Parkway Florist - Pittsburgh, PA

Wedding Season is here!

2008-03-17T06:03:00Z

The hot colors for 2008 are..........Chocolate brown (the new black) and of course, black!! (now paired with ivory) How do your pick flowers? The choices are many. Brown, on all it's many shades, from "light latte" to dark "espresso" can handle ornage, pink, green, light blue, lavender and of course whites and ivories......the choices and combinations are endless. What is your preferance??

Black is a neutral color -- anything looks great against black, except an extremely dark or receding color. (like dark blue, for instance). If dark colors are your favorite, then we suggest that you include a variety of shades to make the colors come together as a rich and bold offering.

Are many of you know, we are a wedding - heavy full-service flower shop. We love our brides and our weddings! We enjoy creating that special day for each and every bride that we are chosen to work with. You are all so special and dear to us!!

Now that the "season" has begun, our time on Saturdays for appointments is very limited. So that we are able to allow enough time to meet with you and properly address your concerns, please call IN ADVANCE to schedule time with us. Coming in from out of town? Not a problem. We will gladly meet with you on a Sunday or early Monday, if we need to.

We are also here every evening until 8 pm. We will gladly schedule an evening appointment with you, if that is more convenient for you.

Need help locating other professionals to work with you? Just ask us! we can usually refer you to several vendors who should be able to help you.

Happy planning!

Cheryl

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Happy Hour Flowers

2008-03-17T02:46:00Z

We begin our Happy Hour flower party on April 1st. and this will continue until approximately November 1.

Do the flowers get to drink? No, they have already drunk....... but we get to offer you some really great deals......every Friday ....from 4 pm to 7 pm. Our special purchase of the week, (our deal, if you will) is priced at two for the price of 1!! (Just like the Happy Hours at the local watering holes).

For instance, buy 12 roses, and get 12 more. Buy 12 tulips and get 12 more......All fresh...all are loose wrapped flowers....cash and carry please. Splendidly wrapped because even though it is a "deal", it is still a gift to someone!!

The deals and the product change weekly, depending upon our ability to buy "special & great" product. We pass the savings on to you.

So, stop buy on your way home, or out to dinner..... You will always be suprised by what the offering is.....and want to come back again and again.

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Easter Flowers, Eggs, and many other things!

2008-03-17T02:36:00Z

Well, here we are....the eve of St. Patrick's Day........The first day of Spring is in just 4 days......and the temperature today was a whole 38 degrees! Can you even believe that Easter is in just one week?? (Yes, the Easter Bunny will be hopping in early this year!).

We are stocked and ready to go with all your easter needs. Gorgeous flowering tulips, hyacinths and lilies come in this week. Fresh cut tulips, daffodils, iris and other wonderful spring blossoms are arriving daily. Our arrangements will range from the simple to the exotic.....go to our website for a complete selection. If you don't see something, just give a holler.....we can do it!

We will be open all week until 8 pm, closing on Saturday at 6 pm. We will be closed on Sunday, March 23rd, so that we as well as our many friends can attend church and enjoy a wonderful Easter brunch.

We of course will be doing our traditional Easter baskets -- a special treat that comes once a year. Allow us to send your Mom, Dad, sister or college student a great big easter basket filled with "the good stuff".......(you know, easter chocolate has zero calories!!). We just ask that you call 24 hours in advance, please.

Enjoy the holiday!

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Spring is Coming.......I think!

2008-02-23T00:50:00Z

Oh My! As I got the 5:30 am call from my snow plow guy, I looked out the kitchen window and was greeted by MORE WHITE STUFF!!! Ok, we are not done with the boots and winter scarves yet, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Later this morning, as we opened the boxes of wonderful spring tulips that arrived today, the snow, rain, sleet and freezing rain that have hit us all day was all forgotten. And we were transported to a happier, more beautiful time of the year.

Nothing says spring like tulips!! They are here now, and coming every day and every week for about the next 10 weeks. We are stocking them in many, many colors.....and the price is really affordable. We can deliver and of course, we are open until 8 pm daily for pick-ups.

Stop in a take home a "breath of spring" today.....it will make the "other stuff" more tolerable.....I promise!

We are all counting the days until the calendar says that Spring has arrived!

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Re-Union: The world's largest wedding vow renewal

2008-02-09T04:17:00Z

We all know what it's like to deal with one birthday party or anniversary party or one bride and groom. Well, how about 750 brides and grooms....all in the same place at the same time?

As the City of Pittsburgh celebrates its 250th anniversary, many events have been planned. This weekend's event proves to be a great wonderful surprise for the truly romantic, and just a few days before Valentine's Day.

On Sunday, February 10, beginning at 6 pm, Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History will host a Guinness Record attempt for the most couples simultaneously renewing their wedding vows. Pittsburgh's Mayor, Luke Ravenstahl, will officiate at the ceremony.

This will be an unforgettable experience. with an expected over 750 couples renewing their vows, and then enjoying a cake and champagne reception.The event is sold out.

Couples will also receive an official souvenir certificate of participation suitable for framing, the opportunity to win fantistic prizes, including a second honeymoon, spa packages, event tickets and more. Each couple will receive a goodie bag.

Parkway Florist was invited to participate as the florist at the event. We will, with the help of our local wholesaler, be furnishing a flower for each couple, to go with the complimentary Trello Chocolates each will also receive.

We hope the record gets broken. Look for the story on the Sunday evening news, and the Monday Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

2-11-08 JUST AN UPDATE: Last night, Feb 10th, 2008, 629 couples renewed their vows at the Carnegie Museum!! We did break the records of 267, and set an awesome new record!! The longest maried couple their had been married 61 years. Ten couples were celebrating the anniversary last night. Twelve more will celebrate on Valentine's Day. Fifteen couples will celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2008. The couple coming the greatest distance came from Texas...! Couples came from Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Virginia and West virginia, Deleware, Maryland and Indiana.

It was quite a sight to see many of the brides fancy party clothes, or their original wedding gowns.....many still fit after all those years!

It was fun to be part of something so wonderful, and a true statement about the lifetime of memories that marriage creates! This was surely a great one!!

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NOW it's christmas!! And Deliveries are in High Gear!!

2007-12-15T21:04:00Z

Just sitting here at the computer, trying to get some email responses sent, and happened to look out the windows of our 2 story building. It's snowing!!! Big, fluffy "Charlie Brown" snowflakes!!!

It's hard for me to think it's Christmas if it's raining & miserable for man and beast outside....but we do what we do in all kinds of weather.

The snow today has brought to mind a reminder to our customers & friends for this week coming up. If it is cold( below 40 degrees), we CANNOT leave your package on our porch. the flowers or plant, or fruit will freeze! We will leave you a tag to call us. When you call, we will then schedule a redelivery with you. The redelivery may not be able to happen the same day you got your tag. But, we will try our best to accomodate your request.

It is very helpful to all delivery people if you would clear your sidewalks, and clear the snow off your house numbers. When it snows, all the houses look the same! It's still getting dark early (until Winter begins on 12/21), so finding the correct house in the snow & dark can be a challenge.

We will make every possible human effort to get your gift delivered prior to December 25th. The snow may hold us up a little. We appreciate your patience and understanding if the snow challenge continues this week. We are YOUR LOCAL PROFESSIONAL FLORIST. So, the pride of our job is to get your prackage delivered, as we promised you we would.

It's not too late to place that christmas order....but things are moving fast. Call us soon for the best selections!!

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The beginning of Advent & Memories Treasured

2007-12-01T21:42:00Z

This Sunday, December 2, marks the beginning of the Advent season in the Christian church calendar.

There are four Sundays in Advent. Each Week is marked on sunday with the lighting of another candle -- until on Christmas eve, all four candles are burning.

The Advent wreath is a German tradition -- a live evergreen wreath -- it can be big or it can be small. (Most church displays are very huge!!). Generally 3 pink candles and 1 purple candle are used in the wreath. The fresh evergreens are formed in an traditional circular form,, the everlasting, never-ending circle of faith. Often deep royal purple and pink velvet ribbons are also used to decorate the wreaths with other natural materials, such as large pine cones added. (It also smells wonderful if some cloves or cinnamin sticks are added!).

In our home, growing up, an advent wreath that we kids all helped make and decorate was placed on our dinner table each December. We lit the candles one by one every week during the season at dinner. There was a thougthful discussion about Christmas' true meaning, answers to some important & child-like questions and usually a word or two of prayer as we lit the candles.

As we continue into and thru the holiday season, we hope you take time to remember the Advent season, and share these types of traditions and meaningful parts of life with your children, or younger family members. These are our customs, our history our heritage and our legacy of the future.

If there is anything we can do to help you with your projects, or if you would like to just share a good memory, please feel free to call.

Wishing you a Joyous Noel!!

Cheryl at Parkway Florist

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The Real Meaning of Thanksgiving

2007-11-19T23:37:00Z

Here it is, November 19th.....Where has the year gone?

As we call get caught up in the hustle & bustle of the "Black Friday", "Day after Thanksgiving that begin at midnight on Thanksgiving day sales", I hope we can all pause for just a moment & think about the real meaning of thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving.....a day spent Giving Thanks.....

Today, as I thought about my Mom's "Blue Willow" pattern dishes, (service for 18), I began remembering Thanksgivings from years past........

This Day was always one of my favorite days in my family because all my aunts & my Grandma (my Mom's Mom) came together early in the day to bring the food for everyone to eat & do the cooking. The "good dishes" came out, There were table clothes on all the tables. (There were about 24 to 30 of us the last time we did it). We would all eat together, at the same time, (Grandma's rule!!). Lots of things for all the cousins to do!! (and we got to taste a lot!). The tables stretched at Gandma's old house the length of the kitchen, the length of the sunporch and into the living room. Andy everyone had a seat!

My Mom was usually in charge of the pies, usually making at least 6 different kinds. Grandma Craig started the turkey and the ham roasting very, very early in the morning. . My aunts furnished the green beans, the "mystery of the year" jello salad, sweet potatoes, corn, pickled beets, homemade pickles and relish, stuffed celery and many many other treats. Homemade bread was always part of the day, usually baked by my Grandma.

We always paused, before we started the food around the large tables, to say "grace". Our thanks took the form of a simple prayer, one I'm sure that is familiar to many:

"We thank you Lord, for these thy gifts which we are about to receive today. Thank you for our homes, our families and our blessings in the year to come. Amen"

Sometimes we added prayers for a good crop next year, or for our neighbors and servicemen who were away from their homes.

This was simpler, gentler time. One that we all strive to go back to. And at least 1 day a year, we can.

In our busy, hectic world, my hope is that during this special week and holiday season, we all take just a moment to Give Thanks, and pause to reflect on the real meaning of Thanksgiving.

From our house to yours..........Have a very Happy Time of Giving Thnks!!

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Light Up Night in Pittsburgh

2007-11-13T00:43:00Z

In case you have missed it (with the Steeler game on Sunday), this Friday, November 16, 2007, is the Official Start of the Holiday Season in Pittsburgh, with LIGHT UP NIGHT!

Yes, the Traffic will be awful....but the sights and sounds and stuff....will be Great!

Can't stand the crowds? Come to Pittsburgh on any evening or weekend. Plan on ice skating at PPG Place (on the plaza) or at least watching the skaters; Look at the "highmark" Christmas tree in lights on the end of the old Horne's building; Take in the sights in the PPG wintergarden (always a treat); stroll past the antimated windows at Macey's on Smithfield street; visit the largest religious Christmas display (next to the Vatican) on the USX Plaza......then hike across the Smithfield street bridge for a hot bowl of Charlie's Chowder at the Grand Concourse restaurant!

In for some more great adventure? Plan a Sunday afternoon stroll to Phipps Conservatory in Oakland. You will be in awe as you wander thru the Poinsettia gardens (one of my favorites!). Of course, while you are in Oakland, you must stop on the University of Pittsburgh campus, and visit the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning (all decked out for Christmas -- guided tours are available). Then walk directly across the large grassy common area to the beautiful non-denominational Heinz Chapel....always spectacular, but especially so at Christmas!

Pittsburgh has many, many things to offer through-out the holiday season....many are at low or no cost of admission. Why not take just one day, and enjoy a little peace on earth?

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Christmas Wreath Workshops

2007-11-13T00:36:00Z

On November 28, and again on December 1, 2007, Parkway Florist will be instructing and helping the residents of the Greentree area get ready for the holidays with a wreath decorating class, using fresh mixed pine wreaths.

The classes will be held in the Greentree Boro building. Registration is required . Please call the Boro office at 412-921-1110 to register. The cost is $20.00 for a Boro resident, and $25.00 for a non-resident.

All wreath decorating materials will be furnished thru Parkway Florist. You are always welcome to bring with you any special touches you would like to incorporate in your wreath.

Hours for the class is 7 to 9 pm on Nov 28, and 10 am to noon on December 1. Hope to see you there....we are looking forward to it!

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Hot flowers for summer

2007-06-09T00:36:00Z

OK....the strawberries are here.....and guess what else??

Hydrangeas, Peonies, Gerber Daisies, and beautiful wonderful roses in every color under the rainbow (well, almost -- no blue or black!!)

Stop in and check out our wide selection of wonderful seasonal products! Like produce, this is the best time of the year to shop for flowers, especially for yourself!!

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Wedding sites can be varied & interesting

2007-06-09T00:24:00Z

Just recently, a phone call from a bride for 2008 prompted me to think about all the really really interesting places we have in Western pennsylvania to host a wedding and a reception. We have worked, in the last months, at:

17 different hotels; the PPG Zoo and Aquarium; the Carnegie Hall of Architecture and Music Hall; Heinz Chapel (on the University of Pittsburgh Campus); Duquesne University Chapel; Robert Morris University Chapel and outdoor garden; The Hyeholde Restaurant and outdoor garden; The LeMont Restaurant, PNC Park, Phipps Conservatory, outside at South Park and Schenley Park, and one of the "overlook pods" on Mt. Washington, overlooking the wonderful city of Pittsburgh.

Our travels have taken us to churches of 13 different faiths, 3 civil cermeonies and 5 non-denominational ceremonies.

Our brides and grooms have come from many parts of Western Pennsylvania as well as 22 different states and 9 foreign countries. (One of my favorites is a handsome Brit named Andrew --!).

There is ALWAYS a fun place and a different place to plan a wedding and a reception in Pittsburgh!! Ideas spout like bad weeds once we start to help you plan....thant's part of the fun of living, working and planning in such a "small city" with a truly diverse population.

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Wedding Flowers for Mothers - Many choices today!

2007-04-22T13:50:00Z

During the wedding planning process, one of the questions we are often asked is what kind of flowers whould my Mom wear for my wedding.

There are many choices today! (That's the good news...) Pin-on corsages, wrist corsages, designs for the purses and small hand bouquets called "clutches". (Think of a tiny nosegay bouquet.

The clutches have become very popular because the dresses that Moms are wearing are so fashionable -- and no-one wants to ruin Mom's special dress by pinning something to it. While there are corsage magnets, we urge caution when using magnets. (Does anyone have a pace maker, for instance)

Clutches can be made of just about any flower and in any color. Colors of Moms flowers are usually made to co-ordinate with their particular dress color.....not to necessarily match the wedding party, as was done years ago. Pretty chiffon or other fancy ribbons and trims and sequins will make Mom sparkle & feel even more special.

Another new item is the trendy new "wrist bracelets". Wrist corsages are made, and attached to fancy bracelets -- pearl, silver, rhinestone and the like. Mom has a beautiful piece of jewelry to wear on your wedding day, and a lovely keepsake memory from you also.

So many choices!!!

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What is "Administrative Professional Day" & Why do I care?

2007-04-16T23:29:00Z

Years ago, in the dark ages of the 1960's and 1970's, folks who worked in offices doing all the "behind the scenes" work were called "Clerks" or (gasp) SECRETARIES!!

The National Association of Professional Secretaries pushed to create a special recognition day, to honour and recognize those who toiled every day, doing all the tasks that make a company run. Without these people, many managers and supervisors would not have been able to function, and companies would have come to a slow and grinding halt.

There were luncheons, flowers on every desk, sometimes special awards and gift certificates given. Every Secretary or Clerk looked forward to this special day (almost as much as Christmas).

Beginning about 2000, the title has changed, but the idea of the recognition is still the same.

Today, we recognize all Administrative Professionals......they are called by many, many titles today. Admin Assistant, Administrator, Co-ordinator, analyst, special Assistant, and so on. It's a way, on one special day, for each Boss to say THANKS to all, for the hard work, the efforts, the late nights, etc., and to show all the Support People that they are appreciated, and Not overlooked!

We at Parkway Florist salute all Employees.....we are calling our special recognition "EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY". To All Administrative Professionals, We thank you for all that you do each and every day! Without you, the world could not function!

Check our our website, and have your Boss call us. We can create something special -- large or small -- for every member of your staff.

The Special Day this year is: Wednesday, April 25th. We will begin delivering special bouquets as early as Monday, April 23rd.

(PS: If you are a Boss, the reason you should care about this day is that you would like to continue to get your work done correctly over the next 9+ months, wouldn't you??)

Cheryl

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