Daisies for Miss Harri.

My little sister is VERY clever. And, she's actually very grown up and brave too. She's only just a grown up, but in February this year, she packed up her world and went to live in New Zealand so she can go to college there. (When I went to college and uni, I just packed my bag every day and caught the train to class). I think she's very brave.

Anyway, we all missed her LOTS.

BUT, last week, she came home for a visit - HOORAY!

I was so excited to see her that I bought a big armful of daisies at the markets, and wrapped them up with a black and white striped ribbon, and took them to the airport to meet her. Daisies are a particular favourite of Miss Harri's.


On a final point of excitement, she did tell me in the car on the way home that she's been buying sunflowers every week to have in her room! I'm quite excited that sunflowers have made her weekly shopping list (this is big news, that the sunflowers are taking precedent over "perky na-nas"* and other such luxuries). It's rather nice to have flowers in one's room - makes SUCH a difference!

*Perky Na-na. What is this ridiculous THING, I hear you ask. Well, those crazy Kiwis have actually given this bizarre name to a chocolate bar. I think it's got banana lolly inside. Harri hasn't eaten one yet (probably because she's been buying sunflowers instead? Or because they have a ridiculous name... I'm not sure). But I've seen a photo of one. And they really are called Perky Na-nas. Which is crazy.

x.

A February Wedding, Part Two!

I know I've already had an excited little type about Alex's weddding, but then she sent me this gorgeous photo and I just wanted to share it!

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A February Wedding

It's been a little while since I shared some wedding photos with you, so here we go!






I had a lovely time looking after the flowers for Alex and Mike's wedding earlier this year. Alex chose a bouquet that had lots of fabulous texture to it, without being too dramatic, to complement her garden party wedding. We carried the textured theme on to the stems also, which were bound in satin ribbon and a natural seagrassy wrap.


















I just love the combination of flowers... and not flowers(!) Alex ands her bridesmaid carried: roses, dendrobium orchids, cymbidium orchids, tiger orchids, bouvardia, brunia, snow berries and baby succulents!





Alex and Mike, congratulations! (And thank you for letting us share your special day with our friends too!)
x

I love hycainths.

Isn't it incredible how a fragrance can instantly trigger a memory?

The week of high school work experience that led me to a career in flowers smelled of hyacinths. My task each morning was to arrange the vases of posy flowers on their table in the display, and being that the week was in the cooler months of the year, the hyacinths were abundant.

I couldn't think of anything more wonderful to do with my life than spend it surrounded by such gorgeousness. Every time I have hyacinths in the shop, I'm taken straight back to that week, and it's another reminder of why I do what I do.

I love the slow drop of temperature as we descend into winter and my world smells again of hyacinths... Brilliant!

Curing Monday-itis

Oh, aren't they just sublime?

WHAT a long time it's been since I've stopped to write! It's been a VERY busy month at Red Fragrance. But here I am... hello!

And it's Monday. Happy Monday! ... which could very well be a contradiction in terms. (It was a little bit for me this morning..)

I don't often suffer Monday-itis (starting bright and early with the delicious mayhem that is the flower market usually prevents it), but I hear it's dreadfully common. And this morning, when I woke up at 3.45, I knew I had been hit. After a very busy month, a battle with technology last night was the final straw - I should have seen it coming!

The markets were reliably bustling, which helped the situation a little. How could they not? But then I spied them: beautiful stems of phalaenopsis orchids, nestled in their fluffy packing, quietly calling my name. My all time favourite flower - what a perfect remedy.

I put them straight into a vase when I arrived at the shop, and they have been making me smile all morning.

My Monday-itis is long gone. I hope if you woke up feeling a bit grumpy about the week ahead, that you've found something to make you smile.

Happy Monday everyone!

x

Valentines Day... 3 sleeps to go

Just a quick one today, because it's very busy here, because it's neeeeearly Valentines Day!

Maybe it's not your thing... maybe it is. And either way, that's ok. Sometimes it's just a perfect excuse or a convenient reminder to tell your special someone just how special they are, and just how smiley they make you feel.

But I just had to share with you what a lovely place* Red Fragrance has been to be working in for the past week or so as people have come in to organise flowers for special someones. I can't help but smile every time I hear a story behind the flowers we'll be sending, and every time I write a card. Super sweet. Really.

GOSH you can all be a lovely bunch! Wish I were delivering every bunch myself so I could see all the twinkly smiles that are going to be happening!

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(*ok, it's always lovely... but especially around Valentines)

Alex and Ben tie the knot!

Oh I do love a lovely wedding!

In late spring of 2010, on a warm and sunny day, Alex married Ben. Congratulations!




Alex and her bridesmaids carried lovely seasonal posies of white peonies, white freesias, silver dusty miller foliage and little lime green brasilia scattered throughout.




Their reception was held at the beautiful Royal Yacht Squadron, overlooking Sydney Harbour. What a view!

We decorated the tables with posies of more white peonies and silver dusty miller, and we mixed these with bouvardia, which I can't decide looked like little stars or little kisses! (And even better, the fragrance was delicious - very delicate and fresh!)




Lots of tealight candles finished the tables, and the room was set!

What a gorgeous wedding to be involved in!

"THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH, your flowers were absolutely gorgeous. I could not ask for more! I was so thrilled with our bouquets and the table arrangements were stunning! Thank you again for being so fantastic. I am so in love with my flowers, I wish I could have them as an arrangement in my living room everyday!!! "

(Thank you to Alex and Ben for sharing photos of their special day with us, and letting us share them with our florally inclined friends!)
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