MEET MR. J SCHWANKE AND uBLOOM

The floral industry is full of people that offer advice, offer a listening ear and offer opportunities. Along my journey of decisions, highs & lows, and chances & risks, I have found one floral common denominator - Mr. J Schwanke. I first met J at a Southern Retail convention, let me rephrase, I was first inspired by J at a Southern Retail convention and well, the rest is all about the journey that has brought us this far...
If you have ever had the opportunity to meet Mr. J Schwanke, you understand just what the definition of charisma is. If you've ever had the pleasure of having dinner with Mr. J Schwanke, you understand just what a real, down to earth friend he can be. If you've ever had the opportunity to share the camera with him, you understand just what it feels like to work with a professional with incredible passion for this industry.

I had the opportunity to really get to know J when I won the uBloom contest a few years ago! If you missed my experience, you can read all about it in my earlier JTV blog! (MAY 2009)

We have seen each other all across the country, he has been to Alabama to share some fried green tomatoes and he has always been as close as a phone call.
The new uBloom has launched and what an incredible resource for the floral industry at large!

Club uBloom is setup to service everyone from the hobbyist to the flower professional!
Becoming a member has so many benefits, you'll have to research it yourself! One of my personal favorite benefits is the Flower Guide - it lets me know about season availability and characteristics of certain flowers!
Here is what my profile looks like!

So many videos, So much advice, So many tips & tricks of the trade...ALL available in ONE place!
Go visit uBloom.com to become a Club Member or at least get to know J through his new "Flower Thoughts from J" beginning in January!

I know I can't wait to learn a little from J every day - while drinking my morning cup of caffeine!
He has touched my life in so many ways - I think you should allow him to touch yours too...if you don't have a New Year's Resolution yet... expand your floral horizon...MEET MR. J SCHWANKE!
Right now!!!!

Behind the Video - Behind the Mayesh Design Star

Last week, I found myself boarding a plane headed to sunny, Los Angeles, California - one week before Christmas.
I was anxious.
I was nervous.
I was exhilarated.
I was beginning my journey as the 2012 Mayesh Design Star.

I wasn't sure what the first taping experience would be like, but I knew that I had Mr. Wes Wages on the other side of that video camera.

It means the world to have another talented artist being creative in their element and making sure you make the most perfect splash in the pool. Not to mention, having Tera Wages by my side (and his) for style advice, mental recap and a sense a calm. She is the prettiest mic boom girl, I have ever seen!

I was greeted at Mayesh Wholesale Florist by so many smiling faces, wonderful hugs and such a warm welcome by everyone from the sales team to the guys who drive the trucks and pack the boxes.

I was able to get a quick tour of the LA Flower Market and begin to really finalize the details of what awesome blossoms I would be using and what design I wanted to show the world. With that kind of floral selection at my fingertips - it was hard to make a decision! I wanted to share it ALL with YOU!

I sat down to a Q&A lunch with the Sales Team to really listen how they worked - and worked together. THAT was one of the most impressive qualities about the Mayesh Team - that they are just that - a TEAM. They had ordered lunch in for the whole staff and as we sat chatting over beautiful centerpieces - with gorgeous floral selection - I realized that they were just as excited as I was. I knew in that moment that I had to deliver videos that would ultimately inspire their customers to buy product and inspire them even more to sell, sell, sell these beautiful awesome blossoms.

The last day, I was able to spend most of it with Pat - the CEO of Mayesh. He was so warm and welcoming by sharing his story with us over lunch and even sharing his lovely family and family home. I left with great respect for him and his whole family - which it takes each one to pull off this floral powerhouse running like a well-oiled machine.

Special Thanks to Cindie for her constant attention to any detail we needed and to my girl Laura London (my sales rep - and the best succulent ornament maker in CA - I'm sure of it!) for taking care of us during our stay.

It is an honor to be your 2012 Design Star.

WHEN IS THE DEBUT OF THE FIRST VIDEO?!? YOU ASK.....

JANUARY 1, 2012
This is ONE kick-off to quite a FLORAL-FILLED year...believe me! I can't wait to share it with ALL of YOU!

TANGERINE TANGO - 2012 PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR!

Just announced....

PANTONE 2012 COLOR OF THE YEAR - TANGERINE TANGO!


What does this mean for us in the floral world?!?

For me, it gives me a 'reason' to keep using my orange, monarch butterflies, in my arrangements and my design shows. I just love them and now, I have one more reason to share them ;)


For you, it means that we will see an emergence of new accessories, containers and accents in this color. You will begin to see promotions of some of the beautiful blooms being available in this reddish, orange shade. First bloom that comes to mind for me are pincushion protea! Tangerine Tango is such a seductive color...let yourself have fun!
(Here is the cover of Alabama Weddings 2010, bouquet from my "Industrial Couture" Signature Style Series)

(Armosa Studios)

For our clients, customers and consumers, it means they will see it appear in fashion, interior decor and they will be looking to each of us (in this floral, creative driven field) to be able to provide them with suggestions of fresh flowers that will match what they are wearing or the new lampshade or bed coverings they just bought! Be knowledgeable, be prepared - KNOW what is on the tips of tongues in the design world - and of course, who doesn't love to just say, "Tangerine Tango?" Share your knowledge with your clients, they will be impressed, I guarantee it.

Want to sport the new color with coffee in them morning or as a journal at your next appointment? PANTONE has you covered! Look at this genius marketing.


Now go - be inspired and make sure to plan your Spring/Summer windows around this color! Make sure at your next bridal show you have a bouquet with some gorgeous, Tangerine Tango inspired blooms. In a consultation with a bride who has orange in her color scheme, share your knowledge! While coloring with your kids, choose 'Vivid Tangerine.' (Yes, it is a real Crayola color ;) Just for fun, at the grocery, be healthy - pick up a tangerine or two. This year, you will think twice when you see this color - everywhere!

(Armosa Studios)

For more information on this HOT color visit PANTONE
Tangerine Tango - just excites my soul.

CORNHOLE - THE "HOTTEST" WEDDING GAME!

I am not sure about the rest of us, but the best of us, apparently have discovered that the "hottest" game this year at weddings is CORNHOLE! I mean, it's even been seen on ESPN and MODERN FAMILY & in BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA!
I have been paying attention and noticed that over half of my spring, summer and fall weddings have incorporated this game as a special treat for guests! With the emergence of details, details, details being on the tips of the lips of my brides, this game offers them yet another opportunity to use their colors, monogram, logo, etc. to reinforce their theme!


Here are just a few pictures from some of my favorites of my brides as well as some inspirational shots from pinterest!








In case you want to know - WHAT is CORNHOLE?!?
The correct definition from WWW.CORNHOLE.COM - yes, you can order your own and even customize it!



Before I start having my backyard ideas/inspiration parties for my wedding vendor friends and those that are not crazy enough to be in the wedding industry ;) I MIGHT just have a customized set too....oh, decisions, decisions, decisions!

2012 MAYESH DESIGN STAR!

It is 5:30 am in Birmingham, Alabama and I just received a phone call to let me know that Mayesh Wholesale Florist had announced their 2012 spokesperson - the MAYESH DESIGN STAR....is MANDY MAJERIK!!!
I rolled over from my deep sleep (if you know me, you know I am NOT a morning person ;) to hear the voice say..."MANDY....YOU DID IT!" and the truth is there are so many people to thank behind the scenes - I was just the one in front of the camera.
I want to THANK EACH & EVERY ONE OF YOU - those of you who voted, who re-posted on their wall, who called their friends and family to rally the votes. I absolutely could not have done this without YOU! NOW, call them and let them know I WON!!!

SPECIAL THANKS go out to Wes and Tera Wages of ARMOSA STUDIOS - who were up for this crazy idea I had of filming this video. Wes, you took my vision and created the winning entry. I am SO THANKFUL to both of you for your support and sharing your talent and love with the rest of the world. I absolutely could not have done this without YOU!

SPECIAL THANKS go out to my campaign committee! HA! My world is full of love and full of people who love me. I am so thankful to have my MOTHER to share in this extraordinary journey - I know she never dreamed that her little girl would be here. (I know her telephone will be ringing off the hook today!) Of course, I couldn't go on without thanking Jessica Morris - who made that early morning phone call - first thing. Thanks for waking me up ;) AND all of you wonderful people I feel so lucky to have in my life. I noticed each and every one of you who came out of the shadows to show your support. It is amazing and hard to explain how I feel. It is a rush of emotions - proud, honored, loved and supported. I mean, as I sit here and type this my FB page is blowing up with comments and my cell phone is alerting me of new text messages! AHHH! Support from those of you I ADMIRE. So.much.love.

SPECIAL THANKS to ALL the other FINALISTS AND CONTESTANTS that entered this MAYESH challenge! I know how much effort it took, courage it took and the wave of emotions that come along with a contest like this. I am the lucky one who came out on top, but to each of you - YOU are making a splash! To BETH O'REILLY - CONGRATULATIONS to you. You are an inspiring individual, wonderful woman and a damn good designer - and next time I'm in AUSTIN, I'm stopping for coffee! ;)

SPECIAL THANKS to MAYESH WHOLESALE FLORIST! You have created a contest that was embraced by this industry and really allowed us designers the opportunity to show the world, what we have to offer. I enjoyed during my interview learning about the family history of Mayesh - and how our lives paralleled with a generation of flower people. I make a promise to you, to represent the MAYESH name with the highest regards - and to make YOU proud of your MAYESH DESIGN STAR! MAJERIK & MAYESH - WHAT A TEAM! I can't wait to meet all of YOU!

So, now - my BIRMINGHAM people...where's the party tonight?!?! Southern AIFD - I'll party with you this weekend in Puerto Rico!

So, So, Excited - OH - AND HOLLAND!!!!!! I can't wait to write that BLOG!

LOVE, Your MAYESH DESIGN STAR!
Here is the video that won it all.... MANDY MAJERIK AIFD, PFCI - MAYESH DESIGN STAR! OVER 1800 VIEWS....WOW.

HOTHOUSE BRIDAL BOUQUETS

This wedding season has been so, so, so busy!
I don't want you to miss some of the beautiful bouquets Hothouse brides have carried down the aisle! Or the ones we have created for promotional photo shoots! No matter what style - modern to vintage, classic to urban - you can get inspired by these!
This blog is simple... Just look, smell, ohhh, ahhh, and enjoy!
(Thanks to all the wonderful photographers that captured these images!)


























Several more to come!!

MAYESH DESIGN STAR VIDEO!

VIEW MAJERIK/MAYESH ENTRY
You have seen the orchid composite bouquets I have created - now watch and listen my how-to on creating your own!
I made this video for the MAYESH DESIGN STAR contest!
Hopefully in a few weeks, you will have the opportunity to VOTE FOR ME TO WIN!
The beauty of this - is each and every one of you now have no excuse not to try something NEW!
Be inspired, Be brave, Be yourself!
(Special Thanks to Wes Wages of Armosa Studios for being my handsome videographer!)
Let me know if there is anything else you would like to see constructed or designed! If you like this video, I might start doing a series!