My best friends are tying the knot today! A sweet bouquet for the bride filled with luscious imported fresh cream roses accented with pink eustomas. I called it ‘My Strawberry Parfait’ because it looks so edible and soooo deliciously sweet!

My Strawberry Parfait

Congratulations to the lovely couple, Justin and Gracie!

This year also mark my 10th year of friendship with the couple! Time flies but I sure hope we all stay happy and healthy forever. =)

Cheers and lots of hugs to the newly wed!

On another note, thank god the bad haze had toned down a little bit. The past two weeks was dreadful! Have a great day y’all!

Dear Ammie,

Please accept this special Thank-You from a very happy customer! I live in Toronto, Canada. This past Mother’s Day I decided to send some flowers to my mom and aunt, who live in PJ and Selayang. Due to the time difference and many stores closing early on the weekend, I was having a hard time finding a store online that has reasonable pricing and have the types of services that meet my needs.

I couldn’t believe my luck when I came across your website. The words that caught my eyes initially were “Eco-Friendly”. It’s very refreshing to find a store that pays emphasis on the environment, which is especially rare in Malaysia. I was excited to find that you offered free delivery to the Klang valley, and that you had vase bouquets that were reasonably priced for the special occasion. You also accepted my last minute order which I truly appreciated!

Most of all, the level of personal service I received was beyond expectation. I thought I had missed the deadline for the order and was very worried. I sent an email to your company thinking that I probably wouldn’t hear back as it was already after closing on the day before Mother’s Day, a very busy time for all florists. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a response directly from you confirming my orders, and later, a follow-up email advising me that the orders have been successfully delivered. You also took the time to describe what you did, catered to my special request, and re-assured me of the quality of your service.

Needless to say, both my mom and aunt loved the bouquets. The flowers were very fresh and the presentation was very attractive (they looked even better than the picture on your website!) I must mention that besides the gorgeous carnation arrangements, the beautiful hand-painted water colour cards added a personal touch that is not commonly found amongst florists. It was definitely an added bonus!

All in all, it was a wonderful experience and I couldn’t help but to share this with everyone. I will definitely recommend LeFiores to my friends, and would certainly consider doing business with your company again!

Thank you again! I wish you all the best!

W. Ng
May 2009

Summer’s here! Enjoy the season with new designer bags full of vibrant colors and eye-popping designs. Here are three of my fav must-have floral-inspired designs for this summer!

Marni Printed Canvas Tote

The Perfect Casual Tote!

I love love love the washed-out vintage look of the canvas. The floral prints are timeless and the leather straps look durable enough to endure heavy lugging for those of us who loves to carry lots of stuff in our bags. This darling sure goes well with jeans and a small white T, or bikinis for a beach vacation!

Valentino Rose Vertigo Leather Shopper

The Perfect Valentino Rose!

First off, this picture doesn’t do justice to the beautiful bag. The color of this bag is absolutely gorgeous and I love the ruffled trim roses at the front. The design emulates a blooming rose with flowing petals and the soft, supple leather is definitely to-die-for! Perfect for work - it’s sure to steal some eyes in the office. The best thing is, this rose is going to last longer than three days. Oh how I heart Valentino!

Christian Louboutin Mount Street Bag

The Perfect Satin Evening CLutch!

What I love most about this stunning fuchsia CLutch (yes, pun intended) is the signature shoe-fastening at the top and of course, the overall soft look of the ruffled petals finishing. The material and color are equally drool-worthy. This clutch spells feminine and elegance at the same time. Carry it along with you to any formal evening event or dinner, and I am sure it won’t disappoint!

So what are your fav summer must-have bags?

Updated: Last Call for Mother’s Day Delivery. Due to the overwhelming response, we have extended the order cut-off time to 12pm MYT (Sunday, 9 May 2009). Delivery Time will be after 6pm today.

Note: We regret to inform you that we have sold out all dendrobium orchids and lilies. However, we still have carnations available.

Have a great day y’all!

LeFiores Exclusive Hand-Painted Watercolor Card

Here’s wishing all the great moms Happy Mother’s Day from LeFiores!

This Sunday (May 10, 2009) is Mother’s Day. Brighten your mom’s day by sending her an eco-friendly vase bouquet from our signature collection.

Fresh Carnations by LeFiores.com

We have just included Carnation Sprays to our collection in conjunction with this special day!

Free delivery to Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka for only RM90!

To order Carnation Sprays, please complete the order form or email me at [ammie@lefiores.com] for details.

Note: Colors will depend on availability of supplies.

Order submission cut-off date for Mother’s day is Saturday (May 9, 2009) 12am MYT.

Eco-Friendly Irony

This flyer was found attached to my Telekom Malaysia’s bill in the mail this afternoon. It’s ironic that Panasonic claims to give away eco-products but their supposedly free “eco-products” are refrigerators, washing machines, and air-conditioners?!!! Maybe the staffs over at the company’s promotional department do not know that these “eco-products” are one of the most energy-intensive home appliances no matter how energy-efficient it claims its products to be. Either that or Panasonic Malaysia is trying hard to portray an image of an eco-caring company for all the wrong reasons.

These are the corsages (buttonaires) custom-made last week for a Signing Ceremony of a corporate event held at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Here is the close up shot of the custom-made fresh dendrobium orchids buttonaire.

Fresh Dendrobium Orchids Buttonaire

Custom-made corsages or buttonaires of other fresh flowers are also available. To order, just email me at [ammie@lefiores.com] for a quote.

Do not miss these two great floral events if you’re in Tokyo, Japan this week!

Tokyo Marunouchi Flower Weeks 2009
Japan’s Largest Flower Event
“Japan Flower Festival” comes to Flower Weeks in 2009!

The Tokyo Marunouchi Flower Weeks 2009
and
The Japan Flower Festival 2009 in Tokyo Marunouchi

Date: Tuesday, April 21 - Sunday, April 26, 2009

Venue: Tokyo’s Marunouchi area

Estimated number of visitors: 300,000

Organizers: The Executive Committee of Japan Flower Weeks
TEL: 03-5840-1705 / FAX: 03-5840-1901
E-mail: info@marunouchi-flowerweeks.com

Back by popular demand! Marunouchi is thrilled to announce the second annual “Tokyo Marunouchi Flower Weeks 2009” in bloom throughout the Marunouchi area in April 2009. The concept of Flower Weeks is to bring beautiful flowers and plants to the city. The event will showcase a wide array of exotic flowers that will bring Marunouchi to life!

And that’s not all! To coincide with Marunouchi Flower Weeks 2009, the legendary Japan Flower Festival, which is Japan’s largest flower event, will be held in Tokyo Marunouchi. This colorful festival of flowers from across Japan will be displayed for six days and will provide the latest information on flowers and planting and gardening techniques.

One Flower Weeks 2009 display not to be missed is the Japanese wisteria viewing garden. Famous wisteria trees from Ashikaga Flower Park, the world’s leading wisteria garden, will fill the garden with their beauty and splendor. In mid-April, after the end of the cherry blossom season, visitors to Marunouchi will be able to enjoy the spectacular view of this wisteria garden in full bloom. Also not to be missed are the Marunouchi Flower Market, the Japan Flower Selection and the Pre-Flower Boutique.

The Marunouchi area, quickly evolving as Japan’s gateway and Tokyo showcase, welcomes you to enjoy the spring oasis!

1) Floral Street
Venue: Marunouchi Naka–dori Avenue
Marunouchi Naka–dori, which links Marunouchi with Otemachi and Yurakucho and lined with luxury-brand shop, will transform into a colorful floral street with over 130 hanging flower baskets.

2) Wisteria Viewing Garden
Venue: Marunouchi Building
The wisteria trees in blossom from Ashikaga Flower Park, the world’s leading wisteria garden, will turn the exterior of the Marunouchi Building into a wisteria viewing garden overnight.

3) Marunouchi Flower Market
Venue: Exterior of the Marunouchi Building
Professional florists will be selling flowers and giving tips on how to transform your own home into a beautiful garden.

Wisteria Viewing Garden

1) Brand Nippon Booth ~ Japanese flowers are beautiful ~
Venue: MARUCUBE, 1st floor in the Marunouchi building and Gyoko Basement Gallery.
Prefectures from across Japan famous for the production of flowers will have their finest flowers and plants on display.

2) Pre-Flower Boutique
Venue: The Galleria 3rd floor in the Marunouchi Building.
The Galleria will be transformed into a boutique selling handbags, footwear, dresses, accessories, sweets, and paintings, all made from preserved flowers.

3) Japan Flower Selection
Award-winning flowers will be displayed in the Gyoko Basement Gallery. Japan Flower Selection began in April 2006 to meet new and exciting flower cultivators. Approximately 50 to 100 certified new flower cultivators, including cut flowers, potted flowers and plants will be displayed.

4) Centenary Carnations
100 breeds of carnations will be on display.
Venue: Gyoko Basement Gallery
2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the first carnations imported to Japan. Since then, the production and sales of carnations have been in high demand. The special event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of carnations in Japan.

5) Designers Square
Venue: Gyoko Basement Gallery
Flower designers, florists and flower arrangement specialists will display their artistic displays and arrangements.

6) World Flowers Market
Venue: Gyoko Basement Gallery
New breeds and the latest imports and new materials from overseas will be fashionably displayed.

* Please be advised that some programs are subject to change.

Tokyo Marunouchi Flower Weeks & Japan Flower Festival 2009 Map

Source: Japan National Tourism Organization

This is a simple guide for those of you who are interested in growing your own organic flower garden.

(EHow) The lovely aroma of flowering plants can awaken the senses, giving a person a true appreciation for nature. Growing your own organic flower garden can bring the beauty of nature to your own back yard, without harmful pesticides. This can be a real treat both for you and the flowers. Pesticides can take a toll on your health and even reduce the life span of your flowers. Toxic chemicals such as mancozeb and chlorothalonil have been labeled as carcinogens. A carcinogen is a substance that is known to cause cancer. Pesticides and herbicides are toxic substances that kill living organisms. The Organic Trade Association has stated that side effects from pesticide exposure range from nausea, asthma, headaches and fatigue, to more serious side effects such as cancer and neurological disorders.

You will need:
Organic seed compost
Flower seeds
Natural predators
Organic sulfur spray
Pruning sheers
Garden tiller

Step 1: Select a spot in your yard where the flowers are likely to get plenty of sun shine.

Step 2: Prepare the soil. Loosen the dirt with a garden tiller. Sprinkle organic seed compost on the dirt.

Step 3: Choose the type of flowers you would like to plant. Buy organic flower seeds at your local nursery or online (see Resources).

Step 4: Soak your seeds. Prior to planting your organic flower seeds, pre-soak the seeds. Soak the seeds in purified water, preferably distilled. Soak the seeds for 15 to 24 hours before planting. This will help the seeds soak up additional moisture.

Step 5: Dig several small holes in the dirt where your seeds will be planted. Plant and cover your seeds in the dirt. Lightly water the seeds.

Step 6: Wait for your flowers to grow. Water your flowers early in the morning on a daily basis.

Step 7: Keep up with pruning. Mildew and black spots can show up on flowers without warning. If the problem is not taken care of right away the disease will spread to other flowers. Prune any diseased flowers and spray all the flowers with organic sulfur spray (see Resources). Spray the flower itself, and the leaves.

Step 8: Allow natural predators in your garden. For an organic garden to flourish, the garden must have beneficial insects, such as lady bugs, praying mantis, ambush bugs, spiders and lacewings. Include plenty of these friendly little critters. Lady bugs can be purchased at many garden centers or online (see Resources).

Tips and Warnings
City water typically contains high levels of chlorine and other chemicals. If you want to give your flowers only the best, invest in a water filtration system that also filters the water outdoors. Or, buy a simple charcoal chlorine filter at your local home improvement store.

Resources
1. Buy organic sulfur spray at Extremely Green.
2. Purchase organic flower seeds at Seeds of Change.
3. Buy live lady bugs at Gardening Zone.