Happy Easter!

Easter means many things to many people. For me it means time for family and friends, just like all the other holidays. Holidays are often the only time you will find our shop closed. Unless of course it's a floral holiday!
As a business, our hours of operation are often scrutinized, especially since we run a retail shop in the heart of downtown. And we're often very reluctant to close.
I know firsthand that as a consumer, it can be very frustrating for shops to not have extended hours, especially since we've all gotten used to the big box concept where you can get tons of cheap stuff almost any hour of the day - holidays included!
But as a business owner that puts in so many more hours than the general public could even begin to fathom, I have had to teach myself that sometimes, you just need to close. Because at the end of the day, and on your very last, do you really think anyone is going to remember you for your great shop hours?!
Happy Easter. May you all be taking a breather and spending special moments with friends and family. And to those of you that are working so I can find whip cream and lemons at the last minute....THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Silence is a virtue. And an anomaly!

We've all heard the old adage "silence is a virtue". I'm not sure where it came from, or what the original intent was, but I am sure that there is just too much noise these days and it has made me think of that timeless saying.  I don't mean that literally there is too much noise, as in blaring music, honking horns and the general din that accompanies daily life. I mean noise....from people. From their rantings to their musings, from their protest to their status, from their disquiet and discontent. In blogs, on Facebook, to the editor and the worst cacophony possible....the uproar of rumour. Wouldn't it be nice for a little silence? A silence filled with possibilities? When I gaze upon a flower, I am filled with hope and wonder. And there isn't a sound.

Hello Springtime!

I don't know if it's spring fever or what...but I have this insane urge to travel....and to destinations flower related of course. I've resolved to try my best to start crossing these destinations off the list, one by one, until I have satisfied my curiosity about places and events such as the Canadian Annual Tulip Festival in Ottawa. Look out friends, family and colleagues....I will be asking you to partake of these flower adventures with me!

This weekend, we are off to Vancouver for a spring design show....and I am looking forward to our whirlwind trip! We might even be lucky enough to spot tulips peeking through here and there and the occasional flowering branch just starting to bud....hello springtime!

Time and Effort

We have a radio ad running right now that lets you know we're here to save your relationship through the purchase of quality floral artistry from Edgy Petals....we had fun with that ad! It is injected with humour but still to the point of buying flowers to impress your significant other. BUT, picking up your bouquet on the way home is not only about the flowers, it's about the time and effort you put in to thinking it through, parking the car, thoughtfully writing out the enclosure card etc.

TIME and EFFORT are really the essential component, wether picking up flowers or simply helping with the dishes. And it's always something you can give more of .

During this season of giving, who can you give more time and effort to???

Passive, Aggressive or Assertive?

Calling someone out....should you do it?

This is a question we've all had to address from time to time. I can't be the only one.

I look at the situation this way: if the topic in question is directly related to you, your loved ones, or your business, then the answer is a resounding yes!

Ask your questions and clear up the situation.

Otherwise, you won't sleep at night. The topic will fester and play over and over in your mind until it's addressed.

If the topic is not near and dear, ask yourself if it benefits anyone for you to get involved before you jump in. If there is no benefit other than personal satisfaction, you should probably let it go....don't create drama for no good reason!

Being assertive is a skill.

Being aggressive is not.

Being passive will get you nowhere!

Random Acts of Kindness...spread the love!

On occasion, we have the pleasure of providing flowers for a high school class that gives them out as "random acts of kindness".

The impact a random act of kindness can have is clear when reading through the notes that their teacher passed on to us.....I'll share a few:

- "I gave my flower to a lady just outside Shopper's Drug Mart. She called me back to say her husband had just been told at the doctor's office that he had cancer. She told me that the gift of the flower was a sign of hope and gave me a hug."

- "The first person I gave my flower to was a lady at the insurance agency. She was soooo happy. I continued to give 3 flower to 3 other ladies. I really liked it alot."

- "One of my flowers went to an employee at the McBain Insurance. I decided to brighten her day. she was very surprised. She couldn't stop smiling. She smelled it and when we left she was sharing with the other employees."

Clearly, a random act of kindness impacts the recipient, the giver and continues to spread!

What will your random act of kindness be? Please post to our facebook page....we're curious!

Summerland's New Design Guidelines

Yay! At long last (after a year of meetings, meetings and more meetings) the Redesign Steering Committee has produced a comprehensive set of guidelines and criteria that are more suitable to the life and times of Summerland as it is now.

I am a proud member of that committee and feel that all the time and effort was well spent.

If every member of our community got involved somehow (even just shoveling the neighbor's driveway) imagine what a difference that could make!

We are fortunate to live in a vibrant community, with many active merchants, boards, committees, associations etc. that are all focussed on positive change.

I look forward to all that the future of Summerland has to offer our residents, our visitors and our investors.

By the way, don't forget to "get involved". A helping hand is a loving hand.