Mothers tell us many things. “Eat your spinach.” “Is that what you’re wearing?” “Play something for Grandma.” They often don’t say what we want to hear, but a wise man I know in San Francisco told me the secret of talking to moms and hearing what you need regardless of what’s said. It’s very simple.
Mothers love their children. Even when theiy are steaming mad, there’s a current of affection running through every word, it’s just buried in there. So every time your Mom says anything, what she means is “I love you.”
“Take a sweater, it’s chilly” = I love you
“You never call, you never write…” = I love you
“Those pants are not flattering, why did you spend that kind of money?” = I love you.
She loves you. Bear with her. Goodness knows she bore with you.
Don’t forget…Sunday is Mother’s Day.
And don’t forget…those edible fruit arrangements you see on TV are really unattractive, and draw flies.
The title will continue to evolve. In any case, we’re celebrating Moms and Proms this weekend at My Little Flower Shop. (A wedding too – note to self- order more white roses). Moms across the Valley (and the country!) will fill with pride, watching their kids stepping out on the town in their prom dresses and tuxedos. Wait, they’ll be stepping into…Automobiles! Hey! How about that! OK, a stretch. Back to the drawing board on the title.
What did your Mom whisper to you on your way out the door? Here’s a distillation of some advice and wisdom My Little Flower Shop staff gleaned from our wise Moms once upon a time. Feel free to pass any and all along to your little darlings for Prom Night 2011, in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, or all across these United States.
–Behave like a young lady/gentleman at dinner. The other patrons of the restaurant aren’t paying to have dinner with a bunch of rowdy teenagers.
-Be polite to your date. You asked them/accepted the invitation for a reason. Don’t abandon them at a table and run off to be with your friends.
-Please don’t roll your eyes at Mom when she take lots of pictures. You’re going to love having them someday, so smile and have fun for the camera.
-Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with, or let anyone push you too far. Carry enough cash for cab fare home, and you’ll always have an “out.”
Last but not least…
– Make memories. As Lee Ann Womack (also a Mom) put it so well:
“And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
We’re here for any and all corsages, boutonnieres, and prom posies you might need. Just call. (760)778 7111 (855)500-7111 (psssst…order something for Mom too).
It’s that time of year again, when you’ll see groups of teens looking awfully snazzy overtaking hotel ballrooms all over the country. The occasion? You likely remember it well: Prom. As this year’s crop of Juniors and Seniors gets ready to boogie down in their gowns and tuxes, we thought we’d tackle 2 of the etiquette questions that pop up when kids venture out into the wonderful world of social events. Have others? Send ’em in! We’ll revisit prom in a future blog post.
Boutonniere using succulent - perfect for prom or desert wedding
Q: Who orders and pays for the flowers?
A: Each date buys the others’ flowers (corsage or boutonniere as appropriate). Mom, feel like taking over for your busy teen? We actually recommend letting your son or daughter handle this on their own. It’s an important step for young people to learn how to operate in the world – making Prom arrangements with local businesses is a great start. Encourage your teen to order flowers, and to communicate with their dates to find out what they are wearing so that everything coordinates nicely.
Q: What do I do if my date arrives and the flowers don’t match my outfit? Or are really ugly? Do I have to wear them?
A: Whatever those flowers look like, smile, say thank you, and put them on. This is someone who you liked enough to go with to the Prom, and they are giving you a gift. Do you really want to crush them and start the evening off on a negative note? Not good form. The exception to this rule is if you have allergies. If your corsage is going to make you sick, by all means thank your date, and explain that you’ll keep it at home to admire later due to your sensitivity to the particular bloom.
Corsages and boutonnieres have come a long way. Gone is the single rose and baby’s breath that was the mainstay of every prom and wedding in the eighties, replaced by succulents or other unexpected elements. The scratchy elastic bands have been replaced with silky ribbons and stretchy pearled bracelets. Some girls even carry a small handheld bouquet. Let your floral professional create a special memory for your big night.
