The End of the Year

Did it feel as if 2012 was your hardest year yet? It seemed as if I was not the only one who felt this way.

The economy has yet to rally. More relationships have ended than begun. Important people in your life may have passed away. With the election looming, it was difficult to be excited about Christmas and don't forget, the end of the world was upon us. 

With victories few and far between, It's easy to get caught up in such a pessimistic philosophy. But I say: The heck with that! No sunshine? Buy a blue light. Bad weather? Dance in the rain. Feeling drab? Have flowers by your bedside. Feeling down? Call a friend who makes you laugh - it's infectious.  But most of all, truly live in gratitude.

This year in particular has been shapeshifting. I have felt an urgent need to do or die. Whatever higher being you believe in, I have to believe that we were put on this earth to be part of some incredible journey. But if we are so focussed on within we can often miss opportunities that lay at our feet. 

This year brought an opportunity for everyone at Petals to work with Amanda.  I truly value her friendship and while this blog is supposed to be about flowers, it is also about everything they provoke. Sometimes when you see something every day, you stop enjoying them as fully as you once did. I love that Amanda's photographs encourage me to see our flowers in a very different way. I never want to lose that feeling of butterflies in my tummy when I fall in love with something. That sensation reminds me of the purity and innocence of life.  

When Amanda called to say the images were uploaded, she laughed with excitement: 'Just wait until you see the photos'. Her enthusiasm was infectious. I couldn't wait. And there they were:  Flowers do not have the ability to be anything other than what they are: Raw. Honest. Vulnerable. Beautiful.  

As the year draws to a close, these incredible images remind me that while 2012 didn't turn out as expected, I would like to think the turmoil has forced me to determine all that is important in my life. The end of the world forced me to think about my own mortality and to lay the groundwork for an amazing year ahead. Part of that has been the redesign of Petals; to create a concept of seeing flowers in a very different way and in an environment that made one want to linger.    

If you are going out to someone's house for New Year's Eve or would just like flowers for your home, stop by the studio. The new layout is bound to make you linger. Collect a bouquet or ask for them to be sent ahead. And don't forget, every purchase of $75.00 or more will enter you into  the draw for a photo shoot with Amanda and hair and make up by Vernon at Strands. I can't think of a more beautiful way to start the year!

Hydrangea - For the giver it means gratefulness and the receiver - understanding

Peonies - Mischievous nymphs were said to hide in the petals of the Peony, giving it the meaning of bashfulness in the Language of Flowers. 

Combined with hyacinth - beauty

Image at top - double lisianthus: appreciation

It's Christmas Eve

There is something about the day before Christmas, and the days leading up to it, that pushes one to reach out to friends and family. It's as if there is a burning need to reconnect and make up for the time when one didn't make time for the other. Some people are brilliant at keeping in touch. Others, like me, not so much. It's easy to allow the madness of the days to overlap, for work to take over and somehow be okay with that. Tomorrow.... I'd promise myself.

Yesterday I called Amanda between walking the pups and going into the studio. "Stop by and see the flowers", she exclaimed. I distractedly looked at my watch, knowing the work load I had to get through, but turned the car around all the same.

I was having dinner with her on Christmas Eve and she'd spent the morning making the most amazing floral arrangements with some of the flowers that had arrived on Friday.

I have stopped being horrified at how Amanda puts flowers together. There is an absolute beauty in her free form arrangements. Her love of flowers and ability to see life through the lens allows her to create a structure (of sorts) from mayhem and madness. We chatted about the flowers that had woody stems and how much easier they were to use in an arrangement than those that were more delicate. The jonquils were scattered throughout, the seeded eucalyptus and thistle from weeks ago, had dried and added depth and texture.

The anemones had slowly opened revealing their black centres and were looking quite cheeky. Ranunculas and sweet pea, freesia and lilac all wrestled for my attention which I happily gave - admiring the table and arrangements from all angles. It was simply beautiful.

For those who are not as daring, or need a little direction, you really must join our workshop held by one of our very talented floral designers on January 28, 2013

Amanda had taken the eucalyptus and made the wreath I had chatted about - it was so lovely to see another variation of a common theme. so much so we were brimming with ideas for next Christmas.

Wherever you are and whomever you're with, don't wait until tomorrow to tell someone you care and to capture all that is beautiful about life and the happiness that flowers can bring.

Let It Snow

“La neige. C’est fantastique” 

translation: Snow – It’s fantastic

Such was the Facebook post from a friend earlier this week. I was jealous. He was skiing in France (and clearly rubbing it in). It made me think of how Christmas in Bermuda is so very different. On Christmas Day, I go to the beach - ideally before noon but I am happy to make it by 2.00pm. The pups romp around and I enjoy the soft December sun on my face and seeing friends it feels like I have not seen forever. All of us with toes buried in the sand, a glass of champagne in hand and laughter in the air. 

The only thing white that nature provides at the beach on Christmas Day is the sand and the ocean surf; certainly not snow. So I loved that when we were ordering flowers last week, it looked more like a list to Santa than a floral order.  Yesterday, I hovered around the boxes as they were being unpacked, eager to see whether or not our wishes had come true. As lid after lid came off, it felt, as it always does, like presents being unwrapped: but in seeing the flowers, it seemed that snow had come to us after all: a symphony of white flowers. Amanda selected her favourites to photograph, each flower quietly carrying their own message...

White Lilac - First love

White Sweet pea - Thank you for a lovely time and blissful pleasure

White Delphinium - Boldness

Anenome - Forsaken

Olive - Peace

White French tulips - Forgiveness

Jonquils - Love me and affection returned

As always, the subject of love was one close to our hearts...

Each week, on the petals website, we feature the flowers that have just arrived in the design studio. Always exquisite, always in limited quantities. And always so beautifully photographed by Amanda. 

Create your own message with flowers from Petals...
...njb

Red

There is no doubt about it - the beautiful blooms in hues of burgundy and red filled the studio this week.

I have only seen anthurium in pink, red, ivory and green and to be frank, they are not my favourite flower. So it was with surprise, which turned to absolute joy, I saw these get unpacked; a wonderful shade of merlot with striations of ivory. Too beautiful.

Kirsteen and Sarah were making up the arrangements for the corporate contracts and paired these with burgundy mini cymbidiums, baubles dusted with glitter and a sheer bronze ribbon woven through; all of a sudden it feels quite festive.

In Europe Ilex (Holly) is commonly found, however, we've only just recently started to bring it in. What is a holiday season without it? Now we just need some mistletoe!

I do so love peonies. The way they unfold under your very eyes. I know I have mentioned it before, but they always, always remind me of one of my grandmother's hats! They are decadent, lush and luxurious. I might just make up a posy to put on my coffee table.

Amanda placed the red mokara orchids from our shoot earlier this week with the merlot anthuriums and popped them in a bottle - it just shows how any vessel can be used to beautifully show off flowers.

...njb

PETALS IN THE PRESS

We are so thrilled with Marina Mello's article on Petals in the Business section of today's Royal Gazette.

We imposed upon Sacha Blackburne, an amazing photographer in her own right (and also Amanda's sister), a person with the patience of a saint and enthusiasm that doesn't quit, to take some photographs of us to accompany the story. It was the first time I had ever been deliberately photographed by Sacha and under her direction, in spite of my exhaustion, I felt absolutely feminine and graceful. We had a magical afternoon in her garden, chasing the soft golden afternoon light. Sacha, thank you so very, very much.

The tulips, having been out in the warm afternoon sun, were just beginning to open and reveal their striking black stamens. After the shoot, I brought them inside and placed a selection in miniature bottles along the center of Sacha's dining table. An old water jug sat empty on her window sill; I couldn't resist, the balance of the tulips found their home and positioned like a waterfall dropping to the counter below.

I started Petals over a decade ago; primarily to offer Bermuda Bride's couples unmatched quality, stunning bouquets and centerpieces that spoil the eye. Over time, our client base has broadened enormously and we work closely with each client to determine their desired aesthetic. I realised that Petals needed the same TLC. I did not think twice about asking Amanda to help me. We have been friends for 12 years and work well together. It may seem an unusual collaboration for a wedding planner and photographer to join forces in redesigning a floral company, but Amanda and I could not disagree more. In fact we disagree quite a lot. "We do not" Amanda exclaims. But we do. But we also finish each other's sentences, laugh at the same things and have the same vision and passion for Petals.

Not many people could pull off wearing so many flowers in their hair but the red mokara orchids suited Amanda to perfection (photo taken with Sacha's iPhone using instagram). 

3 Park Road:

After much rearranging, purging, cleaning and sorting, the studio has been transformed from an austere office to a relaxing environment where clients can meet with a floral designer to discuss their event, enjoy Amanda's artwork, freshly printed on metal, and discover our treasure trove of vases. It truly looks like a place where I would like to spend some time: exploring, learning, being inspired and sharing my passion for flowers.

We do hope you will stop by and visit us - the studio is across the street from Masters...

12.12.12

Here it is - our new site: .. www.petalsbermuda.com and it's the perfect date to launch it, don't you think?

We've met a lot of amazing people and worked with some wonderful clients over the years; each unique in their own way. As we look ahead, we are filled with excitement about our new direction and getting back to what inspired us from the beginning: a love for flowers and how they are portrayed.

The new site is an evolving glimpse of our work, much beautifully photographed by Amanda Temple, the blog - an integral part of the site as it will capture everything from workshops, photo shoots, exhibitions and a continuing diary of design - a glimpse of the work we do and how it is portrayed in situ.

What can be said about our work is that we don't simply design, we understand - who you are, what you're looking for and the message you wish to send. All reflected in the flowers you give or, if you are like me, have: on your desk, by your bed, on a kitchen counter. All because of the happiness it brings.

Let us create the floral designs for your next event - be it an intimate supper or a lavish affair.  Contact one of our floral designers today!

Studio: 292 7303
e: nikki@petals.bm
location: Design studio opposite Masters
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