Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Inside Winter Beauty


Winter is a magical time.  Bring a beautiful winter scene inside!  I was inspired by this simple arrangement my mom put together on her window sil.  She gathered bare branches from her garden and arranged them in a narrow, modern glass vase filled with artificial snow. Cardinals were added for a finishing touch.  A contemporary and inexpensive idea that anyone can put together! 

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Christmas Cactus Care


Grandma's Christmas Cactus 

Around Christmas, something magical happens with Christmas Cactus at Bank of Memories & Flowers.  This plain looking plant will blossom in flowers of red, white, and pink.  Because of this festive seasonal bloom, the Christmas Cactus is a tradition in many homes during the holidays.  

Christmas Cactus thrives in bright, but indirect sunlight.  In the blooming season, the plant does not like ultra dry soil and requires light regular watering, (done at the base of the plant.)  I will say that my grandma's Christmas Cactus is a true antique.  She had it ever since I was a small child and it blooms in a beautiful dark pink color just before Thanksgiving. The seasonal changes of the length of the days trigger the plant to start flowering. 

Stop on by at either locations to see these gorgeous plants.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas Flowers


Sharing Christmas Love


At Bank of Memories & Flowers, we had to share this exquisite arrangement that just got delivered to another lucky lady. This design is a beautiful example of holiday romance.  What could be more romantic this season then receiving our premium red roses?!  The added touch of pine cones, birch, and matching ribbons makes this arrangement a real show stopper.  

I am so excited that this December we were able to get in tulips and even beautiful burgundy and white peonies!!  Stop in at either location for some last minute gift ideas.  We will be open from 8 til noon on Christmas Eve.  Show your love this season!! 

Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas Flower Arrangements


"The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer, Is To Send Flowers Far And Near"
 
At Bank of Memories & Flowers, our hands, knives and clippers are all quite sticky with pine sap during the Christmas greens season!  During the month of December, every designer leaves a faint trail of glitter as they leave!!  
Bank of Memories & Flowers decorates homes and businesses and creates plenty of party decor during the holiday season.  This means we have plenty of different decorations for your home on hand.  Order your Christmas centerpiece early this year.  Shown below are some of the few different ideas for your arrangements.   Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas!!



Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Engagement Season


It's the Holiday Season... 
And Santa Claus is coming to town, dropping off rings for all the gals! Sure, that isn't how the song really goes but the season of engagements is upon us! Whether it be wrapped up in a box with a little bow, stuffed in a stocking, or baked in a snowman shaped cupcake, engagement rings are really all around this season. 

The diamond ads are all over the TV, storefront windows are filled with sparkle, and your Facebook timeline is surely filling up with "relationship status updates".  According to Wedding Wire, 43% of engagements happen between November to January. The family is all together at this time, love is in the air and people are in the mood to unwrap presents! 


Once the calendar switches over to January, wedding planning is in full swing for those who are engaged. In fact, The Wonderful World of Weddings is the first weekend in January in Milwaukee at the State Fair grounds, and Bank of Memories & Flowers can't wait to see all the bling and to talk wedding flowers! It's a fun time to see all the couples walking around, sampling cakes, looking at dresses and finding venues. 

This year, our very own wedding coordinator, Sam Conner, gets to do all of those things as she is newly engaged. "I'm really excited to be part of the crowd this year as well as a vendor again.  Also, getting to sample cakes is what my fiance is looking forward to!"  The dates are Saturday January 4th, and Sunday January 5th from 10am to 4:30pm. We can't wait to see you there!


Sam's New Diamond!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Poinsettias Are Not Poisonous


Holiday Plants and Your Pets:
Many of our Christmas traditions have always included plants, be it a bright red poinsettia, hanging mistletoe from the doorway, or adding holly to a centerpiece. Some pet owners have always feared to have these plants in their homes due to confusion and myth.  Bank of Memories & Flowers hopes to ease those fears!

Both pet and plant authorities have been going around and around for years concerning the toxicity of poinsettia plants.  According to Pet Poison Helpline and the ASPCA, poinsettias, although mildly toxic, are NOT poisonous to cats or dogs!  Ingestion might show mild signs of vomiting, drooling,or diarrhea or if the milky sap comes into contact with your pets skin it might cause some irritation.
 So, don't fret about your pet and Poinsettias!

There are other holiday plants that are questionable for your cats and dogs.  If your pet eats Christmas holly it can result in severe gastrointestinal upset and /or injury to the mouth and throat  because of the plants' spiny leaves. 


If you bring home mistletoe, hang it high and securely so that your cat or dog cannot reach it!  Although less toxic than  European varieties, if mistletoe is eaten in large quantities it can cause seizures and deaths in severe case.

Poinsettias are safe around our pets and, with caution, holly and mistletoe can be part of your Christmas decorations!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Wedding Flower Checklist



When getting married it can be hard to remember every area you will need flowers.  At Bank of Memories & Flowers, we have created a complete list of areas that you might want to consider for your wedding day.  Before your consultation, discuss these areas People Flowers, Ceremony and Reception that you may consider for your wedding.

Wedding Flower Checklist
Here is a standard checklist of flowers for a wedding.
Feel free to pick and choose what you’ll need.

For People
Bride's bouquet 
(plus a smaller bouquet to toss)
 Hair Flowers
Bridesmaids' bouquets
(Maid/Matron of honor may be slightly different)
Junior Bridesmaid
Flower Girl
Groom's boutonniere
Groomsmen’s boutonnieres
Ring bearer's boutonniere
Ushers' boutonnieres
Mother-of-bride and Mother-of-groom corsages
Father-of-bride and Father-of-groom boutonnieres
Grandparents' corsages and boutonnieres
Great-Grandparents’ corsages and boutonnieres
Reader’s corsage/boutonniere
Singer’s corsage/boutonniere
Personal Attendant’s corsage
Godparent’s corsage/boutonniere
Step Parents

At The Ceremony
Pew Decorations
Unity Candle Arrangement
Altar Decorations
Candelabras
Roses to the Mothers/Parents
Remembrance Flowers
Flowers on the Car

At The Reception
Table Centerpieces
Cake Table
Head Table
Arrangements for Buffet Table
Cocktail Tables
Ice Sculpture Flowers
Guest Book Table
Seating Card Table
Hor’dourve Table
Gift Table
Bar Area
Restrooms 

 Happy Wedding Planning!