A Thank You to the Administrative Professionals

Next week, many bosses, managers, business owners – will send flowers to the valued colleagues and employees who work so hard, taking on many responsibilities and projects, to help them meet their goals and fulfill their plans. This is because a smart leader knows that a little recognition for good work, and a word of thanks go a long way.

More and more, the 24 hours we’ve been allotted in a day are so busy, they seem to fly by, and the little things that make such an impact on every day life are the first casualties of our hectic existence. We mean to make that phone-call and check up on that friend, but by the  time we get to it, it’s too late in the day. We are grateful for the help and hard work of those around us, and at some point plan on sending them a thank you card or gift, but something urgent and requiring immediate attention pops up, and that kind intention is moved to tomorrow’s schedule.

That’s why Administrative Professionals Week is so important! It’s a week’s worth of nudging to remind you to show appreciation to those who work so hard for you. Anyone who’s ever received flowers knows how delightful it is to accept that lovely, thoughtful package, and long after the flowers have faded, the memory of that gift continues to delight.

Bucks for Pearl Bucks 2013

March is National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and once again the Pearl Buck Center is partnering with local businesses, including Dandelions, to raise awareness and support for those of us in our community who live with, or are affected by developmental disabilities.

The Pearl Buck Center  works with people born with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism, to name a few,  nurturing these individuals so that they are able to function and be contributing members of society.

The businesses involved are offering Pearl Bucks for customers to buy as a contribution to support the cause. All you have to do is come in and buy a Buck!

Here’s a link for a list of the businesses involved: http://www.pearlbuckcenter.com/images/stories/national%20dd%20awareness%20month%202013%20-1.jpg

To learn more about the Pearl Buck Center and find out about opportunities to volunteer, check out their website at http://www.pearlbuckcenter.com/.

To learn more about developmental disabilities and how the state of Oregon is involved, check out the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities website at http://www.ocdd.org/.

Hyerstay Wedding

This stunning wedding from last April was fun to do and I was so pleased with the final result. These photos from Wendy Gregory Photography highlight some of my favorite images captured from the day. The bride, Liz, utilized flowers and decor to create a stunning backdrop for the ceremony from a space that was otherwise dark and bare. Shimmering candles, mercury glass and fluffy white hydrangeas made a spectacular setting.

Liz’s bridal bouquet was  a mixture of hydrangea, freesia, coral David Austin roses, ranunculus and lots of rhinestones. Her bridesmaids carried bouquets that were color grouped with purple, coral and green. The coral gerondo gerberas added fun texture and were just the right shade! At the reception (40 tables!!) Liz purchased bulk hydrangeas and vases and submerged single white hydrangea blossoms in large cylinders for a simple and elegant DIY centerpiece.

Tips for Getting your Centerpiece to Last

The first thing you should know about your floral centerpiece is that the cut stems are inserted into a floral foam, also known as oasis. Oasis is great because it retains water well and helps the arrangement hold it’s design. Flowers in foam can stay vibrant and beautiful for days, but they need care. The downside to oasis is that where you can see the water level in a vase, in floral foam the water level is not as obvious. Because of this, many a centerpiece dehydrates and dies earlier than it should. So it is important to make sure your floral arrangement has plenty of water.

How to check the water level: Touch the oasis. If you press it lightly you should feel moisture.

When to water: Because it’s cold outside, and we’re all keeping our homes warmer, the water from the floral foam is going to evaporate faster, so you should check the moisture level every day.

How to water: Move your centerpiece to the sink, or to a surface that won’t be damaged by water, in case you spill. Carefully find a space in the centerpiece, or at the side of the container it is in, where you can see the oasis, or a space between the oasis and the container, and carefully pour water onto the oasis or into the space around the foam, allowing time for  the water to be absorbed.  Slowly add water until the oasis is thoroughly saturated.

Enjoy your flowers, and this wonderful season!!

                                 

Bob Welch Book Signing Event at Dandelions

Last month I wrote about local author Bob Welch‘s recently published books “Cascade Summer: My Adventure on Oregon’s Pacific Crest Trail” and “52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life” that we have for sale here in our store. I mentioned then that Dandelions would be hosting a book-signing for Mr. Welch this month. Well, we have a date:

When:     Tuesday, December 18th, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Where:   Dandelions Flowers and Gifts at 1710 Chambers St. Eugene, OR, 97402

Join us here at Dandelions at as we host this exciting event, and take advantage of the opportunity to meet Bob Welch. Not only will these autographed books be great to pick up for yourself, but they’ll also make a wonderful present during this holiday gift-giving season.

Also, all Dandelions merchandise will be 20% off during the book-signing.

Be sure not to miss this opportunity!!

How to Care for Your Poinsettia

The vibrant red that poinsettias display (they also come in other shades including orange, cream, pink, even purple) have made them a popular plant around the Christmas season. But how do you care for this lovely plant? Here are some tips to help you get your poinsettia to last.

Temperature:

Poinsettias are tropical plants, so they don’t like the cold. During the day, be sure to keep it in a room that’s between 65 to 75 degrees, and at night, if possible, keep it in a room that’s a little cooler (55 to 60 degrees.) Poinsettias also don’t do well with sudden changes in temperature, so keep it away from the door so it doesn’t feel the draft, and if you keep it by the window, don’t allow the leaves to touch the glass. Sudden temperature changes will cause the poinsettia to drop it’s leaves. Poinsettias also like humidity, so if your plant’s leaves start looking a little crinkly around the edges, you can mist it.

Light:

Poinsettias love light, so make sure it gets as much as possible throughout the day. 

Watering:

Wait until the surface soil is dry to the touch and then water your poinsettia, allowing enough water so that it runs out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the container. Poinsettias prefer moist soil rather than sitting in water, so it is important that you allow the excess water to drain out after watering. Once a poinsettia starts to droop it will soon begin to drop it’s leaves, so it is important to check the soil frequently.

There is no need to fertilize your poinsettia plant during the Christmas season.

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous to people or animals, but they are a delicate plant and their stems break easily, so be sure to keep them where a curious pet or child cannot reach them.

If you keep an eye on your poinsettia, it should last just fine throughout the season. In a few weeks I’ll let you know how to care for your poinsettia after the Christmas season.

Modern Christmas Fresh Floral Designs

Having fresh flowers during the Christmas season is a wonderful tradition that makes the home feel extra festive. Whether you are buying them for yourself (highly recommended) or as a gift for someone else, here are some of my favorite holiday arrangements.

   

Dandelions at Yesterday’s Trade Show

Last night was the Emerald Executive Association trade show, and the ladies at Dandelions stayed out late to mingle and man our booth!

 

This year, we went with a fun fall theme, and along with all the things that come with the season, our designers added their special touch.

 

They did such a great job decorating our booth and setting up our products for display!!

We also gave everyone who came by our booth to a chance to win something – if they spun the wheel!

Because the trade show is so close to halloween, there were some great costumes and decorations and I had to get a few pictures:

     

the team at the Braun Landscape booth looked great, and Elvis made an appearance and performed at the Smeed Communications Services booth.

Of course you can’t go anywhere without the Mafia showing up!! The team from Gateway Living did a great job on their costumes.

 

 

 

 

 

The Oregon Electric Station did an excellent job catering the food, making the evening a fun, informative and fulfilling one.

Fall Bridal Bouquets

If you’re planning a fall wedding the season is quickly approaching. The colors in autumn are so gorgeous and September/October weddings here in Oregon tend to be fantastic. Yes, the weather in October is a bit dicey…but the leaves!! So pretty. Here are some ideas and inspiration for wedding bouquets if you are exchanging vows this fall.

A beautiful mix of tropical flowers with dahlias and sunflowers

Sunflowers are available in both standard and minis- combine both sizes for more interest

Shades of orange gerbera daisies, carnations, roses and alstromeria

Fiery orange tones are quite stunning against the champagne and ivory dresses

The miniature calla lilies are used to create the in-out look for more interest and texture

Haley didn't want white for her bouquet and chose a larger version of her bridesmaids' bouquets

I love the combo of blue and orange (Photo by Blue Castle Photography)

Photograph by Blue Castle Photography

Introducing local Eugene cardmaker: KirstyQ Cards

Here at Dandelions we love being able to support and highlight different local artists & crafters! Our newest local talent is Kirsten Albright from Junction City, Oregon. A 2007 graduate of the University of Oregon Kirsten now works for a property management company. Her cards are her true passion, though, and that love shines through in her work. With an eye for all things glittery (but very classy) her cards are fun and colorful.

Stop by the store & see her beautiful work for yourself!!