Looking for a way to get a unique personal gift for your bridesmaids and still have it relate to your big day, think Gem stones!

The summer 2009 issue of Martha Stewart weddings features a wonderful yellow and green bouquet comprised of Florex Gold Callas, green hydrangea and craspedia created by Studio Artiflora www.studioartiflora.com, which has been tastefully accented with a double face satin ribbon and an exquisite Peridot, the Gemstone for the month of August.

It’s the perfect way to say ‘thank you’. And, it’s chic and simple, skip the jewelry box and put it right on each attendant’s bouquet!

In mid -September, member Babylon Floral Design, www.babylonfloral.com joined neighborhood boutique shops in hosting a fabulous Grand Opening Party for the new EZE MOP shopping district and Busk-EZE in Denver, CO.

Babylon strutted their stuff on living, breathing models – custom haute couture floral design in the flesh! Clever, dolls!

Member Alvin’s Florist celebrated being voted “Best wedding Florist of the Main Line for 2009” by Main Line Today Magazine with a newly designed website www.alvinsflowers.com, the unveiling of their boutique’s “fresh new look” and the anticipation of their new company identity coming in the Fall!

“Good on ya” Alvin’s! Wish we could be there for the party!!

New member Central Park Flowers www.centralparkflowers.com owner Dorian Butovich was prominently featured online in the Times-Tribune recently.

With 16 years experience in the business, this experienced designer has been providing luscious floral creations for such esteemed clientele as Donatella Versace, Madonna, Meg Ryan, George Soros, and the Clintons.  Also, five-star restaurants such as Le’Bernadin, Lutece and Restaurant Daniel and for venues such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim for more than half of his life!

A recent transplant to Olyphant, PA, Butovich had previously called NYC home. Butovich and his wife Eloise chose Northeast PA after much research. They saw an incredible need for true flower design and were looking for a hometown feel to raise their family.

In Butovich’s own humble words, they are “an everyday flower shop catering to all needs” including Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, dinner parties and Sweet 16s. Bring it on Northeast PA! The Butovich’s are ready!

Our member Flore in Southbury, CT has been nominated as a finalist in the 2009 Retailer Excellence awards, in the Store Design/Redesign: Under $1 Million category.  Proprietor Lori Friedlander and her co-designer Christopher Isaacson had the challenge of creating a centuries-old European-style flower market and apothecary shop out of brand-new, raw commercial space, with just a 60-day time frame and only $10,000.

Both of them previously worked as professional interior designers, so this helped them to think more creatively about seeing materials and products, and envisioning new ways of using them.  Ladders, antique shoe racks, carts, and various pieces of furniture were recycled and reused in a different manner than their original design or intent.

Flore offers eco-friendly fresh flowers and a signature line of flower- and plant-based products for aromatherapy and beauty, as well as books on natural flower essences and oils.  They also provide highly-personalized service for design and gift ideas assistance, custom silk floral designs, interior décor consultations, and wedding, birth and funeral flower arrangements.

Visit Flore’s website at www.flowersasmedicine.com.