An easy free way to remember

Life is full of important days that I seemingly always forget. Being a florist it is easy for me to come home with an arrangement when I remember it is my wifes birthday or my anniversary. Not everyone has that luxury at their convenience, so to help, Kirkwood Florist is now offering a unique reminder service. Simply log on to www.MySpecialDates.com and enter code 63122-1 to create your free account. Just enter the dates of your special occasions and we'll send you timely reminders - by text, email, or voice mail. In addition to the free reminder we will send you great gift ideas. It's easy, convenient and best of all it is free. A free reminder service, now that is a good idea.

Flowers really do make you happy

With today’s high-tech and fast-paced lifestyle taking its daily toll on our lives, experts advise exercise and other personal lifestyle changes to relieve stress. According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, nature provides us with a simple way to improve emotional health – flowers. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manor far beyond what is normally believed.

A team of researchers explored the link between flowers and life satisfaction in a 10 month study of participants’ behavioral and emotional responses to receiving flowers. The results show that flowers are a natural and healthful moderator of moods.

1. Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. All study participants expressed “true” or “excited” smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups.

2. Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically, study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious, and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.

3. Flowers make intimate connections. The presence of flowers led to increased contact with family and friends.

We already associate flowers with making people happy, but this shows that flowers also have a positive effect on our emotional well being.

Missouri's Finest

It sure is hot in St. Louis- close to 100 degrees outside and the humidity is unbearable. Yet this is one of my favorite times of the year, because locally grown flowers are available. I see hundreds of flowers a day, and some of the nicest ones come from right here in Missouri. These flowers are up there with the mass produced South American flowers or the earthy flowers of California. Sunflowers, Black Eyed Susans, Zinnias, Dianthis, Mint, Gladiolas, and my personal favorite-- Coxcomb. All of these flowers are so much fun to work with, and most of them are unique to this time of year. But the best thing about using these flowers is supporting local flower farms. Kirkwood Florist would love to design you a beautiful custom bouquet made of purely Missouri grown flowers. Please give us a call today.