via Loretablog
"I must have flowers, always and always."
I'm grateful for always being surrounded by flowers at Fly Me To The Moon. What are you grateful for today?
Mimi
P.S. These flowers are for you, my dear friend Daniella, as a gift for always reading my blog. Thanks!
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Sometimes inspiration comes out of nowhere.
"Be more interesting tomorrow than you are today."
I spotted this quote while riding the NYC subway this morning. It was an ad for Cole Haan. Just the quote. Nothing more.
I was immediately intrigued and challenged by it.
I try to be interesting on the blog. But is it my goal to be interesting in my day-to-day life?
And if so, how do I do it?
1) Read on a wide variety of subjects. I learn so much from reading in doctor's offices.There are magazines there I'd never think of buying.
2) Visit places of interest. I love old architecture. Drop me in any major city and I'm a happy woman.
3) Talk and listen to people. I love talking to folks about their jobs. Especially the trends they see from their own perspective.
Sometimes I get so bogged down in the day-to-day that I simply forget the joy of learning for learning's sake. Even if "I'm not ever going to use it."
So just a few minutes ago, I began reading a book called, "Stamford White: Letters To His Family."
Untermyer Park - First Come Flowers
A friend took it off his shelf and handed it to me at least 2 years ago after giving me a tour of the amazing gardens of Untermyer Park here in Yonkers, New York. It seems Stamford White donated some 2000 year old columns to the park.
So tell me. What should I add to this list of ways to be more interesting? Please let me know in the comments below.
Mimi
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"Pick the day. Enjoy it to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future." Audrey Hepburn
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I confess. Green is my favorite color. Lots of people think it's black, because I wear it so much. What can I say? I'm a New Yorker.
But when I dream, I dream in green.
Here are some of my favorites:
If you love green too, take a look at my glorious Green pinboard here.
Let me know what your favorite color is in the comments below.
Mimi
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"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."
Michael Jordan
Which one are you?
Mimi
Further Reading:
6 Tips on Finding the Courage to Pursue Your Dreams
Jump-Start Your Dream: How to Let Yourself Get What You Want
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One winter, my husband and I went to Aruba in February. We had never gone anywhere warm in the dead of winter before. Our plane actually had to be de-iced before leaving New York City. It had been snowing.
via Chloe Rose Boutique Tumblr
It was 89 degrees when we arrived in Aruba. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
It changed my whole perspective on life. Well, at least on surviving cold winters. The overwhelming oppression of having to wear so many layers of clothing to keep warm can really get to you.
What does all of this have to do with buying yourself fresh flowers? Nothing really, accept that after weeks of face-freezing weather our bodies need a break.
Having a bunch of fresh flowers in your home or office can do that for you. Though not quite the same as being transported to some island paradise, it can truly lift your spirits.
I saw daffodils in the flower market on Monday. A clear reminder that even though winter's not over, spring is on the way.
How do you keep your spirits up when you're wondering if winter will ever end?
Mimi
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"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Mimi
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"Put your heart, mind and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success."
Swami Sivananda
I sent one of my best friends, Ti, a gift last weekend. It was sort of a missed birthday/Christmas gift. We usually get together after the holidays. But we were both either too tired or too sick to make it happen.
So I sent her the gift through a mutual friend and waited days for her to finally get it. No, I didn't take a picture of it, though it was beautifully wrapped, if I do say so myself.
Anyway she finally got it Thursday night and sent me a text overflowing with gratitude. As a matter of fact she sent me another text last night thanking me again.
Ti is an extremely creative person. She took a knitting class at her local library. The next year she was knitting felted bags that would probably sell for $350 each. She made me one for my birthday.
So I decided to make some gifts this year, because I needed a opportunity to get creative with things other than flowers. I wanted to let her know how much our friendship meant to me. So I made her a box full of handmade hearts. But it needed a little something else.
I walked into a Paper Source store on the upper west side of Manhattan and found an incredible book that expressed everything I wanted to say to her.
The book is called Celebrating You. It's a picture book with a simple line of text on each page. Here's an excerpt:
"She makes time for the things that matter. She listens to her heart. She makes ordinary extrordinary."
M.H. Clark
Over the years, I've spent a lot more money on gifts for Tina. But this one. This simple box of hearts and a book meant more to her than any of them.
When we commit to putting our hearts, minds and souls into the small things we do, magic happens.
I bought some leopard and zebra tissue paper to wrap flowers in at the shop. People are losing their minds over it. I just wanted to do a little something special for our customers. I had no idea what an impact it would have.
The next time you're trying to do something special for someone let your heart, mind and soul lead you. Because, it's there you'll find success.
What do you think?
Mimi
Image: ana-rosa tumblr
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"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."
Albert Einstein
I confess. I never did learn how to ride a bike. But,I do know a little something about balance. It keeps you fresh and inspired.
After a long day at Fly Me To The Moon Florists, I used to go home and collapse on my bed.Then I'd get up the next day and start all over again.
But then something interesting happened. I began forcing myself to accept invitations to have dinner with friends or go to a movie after a long day at the shop. I figured I'd be dead tired the next day, but at least I'd have some fun.
I actually got more energized by doing stuff after a long day.That crazy talk about keeping balance in your life began to make sense.
So now, whenever I get a chance, I dance like nobody is watching. Sing at the top of my lungs, though that's clearly not my gift. Go idea shopping in New York City. And I create.
Not just flower arrangements though.
I make personalized cards and gifts for family and friends the way I used to.
Decorate paper with paint, stamps and glitter. I make small collages for the journals I embellish. And big ones for my home.
I hang out with my fabulous husband who loves to laugh. And I pray.
Now if I would just start exercising again...
What do you do to keep a healthy balance of activities in your life?
Mimi
Images : Ray Wheeler, Nic Jacka
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I consider myself quite blessed to be able to share what I know about flowers with you. I am grateful that you read my blog and I'm grateful for every comment you leave.
I hope you enjoy the quotes I'm sharing with you below. Because Thanksgiving is not just about the turkey.
Mimi
"Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses."
Alphonse Karr
"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul."
Henry Ward Beecher
"Gratititude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others."
Marcus Tullius Cicero
"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed."
Maya Angelou
"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count."
Neal A. Maxwell
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