Flowers for Anyone

Working in a flower shop is like being the bridesmaid, never a bride. You're super happy for all the cute couples and all these sweet boys doing thoughtful things for their girlfriends, but no matter how nice the arrangement or how sweet the guy, it's always for someone else.

One Valentine's Day during college, I was working in our local flower shop. The place was slammed with college boys crammed in, wall-to-wall, out the door and around the corner, clamouring for roses and gerbera daisies. Harried and disheveled, I made my way one-by-one through the line, taking orders like a shorthand cook in a hot, sweaty diner. One sandy-haired boy stood aside, quietly.
"Can I help you choose some flowers?" I asked.
"No," he said, "I don't have anyone to give any flowers to. I'm just here to help my buddy."
This boy was so adorable.
"Aw, come on! I'm sure that anyone would love to get flowers from you!" I insisted. He shook his head, "no, no...I wouldn't know who to give them to."
I started listing opportunities for him, "A neighbour? A friend? Your study partner? A crush? Anybody?..."
He smiled and said, "I could get some for you."
I laughed. "No, no. You don't have to do that. You don't even know me!"
He sighed. "Well," he said, "What's YOUR favourite flower? What would be something YOU'd like to get?"
I didn't even need to think. "Lillies," I said. "Everyone gets roses, but I think lilies are so much more exotic and pretty- they're way cheaper and they last FOREVER. And look-" I said, taking a stem out of the cooler, "See how great they smell?!?"
He smiled. "I'll take one of those."
I handed him the stem and directed him to our designer so it could be wrapped, "Happy Valentine's Day!" I shouted, "Good luck!"
Hours later, when the hustle slowed down, I saw the most beautiful casablanca lillies arranged on the counter. "Wow," I breathed, "Who's that for? That's amazing!"
"O!" My coworker said, "That's for you. Some guy said to give them to you."

I still remember you, blonde Stephen. Thanks for the flowers.

Smitten or Bitten?

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, The Woods has been sharing our most romantic moments." Our Design Director, George, shares his here:

Meeting Evonne 29 years ago was (and still is) my most romantic moment.  

I went into her flower shop on 3rd and Doheny  to buy flowers for my girlfriend (who by the way, pointed out the store to me one day saying “you know, that’s a flower shop..." Girls really do throw out the hints, don’t they?) Back to E.  

I picked something out and brought it to the counter. And there she was.  Jeans, cowboy boots, wearing a man’s white, button down shirt. And that load of curly dark hair. WOW!  Behind her was a guy putting up a “Help Wanted” sign. (I later found out it was her boyfriend, an English guy that I would later refer to as “her import.”) Anyway, I said “I would like to work here” and she responded, “Oh, no, you wouldn’t.”  Surprised, I told her I was serious. Reluctantly, she agreed to take my name and phone number.  And then it happened…I looked at her hands as she quickly wrote my name and her hands were so beautiful. Nicely manicured nails painted an iridescent color, like fiery opals.  I looked up at her face and saw her with those curls dangling in her face and that was it…This was THE girl! WOW, what just happened?  

Was I smitten or bitten? I knew this woman was worth getting to know.

Don't forget to submit YOUR most romantic moment on our blog by 5pm TODAY- our favourite story will win a romance bouquet from The Woods for their Valentine.

Our Story:

George Woods began his artistic endeavors as a fashion designer. The ease and elegance of his treasured designs won him fervent allegiance of his glamorous clientele and notoriety and awards in the fashion world. George also worked in interior design with much success.

After marrying a third generation florist, his genius for design found a new avenue. By chance, he became the florist for the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. There, he poineered the new style - which still widely imitated, cannot be duplicated. This new style brought more notoriety and prominence to Woods and earned the hotel the reputation as a "flower destination". After twenty years Woods' signature entrance piece still takes center stage.

Over the years, George's masterful hand has created signature flowers for eight luxury hotels around the world, as well as social and event flowers for luminaries of fashion, entertainment, business, and politics. Evonne Woods, the other half of this dynamic pair, brings a rich heritage of creativity and practical knowledge of floristry to the team.

In the spirit of a true artist George is constantly evolving. The next innovation was the glorious emporium he and his wife, Evonne, opened in Brentwood. It was included in an article on The World's Most Beautiful Flower Shops in Conde Nast's Traveler Magazine. People come from all over (France, Japan, etc.) to see what each season's magnificence will be displayed there. Now, a new phase is beginning and we are all very excited to see what these newest seeds will cultivate!