Flowers UK London

As you may or may not know, Flowers24Hours.co.uk was one of six nominated businesses in three categories for the Lambeth Business Awards: Best Innovation, Best Green Business and Best Independent Retailer. We are happy to announce that we came second place (Highly Commended) for all three of these awards.

We received 2nd place for the Best Innovation award due to our system. It’s built around corporate social responsibility. Our entire system is created based on the New Covent Garden Market, which has been the heart of British trade for hundreds of years ( it moved from Covent Garden in the 1970’s!). It’s been built to support local market traders, British flower growers and British trades (vases, floristry props, etc).

Second place in Best Green Business is down to our dedicated Green Policy and initatives! More information on what we do to give back to the environment which serves our industry can be found here.

Second place in Best Independent Retailer is also down to the commitment we have to supporting Lambeth based companies, tradesmen and people. 90% of our staff come from either Southwark or Lambeth and we actively use the Lambeth Job Centre to source many of our fantastic florists and office workers!

We’re so pleased to gain recognition in these fields as these are things our company has been pushing from our launch in 2001. As a small business, it’s often hard to gain the recognition needed to gain a wider customer base. The floristry industry is also incredible competitive, but we hope these awards can help give us the push needed to regain our position in the industry. And while we didn’t win any categories – we did win a paintballing experience for 8 in the raffle!

Congratulations to all nominated, commended, highly commended and winning businesses of the Lambeth Business Awards. As a business, we feel patriotic and proud to be part of such an innovative, creative, responsible and aware borough. Thank you to Lambeth Council, the judges and the people of Lambeth that continually support small businesses such as ourselves.

I ask myself, like I am sure many others do, what makes a flower green? I am somewhat environmentally conscious, I know anything from dish detergent to cars can be green. But I have always looked at flowers as being part of nature and just obviously green. But this is not the case…

With Mother’s Day coming up, it would be a nice idea to make sure that you and your mother’s conscience is clear. Buying locally grown flowers is the first step toward making smart choice.

By buying flowers locally, you ensure that the money you spend is spent well and that your gift is even better thought out. This way a difference can be made with every penny you spend. Flowers24hours.co.uk, works with local flower wholesalers, meaning your flowers travel a lesser distance and pollution from fossil fuels is minimized.

Eco-conscious consumers are already making carefully thought out choices when they purchase paints, cabinets, floors and other cleaning products. Now, flowers are also being added to the list of things to buy green.

Many factors go into making a flower green, primarily; the use of pesticide, sustainable crop production, ecosystem protection and fair labour prices. But the point of agreement for most the most important aspect is that flowers are bought locally.

This movement for greener investments in flowers began in Europe and was not taking all that seriously by the rest of the world. But now many countries are following suite. People are not just looking at how much money is being spent but where.

There is only one drawback, to buying flowers green; the fact that some flowers are only available during certain seasons. But most of us can live with that, as almost every season has something beautiful to offer!

You can be sure you are making an environmentally conscious decision, when you order from Flowers24hours.co.uk! Especially, now that among several other awards, we received a ‘Highly Commended’ award for Best Green Business at the Lambeth Business Awards. Let your mum know that you care about her and the environment you live in!

Spring is just around the corner and so are spring shopping trips. We are soon going to be searching the shops for dresses, necklaces, cardigans and other light apparel. In addition to these regular spring purchases, it will be important this spring to keep flowers in mind.

This spring flowers will not only be delivered to your front door, but will become a crucial part of staying trendy for spring.

This years trends are proving to be quite decadent, and flower pins and accessories are a part of the ruffles, feathers and shine that will be adorning our spring wardrobe.

Along with flowers, romance is also a hit this season with soft fabrics, blouses, floral prints, pearls and gentle colours filling the stores.

Most of have met with flower pins, especially fans of the hit series “Sex and the City.“ Sarah Jessica Parker brought this trend to life about 10 years ago, and it looks they are seeing another run in the store isles.

This is a fairly flexible accessory, as it can be worn in your hair, on handbags, jackets and they can even attached to necklaces. They can also be worn with just about anything.

Not only are flowers appearing separately as pins, but they have been incorporated into many pieces of clothing for this upcoming season. They can be found anywhere from shoes to the neckline of a dress.

Floral prints are also very popular, and there is no need for minimalism this year. Flower prints are big and bold.

Spring fashion trends can also become a deciding factor in the gifts we choose for this spring events. If you are stuck on what kind of gift to get for an important occasion, make your decisions based on fashion trends.

This basically means that you can go for either bouquets that are refined and romantic, choosing pearly colours and small details. Or if you are looking for something bold then go all out choosing bright colours and big flowers. Flowers24hours.co.uk., can help your gift even more smashing by having it delivered for you at the time and place you wanted.

Some girls may have had their fill of asking their boyfriends, why they aren’t getting flowers. The answer is simple, some men simply don’t understand the reasoning behind giving this kind of gift. They see them as impractical, all they do is wilt away and end up in the garbage.

Many men out there are not aware of the symbolic nature of flowers. How they can show affection; a simple purple violet can show that you have fallen in love at first sight, while, a simple variation in the shade of pink in a rose, and already you are saying something different.

Women are a bit more adept at reading into the meaning behind the rose. That is why it is important for men to begin understanding flowers, a bit better, it can make communication all that much easier.

It is important to understand that flowers house a world of meaning which extends to just about every culture in the world. Flowers are not just sappy ‘girly’ romance.

For example, in Greek and Roman times, flowers were a symbol of honour and power, and they were, in fact, given to men. Spirituality is symbolized by flowers for Hindus. The male deity, Hindu, is represented by the lotus flower. Another good example of floral symbolism, is the War of the Roses, roses symbolized two warring houses and held deep meaning.

If you have been yearning for a bouquet of flowers from your boyfriend; there is quite a bit of history behind flowers to show they are not a senseless gift, but something integral in to almost every society. This is why you deserve a bouquet too!

If you are a guy that hasn’t sent a bouquet recently, or maybe ever, pick out a bouquet and make that special girl happy. The moment she receives those blooms will make that bouquet priceless.

If this is the first time you give this kind of gift, don’t get to lost in the meanings. Pick a bouquet that has her favourite flowers or colours. While Flowers24hours.co.uk, will make the delivery process a breeze.

There are some who can hardly wait for spring to begin. One way to catch the first glimpses of spring is to take a trip to Cotswold in March.

The area will be flooded with visitors on the weekend of the 21^st and 22^nd by nature enthusiasts. For two days the village of Kempley and the surrounding area will be celebrating the daffodil, a well-known favourite for spring.

Walks will be organised for visitors that will follow the trail of daffodils growing in the region. There will also be buses organised for those who are not feeling all that energetic, which will also present a tour of the daffodil filled fields.

This tour can truly be seen as a special experience as this is one of the only places in Britain, where such a large number of wild daffodils can be found.

This year also marks the 50^th anniversary of the old railway, Daffodil Line, which has now become a trail popular among walkers who visit the region.

If you can’t make it out to Kempley that weekend then have some narcissus sent to your home, or to the home of someone special. This flower has is very similar in appearance, with its cheerful yellow colouring as the daffodil. Flowers24hours.co.uk, can help even the busiest person experience the beauty of spring.

Valentine’s Day arrived as quickly as it passed by. Few of us can say that this special day was not refreshing, especially at this time of year, when the days are just short of drab. So you have eaten all the chocolates and your flowers have wilted, what to do now?

This is not the time to give up on flowers, keep bringing the blooms indoors! There is nothing more pleasant than having flowers bloom indoors. The amaryllis is a dependable flower and it produces the best flowers at this time of year, even if they do not last all that long.

Orchids do fairly well in the winter, this is another flower that does not bloom all that often. When they do spread their petals the flowers are nothing short of a piece of art. If you are looking for something that will bloom for a longer period of time then this is the flowers to choose.

Of course, not all of us have the green thumb or time to have these flowers blooming in the next couple of weeks. Buying flowers is a great mood-boosting investment. It is best to have your flowers purchased on a warm day, Flowers24hours.co.uk, can have the flowers delivered to your front step on the day you wish. So when the weather is a bit milder, you can make your decision on exactly which blooms you would like to have brightening up your dining table!

Spring is just around the corner and so are spring shopping trips. We are soon going to be searching the shops for dresses, necklaces, cardigans and other light apparel. In addition to these regular spring purchases, it will be important this spring to keep flowers in mind.

This spring flowers will not only be delivered to your front door, but will become a crucial part of staying trendy for spring.

This years trends are proving to be quite decadent, and flower pins and accessories are a part of the ruffles, feathers and shine that will be adorning our spring wardrobe.

Along with flowers, romance is also a hit this season with soft fabrics, blouses, floral prints, pearls and gentle colours filling the stores.

Most of have met with flower pins, especially fans of the hit series “Sex and the City.“ Sarah Jessica Parker brought this trend to life about 10 years ago, and it looks they are seeing another run in the store isles.

This is a fairly flexible accessory, as it can be worn in your hair, on handbags, jackets and they can even attached to necklaces. They can also be worn with just about anything.

Not only are flowers appearing separately as pins, but they have been incorporated into many pieces of clothing for this upcoming season. They can be found anywhere from shoes to the neckline of a dress.

Floral prints are also very popular, and there is no need for minimalism this year. Flower prints are big and bold.

Spring fashion trends can also become a deciding factor in the gifts we choose for this spring events. If you are stuck on what kind of gift to get for an important occasion, make your decisions based on fashion trends.

This basically means that you can go for either bouquets that are refined and romantic, choosing pearly colours and small details. Or if you are looking for something bold then go all out choosing bright colours and big flowers. Flowers24hours.co.uk., can help your gift even more smashing by having it delivered for you at the time and place you wanted.

Lambeth Business Awards Nominees

Left – Right: Carol, Todd, Lesley and Kalina

We’ve been nominated for three awards in the Lambeth Business Awards 2010. After a long, gruelling application process, we finally heard the good news! We’ve were also featured in yesterday’s South London Press. For a full size image, please click on the image link above!

We’re incredibly excited- the awards ceremony is on the 23^rd of February at the Brixton Oval.

The nominations are in the categories for:

1) Best Independent Retailer: we’re incredibly honoured to be placed into this category, especially after all the years we’ve worked for it!

2) Best Green Business: we’re glad to be one of the eco-florists of Britain. Our entire industry depends on this Earth and it’s important for florists to give back to the earth.

3) Best Innovation: as the original online florist delivering same day in London, we’re incredibly glad to get recognition in this category! Our entire process is built around supporting our local community and environmentally friendly initiatives.

We’re up against some great competition, including:  Firebox.com, Eden Caterers, Lowie, Dust Boutique, JZA and more. Take a full look at the shortlisted companies here. Best of luck to all nominated companies and see you all on Tuesday the 23rd!

Valentine’s Day Made Easy for the Men

Valentine’s day is fast approaching, yet many men are still unsure of what to get for their beloved girlfriends, even though the answer is as simple as it has been for centuries.

Flowers are really the most simple yet far-reaching gift out there. Even the most clueless guy can get his message across with a beautiful bouquet, with just about any flower. What most men forget is florists are in the profession of gift giving, especially the business of giving flowers. There really is nothing to be afraid of or uneasy about.

To add a bit of a bang or drama to the gift giving process, having the flowers delivered is the most obvious solution. There is an element of mystery to having them delivered to her at work, and you can be sure she will be filled with pleasure, when there is an audience of co-workers around her to see how good she’s got it!

If you are a guy who doesn’t entirely want to lose his manliness by buying a bouquet, a simple, sensible potted plant that suits her home decor or your collective home setting, can be just as wonderful a treat. Especially, if it is ordered online and delivered on Valentine’s Day straight to her front door!

According to research, single men are the group of men who are truly lost in the dark when it comes to flowers. But there are a lot of single guys out there who are hoping to let someone know their true feelings this Valentine’s Day. The solution for them is just as simple as it is for the married man. Pick out a flower or a bouquet that reminds you of her and have it delivered. If the lady you are sending them to is not aware of your feelings, it is best to opt for something more low-key, a small single stem rose, or a small bouquet. Just try to choose something not too over the top so as not to scare her off.

Women are not as difficult to please as many men imagine, and it is not always the size of the bouquet that counts, it is instead the thought and care that goes into it. Whether plant, flower or bouquet, you are sure to bring a smile to her face, with this simple act of affection.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner flowers may seem like quite an expenditure, but that does not mean you should skip getting a nice bouquet of flowers.

This is when the presentation of the gift plays just as important a role as the gift itself. As it has often been said, less is more. A single long stemmed rose, with little note expressing your love and affection can be just as impressive as a big bouquet.

Rose petals on sprinkled on pillows, or filling a bath lit by candles, can leave quite an impression and does not take much money or effort.

The focus is not on how much you spend. It is rather the message and the way the gift is presented that will really get appreciation.

The simple fact is, that flowers are luxurious, no matter what their price. They are one of the little luxuries in life that we should be allowed to indulge in. Having flowers delivered to your home will reduce your expenditures, and can add to the intimacy of this special night. Flowers24hours.co.uk, can have them delivered straight your front door while you prepare.

The other important thing to remember is that flowers instantly express romantic feelings and create that kind of atmosphere.

If you can buy the dozen long stemmed red roses, go for something different, flowers that are less well known can be just as beautiful. Try an exotic flower, or a large bouquet of tulips.

Or you can try a bit of variety, instead of getting one bouquet get a small potted plant and give here a few small bouquets.

It is also important to remember that it is not necessarily only the women, who can be on the receiving end, for Valentine’s Day or any other occasion. Flowers have a positive impact on our mood and emotional health.

According to some studies, men have a preference for brightly coloured flowers, while women prefer lighter and softer shades. But the most important thing to remember is, that the presentation of the gift is what is really counts.