Happy Holidays!

As we close out 2010 and look forward to the New Year, I wish to thank all those who made this year a good one for The Flowersmith in spite of the economy. Our sales were up 5% from last year and we're thinking about expanding into the next storefront.

I have a wonderful staff who are fully capable whether I'm in the shop or not. From our driver to our designers, I am truly blessed.

I'll soon be posting more 2010 weddings. Happy New Year to all!

Dawn and Frank's Wedding Cake

The unusual thing about this wedding cake is the log it sits on! Perfect at the Hyeholde where they were married, Frank, the outdoorsman, loved it!

Memory Vase

This memory vase of Cool Water roses signifies five loved ones passed. How thoughtful of Dawn to remember them on her wedding day!

Shorts-Bryan Wedding - October 22, 2010

Dawn and Frank were married just outside the Round Room at the Hyeholde Restaurant in Moon Township. We provided the decorations for their outdoor ceremony.

Dawn and her bridesmaids carried hand-tied

bouquets of dahlias, roses, freesia and hypericum berries.

Miss you Dad

Forgive me for not posting lately. My father died unexpectedly on September 23. This has been a very sad time for my family and me. I was very close to him and loved him very much. My Dad has been blind for three years, so I was his eyes, always describing things to him in detail while in his company.

My husband and I took him on September 11th to Pittsburgh's new Consol Energy Center to see a show called "Spirit of America," as my father was very patriotic. When I explained to the ushers that Dad was legally blind, they allowed us to be seated six rows from the floor next to a huge screen to our right allowing him to enjoy the program. We just got a new car and we took him to the show in our new ride. It was a beautiful warm day and we all enjoyed it. I was especially proud when he stood and was honored as a member of the Navy, having fought in WWII. I didn't realize then just how meaningful that day would become, having lost him twelve days later.

I was also with him when he passed. I was blessed to have been there, and know my being there comforted him. He's at peace now, but I miss him so much.

Unusual Wedding Cake Treatment

Christine's all white cake got royal treatment! Granny Smith apples, limes, and various green flowers were arranged under glass. The rows were accented with several green ribbons and even green glass rocks!

Christine's Bouquets

Christine carried a fragrant cascading bouquet of white oriental lilies, stock and roses. Mini callas, dendrobium orchids and alstroemeria accent the all white bouquet.

Her maid of honor carried a hand-tied bouquet of green cymbidium orchids and fuji chrysanthemums accented with white dendrobium orchids and alstroemeria.

Koritsky Wedding 9-16-10

Christine Koritsky was recently married on September 16, 2010. Her ceremony and reception took place on the outside patio at Montour Country Club. We created a ceremony site with our arch and pedestals. The tent was left open so that everyone could look out onto the golf course.

Both mom's looked lovely.

Lindsay's mom, Bernie wore a teal dress. We accented her matching bag with cream and pink spray roses.

The groom's mom opted for a hand-tied bouquet of cream spray roses for her latte dress.

Lindsay's flower girl was adorable!

The flower girl carried a kissing ball of all white daisies. It's a good thing we made it in styrofoam since she loved it and kept whirling it around. All you can see is a blur!

Knouse-Meucci Wedding 8-28-10

Lindsay and Brad were married August 28 at St. Malachy Church in Kennedy Township. The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of cream hydrangea, white and cream roses and miniature callas.

Her bridesmaids, wearing eggplant, carried open cut callas with double faced ivory satin ribbon. This bridemaid's name happens to also be Lindsey.

New Steeler Baskets

Football season is finally here and we've added new Steeler baskets to our line. Be sure to check back on our website, as we're planning to add a Baby Steeler basket soon! We'll also be adding Pittsburgh Penguin baskets, too.

Jamie and Dwayne's wedding - 8-7-10

Jamie carries a hand-tied bouquet of white oriental lilies, Vendela roses, callas and Limelight hydrangea. A lush pearl treatment accents the handle of this fragrant bouquet. She looks stunning! The weather was perfect too.

Bridesmaids in latte

Jamie's bridesmaids wore latte dresses with chocolate brown sashes. They carried calla bouquets accented with bear grass, variegated flax foiliage and wire beading.

Candelabra Arrangements

The church candelabra arrangements were designed to reflect the pew arrangements below.

Church Pew Arrangements

Hydrangea and Vendela roses accented with ivy were designed for Jamie's church pews.

Problem solved!

Our other two designs were calla encircled spheres and carnations and dendrobiums accented with draping pearls.

The new venue had many more tables, so we interspersed the arrangements for interest and put two on family tables! Even though things were a bit crazy at the last minute with a new venue, it worked out just fine in the end.

The reception venue was changed the day before!

Originally we planned 3 different spheres to go on each of 14 long reception tables. In other words, 3 per table for a total of 42 spheres. When we found out on Friday afternoon that the reception venue was changed, we really had to come up with a different game plan!

These spheres featured white dendrobium orchids and galax leaves atop eiffel towers filled with cracked ice.

Jamie's bridesmaids carried callas and bear grass accented with variegated flax foliage. The handle was encircled with beaded wire. For a more contemporary look, the bouquets were carried with the flowers spilling downward.

Jamie's Wedding 8-7-10

Jamie's beautiful wedding coincided with our Shop's 9th anniversary. Her bouquet featured white oriental lilies, creamy Vendela roses and callas accented with Limelight hydrangea from my garden. The hand-tied bouquet was accented with cream double-faced ribbon and lush pearl beading.

Volunteers Making Smiles

Today, six volunteers came to The Flowersmith shop to fill 75 mugs will pretty yellow and white daisies. Under the direction of my staff, they finished the task in only 3 hours. What a team! Two gals won aprons and all got free lottery tickets and Smiley doodle pads. Finger food made the work seem like fun!

Make Someone Smile

Each year Teleflora donates the mugs and we donate flowers and materials to bring smiles to people in our community. Today two members of the Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus and four members of Kennedy Garden Club came to our shop and volunteered their time to fill Be Happy mugs with pretty daisies.

Know someone who needs a smile? We deliver smiles every day!

Strano-Yannessa bridesmaids

Her bridesmaids carried classy black purses filled with roses and lisianthus.

Strano-Yannessa Wedding 6-19-10

Sara carried a cascading bouquet of phalenopsis orchids, roses and callas accented with feathers and pearls.

Orlando Rose Special

Sorry, sold out!

These gorgeous and fragrant roses are on special this week. Only $12.99 cash and carry or professionally vased and delivered anywhere in Greater Pittsburgh for $34.99!

Stop in or call today http://theflowersmith.com/

Sara and Christian's Reception

We designed 20 of these which included hydrangea, orlando and raval roses, peonies, hot princess and pink majolica spray roses accented with feathers, crystals and ivy.

We used eluminators to uplight the arrangements which also contained a single floating raval rose within the vase.

Potted azaleas at the rehearsal dinner

Pretty hot pink azaleas were used to decorate Sara and Christian's rehearsal dinner tables June 18, 2010.

Pew Markers

Hydrangea, escimo roses, hot princess and pink majolica spray roses make up this heart wreath used at the end of pews. Sara and Christian welcomed their guests to the reception by using them again on the steps.

Our biggest wedding yet!

Sara Strano and Christian Yannessa were married June 19, 2010 at Good Samaritan Roman Catholic Church in Ambridge, PA. Hearts and roses was the theme. This large arrangement was used at the church, then transported to the reception.

Wedding Cake before and after!

Wedding cake before and after at the

Doubletree Hotel in Moon Township!

June 5th wedding at St. Malachy

Our beautiful bride carried a bouquet of hydrangea, pink oriental lilies and roses accented with varigated lily grass.

Her bridemaids carried pink unique roses.

Wedding at St. James in Sewickley

Our bride carried a cascade of hydrangea, Cool Water (lavender) roses, dendrobium orchids and Vendela roses for her May 29th wedding in Sewickley.

Her altar arrangements at St. James included cream gerbera daisies and lavender spray chrysanthemums as well.