Alamo, CA Florists

Alamo Flower Shop News

2018 Best of the East Bay: Weddings

She encourages clients to bring in samples of their flowers, invitations, and even their wedding gown (if possible) to help her create a confection that matches the style of the event. Alamo and Oakland, katrina​rozelle​.com. —K.H.Bridal BoutiqueKinsley James Couture BridalThis chic bridal boutique elevates the experience of finding the perfect wedding gown. Owners Dawn Silva and Amber Haycock attend New York’s Bridal Fashion Week twice a year to hand select each of the luxe looks Kinsley James Couture Bridal sells. That means you’ll get to choose from the latest trends and fashions during your VIP appointment—a two-hour session that includes a mimosa bar with two bottles of champagne and bride-approved snacks for you and your bridal tribe, plus 10 percent off your purchase. The Kinsley James team can also help you find top-notch wedding vendors to make your nuptials perfect, offering recommendations for florists, event designers, photographers, and more. Walnut Creek, kinsley​james​.com. —K.H.Wedding PhotographerJosh IsaacsWhen Josh Isaacs documents an engagement or wedding, he’s not just taking a snapshot; he’s telling an intimate story about the couple. To capture the beauty of their love—and of all the moments that led them to their union—Isaacs puts his subjects at ease, allowing them to forget they’re even being photographed. “Engagement photos these days are much more than just ‘save the dates,’ ” Isaacs says. “They are a celebration.” Lafayette, jjisaacs.com. —K.H.Bachelorette Party Hot SpotEditor Pick: Tommy T’sBrides-to-be can enjoy some eye candy and Magic Mike–esque action at this intimate Pleasanton venue, which hosts shows like Hunks and Fifty Shades of Men several times a year. Ladies (and fellas, if they’re so inclined) are bound to enjoy a fun and flirty evening of burlesque entertainment, featuring seductive theatrics. So, don your best party gear, order a few drinks, and let loose. It’ll certainly make for a night to remember. Pleasanton, tommyts​.com/pleasanton. —A.S.Place for Prewedding PamperingEditor Pick: The Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort and SpaFeeling stressed before walking down the aisle? Unwind at this award-winning Livermore destination, where you can treat yourself to a relaxing massage, skin-brightening facial, or s... http://www.diablomag.com/July-2018/2018-Best-of-the-East-Bay-Weddings/

The smell of citrus flowers is intensely divine! - Moultrie Observer

Citrus need sunlight with 6 hours being ideal; however, lemons and limes can survive with less. Temperature is very more important. Most varieties tolerate light frosts; kumquats and calamondins are the hardiest and lemons and limes are the most susceptible. High temperatures promote sweet grapefruits, oranges, and tangerines.In cooler summer climates, give them full sun, plant against a hot south wall, or place them along a sunny patio that absorbs the heat and reflects it back to the plants. Also, consider citrus for hedges along the driveway or across the lawn. Placement near a patio or bedroom window provides an immediate sweet aroma in the spring. The smell of citrus flowers is intensely divine! And, citrus flowers are also a haven for butterflies.Shrubs and trees (such as the grapefruit, lemon, and orange) in the genus Citrus are evergreen, flowering plants usually with spines, leathery and aromatic leaves, and juicy edible fruits surrounded by a leathery aromatic rind. Citrus is a common term for these plants and there are two types (sweet and acid) that be grown in our landscapes for fruit and aesthetics. Environmental conditions, cultural practices, and pest activity can dictate the degree of success achieved in growing citrus in this area.The sweet types of citrus include grapefruit, mandarins and sweet oranges which grow into appealing, medium to large trees. Grapefruit do not withstand cooler temperatures very well. The farther the site is from the warm coastal areas, the more difficult they are to grow and survive. Redblush and Star Ruby (red fruit) and Marsh (white fruit) are seedless cultivars which are often planted with favorable success.  Royal and Triumph (white fruit) are seedy varieties that offer good fruit quality.The mandarin class of citrus has loose skin (easil... http://www.moultrieobserver.com/opinion/columns/the-smell-of-citrus-flowers-is-intensely-divine/article_aaacb9d8-69b4-11e7-8f6c-e35de16b27de.html

Davis' Work on Rose Parade Floats - Alamogordo Daily News

Joe.Richard Davis works on a Rose Parade float in Pasadena, California. (Photo: Courtesy Photo)Esther has been in the floral business for 38 years. She has owned flower shops in Florida and in Alamogordo, NM.  She currently does freelance work for weddings and other special events in the Cloudcroft area as EMD Designs and she is the current President of the NM State Florist Association. Esther is also very active in her community. She is a Past President of the Sparky’s Boot Fund and is currently on the board of the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce where she is the chairwoman for Mardi Gras, July Jamboree and Lumberjack Days.This year was Esther’s third year working on rose parade floats.“We work long hours and it is hard work, but it is also very, very rewarding,” she said.Esther’s husband Richard, is an excellent worker and all the crew chiefs want him on their team.It is always a treat to watch the parade each year on television. Most of us can only imagine what it would be like to see the parade in person and actually work on a float.Only natural material can be used to decorate the floats.  Flowers, fruits, mosses, grasses, spices and seed come from all over the world.“There were numerous semi- tractor trailers full of flowers of every type backed up to the huge hangers where the floats are assembled,” Esther said. “They were not only beautiful, but the aroma was amazing.”Plans have already begun for the 2018 Rose Parade.“If I leave it up to Richard, we will go back again this year to work on the floats,” Esther said.Read or Share this story: http://a-dnews.co/2k1Pc2X... http://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/local/community/2017/01/18/davis-work-rose-parade-floats/96746954/

25 Things To Do For Valentine's Day in Dallas - D Magazine

One Night, the very romantic, very good 1934 Frank Capra film. The historic setting makes for a more memorable movie date night than you’ll get at almost any other theater.On Valentine’s Day, the Alamo Drafthouse is showing My Bloody Valentine, a movie that has the word “valentine” in its name but is not very good. You’d be better off going to the Alamo’s Valentine’s Day quote-along screening of The Princess Bride.The Texas Theatre is showing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a great and honest film about the joys and horrors of love.The Granada’s hosting a show and a movie. The Sinatra-esque crooner Ricki Derek and his jazz band will serenade you before the theater throws Casablanca on the big screen.Bath House Cultural Center will host the annual El Corazon art exhibit, a showcase of pieces inspired by the heart. The show runs through March 5.The Dallas Arboretum is selling $5 admission tickets at the gate through Feb. 26. To feel both patriotic and romantic, visit the weekend of Feb. 14. For Presidents’ Day, active and retired military service members receive free admission, while patriotic music plays at the garden and vendors sling $1 hot dogs and $2 cherry pies.While you’re mixing holidays, you might as well celebrate the Chinese New Year at this massive celebration in the Dallas Arts District. The festivities, centered around the Crow Collection of Asian Art, include a full day of performances and art demonstrations culminating in a fireworks show.What did love sound like in the 1920s and 30s? Maybe something like the Singapore Slingers, the retro, pre-swing jazz ensemble performing a Valentine’s Day revue at Pocket Sandwich Theatre on Feb. 9.Single, and have a decent amount of disposable income to throw around? Bring a platonic wing-man or wing-woman to “The Friend Zone” singles’ night bash at The W on Feb. 13. You’ll find a cash bar, music, and presumably other single people after paying a $25 cover.Bring the whole family along to Klyde Warren Park for Hearts in the Park on Feb. 13. The all-day celebration has a Roaring 20s theme this year, so prepare yourself accordingly for a day of romance, jazz, and illicit drinking. You’ll find family-friendly activities, dancing, and other fun things to do. The park will show The Great Gatsby (the Leonardo DiCaprio one, we think) at 6:30 pm.Put on some couple’s cosplay and head to Dallas Comic Con: Fan Days at the Irving Convention Center on Feb. 13 and 14. Nothing says romance like hordes of people in costumes, celebrity panels, and various geek ephemera. Step up your selfie game and get a photo with costumed comic fans or stop by one of the celebrity Q&As at this spring edition of North Texas’ biggest nerd extravaganza. Guests this year include the stars of the Dukes of Hazzard.O... http://frontrow.dmagazine.com/2016/01/25-things-to-do-for-valentines-day-in-dallas-2016/

Airlines, rental cars, and flowers make the holiday Grinch list - ConsumerAffairs

I have spent almost $7-$8K on this trip and we can't go anywhere because we don't have our car which we had reserved 40 days ago," Rahul said.Things were no better over at Alamo, according to Ingrid of San Francisco."We rented a SUV three months ago to drive our 5 kids from SF to Park City, Utah. When we arrived to pick up the car, they said it was no more available because the car was broken (but they forgot to tell us about it)," Ingrid said. "As it is Christmas Day, they told 4 cars were available for us at the airport. We changed our reservation. When we arrived at the Alamo desk at the airport ($80 of taxi round trip), there was still no car for us and no other car available at the other rental companies. How can it be worse?"FlowersPhoto submitted by Marie-Claire"I ordered the white magnolia center piece as a Christmas gift for my parents," said Susan of Dansville, Mich., in a review of FromYouFlowers.com. "When we arrived Christmas Day I was very disappointed. There were no magnolia leaves or roses in the arrangement. They had been replaced with cheaper fill, pine and daisies. The candles were so short we had to blow them out before we were done with dinner."Steve of Bloomington, Ill., also chimed in about FromYouFlowers."I ordered a Snowman Surprises Holiday Campanula Plant $54.99 with a delivery charge of $19.99. I had to select a date for delivery from a calendar that would only allow certain dates to be chosen," Steve said. "I selected 12/24/15 for a delivery date. It was confirmed and I paid. Called today to see how my Mother enjoyed the flowers and she said NOTHING WAS DELIVERED!"JustFlowers.com made the Grinch list for Marie-Claire of Bruceton Mills, W.Va. "I ordered a gold/silver/white arrangement for my daughter's wedding anniversary, because I knew these colors were her theme this year. A RED and white one was delivered. My complaint to JustFlowers.com so far has only yielded a canned reference to their website indicating that substitutions were permitted," Marie-Claire said. "So far Customer Service is totally unresponsive. I will call a local florist in the future and order directly from a local business."All that glitters ...Ordering jewelry online works well sometimes. Other times ... well, not so much. "I ordered two identical necklaces and was told they would be shipped by 12/21 after the purchase," said Susan of Elkton, Md., in a review of The Bradford Exchange. "I called and called about the tracking information ... I was told they "will get there." On 12/23 we received one of the two and not the other. I called again and was told it was on its way. Today I looked up the order number and it says will be shipped by 2/06, 2016!"Kitchen calamitiesAll of these mishaps are fairly typical of the holidays, as are the sudden and unexpected failure of kitchen appliances that can lead to dinner disasters. And then there's the perennial problem of the disintgrating baking dish.Photo submitted by SherrySherry of Middleboro, Mass., was one of many consumers who discovered the phenomenon. "Today, I began slow roasting a pork shoulder in the oven. The temperature was at 300 and the dish had been in the oven for about 25 minutes," Sherry said. "I opened the oven door to see if I should add any liquid and the large baking dish shattered with such force that glass shards were stuck in my sweater and flew in all directions throughout the kitchen. There was no warning of the dish beginning to fail, just a loud shattering sound that was similar to someone throwing a glass onto the floor."... http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/airlines-rental-cars-and-flowers-make-the-hollday-grinch-list-122715.html

Taos event planner helps make holidays, weddings about you - taosnews

She applied to a florist as a salesgirl. After three weeks, she was promoted to a position as floral designer.A native of Orange County California, Palmer's experience in the floral shop set the tone for a 32-year vocation. She worked at shops such as Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach, hotels and private homes. Her bosses lived in the old Nixon home, so this affiliation opened the door for her to work on the opening of the Nixon Library.Palmer moved to Taos when her husband was hired as the chief financial officer at Taos Pueblo. "Taos is a beautiful place. It's unique and amazing, and that includes the people," she said.Palmer said that she doesn't have to work at this career, but she chooses to do so. "The occasions for which I prepare begins as visions in my mind. It's hard work, bur worth it. I relate with my clients in order to give them good customer service. The event usually lasts one day, and I want to get it right. I want to please the guest(s) of honor," explained Palmer.She cited a special floral piece for a biker's funeral. "I created a special Harley Davidson item for the funeral. The cross was wrapped in leather. I used Birds of Paradise flowers to resemble the bike flames," described Palmer.Palmer has worked with wedding parties who come from all over the world for a destination ceremony in Taos. She coordinated weddings for residents from Texas, Colorado and Africa, among other places. Many of her clients favor garden weddings, and Palmer enjoys such events because of the color and texture they provide.An interesting challenge in this realm includes a wedding at Old Martina's Hall in which the couple requested an outdoor garden theme in an indoor setting. "When I receive such a request, I strive to rely on visions of nature, especially the forest, for various types of flowers. I keep in mind whether people have allergies, especially sage," Palmer related.Palmer rightfully earned the name Taos Floral Diva, and under this title one may seek her website. Her business also uses the title Margaret Palmer Floral Design. Some of the brides and grooms become her fri... https://www.taosnews.com/stories/know-your-neighbor-margaret-palmer,60914?

Redmond florist is deeply rooted in the community - Redmond Reporter

Lisa said. “So right now it’s fall and everybody thinks of oranges and bronze. Well, the crops [farmers] plant way in Ecuador, way up in Canada, way [down] in California where they’re really growing all the flowers, those crops are going to be in those color.”Those environments not only influence the tones of the flowers, but farmers might decide to forgo an entire crop if there isn’t a high demand. People aren’t buying bronze colors for their centerpieces after December, she explained.Lisa said when people visit florists, they’re shopping for a professional’s skill. Color wheels, negative and positive space, textures and grouping of flowers influence the presentation of an arrangement.“We’re not production; we’re artists,” Lisa said. “When you go into a grocery store and grab some flowers, you’re giving flowers, but it’s not really something that someone has really specialized in.”She said there’s a creative process that happens when people go to a florists that adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness. The species of flowers picked, the color scheme, the style of a vase are all ways Lisa said people can show the uniqueness of a gift. She explained with the convenience of the Internet, people often put off gift giving until the last minute or they equate the cost of a gift to show how much they care.“When people come in to pick out a bouquet, they go that extra mile,” Lisa said. “It isn’t just a last-minute, pick-it-up, get-it-delivered process.”Anniversaries, weddings, dating and funerals are occasions when people seek out Lisa’s shop. For occasions of sympathy, Lisa said you’re always 100 percent good with white, yellow and chartreuse green. But she said it’s very subjective; on one occasion a friend who was going through a loss said the brightest flower arrangement made her feel better.Lisa doesn’t see the florist business disappearing anytime soon. Despite living in a world that is ever increasingly becoming tech-oriented she doesn’t believe people are willing to give up on deep-rooted traditions, the most recent being Redmond High School homecoming dance.Bear Creek Florist did 89 wristlet corsages and 82 boutonnieres for the high schoolers, each one customized for the student. Lisa still gets excited building boutonnieres, explaining it’s the artistic aspect that drives her to do the work she does and the idea that when a student is pinning a flower on a tux or slipping a corsage onto their wrist, they are wearing something unique to match the event. A trend Lisa Alimentt has noticed through the years is the fact that people are buying fewer arrangements specific to a home but rather are giving flower designs to friends as gifts during the holidays. Samira George/staff photoimg width="2048" height="2545" src="https://71qi67h7bb4dznqk9plwg1bl-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/19483531_web1_6Flower-RED-191122.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="Lisa Aliment took over the famil... https://www.redmond-reporter.com/business/redmond-florist-is-deeply-rooted-in-the-community/

HilverdaFlorist exhibits at American Takii during California Spring Trials 2020 - PerishableNews

HilverdaFlorist will present as one company during California Spring Trials in March 2020 on the location of American Takii in Salinas California.Florist Holland has been able to present herself with great success at Grolink Plants in Oxnard for the past years. During this successful period Florist Holland has made herself visible as the gerbera specialist on the North American market. We look look back with pleasure and gratitude on this period. Due to the merger between HilverdaKooij and Florist Holland we want to present ourselves as a new organization for the North American market.HilverdaKooij has a long partnership with Takii Seed and as HilverdaFlorist we’re looking forward to continue this strong relationship and work together in the future.During the California Spring Trials 2020, from March 28 through April 1, HilverdaFlorist will present its complete new assortment in Pot & Garden plants. As HilverdaFlorist we’ll show you what’s new in our assortment in annuals and perennials and retail solutions.Our complete a... https://www.perishablenews.com/floral/hilverdaflorist-exhibits-at-american-takii-during-california-spring-trials-2020/

Marigold harvest a gift to workers who have kept Mellano blooming for 50 years - The San Diego Union-Tribune

They’re family members by dirt,” he said. Advertisement Mellano & Co. is run by the third-generation descendents of Giovanni Mellano, who immigrated to California from Entracque, Italy, in 1921. In the 1930s, he married his wife, Maria, and they started their first flower farm on a 6.5-acre property near present-day Knott’s Berry Farm.At the request of poinsettia grower and family friend Paul Ecke, the Mellano family took over management of the American Florist Exchange in L.A. in the 1960s. And in the 1970s, Giovanni and Maria’s son Mike Mellano Sr. and son-in-law Battista Castellano moved to Oceanside to expand the family’s flower empire. Chairman of Mellano & Company Michael Mellano stands among marigolds at the Mellano & Company farm on Friday, October 25, 2019 in Oceanside.(Hayne Palmour IV / The San Diego Union-Tribune) Today, Mellano & Co. farms more than 40 varieties of cut flower products, particularly the fresh foliage and greenery that fills out most traditional floral bouquets. With locations in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Orange County and Las Vegas, it’s the largest specialty cut-flower grower in the nation, producing 6 million flower stems each year. In partnership with the Ecke family and Armstrong Nursery, Mellano & Co. also oversees the 40-acre growing and wholesale operations for The Flower Fields in Carlsbad.Michelle Castellano Keeler, the daughter of Battista Castellano, also grew up on the farm and today is the company’s corporate vice president. She and her cousin, Mike M., said the company has always had a heart for immigrant workers because of their family’s roots in Italy.During World War II when Japanese farmers in California were sent to internment camps, Giovanni Mellano purchased some of their L.A. farm properties and equipment for $1 and then stored everything for the internees until they returned after the war.At the Oceanside farm, Mellano & Co. offers onsite housing for its workers, some of whom have lived on the property for two generations. From 40 to 50 workers live there now, most of them were born in Mexican as well as a few Guatemalans and a family of Congolese refugees. Keeler said the idea for the worker housing came from her dad.“He was an immigrant himself and when we first moved here, he felt the way the Hispanic workers were treated was horrible so he built this area on our farm where they could live and be safe,” she said. Advertisement Taking care of workers is also smart business. Mellano said that 10 years ago, 50 people would show up to apply for five open jobs. Now, with the local unemployment rate at a historic low, just one person will show up to apply for five open jobs, and they may not even have the proper legal documentation to qualify. Giovanni and Maria Mellano with their sons Johnny, second from left, and Mike Sr. at their family flower farm in Artesia, Ca., in the 1930s. Their Mellano & Co. now farms more than 340 acres of flowers in Oceanside and Carlsbad.(Courtesy of Mellano & Co.) Beyond the labor shortage, growing flowers is an increasingly challenging business. The cost of wa... https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/story/2019-10-27/marigold-harvest-a-gift-to-workers-who-have-kept-mellano-blooming-for-50-years