Mary Berman 409 Windcrest Dr. San Antonio, Texas 78239

210-930-7836 www.fleurdelightflorals.net

Artistic Design—Pamela Stephens

FLEURISH Volume 08, August 2019

Inside this issue:

Color for 2020 1

The Orchid Dress— Indira Lee

2

DLa Fogata 3

August Birthdays 4

WE ARE ON THE WEB!

WWW.FLEURDELIGHTF

LORALS.NET

The Gladiolus and the poppy vie with August sweets for

birthday attention.

Slim and elongated like a saber, the gladiolus reaches toward

the sky and ends in a point. Perceived as a good omen, the glad-

iolus has impressed itself upon the psyche as a harbinger of ro-

bust moral strength.

Like many flowers, the gladiolus moves through different cultures with a host of meanings. For

example, in Chinese lore, the gladiolus assists the newly deceased find eternity while Victoria-

na enthusiasts thought the peaked gladiolus could spark infatuation.

Tracing its origins to Africa or Asia, the gladiolus proliferated throughout Northern Africa and

the Middle East before Dutch and English merchants transported the flower to Europe where

gardeners encouraged more blossoms.

As a medicine, the gladiolus root has been pulverized to yield an antibiotic ointment, and in

the Congo the root provides carbohydrates as a dietary equalizer.

The other August birthday flower, the poppy, has come to symbolize remembrance of soldiers

who gave heir lives in defense of their countries. Although the poppy grows extensively in Asia,

it may have actually come from Mediterranean areas. Red poppies imbue the poem “In Flan-

ders Field” whereas the black poppy paid tribute to the war effort of

blacks, Africans and Caribbean. Counterpoint to the red or black poppies

the purple variation memorializes animals victimized by strife. The pop-

py, as a memorial flower usually is worn from October 31 to November 11

when it is laid on a graveside in tribute.

Acknowledgements:

https://wwwproflowers.com/blog/gladiolus-meaning

https://www.legion.org/poppydayhistory

https://www.theweek.co.uk/.../what-are-the-different-color-poppies-and-what-do-they-mean

Birthday Flowers for August

H a p p y b i r t h d a y t o t h e L e o ( July 23 - August 22) and the V i r g o

( A u g u s t 23— S e p t e m b e r 2 2 ) w h o a l o n g w i t h t h e p e r i d o t , r e c e i v e

b e a u t i f u l G l a d i o l u s a n d t h e P o p p y .

Fleurish Issue 08 August 2019

Color for 2020

Color is nothing to brush aside so PPG is predicting a blue bub-

ble for 2020. Its researchers have sampled chips and contacted

contractors to track the trend—a color found in Chinese porce-

lains. Its choice impacts fabrics, carpeting, rugs and housewares.

This hue encourages somnombulance and helps the public un-

hook from Silicon Valley gadgetry to get restorative rest.

Perhaps the Chinese Porcelain Blue could have been anticipated

from PPG’s 2019 hue “Night Watch,” an evergreen shot with

blue. But just for the record, 2019 also is embracing Pantone’s

Living Coral, Sherwin-Williams terra cotta tones, Benjamin

Moore’s dove gray Metropolitan; and Behr’s Blueprint teal.

All these companies know first hand that paint seals the deal in

making the tired look truly trendy once more.

Acknowledgements: The

San Antonio Express-

News, “Serenity of blue

keeps it in spotlight; Chi-

nese Porcelain the hue for

2020,” Section D, P.1,

June 17, 2019.

San Antonio Flower Company has moved! Its new address is

8930 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78217. Phone: (210) 804-1422

The Orchid Dress

– Indira Lee

Twenty-something entrepreneur Indira

Lee cut her career path out of whole cloth

in 2017 when she opened her boutique

The Orchid Dress offering special occa-

sion dresses for rent. Her inventory

gowns prom goers, Quinceanera partici-

pants, mothers of the bride and brides-

maids who have come as far away as

Houston to choose gowns in which to

sparkle for their red-letter day. “Women

want a unique look,” Indira remarked.

Sleek satins, paillette-studded fabrics,

and feathery floating accents infuse per-

sonality for the dresses available in sizes

00 to 28.

As a child, Indira

and her sisters

would raid their

mother’s closet

and hang her

dresses artistically

throughout the

house to create a salon. These efforts al-

most could have predicted Indira’s col-

lege major – fashion merchandising – at

the University of the Incarnate Word.

Born in Mission, Texas, but reared in Ca-

margo Tamaulipas, Mexico, Indira re-

turned to the U.S. at 18 for college, which

spurred her to take advantage of UIW

studies abroad in China and France

where she participated in Fashion Sum-

mer in Paris.

At age 26, she launched The Orchid Dress in-

spired by an “ah ha” moment at her cousin’s

wedding. She asked herself, “Why can men rent

their tuxedos and women can’t find a similar av-

enue? Women spend hundreds of dollars – or

maybe thousands – for a dress and once the

camera clicks, it is no longer worn.” Participat-

ing in many pageants, she noted that girls vying

in these events would wear a dress for 20-30

minutes before the expensive gown would be

discarded. She added, “In Mexico, in the big cit-

ies, like Mexico City, renting dresses is becoming

trendy.”

In San Antonio, Indira saw a niche market and

“jumped in.” Her dresses go out three times be-

fore being retired and given to charity. For each

client, Indira performs the alterations, and the

selection, priced between $30 and $150, must be

returned within a couple of days. For her offer-

ings, publicized on Instagram and Facebook, she

shops the expos in Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Indira directs operations at her shop located at

6643 San Pedro Ave. along with a sister busi-

ness, Lady Orchid, in which she tutors girls for

pageants. Of course, in this environment, both

orchid hues and orchid plants abound with pret-

ty chandeliers lighting the way.

Page 3 Volume 08, August 2019

This cadre of loyalists has created a welcoming

appeal that patrons love, Mr. Dominguez said.

Customers also have come to rely on Mariachi

Zucatecano, five men who play each evening

from 6 p.m. to close. Even one of the waiters –

Ernie Perez—sometimes jumps in and sings to

the applause of the audience.

To show appreciation to the clients who frequent

the establishment, La Fogata stages a party every

year usually on the Tuesday before Fiesta begins

with complimentary food, drinks and entertain-

ment.

The restaurant has kept current with the times,

and approximately a year ago added a sister site

with the same name at Dominion Reach. New

“River Walk lights” now add bling and accentu-

ate the Vance Jackson location that also offers a

convenient shuttle service to conventioneers and

other parties who avail themselves of on the

house transportation to this oasis where they can

relax and rejuvenate and pretend they are on a

mini vacation in Mexico.

(Original restaurant at 2427 Vance Jackson, (210) 340-1337; sister restaurant at 22211 IH 10 West, Building 2, (210) 698-9700)

La Fogata “ The lullaby of burbling fountains advances

the charm of a landscape laden with split-leaf

philodendrons neighboring with lush ferns

and palms that contrast with formally clipped

red photinia hedges. The coolness proffered

by mature trees border hospitable patio ta-

bles, and the charm of Mexican tile roofs

overlook courtyards dotted with gem-hued

plants spilling from classic pottery vessels.

Such a sanctuary is tucked away mid-city at

La Fogata Restaurant, its name synonymous

with “open flame.”

Yet not all the flowers

there appear in pots.

Others fringe some of

the exotic drinks pur-

veyed by this acclaimed

restaurant that has

marked more than 41

years in business. For

example, dendrobium

orchids adorn all the

margaritas. Flowers al-

so add a tropical vibe to some Pina Coladas,

and even quesadillas are not exempt: they get

a lift from the infusion of pumpkin blossoms.

For years these touches have added ambiance

to the restaurant. “The menu has been solid

for a long time,” said manager David

Dominguez, who began his career at La Foga-

ta as a 16-year-old from Cuernavaca, Mexico.

Originally concentrating on Northern Mexico

cuisine, La Fogata added other selections

from different areas of the country in the in-

terest of inclusion.

However, the extensive menu is just part of

the character of this standout restaurant.

Much of its success stems from its devoted

employees who have served the restaurant for

years.