Auto response: Out of office
I'm sorry I'm currently away from my desk at the moment. I'm enjoying autumn sun, spending time with my family and filling my mind with creativity.
I value your email, and your request is really important to me, however I'm not going to respond until my return, because I'm recharging my batteries. It will mean I'm at my best when I do respond.
Normal service will resume on Monday
Best wishes
Emma
So after stumbling across this rather brilliant quote by the equally rather brilliant Sylvia Plath I just had to share some thoughts on self-doubt.
My confession:
Workaholic.
Flower obsessive.
And part-time self doubter.
The more stressed I get the harder it is so see which creative route to take and the more I start doubting. Do you ever get that? I spend near enough my whole conscious hours thinking about flowers - I wake up thinking about them, work with them all day, talk about them almost 24/7. We are talking about a full on floral love affair. And sometimes you need a little time out! Time to banish the stress induced self-doubt particles to room 101 and give your mind some space to begin creating.
Sometimes it takes some enforced time out to make you stop the steam train and enjoy the view. Its so hard to stop, but the rewards are far greater. Every time I start self-doubting I have a host of butt-kicking tricks that soon sort me out, so if your in a rut, I hope these tricks will help you find your groove:
So this week, I won't be replying to your email's until I return to work. In this crazy email obsessed world "must have a response within 24 hours" I'm bucking the trend for 1 week. I'm enjoying my timeout with my family. I'm busy running through autumn leaves, painting, create huge traffic jams with toy cars, baking , eat home-made grub and kicking self-doubt in the back.
Carrying on whats fast becoming our most read feature, this week in our Botanical SOS series we tackle the exotic Phalaenopsis Orchid.
There are so many different aspects to orchid care, and I would like to point out at this stage we are amateur orchid carers, but our guide will give you the basics to get the most out of this elegant wonder.
Orchids are associated with luxury and elegance. Long stems are adorned with delicate blooms and if you care for this exotic beauty, she will reward you with lots of flowers lasting many many months.
1. Orchids love a constant temperature, if your comfortable they are! So if the temperature dips, its a great excuse to hit the instant heating button, she is also super tolerant to the drier heat of the central heating. Keep this exotic between 16c -30c and she will be a happy lady.
2. The views of watering an orchid are much discussed and debated. What works for me is lining a tray with stones and keeping this topped up with water. I should point out the orchid is sitting above the water, keep chanting the mantra 'free draining' This stone/water system creates humidity which seems to work wonders. Once a week I give mine a soaking all the way thorough with sporadic orchid food!
3. Using the term light but not direct sunlight is like reading the dreaded words smart casual on a party invitation. What does it even mean! Near a window that doesn't get scorching sun all day should be perfect. I've found an east facing window works best for me.
4. The holy bible of re-flowering. When the orchid has almost finished flowering trim the orchid to the highest node. These nodes are little bumps that line the stem and show the growth of the plant. If you wait until the flowers have completely died back, cut the stem lower to encourage new growth. If you leave it too long the stem dies back and will eventually need to be removed for the health of the plant.
5. Leaf health. This is a great tip for orchids, if your leaves are firm and pointing towards the sky then generally your plant is in excellent health. Floppy leaves often indicate your plant is feeling a little sorry for itself. Look at your watering routine and temperature!
Missed our Botanical SOS on my favourite Maidenshair Fern? Read all about it here ... Botanical SOS - Maidenshair Fern
Roll up, roll up! The class bell is ringing and we're super excited to reveal our 2015 Flower School Timetable.
Whether your a beginner starting out or a florist wanting some fresh inspiration our courses are designed to be jam packed with tons of floral knowledge aimed to inspire and fill you with the confidence to flower up your life.
As well as offering some of our most popular courses, this year we have introduced some new subjects that are at the forefront of floral design and the DIY trend.
Over the coming weeks we'll be providing you with lots of information on our courses giving you the low-down on what to expect and some top tips on why you should visit our flower school.
For the meantime check out our timetable below:
Saturday 24th January 2015 15:00 - 16:00
Friday 27th February 2015 19:00 - 20:00
The hottest floral trend is hitting our flower school. This fun filled class shows you how to create flowercrowns for a night out or everyday wear. We provide all the know-how, the flowers and the inspiration to create your very own crown. Course limited to 6 people. Book your place by calling 0118 984 4000
£25.00 per person
Monday 23rd March 2015 19:00 - 21:00
Tuesday 23rd June 2015 19:00 - 21:00
Tuesday 3rd November 2015 19:00 - 21:00
Learn how to create our signature hand-tied bouquet using the freshest seasonal flowers. This course will teach you the tricks of the trade and give you the confidence to produce wonderful hand-tied bouquets for your home and gifts for friends. Suitable for all abilities, this course is limited to 6 places. The price includes all flowers and sundries, and light refreshments. Please book in advance as places are limited.
£55.00 per person
Friday 27th March 2015 19:00 - 21:30
Monday 19th October 2015 19:00 - 21:30
Getting married? This is the course for you! Learn the basics for creating your own bouquet using the best seasonal flowers. Emma, our wedding co-ordinator will also be on hand for a question and answer session where you will have the chance to learn about specific flower suggestions for your big day. Places on this course are limited to 4 people. Price includes all flowers, a glass of Prosecco and light refreshments. Please book in advance as places are limited.
£90.00 per person
Tuesday 21st July 2015 19:00 - 21:00
We show you how to floral up the beloved apple crate. Using oasis and a plethora of gorgeous seasonal flowers, your arrangement will create a quirky take on traditional techniques. This course will teach you the tricks of the trade, talking you through the process step by step. Suitable for all abilities, this course is limited to 6 places. The price includes all flowers and sundries, and light refreshments. Please book in advance as places are limited.
£65.00 per person
Thursday 8th October 2015 19:00 - 21:00
Our tutors will teach you how to make wonderful floral displays for your table. With lots of tips and tricks about candlelight, place settings and napkin decoration as well as learning how to make a central display to adorm your table, this course really is the perfect for those who love to entertain. Suitable for all abilities, this course is limited to 6 places. The price includes all flowers and sundries, and light refreshments. Please book in advance as places are limited.
£55.00 per person
Friday 11th December 2015 19:30 - 21:30
Monday 14th December 2015 19:30 - 21:30
Tuesday 15th December 2015 19:30 - 21:30
Wednesday 16th December 2015 19:30 - 21:30
The perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. Our Christmas door wreath class provides you with all the know-how and materials to make your own stunning festive fresh floral decoration for your door. Suitable for all abilities, this course is limited to 6 places. The price includes all flowers and sundries, a glass of mulled wine and minced pies. Please book in advance as places are limited.
£55.00 per person
So normally I start off gushing about the bridal bouquet - and although Lara's bridal bouquet is possibly my favourite of the season, we just have to start off sharing this ultra huge giant wreath constructed especially for her big day.
Lara and Ben tied the knot in the grounds of a school where her parents worked. Marquee constructed, Lara set to work planning all the intricate elements that would make up her big day. When we first met we looked at a load of images together - this is such an important stage and one of the reasons we only give quotes after a face to face consultation. Spending this time together, getting to know the in's and out's of our couples big day means we can really get a feel for their personalities, wants and floral desires! One of the images we stumbled across was of a hanging wreath suspended over a table filled with folaiges and flowers. The challenge was set! And our large scale wreath adventure began.
Frames were made, transportation issues overcome and finally we got to start foliaging the monster 2 meter frame! Using lots of different leaves, the wreath began to take shape with tons of texture, tints and tones. Watch out 2015 weddings - the giant wreath may be coming to a venue near you!
Lara's bouquet was filled with all sorts of beautiful. Soft ammi majus, scented sweet peas, dolomiti roses, veronica, astrantia, berried eucalyptus and scented herbs. I think you'll agree its an absolute stunner of a bouquet and I can assure you, those sweet peas smelt a little bit like heaven. Delicious!
Lara recently sent us this note about her big day, it was such a joy to work on a large scale instillation, we can't wait for the next challenge!
A brand spanking new feature for us on the blog today, give it up for our Botanical SOS series.
We're always getting asked about care instructions for our houseplants, and, as plant and flower-a-holics, we thought we should bring you the low-down and need to know for some of our favourites
This week were featuring my plant bestie ... the humble fern. There are literally thousands of different species of ferns and I love so many of them, but I think my favourite has to be the ultra delicate (and prone to tantrums) Maidenshair fern.
Today we're going to tackle how we meet her demands.
This delicate fern packs a big punch on the care front. Don't let this beauty queen fool you, she wants a lot of things to stay happy. We're talking luxury dressing room and diamond encrusted plant pot, but meet her needs and she will reward you with the most gorgeous fern foliage you could ever wish for.
1. She loves light ... but not direct light. So a bright room near to a window that doesn't get direct sunlight would be perfect.
2. Keep well watered, not a crumb of dry soil otherwise she will shrill, shrink and shrivel in the most distressing way. I water mine with tap water that has been left out for 24 hours, don't ask me why but it seems to work.
3. Drafts are a massive no-no. No drafts under any circumstance. So keep those windows and doors closed folks.
4. Now opinion is split here, I don't use a liquid fertiliser very often, maybe once a year on my house plants, but that's probably more to do with me forgetting than an informed choice. If your sensible any plant will benefit from some form of liquid feed every few months. Our maiden likes a weak blend (we're talking a brief dip with the tea bag weak) every few months.
5. Trims. Like every lady, she doesn't want split ends gracing her head. Trim any brown leaves to keep her looking her best, but be careful not to touch too many of her 'stroke me now' leaves. She likes to be admired from a distance.
6. To move ... or in the case of our maiden ... NOT! Once your lady is installed and happy I would avoid moving her at all costs, she will not thank you for it.
Woah! Where to start with this beauty ... if you love flowers and plants, this may be the wedding for you!
Vicki an Mark tied the knot in serious botanical style at Kew Gardens at the beginning of October. Some of our favourite blooms made there way to Richmond ready to arranged in the gorgeous surroundings. Vicki and Mark used classical whites, creams and greens to create an elegant autumnal affair. Hydrangeas were used in abundance combined with Majolika spray roses and the heavenly scent of freesias.
With the elegant brief in mind, Vicki's bridal bouquet was jam packed with Akito roses, scented freesias and Majolika spray roses. A tight dome of these gorgeous florals creates a concise but feminine design. To top it all off it really smelt devine! Scent is something I'm a big advocate of for bridal work, its such a powerful sense for an emotionally packed day. Just think, when you breath in those smells again you will be taken straight back to your "I do's"
Delivering the bridal bouquet to The Petersham Hotel has to be my favourite part - I love seeing the brides face when we deliver their bouquet. After putting so much love into arranging the blooms, it is the best feeling handing over the all important bouquet!
The Nash Conservatory at Kew Gardens housed some gorgeous floral displays. Hurricane vases lined the entrance adding to the romance of the day. Hydrangea chair ends with floor length ribbon hung elegantly down the aisle, with large silver flute vases housing a large dome of ivory hydrangeas framed the ceremony table perfectly. With a stunning autumnal day beaming in, The Nash Conservatory has to be in my top 5 ceremony spaces, flooded with light and surrounded by specimen trees and shrubs.
Using a mixture of tall and short arrangements, The Orangery was transformed into an elegant reception venue. With dusk falling, candles adorned each table, flooding the space with romantic light. Each design was complimented by a large mirrored base to reflect the candle light around the table. I have to say I adored the short arrangements, small domes of flowers were housed in ribbed vases that caught the candle light in the most perfect way.
With hurricane vases lining the path up to The Orangery, Vicki and Mark's guests were transported into the most beautiful space.
Huge congratulations to Vicki and Mark, we had a total blast and hope you did too!
What a stunner on the blog this morning! Emily and Alex tied the knot at the end of September at the beautiful Rivervale Barn. September has been jam packed full of beauties this year and none more stunning than this one.
Emily and Alex first came to see us at the beginning of January to start talking about the grand plans for their big day. We always love to ask if the couple have any particular favourite flowers that have a significant meaning, and, as Emily and Alex got engaged in Singapore surrounded by orchids, they became our MUST include flower!
Peach has to be the colour of 2014, and David Austin Juliette roses are the perfect way to work the hottest floral trend. These dishes of scented delight are combined with oriental orchids, lisianthus, spray roses and berries. What a stunner of a bouquet for Emily to walk down the aisle with.
The beautiful barn at Rivervale is expertly designed to allow each couple to put their own stamp on the venue. Emily had tons of vision and bags of ideas on how she wanted to create her romantic dayylots of lovely ideas on how she wanted to personalise it, from the coloured linen to having various floral designs to carry your eye around the space. Full floral circlets with romantic candlelight adorn the tables with a complimenting design of a hand-tied arrangement in gorgeous mercury glass vases surrounded by candles. Each table centre used a mirror circle to bounce the light around the space, creating an ultra romantic vibe.
These rather wow large arrangements framed the top table, with a dome of ivory hydrangeas and suspended orchids. I am a complete sucker for hydrangeas, they have loads of impact in any space, but especially in such a large barn.
I think you'll agree, Emily and Alex had the most gorgeous day, with tons of beautiful florals to top it off!
Today we are sharing one of our favourite September weddings. Daniella and Glen tied the knot at Wasing Park at the beginning of September with there unusual ombré floral theme.
I first met Daniella and Glen in January to discuss lots of gorgeous ideas for their big day, right from the start the ombré theme was something we just HAD to follow. We had a few must haves including lots of romantic roses with a totally gorgeous colour palette of peaches through to stronger orange tones.
I love every month for its own floral stars but I have to say September is a total winner for floral goodies ... how can you not fall completely in love with dahlias, scabiosa, berries and the rich autumnal tones that start to creep into the colour palette.
I think you'll agree, Daniella's bouquet is filled with absolutely stunning roses, with tones ranging from soft nudes through to stronger peach tones and brighter orange. Graduating the colour from side to side helped to achieve the ombré theme. I think you'll agree its such a fresh take on the peach craze that's sweeping the floral world at the moment.
Daniella and Glens ceremony took place in The Garden Room at Wasing Park, such a stunning space filled with light. Hurricane vases with church candles lined the aisle with an ombré rose petals scattered in between for a truly romantic vibe. Candles are a must for me at weddings, the hurricane vases are so usable and could be placed outside at dusk to add a romantic entrance for your evening guests.
Held in the Castle Barn, the wedding breakfast tables were adorned with these rather spectacular table centres. The gorgeous colour palette was followed throughout with the addition of the glam pearls adding further texture to the flowers.
I think you'll agree Daniella and Glen's ideas were beautiful ... I cannot wait to create another ombré affair
Hello you lovely lot!
We're super excited to share with you a recent article feature on Rock 'n' Roll Bride. Kat kindly shared OUR wedding with photos by the wonderful Benjamin Stuart Photography. You simply must must have a look at what we got up to.
Read the full article here ....
