Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: Picture Perfect Holiday Bouquets!

Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: Picture Perfect Holiday Bouquets!: Say Merry Christmas with a beautiful candle centerpiece or picture perfect holiday bouquet. Our shop is filled with Poinsettia Plants, Cand...

Picture Perfect Holiday Bouquets!

Say Merry Christmas with a beautiful candle centerpiece or picture perfect holiday bouquet. Our shop is filled with Poinsettia Plants, Candle Centerpieces, Bouquets, Fragrant Candles, Cards, Wreaths, Holiday Gifts, Angels, Chocolate and Popcorn Baskets, Fudge, Honey House Natural Lotion Sets and Free Gift Wrap with every purchase.  Open Sunday and Monday till 6pm.

Wishing everyone the warmth, peace and happiness of a blessed holiday season.

Sincerely, Martha

Martha Cederstrom

Owner and Designer

Gifts from the Heart Florist

783 Deer Park Avenue

North Babylon, NY 11703

(631) 539-8887

www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com

Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: THINK PINK BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER

Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: THINK PINK BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER: THINK PINK FUNDRAISER AND JEWELRY PARTY GIFT SHOP OPEN HOUSE - FRIDAY 10/26  7PM You are cordially invited to a Touchstone jewelry p...

THINK PINK BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER

THINK PINK FUNDRAISER AND JEWELRY PARTY

GIFT SHOP OPEN HOUSE - FRIDAY 10/26  7PM

You are cordially invited to a Touchstone jewelry party and open house at Gifts from the Heart Florist on Friday October 26th from 7 till 9pm.  I am very blessed to be a breast cancer survivor myself and pray for the day that we find a cure. During October Touchstone runs a fundraiser to benefit breast cancer which includes a hostess breast cancer pink ribbon pin.  I will be purchasing the pin and giving it away to one of my guests as a door prize.  Fundraising raffle items will include a gourmet basket, a gift certificate for a dozen rose, a baby basket, a home decor basket and more.   All the raffle profits will be  going to the Susan B. Coleman Breast Cancer Foundation to support the cause.   We will be serving refreshments and having a gourmet fudge and cookie tasting.   There will goodie bags for everyone to take home and more  importantly some great people to spend time with.  Come join the party and support the cause!

FEEL FREE TO INVITE A FRIEND       THANK YOU,  MARTHA

Martha Cederstrom

Owner and Designer

Gifts from the Heart Florist

783 Deer Park Avenue

North Babylon, NY 11703

(631) 539-8887

www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com

IMAGINE!

Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do
No need to kill or die for and no religions too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
(From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/john-lennon-lyrics/imagine-lyrics.html)

Imagine a world filled with love, acceptance and peace.  It has to start with one person, ME. 

 In loving memory of all the victims, red roses promote love and healing energy.

Orchids bring a feeling of tropical paradise into your wedding!

Orchids conjure visions of tropical paradise, turquoise waters on sandy beaches.   Sunny, far off places were couples enjoy the romantic tranquility of each others company.  These tropical treasures are available year round for use in wedding bouquets and flower decor.  In the natural practice of "Flower Therapy", orchids are said to give support in moving forward, reaching goals and aiming for the stars.  What a wonderful way to start out on this most loving journey of a lifetime.  

Large Support for Small Local Biz!

American Express is putting some large support behind small local businesses with a new training initiative that will help small businesses gain the support of their communities.  American Express is a founding partner of Small Business Saturday, which falls the day after Black Friday, the start of the holiday shopping season.  With the change in shopping alternatives in the last decades, mega malls, the Internet and  large box stores have made it harder for the small business to stay alive.  Small business start ups have increased because successes are far between.

The 3/50 project has been around since March of 2009.  The project is based on the theory that if half the people who are employed picked three local businesses they like and spend $50 per month in each of these stores it would greatly impact our economy.  For every $100 spent in an independent local business $68 returns to the local economy.  With a large chain store purchase $43 returns and with Internet purchases 0 is returned to the local economy.  To quote Cindy Baxter, President of the 3/50 Project LLC.
“I hand Superman capes to small business owners, then teach them to fly."

Empty store fronts benefit no one.  If we follow in the footsteps of the 3/50 Project and Small Business Saturday we could make a great impact on our local economy.

SHOP SMALL, SHOP LOCAL!

See the attached link for specific impact local business make on the economy.
http://reclaimdemocracy.org/independent_business/local_business_benefits.html

Martha Cederstrom

Owner and Designer

Gifts from the Heart Florist

783 Deer Park Avenue

North Babylon, NY 11703

(631) 539-8887

www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com

Out with the old and in with the new.

This time of year many small business merchants put things on sale to make room for the upcoming holiday season.  It's a great time to pick up an early birthday gift at a bargain price or just treat yourself to something special.  Try to stop into your favorite local stores to take advantage of the savings they can offering and to support them in their efforts to bring interesting new merchandise to you.  I attended a gift show during July in Philadelphia were I saw beautiful new merchandise available for the fall and holiday seasons.  My goal is  always to find unique gifts as well as traditional pieces that will keep my customers coming back.  So far we have a new line of beauty products, wood wicked soy candles and hand made signs with original art work. 

This week we are running a plant sale and a raffle for a free fresh cut flower bouquet.  Happy shopping!

Martha Cederstrom

Owner and Designer

Gifts from the Heart Florist

783 Deer Park Avenue

North Babylon, NY 11703

(631) 539-8887

www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com

Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: Longest Lasting Anniversary Roses!

Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: Longest Lasting Anniversary Roses!: It's summer and we are in the middle of wedding season, which means that we are also in the middle of anniversary season.  Given the popular...

Longest Lasting Anniversary Roses!

It's summer and we are in the middle of wedding season, which means that we are also in the middle of anniversary season.  Given the popularity of the summer wedding it just stands to reason that there would be more wedding anniversaries during these hot months.  Roses being the flower of "love" they are very often the flower of choice for both wedding and anniversary bouquets.  Gifts from the Heart Florist has been running a rose special, a great value price for long stem florist grade roses.  They are available in a rainbow of colors, special requests must be called in ahead. 
To keep these beautiful blooms looking happy and fresh we have some tips for you to follow.
               1)  Always buy your roses from a tried and true vendor.
                    Your roses should last a week, if not you are not getting the
                     freshest quality product.
               2)  Always give roses a fresh cut when putting them in a vase. 
                     They should be cut with a sharp knife or pruner (no scissors),
                     and put in fresh water with flower food.  Repeat the cutting and
                     change the water every other day for longer flower life.
               3)  Be sure that there are no leaves or flower petals in the water, they will
                     cause extra bacteria which will kill the flowers.
                4)  Ask your florist opinion to get the longest lasting roses.  We have
                     many years experience and know which varieties are the longest
                     lasting.  There are hundreds of varieties in different colors so we have
                     lots to choose from.  Because my customers and my reputation are
                     very important I go out of my way to by the roses that I know will
                     perform the best.                  
                 5) Be sure to keep your vase out of direct sunlight, away from heat or
                      cold drafts.
                 6)  Next time you buy roses, even if it is just one, take the time to follow
                      these steps and see how long they last!

This week we have hot pink, yellow, white, red, burgundy and orange spray roses.

Gladiolus, the spectacular birth flower for August!

Gladiolus, the birth flower for August signifies remembrance, infatuation, and strength of character. Gladiolus, also known as the "sword lily" are long green stems with colorful bursts of  blooms.  They are easy to grow, come in a rainbow of colors and make a beautiful addition to any garden. 
The healing energy of gladiolus is said to help increase energy and happiness, release depression and grief, and to heal a broken heart. 
                                                                                                                           

New Line of all Natural Products from Honey House Naturals

Just back from the Gifts Show in Philladelphia. We will be bringing in some new gifts shop item as well as some very nice holiday gifts and decor.
We are now carrying Honey House Naturals, a beautiful line of all natural soaps and lotion...s. Indulge your skin. Their natural Belly Bar is perfect to calm and soothe anyone’s dry, itchy skin. Originally developed for expectant mothers, the natural Belly Bar is unprecedented as a moisturizer for taut, stressed skin. As the Belly Bar is picked up and warmed by the hands, the essential oils and butters are released to be gently massaged into the skin. Overflowing with antioxidants and five vitamin-rich butters - creamy Shea, rich Avocado, soothing Aloe, and buttery Cocoa and Mango – the Belly Bar is an extraordinary lotion. Combined with Meadowfoam, Calendula, Essential Oils, Beeswax and Lanolin, this indulgent lotion bar will leave skin soft and supple, sealing in the moisture to protect even the most vulnerable skin.
Stop by to try a sample of Honey House Natural Products.

Free bridal consultation!

Free bridal consultations by appointement. 
Call for an appointement and let's get creative together.  Small details are the things that will set your affair apart.  By adding personal touches that you love your personality will shine through in your decor.  Wether you are looking for romatic country style or sophisticated and sleek, we will help you bring it all to life.
Winner of the knot 2011 best of weddings, visit http://www.theweddingchannel.com/ to read our five star wedding reviews. 

Contact Martha for your free consultation, martha@giftsfromtheheartflorist.com
or call 631-539-8887

http://www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com/

Send a beautiful bouquet!

Pave arrangement of white and green hydrangea, soft pink roses and mini calla lily.
http://www.shop.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com/

How to let your flower bouquet live longer!

Follow these six simple steps to keep your blooms fresh longer. 

a. Use fresh, clean, warm water with flower preservative.

b. Loose leaves and foliage in the water cause bacteria, make sure your flowers are cleaned below the water line.

c. Cut the flower stems on a slant underwater, this allows the flowers to drink properly.
d. Cool is best, keep flowers away from heat, direct sun, and drafts. 

e. Re-cut the stems and change the water every other day to insure long life.

f.  Just as flowers enjoy the rain while they are growing, spraying them with a water misting bottle helps them to soak up some additional moisture directly through their flower heads, just don't over due it. 

 

 

A red, white and blue celebration!

Happy July 4th, Independance Day! 

Gifts from the Heart Florist would like to take a moment and thank all the American Military men and women for their sacrafices in the name of freedom.  God bless them all and bring them home safely! 

Celebrating this July 4th teaches our children to have pride in our country and the ideals that it was founded upon.  If we all lived our lives with those ideals in mind,
freedom, equality, integrity, faith and freedom to worship we would have more respect for each other. 

As a small business owner I have become emmerced in my community and I feel a strong need to give back to that community.  It makes me feel hopeful when I see young children working a car wash for charity or raising money for a fellow student who has a serious illness.  As adults we need to remember that the children learn from
us and the future depends on them. 

Wishing you all the best.  Have a happy, fun and safe holiday!

http://www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com/

SHOP LOCAL!!!

As a florist in North Babylon, NY, I serve the community that I live in.  I support the local schools, of which two of my sons have graduated from.  I've built relationships with many of the people in this area and I am always happy to serve them.  When you go online and place orders for flowers through online order gatherers you not only take the business away from the local florist, but you pay more money for the same service because you pay additional fees.  When you visit my shop you will see the fresh flowers we have on display along with samples of my floral designs.  I will always assist you in selecting an appropriate gift for the occasion and take care of delivery as well. Giving your business to a local small business is a win, win situation for you and your community.  I hope you'll call or stop by the next time you need a "pick me up" bouquet, birthday, anniversary or get well. 
For the longest lasting bouquets always give your flowers a fresh cut before putting them in water, recut and change the water every other day!

Sarah Fisher Bussman,

I got married two weeks ago and had all my flowers done Gifts from the Heart Florist Martha was amazing, helpful and had very reasonable prices. I heard about the small floral shop from my work and when I went to check it out and met Martha, I knew she had talent to make beautiful pieces for my special day. Thank you so much Martha!!!      June 9, 2012 wedding

http://www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com/

June is a very big flower giving month.  Anniversary, graduation, retirement and teacher gifts, dance recitals, moving up and prom are some of the occassions that call for fresh bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres.  When ordering your flowers let your florist know what the occassion is and how long the flowers will be out of water, this way they can help you pick the flower that will hold up best. 
Have fun ordering your corsages and boutonnieres for prom and graduation.  Use them as a fashion accessory by matching colors and adding some glitz and glam to your look.  They'll look great in your pictures! Congratulations class of 2012!
Martha
http://www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NorthBabylonFlorist

Caring for cut flower bouquets

June is an especially busy time in a flower shop.  May people are celebrating graduations from high school and college, stepping up for younger children and giving thanks to teachers for a job well done.  June will be a time of year that we will sell lots of fresh cut flower bouquets and I would like to give you a few tips on how to make them last as long as possible.  First, always give the flowers a fresh cut with a sharp knife or clipper before putting them in water.  Your flowers have been wrapped and out of water for a while and giving them a fresh cut will allow them to drink properly so they will live longer.  The second thing is to always use the preservative the florist gives you in the water.  It will help to keep bacteria at bay so your flowers will stay fresh.  Repeat these two steps every few days to freshen the cut stems and keep the water clean.  Third, always keep your flowers in a place that is at a comfortable room temperature or colder.  Keeping them in direct sunlight, in a room that is very warm or on top of a TV that heats up will cut their life dramatically. 

Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: The business of GROWING a business...

Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: The business of GROWING a business...: I've grown flowers.  I've grown a family and friendships.  I've spent most of my adult life nurturing and watching my children grow.  With ...