My family wanted to send my sister a bouquet of flowers for her birthday so I did a little Yelping and decided on Little Shop of Flowers based on the reviews and the proximity to her apartment. Thank you, fellow Yelpers, for leading me in the right direction!
The woman on the phone could not have been nicer. I gave her my budget, explained that I wanted something modern, unusual, beautiful, and cat friendly. She understood right away and assured me that she'd even be able to wrap it so that the cat wouldn't get into the package before my sister got home from work.
The bouquet was so fantastic! It was everything I'd hoped for and more. But really, who cares if I liked it... my sister loved it, which was the most important thing!
2421 18th St NW
at The Lofts in Adams Morgan
(between N Belmont Rd & N Columbia Rd)
Washington, DC 20009
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
(202) 387-7255
Thứ Bảy, 31 tháng 3, 2012
United States Botanic Garden Review
In these financially strapped times, if you find yourself unable to take that exotic vacation you have been pining away for, the US Botanic Gardens are a good substitute. Well, not for an entire trip, but this spot is hard to beat if you are looking for a quick (and free!) escape to another clime. And if you are someone who enjoys heat and humidity as much as I do (yes, I love humidity), there is really no better therapy than a couple of hours on a dreary winter afternoon spent inside of here.
The Botanic Gardens house an unbelievable variety of plants - delicate flowers to endangered ferns to cacti and towering trees. It is well put-together, with just the right amount of educational plaques along the way so that you leave better informed, but not feeling like you've just attended a lecture.
My favorite - and probably most peoples' - would have to be the dazzling display of orchids. Phalaenopsis, dendrobium, cymbidium, oh my! These beauties are fragrant and just plain gorgeous. So many different varieties, it is hard to believe the term "orchid" encompasses them all. Really lovely.
The "jungle" section is like a rainforest - mist and all! Small pools of water accumulate on the floor (and...some benches), so don't wear your fanciest Manolo's while traipsing around. Even though I have a great fear of heights, the canopy walk is not to be missed. Accessible by stairs as well as elevator, the canopy walk allows you to get a bird's eye view of all the towering trees and exotic plants you would probably only otherwise see in places like Brazil. And there are a few dry benches up top - perfect for soaking up the sunshine and taking in all the beauty and warmth.
Other sections, like the "desert", "Hawaii", "prehistoric", and "medicinal plants" are also cool, but the jungle definitely takes the cake for most impressive.
Come with an open mind, an hour or two to kill, and even a camera for a relaxing and fun experience.
245 1st St SW
(between S Canal St & S C St)
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 225-8333
The Botanic Gardens house an unbelievable variety of plants - delicate flowers to endangered ferns to cacti and towering trees. It is well put-together, with just the right amount of educational plaques along the way so that you leave better informed, but not feeling like you've just attended a lecture.
My favorite - and probably most peoples' - would have to be the dazzling display of orchids. Phalaenopsis, dendrobium, cymbidium, oh my! These beauties are fragrant and just plain gorgeous. So many different varieties, it is hard to believe the term "orchid" encompasses them all. Really lovely.
The "jungle" section is like a rainforest - mist and all! Small pools of water accumulate on the floor (and...some benches), so don't wear your fanciest Manolo's while traipsing around. Even though I have a great fear of heights, the canopy walk is not to be missed. Accessible by stairs as well as elevator, the canopy walk allows you to get a bird's eye view of all the towering trees and exotic plants you would probably only otherwise see in places like Brazil. And there are a few dry benches up top - perfect for soaking up the sunshine and taking in all the beauty and warmth.
Other sections, like the "desert", "Hawaii", "prehistoric", and "medicinal plants" are also cool, but the jungle definitely takes the cake for most impressive.
Come with an open mind, an hour or two to kill, and even a camera for a relaxing and fun experience.
245 1st St SW
(between S Canal St & S C St)
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 225-8333
Thứ Bảy, 24 tháng 3, 2012
Asrai Garden Review
We worked with Elizabeth Cronin (the proprietor of Asrai) for our wedding flowers, and we couldn't be happier with the outcome. Our wedding took place in my parents' exquisite garden, so we wanted flowers that would accent that in an understated way, rather than be the center of attention. Our budget for flowers was also very low for a wedding of our size. So we didn't give Elizabeth much to work with, yet she somehow concocted the most beautiful, unique and creative flower arrangements. Bottom line, Elizabeth is really an artist.
Equally important, she was so accommodating when it came to our budget. She didn't pressure us to spend more than we wanted to. At one point I think I asked whether she thought we should spend a little more to make the flower arrangements on the larger tables a bit bigger. Surprisingly, she said that wasn't necessary and suggested other, cheaper ways to add abundance to the larger tables. Anyone who's been working with wedding vendors will understand that this response does not happen. Like, ever.
She also offered incredible value above-and-beyond simply creating a beautiful flower plan. We had a lot of do-it-yourself decor ideas, and Elizabeth was a fantastic sounding board. She came back with lots of other ideas to elaborate and had lots of website and store suggestions up her sleeve for the cheapest supplies, etc.
We'll be going here for our next project: a nice container garden for our terrace!
1935 W N Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
(773) 782-0680
Equally important, she was so accommodating when it came to our budget. She didn't pressure us to spend more than we wanted to. At one point I think I asked whether she thought we should spend a little more to make the flower arrangements on the larger tables a bit bigger. Surprisingly, she said that wasn't necessary and suggested other, cheaper ways to add abundance to the larger tables. Anyone who's been working with wedding vendors will understand that this response does not happen. Like, ever.
She also offered incredible value above-and-beyond simply creating a beautiful flower plan. We had a lot of do-it-yourself decor ideas, and Elizabeth was a fantastic sounding board. She came back with lots of other ideas to elaborate and had lots of website and store suggestions up her sleeve for the cheapest supplies, etc.
We'll be going here for our next project: a nice container garden for our terrace!
1935 W N Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
(773) 782-0680
Belmont Flower Market Review
This place is freakin' amazing. It doesn't look like your traditional flower shop, but don't be shy, it's totally worth going in! Their flowers are really beautiful, and they specialize in a lot of plants. I bought two bonsai trees and a beautiful jade plant. If you are like me and you kill anything green that you bring into your home, I highly recommend the very beautiful jade plant. I bought one for my office last September and she keeps growing! I can't believe it. She is so absolutely beautiful. (Check out her picture under my profile)
I love this place because the owners know what they are talking about! Each time I bought a plant from that for myself or as gifts, I ask for instructions on how to care for it and the owner is very thorough. I have brought plants back to help bring them back to life when I have been less than good about taking care of them, and the owner has helped me each time.
This place is owned by people who clearly know what they are talking about and have a real love for flowers and plants. I recently went back to buy a mother's day gift plant as well as a beautiful easter lily for easter. I love this place!!
2558 N Clark St
(between Deming Pl & Wrightwood Ave)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
(773) 529-8770
I love this place because the owners know what they are talking about! Each time I bought a plant from that for myself or as gifts, I ask for instructions on how to care for it and the owner is very thorough. I have brought plants back to help bring them back to life when I have been less than good about taking care of them, and the owner has helped me each time.
This place is owned by people who clearly know what they are talking about and have a real love for flowers and plants. I recently went back to buy a mother's day gift plant as well as a beautiful easter lily for easter. I love this place!!
2558 N Clark St
(between Deming Pl & Wrightwood Ave)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
(773) 529-8770
Thứ Năm, 15 tháng 3, 2012
San Francisco Flower Mart Review
Here was our agenda in getting flowers on the day before the wedding:
3:30am - Roll out of bed and get dressed
4:00am - Leave Milpitas to drive to SF
5:00am - Arrive at Flower Market
5:00am - 7:00am - View Flowers, Negotiate with Vendors, and Purchase Flowers
7:00am - Pretty much feel delirious after waking up so early
Are we crazy to do flowers the day before the wedding? Probably. However, the flowers were awesome! Roses are so cheap! We received two dozen roses for $5! In addition, we also got some white calla lilies, more roses, and other flowers. We spent around $100 on flowers. It's pretty good considering that the flowers were used for bouquets, boutineers, and a centerpiece.
We weren't prepared and didn't bring enough cash. We had enough for one vendor, and luckily the other vendors that we visited allowed for credit card purchases.
I would definitely go if you need to purchase flowers. It helps if you have the badge to get the best selection.
640 Brannan St
(between 5th St & I-280)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 392-7944
3:30am - Roll out of bed and get dressed
4:00am - Leave Milpitas to drive to SF
5:00am - Arrive at Flower Market
5:00am - 7:00am - View Flowers, Negotiate with Vendors, and Purchase Flowers
7:00am - Pretty much feel delirious after waking up so early
Are we crazy to do flowers the day before the wedding? Probably. However, the flowers were awesome! Roses are so cheap! We received two dozen roses for $5! In addition, we also got some white calla lilies, more roses, and other flowers. We spent around $100 on flowers. It's pretty good considering that the flowers were used for bouquets, boutineers, and a centerpiece.
We weren't prepared and didn't bring enough cash. We had enough for one vendor, and luckily the other vendors that we visited allowed for credit card purchases.
I would definitely go if you need to purchase flowers. It helps if you have the badge to get the best selection.
640 Brannan St
(between 5th St & I-280)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 392-7944
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