas Wedding Vendor Group. Shelby lives with her husband and dog Christmas in Rogers, Ark., where she loves spending time with family and friends and doing anything outdoors with nature.
Florist
Brian J. Wheat, AAF, PFCI, is the CEO of Lafayette Florist & Greenhouses, Inc. in Lafayette, Colo. Brian runs this third-generation family business, which started in 1949. With more than 25 years in the floral industry, Brian is a Colorado State University Master Gardener. He is a member of Professional Floral Communicators – International and the American Academy of Floriculture. His business and civic contributions include past-president of the Garden Centers of Colorado, past board member of the Colorado Greenhouse Growers, U.S. Air Force veteran, 18-year board member of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Rotarian and a Rotary Paul Harris fellow. In addition, Brian is an accomplished artist who produces the weekly cartoon “The Flower Guy,” which is published online and in his local newspaper, “Wallflower” canvas art and teaches classes in gardening and illustration. Brian lives just outside Boulder, Colo., with his wife Lori and son Tanner. He enjoys sports, traveling, art, movies, volunteering, gardening and singing karaoke.
Florist
J. Robbin Yelverton AIFD, PFCI, CF, is co-owner of Blumz…by JRDesigns Floral & Event Professionals in metro Detroit as well as a floral designer and educator with more than 30 years experience. The National Alliance of Floral Associations, Mississippi Florist Association and Michigan Floral Association have recognized Robbin with Designer of the Year accolades. As an award-winning designer, Robbin presents educational floral design programs to professionals at the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium, regional and state floral trade associations as well as wholesale and retail audiences. He is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers and Professional Floral Communicators-International, and Robbin is a Michigan Certified Florist. Robbin credits his grandmothers who shared their love of African violets, which through a twisted and winding road, led him to being who and where he is today.
Guest Contributor
Vanessa Diffenbaugh is the author of the novel, “The Language of Flowers.” She was born in San Francisco and raised in Chico, Calif. After studying creative writing and education at Stanford, she went on to teach art and writing to youth in low-income communities. Vanessa is also the founder of the Camellia Network. Its mission is to create a nationwide movement to support youth transitioning from foster care. In “The Language of Flowers,” Camellia [kuh-meel-yuh] means “My Destiny is in Your Hands.” The network’s name emphasizes the belief in the interconnectedness of humanity: each gift a young person receives will be accompanied by a camellia, a reminder that the destiny of our nation lies in the hands of our youngest citizens. Vanessa and her husband, PK, have three children: Tre’von, eighteen; Chela, four; and Miles, three. Tre’von, a former foster child, is attending New York University on a Gates Millennium Scholarship. Vanessa and her family live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where her husband is studying urban school reform at Harvard.
Guest Contributor
Stefanie Fauquet is the owner and editor of the mom and lifestyle blog, MommyMusings.com. For the past seven years, she has shared her adventures of life, food and travel — basically all of her favorite things — with readers near and far. Stefanie is mom to an 8-year-old daughter, and she resides with her family in the Tampa Bay area.
Guest Contributor
Jenny Ingram, the voice and personality of jennyonthespot.com, lives on a peninsula in the greater Seattle area. She is a mother of three, wife, friend, and former history teacher who awkwardly stumbled into the blogging scene in 2004. Part lifestyle blog, part mom blog, part art, craft, food, and photography blog, Jenny On the Spot is about taking on life and telling life's stories through words, pictures, humor and of course, video. Jenny considers coffee a food group and would say sparkle is her favorite color. And green. But please, don't make her choose between green and sparkle. That could get ugly.
Guest Contributor
Alicia Peiffer is the mom of two preschool-aged boys. She blogs at Making Time For Mommy about parenting children with Special Needs, causes she supports and products she recommends. She is the coordinator of cbSocially for Collective Bias where she spends her days immersed in social media. She enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, drinking Starbucks and list making.
Guest Contributor
Linda Vertlieb is the blogger for FrugalPhillyMom.com, a family friendly local resource for deals, events, tips, reviews and giveaways. Linda is a mom to a girl and new baby boy and married to a Philadelphia firefighter.
Society of American Florists
Katie Hendrick reports on flowers trends for industry professionals as the assistant editor of the Society of American Florists’ Floral Management magazine. Prior to joining the association in 2010, Katie held an editorial internship with Southern lifestyle magazine Garden & Gun. Katie lives in Alexandria, Va., with Rosie, a precocious Yorkshire terrier. She enjoys tennis, running, cooking and cheering for her alma maters' sports teams, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Florida Gators.
