You could taste the softness...

I have never eaten a flower unless it was the edible kind but more often than I would confess, I have gently and slowly brushed a bloom's petals against my cheek, lost in the feel of its softness. The Vanda orchids arrived last week. Only two in a box. Their petals looked softer than antique velvet. I had seen the colour, this wonderful mix of dark chocolate and the royalest of purples, and knew I could not resist getting them. I had a client in mind who I knew would fall in love at the mere sight ~ and out it went for delivery.  

I lifted the remaining orchid to my cheek; it was even softer than I could ever have imagined; such is the beauty of a Vanda orchid.... njb

 'Miss Piggy'

Hydrangeas 

 Hypericum

Sweet Pea 

Lilac

 Eryngium "Thistle"

Gerbera

Trachelium

Bouquet with Red Naomi Roses and Lavendula

 Tulips 'Black Jack'

Anemones 

Bouquet with Roses 'Miss Piggy', Hypericum, Phlox and Limonium

Dendrobium Orchids

Roses 

 Forsythia

Lavendula

 Phalaenopsis Orchids 

Vanda Orchids

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It's not that I am a Bah Humbug (cough) but as an adult, I have never really enjoyed Christmas. It was always tinged with family dynamics, sharing children, the stress of finding the right present or an overall sense of sadness. But as Albert Einstein said: The definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So let's switch it up and bit and see what we get!

To start with, I have brought Anne Turcic, a Christmas specialist, down from Canada to help out in the shop. She's more passionate about Christmas than Rudolf. Since she arrived, Anne's been decorating everything from 20' trees and wreaths for clients and creating and designing our now famous 2' trees. I am sure she'd decorate me if I stood still long enough! The air in the shop is festive and infectious. Fresh Magnolia Wreaths, lacquered in Antique Gold or Silver, hang on the wall. And there is a pile of pine wreaths excitedly waiting to be decorated. 

From large pine cones to mini me's (tinged in copper) and dried pomegranates...

to our new Christian Tortu vases filled with pink hydrangea and anthurium

Our new over sized blown glasses in copper and blue 

have bubbles of happiness captured in the blowing

Mini cymbidium orchids

Pine

Our rectangular vases with a hole in the middle are fun, funky and colourful

Tulips 

Anne brought down thousands of Christmas wreath and tree accents. 

I so want to take these owls home!

The white hydrangea is nothing short of stunning - it reminds me of snow

Amaryllis with copper asparagus

Buttercup yellow spray roses languish in a metal pail

Our reaction to the mini carnations was surprising. Sssshh. Don't tell.... we adore them! 

They sort of destroy all the preconceptions I have had about carnations. Hmmm. 

The Belle Fleur Candles are so beautifully fragrant. I have been doing a poll on people's favourite. And there's a complete art to smelling them you know! One has to waft the dome in front of your nose and like a wisp of air from a genie's lamp, the smell escapes! I have my favourite - what's yours?

Anethum graveolens

Lilac - its fragrance is so soft and beautiful...

Freesia

Gerbera

"Cabbage Roses"

Iris

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And suddenly, I just can't wait xox

The Heck With That!

I was recently speaking to Amanda about holidays and the things we celebrate. It's funny how there is a tendency to wait until a specific day to acknowledge, in some meaningful way, either ourselves or those we love. The heck with that! 

Belle Fleur Candles

I have long believed that we find happiness in the most unexpected places and encounters and by the very things that are present in our everyday lives. I believe that my best china should not be saved for Christmas Dinner but that I should enjoy it every day. The same with that special perfume and dare I say it, what about those silk knickers? Every day is to be lived. Fully and exquisitely. With joy.  And by being present. Speaking of which... along with our "drop dead why don't you" shipment of fantastical flowers that we just received yesterday, I am dancing with excitement about our intoxicating Belle Fleur Candles - displayed so beautifully under glass domes. Come in and bury your nose! Your life will never be the same.

Christian Tortu Vases - available in amethyst, olive and grey

You'll also want to check out our Christian Tortu Iconic Vases - modern, elegant, fabulous. Both vases and candles or a bouquet of flowers are perfect as a hostess gift or, if you are like me, spoil yourself and enjoy the smells and sights of something from Petals just because! Be irresistible. xo

Mango Calla Lilies - can you imagine two or three of these curled in a Christian Tortu Vase?

Gerbera

Red Green Hydrangea

Blue Red Hydrangea

Autumnal Greenery

Thistle