So what’s the deal with all of this social networking stuff? It’s all over the place. I mean, even John McCain has a Twitter account, and my grandmother has Facebook. So really, why is all of this so popular now? I remember when I didn’t know anyone who had a cell phone, and when my dad got a pager I thought we were big stuff. We didn’t get the internet in my house until I was a sophomore in high school and that was the buzzzzzz, beeeep, uuuuehhhhhhhhh, kind. And when anyone was using the internet no one else could get a phone call. My AOL instant messenger time was limited to only certain hours of the evening—this was nearly catastrophic to my social well being.
Well, things have definitely changed! Here at Humphreys Flowers we started this blog over the summer, and soon after that began a Facebook page as well. But not only that, because of the overwhelming developing popularity of Twitter, we have one of those now too. And the best thing about that is that I just send Twitter a text of my tweet and it automatically updates my Twitter page! Very convenient. So you all should definitely check out our Facebook and Twitter pages—become a fan and a follower!

One of the most unique and creative wedding receptions that I have ever seen pictures of took place this past weekend. Located right in the middle of the antique tire business, a quaint, festive, and unique wedding reception took place, and we at Humphreys Flowers got to be a part of it.
Having their showroom cleared (kind of) white tables and chairs, a cake, and beautiful floral centerpieces took the place of most cars and tires. This was true for all but the cake however. Creatively located on a table top in the trunk of an antique car was a decadent masterpiece. Yes, the beautiful and surely tasty bridal cake was delicately placed on display on a car.
To make the elegant yet spunky reception’s look complete, various floral centerpieces were placed on the tables; however though, these arrangements were not all the same. This made the look even more fun and less uniform—but still cohesive.
Hanging from the metal beams in the ceiling were coordinating paper lanterns and strips delicate white fabric to polish it all off. And that is exactly the look they achieved—a polished and elegant, yet fun and festive wedding.

Race for the Cure

Sure to be an event worth your involvement, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is this Sunday! This event is something that we at Humphreys Flowers make sure to participate in every year. It has become an employee tradition! Catered to any walk of life, Race for the Cure offers a 5k fun run/walk, and a competitive 5k run as well. If the 5k is a little too long for you, there is also the 1 mile fun run/walk as well. Most of us here will be participating in the 1 mile so that our families can participate with us.
Most importantly though, this event is significant because it supports local breast cancer screening, treatment and education programs. The proceeds from the race will mostly remain in the ten Southeast Tennessee and six Northwest Georgia counties that the Chattanooga Affiliate service. The remaining money will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure © Award and Research Grant Program.*
Please consider being a part of this great cause. For more information please visit their website at http://www.chattanoogaraceforthecure.com/.

*Information taken from Susan G. Komen for the Cure website.

Gerbera Galore

Like a burst of sun and cheer is a flower quickly growing in fame, with color and confidence exuding from every petal—the gerbera daisy. Known as a bloom to bring cheer and a lot of smiles, the daisy is a “classic symbol of beauty,” and can also be interpreted to mean cheerfulness.[1]

No wonder this beautiful flower gained recognition and has only continued to catch the eye of many. In fact, it has quickly become one of the hottest trends not only for floral arrangements and home gardens showpieces, but also for wedding bouquets and ceremony and reception decorations. Most commonly used in spring and summer weddings, the gerbera daisy has even gained speed in fall and winter weddings as well.

One of my absolute favorite wedding bouquets was done right here in our shop just last weekend. The colors were bold, yet muted enough to capture the essence of fall beauty. The element, however, that gave this bouquet a completed look was the stunning appearance of the large, crimson, gerbera bloom. It simply pulled the look together in a unique way.

All of our arrangements that include gerberas seem to have an eye catching, second-glance-worthy look to them. If you want to see for yourself be sure to look us up on Facebook and become a fan! For your enjoyment, I will frequently be updating our photo albums with our work—so be sure to check it out!

[1] ProFlowers. September 10, 2009. http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/flowermeanings/daisy-meanings.aspx

Fall's Falling!

My favorite time of year is almost here! I love fall. It’s just so beautiful. Living here in the Tennessee valley makes it even more enjoyable. Wherever you go you are surrounded by stunning vibrant yellows, rusty oranges, and burnt reds. Whether you see it while driving through mountains, dangling from a tree, blowing through the wind, or even crunching beneath your feet, the sight is something to stop and appreciate.

We are trying to do nothing short of that here at the flower shop. Even though mums aren’t my favorite flower, there is something about walking into our cooler and seeing all the fun fall mums in for the first time this year. They just do something for an arrangement that the color of other flowers cannot capture. Not only that, but out front, soon our floor with be covered with crotons ready to be sent out on delivery.

Another one of my favorite things is all the pretty fall wreaths that go up on every door. The ones made here are just beautiful. Something very frequently requested in wreaths, and sold alone, is bittersweet. It captures the essence of fall with its beautiful orange seeds that soon crack open to expose its stunning red center.

Overall, I just love fall. It’s beauty is unique and unsurpassed, and we do our best here to capture that beauty in everything we do.

Austin Hatcher Foundation

Just recently we at Humphreys have decided to partner with a very worth while cause called the Austin Hatcher Foundation. If you have never heard of this organization you should definitely check out their website at www.hatcherfoundation.org and read their story. Under the “Who We Are” tab you can learn the heart wrenching details for why Jim and Amy Jo Osborn decided to begin this foundation.
As a result of the initiative that these two have taken to help raise money for research of pediatric cancer, many people have joined along side them in order to help out. That is exactly what we at Humphreys want to do too. In order to take part in this, all you have to do when you call in to order is specify that you want part of your purchase to go to the Austin Hatcher Foundation, or when ordering online use the coupon code “Hatch.” This will ensure that 5% of your order will be donated to their organization. Please join us now in helping Jim and Amy Jo raise money to further research in pediatric cancer—a cause worth supporting.

Sweet Treating

So I don’t know about you all, but I love being able to multitask. Although I sometimes prove to myself and others that my ability to do so is not too great, I still love the feeling of trying to be efficient. Well if you’re like me, I have an idea for you. This Friday, August 14th, we will be having an employee bake sale here in our shop. All of the proceeds will go to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research. Not only that, but all customers who buy a bake sale item will receive a free rose too. Talk about multi tasking! You will be able to make a small charitable contribution, take home a beautiful rose, and satisfy the typical Friday afternoon sweet tooth craving!

Men, what a way to end your day??? Come in and get a sweet for you and take home a beautiful rose for your wife, all while contributing to a good cause as well! Women, you know you crave those sweets, (especially on Friday afternoon) well this Friday afternoon at Humphreys you can totally justify that craving with benefiting a good cause and getting a free rose! I don’t think that I would be able to resist such a great, and efficient, little stop—so make sure you don’t! Make Humphreys one of your Friday lunch break stops, and you’ll be glad you did!