On the death of mediocrity

I never realized how much time it took to prepare the blog each week. Then Amanda went away. 

Fortunately Andrea used her Tuesday lunch hour to beautifully capture the floral shipment. Thank you. I would decide on which images I loved and then upload each to the blog, think about what to write, make a cup of tea I'd forget to drink and then think some more. Then I'd look at these incredible images of our flowers and wait for the word fairy to magically arrive - plummeting me with quips, just the right turn of phrase and complete ideas folded into tight sentences. 

Then Amanda came back and with her return, an idea. "Let's Instagram the images - it will take half the time." Always up for something new, I replied "Sure, let's try it".  And so she did. 

I wanted to say "Thank You" to Amanda. You were missed. She's a wonderful friend and an even better photographer and that's saying something. I came across a quote earlier today: "It's nice to be around people who think differently than you. They challenge your ideas and keep you from being complacent." Tucker Carlson  

But, I am really not sure about the Instagram images in spite of The Gladioli looking divine and the Charlie Brown Cymbidium Orchids being "off the chain". 

As always there is a limited shipment brought in just for you - visit our  new shop on 19 Queen Street in Hamilton before it all disappears.  And here's a nugget before I depart:  

What do you think about the flowers being captured by Instagram? Let's us know in the comments below! 

Plus ça change

My life slowly bleeds from one moment into another. I am this solo passenger on a fast track commuter train that whooshes past the different stations without stopping. I stand there with feet firmly planted. And, holding on, watch the scenery go by. Minutes pass and quickly forward into days and as I look back in disbelief, I wonder where all the time went. 

Yesterday I came across a long forgotten piece of paper in the back of my desk drawer, hidden behind an expired gift certificate; the sepia ink had faded. In my best private school girl penmanship I had written "plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose." (trans: the more things change, the more they stay the same).  

As I looked at Amanda's images she'd captured earlier today, I thought about the veracity of that expression. We see trends become fads become trends again but there is a simple elegance of flowers that remains a constant. It's familiar and it's what we come back to time and time again as we hurtle through the days that make up our lives. We realize that the things we love and what we have always loved will remain the same...njb

Fade to black

We are naturally drawn to certain colours. Our choices define us; a subliminal statement about what we're wanting to portray. I prefer black. I imagine my edges becoming blurred and my physical self fading to nothing. Disappearing, my words and actions have no choice but to stand out.

But flowers are not meant to be invisible. Their chaotic symphony of colours demand attention. Each colour representing a meaning. When Andrea captured last week's floral shipment, I was overwhelmed initially. The profusion of colours splashed across Dropbox. It was not until today that I was able to sit down and truly see the beauty of her work. And because I try to find order, even in nature, I began grouping the colours together. Crimson and tangerine, violet, soft pink, the deepest shade of purple. Lime against magenta. Most often I was drawn to images where the background faded from slate to black allowing the flowers to stand out.

Most often people come in and ask for a colourful bouquet. I wondered what they really meant by that. So I decided to explore colour...

Red: The colour of strength, power, determination, passion and love

Orange: Combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. 

It's associated with joy, enthusiasm, creativity, success and encouragement. 

Red orange: desire, sexual passion and pleasure

Green: Symbolizes growth and hope, harmony, freshness and fertility. 

It's the most restful colour to the eye. 

Pink: Romance, love and friendship

Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. It symbolizes power, luxury and ambition. It's associated with wisdom, independence, creativity and mystery

Light purple evokes romantic feelings

Blue symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom and confidence, intelligence, faith, truth and heaven. 

Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. 

(Blue yellow is the perfect colour scheme for a super hero)

I have to thank Andrea Tsai Barker for so brilliantly stepping in while Amanda was away and so beautifully capturing each week's shipment. Thank you, thank you, thank you. If you ever give up your career in finance, please do consider being part of our marketing team. 
With the greatest appreciation, 
Nikki 

While there is a dark side to colour, it it my nature to focus instead on the more positive attributes. I have absolutely used artistic licence with the descriptors selected from the colour library. Any omissions are mine alone.

If you are interested in learning more about colour, there are some terrific sources on the web. 

Source for the above content: http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html

What's your favourite colour?  

...njb