Garden Party at the CSEME 2009

“All we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.” -Charles Kingsley.

Amy, Jamie, Dushan and I had so much fun exhibiting at the Canadian Special events and Meetings Expo last week.  A big thank you to all the attendee’s coming to our booth to give us their compliments.

Thanks to Fireworks Event Furniture for their awesome service and fast turn around to get us the gorgeous furniture that our designs stood on.

We just got these amazing photographs from our dear friend Kim who stopped by to take a few pictures, she is one of the best photographer’s I’ve worked with.

Designing and preparing the flowers for the industry bash was a highlight for us this month, we can’t wait to take part again next year.

We are enthusiastic to make your event special. It’s all we need to be happy!

DEXTER Has Arrived

Tonight’s the night.  As Halloween nears, so does Dexter and the inspiration behind the Dexter Arrangements.

The Making of the Dexter Arrangement

The Floral Arrangement

Our inspiration starts from addiction. Addiction of watching Dexter and creating flower arrangements.  We love to incorporate what we like in real life into work. We articulate the theme into visual masterpieces.  Dexter theme is no doubt containing “red” – symbolizing blood.

Passion red roses gathered together in the center of Dexter, bloody red celosia works like blood splatter shooting from the heart of  this arrangement. Black centered gerbera symbolizs the deep and dark side of Dexter. Black echinacea is spiky- sharp and dry – added funky texture mingled with red flowers. I think it works like ” dried blood”.  Tropical anthuriums spread around the bottom of the dexter, protecting and holding all the flowers- worked like the code of Harry.

What is Dexter?

Dexter is a super addictive TV show from ShowTime.

You can buy the Dexter Arrangement for a limited only, click here to order!

10 Carbon Footprint Killing Ways How We Are Green

After meeting many people at event and wedding trade shows, chatting with floral suppliers who regularly visit every florist in town and hearing feedback from our customers, it has come to our attention that what we do is not common practice around Vancouver.  Here are a few ways we strive to be an eco-friendly florist.

1. Painted the shop GREEN

We did some research and realized this didn’t do anything.

2. We Compost Everything

We partnered with Waste Management to come collect all our compost each week.  We found that this was the most environmentally friendly method, as compared to our van taking a specific trip to the Vancouver South Transfer Station all the way from our store in Kitsilano.

3. Recycle Everything

We receive a lot of catalogues, junk mail,  and card board boxes from our suppliers.   We hoard them all and use them to pack our arrangements to be safely delivered to their destination.  When they are ready to be retired, we put them into our recycling container and Waste Management comes each month to collect it.

4. Only Use Eco-Friendly FSC Certified Paper

Everytime we receive faxes, print out new order sheets, or need to print out documents, we use FSC certified paper.  It costs a lot, so if you are one of the companies who faxes us advertisements for things completely unrelated to the needs of a flower shop, please just email us!!

5. Recycled Greeting Cards

We sell greeting cards that are printed with soy based inks on heavy cover stock containing post consumer recycled content.   They come with a 100% recycled envelope sealed in a biodegradable corn based clear bag. Check out my favourite card!

6. Tree Free Business Cards

You can get some too, check out Club Card’s Tree Free Recycled FSC certified business cards that use soy based inks. If you order about 100,000 cards the price is pretty reasonable.

7. Environmentally Safe Bleach Used to Clean Vases

It is crucial to properly clean vases and buckets used to display our flowers, this is so that each stem can last as long as possible. But it’s not crucial to use the cheapest and most harsh bleach we can find at the grocery store.  We found this company to suit our needs quite well.

8. Reuse Every Drop of Water

For the same reason that we clean our vases to the point that they can be used store scalpels in hospitals, we also change the water in our vases frequently to ensure our flowers last as long as possible.  The water from the vases and the water from our cooler all goes to water our plants and garden outside in the back.  To the person who stole our tomato tree, please bring it back, we put so much effort into growing it!!

9. Paperless Office

Our customer’s can choose to receive their invoices and receipts via email, rather then a paper copy.  Just let us know you would like a PDF version of your receipt, and we can email it to you in just a few clicks.

10. Source B.C. Grown Flowers Where Possible

By sourcing as much local flowers as possible, we can minimize transportation and its associated carbon emissions.

Our work to becoming Vancouver’s most eco-friendly florist is a daily challenge and we are always looking for additional ways to reduce our carbon footprint and minimize our impact on the environment.  When you order from us, you know that we have done our best to make your order in the environmentally cleanest way.

Just Arrived: NEW BLABLA DOLLS

After selling out of our last blabla dolls, we placed an order for them not realizing how popular these dolls have become.  The wait time and backorder on these dolls was very long, not only because of the huge demand but because each doll is hand knitted by Peruvian artists using techniques that are passed down from generation to generation. We love the vibrant colors and whimsical design of Blabla plush toys, expert craftsmanship and extraordinary colors.

Every time a child comes into the store and see’s one, they latch on to them and won’t let go! The reason is because they are so soft, everything is made from natural fibers that grow in Peru.

Come down to our shop on West 4th and Alma in Vancouver to feel for yourself or order one online.

To celebrate the arrival of the new blabla dolls, we are having a contest to giveaway one of the beloved dolls!  All you have to do is spend a minimum of $25 at our store and let us know you would like to be entered into the draw.  If you order online, you will be automatically entered.  The winner will be announced by 6PM PST October 31st, 2009.

Check us out on Google Street View!

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why choose us?

We know there are a lot of florists all over Vancouver, a quick search on Google Maps shows over 170 shops, so why choose us?

Our flowers

We are a custom flower shop which means that we pick our blooms ourselves directly from the flower auction with your order specifically in mind, therefore the options are endless with Garden Party Flower arrangements.  We go to the flower auction twice weekly, sometimes three times to ensure our flowers are the freshest they can be, no matter what day you walk in or order them.  We get to the auction an hour before it starts so that we can examine each stem we buy, making sure we buy from the best growers and get the best quality.  This ensures your custom arrangement or bouquet is at its most beautiful, freshest and healthiest when it arrives at its destination.

Our florists

Garden Party Flowers florists are all highly experienced, creative, funny and reliable. We specialize in modern and funky floral designs and we are extremely passionate about flowers, protecting our environment and ensuring our clients are very happy!

Our pricing

Our arrangements are affordable, and our pricing is very competitive. We believe that breathtaking elegance should be achievable on any budget!

Your experience

You are buying flowers because they make you feel good or they make the special someone you are sending them to feel good.  When you come to our shop, you will always be greeted in a warm, friendly and approachable manner.  No tired faces, no stressed out or rushed service, and no leaving the store without us saying “thanks”. When you order with us by phone, let us know if you want us to send you a picture of the arrangement by email.  We are also accustomed to many orders from companies and if you need a PDF of your invoice, it is no problem.

Choose Garden Party Flowers, we guarantee your peace of mind.