Weird, Wild and Wonderful

I have just come back from the New York International Gift Fair and been blown away by the incredible assortment of vases and object d'art available to the market. Going into the shop for the first time in what felt like days, I opened the door to see Amanda sprawled out on the floor, camera in hand, photographing flowers. 

Kati had been designing bouquets and Kirsteen was chatting away to a customer. As much as I loved being away, lost in the hustle and bustle of New York City, I so enjoyed coming home. Even if it was to all sorts of weird, wild and wonderful things on display in the floral fridge. But don't take my word for it - the flowers have just arrived - go take a peek but be careful as you walk in, Amanda might be on her tummy photographing flowers. 

Gladiola

I saw this rose today, I think for the first time, and fell in love. 

Hydrangea

Pin Cushion Protea

Summer arrangement

Designer: Kati

Ready to go...

Friday's Flowers - It's all in the lipstick

There was something remarkably delicate about the clematis that arrived this week. Each petal - almost translucent. How was it that something as light as gossamer can hold its colour?

Clematis 

Similar to a passion flower but far more... feminine. Seeing them reminds me about the fragility of life: They are a vine, each tendril reaching out to hold on tight. Like a newborn, eyes still closed, fiercely grasping onto its mother's outstretched finger.

Anemones

Vibernum

Chrysanthemum in a gourd vase (exclusive to Petals)

Above Protea, Below Ranunculus 

I was chatting to Karen, a friend, on Skype last night. She is a wine guru and professional organizer - truly. Lifting up my make up box to the tiny computer camera, I proudly showed her my collection of lipsticks all categorized by colour. "What are all those lipsticks compensating?" She asked. "But one can never have enough reds!" I exclaimed, deftly avoiding the question.

Seeing the red ranunculus today reminded me of Chanel 19 "Gabrielle"; a deep red lipstick intense, creamy, demanding and complex. Perhaps my fetish for red flowers and red lipstick are one and the same: I love things that make me feel confident, sassy, sexy, memorable. 

What impression do you want to make when you wear red lipstick?  

Valentine's Day: Blown Away

Amidst much speculation over the snow storms raging the East Coast and cancelled flights, thrilled so say our flowers are here for Valentine's Day. And they have never been more beautiful.

The tulips look feminine with their pink centres

Like a chameleon, the sunlight filtering in through the door changes and the red gently gives way to a pink tip.

So many, many tulips!

Roses more red than a Chanel Lipstick

Gerbers are always so playful

Roses with in soft pink trimmed with a vibrant deeper shade

Roses before their guard petals have been removed

Soft lemon roses tinged with pink

Amber Protea

White hydrangea

Wax flower in white

Phalaenopsis orchids

A variety of eucalyptus I have never seen before

Sea star fern

Helleborus 

Mokara orchids in a variety of colours

A Bright New Year...

I am known for wearing black. It's what I do. Preferring to express myself in other ways: through assorted hues of lipsticks, handbags, shoes, even furniture but always through flowers. 

Amanda called just after 8.00 this morning. I was at home eating breakfast; sitting in a silver Louis XV look-alike chair upholstered in a shocking pink velvet. I had an important meeting in a couple of hours and was enjoying a slow start to what would become a busy day and thinking what to wear. Black, black or black? At the end of our call, as girls are wont to do, the conversation turned to my possible attire. 

"You should wear colour!" She said. I'm sure I gasped in horror.  "It's a New Year." She insisted.

"Have you photographed the flowers yet?" I asked, changing the subject. 

"Not yet. It's grey outside". She said. 

"I know", I replied. 

I got dressed: accents of dove grey and silver on black. Not sure anyone noticed that I coordinated with the weather but they say that first and foremost, a woman should dress for herself. So I did. And with a nod to the New Year, I wore pink lipstick. 

The sun was shining as I came out of my meeting and drove back to the office. The first thing I did, upon sitting down at my desk, was to check and see if Amanda had uploaded the images. Not yet it appeared.  Moments later she called.  "You should see the flowers!" She exclaimed. I had to laugh.

And as I logged on, each image began to reveal itself; much like a peep show. Hues of fuchsia, burnt orange and lime green. Bloom after bloom after bloom captured in such a way to show off nature's diversity and complexity. I loved that our vases were featured too. 

The magenta anemone that always makes me feel so delicate, feminine and fliratious, black eyes flecked with yellow and navy surrounds. 

Fire engine red pin cushion Protea from South Africa. 

Ranunculus tinged in a Chinese Red, a vibrant mustard orange and Kryptonite Green, all waiting to unfold.  

And the most perfect variety of pink and green Ranunculas...

... reminding me of layer upon layer of petticoats.

All our flowers arrive in limited quantities. Perfect for your home or office or as a gift. 

2013 had arrived and our lives were filled with colour. It may be January but it feels like spring in my heart.  

...njb