Tim Stelter, Regional Vice President for FTD, traveled to Corvallis this week to award us with our designation of Top Member for 2010 and 2011. 

This prestigious award is given to florists with exemplary expertise in long distance flower deliveries.  This is after rigorous standards are met for order handling on both local and nationwide deliveries.

We’re honored to be recognized for our achievements.  As early internet adopters (there were only about 20 websites selling flowers on the internet when we started), we were able to establish a good nationwide presence early on (1993).  This has built into a large part of our business, and we have handled hundreds of thousands of orders for our happy returning customers.  We’re proud to treat every individual order as an important emotional message that our clients trust us to deliver for them to their loved ones across the country and around the world.

Inbloom has the finest order tracking and transmission technology in the world, allowing us to track every order and provide updates such as delivery confirmations on each and every order.

Our flowers are always delivered by a professional florist in the FTD and Teleflora network – never left on a doorstep in a box like the mass shippers do.  We want your gift placed in the warm hands of your loved one, and you to rest assured that it will be handled professionally and timely.

For the finest, please visit our main web site at www.inbloom.com where you can find a wonderful selection of both floral gifts as well as items such as Teddy Bears and Balloons and Fruit, Gourmet, and Gift baskets.

Posted on April 29th, 2011 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | 1 Comment »

Interesting order today…and touching – an Arab man came in in full Muslim dress – I thought he was perhaps Afghani as I’ve been there 4 times – Patty, my employee was helping him and struggling a bit with his accent so I took over.

In case you didn’t know it from the news – the (attempted) bomber they caught trying to blow up Pioneer Square in Portland went to the mosque here in Corvallis for a bit. Well some stupid stupid stupid local (american) terrorist kid threw a firebomb into it a couple days after they caught that would be bomber kid in Portland.

He ordered 3  quite large bouquets for the Police Department, the Fire Department here locally, and the FBI office in Portland as well as another one for the Christian Church that is letting them have their meetings in their church here in town while they clean and rebuild the mosque, which has been here for at least 25 years.

I expressed my disdain for this terrible act and he strongly expressed his for the bomber kid. I talked to him for close to half an hour.  He wanted the flowers as statements of their gratitude at how they were treated by those agencies, and I suggested and made for him banners in gold foil on our ribbon printer that said 

IN APPRECIATION FROM THE SALMAN ALFARISI ISLAMIC CENTER.

He/they want them in the lobbies of the departments with the banners to show everyone how grateful they are for the treatment they have received, and wanted them in their lobbies so all that entered could see.  He also was very very grateful that the FBI came down “on their day off” Sunday .  (I didn’t tell him that the FBI doesn’t get “days off”.) 

He expressed disdain for 9/11 and told me 800 Muslims were in the building that day (there was an Islamic center in that building) Also his son who lives in Portland was in Pioneer Square that night for the Christmas tree lighting and told him “Father had that boy succeeded I would have been evaporated.”

I said I apologized for my countryman who would firebomb their holy building and he said they were blessed that this local (american) kid did it at night when there were no people there and that the crazy hateful (Muslim) kid tried to kill thousands.   And said he has pointed this out to his fellow Mosque members.

He was a very nice good kind peaceful and gentle Muslim man. A credit to all Muslims.

I just post this because it was very emotionally touching to deal with him.

We hugged when he left.

Flowers are wonderful emotional gifts that say so much more than words can….

Added:  one week later the good people from Salman Alfari Center sent two more bouquets to 2 more offices of the FBI here in Oregon.

Posted on December 10th, 2010 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | 1 Comment »

Chocolates, fancy jewelry, maybe a word or two. All these can easily convey our feelings and emotions, but perhaps there is nothing like a beautiful bouquet of roses, or a colorful array of tulips and carnations to express what all else can’t.

Particular feelings are associated with particular colors of flowers. Red may signify feelings of love and passion, while yellow may express feelings of affection and friendship. There are five color palettes, arranged in various floral combinations, that can either celebrate joy and success or chase away the blues. Indeed, the way we respond to color is a function of our deepest emotions. Flowers can certainly bring these feelings out into the open by stimulating more than just our senses of smell and sight. Flowers harness the power of the dazzling array of colors we encounter every single day. A floral arrangement, executed well and with style, can covey a particular mood without the use of words.

Pastel colors, such as pale yellow, soft pinks, peaches, cream shades and pale greens, for example may connote feelings of nurturing. These colors can make us feel loved, comforted and appreciated. Flowers that come in these colors are usually given to a woman who has just given birth, a friend in the hospital or even to a bereaved loved one. Flowers of these colors can surely make one feel the warmth of a tender embrace. Daisies and sunflowers, for example, can help boost energy and elevate feelings of optimism.

If one is looking to inspire feelings of romance, then the rich, sensuous colors of purples, reds, oranges and hot pinks are the way to go. Flowers that come in these colors surely recall fiery, passionate nights with just the right hint of sophistication and seduction.

To moderate this fast-paced lifestyle, flowers that come in light hues of blue, misty greens, and other shades that imitate the sea and the sky can surely do the trick. Give flowers in this color to harried moms, busy professionals and anyone who can use a moment of respite amidst their hectic lifestyles. The indigo hue of an iris, for example, induces tranquility and makes one more confident, less inhibited and therefore more ready to tackle on the demands of the day.

On occasions of celebration, joy, and fun, play up your flower arrangements with contrasting bold colors such as bright yellows, oranges and blues and greens.  Those flowers are perfect for occasions such as birthdays, graduations, promotions and other occasions where feelings of lightheartedness can come into the fore.

Indeed, such is the effect of a well-coordinated flower arrangement on our emotions that it can even influence our health! Bluebells, for example, are known to release melatonin and ultimately help us achieve a good night’s sleep. To keep allergenic factors at bay and improve your lung and immune system, try scattering orange daisies around your home. In your workplace, it has been scientifically proven that flowers can enhance productivity and energy levels, even improving memory for both the short and long term. Flowers are also considered to improve feelings of camaraderie and companionship among colleagues in the workplace. Finally, green zinnias and lilacs can help alleviate those nasty feelings of stress and anxiety.

Posted on June 21st, 2010 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | 1 Comment »

Whether it’s a promotion, a graduation or a new baby, flowers are an ideal way to our congratulations to a loved one.  Indeed, according to the Society of American Florists, or SAF, congratulating somebody is one of the five most common reasons people send flowers. The other four are to say  “thank you,” “I’m sorry,” “Get well,” and “sympathy.” There are plenty of ways to say congratulations to someone who truly deserves it.

There are some tips to help you choose the right way to say congratulations through flowers. One is to always keep in mind the favorite colors of the person. Taking his or her favorite colors into consideration means you really invested time and energy to choose the flowers he or she can truly appreciate. Bright, vibrant colors are usually found in flowers such as roses and tulips, while more subtle hues are more common on blue bonnets and lavender flowers. Take into consideration the kinds of flowers as well, as this will narrow down your search and make your decision-making easier.

Roses, for example, stand for love, passion, romance and beauty. Daisies and daffodils on the other hand, symbolize friendship. These are perfect for graduations or competitions, like a sports event. These can also be used for other occasions such as birthdays or Valentine’s.

If you still can’t quite decide what to give, stick to original favorites, such as a bouquet of different types of flowers, as a way to say congratulations. Try searching for exotic flowers, as these flowers aren’t usually given everyday. This implies that you think your friend is special and unique. Other flowers that go together are chrysanthemums, orchids and violets. These flowers are just as beautiful as your standard roses.

Keep in mind the presentation of the roses as well. Try to package your flowers well, as this shows the amount of time, energy and effort that went into choosing the right way to say congratulations. Try to go away from the oft-beaten road. For example, if you’re sending roses, u might want to send it with a nice velvet ribbon with a little extra note? You might also want to coordinate the flowers with the right kind of vase or flower holder. You may also try matching the flowers with the occasion. For example, if your loved one just won a soccer tournament, try sending him a gift basket with flowers and a little trophy keychain. If your friend just got promoted, try looking for a vase that resembles a pencil holder. There are many quirky decorations and knick-knacks available in your local florists. These little details add sweetness to the gesture of saying congratulations through flowers.

There’s also another way to say congratulations through flowers. If you can’t personally give the flowers, you may want to order from your local florist, or even online. They can help make the process easier for you. Tell them the details of the occasion, such as if the recipient is a man or woman, why you are sending them flowers. Have the flowers delivered at home or in the workplace or wherever you know the receiver can most appreciate it. If you can’t decide what to give, ask if the florist has an in-house specialist. Most likely he will be able to pick just the right kind of flowers to send. Indeed, whether it’s something as big as getting a promotion, or winning a sporting tournament, or graduation, or whether it’s just a more mundane occasion such as getting good grades at school, flowers are a great way to say congratulations.

Posted on February 10th, 2010 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | 4 Comments »

Inbloom Flowers has been recognized by Google as a Favorite Place On the Internet to shop.
So last week, I got the mail and there was an envelope from Google…thought it was just an advertisement flyer and so I waited until we were finished with an event to sit down and open the mail. What a pleasant surprise! We have been recognized as a Favorite Place on Google and we have received a special packet with a sticker to place on our door congratulating us for being a favorite place that folks search for!
Google identified over 100,000 businesses in the U.S.A. as a “Favorite Places on Google which was based on Google user’s interactions with local business listings…. and you, the customer chose us! This selection represents less than 1% of the 28 million U.S. businesses so we are pretty psyched. Google stated that it “believes that our standards for selecting businesses are as selective or more selective than other companies which have run similar initiatives”. 

So, a special thanks to all of our customers who took the time to write reviews or searched for directions to find us or just wanted more information about us …we thank you over and over for taking your time to do that!
As a real local florist in Corvallis, Oregon, who actually designs and delivers on the same day, as well as a Top 50 in the NationWide FTD Florist – we are excited and this is a Grand Congratulations from Google. Thank You Google for this honor.

We have our sticker going up on the window on Monday…have to wait for a bit of rain to pass and then you will be able to scan the bar code with your phones to get more information about our Flower Shop.

Posted on December 21st, 2009 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | No Comments »

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” So the song goes about Christmas. And indeed it is. It’s the season of giving, sharing and spending time with your family, friends and loved ones. It’s the time for sumptuous dinners, bright lights and Christmas carols.

It’s also the time for beautiful Christmas decor. One of the best things about Christmas is that it just makes everything so much prettier. The streets are littered with snow and glitter, wreaths, and carolers reveling in song. Our homes are filled with stockings for Santa, beautiful Christmas trees that complement our Christmas wreaths. What better way to express the Christmas cheer than by sprucing up our homes with Christmas flowers?

The most popular Christmas flowers are or course the poinsettia and the Christmas rose. The poinsettia is recognized as a Christmas flower because of its bright, beautiful charm and it because it blossoms during this special season. The Christmas rose on the other hand derived its importance from a legend that relates to Jesus Christ. Legend has it that a girl called Madelon wanted to visit the Baby Jesus when he was born, but she didn’t have anything to offer. An angel took pity on Madelon so the angel placed a rose on the snow where Madelon was trudging on as she made her way to Jesus.

A good suggestion for a Christmas Rose is a variety called Freedom, which has a lovely crimson color. Bouquets are made with it using Holly as accents which are a great holiday mixture.

There are other Christmas flowers that also bring cheer in this season of joy, like mistletoes, cyclamen and evergreens. There are some tips you can follow when deciding what Christmas flowers to decorate your home with. You may want to include scented greens like pines on your table arrangement. Turn your centerpiece into a work of art by using greens and flowers as accents that will complement your home decor.

You can also enlist the help of your professional florist to help you in choosing the best Christmas flowers. They will be useful in pointing out the differences between cypress, mistletoe and evergreens and where these different flowers should be placed around your home, as well as help you with color choices that match your home and tastes. Florists also carry with them a wide array of poinsettias.

Poinsettias are the traditional Christmas flowers, and they come in colors of white, peach, plum and pink., They also come in marbled or speckled varieties, aside from the usual red. Other flowers that are considered Christmas flowers are the paper white narcissus and the amaryllis. These bulb plants, if planted after Thanksgiving or even weeks before Christmas, will bloom just in time for this special day. Other options also include the Christmas cactus, kalanchoe and cyclamen. If you’re going for a winter harvest theme, try going for different fruits and vegetables to create a beautiful cornucopia of harvests.

FTD and Teleflora create wonderful keepsake gifts such as the Thomas Kinkade series of Christmas containers for a stunning and loveable Christmas hostess gift.

If you’re throwing a Christmas party, you may use small bunches of flowers as card holders for guests at the dinner table. A popular color scheme for Christmas are white and silver or white and gold. To create a lush, sensual feeling for dinners, use deep, rich colors such as purple and burgundy. For afternoon get-togethers, use flowers in hues of yellows, oranges and reds and place them in decorative containers. Mix your flowers with other materials such as candles, as these add warmth to any holiday table. Decorative balloons also add to the festive atmosphere. If you really want to make a statement when you are invited to a party, ask your florist to make you a cheerful holiday floral arrangement and have it delivered to the venue of the party. You’ll surely be the toast of the town.

Posted on December 3rd, 2009 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | 1 Comment »

Do you remember the last time you received flowers? Think about what you felt at that moment. What did you feel upon seeing perhaps that big bouquet of roses from your husband, or those bright, cheerful tulips your son gave you for Mother’s Day? Most probably you will remember feelings of gratitude, happiness and an overall feeling of joy.

That doesn’t really come as a surprise. Experts have long ago established the link between flowers and happiness. Nature has long been providing us with simple but effective ways to alleviate stress, induce relaxation and lift our general emotional and mental health. Just being surrounded by flowers can trigger a  more heightened sense of satisfaction in life, which can be translated to more kindness and compassion towards other people.  Rutgers study explored the link between flowers and happiness and found several surprising facts. Although we already know that flowers are linked to emotions, we did not know the extent of such a link. Now we know that flowers not only have an impact on happiness, they have an immediate impact on happiness. Upon receiving flowers, participants in their 10-month study expressed supreme delight, shown through “genuine” and “excited” smiles. This phenomenon is true for all age groups. Flowers and happiness go hand in hand regardless of age.

The study also found other things about flowers and happiness. The positive effect that flowers have on people lasts for a long time. The long-term joy that people feel when they are surrounded by flowers translates to less feelings of depression and anxiety and a better sense of life satisfaction and enjoyment. Another surprising fact about flowers and happiness is that simply being surrounded by flowers increases interpersonal communications between people. The study shows that when people display flowers in their homes, the generally feel more cheerful. When people display their flowers in their homes, such as in their living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms and foyers, it makes the place more inviting and more conducive for welcoming guests. Ultimately, they are able to carry these positive feelings even as they step outside their homes. They bring in their positive vibes as they interact with people in the workplace, for example. Flowers can help enhance productivity in the workplace and help both long and short term memory. Indeed, even senior citizens report being able to cope with the challenges of aging better when they are surrounded by flowers.

Flowers and happiness, it seems, cannot be separate from one another.Today, some people practice flower therapy which is centered in the belief that our emotional and even mental states can be improved through the use of flowers. The benefits we reap from flower therapy are related to factors such as the form, smell and color of a flower. Red roses, for example, may stimulate our adrenal glands and make us more active. Sunflowers can boost our energy and make us more hopeful and optimistic. Irises can make us more confident while bluebells can help us get that important good night’s sleep.

Posted on June 1st, 2009 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | 2 Comments »

We always want Lady Fortune to smile down on us. That’s why we buy rabbit’s feet, avoid crossing under ladders, and always get out of a black cat’s way. There are many things we do attract good luck and good vibes from the universe. Yet another way of improving the flow of good energy all around is by practicing the ancient art of feng shui.

Feng shui is a method of attracting good energy into our homes by organizing the spaces we live in. Since flowers make up a huge chunk of home decor, it is essential to be aware of how we can rearrange or organize flowers in a way that will bring us good fortune.

Here are some tips that some people observe when they want to harness good forces through feng shui and flowers:

Place a white vase with pink or fresh flowers on the bedside table. This is believed to bring more romance into your life. When you want happiness and laughter to enter your home, place a bouquet of chrysanthemums in it. These flowers are symbols of peace and relaxation. The Chinese call these beautiful flowers “A Heaven full of stars” or “Drunk With Wine made from the Peaches of Immortals.” With exotic, alluring names like that, how can you go wrong?

If you want good luck for the whole year round, grow a narcissus or a water fairy just before the year ends. When it blooms at exactly the start of the New Year, it means you will enjoy a year of good fortune. Another good omen flower according to feng shui tradition is the peony.

Peonies, especially those with many leaves and flowers, are signs of good fortune. Peonies also enhance male energies. They are symbols of affection, faithfulness and loyalty and are even thought to prevent blood disorders as well as heart disease.

Green is the color of growth, so make sure you have green plants all around your home to alleviate stress, restore balance and harmony. Beware of some greens though, especially spiky plants. Some spiky plants bring in bad energy, but some believe they can also enliven sluggish or lethargy in some areas of the home. Still, it’s recommended to have at least one big plant in every room. This not only freshens the air, it also brings in good energy.

Plants, especially, those with rounded leaves also encourage good fortune and good energy. These rounded leaves resemble coins and are therefore believe to bring in more wealth.

If you have a walkway, the Chinese and observers of feng shui believe it would be good to line your walkway leading to the front door with flowering plants. Red flowers grouped in 3s would be best.

The Chinese also believe that you should not have dried flowers in your house. Dried flowers are dead flowers so that can translate to your wealth “dying”. However, it is perfectly acceptable to have artificial flowers. Similarly, clear away clutter in your yard by trimming overgrown plants and getting rid of any cut down vegetation or cut down trees. A side benefit of this is – a vase filled with trimmings such as cherry or apple blossom branches is a beautiful enhancement to your living environment.

Posted on June 30th, 2008 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | 2 Comments »

Inbloom flowers has again, for the 5^th year in a row, been ranked by FTD in the Top 50 florists in the US and Canada.

This prestigious award is given to florists in the FTD network that meet the high quality standards by FTD in providing exemplary service in nationwide deliveries.

Each year – the top florists in the FTD’s network are awarded an all expenses paid trip to an exotic location.  This year the location is a 6 Star resort in Nueve Vallarta, Mexico.  They meet there with the other top florists in the nation for several days of fun and sun, networking, brainstorming, and great activities such as Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Sailing, Jungle Tours, Golf, and many others that a resort area such as this has to offer.

This is the fifth year in a row that inbloom has been awarded this designation and honor.  Previous trips have been to St. Kitts, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Grand Cayman Islands.

We were lucky enough to have been early adopters of the internet and have, with dedication and vigilance built our business into a Top performing service oriented one stop shop for flowers of all types, delivered nationwide.  Being small enough to give every individual order the attention it deserves as an important emotional statement, yet large enough to have a great customer base that has been built over the 14 years we have been selling flowers on the web, one satisfied customer at a time.

We’re honored to have been recognized for our acheivements and are looking forward to our annual meeting of the minds of the most successful florists in the world.  We learn many new things every year at these wonderful networking opportunities and are very much looking forward to the trip.

Remember, our flowers are always professionally designed by our Preferred Florist Network and hand delivered into the warm hands of your loved ones, never left on a doorstep in a do-it-yourself box.

Posted on February 6th, 2008 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | No Comments »

Your guarantee of Excellence, Quality and Service

What makes a good florist? A good florist should not only know the ins-and-outs of the flower industry, he must also know the business side of it. Our company specializes in both. We care for your needs so we choose only the best to work with us. We therefore have a Preferred Florist List, developed over years of experience and tens of thousands of long distance floral delivery, that allows us to choose exemplary florists nationwide to make your flower-ordering easy as one two three.

Our preferred florist list includes the best of the best, most professional florists in the country. We’ve developed relationships with these florists for many years and we can personally guarantee that they are top-quality. The shops included in our Preferred Florist List have a big following, have a wide selection of flowers and they diligently rotate for supreme flower freshness. When you call a florist you found on the internet, the shop is aware that you might be in another state and most probably won’t be able to see the flowers. This is why we tell people to Trust their Feelings to Us. 

The members or our Preferred Florist List are guaranteed to take all your needs into consideration. They follow the strictest and highest quality standards as well as timely delivery of the freshest flowers, and have been tested by us many times in the past.We are professional florists ourselves, so we too, know the concerns of our consumers. We start by helping you through the process of deciding what you want. We guide you along as you choose the perfect arrangement suited for your budget. Being real florists, we have a good idea of which flowers go best with what, what types and colors of flowers work well for a particular occasion, how much they are and what flowers are in season.

Most importantly, however, we have a keen sense of the feelings and emotions you might want to convey through the flowers. Our Preferred Florist List allows us to come up with the best florist that can help you select the floral arrangement that can truly express your deepest emotions. Indeed, this sort of service isn’t just something you can simply get out from picking out a florist from an online floral directory or the yellow pages.

Our employees all undergo extensive training in flower and floral arrangement in our own flower shop. All inquiries and orders are handled through them. Our shop can be considered a haven in this busy world of hours, with its bright, cheerful environment and friendly assistants to answer your concerns.  We are florists first, internet marketers second.  Our business is ranked in the top 50 florists in the world according to FTD.  We know every floral order to be an important emotional statement, and are proud of the exemplary service we give, using our “Golden Preferred Florist List”.We are proud to say that we are always trying to improve our products and services.

We only want the best for your customers so we constantly strive to make our services more efficient and your experience easier and more comfortable.  We have round the clock customer service to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also offer money-back guarantees and unconditional replacements, if for any reason you do not feel satisfied with our services.   Trust that we are not trying to become the largest floral company, and we give each and every emotion statement as important as any other. Our interest lies in finding out how we can serve our clients in the best way possible. Our aim is to expand our reputation as the best floral service, one satisfied customer at a time.

This is why we say – Trust your Feelings to inbloom flowers, guaranteed not to disappoint!

Posted on January 23rd, 2008 by Jonathon
Filed under: Flower Information | No Comments »