Spring long weekend x1

We've been doubly blessed in the Australian Capital Territory, we have two long weekends back-to-back. Awesome. The snow has melted on the mountains, more or less, so there was no early morning drive up to Perisher for a day of snowboarding. Instead, I used my time wisely. Kind of. 

I went to Floriade Nightfest with a couple of friends. Floriade is a bit like a flower theme-park. A lolly shop for florists, if you like.

I got a haircut. And had my 'brows done.

I went shopping. A few times. Cabin fever set in about 36 hours into the weekend.

I watched/listened to much of the 2014 Last Night of the Proms.
S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R.

I re-watched Outlander from the beginning in preparation for the mid-season final. 

I bought the (first) Outlander book and am half-way through it.

I went to wander through the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

I've caught up on the laundry.

And I've still got the rest of today to...

read, probably, if i'm being honest.

Also this month:

The annual Bride-to-Be spin off mag Flowers and Wedding Styling was released in September, making me one happy, happy, happy florist. It is a long wait for this beautiful magazine to grace the shelves each year.

I've been obsessing over Lovestar. These vases are genius. So, so effortlessly cool.

My current flower crush is the exceedingly humble chamomile daisy. It must be a Spring thing. These sweet little daisies are the essence of this season.

I've been lusting after beautiful and unusual ribbon.

And thinking about cake styling.

Oh, and of course there was a flower crown for a wedding in there somewhere too. Here is a sneak peek. More to come (hopefully).

K xx

Flowers, styling and photography by Moss & Vine

Garden grown, garden crown

It is still warm where I am. The garden is still growing and creeping and crawling and blooming.

Often we sit outside to eat, drink cups of tea, read books, and chat around a solid, weathered table.

Yesterday I went to the garden, bare footed, armed with my scissors and snipped away, collecting bright flowers and wispy vines.

And this is what I made. All from the backyard.  Have I mentioned just how much I love flower crowns?

I love flower crowns!














K xx

On the topic of Gypsophila

Gypsophila, otherwise popularly known as Baby's Breath or even Gyp, has re-emerged in recent years as a popular flower. Adding to it's popularity is it's newly developed brother flower, 'Million Stars'.

It was overused in the Eighties. Paired with Red Roses, it was a filler flower, used sparingly, resulting in a cliched bouquet. Emotionless. Dare I say, tacky. Apologies to the brides who carried Red Roses and Baby's Breath.

If you're a 2014 bride with a penchant for Baby's Breath however, you are in luck. You will not be accused of appearing tacky, cliched or unimaginative any time soon. Baby's Breath is being used in wonderful new and inventive ways. One design trend that is particularly popular and showcases Gyp at it's very best is using it en masse. A full bouquet of fluffy white flowers, a cute little rustic buttonhole finished with twine, a great big striking pomander hanging from the ceiling, or my personal favourite the halo of Baby's Breath.

It results in a pretty, delicate, feminine and oh-so-romantic head piece either for a bride or flower girl. In lieu of a veil, a Baby's Breath halo acts as a pretty accessory for more modern or edgy brides who wish to do away with some of the more rigid traditions of the bridal 'uniform'. En masse, Gyp is stunning and is elevated into focal flower status, never to be dismissed simply as a filler flower again.

Would you consider this once humble flower as part of your wedding day styling? Or is it still too old fashioned for your liking? I must admit I went into floristry expecting to loathe Baby's Breath. I didn't believe Gyp could be presented to me in a way that would make it appealing. As I began to trawl through wedding styling books, magazines, and blogs my mind was changed. Irrevocably. It is so versatile, fulfilling many a styling brief. Rustic, romantic, modern, white. I'm grateful to the previously underrated Gypsophila. Long may it remain popular.

K xx

These images are part of the photo shoot by photographer Erin Black, contact her at erin.a.black@gmail.com
The beautiful model is singer songwriter Sarah Bird , check her out at sarahbirdmusic.com
Flowers by Moss & Vine