Happy Mother’s Day to All Wonderful Mums! We Love You!

Sweet Pink Roses for Mum!

Mother’s Day – 9 May 2010 (Sunday)

This year, LeFiores only delivers to the state of Melaka in order to maintain the quality and freshness of the flowers.

So if your mum resides in Melaka, surprise her with a bouquet of fresh flowers from LeFiores and make her happy!

Gourmet Dark Chocolate Cake

If your mum loves cake, you can include your flowers with a gourmet cake baked especially by my friend, Edwin – a professional pastry chef from Asian Havana Cafe. Edwin has whipped up two delicious flavors especially for us; Low-Sugar Gourmet Dark Chocolate Cake and Low-Fat Blueberry Cheese Cake. Now, here’s the special deal, for each floral items purchased above RM100, you’re entitled to add a cake for your mum for just RM50!

Green Mine 100% Natural Handmade Soap

Additionally, I also have in store a few packages of limited Green Mine handmade soaps made from natural ingredients in Singapore by my dearest friend, Max. Max started Green Mine and began making soaps from his lab (i.e. kitchen (^_^)) during his free time. Like Edwin, Max also whipped up two flavors namely; Rose and Aqua. These natural soaps are great for your mum’s skin and good for the environment because it contains not one bit of chemicals with weird names found in most of our commercial soaps. Each package contains three (3) assorted pieces of Green Mine natural soaps stylishly gift-wrapped with premium gift paper and gold ribbons.

Let us help you make your mom feel like a royalty when you send her these eco-chic soaps and a bouquet of fresh flowers. I’m sure your mum would love this!!!!

How to order for Mother’s Day

1. Select your favorite bouquet through my blog here and click through the BUY NOW button to proceed with your order and payment details.

Alternatively, please click here for the product page.

To add these gourmet cakes and handmade natural soaps to your order, please email me at ammie@lefiores.com with your name and email address with the Subject Re: I want to add a cake/soap to my order.

Note: For gourmet cakes, please order 2 days in advance.

2. Once the order and payment details are submitted, please wait for my order confirmation email (I will usually respond within 24 hours).

3. After you’ve received my confirmation email, I will arrange your bouquet and deliver the flowers to your mum on your requested delivery date.

Important: Please read through my Store Policy before ordering. Thank you. =)

Happy Shopping!

Via Wikipedia…

Sarracenia (pronounced /ˌsærəˈsiːniə/ or /ˌsærəˈsɛniə/) is a genus comprising 8 to 11 species of North American pitcher plants. The genus belongs to the family Sarraceniaceae, which also contain the closely allied genera Darlingtonia and Heliamphora.

Sarracenia is a genus of carnivorous plants indigenous to the eastern seaboard, Texas, the Great Lakes area and southeastern Canada, with most species occurring only in the south-east United States (only S. purpurea occurs in cold-temperate regions). The plant’s leaves have evolved into a funnel in order to trap insects, digesting their prey with proteases and other enzymes.

The insects are attracted by a nectar-like secretion on the lip of pitchers, as well as a combination of color and scent. Slippery footing at the pitchers’ rim, aided in at least one species by a narcotic drug lacing the nectar, causes insects to fall inside, where they die and are digested by the plant as a nutrient source.

Here are some Sarracenia that is available in store right now.

Sarracenia Farhamii

Sarracenia Farhamii Hybrid

Sarracenia Flava

Sarracenia Leucophylla Hybrid

Sarracenia Stevensii

Also, you can learn all about the Sarracenia genus and how to take care of them here:
http://www.sarracenia.com/faq.html

To add more flora variety to your coming Chinese New Year decorations, our growers from Cameron Highlands just sent us some of the most exciting pot plants we’ve seen this year.

One of them is this snail-shell-looking ‘Begonia Rex Escargot’ or more commonly called simply as ‘Escargot’.

Via Finegardening.com…

Botanical Name: Begonia ‘Escargot’ bah-GO-nyah
Genus: Begonia

‘Escargot’ is an extremely popular Rex hybrid begonia that is quickly becoming a household name. Its moniker reflects the snail-shaped curl located where the base of the leaf meets the leaf stem. The intriguing foliage can stand on its own but also mingles beautifully with other foliage plants and brightly colored blooms.

Care: Provide organic, sharp-draining soil in shade with lots of humidity. Water when soil is dry to the touch. Avoid soggy conditions, but do not allow plants to wilt. Do not over-fertilize. Remove dead leaves promptly and keep the soil surface free of debris to avoid disease problems.

It’s now available in store! Drop by and have a look!

Wishing all my Muslim friends, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri,
Dengan Ingatan Tulus Ikhlas, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

Sketch by YowChuan@meshio.com

'Organic Butterflies on Roses' Bridal Bouquet

Here is a bridal bouquet with pretty earthy hues of green dendrobiums and creamy champagne roses for a pre-wedding photo-shoot session. I always love to pair some dendrobium orchids with flowers of softer look such as roses, because it brings out an edgy touch to the overall feel of the bouquet. Don’t you think that the green dendrobium orchids in the bouquet resemble so much like butterflies?

Sometimes, I have clients who requested for artificial butterflies in their bridal bouquet and wedding centerpieces to complement their garden or fairy theme. You know, those butterflies made of wires, nylons, and tons of glitters. As I have always believed in using natural ingredients in floral designing, I usually prefer to substitute these artificial butterflies with orchids because it’s more organic and natural. Moreover, it is more cost-effective to use natural substitutes than artificial factory-made ones.

Below are some of the pictures taken during the weekend at my grandma’s organic farm. She’s an expert when it comes to growing organic vegetables. My grandma did all the plowing and planting all by herself despite of having an eye-condition that affects her vision. Every morning and evening without fail, she tends to her garden so that we could have fresh, chemical-free, home-grown vegetables on our diet. I especially love the harvesting part! Enjoy the pictures!

Organic Birds Eye Chillies

Organic Okra Plant

Organic Long Bean Plant

Organic Chinese Greens

Organic Vegetable Harvests

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!

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

Lately, my household diet has changed drastically to an all-organic, locally grown veggies and fruits. We rarely consume red meat these days and approximately twice a month, we’ll get a whole free-range kampung chicken to slow-cook some herbal soup. The reason is because the more I read and researched about organic farming methods versus the commercially non-organic farming methods, the more I’m worried about the health consequences of eating fruits and veggies that are contaminated with high level of toxic pesticide residues.

Following is a list of the most and least contaminated fruits and vegetables in the order of importance, researched and compiled by The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit consumer organization based in the States. There are many people who are reluctant to switch to an all-organic food diet because of the higher price tag in most organic produce, although sometimes you’ll be surprised to find that non-organic produce are more expensive or at a similar price range. If you want to go partially organic, the list below helps you determine which fruits and veggies are best to go organic and which you can go without.

The Dirty Dozen – Twelve Most Contaminated (Buy These Organic)
1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (Imported)
11. Carrot
12. Pear

The Clean Fifteen – Lowest in Pesticides
1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato

Download a comprehensive Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides here.

An elegant blend of lush red and creamy white roses centerpiece accented with fresh green tea leaves which I’ve created for a photo shoot session last weekend.

This tall and round floral display is versatile enough as the perfect centerpiece for a contemporary romantic wedding or as a classic centerpiece for a vintage tabletop.

The contrasting colors and textures of the flowers and foliage play off each other harmoniously without being too tacky.

If your budget permits, you can arrange a few of this floral display in different vases of various heights to make a dramatic statement.

Spread a few tea light candles on the table and voila! Flowers and candles – you can never go wrong with these two.

When: 28 March 2009 (Saturday) , 8.30pm – 9.30pm (MYT)

Where: Your house, offices, businesses, billboards etc.

How: Switch off all your lights for one hour!

Why: The world’s first global election to fight global warming and climate change! Vote results will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

Who: YOU – yes, YOU… can join participants from over 931 cities and towns in 80 countries, including other iconic world landmarks e.g. the Merlion in Singapore, Hong Kong’s Symphony of Lights, the Shanghai Hong Kong New World Tower, Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Sydney’s Opera House, Table Mountain in Cape Town, and Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Casino.

VOTE EARTH NOW at Earth Hour 2009!