Is your scholar still on the hunt for the perfect laptop cover?
Unique, insulated lunchtote?
Or fabulous new purse to go with that first day of scholl outfit?

Stop by anytime and check out the wonderful Vera Bradley items available now! We have great stayles and colors in stock, perfect for transition into fall, and some new fall styles and colors!

For more information call us @ 502.897.6551!

New!

Native to Asia and North America, Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis) is an herbaceous perennial with large fern-like foliage and dense plumes of flowers. The Astilbe is known for its colorful and feathery plumes. Also commonly called Spirea or the Feather Flower, Astilbe is considered by many to be one of the most attractive shade loving plants. One of the great things about Astilbe is its diversity. You can find it in reds, yellows, pinks, whites, purples… The list goes on and on. The leaves and stems of the Astilbe range from green and bronze to red with some varieties sporting shiny leaves and others with matte. Size varies from 8″-40″ tall!

Kathryn and I want you to know that everything looked absolutely beautiful for her wedding and reception. Duncan Memorial and River Bend Winery both turned out perfect!

We so much appreciate your thoughtfulness and creativity in planning their special day. We always looked forward to our meetings with you because you were so much fun!

Here is a link to the photographer’s website for a preview of the pictures…http://courtneyreece.com/blog/?p=2289 I thought you would enjoy seeing the results of your hard work!

Thanks again,

Susan & Kathryn

Fitness advice that has SAF has pumped: Buy yourself flowers.

Fitness Magazine doles out great advice, most of which can be a bit daunting, if not downright hard to believe: Eat more, lose weight. Look fab in any heat. Boost your metabolism. But, its most recent issue has a tip that’s no sweat and all rewards: Buy yourself some flowers.

The healthy piece of publicity was just one way SAF’s ongoing media marathon was strengthening the image of flowers this week. Another magazine convinced florists are the hot spot this summer: Long Island Pulse, which published its second piece after attending an SAF media event earlier this spring.

“Buy Yourself Flowers” is number nine in “Ready, Set, Recharge! 24 Ways to Boost Your Energy and Your Mood,” the July/August cover story of Fitness.

“Why wait for your guy to treat you?” it reads. “A bouquet can put you in a good mood — and even give you an all-day energy boost — regardless of where it comes from, according to Harvard psychologist Nancy Etcoff, PhD. Put a vase of gerbera daisies on your kitchen table to start your morning right.”

The Harvard research is included in the Home Ecology of Flowers Study, commissioned in 2006 by a strategic alliance between SAF and the Flower Promotion Organization (FPO).

A July article in the Long Island Pulse magazine relies on the party expertise of Flower Factor spokeswoman Jeannette Benedict.

All this coverage is a result of SAF’s work with reporters, editors, bloggers and TV producers to get positive messages about flowers and florists in everyday news.

For example, in April, SAF’s Flower Factor workshop featured a trio of experts in entertaining, home decorating and relationships, who talked up flowers and plants as contemporary, affordable ways to add color, energy, style, fun and romance to your life. They also emphasized working with local florists.

Reporter Lauren Debellis was definitely paying attention.

Her July article, “Easy, Breezy Summer Entertaining,” in the Long Island Pulse magazine revolves around Flower Factor spokeswoman and party expert Jeannette Benedict. For readers short on money or time, Benedict suggests talking to the professionals. “Make it easy on yourself and take a trip to the florist,” she says.

In late April, Debelllis wrote, “The Power of Flowers: ‘Happy’ is not a luxury,” and quoted Flower Factor spokeswoman and HGTV contributor Kelli Ellis advising, “Trust your florist. They’re the professionals and can recommend flowers for any budget, any mood or any style.”

This media coverage proves what Fitness Magazine editors already know: Real results take time, but are worth the wait.

“These top quality hits are all great examples that creating relationships — and having patience — pays off,” says Jennifer Sparks, SAF’s vice president of marketing.

SAF’s media efforts are made possible by SAF member dues as well as voluntary contributions to the SAF PR Fund by wholesalers, suppliers, importers and growers. Since its inception, SAF PR Fund programs have generated more than 892 million consumer impressions.

Try this:

Post a link to the Fitness article on your Facebook page.
Use “Daily Inspiration” ads, statement stuffers and postcards in publicity efforts.
Capitalize on the Harvard research and generate publicity by sending local media a Home Ecology press release and a Home Ecology brochure.
Include Home Ecology photographs on your website and print materials such as fliers, brochures, newsletters, etc.
Get those Flower Factor spokeswomen on your website. They’re touting the benefits of using flowers and professional florists in entertaining, decorating and enhancing relationships. Choose from more than a dozen videos from SAF’s Aboutflowers.com YouTube channel.

By Jason Edmonds

Named for the 16th century Italian naturalist and physician, Pietro Andrea Matthioli (1500 to 1577) who first identified Matthiola incana. Imported into England immediately after its discovery and identification, Matthiola incana was bred extensively and soon became a favorite in English gardens. One of today’s most popular cultivars, the Brompton, was bred in the Brompton Gardens in London, site of the present day South Kensington museums William Townsend Aiton identified it as a member of the Brassicaceae, the mustard family in the 19th century, making note of its distribution in the Eastern United States at that time.

Many old English names were given to Matthiola incana including stocks, sea stocks, wallflowers and wall or gillyflowers. Gillyflower is thought to have originated from “gillofloure”, the name English herbalist John Gerard gave it in 1597.

Used extensively by the commercial floral industry because of its spicy scent and long lasting blooms, Matthiola incana–stock–may have been commercially cultivated as far back as the Roman Empire. An English garden favorite since Elizabethan times, Matthiola incana produces both single and double flowers and long grayish-green leaves. White is the most common color, but Matthiola incana also grows in pink, red, yellow, lilac and purple.

Transflora is proud to be distributor of “Ocean View” stock and has weekly shipments from the leading Stock grower in the country. Wet pack’s of seven or or twelve bunches are available as are dry packs of eight or sixteen bunches. Please contact your sales consultant to reserve your field grown stock.