Continue reading »]]> There are a lot of different gift choices out there, but there’s nothing quite like a bouquet of flowers.  It’s the perfect gift for so many occasions, yet there are a lot of people who don’t think of giving flowers.  Why not?  Here are some reasons why flowers are always the perfect gift.

•    They’re customizable.  Can’t find a gift in the recipient’s favorite color?  You might be out of luck.  Flowers, however, come in all colors.  Even if one flower is out of season, there’s another that can take its place.
•    Flower arrangements have that human touch.  Few other gifts are designed, arranged, and delivered by hand these days.  With flowers, though, there’s no machine putting the bouquet together.  It’s all done by a person.
•    Flowers affect multiple senses.  We see, touch, and smell a bouquet of flowers.  Again, not many other gifts affect three of the five senses.
•    Flowers can change the whole look and feel of a room.  A bright arrangement draws your eyes right to it and makes a room feel more cheery.
•    Flowers are great gifts for women, but there are many arrangements for men, too.
•    Flowers can be accessorized very easily.  Add a balloon, a stuffed animal, a box of candy…there are many different ways to add something extra to a bouquet.
•    Flowers can send any message.  A bouquet of daisies might say, “cheer up!” while a dozen roses proclaims, “I love you.”
•    Flowers can be everything from the simple to the exotic.  There’s a flower for every mood.
•    Flowers are more about the thought.  You get this bright, beautiful bouquet of flowers that only last a short time, but it says so much in that time.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift, send flowers!  They’re perfect for every occasion.

Send flowers in Kansas City, MO.

Continue reading »]]> You don’t have to go out to a fancy restaurant and spend a lot of money to have a romantic Valentine’s Day date.  In fact, you can have a very romantic date without ever leaving home.  Here are a few tips on how to have a romantic Valentine’s Day at home.

For dinner, cook for her.  Even if you can’t make a huge, romantic meal, do what you can.  If you can work some of her favorite foods in, that’s even better.  It doesn’t matter if it’s something simple like stew in the slow cooker or a four course Italian meal, just do what you can do.  As long as you can make something edible that’s a step above a frozen pizza.

Order in.  If you can’t cook, or if the two of you agree not to put a lot of effort into your Valentine’s Day meal, order Chinese or pizza.  Some pizza chains are even doing special heart-shaped Valentine’s Day pizzas.  That’s romantic and easy.  Just don’t forget to tip your delivery person, who isn’t out on a romantic date this year.

Be sure to have snacks, dessert, and drinks on hand so you don’t run out.  You might want an extra bottle of wine for after dinner, and chocolate is always a good idea.

You can add romance to your table by adding a tablecloth, candles, and putting on some soft music in the background.  Wrap your silverware in cloth napkins and use your best china.  Don’t forget to order a bouquet of Valentine’s Day flowers for your table.

Of course, you don’t have to be tied to the table.  If you and your significant other are more comfortable eating in front of the TV, there’s nothing wrong with that.  You could also spread a blanket on the floor and have an indoor picnic.  If the weather permits, dinner on your balcony or back patio is also an option.  You can turn your backyard into a romantic getaway with just a few lights and candles.

After dinner, cuddle up and watch your favorite TV show or movie.  You could also play games (video games or board games, whichever you like), read to each other, or look back through photo albums and re-live your romance.  Whatever you do, make it something you both enjoy and can do together.

Enjoy your romantic Valentine’s Day at home!

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Cupid & Psyche by Canova

Valentine’s Day has a number of different images associated with it: roses, hearts, and Cupid, a little, mostly naked winged kid with a bow and arrow.  Cupid flies around shooting lovers with his magical arrows, causing them to fall deeply in love.  But there’s more to the myth of Cupid than just this.

Cupid was first known in ancient Greece as Eros (Cupid is his Roman name).  He was the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and was charged with spreading love among both mortals and the gods.  While he plays a small role in several myths, usually causing someone to fall in love with someone he or she shouldn’t, Cupid’s name story features how he met his mortal bride Psyche.

Psyche was incredibly beautiful, and unfortunately, many people told her so.  Aphrodite got wind of this and became very jealous—she believed she was the most beautiful being in existence, god or mortal.  She ordered Cupid to hit Psyche with one of his golden love arrows while she slept.  She would then make sure that the first thing Psyche saw when she woke up was a hideous creature.

Cupid made himself invisible and snuck into her room.  However, Psyche woke up before he could shoot her with the arrow, and he accidentally scratched himself with the arrow.  He instantly fell in love with her.  He returned to Aphrodite and told her what happened.  She cursed Psyched that prevented her from ever meeting a suitable husband.

Psyche’s parents went to the oracle of Apollo, who told them that Psyche’s husband awaited her on a mountain.  When she reached the peak, she found a gorgeous palace filled with everything she ever wanted.  Invisible servants took care of all her needs.  There was only one catch: she could speak to her husband, but she was forbidden to see him.  He would come to her in the middle of the night when it was completely dark and leave before first light.

Eventually, Psyche began to wonder what her husband looked like, especially after she visited her sisters.  They made Psyche suspect her husband was a horrible creature, and so one night she hid a lamp near her bed.  When Cupid fell asleep next to her, she uncovered the lamp and saw how beautiful he was.  He awoke, and in anger sent her back to her family.

Later, Psyche realized she was truly in love with Cupid, and she begged Aphrodite to allow the two to reconcile.  Aphrodite give Psyche a series of nearly impossible tasks, but Psyche prevailed.  In the end, Cupid and Psyche reconciled, and she became an immortal so they could remain together forever.

Don’t let your Psyche get away!  Woo her with Valentine’s flowers in Kansas City, MO.

Continue reading »]]> Valentine’s Day has a long and interesting history.  No one is really sure why February 14th was picked for this day, but it is known that it’s related to St. Valentine.  The holiday is partially based on the Roman festival of Lupercalis, which was a fertility celebration held on February 15th.  However, as Christianity became more prevalent in Europe, many of these pagan holidays were combined with or transformed into Christian holy days.

It was Pope Gelasius in 496 AD who changed Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and moved it one day forward.  He then declared February 14th to be the feast day of St. Valentine, a man who lived in the 3rd century.  But who was St. Valentine?

He wasn’t one man, that much is sure.  The Catholic Encyclopedia lists three St. Valentines.  One was a bishop in Terni, one was a priest in Rome, and one went on a missionary trip to Africa, where he died.  All three were supposedly martyred on February 14th.  Pope Gelasius most likely intended to honor the Roman priest.  According to some records, he lived around 270 AD in Rome.

There are two different versions of the story of St. Valentine, but they have some things in common.  Roman Emperor Claudius II had prohibited young men from marrying so he could recruit more and more soldiers into his army.  Married men, he believed, were too attached to their families and would be less willing to die for Rome.  Many Roman citizens were shocked at this, especially young couples who were planning to marry.

A number of priests, St. Valentine among them, agreed to hold secret marriage ceremonies.  He would meet he couples in a secret place and perform the ceremony.  However, it wasn’t long before his secret opposition to the emperor got out, and Claudius had him arrested.  When Claudius met him, he was very impressed with Valentine’s dignity.  However, he attempted to convince Valentine to worship the Roman gods, and Valentine refused.  This angered Claudius, who ordered his execution.

Before he died, Valentine wrote a message to his jailor’s daughter, with whom he had become friends.  He signed it “From your Valentine.”  From this line, his name became the term for both a card given on Valentine’s Day and a term for the person giving the card.

During the Middle Ages, Valentine had become one of the most popular saints in France and England.  The traditions of giving gifts and exchanging cards were in full swing by the 18th century.  These cards were all hand-made at this time.  It wasn’t until the 1840s that commercially produced Valentine’s cards were created in the U.S.

Today, the holiday is celebrated around the world.  A full 25% of all cards sent every year are Valentine Day cards!  Do you have a special Valentine this year?  If so, be sure to send him or her a card.

Don’t forget your Valentine flowers in Kansas City, MO.

Continue reading »]]> What kind of date do you have planned for Valentine’s Day this year?  Many people go with the traditional: dinner and a movie or concert.  However, you don’t have to follow the crowd.  There are many different types of dates.

The Stay-At-Home Date:  Cook her a romantic dinner and then snuggle on the sofa and watch your favorite movie.  You could also play games or just spend the evening talking.  For your dinner, you don’t necessarily have to do a candlelit meal.  You could have a picnic on the floor or even order a pizza if that’s what you both want.

The Walking Date:  Go out to dinner, but then take a stroll through the park or downtown area.  Some cities have plaza areas where musicians play and you can get coffee or shop.  Walk under the stars and enjoy each other’s company.

The Prince Charming Date:  After a romantic meal, take her for a horse-drawn carriage ride.  Be sure to start the date out with a bouquet of red roses, and once you return home, present her with your version of the glass slipper (a necklace, bracelet, or whatever gift you know she will love).

The Flashback Date:  Recreate your first date or your first Valentine’s Day date by going to the same restaurant and doing the same or a similar activity.  Finish the date off by reminiscing about your relationship and what you love about her.

The Online Date:  Will you and your significant other be separated on Valentine’s Day?  If you both have internet access, have an online date.  You can chat via instant messenger or even hook up webcams so you can see each other.  There are a number of free programs like Skype you can use for this.  If you both play the same online game, you can even go on a virtual date together.

The Non-Valentine’s Day Date:  If Valentine’s Day just isn’t for you, you can always celebrate by not celebrating.  For some people, this is actually a tradition.  Order in and watch TV all night.  Or you could have a party for all of your friends who don’t really get into this holiday.

No matter what kind of date you have, make it personal and romantic.  You don’t have to go big, but do pay attention to all the little details.  She will like any bouquet of flowers you get her, but she will love it if you get her an arrangement of her favorite flowers.  Likewise, any restaurant is great, but going to her favorite or one that has significance to the two of you makes it that much better.

Continue reading »]]> Valentine’s Day is in two weeks!  Hopefully, you’ve already got your plans laid out and reservations made.  While you’re setting up the perfect Valentine’s Day date, be sure to think about the little things you can do to make it truly special.  Anyone can buy a dozen roses and make a reservation at a restaurant.  If you really want to make your date special, you need to add a few small touches to make it really personal.

How can you do that?  Here are a few things ways to make a date special:

Even though a dozen red roses are traditional, they may not be personal.  If you know she doesn’t particularly like roses or that she loves a different flower, get her those flowers.  Another way of adding a bit of extra flair to your Valentine’s Day flowers is to have them delivered to her office.  Imagine her delight when she gets a large bouquet of her favorite flowers delivered in front of her coworkers.

Select a restaurant that has a special meaning for the two of you.  Maybe it’s her favorite place to eat, or maybe it was where you had your first date.

Another way of making the date special is to go with a personal date.  Stuffed animals and jewelry are pretty traditional gifts.  How about going with something really different?  For example, if she loves a particular author, try to hunt down a signed book.  If she collects something specific, try to find a piece or two that she doesn’t have.

If you really want to make the date special, think about doing something instead of the whole “dinner and an activity” idea.  For example, set up a special date at home.  Cook a romantic dinner yourself, then watch a movie together.  Another option might be to stay home and play your favorite games or take a walk in the park.  Do something that’s special to the two of you.

We’ve got a wide variety of flowers for Valentine’s Day, including roses.  Order now and we’ll deliver them on the 14th.  We’ve got all your Valentine’s flowers in Kansas City, MO.

Continue reading »]]> Making a lasting impression is actually very easy to do, believe it or not.  The problem is making a good lasting impression.  It’s just as easy to make a bad one as a good one.  Some people take a lot of time and put a lot of work into making a lasting impression, while others wing it and hope their natural charm and wit makes a great lasting impression on someone.

One way of making a good lasting impression is to look nice.  Make sure the clothes you’re wearing don’t have any rips or stains on them and that the colors match.  Have your hair combed nicely and your nails trimmed.  If you’re a woman, sometimes making a good lasting impression does mean wearing makeup.  Don’t go overboard, though—you’ll make an impression, all right, but it might not be a great one.

Another way of making a lasting impression is to be positive and happy.  While we all have our bad days, some people seem to be in a perpetual bad mood.  While you might not believe in auras or energy, it is true that sometimes you just get the impression of negativity from someone.  Try your hardest not to be one of those people, especially when you’re meeting someone new.

If you think back at all the people who made an impression right off, you probably remember those who stood out or had something unique.  These people are usually very individual and have their own style that they’re not afraid to show off.  One example of this is a young person who dresses old fashioned, such as wearing a bow tie, vest, and bowler hat.  Another example might be someone with an eyebrow ring or flashy nose piercing.  Another way of making an impression is to wear unique vintage outfits.

Of course, attitude and what you say can often make more of an impression than how you look.  If you’re rude, constantly interrupt, or speak loudly, you’re likely to make a negative impression very quickly.  People who are polite, honest, and participate in a conversation in an intelligent way will be remembered as such.  Of course, if you’ve recently moved somewhere, your accent may make the biggest impression.  People might ask you to say certain words over and over just because you pronounce them differently.  Just try to grin and bear it!

Actions can also make a lasting impression.  Stepping in and saving a major project or putting a lot of work in to something will make a very favorable impression on your boss and co-workers.  For example, if you’re in charge of organizing a conference, luncheon, or major meeting, you can impress a lot of people if everything goes off without a hitch.  Naturally, the opposite is also true: if the event or project you’re in charge of is constantly plagued with problems, you might make a negative impression on some people.

In personal relationships, it’s also just as easy to make a good impression.  On a first date, for example, show up with a bouquet of flowers and tell her she looks great.  Take her out somewhere nice, and be sure to hold the door for her like a true gentleman would.  That’s all it takes to make a really great impression and score a second date.

Always try to keep in mind what kind of impression your actions, dress, and words will make.  It only takes a second to make a first impression, and while the lasting impression you make might be different, it will only be because you make it different.

Continue reading »]]> Life is all about memories, the good and the bad.  Making memories with your special someone is very important.  In fact, the memories you make do, in a way, define your life.  You can set out to make memories with your loved one, but it seems like a lot of the best memories are the ones that happen naturally.

Some people would argue that it’s the big memories that count.  Memories like your first date and your first kiss, for example.  Naturally, remembering how you got engaged and your wedding are huge events, and those memories are ones that you’ll fondly remember for years.

But sometimes, it’s the little memories that keep us going.  When you’re having a horrible day, doesn’t the memory of your most recent date help?  Or maybe remembering how safe and warm you felt in his arms the night before is what gets you through the day.  Stolen kisses, the touch of a hand, or the whisper of your name are intimate, emotional memories that can be just as powerful, if not more powerful, than memories of big, major events.

In the end, it’s the memories you hold on to that are the most important.  Some people say they don’t remember much about their wedding day at all because of the stress, but they may remember every little detail of their first date or the first time they met their spouse.  Others say their wedding day seemed to happen in slow motion, and they might remember what every member of their immediate family was wearing and how the minister stumbled over a few words.  The most important memories you make with your loved one are the ones that touch you the most, the ones you’ll always cherish.  Make the most of them.

Love & Romance Flowers in Kansas City, MO

Continue reading »]]> Here’s a great blog article from the Crofton Village Garden Club blog.

Like these flowers?  Have these fragrant flowers delivered in Kansas City MO.

Continue reading »]]> You’ve heard the saying that actions speak louder than words, and this is often true.  However, it’s also true that actions themselves are, in a way, words or messages to others.  What do your actions say about you?  What do you want them to say?  It’s important that the messages we want our actions to convey are actually received correctly.  Sometimes, they can get a little jumbled and the other person gets the wrong message!

So how do you make your actions say what you want?  First, think carefully about what you’re going to do and what you want to say.  If you just want to say “thanks,” you might not need to make any over the top gesture.  A smile might be enough.

Flowers are a great way of saying “thank you” when a smile isn’t enough.  They can also say “I’m interested in you” or “I love you.”  However, you’ve got to be careful they don’t say too much.  Red roses, for example, are usually used when your message is about love, not friendship or gratitude.

A meal can also say too much.  If you want to show a friend how much you appreciate something they’ve done, you might want to take them out to lunch.  However, asking someone out to dinner, even if your intention is just to thank them for something, may imply that you want more.  Dinner means romance.  Asking someone to go for drinks or for coffee, likewise, may imply a bit more than you’d want.

It’s also possible for our actions to say things we certainly don’t mean.  For example, giving someone chocolates when they’re trying to lose weight or when they are on a restrictive diet may hurt their feelings or make them self-conscious.  Having a bad day can result in actions that hurt others, too, so it’s important that we always be aware of what message our actions are sending.

Of course, the opposite can be true, as well.  Being in a great mood can be infectious.  The actions of smiling, laughing, and being in a good mood can send a great message to others.  It can even spread your good mood!