Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition Vol. 6- St. Patrick's Day

                Saint Patrick’s Day is upon us. Now that might not mean much for a lot of people, but it happens to be a little holiday I enjoy. I feel that often this holiday gets over-looked, caught between the humdrum bustle of Valentine’s Day and Easter. In order to get us into the “St. Patty’s Day” spirit I have prepared some fun facts:

1. St. Patrick’s Day began as a Catholic Holiday, but gradually became a secular celebration of Irish culture.

2. St. Patrick used a shamrock as a teaching method to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish people. 

3. Originally, the color associated with St. Patrick was blue.

4.      4.Saint Patrick's parades are now held in 9 locations across Japan. The first parade, in Tokyo, was organized by The Irish Network Japan (INJ) in 1992. Nowadays in Japan, parades and other events related to Saint Patrick's Day spread across almost the entire month of March.

      5.Each year the Chicago River is dyed green to commemorate the holiday. In 2009, in keeping with the Chicago St. Patrick's Day tradition, at the request of First Lady and Chicago native Michelle Obama, the White House fountains were dyed green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

 

That was our dose of Irish knowledge for the day, now on to the flower world!   A few weeks ago, I was asked  if we sold a lot of St. Patrick’s Day flowers.  The answer is yes, especially this beauty…The Irish Daffodils Bouquet. This vase arrangement comes straight from the fields of Ireland; our daffodils are accented by long lasting green and white flowers, making this arrangement pleasing to even non-Irish eyes!

We at Bakanas Flowers & Gifts would like to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day, no matter how you celebrate. I for one am looking forward to listening to “Flogging Molly” and shooting pool. To all those in Tempe, Arizona who are going to the St. Patrick’s Day Flogging Molly concert I just want to say good luck and enjoy the experience, and I am jealous.

Sláinte!

                                        -Liz

Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition Vol. 5- Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is just two days away, that’s 48 hours, fellas! If you haven’t gotten your special sweetheart anything yet; you might want to get on that. Seriously… right now. Pick up the phone and dial (856) 983-0055, we’ve got you covered! We’ve got roses galore! Everyone here has been working long and hard to get through this holiday as painlessly as possible for you. Which is why we present to you Bakanas Flowers’ very own “Passionate About Roses” arrangement. This stunning arrangement of 18 premium Long-Stem red roses in a Ruby Keepsake vase is one of our most popular Valentine selections. We also have roses by the dozen and half dozen in shades of red, white, pink, hot pink, and yellow.  You may pick them up or have them delivered locally. 

                In my sparse down-time between extra hours and Shakespeare/Anglo-Saxon poetry reading assignments I managed to sneak in a little “Modern Family”. Valentine’s Day was in full swing at the Dunphy residence. The parent’s, Phil and Claire, were preparing to embark on a quiet dinner date. The kids were left at home where Alex, the middle daughter, settled down to a “Love Actually” phone date with her boyfriend. I’ve always thought “Love Actually” to be a Christmas movie (my favorite Christmas movie, actually) but thinking about it, it’s also a great Valentine’s Day movie, and would make a fantastic date; second to pizza, Finding Nemo, and Mario Kart (who could say no to that?). So if you’re looking for something to do Monday night get some roses, a nice bottle of wine, pop in “Love Actually”, and listen to the eternal words of Hugh Grant, “Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around.” So many times we get wrapped up this holiday that it becomes almost a chore. So let’s get the love back in Valentine’s Day. On Monday, love actually will be all around. To all those couples out there, enjoy your day! If you’re single, embrace it! Love is just around the corner.

     -Liz

Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition Vol. 4- Snow Day!!

      On a frigid January day there is nothing like sitting in my director’s chair (a subconscious homage to my high school hopes and dreams) my feet on my desk, with a cup of tea and a good book. It’s even better after a snowstorm! A feeling of relaxation over takes me as I glance out the window at my world blanketed in white and the few later-than-me starters digging out their vehicles. The knowledge that my work is done makes the rewards of my toils much more satisfying. This is the only time I love snow. Most of the time I am required to venture out into the tundra and that is when I look to the sky and curse the heavens before begrudgingly hacking through the frozen crust that entombs my poor little car. However, on a day like today, when I have no responsibilities other than digging my house out and procrastinating writing an essay on Edgar Allan Poe’s emotional effects (I agree, it is as dull as it sounds) I find my sleepy street to be quite tranquil. Snow brings people together. Whether it’s helping a neighbor shovel her walk or just shooting the breeze as we fling shovel full after shovel after shovel full of endless powder into the street for the plows to scoop up I love that sense of camaraderie. We’re all friends here in the trenches.

Alas, times moves on and soon the snow will be gone with January. Which will bring us to February and more importantly… Valentine’s Day. But for now it’s still January, why not send that special someone flowers just because? Allow me to introduce the “Victorian Romance” bouquet. Romance blossoms beautifully within this elegant bouquet. The serenity and innocence of a dozen white roses is in delightful juxtaposition with lavender waxflower and soft greenery. It's as romantic as a stroll through the English countryside. I very much like this arrangement. It reminds of what I speculate the scenery in Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Ernest” looked like. (Wilde happens to be my favorite Victorian Era author.) You don’t have to saddle up your Tauntaun and trek out into this frozen Hoth that used to be Marlton, this lovely ode to Queen Victoria can be ordered online at bakanasflowers.com. Hurry! This special won’t last long. Before I return to my book and further procrastination I’d just like to remind everyone to take a moment and look at the natural beauty snow beholds, before it turns black and mushy.

-Liz

Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition Vol. 3

            By now, we’ve all heard “Feliz Navidad” for the hundredth time as we wait a half an hour in line at the store for that last minute gift. Yepp, it’s the home stretch; three days until Christmas! Now, I know I’ve been neglecting my dear readers, and for that, I apologize. Since my last post, I have been deep in the trenches of scholarly knitty-gritty, but that’s over and done with for now! I’m free for a WHOLE month! I must say I cannot wait for December 25^th. Next to Halloween, Christmas is my favorite holiday. The lights, the trees, the decorations, the cold, the smell of pine coming from the Christmas centerpieces, they all fill me with a sense of child-like wonder. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Friends come together for jolly merriment; families gather to decorate the tree and sing carols. I think what I like most about Christmas Day is the sense of peace and tranquility that washes over the normally bustling metropolis of Marlton. Working in a flower shop makes my week before the main event extremely hectic, so I always find Christmas morning extremely relaxing. The mad rush is over until Valentine’s Day, it’s time for… PRESENTS! My youth comes back with vengeance Christmas morning. No matter how late I was out the night before, this is the only day I will voluntarily get out of bed before noon. I actually enjoy giving presents more than receiving them. There’s nothing better than that feeling of finding the perfect present for someone and witnessing the joy on their face when they open it, no?

                On behalf of everyone here at Bakanas Flowers, we would like to extend the warmest holiday wishes to everyone. For Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition, I’ll see you next year.

-Liz

Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition Vol. 2- Thanksgiving

The holiday season is in full swing, and in the hustle and bustle of hunting for the perfect turkey, fighting tooth and nail for the last can of gelatinous cranberry sauce, and figuring out where to put the hoards of hungry relatives we should remember what this holiday is really about… giving thanks.
        So in between answering the phones and creating bountiful centerpieces, I’d like to offer everyone a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Bakanas Flowers. I asked some of the staff what they were thankful this season: One of our clerks, Alice,” is thankful for my friends, my wonderful and loving family, and chocolate.” Paul, a second generation Bakanas, co-owner, and my uncle, “is thankful for our customers (who are like family and friends), my business partner (who puts up with him). I am also thankful for my supportive family, and friends.” Anna Marie, also a second generation Bakanas, my mother, and co-owner, says “I love Thanksgiving, catching up with family members we don’t often see, watching the cousins play football in the backyard, holding hands at the dinner table and giving thanks for all our many blessings- home, health, family and friends. I am thankful to live in a country that is free and ask God to watch over our nephew and all those serving far from home.”

         As for me, well, I have a lot to be thankful for, I may not always realize but as I ponder it now it’s the things I often take for granted and even complain about I find are the things for which I am most thankful. I am fortunate to have not one but two jobs that I actually enjoy, in a society where a man could be a CEO one week and then working the drive thru at a fast food joint the next. A woman could be on top of the teaching world only to be knocked off the map by budget cuts. I have access to more technology than I know what to do with, I also have access to a top-notch education. My family has always stood by me through good times and bad. I have one of the best circles of friends a girl could ask for. It doesn’t matter what we do whether it’s hanging out on someone’s couch until we all fall asleep in the middle of a Mad Men episode or going to a diner at 3 in the morning these times will be some of the best of my life. I am thankful that in this busy, busy world I have been taught to stop and smell the roses; but most importantly I am thankful for Grandparent food. I don't know what it is, but that grandparent comfort food always makes me happy. Seeing that big bowl heaped high with mashed potatoes brings a smile to my face. I guess you can tell where I will be spending my Thanksgiving... To grandmother's house I go!
        As Christmas, draws closer don’t forget to stop and smell the roses, and on this Thanksgiving holiday take a moment and notice all the little blessings in your life; feel free to comment on what those might be!
Happy Thanksgiving,
- Liz

Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition

With the passing of Halloween, the race to Christmas has finally begun. It’s a bit early if you ask me. Last night I went to a movie only to find the theater plastered with Holiday Gift Card campaigns and Christmas music blasting in the lobby. I was shocked; the windows have pop corn kernels as snow! It’s too much, too soon. I think if it weren’t for Black Friday people would completely forget about Thanksgiving. Where there is Thanksgiving there are Thanksgiving centerpieces. Folks, no Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a holiday centerpiece to serve as the focal point of the table.
That is why, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Country Cornucopia: Celebrate a year filled with prosperity- overflowing with friends, family, and joy. As a centerpiece or a decoration, the cornucopia's abundance symbolizes the fullness of our lives. This festive centerpiece contains gerbera daisies, sunflowers, bronze chrysanthemums, and accents of fall berries, cattails, fall foliage, natural wheat, and decorative grapes overflowing from a wicker cornucopia.

“Hm? What’s that? Sounds lovely but how about something simpler?” How about the “Bright to Light Centerpiece”? Keep Thanksgiving simple and stylish with a charming centerpiece featuring a single orange candle nestled in a radiant array of fall flowers. Strike a match and watch the magic happen. This traditional centerpiece includes yellow cushion spray chrysanthemums, rust cushion spray chrysanthemums, and orange alstromeria accented with assorted greenery and dried leaves. These puppies go fast so order soon! And remember, in the race to Christmas; let’s not forget about a wonderful little season called fall.

Authors Note: If I am to serve as your semi-monthly guide through the flower world, I feel I should introduce myself. Liz is the name, and I am a third generation Bakanas. I’ve worked part-time at Bakanas Flowers for three years as a sales clerk, but a year ago, I became a delivery driver, so look for me at your door! Besides the flower shop, I work part-time at a movie theater and go to school full time as an English Major. When asked to helm this little internet literature I jumped at the chance to make my mark on the internets. This is my first time penning anything like this, so feedback is greatly appreciated. Comments are welcomed and most certainly encouraged. Please tell me if you like something, or even if you dislike something. It helps me learn and grow as a writer, and lets me know what you want to read about and don’t. Comments can be left over “facebook”; or if you have a “gmail”, “LiveJournal”, “Wordpress”, “Typepad”, “AIM”, or “OpenID” account comments can be made directly on “blogspot”.
Until next time!
-Liz

Bakanas Flowers & Gifts

Holiday Open House

Friday November 19th, Noon to 7pm

Saturday November 20th, 9am to 5pm

Relax an be inspired as you browse

through our winter wonderland,

sample gourmet treats and

enter to win a free holiday centerpiece.

See what's new for home and gift giving;

receive 10% of all purchases(outgoing wire orders excluded from discount)