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! 

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.

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!! 

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!!

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!

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!

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!

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!  
This is the week our stomachs have been waiting for!  We get to eat goodies and gather with the ones we love the most.  Since the holiday is late in the week, I know you've already contacted us for your beautiful table arrangement right?  Right!  Long and low table centerpieces or a low arrangement in a vase add that final touch to your table.  Your turkey might be jealous that the flowers are stealing the spotlight!

Weddings With a Twist

At Bank of Memories & Flowers we work with so many wonderful vendors and we want to share with you an outstanding wedding & event coordinator and planner, Weddings With a Twist.  Krista and her team have gone above and beyond to make every detail perfect to ensure their bride's dreams come true.

"Weddings With A Twist offers professional wedding coordinating services to the Greater Milwaukee Area.  We are dedicated to creating a wedding that's as unique as you are.  We offer a variety of services to accommodate your needs and can provide as much or as little assistance as you wish. We offer everything from day of to full planing services.  Our goal is to accommodate the individual needs of all the couples we work with.

At Weddings With A Twist, we have been trained to plan and organize all of the details necessary to create your ideal wedding.  We can offer you assistance with preparing a timeline, establishing a budget, and selecting vendors.  We are also able to help you determine a venue and customize the décor which reflects your unique style and personality.  Our goal is to reduce your stress and make your wedding a wonderful and memorable event.  For more specific information about the services we provide, please visit our website: www.weddingswithatwist.com  

 
   

Krista Spinti
~Owner

Weddings With a Twist

Twice the Fun at 2 Open Houses!!!

Enjoy the holiday spirit on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Shop, eat, and be merry!!  Horse and buggy rides are only $2.00 a person in the Falls along the side of the Menomonee Falls Associated Bank building from 12-3. Entertainment will be at AJ's Live as well as throughout the downtown Falls area!!

Menomonee Falls: Open 8:30-4:00

Pewaukee: Open 10:00-4:00

Both locations will have cookies and hot cider!  We will also be having a drawing for a free large Christmas centerpiece. 

Don't get your tinsel in a tangle this year!  Shop our trees early to make your tree at home sparkle.  Each shop has its own unique selection of festive and fun giftware. 

Chandelier Ballroom Wedding

Angela and Patrick's Wedding Day

One thing that we loved most about Angela and Patrick's wedding was the pops of color, aqua and coral!  They used this color combination in every detail from the draping fabric from all the chandeliers at the Chandelier Ballroom to cute little favors boxes (filled with chocolate dipped Oreos... yumm!) at every place setting.

The florals were soft white hydrangeas, peach garden roses, coral spray roses and cream calla lilies.  Each centerpiece was a stunning 5 foot tall vasing, towering over every table. It took a team of 4 floral designers 3 hours to set up the centerpieces alone.  They definitely had the wow factor when you walked in to their reception room (not to mention the custom special lighting with the bride and grooms name!) 

We would like to thank Angela and Patrick for having us as part of your wedding. You really brought out so many beautiful aspects and many wonderful details.  We wish you a lifetime of happiness!  


Ceremony: St. Gabriels Catholic Church, Hubertus
Reception: Chandelier Ballroom, Hartford
Linens:  Elegance Touch
Florist:  Bank of Memories & Flowers
Month: September

We Have Your Holiday Gifts

Holiday Preview!!!

Months prior to the festive season, our Bank of Memories & Flowers team works hard to find gift ware that is unique, high quality and beautifully crafted.  Our goal is to stock each location with gifts that will make Christmas shopping for everyone effortless! 

Our ornaments, picture frames, artwork, vases, and chocolates new Kinkade Light Up Houses, and more can be beautifully styled into any fresh arrangement made to go out same day delivery. This year we have 5 beautifully decorated trees at the Menomonee Falls Location and a whopping 10 trees in Pewaukee. Come get your Christmas shopping done early, before the rush!

Villa Filomena Wedding

Beth and Tony's Wedding Day

Beth had wonderful artistry and vision in creating her wedding flowers.  I really enjoyed the journey and relationship we created for the last year and half, trading emails and scheming in our wedding balcony consultation area.  Beth's research on flowers even stimulated and challenged my own floral passion.  

Beth and Tony's theme was vintage and it could be seen in every detail.  The centerpieces were antique silver pieces that she and her family had been collecting on line and in antique boutiques all over Wisconsin.  The bridesmaid's bouquets were adorned with delicate rhinestone shoe buckles from the 1940's .  The  highlight was Beth's vintage inspired wedding dress covered in delicate cream lace. 

Thank you Beth for sharing your love for flowers with me.  

Best wishes! 

Ceremony:  All Saints Catholic Church, Milwaukee

Reception: Villa Filomena, Milwaukee

Florist: Bank of Memories & Flowers

Month: October

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Arranging in Pumpkins

Dress Up Your Pumpkin this Season!  Did you know that a pumpkin properly can serve as a vase?  Watertight, a pumpkin can keep fresh flowers for well over a week!!! 

Once the pumpkin is cleaned out (and you have cooked and eaten your delicious pumpkin seeds...) cut your floral oasis to fit snugly inside the pumpkin so it won't move around.  Make sure the oasis is fully saturated with water.  Now is time to use your creativity! Start by placing your larger flowers in various matching places. Then, fill in the gaps with smaller flowers so that you can no longer see the floral oasis. Once you have finished with your flowers, you can add fun accents like fall leafs! Place your pumpkin arrangement on your table and enjoy it while you eat your candy! Happy Halloween Everyone!