Monthly Archives

February 2016

Entertaining, Party!, Picnic

St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Sliders

February 29, 2016

A big plate of corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, carrots and other vegetables is traditionally served on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a hearty supper for a day in March that could bring “fierce weather”.

You’ll love this new twist on traditional corned beef and cabbage perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day party buffet!

St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders with Guinness Mustard

This recipe was inspired by the St. Patrick’s Day scene in St. Louis. The Gateway to the West is lucky enough to have two St. Patrick’s Day parades! A big downtown parade and a smaller parade in the Irish part of the city — Dogtown.

St. Patrick's Day Slow Cooked Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders

Be sure to make plenty of these sliders because they’ll disappear in the blink of an eye like a leprechaun! The quick Guiness mustard is a tasty addition to the corned beef and cabbage sliders. Here’s the recipe:

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders with Guinness Mustard

 Add some Shamrocks!

Serve on a St Patrick’s Day buffet table with

Cheryl’s St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Cut Outs!

Cheryl's St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Cookie Cutouts

 

 

Easter, Entertaining, Party!

Easter Place Card Nests

February 24, 2016

 

Easter is just three weeks away! If you’re planning an Easter brunch for family or friends now is the perfect time to collect some pretty ideas for table decorating. We found a clever craft — making place cards out of small nests for your Easter table. If you’re expecting a large crowd for your spring party Easter place card nests are especially helpful.

 

Easter Place Card Nests

 

The baskets are made of raffia, so you will need raffia and a few more items. The nests can be filled with foiled eggs, candies, or candy coated Easter eggs.

For directions on how to make Easter Place Card Nests go to the link below:

Spring Nest Easter Place Cards

For a fabulous Easter brunch buffet add eggciting treats like Happy Easter Petit Fours and Happy Easter Belgian Oreos.  One of these would look bright and cheery in an Easter Place Card Nest! Your guests will adore them!

Happy Easter Petit Fours

Happy Easter Belgian Chocolate  Covered Oreo Tin

 

Uncategorized

Smile Farms Story

February 18, 2016

Smile Farms Logo

As a member of the 1-800-Flowers.com® family since 2001, 1-800-Baskets.com® is proud to share the inspiring story of Smile Farms Inc., a new non-profit organization dedicated to providing meaningful work opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. 

Smile Farms Group Picture

As a corporate sponsor of Smile Farms, 1-800-Flowers.com® provides the charity with support in many ways, including donations, volunteers, business mentorship, cause marketing campaigns and most importantly — spreading the message.

Currently located on Long Island, New York, with the help of citizens, corporations and government entities, they have ambitious plans to expand and create a network of farms across the United States.

Fifteen years ago, Jim McCann, Founder, CEO and Chairman of 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. and Chris McCann, President of 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. helped build a greenhouse—this may seem like an ordinary task, but it was far from it—you see it wasn’t just building a greenhouse, in doing so they afforded developmentally disabled adults with an opportunity to become an intricate part of their community, delivered a safe, nurturing location for socialization, and provided jobs to a well deserving and inspiring population.  

It all started with a phone call from the Founder & CEO of the group home where their brother Kevin lives. The home was having difficulty finding local jobs for all of their residents, and they were hoping the McCann’s could leverage their business relationships to help with such placement. Knowing first-hand the importance of integrating developmentally disabled adults into a community structure, and a little something about flowers, they sprang into action and personally funded a year-round greenhouse operation to create those jobs.  

Smile Farms

From its peaceful nook on the east end of Long Island, the Flower Barn was born, and quickly became an enrichment epicenter for developmentally disabled adults who age out of traditional educational programs at twenty-one years old.  Year after year, Kevin and his housemates have grown flowers and plants that were sold to local florists and communities—providing them with a steady salary, lasting social ties and an unmistakable sense of pride.

Smile Farms   

The families of these new found gardeners quickly saw positive changes in their demeanor, and it became clear to everyone that the Flower Barn was filling a huge gap in social services for these important members of our communities. As word spread of the Barn’s success, Jim and Chris started getting calls from families across the country about expanding and assisting the group homes in their respective areas. The seed was planted, brainstorming began and the concept of teaming up their business knowledge with this humanitarian cause took shape.  

The McCann family has an innate belief that as citizens, neighbors, coworkers and friends, we should make a difference in the communities in which we work and live. More importantly they are passionate about delivering SMILES. So in April of 2014, the McCann family created Smile Farms, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting developmentally disabled adults by building fully operational, self-sustaining greenhouses that provide meaningful work, social interaction and immersion in their communities across the country.

On September 18, 2015 the Flower Barn became the first Smile Farms– Smile Farms at IGHL, and the goal is to replicate this innovative model to create an additional 5 farms over the next 5 years— spreading smiles one job a time.

Read more about Smile Farms and how you can get involved:  http://www.smilefarms.org/

Stay connected with Smile Farms on all social media platforms!

     Follow Smile Farms on Instagram

Administrative Professionals Day, Entertaining

Create a Restful Work Space

February 15, 2016

It’s Spring!

Create A Happy and Restful Work Space

Before long it will be warm enough to get outside and work in the garden, but before that you can freshen up and spring clean the inside of your home — the kitchen, family room and mud room. Take your spring cleaning one step further and create a corner office — a restful work space with personality.

Restful Work Space

This article with photos will help you design a restful work space. Here are great tips on  how to create a mini bulletin board to keep organized and how to add colorful office supplies, frames and knickknacks. In no time your office space will be a calm retreat and a fun work environment.

Tips To Personalize Your New Desk Space

 

 

Gift Baskets, Holidays, Valentine's Day

Romantic Valentines Day Gift Basket

February 3, 2016
Valentines Day Gift Basket

Here’s My Heart Valentines Day Gift Basket

Send a Gift of Romance with a Lovely Basket Handcrafted for Valentines Day 

♥ 

Your sweetheart will adore this Valentines Day Gift Basket which evokes a taste of the European countryside.

This artisan woven basket is abundant with Italian Amaretti Cookies, Butter Toffee Caramels, Fudge Toffee, Royal Chocolate Dark Belgian Chocolate Thins, Toberlone® Swiss Dark Chocolate and more! Many nice surprises for Valentines Day in a keepsake basket with red bow!

countryside and ancient village

For Centuries Valentines Day has been celebrated with gifts, cards, love notes and songs.

Who penned the first valentine? It may have been the Duke of Orleans about 600 years ago!

♥ 

chocolate covered strawberries, Gift Baskets, Holiday Gift Baskets, Party!, Sweepstakes, Uncategorized, Valentine's Day

#BerrySweet Valentines Day Strawberry Twitter Party

February 2, 2016
Strawberry Twitter Party Heart Box Prize

Would you love to win the Strawberry Twitter Party Heart Box?

 Happy Spring! We have selected items for 30% off for everyone who registered for the Twitter Party. Use promo code 30LOVE at check out with this Valentines link  

Valentines Day Strawberry Twitter Party!

    Scavenger Hunt & Scrumptious, Berry Delicious Prizes!

 Monday Feb 8, 2016 at 2:00 PM EST.

Register before the entry period on Feb 8, 2016.

DM @1800Baskets for registration. “I would like to register for the Strawberry Twitter Party”

Are you ready? How many Seeds in a Strawberry? Approx 200!

Please Note: During the Valentines Day Strawberry Twitter Party you must use #Berrysweet and #Sweepstakes when you answer the questions. One winner for each Sweepstakes question will be randomly selected from the pool of contestants.

1-800-BASKETS.COM®

#BerrySweet Valentines 2016 Twitter Party

February 8 update! The results are in!

Congrats to the Winners @eTuesdays, @mummadear, @TwoDartMom

OFFICIAL RULES:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AS OF THE DATE OF ENTRY WHO HAVE OR OPEN AN ACCOUNT ON TWITTER.COM. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  1. ENTRY PERIOD: 1-800-BASKETS.COM® #Berrysweet Valentines 2016 Twitter Party with giveaways (hereinafter the “Sweepstakes”) begins at 2:00 PM EST on Monday 2/8/16 and ends approximately at 3:00 PM EST on Monday 2/8/15 (the “Entry Period”).
  1.  HOW TO ENTER/PARTICIPATE: You must be 18 or older and have or open an account on Twitter.com to participate in the Sweepstakes. Accounts are free and can be opened by visiting Twitter.com.

To enter the Sweepstakes you must do three things:

  1. You must follow 1-800-BASKETS.COM® on Twitter (@1800Baskets) during the Sweepstakes Entry Period.
  2. You must RSVP before the Entry Period, here: On Twitter DM @1800baskets for registration. “I would like to register for the Strawberry  Twitter Party”
  3. You must use the hashtags #Berrysweet and #Sweepstakes in tweets  when responding to the posted questions from @1800Baskets on Twitter during the Entry Period.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY TERMS & CONDITIONS. Use of computer programs and/or other automated devices to enter the Sweepstakes are prohibited. Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by your on-line service will apply. By entering and using the promoted hashtags (#Berrysweet & #Sweepstakes) you understand that a) the Sponsor has the exclusive right to use your entry and excerpts of your entry in any advertising and promotional materials (visual, sound, print and/or electronic form), including posting entries or portions thereof on its website, social media accounts/pages, advertising. etc.; b) you grant any and all necessary rights and licenses provided herein, including without limitation, all necessary copyright and other related rights to the entry, free and clear of all claims and encumbrances without violating the rights of any person or entity, including any right to privacy or publicity; and c) you hereby hold the Sponsor harmless from and against any third party claim arising from use of the entry and waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the entry or to be compensated for any such uses. All entries become the exclusive property of Sponsor, and may not be acknowledged or returned. Proof of submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor.

  1. SWEEPSTAKES PRIZES AND APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES (“ARV”):

Three (3) winners will be selected; each will win one of the prizes listed below.  The list of prizes that will be given out (in no particular order):  

  1. Fannie May® Decadent Chocolate Strawberries 12 Ct. Product code 106057 $44.99 USD
  2. Fannie May® Decadent Chocolate Strawberries 12 Ct. Product code 106057. $44.99USD
  3. Chocolate Strawberries in Valentine Heart Box 9 Ct. Product code 141470 $49.99

Total ARV of all prizes is $139.97 USD.

  1. WINNER SELECTION: During the Entry Period The Sponsor will ask a number of questions, some for fun and some for prizes.  Three (3) of the questions will be for the prizes listed in Section 3 herein (the “Prize Questions”).  Three (3) Prize Questions will be posted by the Sponsor and three (3) winners selected.  The format will be as follows:  A Prize Question will be posted by Sponsor along with a URL link where the answer can be found and a time frame in which to respond to that specific question with the correct answer.  All correct responses that are eligible entries to that specific Prize Question that are received within the stated time frame will be pooled together and a random winner selected.  This process will be repeated until all 3 Prize Questions are asked and entries collected.  Drawings will be conducted by a representative of Sponsor, whose decisions are final on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of correct eligible entries received for each Prize Question.  Non-winning entries will not be rolled over into the next question drawing.  Prizes will be awarded and potential winners will be notified by mention and/or direct message on Twitter. Prizes are nontransferable and no cash substitution is allowed except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to award prizes of equal or greater value if advertised prizes are unavailable.
  1.  GENERAL RULES: Taxes, related to the prizes are the winners’ sole responsibility, if applicable. Prize winners may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (where legal) within five (5) days of notification attempt or prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.  Return of any prize or prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and alternate selection. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission to use winner’s name, likeness, image, photo, sobriquet and biographical information for promotional purposes without further compensation except where prohibited by law. By entering, entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these OFFICIAL RULES and winners release Sponsor, and their subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and all others associated with the development and execution of the Sweepstakes from any and all liability for damages, losses or injury resulting from participation in the Sweepstakes or acceptance or use of prize. Entries will be declared to be made by the authorized account. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to the Twitter account associated with the submitted entry. Entries are subject to verification of eligibility and will be declared invalid if they are incomplete, falsified, altered or tampered with in any way. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or website; violates the OFFICIAL RULES; or acts in an unsportsmanlike, obscene or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. Sponsor and its agencies are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, misdirected or damaged entries due to internet services providers service, weather, technical, hardware or software malfunctions, telephone failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete, garbled or delayed electronic communications, whether caused by the sender, by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this Sweepstakes which may limit the ability to participate, or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the entries in this Sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the Sweepstakes if it is not capable of completion as planned, including for infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention or technical failures or corruption of any sort, and award prizes from eligible entries received prior to cancellation. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
  1. ELIGIBILITY: This Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, including the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older as of date of entry who have or open an account on Twitter.com.  All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. Employees and families of 800-FLOWERS INC. (“Sponsor”) their subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and related companies, advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate families are ineligible. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.
  1. WINNERS LIST: For the names of the winners visit www.1800Baskets.com from approximately 2/11/16 through 3/11/16.
  1. SPONSOR & ADMINISTRATOR: The Sponsor and Administrator of this Sweepstakes are 800-FLOWERS, INC., One Old Country Road, Suite 500, Carle Place, NY 11514.
  1. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: NEITHER 800-FLOWERS, INC., THEIR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, OR AFFILIATED COMPANIES, AS WELL AS, THEIR ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY OR GOODWILL. IN ALL EVENTS, THE SOLE MAXIMUM LIABILITY OF SPONSOR AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE ARV OF THE PRIZES SET FORTH HEREIN.
  1. GOVERNING LAW & VENUE: THE NEW YORK COURTS (STATE & FEDERAL) SHALL HAVE SOLE JURISDICTION OF ANY CONTROVERSIES REGARDING THE SWEEPSTAKES AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE SAME. EACH ENTRANT WAIVES ANY AND ALL OBJECTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE VENUE OF THOSE COURTS WITHIN THE COUNTIES OF NASSAU AND SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK.

The Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Twitter.com.  By entering entrants release Twitter from any and all liability with regards to the Sweepstakes

© 2016 800-FLOWERS, INC.