The Laramore Wedding

This week we had the privilege to create the floral pieces for the Laramore wedding.  The Laramore's are friends of the owners at our shop and we were delighted to have such beautiful selections to work from!!

The ceremony took place in the lovely St. Andrews Cathedral in Gladstone, MO.

It was a fall wedding that included all shades of browns: mocha, champagne, ivory, bronze, etc.  The only real accent color included the bright green hypericum berries.  

The bride's bouquet included three hydrangea sprayed taupe and accented with bronze and chocolate paint.  To that were added rust and bronze mums, caramel buttons, white cala lilies, white spray roses, mocha cymbidium orchids, green hypericum, and caramel freesia.  It was finished off with a few bronze beech and smoke bush leaves, a few caramel crystals, and cuffed with two shades of double faced satin. Whew!!!

The bride was given her grandmother's rosary to carry down the aisle.  It delightfully covers old, borrowed, and blue.  We wrapped the bouquets handle with the rosary and draped it over the double faced satin bow.  This allows the rosary to flow across the bride's hands as she walks down the aisle. 

The brides maids were much simpler than than the bride.  They had the same cymbidiums, buttons, mums, smoke bush, hypericum, spray roses, and freesia, but just touches of them with a little astilbe to create a softer look.  The hydrangea were hit with a little willow branch paint to soften them up as well.

Finally, the groom was a white calla, bronze mum, and hypericum with a bronze beech leaf for backing.  The other bouts were just mums, hypericum, and beech leaves, keeping things simple.  

All in all, this wedding was a joy to put together!!  

Thanks for stopping by our blog.  Come see us for a free consultation for your upcoming nuptials. Call to schedule an appointment at 18164525947, and like us on Facebook!!!! 

I'm Griffin

Hello there.  My name's Griffin.  I am the Gladstone Flowers overseer.  I thought that since everyone else at the shop got an introduction I deserved one of my own.  Here are a few things that, if you wanna be hooked up with cool cat ways, you should know about me.  

1.  I am what the working ones call a "mascot" of the flower shop, but in reality I am the descendent of one of the original co-founding cats of Gladstone Flowers.  My great-great-great grandfather was around catching mice around the front steps of the shop almost 60 years ago.  At the time it was just a house on a busy street that sold tomatoes and other fruits and veggies.  It is now the gloriously smelling business you visit now.  

2.  If you need a good racoon to find all the good stuff that you threw out in the trash, I'm the guy to come to.  I'm best of pals with all the local racoons.  We even actually share a meal once a week and talk about what's going on in the neighborhood.  Some interesting things have been going on in shop recently...it's been the talk of the town.  The working ones have been moving things around and changing everything in the front room...it throws me all off when I sneak in the front door for a late afternoon snack....

3. If you can't tell by the picture, I am mostly black with white patches, but contrary to popular belief, I am NOT part skunk.  

4. My favorite person in the shop is Brian...he always talks to me funny and it makes me feel all fuzzy and cute....um...I mean, manly and strooooong....

5. I came up with the, now universal, "Stop, Drop, and Roll" routine.  Come see me at the shop and I will show you how it's done. We get down and boogie around here!!

6. Finally, and something that the owner, Deb, would want you to know about me, I spend my very early years eating pumpkin formula and sleeping in the front shirt pocket of Donald Fulton, the co-owner.  

Welp, thanks for stopping by and getting to know me.  You'll be seeing a lot of me around here from now on...you see, you don't need opposable thumbs to type on the computer and I now know how to turn it on!!! Whoo!!!!  Imma be surfin' the interwebs!!

P.S. If your kiddos have questions about flowers or what happens around the shop, just have them leave me a comment and I'd be happy to answer personally!

Meet the Staff

Welcome back to the Gladstone Flowers Blog.  Since we've introduced some of what we do, we thought it would be nice to introduce our amazing staff to you as well.  This way you can know us by name!

We'll go by seniority...

 ***

Deborah "Debbie" Fulton

Owner

"I became the owner April 9, 2004. I've been in the flower world since 1974 and have worn many different hats in the business. That includes designer, manager, purchaser, delivering...dragon slayer...whatever's dragging them down, I slayed it!! I've had the opportunity to work with several talented designers that have helped me increase my expertise in the many facets of the business. On a personal note, I have 6 children and I've been married since 1977. I've been a girl scout, a boy scout, involved in church activities, and I've dabbled in the world of special needs, because my youngest daughter has Down Syndrome. My 'other' education is in special needs."

Favorite thing about the shop:

"I enjoy the education process that comes with the shop.  I learn something new on a daily basis, whether it be a technique, design process, or a new flower. As an owner, I enjoy knowing the other owners. Being able to share in the business with them, whether it be knowledge, business, friendship, or even friendly competition at the various design shows, is always helpful to me and my staff. Winning is of course a wonderful feeling, but even when we do not - we gain experience and knowledge.  Over the years I have learned that in this business you must have big shoulders. The competitions help our designers learn how to take constructive criticism and avoid getting their feelings hurt - just learn from it and get better."

Sarah "Sunshine" Earnest

Designer

Sarah has been married for eight years and has two bright and bubbly boys. She has been at the shop since '97, on and off.

Favorite thing about the shop:

"It is always different! No two days are the same. I was not made for a life in a cubicle, so having an artistic license is refreshing. Debbie took a chance on a kid working at the shop, and trained me to design. I have enjoyed every bit of it since."  

Annette DeMontel

Bookkeeper

Annette has worked in the shop for four years. She has two adult sons, and works more in the office than in the front of the shop.

Favorite thing about the shop:

"I have the best boss in the whole world! I love seeing all the beautiful flowers that come into the shop every week. I enjoy watching the designers make pretty arrangements, centerpieces, and funeral pieces at the shop. They are always so helpful to the customers and even the staff here! They're unfailingly willing to make something special for my family or friends...or put something pretty on my desk. The work atmosphere is amazing, because everyone gets along so well...and of course, the obvious...the shop smells fantastic!"

Brian Klee

Delivery Driver

Brian is one of our gingers (red haired people) at the shop, and he has the fiery personality to go with it. He loves soccer, the KC Chiefs, Royal's baseball, and MIZZOU!! Brian has been driving with us for a little over two years.

Favorite thing about the shop:

"My job is like a game. I get to explore my city on a daily basis, and it's kind of like a game to figure out all the best routes and shortcuts. I also enjoy working with the team here at the shop. On a separate note, I am the sole guardian of the shop cat, Griffin, and thus his favorite person....EVER."

Danielle "Dani" Wilson

Designer

Dani and her husband, a teacher at Winnetonka, are fairly new to the Kansas City area. They got married in '09 then moved to Kansas City. They have an adorable young padawan puppy named Obi Wan Kenobi. They also work closely with a church plant in Smithville, MO called North Lake Church, where Dani is the worship leader.   They both enjoy working to help feed and clothe the homeless, through Hope Faith Ministries.

Favorite thing about the shop:

"My favorite thing about working in the shop is that I get to work as a designer. My mom worked in a flower shop for years, and the passion for it definitely runs in the family. A few years before I started with Debbie (Valentines Day, 2011) I worked for another flower shop that refused to teach me anything about design. They were self-proclaimed "flower snobs," even going so far as to second guess customer choices, because it's not what they themselves would have chosen. I was unhappy there, and later met up with Debbie for an interview. I was honest with her about my experience, that I had only a front-of-shop background, but I had a passion for the art, and I was eager to learn. I will never forget what Deb did for me, giving me a chance as a designer, taking me under her wing, and into her family.  She is teaching me everything she knows about not only design, but everything about the business. She is one of the best bosses I have ever had. I enjoy learning new things every day and working with the customers on a personal level, attemptin to meet their every need. I have a special passion for funerary work and weddings. I love sitting down with the families, getting to know them, and fulfilling their wants and wishes.  I try to give them all the options so they can make a more knowledgeable choice.  This personal approach allows our staff to make something special and unique for each family that is served through our establishment."

Sarah "Cupcake" Cockrell

Designer

Sarah is a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute where she received her bachelors degree in Illustration and Design. Upon graduation, she worked as a delivery driver at a downtown flower shop, and had the fortunate experience of having her artwork in a local gallery. She started working at the flower shop as "holiday help" for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day in 2011. In the Fall of 2011, when her little ones started school, she came to work for the shop as a parttime designer. Sarah is also a full-time mom, full-time wife, part-time Girl Scout Leader, and part-time cupcake baker. This is where she earned her nickname "Cupcake." She has been married to her husband, Kyle, for nine years and has two beautiful daughters, who are just as creative and artistic as she is. They have a cat, Maia, and their newest addition is their dog, Bones.

Favorite thing about the shop:

"I love that my job puts a smile on other people's faces. No one is ever angry with you for bringing them beautiful flowers to brighten their day. I love coming into work every day and getting to play with the flowers. Designing gives me a creative outlet, that I need when I am not painting."

Randy Walker

Designer

Randy has a sweet daughter who loves riding, and working with their horses on the weekends.  

Favorite thing about the shop:

"There is so much creative freedom. I enjoy taking simple flowers and turning them into something amazing. I look forward to seeing a bride walk through the door, because I love giving a young lady her perfect idea of wedding flowers. You can always put your faith and trust in me...if you do, I'll do my best to make your wedding day special. You'll look down at your bouquet before you walk down the aisle and smile, because it's exactly what you wanted."

Stop by, and get to know us in person!! 5808 North Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64155

You can call to order, or we can do a consult on the phone!! (816) 452-5947

Hope to see you soon!

It's FALL!!!

Now that we are in the full swing of fall, the leaves are falling and covering the ground with bright colors!!!  

And despite the lack of rain this summer, there is still an abundance of fall fruit to be had! Some of it has beautiful color, texture, and shape that shouldn't be wasted on eating!!  It's just too pretty to not decorate with!!

Hedge apples might not be looked upon with an air of beauty, but they look lovely layered in a bowl with some fall pomanders, leaves, red apples, pumpkins, and cinnamon sticks.  Their bright green color will brighten up any table piece.  

  

  

Crab apples are beautiful earlier in the harvest season because they're a bright, striking green, but this time of year they are a soft peachy-orange color that is just blushing into a burnt burgundy.  They look beautiful with antique and pseudo-antique hydrangea, some fall leaves, lotus pods, and black willow.

The lady that received the big beauty said it was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen!! 

Here is a simpler, smaller,  DIY version!!

Simply fill a vase 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full with the crab apples, fill with water,  Drop a short piece of hydrangea in the vase and then fill in around it with black willow, or any other green, and some hypericum berries.  Finish it off with a few cattails in the top for height and, voila, a very nice, very inexpensive, centerpiece. 

Have FUN with FALL and think outside of the box with your fruits and veggies!!!

Top Plants to Improve Indoor Air Quality

I commonly get customers that either call or walk into the shop looking for plants that are

- Easy Care

- Good household plants

- Can be planted outside

- Etc. 

But rarely do I get customers that ask for air purification plants.  When I present the idea to them they are almost always eager to know which ones are the best for such a thing.  Many of my customers want to send a plant to an office, a family member or friend who's loved one has recently passed away, or just something nice to place in their own home.  Air purifying plants can take your home, that may have fallen into the "stale air" category, and make it fresh and delicious again!

NASA did a study on air purification plants to be used on space stations to keep the air from being stale and full of VOC's and other pollutants.  Their findings gave various plants a rating on a 10.0 scale for their ability to filter the air and purify it.  The following is a list of plants that are common to florists and great purifiers.

Areca Palm - 8.5 - This plant was ranked the top air purifying plant.  It was also named the most efficient air humidifier and is great at keeping your home or office moist during dry times as well as continuously removing chemical toxins from the air.  During the winter time it can replace the use of electric humidifies altogether!

Bamboo Palm - 8.4 - Just a small step under the Areca Palm, the Bamboo Palm also keeps the indoors fresh and pure.  The Bamboo Palm, though, requires more stable conditions.  It thrives when the soil is kept moist, but not wet, and in indirect sunlight.  The plant needs these conditions to be kept stable in order to keep pumping out fresh oxygen.  

Rubber Plant - 8.0 - According to the NASA study rubber plants excel at removing chemical toxins from the air, especially formaldehyde.  They are great because they require less light than many other plants, so no windows required!!! What could be more perfect for an office space?

Dracaena - 7.8 - The Dracaena was placed fifth on NASA's list of air purifiers.  At 7.8 it is bright, radiant, and starts cleaning the air as soon as it is placed! There are many different kinds of dracaena - sizes, shapes, and colors. You are sure to find one to fit your liking!

English Ivy - 7.8 - If you're looking for a plant that is on the less expensive side and needs little work, then an English Ivy is for you.  Ivies are known to keep the air fresh and humidified.  WebMD describes the plant as "a fix for allergies", noting that 60% of airborne mold in the room vanished just 6 hours after English ivy were brought in.  The same is true for 58% of airborne feces!!  GROSS!!  If you would like to gift a plant to an asthmatic, those with allergies, or just someone with other breathing problems then an English Ivy is a sure bet for a great gift!!

These are just 5 plants that can purify the air, but not to be forgotten are the Ficus (7.7), the Boston Fern (7.5), and the Peace Lily (7.5). These plants are also very common in a flower shop and are sure to impress anyone who might receive one.  

Stop by or call us (8164525847) today and ask about the air purification plants that we have in stock.  When you walk into our shop you will undoubtedly be able to tell the difference between the outside air and that of the inside of a flower shop that keeps some of these plants in stock.  The air is always fresh and yummy inside ours!!

Face Lift!!!

I've never been an advocate for going "under the knife," but occasionally we all need to, at least, check ourselves in the mirror.  Recently we went to a design show and got some really great marketing tips that we wanted to implement in the shop, soooooo, we're giving the shop a face lift!!!  (Pictures to come soon!!) 

The last two days have been packed with moving furniture, designing new silks, making fun things like centerpieces out of pomanders (shout out to Kelly Acock), hedge apples, and vine spheres.  We've been buying bittersweet for the fall season as well as digging out some of the fall stuff from our basement.  We completed our window today and it looks fantastic!! (Pictures also to follow) Hopefully, HOPEFULLY we'll have completed the initial face lift in the shop by tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. and then we can start planning for Christmas!!!  Fa-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la!!!  

Who doesn't need a little christmas every now and then...I'd play Christmas music all year round if the other girls wouldn't ring my neck for it!!  But I'll wait patiently until it's closer to that glorious time of year, then, watch out, because we'll be deckin' some halls!!!

Dani

Designer

Secret to a Happy Marriage

When working in a flower shop it's always nice to hear the stories.  You know, the ones that are behind the reason for ordering flowers.  Whether it's a first date and they want to make an impression, a "Just Thinking Of You" schmooze, or an, "I know I'm in the dog house, but can I come out now?" apology arrangement, there's always a story.  

Today, for instance, I had a gentleman come in and order 36 long stemmed red roses to be sent into the city.  I was more than happy to oblige and commenced in taking his order.  As I rang him out I asked him the significance of the number.  He told me that it was one for each year he and his beautiful bride had been married.  Of course I did the, "Aw!!  That's so sweet!!" routine, because I'm a sucker for love stories.  But just as he was about to leave I asked him, "So, 36 years, my husband and I are working on our 4th....What's your secret?"  He winked and said, "It takes a lot of laughs."  

Danielle - Designer

Homecoming Season

It's Homecoming Season!

There is a frenzy going on at the shop this last week that will continue for the next couple.  In the Kansas City Northland we have many different high schools that we make corsages and boutonnieres for, so homecoming lasts for almost two months here!!  The following are just a few of the corsages that we made up last year.  Last year was the first year that we made glued corsages and this year we are continuing the trend with more updated pieces.  The glued process offers more versatility than the tape and wired versions of our parent's youth.

 We have BLING! We have BRACELETS! And we have BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS and ACCENT RIBBON to be added to your corsages and boutonnieres.  Call us at 816-452-5947 and get a consultation over the phone, or bring us in a picture of the dress so that we can more closely match your colors and add accents for your special night.  

Don't forget to subscribe!!