And then there was Paris...

Being in retail is no easy task. By nature, I want to please. I want to thrill you, surprise you, wow you. But there are some days when it's challenging to manage staff, manage shipments, manage missing shipments, manage work loads and let's not forget the paperwork! Somewhere in between the 80 hour work week, you think of Tim Ferris - 4 hours? M'honestly?  How do you fit in some semblance of a personal life? How does any conversation with a lover not begin with something about work? An idea. The best one yet!

Starting Petals was a dream come true. This journey has been a 14 year old dream and then some. But there are some days when nothing seems to go right and I have to wonder if it's worth it. I think of moving to Paris. But then the flowers come in and the fridge is pregnant with colour. Each variety so vibrant with their own story; their own temperament. Each brimming with possibility. You see their beauty and the happiness they can bring someone and suddenly Paris becomes somewhere I shall visit in Spring.

Paperwhites

Seeded Eucalyptus

Muscari

Liliac

Mini Cymbidium Orchids

A Christmas Arrangement

Ranunculus

Helleborus

Parrot Tulips

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

A Season of Gratitude

One of the best things about Americans is they sure know how to celebrate. Thanksgiving Day defines the American Spirit of family, friends and giving thanks. It's as if time stops and arms are open wide. Homes are shared. The oven is positively bursting with a huge turkey slowly going golden brown. Unless you are a vegetarian of course. 

The flower arrangements that are being made for Thanksgiving mirror the change of seasons; the turning of the leaves, a sudden awareness of the air turning crisp. In the shop, Kirsteen has been designing the most exquisite table arrangements. The phone has been ringing with clients requesting flowers and foliage in browns, oranges and golds. There is a warmness in peoples' smiles as Thanksgiving approaches - as if we need this special day as a gentle nudge - a reminder of everything we have to be grateful for. 

 

Anthurium

Asparagus fern in Copper

Mustard Carnations

Amaryllis

Gerbera

                                                                            Gerbera

Double Lisianthus

Double Lisianthus

Double Lisianthus

Freesia