Lest we forget

11/11/15

Thrifted

October is BUY NOTHING NEW month. I am currently on a year-long mission to refrain from buying any new clothing items; the only new items going into my wardrobe as of June 1st 2015 will be thrifted and gifted. It's working out fine, I already have more than enough clothes anyway- most of us do. The impact of cheap, fast, and disposable fashion on our environment and society is horrendous. The 'buy less, make it last' movement should be a standard mantra, but sadly it is not in our modern world where status and materialism reigns supreme. It is crazy, especially when you can find the things you need- or the things you think you need- through other avenues. Make do, borrow, thrift. Sustainability is everyones responsibility. In the FLOWER INDUSTRY too.

I have always loved thrifting for vases. Some of my best buys have been found in charity shops and on market stalls. I thought I'd put together a post to illustrate the beauty brought to my home through thrifted vases. I've chosen four of my favourites.

What: Vintage depression era glass,

Where: from a market stall,

Featuring: pink and blush ranunculus,

Cost: I can't really remember the cost of this one, but under $20 certainly, 

it was bought for me by my Mum a few years ago now.

See it filled with stunning roses HERE.

What: Vintage brass bud vase,

Where: from a collectables store in Robertson, NSW,

Featuring: my favourite blue hue of hydrangea,

Cost: from memory I paid $17 or $18 for 2.

See the pair of them filled with sweet smelling stock HERE.

What: Vintage milk-glass vase,

Where: a retro collectables store called S t o n e C o t t a g e in Berridale, NSW,

Featuring: creamy white ranunculus,

Cost: this was $15 (I got a small discount because I know the lovely owner).

See it filled with garden-cut spring blossom HERE.

What: Vintage milky-green agate vase,

Where: charity shop in Crows Nest, Sydney,

Featuring: may bush,

Cost: this was $13 or $14.

See it with blush tulips HERE.

It is also possible to create beautiful displays just with what is already in your cupboards, or growing in your garden, like I did HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and even HERE. 

Of course, buying second hand vases isn't saving the world. But applying this approach to all of the purchases you make, goes some way to ensuring that you are treading more lightly upon the earth. When it comes to flowers: choose in-season flowers, buy direct from the grower if possible OR take your snips into your garden to see what might be available, invest in good quality artificial flowers, avoid imported varieties which are sprayed with an array of chemicals in order to pass quarantine, take your vase along to a florist and ask them to create directly into it rather than wrapping your flowers in waste heavy packaging, and limit the flower food you use- clean water and freshly cut stems should be enough.

 Below are helpful links with information about sustainability across many aspects of everyday life:

GOOD GUIDE

THE TRUE COST

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH

1 MILLION WOMEN

+1 Million Women (Australian Climate Coolers) 

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

Links to love: August edition

This list is coming to you a day early because I am heading home to the snow for the weekend, and I think I might leave my internet connection behind.

THIS IS YOUR KINGDOM makes me yearn for the English gap year I never took.

This might just be the bouquet to END ALL OTHER BOUQUETS.

I'm undecided on THIS. It's cute but I'm not sure I could live with it forever. 

August has me excited for an influx of DAFFODILS. They liven up any space!

Again, this is from Catherine at A COUNTRY FARMHOUSE (I swear I read other blogs too), a SENTIMENT I actively try to live by. I guess that's why my kitchen drawer looks like THIS.

Also THIS SENTIMENT. I need to remind myself. I'm a bit of a 'collector'. Which is a perfect segue to...

Makes me want to begin COLLECTING STAMPS.

MAJESTIC, SERENE, BREATHTAKING, my ideal HOME.

It's CITRUS season.

I think I really, really want THIS. Is that pathetic? A grown up with a colouring book? It seems it is all the rage at the moment. Zen for adults.

Current instagram crushes? HERE, HERE & HERE.

And I just looove this hand painted bespoke wedding crest by the talented ARABELLAJUNE.

When we get a dog, I will be doing THIS.

WOWZERS! Such a cool project.

THIS  sounds like the perfect tonic after a long day on the slopes.

Help the HONEY BEES.

These guys really know how to do pretty SHOP FRONTS.

I love THIS. Congratulations to her.

My idea of beautiful FOOD PORN. I have ambitions to make THIS for Alex's birthday.

If you're self-learning photography (like I am), THIS page has very easy to understand explanations, illustrated with gorgeous photographs. I recently discovered Zoe's INSTAGRAM FEED. And I'm in love!

This months flower crush is the pretty little VIOLET. I took far too many photos of these ones that I cut from my Nan's garden recently.

And finally, check out THESE amazing photographs.


I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the first of the muscari in the garden this weekend.

Kate  x



Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

Links to love: July edition

If you're on the mend from end-of-financial-year fever (or celebrations, like Master A  is), there might be some adequate tonic in some of these links for you. Brace yourself, this edition of links to love is loooong.

ICED FLOWERS, apt right now in the dead of winter.

I want ONE OF EVERYTHING.

And I definitely NEED one of these.

This might just be my DREAM HOME.

GARDENS GALORE.

Tips for growing ROSES.

TIMELESS  and beautiful.

CHELSEA IN BLOOM

What the search words 'moss' and 'vine' will return on PINTEREST.

Such inspiration grouped together at the AFAVOURITEVIGNETTEFROM7VIGNETTES hashtag.

Could KARA ROSENLUND please adopt me and teach me all that she knows?

I would plan a holiday just to visit THE WAREHOUSE AT WOODSIDE. If I could style vignettes half as well as this, I'd feel euphoric.

Cuteness OVERLOAD.

YES, just yes. Love wins.

Something I DREAM of doing.

If you like acoustic covers of mainstream music, BOYCE AVENUE is a sublime soundtrack for your cold winter days.

If ever there was an INSTAGRAM hashtag designed for moi? THIS is the tag!

And lastly, my very English family will appreciate THIS.



Kate  x



Just another friendly reminder, my links are CAPITALISED. Lower case links are not designed or embedded by me. You may or may not find them helpful. Thanks for reading Moss & Vine.

Moving images

It's a long weekend! Here are some short videos that I have stumbled across this week. There's one for every mood. Enjoy the weekend.

Serenity: FLORET FLOWER FARM

Fun: THE FLOWER DRUM

Motivation: I WILL WHAT I WANT

Awe: CUSTOMS HOUSE Vivid 2015

Wonder: CHATSWORTH GARDEN AT CHELSEA

Current literary crush: POLDARK

Kate  x

Styling and Photograph by Moss & Vine

Links to love: June edition

This We Fell in Love FEATURED WEDDING is very lovely.

What can I say? THE CUTTING GARDEN.

THIS shop makes me want to up-sticks and move to Bath. Also, THIS does. And, AUSTEN does too, obviously.

Some garden envy happening HERE.

A link for the FUTURE. Where I will buy my old rose varieties for my dream garden.

I can't get enough of these CUTIES.

I'm pining for my very own KUMQUAT tree to cut branches from.

Some NAUTICAL NICENESS.

This is nothing short of exceptionally CUTE.

I know I say it every month, but how WONDERFUL to be a farmer florist.

Fellow flora enthusiasts rejoice, the beginning of winter means the sweetest smelling ERLICHEER is just around the corner.

Keep warm,

Kate  x

Flowers, Styling and Photograph by Moss & Vine 

Science

Get a clean beaker, 

pour in two parts H2O (also known as water for the laymen amongst us)

+

three parts pink bouvardia

=

Native to Mexico, bouvardia means enthusiasm // zest for life. 

Prettiest science experiment I ever conducted.

Kate  x

Flowers, Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

On the move again

We've never been the type to live in one place for too long. Secretly this frustrates me no-end. I'd like nothing more than to stay in one location and make a beautiful home, plant a colourful garden, and adopt a dog. As it is, we've lived in three different cities in the past five years: Sydney, Auckland, Canberra, and now, Sydney again.

I know, I've just finished praising the benefits of Canberra living, and now I'm back in the very city I  was dissing a few months back. But, needs must. Alex has been offered a fantastic new job opportunity that was, as they say, too good to turn down.

And so we find ourselves becoming Sydney-siders once more. Back in the rat-race. In truth, I'm not over the moon about being back in the big smoke, but, between you and me, I've been promised adequate compensation.

There are a few obvious benefits to being back though. I once again have the Sydney flower markets at my disposal. In our new neighbourhood is the beautiful Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden. And I'm hopeful that one day soon I'll be able to secure a fun, inspiring and challenging new role in the floristry industry. I am hungry to learn. Hungry to grow my skills and responsibility level. Hungry to make floral friends. I am particularly eager to get much more hands-on wedding experience.

Thanks to all those who made our (short) time in Canberra a wonderful one.

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Truce

2014 is the centenary of the outbreak of The Great War. Christmas, 2014 was the centenary of the Christmas Truce. One of the most endearing and admirable tales to ever come from war, the Christmas Truce happened on the battle fields of the Western Front in December 1914. Weapons and hostility were spontaneously and willingly swapped for Christmas carols and temporary peace.

Christmas Truce, 1914

Poppy wall, The Australian War Memorial, Canberra

The spirit and respect exhibited that Christmas was incredibly admirable. That 1914 Christmas was full of hope for peace, for an end to conflict. That Christmas acknowledged respect for fellow man. It was a Christmas full of humanity. It's something this world could do with more of. I am hoping for a more peaceful, prosperous, gentle, and respectful 2015 for everyone.

I was able to spend beautiful and laughter-filled time with my loved ones this holiday season. I exchanged wonderful gifts that will be cherished. And, I ate an abundance of food. I am a lucky person. My heart, my table, my home is full. Not everyone is so lucky. I wish they were.

Be kind, be mindful, be appreciative. 

Happy 2015 one and all.

Kate  x

Flowers, Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Pink loads of pink

Mix and match:

paper daisies,

carnations

&

david austin roses

K xx

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Coastal Wedding

22/11/14

It's a wedding weekend for us! 

It's my favourite kind of wedding too. 

I get to be florist and guest.

My Friday will be filled with bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages and flower crowns,

before a Saturday of 'I do's'.

K xx

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Giddy up!

It's Melbourne Cup day tomorrow. 

I thought I'd wire up a hair circlet for me, and a buttonhole for the boy!

Halo of David Austin rose buds, paper daisy, and jasmine.

Buttonhole featuring David Austin rose and rosebuds, jasmine, and buxus.

Maybe I'll get some pictures of them being modelled before the race is actually run.

K xx

Flowers, Styling and Photography by Moss & Vine

Wild carrot

I spied Queen Anne's Lace in my local market! 

A sure sign that Summer is on her way.

Queen Anne's Lace is one of my favourite ever flowers. Strangely enough, most of my favourite flowers are Summer flowers. I don't enjoy Summer very much. But I adore Summer's bounty. Dahlias, Lavender, Hydrangea, I love them all.

 Q A Lace is just the most delicate and pretty flower.

More about Queen Anne's Lace.

Queen Anne's Lace is a true taste of Summer, because it is also edible. A herb of yesteryear.

K xx

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Eight// Octo-ber in review

Fun fact: October was once the eighth month of the year, before Julius Caesar gifted himself July. And whilst he was in the mood for rearranging the calendar, he posthumously presented Augustus with August. *

So the Octo in October makes little sense anymore. Come to think of it neither does the Dec in December.

Eight has been a bit of a theme for me this October.

It has been eight months since we left Sydney. I am happier for having made that decision. Life is pretty grand. We love our new city. I love being a florist. And things are only looking better and better.

It has also been eight years since I went on the first date with my boyfriend.  

Eight years ago he bought me pizza. He's a tad more sophisticated these days.

Whilst I was busy styling some photographs of the new (old) ring, I thought I'd try my hand at styling an emerging trend. Recently i've been seeing the 'bed of moss' look appearing in more and more wedding photographs. Don't know what i'm talking about?

Moss ring box on pinterest. Always a good place to get your head around trends.

Or, try here.

What else had me excited this October?

Max Gill Design

How to display flowers in your home

The Mrs Box

Silk & Willow

Bash Magazine

We fell in love

Ben Adams Photography

K xx

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine


*I stand corrected on the whole calendar thing, my painfully intelligent Brother sent me the following:
'The Senate named July after Caesar, in recognition of his achievements. And Augustus was JC's grand-nephew, so August was not named for him posthumously but inter vivos, by the Senate, some time after Caesar's death.'

So, there you go.

Bows and pearl pins

You are not a florist unless you have a large stash of ribbons and pearl pins. 

Ribbons are fundamental to floristry.

I have just spent some time organising my own ribbon station. Colour coded, of course.

Cream, pale blue, lavender and twine, these colours are must haves. 

But you never know when a bride is going to ask for neon orange and sky blue. Together.

Some weddings are all about colour!

My current ribbon crush is this ebony + ivory striped ribbon.

It's a classic look.

I am also lusting over the stunningly beautiful plant dyed silk ribbon from 

Silk & Willow.

K xx

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Spring abundance

Spring just keeps on coming!

This is the communal garden at our apartment complex.

Happy Friday// almost end of the week.

K xx