[media_mothers_day_card.jpg]At a loss for words when delivering your Do-It-Yourself flower bouquets and arrangements to all of the Moms in your life? Here’s a quick and easy cheat sheet to tickle your mind for the perfect expression of your love:

If there was a day for everything you have given to me as a mother, it would be Mother’s Day every day.

Thanks for always helping me to remember what is important in life… and today it is you!

Thank you for always being there, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day.

Mom, I picked these just for you. Happy Mother’s Day!

Everyday I think of the way you made my life special. Happy Mother’s Day!

Mom’s the universal word for love. Happy Mother’s day!

How do I spell love? M-O-M! Happy Mother’s Day!

Because of you, I am me. Happy Mothers Day

There are a thousand languages in the world but a Mother’s smile speaks them all.

Hope your day is sunshine and flowers with happy thoughts to fill the house.

To the greatest mother in the world!
Thanks for the gift of life!

To thank you for the little things you
always say and do, and to wish you all
the happiness that life can bring to you!

May the joy and love you give away,
return to you this Mother’s Day!

Lasting joy and happiness,
that’s what you’re wished today.
And with that wish, a world of love
is being sent your way!
Happy Mother’s Day!!

You have a very special place,
that no one else can fill…
because you mean so much to me,
and you know you always will!
Happy Mother’s Day!!

Thanks so much for all you do!
Happy Mother’s Day!!

Sit back and relax! You deserve it!
Happy Mother’s Day!!

You’re loved with a love that grows,
from one day to another.
Because you have been, and you will always be,
a dear and wonderful mother!
Happy Mother’s Day!

Thank you for bringing me into the world!

Thanks for always helping me to remember what is important in life… and today it is you!

Thanks for all you are and all you do.

If I have never said thank you for bringing me into the world I’d like to do that now.

No way I’d miss this - Happy Mother’s Day.

Mom, you’re the best. Happy Mother’s Day.

Thank you for always being there, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day.

Mom…. You’re the best! Thanks for all you do.

I’m so glad you’re my Mom!  Happy Mother’s Day!

A mother is beautiful in her patience, in her wisdom, and above all her love. You are an angel.

Not only my mom, but also my best friend.

A mother is a special lifelong friend

Loving wishes to my mom. You mean the world to me.

Mom, in our hearts you have a special place

MOTHER: Memories, Outstanding, Tender, Heart, Expressive, Radiant

Love on Mother’s day and always

A mother holds the key to your heart.

There’s never been a minute I wasn’t glad you were my Mom. (Except when you goofed up my bangs!)

[media_DIY_Flower_Arrangement.jpg]We all want to surround ourselves with peaceful, positive energy, and nature is a powerful and proven tonic. The down economy has been stressful for families, this year more than ever Moms need and deserve flower gifts that create homes where they feel happy, harmonious, loved and completely disconnected from the hectic pace of their busy routines. Our Do-It-Yourself Mother’s Day Flower Guide gives you easy, affordable and wonderful ways to use flowers to honor Mom soothe her soul and inspire her celebration of the joy of life.

Embracing tips from Jayme Barrett, personal fulfillment expert and a leading authority on inspired living, anyone can transform their Mother’s home into a soothing refuge, haven, retreat or sanctuary for Mother’s Day. You can introduce a range of positive floral energies in your Mom’s home with these simple, do-it-yourself directions to creating arrangements inspired by Barrett’s interpretation of feng shui. Her seven soul-stimulating energies include gratitude, wellness, inspiration and motivation, love and romance, new beginnings, serenity, and prosperity. Her floral formula factors in color combination, shape and significance, vase style, placement in the home and flower variety.

Use these floral designs to express love, honor and gratitude for the Moms in your life. Create a soul nurturing sense of serenity, prosperity and inspiration this Mother’s Day and have money left to pick-up the brunch check with DIY farm fresh, wholesale and discount flowers from LA Flower District California Flower Mall vendors:
Gratitude: Reminds us to be grateful for the little blessings in life

Key Colors: A low, clustered arrangement in all shades of pink symbolizes opening the heart and making others more receptive to you.

Vase Style: A glass container of any size is fitting, as its transparency exhibits openness.

In the Home: To start and end the day counting your blessings, place this depiction of gratitude on a nightstand, dresser or in the kitchen.

Suggested Flower Options: Ranunculus, alstroemeria, tulips, spray roses
Wellness: Evokes balanced feelings of mind, body and spirit

Key Color: Yellow is the primary color for this emotional energy, as it represents the sun, life force and health. Supplement a big burst of blooms with greens, which induce nature’s healing energy, and white, which reflects serenity.

Vase Style: Choose an oval or round, terra-cotta, wood or bamboo container to replicate the Earth’s element, providing grounding and balance.

In the Home: Locate this energy in the living room or family room to enhance the space of relaxation, meditation and family connection.

Suggested Flower Options: Gerbera, carnations, solidago, hydrangea (white or green), callas, pompons, chrysanthemums
Inspiration and Motivation: Infuses the soul with rejuvenating energy

Key Color: Red epitomizes motivation, fame, courage and power. Design an up-shooting spray that also includes sensuous, rich orange and fuchsia, which suggest enthusiasm and exuberance.

Vase Style: A tall mirrored or shiny metal container of any kind will stoke inspiration. Mirrors boost positive energies and bring good luck, which will circulate through all endeavors.

In the Home: The home office is an ideal place to inject motivational energy — or the power of now. Anyone will feel encouraged to reach for the stars and live life to the fullest.

Suggested Flower Options: Roses, callas, Asiatic lilies, snapdragons, hypericum
Love and Romance: Sparks intimate connections and blossoming love

Key Color: A tight bunch of flowers flush with burgundy and red embodies feelings of passion and romance. Incorporating lush pinks and peaches will help invite love and inspire kindness.

Vase Style: A circular vase is the perfect shape for never-ending love.

In the Home: Spark feelings of adoration during a meal in the kitchen or dining room. As you nourish your body, you will be dually energized by love and encouraged to show your affection throughout the day and night. Flowers are a great addition to the bedroom too.

Suggested Flower Options: Stock, roses, alstroemeria

New Beginnings: Welcomes change with open arms and mind

Key Color: Stimulate joy, enthusiasm and excitement with a simple arrangement featuring the color orange. Complement it with white — the color of purity and freshness — and green, characterizing new opportunity and growth.

Vase Style: A square, ceramic vase brings an earthy energy, proclaiming that while the sky’s the limit, it’s good to keep your feet firmly rooted on the ground.

In the Home: Put the spirit of new horizons on display on a mantle or coffee table, where it will instill faith, creativity and endless possibility.

Suggested Flower Options: Gerbera, carnations, Asiatic lilies, spray roses, alstroemeria
Serenity: Allows our minds to unwind and release tension, bringing a sense of calm to our lives

Key Color: Loosely arranged hues of blue, violet and lavender evoke serenity and will help clear the mind of stress. Blue represents the ocean and sky, while shades of purple invoke spiritual energy.

Vase Style: A cobalt blue glass vase represents inner wisdom and will help add balance. The blue is yin (soft, curving, cyclical) and the glass is yang (straight, shiny, linear) for a perfect equilibrium.

In the Home: Setting this in the entryway will set the tone for tranquility as you step inside your home from the chaotic world outside.

Suggested Flower Options: Hydrangea, delphinium, lisianthus, stock
Prosperity: Stimulates action and indicates success and richness

Key Color: Let red or deep purple dominate this abundant arrangement, intimating accomplishment and wealth. Accent with shades of gold, the preeminent color for good health and fortune.

Vase Style: Select a metallic, perhaps golden container, representing a pot of gold.

In the Home: Give your home a boost by placing this inspirational bouquet where you welcome guests or potential buyers.

Suggested Flower Options: Lilies, roses, lisianthus, snapdragons

Christmas flowers can be used to express your creativity whether you fashion a festive centerpiece for yourself or create a thoughtful gift for those hosting holiday dinner.

ecorating your home for Christmas is one more way to share your holiday spirit and with a huge variety of gorgeous affordable wholesale bulk fresh flowers readily available here at the California Flower Mall in the Downtown Los Angeles Flower District - you have are hundreds of types of flowers to choose from to create stunning holiday table centerpieces.

While poinsettias are a lovely traditional Christmas flower, there are many more lush, fragrant, pretty red and white flowers that you can use to create long lasting Christmas flower arrangements in elaborate, exotic or elegantly simple arrangements.

There are many types of greenery too. Holly, mistletoe and fragrant evergreen boughs, spiky pine cones and ivy almost any greenery that fills your arrangements will bring life and lushness to Christmas flowers.
Carnations make lovely holiday bouquets and centerpieces.

Besides being readily available, carnations are inexpensive, as well. With big ruffled, frilly blooms, a centerpiece of red and white carnations with greenery accents is a charming addition to your Christmas dinner table.

Add a childlike flair with “candy cane” carnation varieties that are striped red and white—so festive for the holidays.

Dramatic red roses with greenery in a simple round glass vase combine for an elegant, yet cheerful, centerpiece for your table.

Exotic Christmas flowers are fresh and unusual. Try a simple bouquet of Anthuriums Hawaii’s heart shaped tropical flowers to create a stylish expression of Christmas love and joyous celebration.

A particularly showy Christmas table floral can be created using fresh potted poinsettias and shiny Christmas ornaments inside a large basket decorated with a Christmas ribbon bow on the handle.

Check with California Flower Mall vendor Choi Orchids for a tasteful selection of decorative baskets and vases as well as live potted green and tropical plants.

The possibilities for Christmas flowers to be used in table centerpieces are endless at the California Flower Mall where Los Angeles area amateur and professional florists are supplied with creative inspiration and the fresh flowers and live plants they need to bring their floral visions to life.

Stroll along the California Flower Mall arcade to tickle your imagination and let your creative juices flow with ideas for your holiday centerpieces and floral displays. As always, parking is free, there is no admission fee and our vendors welcome crafty DIY amateur floral arrangers 7 days a week.

Many hostesses like to arrange Christmas flowers and fresh evergreens with candles for a bit of holiday ambience. Floating candles along with floating poinsettias or other fresh Christmas flowers makes a stunning and extremely stylish floral centerpiece for a holiday table.

Simple step by step instructions on how to make a Candles and Roses Christmas Flower Centerpiece can be found at http://www.ehow.com/how_4530382_make-candle-roses-christmas-centerpiece.html
You might also arrange shiny, brightly colored ornaments in a big, clear vase holding a tall Amaryllis or orchid!

Paper white Narcissus make gorgeous Christmas flowers, especially when combined with red flowers such as tulips, carnations or cyclamen.

Regardless of which Christmas flowers you decide to use for your holiday table centerpiece, you can affordably use live fresh flowers from the California Flower Mall to add a big helping of charm and holiday cheer to your Christmas dinner.

Anthuriums Hawaii’s heart shaped tropical flowers create a striking expression of the joy of Christmas.

[media_choosing_flowers.jpg]Los Angeles, CA May 4, 2010– Burst through recession blues with cheap flowers for Mother’s Day and Dia de las Madres at The Los Angeles Flower District California Flower Mall. Treat Moms to a dazzling springtime adventure at the largest wholesale flower district in the U.S. and save 70 – 80% off retail prices. Let Mom pick her own flowers from tons of farm fresh blooms at the largest new wholesale Los Angeles flower markets in the LA Flower District. Here are five recession busting tips to shop for Mother’s Day flowers in the LA Flower District like a pro:   

1. The LA Flower District California Flower Mall caters to the wholesale trade:
   • California Flower Mall wholesalers welcome both trade and Do-It-Yourself DIY florists. There is no admission charge to enter CFM
   • Some vendors sell to individuals without a “resale license” others don’t.
2. Mother’s Day is the busiest wholesale flower holiday of the year:
   • Start your Mother’s Day adventure before 7am Saturday to beat traffic and street closures
   • Relax while Mom picks blooms from the biggest selection of fresh cut flowers and plants in the country
   • Price bargaining is acceptable – the best deals are on Friday or Sunday afternoon near closing time.
3. CFM is open 24/7 from 4am Saturday to 8pm Sunday and weekdays to 8pm. It’s the only wholesale flower market open late weekdays and all night before Mother’s Day:
   • Arrive before 7 am Saturday for the best experience
   • Stroll the colorful sidewalks of the eight block flower district and enjoy a festival of fragrances and colors that dazzle the senses.
4. Plan to pay cash for your purchases.  An ATM is located on the San Pedro St. side of CFM.
5. CFM has front door surface level customer parking with proof of purchase for quick in and out access:
   • Holiday parking policies and prices are subject to change during busy holiday weeks so arrive very early for parking deals too
   • Bring a vase or bucket with water to keep flowers fresh if you plan on stopping for brunch before you can get your flowers home.

The silver lining in a recession is learning to value the magic of simple gestures and heartfelt gifts you can truly afford to honor Moms. This year let Moms special weekend blossom into a joy filled celebration of pure love and appreciation.

[media_pussy_willows.jpg]Decorative blooming branches are at the height of design trends for the late winter and early spring season. Bunches of branches are gracing the pages of Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, creating dramatic set décor on the Martha Stewart show, and complimenting Pottery Barn displays. Los Angeles neighborhoods are exploding with spring colors as 200,000 flowering trees bud and blossom. Scratch the idea to prune you neighbors tree, visit The LA Flower District California Flower Mall, a convenient, easy, cheap source for a wide variety of locally grown bulk wholesale blooming branches.

Decorative branches can dramatically enhance spaces from an empty side table to a grand entry way or foyer. Grower’s Direct at the LA Flower District California Flower Mall Elegantly decorate with big, fresh wholesale 25-30 branch bushels of the most popular regional varieties of tree blooms. Quince, pear, peach, almond, cherry, plum, mango and the long lasting pussy willow are a few of the blooming branch choices available here for under $10.

Flowering branch care is like caring for cut flowers, it’s important to keep water clean for longer vase life, other tips include:

Place tight bud branch stem ends in water immediately. Tall, wider neck glass vases and porcelain vessels are a good choice for display. Mist tight bud branches frequently the first few days. To stimulate bud blooms, submerge whole stems in water, such as in a bathtub, overnight. This allows buds and stems to quickly absorb water and begin to break dormancy – do not use this method with pussy willows.

While it is common practice to smash the stem ends with a hammer to improve water uptake by the stems, this may have the opposite effect if stems are mashed too hard. Mashed ends may make the water more dirty, which will decrease water uptake. The best method is to make a slit or two in the bottom of the stem before placing in the water, such as in a cross or star pattern as viewed from the bottom.

Keep branches in fresh water in a cool area (65 degrees F is ideal). Warmer temperatures cause them to develop too rapidly and not open properly. Low humidity, common in many homes during cooler temperatures, also may cause buds to fall off. Try to keep branches near a humidifier, or misted. Direct sunlight also may cause buds to fall, so keep in bright but indirect light. Pussy willows do not require misting.

Use of floral preservatives, available at many garden stores and florists, may increase the vase life of the branches – so that you can enjoy them through full bloom.

Filling in arrangements with gorgeous and affordable flowers can stretch your wedding dollars and create a lush, lavishly decorated bridal celebration. Here’s a shortlist of flowers that can be used to fill out arrangements. While seasonality will influence availability and prices - the most of these favorites year round best buys:

Alstroemeria Lilies - These petite lilies come in over 20 different shades. Because they are small they look best in bouquets, hairpieces, on wedding cakes or in table arrangements.

Carnations - This fresh, cool stand-by will withstand heat in the hottest months.They are a popular pick for alter arrangements because they inexpensively fill out a lot of space. They come in many natural colors. Check the dyed ones to be sure they won’t bleed on fabric or other items including your hands!

Chrysanthemums - Aka Mums are a versatile filler for alter arrangements. They expand any arrangement, come in many colors and types of blossoms.

Freesia - A small, delicate, deliciously fragrant flower is often substituted for the more expensive, traditional white bridal flower stephanotis.
They come in white, yellow, pink, lavender, orange and red.

Gerbera Daisies - These exuberant giant daisies make exciting, colorful bouquets. There long stems make them a wonderful choice for table and altar arrangements. They come in many vivid colors from white to fuchsia.

Professional and Do It Yourself wedding floral designers are moving into high gear here at California Flower Mall finalizing floral details for June Weddings.

Throughout May, we’ve met many DIY wedding floral designers who are one month out from their June nuptials. The most successful DIY’s are wisely pricing, practicing and making final floral decisions weeks in advance of their wedding day. Satisfied bridal teams report that DIY florists do not need a resale permit to receive wholesale prices at most of the 45 California Flower Mall vendors. To make your day flow easily, consider reserving one of our meeting rooms where you and your team can ponder final decisions, or work on practice bridal bouquets, centerpieces and arrangements. For advance meeting room reservations call: 213-488-1983.

Important Note: be sure to confirm any restrictions on flowers or decorations before finalizing plans. Check the ceremony and reception site for rules and restrictions regarding flowers, candles, affixing materials and methods restrictions.

See you soon!