The History behind the National Flower of Australia

The glorious beauty of the Golden Wattle flower has been established in the hearts and minds of the Australian people, as it is the national flower of Australia. These flowers are bright in colour with large and fluffy petals and a sweet fragrance. They are mostly yellow and sometimes have a whitish tone. The Golden Wattle plant is a shrub that is found in various parts of Australia, specifically in hot and dry regions. If you want to arrange Golden Wattle flower delivery Melbourne to someone on the wattle day, you can take help from some of the best florists in the city.

This flower is an intrinsic part of the history and culture of Australia, and it has been used in many ways by the aboriginal population in the country since ancient times. It is a plant that can withstand tough conditions including droughts and bush fires, and for that, it now stands as the symbol of resilience and harmony among the Australians. The wattle also serves as a memoir of the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers as these flowers were sent to the soldiers who served in the First World War. This was to bring them a touch of their homeland through the letters containing the flowers. As there are flowers for different occasions, the wattle is the right flower to represent the national solidarity.

The history of the wattle extends further into the past century as sprigs from the plant were used to raise money for the First World War. Previously wattle flowers were also placed on deceased Australian soldiers before burying their bodies and many decorations, medals and banners of the Australian Defence Force carry the symbol of the wattle. Even the Australian national colours of bright green and gold represent a blooming wattle flower.

The aboriginal inhabitants of Australia mixed the gum from the wattle plant with water and honey to produce a toffee-like edible substance. The bark was also used as an antiseptic as it contains tannin and this was also used by the colonial settlers in the tanning industry in the later days. They also started producing honey from the flowers in subsequent times. The flower was first recognised as the floral symbol of the nation in 1901 and 1^st of September is celebrated as National Wattle Day in Australia. This also marks the beginning of spring, and the wattle represents new growth, aspirations and fresh beginnings in the life of the nation.

Out of the 1300 species of shrub found throughout the world, Australia has about 950 of them growing in its land. But it is only in Australia that this vibrant flower is so entwined with the spirit of the nation. Various Australians sports teams, including the cricket team, wear dresses with the green and gold shades. It can be worth mentioning here that when Queen Elizabeth II wore the wattle on her gown when she took her place on the throne of her coronation day.

There are florists for flower delivery in Australia who can arrange for the delivery of best flowers including the wattle. Ordering wedding bouquets online from these florists is very simple, and if you want to present someone with a bouquet of wattles, you can easily contact the top florists for a flower delivery Melbourne.

Author Bio: Kiran Hurkadli is an owner of �Melbourne Fresh Flowers�, it is a leading online florist in Melbourne. Kiran has a passion for flower decoration, blogging, and photography.

5 Corporate Gifting Ideas for Diwali this Year

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights is a great occasion for businesses & corporates to emotionally connect with their employees and clients through amazing gifts.

Here are five such wonderful ideas that are sure to begin that long lasting relationship -

1. Sugar-free Chocolates 

What with today�s modern concept of gifting healthy items, the corporate world is no exception to it. Sugar-free chocolates are booming products because of the rapid growth of diabetes worldwide.

These healthy chocolates make for perfect Diwali gifts for your office staff as well as your clients.

Good for all, including those who are cautious about sugar intake as well as binge eaters, sugar-free chocolates are easily available in decorative packaging. This only adds to the festive fervor.

Furthermore, the main ingredient of sugar-free chocolates is cocoa, a titan of health benefits.

While gifting your clients, take a step further! Get innovative by giving promotional gifts, such as sugar-free chocolates with your corporate logo printed on them in edible ink.

2. LED Task Lamps -

When it comes to lighting, LED lighting is the latest craze today. With a plethora of benefits including a longer lifespan, higher energy efficiency, reduced glare and improved safety, among others, LED lighting has rightly replaced traditional lighting.

LED task lamps, with their sleek designs and a flexible arm and head, direct light exactly where you need it.

These lamps come with USB connectors and thus can be easily fitted to your desktop or laptop systems. What�s more, while using an LED task lamp, you don�t even need to switch on the room lighting.

This Diwali gift would surely increase the productivity of your office staff, ultimately benefiting the business. 

3. Cozy Blankets -

Diwali signals the onset of winter. So, let your office staff and clients get warm with soft, cozy and durable blankets.

Indian artwork featured on the comfortable coverings would only enhance this useful gift. 

Tired from the day�s work and struggling with the winter blues, your office staff would really love to jump in their beds and curl inside these cozy blankets.

Getting a good night�s sleep is a vital contributing factor in office productivity. By gifting cozy blankets, you also add a personal touch as such gifts show that you care.

4. Fitness Tracker Gadgets -

With health itself being the latest global buzzword, tracking health becomes absolutely important. Why not gift your office staff and clients with fitness tracker wearables?

Comfortably fitted to the wrist, these wearables track vital information like movement, steps and heart rate.

So, such gadgets are very useful while taking a brisk walk or jogging or simply doing any kind of exercise.

Exercise plays a key role in maintaining physical and mental health. Good health, in turn, is a crucial factor in being efficient and productive.

Excess weight and obesity is a common problem these days. You can also opt for weight reducing natural foods. They make for excellent option as well.

Which employee would not appreciate such great concern about his or her well-being?

5. Retail Gift Vouchers and E-gift Vouchers -

Everyone loves shopping! So, give your office staff the freedom to take their pick of garments or other useful products.

Trendy and useful, retail gift vouchers and e-gift vouchers would make for a joyous Diwali indeed! Additionally, e-gift vouchers make shopping even much easier for the staff, from the comfort of their homes.

Giving retail gift vouchers to your overseas clients who are on a work trip here would introduce them to Indian styles, particularly of clothing.

This would only draw them closer to Indian culture, thus strengthening your bond with them. 

---

Nikky Watson -

I love all things fun. Drop in sometime and you�ll know what I mean :) For living and out of passion, I write and blog. I often contribute to Remedyliquor & other blogs.

Twitter - @nikky_watson

How WhatsMode Works in Latest Fashion Trends

WhatsMode is a social e-commerce company based out of Los Angeles that uses social media stars and influencers to curate their lines on the WhatsMode platform. From YouTube to Instagram WhatsMode is always on the search for the next social star that has a knack for fashion and wants to share their style with their online audience. Influencers can choose from thousands of products that fit their everyday style to shoot and upload to their stores. Once uploaded their followers can browse through the collection and purchase the clothes right from their favorite social media influencer. WhatsMode influencers also receive a percentage of sales from the products within their stores and use their social platforms to market themselves and their WhatsMode collection.

When it comes to curating a successful line, influencers are continually adding more on-trend products and creating dynamic and engaging posts that drive traffic towards their page. The success of a WhatsMode store comes down to how well and influencer can market themselves and their style. WhatsMode has had great success with beauty bloggers who create YouTube videos using the makeup from the WhatsMode website and adding the links to their store in the description of their videos. Adding links wherever possible is a crucial element to influencer marketing, whether it be in tweets, Facebook posts, or in their bios. Their custom links can be tracked through the backend system so that WhatsMode can keep track of their overall sales and revenue.

Most influencers start off with what WhatsMode calls a curated line. Once they have proven their ability to drive traffic and generate sales, they get upgraded to a white label collection. A white label collection is where the influencer picks out a particular style of clothing and can add a label or logo that they design. They get to pick the colors, style, and create their label that will get sewn directly into the clothes. WhatsMode has also helped influencers design fully custom lines where they can work with designers to fully sketch and make their dream creation a reality. La Demi designed a line of flirty club dresses that she marketed to her mostly female audience. WhatsMode was there every step of the way from the initial decision to make a custom line all the way up to shipping out the products to her consumers.

WhatsMode has had great success with their recent custom launch with the YouTube star Kellie Sweet. Kellie designed a line �Bo$$ Babe� centered around matching sets and bandanas. Her audience got to choose from a variety of colors and go to mix and match these sporty yet chic outfits for a custom look. WhatsMode brought in samples and brought Kellie's design vision to life by using a graphic designer to impose the logo onto the sweatpants so that she could verify the placement. Kellie used her Youtube and Instagram platforms to promote the products and WhatsMode sent out PR boxes to her list of influencer friends. By using influencer marketing and traditional digital marketing, WhatsMode was able to help her drive traffic towards her new collection. WhatsMode looks forward to working with Kellie Sweet in the future and helping her design more custom collections.

The world of online fashion can be a confusing place, so WhatsMode strives to take the hassle out of creating an online store for influencers to market and sell their favorite fashion garments to their online audience. Getting into the business of fashion involves buyers, shipping, and warehouses to store apparel. With WhatsMode they handle the heavy lifting so the influencer only has to focus on shooting their products and marketing them so that they can make a large percentage of rev shares. WhatsMode also encourages influencer to refer their fashionista friends to open a line and provides compensation for referrals. The more WhatsMode grows, the more influencers they aspire to work with, so if you�re interested in becoming a WhatsMode star reach out to hollywood@whatsmode.com.

Tips on How to Avoid Being Disappointed When Shopping Online

Online shopping has flourished massively over the years. With just a click away, you can find almost anything you are looking for being sold online. However, we may have all experienced getting disappointed over something that we bought online. You spot the perfect dress for an event and you see online that its look will fit in satisfyingly with your wardrobe. You are happy because it fits your style and matches your budget. You pay for it and wait for the dress to be delivered to you. 

Then, the dress came. You tried fitting it and from what you saw online, it looks nothing like how you imagined this dress would fit and the quality of the clothing material made you even more upset. You fold the dress away in your closet and a few months later, you find that dress and think about where it even came from. This kind of shopping experience is not what you are hoping to encounter again. It is not only important that you get the exact product you are expecting for but you need to know how to look for the right product at the right price and guarantee that after buying the product, you will have an appropriate and fine support when you need it. Below are some of the tips that you may have to consider when purchasing goods online so you won�t get disappointed.

Check the Site�s Return Policy

This is probably one of the best tips you need to follow. You are going to need a good support in case you need one. Always check the site�s return policy, in case the product you purchased does not meet the quality of your standards for its price. In addition, the return policy should be reasonably long enough so that you have sufficient time to use the service. If the site has less than a week long, it may be hard for you because your schedule and other errands might be busy. You may not be able to use the service resulting to be stuck with the product you don�t really want.

Reputable Retail Store

This is the same when you shop and you choose a reputable or known brand when you look for an online store. It�s entirely different if you will shop from a website you�ve never heard before from a website that most people know and heard of. It is necessary to do some online research and check reviews online if the store is credible or not. This will help you to experience a better customer service you are expecting for.

Excellent Customer Service

Whatever product you are buying, you want to be certain that if anything goes wrong when you are doing your purchase, you know you have someone from the retail store to contact to in case you need assistance.  The benefit of shopping online is that you don�t really have to go physically to a retail store to talk to someone. Instead you can just send them a direct message. However, the speed of their response will greatly rely on how good their customer service is.

Having a Physical Address

Be careful because if the site you are shopping on does not have a physical address, then you might ask yourself why? This should be a red flag because as a highly regarded and well-established brand, having a physical address or mailing address indicates as part of good business practice.

Too Much Low Prices

Another red flag is when the prices are too low. At first you might be super happy that maybe the product is on sale or on discount, then after placing an order you found out it�s not. Always double check or send a direct message to the store to verify before purchasing the item.

Don�t Ignore the Sizing Chart

Most well-established online shops have a sizing guide that will give you information you need from their shirts, dresses, pants, etc. If you don�t check the sizing chart then don�t be disappointed when the shirt comes in too big or too small. It�s also important to know your size.

Take Good Care of the Item

Even if you got the wrong one or you don�t like the product, make sure that if you�re planning to return it, give it back to them in the same �brand new� quality in which they were delivered.

Return policies have a strict rule on this so take good care of the item.

Author bio: Ivandrea Ollero is a daytime writer for Zapals. Ivandrea gives tips for a seamless shopping experience and information on the latest gadgets. She graduated from St. Scholastica�s College Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor�s Degree in Mass Communication minor in Broadcast Journalism.

Online Shopping: The Pros and Cons of Buying Things from the Internet

�Consumers want the convenience and choice that online shopping provides. Many just do not have time to trudge the streets hoping goods are in stock.� �Jo Tucker

It has been said that online shopping is an innovative and unique paradigm of technology in such a way that it allows for optimal convenience and practicality.

Today, we have more and more individuals preferring this mode and platform of consumerism as opposed to physical shopping. You can do it at home in your pajamas, while you are at work or practically anywhere so long as there is a decent internet connection. All that it really requires from you is a bit of patience to wait for your items to arrive. Pretty much like waiting for a gift you are giving yourself, is it not? However, while online shopping might have gotten rather big over the years, there is a reason why big name retail stores such as Gloriettastill remain relevant today. After all, online shopping for all of its glory and convenience still poses a risk. In any case, if you are on the hedge as to whether you should purchase any item online, perhaps taking a look at the pros and cons of buying things off the internet would help you arrive at a decision:

PROS

1.) Easier to compare prices

Of course, it is much easier to compare prices when it comes to online shopping as all you would have to do is flick pages with the press of a finger as opposed to scouring the mall for similar items and finding the one with the best price. There is no need for you to travel to places just to get the best deal when it is all presented to you onscreen.

2.) No checkout lines and long queues

During sale season, stores can get notoriously long queues which can really eat up your time if you are out shopping. Shopping online effectively rids of that. It is simple and easy, you simply add your desired items to the cart fill out the necessary shopping information and payment details then check out whenever you are ready.

3.) Access to a wider variety of products

More often than not, online retailers showcase all of their items on their online website. In fact, you might find that they have more items online than offline. This is because what is offered by them internationally might not be available in your local store. Not to fret though, consumers can shop globally for all the goods and services they want or need�provided that the online store you are purchasing from ships to your area.

CONS

1.)   You cannot test or try it on before purchased

Physical shopping allows us to try on dresses before we actually bring them to the counter for purchase. Unfortunately, you just have to key in your approximates with online shopping as there is no way products can be tried. Moreover, electronics cannot be verified until they are received which poses a certain risk.

2.) Shipping charges can be higher than the product cost

Depending on where you are, the price of shopping can actually be higher than what you bought. You might have wanted to buy an item that would only cost you about two dollars, but from where you are from, shipping would set you back by at least fifteen dollars. In this regard, you would be constrained to spend more just to even out the price of your purchase as well as the shipping.

Are Pearls the Next Big Jewelry Statement? Judge for Yourself

One pearl lover recently wrote us asking, "Are pearls the next big jewelry statement?" Our answer was a resounding, "Yes!! They most definitely are!"

Pearls were a fashion mainstay back in the day. Most of us have seen our grandmother�s or mother's wonderful pearl accessories, which we couldn't help but admire. However, the pearl jewelry, clothing and fashion accessories of today are much trendier than ever before!

Pearls... The Comeback

Pearls are making a comeback in today's world of fashion. Isn't that exciting? The high-end fashion house, Kate Spade New York, was one of the first design moguls to announce to the world that pearls would be a major rave in 2017. They went on to release an entire line of stylish and chic pearl necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, shoes and sandals.

Famous fashion designer Coco Chanel also has a passion for pearl jewelry. Today, you�ll find the gems incorporated into exquisite pieces and jewelry collections by Chanel. The French fashion house now features cultured pearl jewelry as well as sandals, shoes and bags

Even Millennial celebrities have jumped on the trending bandwagon. Rihanna�s Chanel pearl sunglasses made a long-lasting impression on the fashion world. They quickly became one of the hottest DIY items on the Internet in recent years.

Eco-Friendly Cultured Pearls

The world is becoming more conscious of the way we treat the environment. We truly care about our oceans being polluted and causing harm to sea life. Because pearls are the only gemstones created by living creatures, more eco-friendly measures have been discovered to minimize harm to the aquatic environment. Hence, the birth of cultured pearls.

Cultured pearls are born and raised on pearl farms, using techniques that are safe to both the oysters and the environment. This makes the gems very appealing to environmentally conscious, trendy fashionistas.

Pearl Designers Are Pushing the Gems as the Next Big Jewelry Statement

Pearls have been making major appearances on the runway this past year. From fall and winter collections to spring and summer pieces, these precious gemstones have continued to be major showstoppers.

Designers like Chanel and Christian Dior have embraced this lustrous jewel and are going out of their ways to breathe new life into it. These are just some of the pearl accessories fashionistas are transforming into the next big jewelry statement pieces:

• Multi-layered pearl necklaces
• Front-to-back pearl earrings
• Pearl ear jackets
• Pearl ear crawlers
• Stackable pearl rings

Such fashionable and stylish pearl accessories will go a long way in showing that these phenomenal gems are not "dated," but are still in-style and are fashionista must-haves.

Pearls... Kim Kardashian Tries Out the Jackie O Look

Mid-2017, Kim Kardashian �channeled� Jackie Kennedy-Onassis during a photo shoot of her and her daughter North West. Of course, something like this was bound to happen. Jackie surely did hike the demand for traditional pearl wear. But, how did Kim K pull it off?

Contrary to the Kim we all know, she was dressed very conservative and looked quite elegant. The pearl accessories were a great highlight to her and North�s looks. The main question, however� �Would Jackie Kennedy like it?�

Kim K Goes 60s in Pearls

Kim Kardashian was dressed in traditional 60�s style fashion, while mimicking the style of Former First Lady Jackie O. In one photo, Kim donned a stunning white dress paired with elegant elbow-length gloves. She even slayed Jackie's famous bob-styled hairdo!

Her 4-year old daughter, North West, stands behind her. The gorgeous daughter of Hip Hop star, Kanye West, is wearing a black dress with two adorable buns in her hair. In another picture, Kim is wearing the iconic shades Jackie is known for sporting.

And, apparently, the entire family adores pearls. In 2016, Kanye West wooed fashion crowds with his pearl jacket during the Paris Fashion Week Balmain�s show. Kanye�s bomber jacket was covered in pearls. It looked amazing! Just weeks earlier, he�d introduced a similar pearl bomber jacket for a performance on Saturday Night Live. That piece was astounding!

The People�s Reaction to "Kim O" in Pearls

Most people were not happy with Kim Kardashian, saying she had no right to "channel JackieO." They felt that by her dressing up like Jackie Kennedy, she was tainting her memory. Nevertheless, other people thought that she and her daughter were totally rocking the look. And, they both looked great in their huge pearl earrings.

Tips for Pearl Newbies

To all pearl newbies... now is a good time to start your pearl collection. If you're looking for a simple jump start, you could start off with pair of stud pearl earrings. They are great starting point because they can go with any outfit and are stylish for any occasion.

Now is also a good time to purchase and showcase these gems because of the demand they have had in the past years. 2016 was a record year for pearl sales. For some pearl jewelry lines, accessories are selling faster than they can be stocked.

And, the demand for these stones continues to skyrocketas the year-end nears. This is great news to pearl lovers hoping to make the gems become trendy again.

So, be ready to jump into the new pearl trend in 2018. These gorgeous gems are going nowhere anytime soon! 

Smart Shopping: Ways to Outsmart Your Shopping Mall/Grocery Store

"Men go shopping to buy what they need, and women go shopping to find out what they want." -Author Unknown 

In these days wherein a myriad of shopping malls are at a Filipino's disposal, shopping can either be a rewarding or maddening experience--and on rare times, both. Indeed, individuals with a unique proclivity for shopping trends and latest styles would love the idea of having limitless options just within their reach for their easy convenience. From the ayala circuit malls to the string of shopping centers you can find in Makati, there is a seemingly diverse array of shopping options in the Philippines' major metropolis, Metro Manila. Unfortunately, with every boon comes a bane and in more ways than one, shopping can be potentially damaging to your finances--especially when you indulge in frivolous purchasing. 

Have you ever walked into a shop only to come home with items you do not necessarily need nor want? If you have penchant for shopping on sales, this might be a likely (and even regular) occurrence. You might be wondering what compelled you to fork over some cash when you were not really looking to buy. Although marketers have devised cleverer ways to entice the purchasing public to checkout their items in the counter, at the end of the day, it is still your decision and no one is exactly forcing you to make the purchase. In any case, perhaps the best way to arm ourselves against improvident and impulsive buys is to be aware of the things that might be influencing us. Here are a few of those: 

1.) Do not let the store seduce you 

Your senses can fool you and retailers capitalize on this fact by surrounding their stores with elements that will make customers more receptive to buying their products. Observe how your local store does it--some stores incorporate redolent potpourris that entice your senses while the rest would rely on blaring bass-heavy music. Much of the ambiance depends on what merchandise the store is offering, so be wary of this. Beware of lingering far too long than necessary as you will likely fall into the trap of making a purchase. 

2.) Be observant with your purchases 

More often than not, we tend not to expect every single item we check out at the grocery. Albeit time consuming, this is a habit we should develop as it could potentially save us more money. You might overlook certain items like say, a can of luncheon meat for example with the expectation that you are going to pay the same price for it. Unfortunately, retailers are quite adept in manipulating this to their advantage. Yes, you are essentially paying the same price but they have shrunk the can smaller--not too small to make your notice, but small enough to make a difference between what you get and what you pay. In this regard, it may look unchanged to you but a second look would tell you that there is a price-weight fluctuation. In this regard, it is best to observe your purchases and ensure you are getting the best deal out of your buck. 

3.) Beware the freebie

In the marketing climate nowadays, hardly anything would be offered for free. So, be a little wary when retailers are trying to push this campaign to you. More often than not, you have to make a minimum purchase before you can avail of the free item. If you are only making a purchase to get a much coveted item for free, you might want to rethink your shopping choices. 

4.) Indulge your needs 

Our basic needs would include food, clothing and shelter with love being the solitary need you can never purchase. However, we have other needs that do not satiate us physically but are rather good for our emotional well-being. In this regard, we treat ourselves to movies, restaurant dinners, spa days and massages--all of which can lift your spirits up. In no way does this mean you are being imprudent with pecuniary matters, you are allowed to indulge yourself after all. Just remember to stick to your budget.