With Valentine’s Day just days away personal finance guru Vera Gibbons has published her latest Valentine’s Day gift guide on CNBC.com.  “Americans are expected to spend almost $15 billion on gifts and merchandise this year, making it the second biggest spending holiday after Christmas” according to the guide.  With flowers consistently among the top gifts Ms. Gibbon’s take on the best floral option is always met with great enthusiasm.  This year FromYouFlowers.com comes in as the top pick for quality and price, making it the only florist recommended by Gibbons and CNBC.  Other categories evaluated include chocolate, jewelry and spa-related gifts. “The quality of your order is only as good as the florist fulfilling it,” said Gibbons.  “Our top pick, in terms of meeting our expectations, as well as overall quality and price, is FromYouFlowers.com.”

This accolade follows Ms. Gibbons’ appearance last year on CBS’s Early Show where she showcased her take on five different online florists.  Those results saw FromYouFlowers.com come in as the “best value,” a sought-after title given Gibbons’ focus on thrift and quality.   Ms. Gibbons career as A financial journalist has seen her opinions regularly featured on CNN, MSNBC, Today, and in various finance publications in addition to the previously mentioned CNBC and Early Show.

FromYouFlowers.com’s roses in particular received this year’s coveted stamp of approval with a dozen long stem red roses in an elegant, clear vase costing only $59.99 (we also feature a dozen roses at just $39.99).   With our hand delivered arrangements available for same-day delivery nationwide FromYouFlowers.com will be offering Valentine’s Day delivery on those roses, along with most other products, right up until Sunday, February 14^th.  Arrangements start at just $29.99 on FromYouFlowers.com and all shoppers are given the peace of mind of a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Other exciting products being sold this year include:

• Red Hot Bouquet - $59.99: As seen during the Super Bowl commercial!  Surprise your Valentine with luscious red roses and pink lilies in a sleek red contemporary vase that’s so hot it practically sizzles. You’ll get a very warm reception.

• Be My Love – $49.99: This wonderful bouquet of red roses, mini carnations and white Asiatic lilies features a grand selection of blooms to impress your true love. A splendid choice.

• Hugs and Kisses – $34.99: Whether for your significant other or your sister, aunt or grandmother, this delightful floral gift is a sweet way to say “I love you.” Sweet price, too.

• 1 Dozen Mixed Valentine’s Roses – $39.99:  A dazzling kaleidoscope of color, this mix of red, yellow, purple, white and pink long stem roses is sure to win her heart!

For more information on FromYouFlowers.com and to Save 15% as an InBloom reader visit www.fromyouflowers.com.

We had yet another exciting contest in the year’s biggest game as the New Orleans Saints went on to beat the Indianapolis Colts.  For some the Super Bowl is little more than a game played in between an in-home screening of some the of latest and greatest commercials.  For those viewers our partner Teleflora didn’t disappoint as they featured our wonderful Red Hot Bouquet. The arrangement made its acting debut alongside the salty flowers-in-a-box played by Don Rickles (watch below).

We’re thrilled that the Red Hot Bouquet got this widespread – and expensive – exposure and we’re ready to deliver it just for you.  InBloom readers and Twitter followers can save $10 when you buy yours today. Enjoy!

So the boss might not be too happy with a post highlighting direct competition but if its flower-related and interesting we have a duty here at InBloom to blog about it.  That said, sorry in advance!

Today saw the launch of the latest line of products in the wildly successful Product (RED) campaign.  Founded by Bobby Shriver and U2 frontman Bono, (RED) has done a tremendous job of raising funds and to a greater extend, awareness in the fight against AIDS in Africa.

FLOWE(RED) is a new internet flowers shop that will be putting all profits towards helping those living with HIV in Africa.  Currently delivery is limited to those living in the UK – which is most likely the reason I’ll be here to blog another day.  To kick-off the latest extension of the brand, (RED) set-up shop in the bustling tourist point of Covent Garden in central London.  Radio and TV personality Cat Deeley was on hand but the real show-stopper was the amazing Africa shaped arrangement assembled entirely out of flowers. At the time of this blog post free individual roses were still being handed out.  All this comes on the heels of another exciting launch in London with Nike’s soccer star-studded release of their Lace Up Save Lives laces.

While FromYouFlowers.com isn’t affiliate with (RED) we do understand the power of giving and social awareness.  In response to the crisis in Haiti we have set up a dedicated shopping site where we will send 25% of each purchase to Yele Haiti’s disaster relief efforts.  Simply go to FromYouFlowers.com/yelehaiti or mention code “HAI” over the phone.

Valentine’s Day shopping isn’t exactly easy.  Whether you’re shopping for that new person in your life, the one who’s been right there with you for years or just for yourself (don’t laugh!), figuring out the right thing to get can be daunting.  You might want it to be memorable, you certainly want to send the right message, and more often than not value is important.  As we all know flowers are often the answer to this dilemma and right now FromYouFlowers.com has a great range of products for your Valentine’s gifting.

With great prices across the entire catalog our arrangements make a perfect stand-alone gift or pair them with something else to make for a truly special Valentine’s Day.   We like some of the interesting complimentary gift ideas New York Magazine threw together for ’09 – especially the Little Spoon o’Love Gift Tower – and we’ll certainly be on the lookout for this year’s edition.

Surprise that special someone at work the Friday before or wait until Sunday – either way we’ll get it there for you!  Click any of the images to jump to the product page.

For the Budding Romance: Playful, simple and flirtatious

For  the Girlfriend: Vibrant, elegant and lively

For the Real Significant Other: Classic, luxurious and gorgeous

Various Loved Ones…Including Yourself: Decorative, fun and…dare we say…comforting

All InBloom readers Save 15% with the code TWT – our discount for @fromyouflowers Twitter followers