SHOP LOCAL* SHOP CASSANDRA'S* SHOP DORMONT

I found this out in Internet land and thought WOW right on the money... If more people would support local than small brick and mortars wouldn’t be closing.

Please We LIKE your MONEY just as much as the big box stores and it means more to us. 

*SHOP LOCAL

* BUY CASSANDRA'S FLORALS

*SHOP DORMONT

Why Buy Locally Owned?

There are many well-documented benefits to our communities and to each of us to choosing local, independently owned businesses. We realize it is not always possible to buy what you need locally and so merely ask you to Think Local FIRST!

 *SHOP LOCAL

*BUY CASSANDRA'S FLORALS

*SHOP DORMONT

Top Ten reasons to Think Local - Buy Local - Be Local

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!

 * Buy Local -- Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.

* Community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.

 * Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust

* Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

 * Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.

* Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.

* Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

 * Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

 * Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

 

* Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

 

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!

Source: http://sustainableconnections.org/thinklocal/why

4 things I learned from using a quote in a post

THIS IS FROM MY DEAR FRIEND TAMAR. SHE IS A WISE WOMEN!!! THIS IS A MUST READ......  FOLLOW HER BLOG AT:
http://www.google.com/reader/view/feed/http://legalshoe.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?source=ignitionfork   ENJOY ;?

4 things I learned from using a quote in a post

from LegalShoe by TamarCerafici

It's important to get your facts right. Here are four things I learned about writing the first Legal Shoe post last Thursday.

THING 1: I said a very wise thing about the legal business, and business in general:

It's 97% spit and polish, and 3% BS.
I like to think I'm wise, But I'm not that wise. The formidable Joanne Quinn-Smith, who knows a thing or two about show business herself, reminds me that the quote stemmed from words of advice given to her by Don Di Carlo, Lightweight Golden Gloves Champion and Vaudeville Agent in downtown Pittsburgh before it was "The Cultural District." I tried to do some online research on this guy, but will have to let Joanne guest post about him. She can write about her gold lamee boots in the same post.

Joanne describes Don as a classic producer, hustler, and showman. There was always something from lunch left over on his suit, but you could put your makeup on just using the shine on his shoes.

So think of Don Di Carlo. People are going to pay attention to your shoes. They are going to draw conclusions about you by looking at your shoes. Shoes first, BS later. Substance if you get the opportunity. Just remember that.

THING 2: You can't polish green suede shoes. That's what the little brush in the shoe box is for. Take care of the shoes, and understand the implications and conclusions that will be drawn if they don't look good. You won't feel good, and anyone considering your services will think you're slovenly in all aspects of your life. It looks especially tawdry if you've just forked out $1,000 on an "interview suit." Don't pay attention to the ads with the talking stain. The guy behind the desk is actually thinking about the applicants nice, shiny shoes.

THING 3: I have a green leather handbag that is as awesome as my green shoes. It's not suede, but it says the same things, and people notice it. It's not as big as a briefcase, but big enough to fit an iPad, an Airbook, or a really nice journal for taking notes. It's a spectacular bag.

If you're a woman, have a spectacular bag when you meet clients. I don't mean a great big tote bag - unless of course you're auditioning for Mary Poppins. I mean a bag that's streamlined enough to look awesome, but big enough to include the things you'll need to impress prospective clients. You will be known for this bag, as Don Di Carlo was known for his shoes.

If you're a man. there are briefcases out there (I have at least two from my father's collection) that are slim and tidy and don't look like you just stepped out of high school debate squad. Find them. Get two.

THING 4: LISTEN. Listen to the stories around you. We survived as a species by telling stories. You will learn more from your clients and mentors if you listen to their stories. You will never learn anything about them if you spend all of your time telling them how awesome you are. In fact, they don't care how awesome you are.

They already know that because your shoes are shiny and you have an terrific bag/briefcase with you.

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:
© Tamar J Cerafici, The Barefoot Barrister™ 412-467-6141

2011 Real Weddings Survey

A Wedding Survey of 18,000 US brides was conducted by TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com.

The 2011 Real Weddings Survey results reveal that wedding budgets are increasing for the first time in 5 years!

Top Wedding Trends

§  Bigger Budgets. For the first time in 5 years, the average wedding budget has grown from the previous year. Things are finally looking good for the economy!

§  Wedding Planning is starting earlier, sometimes before the engagement!

§  Luxury Weddings (over $100,000) are popular, 74% of which are 3 days or longer. Luxury brides are choosing traditional color palettes, including ivory, champagne and metallics.

§  Casual Weddings (less formal dress code) are on the rise. Although Long Island weddings are the most formal, with 37% being black tie.

§  While summer is still the reigning “wedding season”, Fall Weddings are becoming more popular. In 2011 the fall dates of 9/10/11 and 11/11/11 were very popular.

§  Purple is the fastest-growing wedding color. The most popular wedding colors for 2011 were #1 – Blue, #2 – Purple, #3 – Green and #4 – Pink.

§  Interactive Entertainment, such as photo booths and comedians, is on the rise. Couples are investing in Interactive Food Stations, such as wine tastings and sushi chefs.

§  Cupcakes are still popular, but the wedding cake is not going away anytime soon, with 67% of brides still serving a traditional tiered wedding cake.

§  Technology. Most couples have a wedding website. And more of the wedding planning is now done on smartphones and other portable devices.

2011 Wedding Statistics

§  Average Wedding Budget: $27,021 (not including honeymoon)

§  Most Expensive Place to Get Married: Manhattan ($65,824 on average)

§  Least Expensive Place to Get Married: West Virginia ($14,203 on average)

§  Average Age: Bride, 29; Groom, 30 (Hawaii has the oldest brides – 31)

§  Average Number of Guests: 141 (Iowa brides invite the most guests)

§  Average Number of Bridesmaids: 4-5 (Same for the Groomsmen!)

§  Most Popular Month to Get Engaged: December (16%)

§  Most Popular Month to Get Married: September (15%)

§  Percentage of Destination Weddings: 24%

Flowers

It has been a mild but rough winter.
With all the little plants emerging from their winter hyberation way to early

it is a sure sign of hope that

warm Spring days are upon us

daffodils, forsythia, hyacinths,

violets, liliy of valley…

Are you getting excited for those warm Spring days with
gentle breezes, sunshine and all of
those fragrant blossoms
waiting to emerge in the next days and weeks to come?

I'm off to grab my sunglasses now!

It kind of makes you wish this was a scratch and sniff post
.....doesn't it????

OMBRE..THE HOTTEST COLOR TREND

Ombre...

one of the hottest color trends

 right now for weddings, parties & events.

What is Ombre YOU ASK…

Ombre refers to a graduation of color,

one color gradually changes shades from soft to vibrant,

 or changes from one color to a different color.

Ombre is so popular because the color effect

can be gorgeous, & there is so much

room for creativity & experimentation.

Ombre is appearing in almost every category

where color is important…

Wedding FLOWERS & Decor (MY personal FAVORITE)

fashion, hair color, interior decorating

& any array of everything else you can imagine ;?

DON'T YOU JUST LUV BEAUTIFUL THINGS? I DO...

CASSANDRA'S FLORALS say's...

CASSANDRA'S FLORALS say's...

Happy St. Patties Day Everyone...

While its fun to let loose and party...

BE CAREFUL...

DON'T DRINK & DRIVE...

DON'T GET IN TO TROUBLE

&

DON'T LEAVE YOUR SHAMROCKS SOMEWHERE ;?

HAPPY ST. PATTIES DAY ;?

An Irish Blessing

There's a dear little plant that grows in our isle,

'Twas Saint Patrick himself, sure, that set it;

And the sun of his labor with pleasure did smile,

And with dew from his eye often wet it.

It grows through the bog, through the brake, through the mireland

And they call it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

FYI...

Folklore has it that shamrock comes from the Gaelic word ‘seamrog’ meaning little clover. Trifolium repens, white clover is considered to be the historic variety referred to most often. The druids held this plant in high esteem as a charm against evil spirits and the Irish consider it an overall good luck charm.
The ancient Irish Celts honoured the shamrock as it has three leaves, and three is a sacred number. The heart shaped leaves were associated with the Triple Goddess of Celtic mythology also representing the hearts of the Celtic tribes.
Saint Patrick supposedly used the three-leaved plant to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity

May the Road

Rise to meet you.

May the wind be

At your back.

Wedding Tip

Wedding Tip: Select Flowers that are in season & locally available.

If you do, you’ll probably find you can save on cost, especially if you make it clear with your florist that you don’t want high end costly flowers. Keep in mind availability and price will vary, especially now that gas prices are on the rise.  You’ll probably find that allowing your Florist to have flexibility will bring you the most high yield results.  Demanding certain flowers could raise the overall price.  While most Florists fulfill every demand of their Bride, listing to her expertise on what flowers may be better will go a long way in providing an overall beautiful presentation. When your florist says that certain flowers are not available than believe her. This is why you’re sitting in a consultation with her.  Second guessing her expertise will only hinder the process.

The Colors of Spring

The Colors of Spring

Spring is just around the corner, YEA!!!!  I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait, the weather has been so messed up your not sure if its Spring or Winter, So I’m SAYING SPRING IT IS!!! Nothing is better than warm weather, being around friends & getting outdoors with the sun shining down on you.  If you want to get a jump start on spring, order a big bouquet of spring blooms. CASSANDRA’S FLORALS has just the right Flower for YOU. Treat yourself or give them as a gift! Here are some great spring flower inspirations based on color to get you started.  My Favorite is always PINK!!!.  Although they say tangelo is the new in color this year.  

Yellow

• Yellow is the cheerful color of sunshine; the color of bees and many spring flowers.
• Yellow spring flowers include: Tulips, Daffodils, Alstroemeria, Callas, Freesia
• Its color compliment is purple.

Pink

• Pink, (my all time fav) is sometimes referred to as “the color of love,” and is associated with youth and femininity.
• Pink spring flowers include: Gerbera daisies, Anemones, Asters, Tulips, Heather, Lilies
• The name pink actually is from the name of a flower, pinks, a type of dianthus.
• Its color compliment is bright green.

Green

• Green is the color of nature and growing life. Green is a calm, refreshing color and is said to be the easiest on the eyes.
• Green spring flowers include: Amaranthus, Callas, Anthurium, Dianthus, Orchids
• The complimentary color of green is red.

Purple

• Purple is another color you will see popping up during spring, especially the violets!
• Purple spring flowers include: Tulips, Iris, Statice, Asters, Liatris, and Hyacinth
• Throughout history, purple has been associated with royalty and sophistication.
• Purple’s compliment is yellow.

Now I'm a big beliver that any FLOWER will compliment each other becasue GOD created them all but you decided and Stop on IN to Cassandra's & I'll select a Beautiful bouquet For you.