1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1




                                     ARTHUR
                                    ANDERSEN




              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
              ---------------------------------------------------


As independent certified public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our reports on
Gerald Stevens, Inc.'s (formerly Florafax International, Inc.) supplemental
consolidated financial statements and Florafax International, Inc's
consolidated financial statements as of August 31, 1998 and for the year then
ended, and on Gerald Stevens Retail, Inc.'s financial statements included in
the Gerald Stevens, Inc.'s Form 8-K/A filed on May 17, 1999; and the financial
statements of Eastern Floral & Gift Shop, Inc. and subsidiary, Arizona
Wholesale Floral Co. d/b/a Cactus Flower Florists, Flower Franchising, Inc.
d/b/a Royer's Flowers, J.J. Fallon Company, Inc. d/b/a Fallon's Creative
Flowers, National Flora, Phoebe Floral, Inc. and A.G.A. Flowers, Inc. included
in Florafax International, Inc.'s Form S-4 filed on April 12, 1999; and to all
references to our Firm included in or made part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Miami, Florida,
  August 25, 1999.