QR Giveaway Begins Today- Enter to Win a $499 Floral Arrangement!

So what is the deal with those funny little barcodes you've been seeing everywhere lately?  They're popping up on everything, from business cards to TV commercials to tattoos.  Well not only are we going to give you some insight into QR codes, but we're going to make it worth your while by giving away a floral arrangement valued at $499 to one lucky participant.

QR (Quick Response) codes are a form of matrix or 2D codes, made of modules arranged in a square pattern to store data.  They were originally created by the Japanese automotive industry in 1994 to track vehicles during manufacturing.  Today they have evolved into much more.    They are gaining populatiry because of their large storage capacity and fast readability.  Japan is still a pioneer in QR development, with QR codes even being placed on people's tombstones... not kidding! (check out http://bit.ly/rcKfv).  Here in the US, companies are using these codes to take their customers to more information about their business.  QR codes can be scanned by smartphone cameras, and can be directed to a webpage, contact information, a video, map, etc.

So we thought we'd have a little fun with these codes.  We've teamed up with Blushing Blooms By Brennen to bring you our "What's With Those QR Things?" Giveaway.  Just scan the below codes and "like" both company Facebook pages, and you'll be automatically entered to win a beautiful Blushing Blooms floral arrangement.  (Trust me, they are amazing!  I have one and it is the focal point of my foyer.)  Already a fan of the pages?  Don't have a smartphone?  No worries.  Just be sure you've liked both the Pizazz Floors and Blushing Blooms Facebook pages and share one of our posts with details about the giveaway on your wall to help us spread the word.  Easy enough.

See the below banner for details and start scanning!  The winner will be drawn at random on November 18th at 8pm.

How to Scan A QR Code (for smartphones):

• Download a QR reader from your app store.  It's free.  In your search bar, type "QR Reader" and pick one that is voted highly.  ScanLife and Zxing are good ones.
• Once downloaded, open the app.
• Place the QR code in front of your phone in the viewfinder.
• Voila!  The phone should scan the code and take you to the code's destination.

5 Fabulous Fall Decorating Ideas

The leaves are turning, football is in full swing, and there’s a crisp feeling in the air…  it’s time to get your home nice and cozy for fall.  Here are a few easy decorating ideas we love that will help get you inspired.

Welcome guests to your home with this beautiful and easy entrance collection.  All you need is a wheelbarrow, a couple medium to large pumpkins, some smaller gourds, black paint, and a few sprays of leaves.  If handwriting is not your forte, stencils work great.

Make use of an old garden rake with this clever fall display.  Just push ears of multicolor maize between the teeth of a metal rake.  You can hang your festive fall decoration near your front entrance with a hook or prop it against a wall.  Done in minutes!

Use a variety of seasonal gourds to create this simple mantel display.  This picture uses two large hard-shell gourds mixed with smaller soft-shell gourds, but you can be as creative with it as you like.  Complete the look with bittersweet branches and maple leaves for extra pops of color.

Start with a simple grapevine wreath.  Find some nice fall florals (Michaels or Hobby Lobby) and some metallic spray paint in varying shades of gold and bronze.  Spray the florals and insert them into your wreath.  To add a personalized touch, hang a monogram letter in the center, tied with a ribbon.

To make your home feel extra warm and cozy this fall, light some fall scented candles in yummy scents like pumpkin spice, apple pie, or gingerbread.  Turn your candle into a centerpiece by placing the candle in a pumpkin (remove the stem and cut a small indention into the top of the pumpkin) and tuck in a few leaves, vines, or artificial berries.

Decorating for fall doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.  Fall is full of rich colors and textures, so think about bringing the outdoors in.  Using things you find in nature, like autumn leaves, branches, pumpkins, and pinecones, is a nice and cost-effective way to add some charm to your home this season.  Happy fall decorating!

Congratulations to Our Home Improvement Contest Winner- Brian Jordan!

Well Facebook fans, you definitely showed us your skills!  Our "Show Us What You Got" Home Improvement Contest wrapped up this weekend, and we must say, we were impressed!

Our winner was Brian Jordan of Gainesville, GA, who submitted a picture and video of his Caribbean resort bar (pictured below).  Brian got the idea from a Bombay Sapphire magazine ad.  His picture received a whopping 30 'likes" landing him in first place with a prize of $100 cash.

Coming in second place was Wendy Green with her elegant, remodeled bathroom, receiving 20 likes.  Wendy and Brian were neck and neck for much of the contest, but Brian pulled out ahead on the last day.  Wendy expresses "We had a great time getting involved with the contest.  Thank you for hosting!"

Also entering the contest were Kathy Berg with a custom built pool house and Ray Barany with a display of intricate wood work.

To see all of the entries, go to our Facebook page.  Thanks to everyone who participated!  Be sure to look out for more contests to come in the future.

Brian Jordan's Caribbean Style Bar