31 Day blog challenge ~ Day One

So this evening I was browsing around and found this "Problogger Challenge".  Well I am a novice blogger but it did peak my interest.  I read a little, then a little more.  The ideas interested me and so I have joined.  Today is day one, we are to right an elevated pitch... OK had no clue what that one was... but now I do and so I begin.  Digging out my thinking cap and everything, as you can see by my stellar picture to the left. 

So tell us what you think here was our old blog intro:  The Secret Garden is a flower shop located in Decatur Illinois. We hope to make this blog THE place to go for tips and tricks on flower arrangements, handling, and care. We will also use it to showcase our ideas and share news with our followers. We hope you join us and come along with us on our journey!

A little dry I must admit but what can I say... I knew nothing about writing a pitch. 

Here is our new one:  Have you longed to work in a flower shop?  Dreamed of being surrounded by the glorious scents, textures, and beautiful blooms?  Well my friend here is your chance to see the ups and downs of our little shop.  In this blog you will find a little about family, a sampling of our work, a few tangent rants, and a whole lot about flowers!   Step through the gates and into The Secret Garden.  Follow us on our journey and we promise to keep you entertained, informed, and above all else give you time to stop and smell the roses.

Everyday we will show you before and after of our blogging improvements (excluding behind the scenes stuff that is just to html based to brag on), we invite you to come on along with us and to tell us what you think.  I am a bit behind though we were tasked with starting our journey on the 19th.... but only 2 hours late so I think if I work extra hard tomorrow I can catch up :)

To see where we are now on our challenge go here.

A short video from Valentine's Day 2010

Join Petal Point Rewards Club Today!

Petal Point Rewards
The Secret Garden is proud to introduce their new Petal Points Rewards Program.  For every purchase you make you will earn point to use on your future purchases.  To get you started on earning points today we are offering you 500 bonus points for any purchase you make in August.  Call today to start earning your points ~ 875-9038 or see us on the web at secretgardendecatur.com

The fine print:

Petal Point Rewards are not applied for past orders.  Only purchase made after July 19th 2010 will count towards your Petal Points Rewards. 
Minimum Order: We do not require any minimum purchase to earn points on your purchase.  From time to time bonus points may be awarded for purchasing certain promotional products or services. You will receive 5 points for every one dollar that you spend.
Fees for Membership: Petal Points Rewards is free to all members. There are no sign–up or monthly fees.
Redeeming Points:  Once you reach 2,500 points ($25.00) you will be given the option to apply your points to your purchase.  You may choose to roll your points over but the maximum number of points you can hold in your account is 5,000 points ($50.00).  Points can not be used towards weddings or wire out orders. 
Cash Value:  Petal Points do not hold any cash value and are only good towards purchase made at The Secret Garden.  Your points are not transferable to anyone.  Petal Points do not expire but we do reserve the right to make changes to the program at any time.  Petal Points earned at The Secret Garden are only redeemable at The Secret Garden.  Petal Points earned at any other location are not redeemable at The Secret Garden.


If you have any questions regarding this exciting new program please contact me directly at 875-9038 or secretgardendecatur@gmail.com

Thanks and enjoy! ~Lori

Heart Strings

Whenever we get a family member ordering flowers for the loss of a loved one it always tugs the heart strings.  This was a special creation for a wonderful lady from California.  She had just lost her cousin and she wanted to send something to the service.  She told me that she has now lost all of her cousins and she was the only one left from that generation of her family.  Her cousin would have been 99 next month.  
The picture to the left is what we created for her.  To me the yellow, pink, purple, and white make for a very beautiful display.  This design is called a mache and it is left at the graveside.  This was my first mache and with the help of Carol it turned out beautiful.  
I am so happy I could help her express her love and well wishes to the family.  Even though she is far away they will know that she is thinking of them today.

It's A Circus

 Hello everyone!  We just wanted to take a moment and tell you about what's going on around here.  We have been hard at work recently with promotions, blogging, facebooking, and of course filling orders.
 Here is a brief rundown on the new blog layout.  The tabs at the top of the blog will now direct you to useful links.
Buy Flowers: Takes you to our website so you can order flowers, plants, and other great gifts for friends and family.
Our eBay Store: Takes you to our online gift store.  Where you can see a sampling of our gift items, purchase them, and ship them across the globe.  You can also purchase these items for pick up at our shop.
Facebook Friends: This will take you to our facebook page.  You can see lots of great information and share your stories with us.  "Like" our page and you will receive special facebook discounts, advanced notices of sales, and so much more!
Our Creations: This is a blog exclusive for our creations, our designers, and our inspiration.  We will post some of most popular designs, best loved, and of course our favorites.
Promotions: Takes you to our blog on upcoming events and sales.  Not only in our store but around the community.  If you have an event coming up be sure to let us know so we can add it to the list at the bottom of the page.
Care & Handling: Great tips on caring for fresh flowers as well as plants.  See all of our great resource links on the side.  We will post questions and answers as well some tips.  Check here when you have a question on flower care.
Family: A little about the Barrett family.  We will share our stories and a little about our life with you!


That is just a quick overview of our new blog.  If you like what we have done here please hit the follow link so you are always kept up to date.

Spur of the moment...

This little dandy was made today for a last minute bride.  We love it when people stop in for something like this.  Your wedding day will be a day you look back on with joy for years to come.  We hope that our flowers make you smile even then.  Simple yet elegant this bouquet has it all.  White roses are always beautiful but the mini red carnations make them POP!  The salal leaves make a wonderful collar around the bouquet.  The bouquet has a simple wrap with small pearl pins to hold the ribbon in place.  So beautiful yet the size and flower choices help hold the cost down. 

We're full of hot air

  Balloons are making a big comeback for offices, hospitals, and even deliveries to the home.
When you want to send something that is bright and fun this is a great choice.  Balloons on a desk at the office draw attention and get people talking.  
We have a wonderful selection and invite you in to see for yourself.   Our message balloons are mylar and we have all sorts of colors of latex as well.
We offer 3 different sizes of bouquets to choose from or you can make your own size using our "A La Cart" selections.  For weights we offer sandbags, hard candy, kisses, tootsie rolls, bite sized candy bars, and even plush animals.