Receiving flowers as a gift is like any other surprise present from loved ones, it fills us with excitement and happiness from knowing that someone cares. Most gifts however stop there, having been given for a reason, whether it be a birthday, anniversary or some other set occasion. But there is something about receiving flowers as a present that is different from any other gift. If you don’t believe me try this, head over to clareflorist.co.uk , find some flowers you like and send them to a loved one just because you can, sit back and wait to see that persons reaction when your done.
Why is it that flowers make us feel good? Why is it that we use them to lift people’s spirits or when they’re feeling unwell? The link between emotions and flowers is one that has been well studied, research from The State University of New Jersey found that flowers effect our social behaviour far beyond what is normally expected from receiving gifts. As well as reinforcing the common sense notion that flowers make us happy they also discovered that the presence of flowers in the home, office or working environment lead to a prolonged decrease in feeling depressed, agitated and anxious and an similar increase in showing a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction. It also showed that flowers helped to facility people to make more intimate connections leading to an increased amount of contact between family and friends.
The bonus to all of this is that we too feel happy. The selfless act of attempting to make someone else happy, for no other reason than you can, will inevitably make you feel happy to! The flowers that will sit on their desk or in the window will lift there spirits and make them smile for days to come. The watering, pruning and general maintenance put in to keep them alive is all an attempt to help prolong this feeling.
The moral of this post is then, random acts of kindness make us feel happy just as much as they make others feel happy to. So head down to the florist or over to clareflorist.co.uk and send some flowers to feel great all weekend. Next Friday we look deeper into the science of smell and colour and how the effects these factors have on our daily emotions.
19 Jul 2011
A Perfect Gift
I came across a very interesting read the other day in 'The Science of Flowers and Feelings' - an article about the effect that receiving flowers can have on our moods.
It details a study showing that people's moods instantly improved upon receiving gifts of flowers, and that their moods were still higher when tested again after a few days. Having received sunflowers last week as a Thank You gift, I can absolutely relate to this. The flowers are still looking gorgeous, and bring a smile to my face each time I walk into the room and see them.
So if you're looking to cheer someone up, and keep that feeling around a while, flowers are definitely a good way to go!
12 May 2011
Scent down memory lane
Reading about how much impact the smell of a hibiscus flower had on Dallas Wiens, the first full face transplant recipient, recently I was reminded of just how valuable our senses are, and how we can often take them for granted. I love how a simple whiff or taste of something can take you right back to a time or place and really bring that memory to life.
It got me wondering… what tastes and smells do that for you?
From talking about this in the office, I've just been reminded of a post we did a while back on Edible Flowers. The number and variety of flowers and flavours is incredible and sure to offer something for everyone's tastes! I'm also left feeling quite excited thinking about the new smells we have to look forward to as more and more Summer flowers are coming into season. I can't wait to get a whiff of the lovely arrangements that could soon be on their way out to you!
6 Apr 2011
Spring Flowers - Daffodils vs Tulips - You decide...
The most popular and familiar spring flowers are daffodils and tulips. As seen all over the country in many varied locations. Both very different in appearance from each other, they are the sign to us that spring has sprung and finer weather is on it's way. Both are well recognised and very popular, but is one more celebrated than the other?
Narcissus is the botanical name for a daffodil; a mainly hardy, mostly spring-flowering, bulbs in the Amarylis family native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The flower meaning of daffodil is; You're the only one, regard, unrequited love and the sun shines when I'm with you. The daffodil is an emblem of Wales.
The tulip is a bulbus plant with showy flowers from the family Tulipa and belongs to the family Liliaceae which is native to North Africa and Iran to the Northwest of China. The flower meaning of tulip is; Perfect lover, fame, love and passion. The tulip is the national flower of Turkey.
Here is our interpritation of Spring Delight; an arrangement of 100 stems of glorious golden daffodils and tantalising tulips, encompassed in luxury florists gift wrap. Hand-tied in house by our expert florists, ready to place in a vase and situate where ever you want the essance of spring to be experienced.
For fantastic prize winning opportunities, fabulous flower information and magnificent offers and product news!
4 Mar 2011
Are Flowers Relevant?
I like to browse through flower related compositions, blogs and web sites, searching for articles of interest to digest and comment on. There is so much information available to us, that at times it can be a bit overwhelming. Whether looking for information on floristry, flower meanings, flower delivery, the latest designs of flower bouquets or flower trends, there is sure to be plenty of articles of interest to satisfy the keenest of flower enthusiasts.
Here is a short list of some of the best informative blogs and sites I have come across that I would like to share with you:
Recommended Blogs to follow, read, peruse and enjoy:
Of course they are! We all love flowers and the feelings that they evoke, their shapes, colours and scents, the way that flowers are used for so many occasions and celebrations, to say thank you and sorry. To commiserate and show sympathy and to congratulate. Flowers today are as popular as they ever have been and these wonderfully inspirational blogs, articles and web sites just go to show that the spirit and the powers of flowers is blooming.
I hope you find them as interesting and enjoyable to read as I have.
For fantastic prize winning opportunities, fabulous flower information and magnificent offers and product news!
25 Nov 2010
Flowers and Perfume
Perfume is the mixture of essential oils and aroma compounds, fixatives and solvents used to give the human body, living spaces, animals and objects a pleasant scent. The aroma compounds that make up a perfume can be artificially manufactured or taken from plant or animal sources. Perfumes have existed since early human civilisation.
Flowers and blossoms have long been used in the making of perfumes - as a source of essential oils and aroma compounds. Flowers and blossoms are the largest source of fragrant compounds or aromatics used in perfumery. These include the flowers of several species of roses, jasmine and freesia as well as narcissus and scented geranium (to name but a few).
A common technique for obtaining aromatic compounds from plants, flowers and blossoms is the process of distillation - Where the raw material is heated and thefragrant compounds are re-collected through condensation of the distilled vapour.
Once extracted the various pieces of the 'perfume puzzle' are put together. The person who makes up a perfume is called a perfumer. The perfumer will blend all of the essential components to assemble a perfume, this is anything from ten to hundreds of different ingredients.
The proper preservation of perfumes involves keeping them away from sources of heat and storing them where they will not be exposed to light.
How to make perfume from flower petals:
You will need...
Fresh flower petals - rose or lavender are a traditional choice
salt
large bowl
metal pot or saucepan
distilled water
muslin cloth
funnel
glass bottle for keeping the finished perfume in
Four simple steps to make you own perfume...
1)Remove the moisture and fragrance from the flower petals - Place the petals into the large bowl and sprinkle some salt over them. Give this a good mix with a spoon (it doesn't matter if the petals get damaged as this can actually assist in the process). Leave to rest for about an hour.
2)Boil the petals - Put the rested petals into the metal pot or saucepan and add a couple of cups of distilled water to them. Bring this mixture to the boil on a stove or cooker, once boiling, reduce the heat and partially cover with the pan lid and leave to simmer for 2-3 hours. Then remove from the heat and allow the petal mixture to cool.
3) Strain the petal mixture - Place the muslin cloth inside the funnel and pour the petal mixture through into the bowl. Give the left over petal mixture retained in the muslin cloth a good squeeze so to get all of the petal essence.
4) Transfer the perfume into a suitable bottle - Use a funnel to pour the extracted petal fragrance (perfume) into a suitable bottle. Enjoy!
This perfume will last for only a few weeks as it contains no preservative. If the perfume begins to look funny or mouldy, do not use and throw it away.
For fantastic prize winning opportunities, fabulous flower information and magnificent offers and product news!
16 Nov 2010
Why Flowers?
Everyone loves flowers:
Were you aware that having floral arrangements in our homes and places of work gives us feelings of sensual positivity? Flowers can actually change the way in which our brains work, changing our moods and releasing endorphins to help us feel healthier and more assured. This is why bouquets and flower arrangements have been used to celebrate special occasions, given as gifts and used to brighten up settings, environments and locations for so many years.
How do flowers add quality to our lives?
Much research and study has taken place by recognised scientists to discover the qualities and properties that make flowers the ultimate brightener. Nearly every woman who received flowers as a surprise showed immediate happiness and this happy mood lasted for approximately 3 days after being given them. The colours and scents that are unique to flowers assist in elevating an individuals state of mind; by lifting the aura and adding a stimulus to a setting thus helping as an aid to relieve depression. It has also been proved that people with flowers displayed in their homes show more imagination and creativity compared to those without.
What other flower power have scientists discovered?
In the 1990's it was ascertained that cut flowers (and plants growing and developing flowers) helped to lower the blood pressure in patients with various illnesses. Also at this time it became apparent that patients with flowers at their tables when eating, consumed their food at a slower rate to those who did not, suggesting that flowers contribute to a humans well-being at a subconscious level. Other studies have shown that flowers given as gifts and presents are good for developing a bond between a man and a woman and also for improving communication with loved ones and friends.
So go ahead and spread the powers of flowers.....
With all the stresses and strains that modern life throws at us and the fast paced nature at which we live, flower bouquets and arrangements are a stress relief, they provide us with a calming influence as well as showing that special person or people just how much we care and appreciate them.
For fantastic prize winning opportunities, fabulous flower information and magnificent offers and product news!
27 Oct 2010
The Clare Florist Flower Quiz
I thought that this week I'd set a little quiz to see how knowledgeable you all are on all things flowery. All of the questions are flower related, so lets see how many you can answer.
As they say in all good pub quizzes - please no mobile phones and no google. I hope you enjoy this and good luck... Oh and I've left some clues in some of the links in the questions.
Question 1)What were the series of civil wars (1455 - 1485), that were fought for the throne of England between the The House of York and The House of Lancaster called?
Question 2) The monarch of which nation sits on the 'Chrysanthemum Throne?
Question 3) The spice saffron comes from which type of flower?
Question 4) What is the 'art' of Japanese floristry called?
Question 5) Name the 3 artists who painted these famous floral still life paintings?
Question 6) What are the best selling cut flowers around the world?
Question 7) What part of the world do the flowers in th picture below originate from?
Question 8) What flower am I?
"Display me on your table; expensive and exotic. I have a sophisticated colour scheme, my spots and streaks can be really quite hypnotic!"
Question 9) What flower changes colour from blue to pink according to the amount of acid in the soil?
Question 10) What is Clare Florist's best selling bouquet?
Well that's the end of the quiz, I hope you enjoyed it. I shall post the answers up on next weeks blog. Why don't you go to our facebook page and leave us your answers?
You never know there might even be a prize for the correct or most amusing answers!
For fantastic prize winning opportunities, fabulous flower information and magnificent offers and product news!
15 Oct 2010
October Flowers and Prizewinners
October Prizewinner:
Firstly congratulations to our October, second Tuesday of the month twitter #randomfollower prizewinner: Jackie from Lancs. Who very kindly had her winning bespoke bouquet sent to her mum. Here she is with her prize (and a very cute dog). Well done Jackie - and your Mum too!
October Flowers:
The Birth flower for October is the marigold (or Calendula).
The flower meaning of the October birth flower - the marigold; is sorrow or sympathy and the colours for the October birth month flowers should be Yellow or white.
Birth month flowers are usually the specific flowers that are traditionally given to a person the month that person is born.
The Marigold's flower meaning is "winning grace." Once considered the most sacred of flowers, in India it was placed around the necks of holy statues.
The Marigold is found through Europe, the United States, and western Asia. Marigolds are good cleansers and can be used as remedies for bee stings and can be used by cooks as a spicy seasoning or colouring for food.
For fantastic prize winning opportunities, fabulous flower information and magnificent offers and product news!
8 Oct 2010
Some are red, none are blue, look at the Roses we can deliver to you!
I thought that this week I would pick a particular flower variety and give you wonderful readers some (hopefully interesting) facts and information about it.
So on with The Rose...
A rose is a perennial flower shrub or vine of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae, that contains over 100 species and comes in a multitude of colours. The rose is one of the most popular and comonly sold florists' flowers. Around 150 million rose plants are purchased by gardeners worldwide every year. The largest rose garden in the world is found in Cavriglia, Tuscany, Italy. It is the home to over 7500 different species of roses.
Roses are ancient symbols of love and beauty. A bouquet of red roses is often used to show love and affection - especially as a Valentine's Day gift.
The rose is the national flower of England and the USA and is the symbol of the England Rugby team (and Union).
It is also the provincial flower of Yorkshire and Lancashire in England.
A wonderful Photographic study of Rose flower translucence.
The 'White Rose' was a World War II non violent resistance group in Germany.
And finally... A famous rose quotation:
"What is in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet". - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet; act II scene ii.
