We Recycle ~ You Can Too

Everyone has one, or two, or twenty.  They are shoved back in cabinets, stacked up in the basement, or just laying around always in the way.  What can you do with all of those glass vases?  You have clear ones, blue ones, green ones, red ones, and more laying around the house.  What can you do with the ones that are not so near and dear to your heart?  Simple!  You can bring them to us!

Now we are not asking for you to part with that vase you received on your wedding day, or the Waterford crystal one your grandma gave you.  We are looking for those odds and ends that you have collected along the way.  What do we want all of those vases for???  Simple ~ We Recycle!  We can use those to fill floral orders for customers, use as donations for charities and benefits, and so much more.  We will find a use for your unused and unwanted vases. 

So next time you are cleaning out those cabinets, garages, basements, or closets collect those vases and bring them in.  We will reward you with some fresh flowers to take home.  So save at least one vase to hold that fresh bouquet.

For more details stop in and see us at:

1215 E. Pershing Rd.

or give us a call:

217-875-9038

We hope to see you, and your vases, soon! 

The Book Nook ~

The Book Nook ~

Introducing The Secret Garden Book Nook.  We have had this idea floating around in our minds for a while now and we are so happy to start the new year with it.  Here is how it works.

Stop in to The Secret Garden and pick up a good book to read.  You can bring one you would like to share with you if you would like. 

When you bring back the book (this is optional) you will receive a flower.  

If you have a book that you just want to share bring it in and you will receive a flower for your donation.

How great is that!  You can read a great book, enjoy a fresh flower, and visit with us when you stop in.

Tell your friends, share this news with your book club.  We can't wait to see you.

A Look Back on Our 2010 Weddings

Here is our YouTube video that includes some of our Wedding work from 2010.  This will hopefully be a great tool for brides who are looking for ideas for their upcoming wedding.  If you have any questions on anything you see here call us at 217-875-9038.  If you are planning a wedding check our our Wedding Checklist to make your planning go smoother.  

January Highlights

December was full of parties, family, presents, and occasions that made memories that will last a lifetime.  January is a time to resolve to make changes, look ahead on a promising New Year, and a time for celebrating.  We hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and have a prosperous New Year.

We have many new plans and ideas for the year ahead.  Clearing out the old and making room for the new is a part of our January.  New stock is arriving and making it's way to our shelves.  Inventories are being done and Valentine's Day plans are already underway.  This month will be one of looking back at what made 2010 so great and what we can do to improve your experience when you shop with us in 2011.

To keep up to date on all of our new ideas be sure to follow this blog and our promotions page.  We will keep you up to date on all of the upcoming events through these blogs, our facebook page, and of course when you visit the shop.

A few things we have planned for the New Year are:

A book exchange ~ Continuing our Traveling Kindness Bouquet ~ A new twist to a Dozen Roses at Valentine's Day ~ More fun contests for the spring and summer ~ New products and services ~ and so much more!

We hope that you are looking forward to this new year, we sure are!

A Look Back on 2010

With this being our first year as owners of The Secret Garden we had a lot of firsts this year.  We thought we would take a little time to look back over some of our favorite moments of 2010.

Some of our favorite things ~

We design so many pieces in a year it's hard to pick out just a few.  These are ones that have touched our hearts.

 50 Long stem roses in a vase ~ WOW!!  This was for a 50th anniversary.  We were amazed they all fit in the vase.  I bet her eyes are still twinkling after getting all of these.  We had a young bride in the shop at the time this picture was taken.  I took this bouquet over to her and said with a smile, "This is what you get for 50 years."   

The Race for The cure!  Being asked to create this balloon arch, and having Sheryl on our team to design the perfect thing.  Setting it up before the sun came up and knowing that it would be on stage to honor all of the survivors and the women who lost the battle.  We also made a balloon archway to kick off the race.  This is something I will not forget, it was a touching time.

Our first convention.  We attended a floral convention in March and came back to the shop with some great ideas.  We learned so much in the hands on classes and the business lessons.  It was an amazing and inspiring event.  Already looking forward to this year.  I will graduate and receive my ICPF, Illinois Certified Professional Florist certificate.  That is something I am looking forward to putting in the proud moments category next year!

Merchandising.  Selecting and creating with the new merchandise.  This year was filled with buying, buying, and yeah buying.  We brought in new gifts, containers, and more to bring our own touch to the store.  I have been told all along that the store will reflect our style and I can see that happening with every new box of treasures.  Luckily our taste and Carolyn's (the previous owner) blend well together.

Most Overwhelming Time ~

Our first Valentine's Day, though smooth, was still a bit overwhelming.  After weeks of preparation we pulled it off without a hitch, but we must admit a few more gray hairs can be seen.

 
Just a small sampling of the flowers we received.  All of them are processed with care and then arranged for our cooler.

The cooler was packed with deliveries and orders.  It was a true site to see.  We had roses and roses... and more roses!

The sales floor all decked out in red and white.  A beautiful site for sure!  Gifts, gift baskets, balloon wraps, and more, all ready for the big day.

And after it was all over just a few things remained.  It was so empty in that poor cooler.  Nothing but the few remaining flowers.










Proudest Moments ~ 

Like we said up top, this year was full of a lot of firsts.  Here are a few of our proudest moments.

My (Lori's) first Mache.  I know thinking of a funeral piece may seem like a morbid proud moment, but this one I did with just a little help from Carol.  It always feels good when you can say "I did that!".  This was one of those times.  Funeral pieces are a very important part of our business.  They are something we take great pride in because we are celebrating the life of a loved one. 

One of Michael's first creations all on his own.  He took some of the design techniques he learned in our classes and created this.  He took a sunflower with broken petals and transformed it into a beautiful focal point to this piece.  The colors and the flow of the arrangement showcase the talent he has inside.  We can't wait to see how he comes along this year and we know he will make a great designer!

Our "Traveling Kindness Bouquet".  When we came up with   stole this idea from Monday Morning Balloon Co. in PA we had no idea what doors this bouquet would open.  We started giving a small bouquet to a business with a card attached asking them to enjoy the flowers and pass them along.  This got us several "thank you" phone calls, letters, and even some new friends because of this idea.  It even earned us front page of the business journal!  What a great idea that we are going to carry forward into the new year.

 My first wedding bouquet.  I was pretty nervous about creating anything as special as a wedding bouquet.  When you take the thoughts and dreams of a woman and express it with flowers there is a bit of pressure.  But I was very pleased with the end result and I have heard she was too!

Proud of our team.  Our team has such amazing talent, ideas, and stamina.  These ladies can design until they drop and then keep on going.   They have embraced our ideas, some a little risky, and even helped us spread the word.  We are so proud to have them design for us.    It amazes us still today what they come up with.  They can take the most ordinary looking thing and transform it into the extraordinary.  Carol and Sheryl have had patience to train two novice owners, and do it with a smile.  Amy has taken off with the displays, signs, and even some designing. 

 I would say some of my proudest moments this year revolve around my evolving design abilities.  Taking flowers and just designing.  There is nothing like the feeling when someone picks out something you created from the cooler to give to someone they love.  That is the proudest you can get!










 None of this would be as exciting if it was not for our AMAZING team.  Carol, our shop manager who keeps a watchful eye over us.  Sheryl, a wonderful and creative soul who designs her heart out.  Amy, our "grunt" (her phrase not ours hehe), who is amazing with windows, signs, and talking me down from the ledge when I need it.  


We must also thank all of you!  Our friends, supporters, facebook fans, and loyal customers.  Without you choosing us to help you express your feelings, thoughts, and ideas we could not do any of this.  You encourage us to be our very best.  You drive us in the right direction with your feedback, comments, and suggestions.  YOU are the reason we open the doors, throw on our aprons, and pick up our tools every morning.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our first year one to remember forever.


 

END OF SEASON SALE

50% off all seasonal merchandise

December 27th - January 7th

50% off lowest marked price

Save on Christmas Containers, Gifts, Ornaments, and More!

Great selection and great prices!

Grab them while supplies last!

Stop in and visit us at:

1215 E. Pershing Rd.

Decatur, IL

Buy 1 Silk get your 2nd at 1/2 Off

It's that time of year... time to get your house ready for all of those holiday parties.  Well The Secret Garden can help.  We have a variety of silks ready to just grab and go.  We also have loose silks that you can create your own masterpiece with. 

December 20th - December 24th 2010

Buy one silk get a 2nd at 1/2 off

*half off item must be of equal or lesser value.

So stop in today at 1215 E. Pershing Rd.  and get yours while the selection is good.  Silks also make great holiday gifts, they can use them again and again. Headed to a party?  Remember the hostess deserves a gift too!