Bunches.co.uk

After 3 months of intense training, countless blisters, a couple of attempted dog attacks and thousands of extra calories consumed, I am now feeling a little more prepared for the challenge of running 26.2 miles! Sadly Dan has had to defer his place until next year after suffering a leg injury and instead my Brother-In-Law has been roped into running with me.

I have found motivation in listening to 90's dance music on long runs, treating myself to the occasional pecan pastry and imagining the immense feeling of euphoria when I cross the finishing line on April 22nd!

Every penny raised from the run will be used by the charity Links International to build much needed latrines in the village of Kande, Malawi, where the team from Bunches visited last year.

If you would like to make a donation, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/JenandCraig. More information on Bunches' work with Links International can be found on our charity page.

Since Valentines day is approaching we thought it was a good idea to blog about the meaning of the various colours of flowers. The meanings can be influenced by the shape and number of petals, but for most people the colour is the most prominent aspect.

Blue Roses symbolises the impossible and presumably the unachievable. However the gold Rose is seemingly the opposite, symbolising the very pinnacle of achievement. White Roses are for love whereas red is for passion, obviously these two can go will together. Pink Roses represent gentleness and gratitude. Lilac symbolises love at first sight and finally Yellow is for friendship.

Interestingly the red and white Carnations mean exactly the same as the Roses. The other colours however do mean different things with Yellow actually meaning rejection and disappointment in someone and pink meaning always on my mind.

Don't forget that Bunches is on Facebook and Twitter. Both are a great way to keep up to date with everything Bunches related. They regularly contain information about Bunches products, promotions, competition and flower related news.

Finding a forgotten £5 note in last year's spring coat, getting to the bus stop just in time and a thoughtful act of kindness by a stranger - it's often the little things in life which make us smile!

Following the brilliant response to our 2011 Year of Smiles, we've launched the Bunches Creating Happiness campaign. To get it started, we would love to hear about those small acts of kindness by strangers which have brightened your day and created happiness. No matter how large or small the gesture, let us know!

Simply email flowers@bunches.co.uk with the subject line 'Acts of Kindness'. There will be lots more happening over the next few months to spread a little happiness, so watch this space to find out more!

Did you know there are certain flowers representing each month of the year? Each flower has a different meaning and have traditionally been given as a gift for someone's birthday. Carnation's are the birth flower of January, which we think fits the bill perfectly with their meaning of love, fascination and distinction. Carnations are really long-lasting and a great way to express feelings - perfect for brightening someone's home throughout the month and banishing those January blues!

And now January is well and truly upon us; post Christmas blues, freezing temperatures, long nights and the lack of daylight beginning to take its toll, here at Bunches HQ we feel it's time to create some happiness! So why not treat someone special (or even yourself!) to our 24 Classic Carnations or choose from a wide range of beautiful bouquets, each one containing long stemmed Carnations in their arrangement.

Happy January!

We always love reading customer letters, but one recently caught the eye of the many cat lovers in the Bunches office! Mrs. Steward from Buckinghamshire wrote in to tell us about a very creative use for her Bunches box:

'I always order my flowers through your company and everyone has always been delighted with their gifts. Most people I have sent your flowers to now also use your company. I received some of your flowers six weeks ago from a friend for my birthday. Not only did I love them, my cat Remmy also loved them as she has slept in the box ever since!'

Below is a photo of a very happy Remmy in her new home. If you have recycled your Bunches box in an unusual way, let us know by emailing flowers@bunches.co.uk.

You may have seen our colourful Spring Tulips recently added the website. These beautiful flowers can cheer up any room but do need a little looking after so here are some helpful tips.....

• Remove the leaves that would end up under water when in the vase.
• Cut off any white portions of the stem with a sharp knife or some scissors. This can be done underwater should you wish to prevent air from entering the stem. It is best to make diagonal cuts.
• Tulips can be quite thirsty so check the water daily.
• Remember to keep the vase clean.
• Keep the vase away from any heating vents, direct sunlight and areas with a draft.
• Prick the stems a couple of centremeters below the bloom to help prevent them from drooping.

The first week of the New Year is now drawing to a close, the decorations have come down and for many, the January blues have set in. Why not spread some floral cheer or add some colour to your own home with our range of beautiful spring bouquets? New arrangements now available include 20 sunny yellow Daffodils, stunning mixed Tulips from Amsterdam and the lovely new Sienna bouquet.

The Bunches Sales office has been brightened up today with a selection of our cheerful spring bouquets which create a smile as soon as you walk in...

Our best-selling 12 Upper Class Red Rose bouquet has recently been secretly reviewed by Good Housekeeping Magazine and we are happy to announce that we were awarded 'Star of the Show' by the prestigious publication. 10 online florists were reviewed and Bunches.co.uk came out on top with an overall score of 93/100.

The verdict from it's Rose expert was that the 'Blooms were in good condition and had a nice overall impact'. Other comments included: 'Excellent value for such a beautiful bouquet, the blooms opened out fully, maintained their shape & colour and lasted for 16 days.'

The review appears in the February issue of Good Housekeeping, which is on sale now.

Happy New Year! We hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to everything 2012 has to offer! The exciting news from Bunches HQ is that we have a shiny, new look website! Following months of designing, developing and testing, our brilliant Designer and I.T Team have now unveiled the improved Bunches.co.uk.

As well as a pretty new design, we've listened to customer comments and made some changes which make our website even easier to use. We would love to hear what you think, so have a browse and get in touch! Email us at flowers@bunches.co.uk, post your feedback on our Facebook wall or Tweet @bunchesuk.