Bowerbird

I was in a city bar recently, two glasses deep into the house-white when someone amongst our party asked the group what they thought their spirit animal is. I had immediate flashbacks to an exceptionally awkward job interview where a similar out of the blue question was asked. 

Out of the blue. It's from the blue that my answer comes. I'm a bowerbird, fussing over my nest, filling it with beautiful objects (blue, and otherwise) that I've scavenged from just about everywhere. Yes, I relate to the bowerbird completely. The "otter" in the group replied, "that seems like a very florist answer".  Is it? I think I was a bowerbird loong before I was a florist. I'm less a florist, and more a nester, a home-body, a frustrated interior designer. I only believe in beautiful things.

This past year, I overhauled the cutlery drawer by purging it of all plastic. I replaced the ugly plastic divider with a nicer wooden version and put baskets either side. All plastic handled cutlery was thrown donated in favour of silver spoons, bone-handled knives, and wooden serving utensils. It was a total gentrification of the top kitchen drawer. My inspiration for this project was Catherine at In The Fields, previously A Country Farmhouse. The images from this post of her own kitchen drawer sparked in me a burning desire to cultivate my own rustic, beautifully mis-matched top drawer.

I'm not sure how many readers out there would get similarly excited over something as mundane and utilitarian as the cutlery drawer, but a true nester, a fellow bowerbird would understand irrevocably. Catherine is my style idol. The queen of collectables. And a fellow flower enthusiast. To say that I am a big admirer is falling short of the mark. Catherine and her husband are currently undergoing a second home restoration. Their first home featured on her A Country Farmhouse blog was something dreams are made of. Impossibly impeccable.

I try to hold most other aspects of our own nest to a similarly rigorous aesthetic standard. It is not always an easy task, because the man in my our home doesn't recognise why the sheets and covers on the bed need to match, or why I need to buy another lamp, and trying to convince him of the beauty of coloured depression glass will be eternally futile. In his defence though, he thinks nothing of my buying yet another wicker basket, is in full-support of my quest for the perfect wing-back arm chair in which to read, and has readily accepted that the entire contents of our recently gentrified drawer require hand-washing and can never under any circumstances be put through the dishwasher. He's easily trained. I think i'll keep him.

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Bottoms up!

We are officially back in the "big smoke".

Our little (temporary) apartment has little more than a few white goods and a bed at the moment, but we are once again Sydney-siders.

I've been slow to dive back into the rush of city living, I dipped a proverbial toe in the waters first.

But, I'll admit to be being a little excited to experience some new aspects of Sydney living.

Cheers!


Kate  x


Styling and Photograph by Moss & Vine

Good taste

When I was growing up this painting hung on the wall above the television. I didn't pay much attention to it, frankly I didn't care for art very much.

I feel differently these days of course. I squealed with delight when I found a room filled with Degas in the Met when I was visiting New York. I am consistently green with envy when I see beautiful paintings on Antiques Roadshow. And I often think art collecting would be an exciting hobby if I ever had the money.

My Mum has wonderful taste. This painting belongs to her.

The delicate blue plumbago seemed like a pretty accompaniment. 

I've just spent a few weeks at her home on the south coast, picking flowers and taking photos. I can't wait to return at Easter time and see what is flowering then.

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Valentine's Day wrap // The Snail & Petal

I love love, so I love being a florist on Valentine's Day. Shout out to the man who bought his fiancée a stem of ornamental kale because she isn't a 'rose sort of girl'. You're my kind of outside-of-the-box guy. Shout out to the silver fox who came into the shop with his young son to buy his wife a rose, and got each of his little girls a rose too. And a big shout out to Anna at The Snail & Petal for saying goodbye to me with the most scrumptious smelling candle I've ever smelt. Canberra ‪people, if you need flowers, choose The Snail & Petal. My time doing wedding work there was wonderful. Happy Valentine's Day lovers.

Kate  x

Styling and Photograph by Moss & Vine

Candle from The Snail & Petal, Hackett

Small packages

Are most definitely the best packages!

If you are a regular reader of Moss & Vine, firstly thanks, secondly you'll know I've been lusting after the beautiful velvet ring boxes from The Mrs Box for quite some time. You will also know from this post that it was my birthday last month. Some girls drop hints to their men about jewellery. I dropped hints about the vessel jewellery is traditionally presented in. 

I didn't want a ring. 

I wanted a ring box. 

A velvet ring box made from French velvet estimated to be between 40 and 100 years old, just to be precise. He's a switched on man, this man of mine. Actually, I wasn't overly subtle about my desired birthday present. He'd need to be really quite dim not to have grasped my hints outright requests for my very own Mrs Box.

I think it must be the most beautifully tactile object I own. I can't stop looking at it, turning it over in my hands. It is stunning.

If you're getting married, you should put your wedding bands in a Mrs Box for the wedding ceremony.

If you're planning to propose, you should do it with a Mrs Box.

If you already have a cherished ring, you should have a Mrs Box to put it in when it's not on your finger.

Shout out to The Mrs Box for dreaming up and producing such an exquisite thing!

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

'The Gardener' Mrs Box from The Mrs Box

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

26 nectar moments OR comparison is the thief of joy

 It's my birthday! I am 26 years old.

 My twenties (so far) have been more wonderful than not. I am healthy, educated, fiscally fit, and happy. It is more than many people get in a lifetime. But there has also been an abundance of self-doubt, and harmful comparison of my life with other "more successful" people that I know. I am gradually realising that it is far more useful to focus on the things you have accomplished, than to always look to the things you hoped to have already achieved.

Have you heard of the Nectar List?

It's the opposite of a bucket list. It's fun, and if you do it right, it breeds a feeling of satisfaction and, even more rare, contentment.

So for my 26th birthday, I sat down and wrote 26 entries on my very own nectar list.

1. I've photographed the rooftops of Paris from the Eiffel Tower

2. I've had a brilliant view of New York's Central Park from a plane window

3. I've had a bonfire in my garden

4. I've watched the new year fireworks beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge

5. I've had jewellery bought for me at Tiffany, 5th Avenue

6. I've lived in a multi-generational household

7. I've climbed to the top of St Paul's Cathedral, London

8. I've swum in a muddy dam

9. I've swum in an infinity pool

10. I've fed the monkeys at the top of Murugan temple, Kuala Lumpur

11. I've dined at Rockpool

12. I've dined at the Auckland sky tower revolving restaurant

13. I've lived abroad

14. I've seen the Olympic torch being skied down a mountain

15. I've rode on the back of a camel on the beach

16. I've walked The Mall, Washington DC

17. I've felt euphoric with the realisation that there are empty seats next to me on a long-haul flight

18. I've perused Degas' famous works at The Met

19. I've been brought to tears by music

20. I've been brought to tears at a wedding

21. I've chopped my hair off with reckless abandon

22. I've seen Girl Reading by Renoir (one of my favourite paintings) in the Musée d'Orsay

23. I've held the soft-cover, published work of my brother in my hands

24. I've bathed by starlight in a hot mineral spa on the edge of Lake Rotorua

25. I've watched the sun set over the Indian ocean

26. I've planted a herb garden

Of course, there is far more to my life (and everyone's life) than those 26 simple things. I could probably write a list of 260 things and still not be done. 

I'm hopeful that my 26th year will bring more nectar to my existence. 

Let's eat cake!

Kate  x

Flowers, 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

Nice weather for ducks...

...Not so much for country races.

We went home to Cooma yesterday for the 'social event of the year'.

Boy, oh boy, did it rain. It was a wash out. I've got mud on my patent leather heels to prove it.

As mountain kids, we expect four seasons in one day, but I was not prepared for quite so much rain.

I was prepared with the flowers though!

Boutonnière and flower crown.

I ended up wearing a rose fascinator rather than the flower crown, but I enjoyed wiring up this combo none-the-less.

Until next race day,

K xx

Flowers, Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Formal

Formal season is in full swing.

It is such a nice thing to be able to create for family. This is last nights wrist corsage.

I hope it was a stellar night for them despite the stormy weather.

K xx

Wrist Corsage, Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Say yes to thinking outside the trends

I pursued floristry because I was all about the flowers. Now that I am a florist, I am all about the wedding flowers. Wedding floristry is what I am most excited by, by a long way. But strangely I've seemingly become all about wedding details across the board. Like I've hinted at in previous posts, I spend a great deal of my spare time on wedding blogs. A great deal! Predominantly my focus has been on the flowers, and then the decor and wedding photography as secondary interests. But lately my brain space is being consumed by wedding dresses. I have no clue why I'm interested, but I am. And like any arm-chair expert, I have fervent opinions. In the last three or four weeks I have watched an embarrassingly large amount of Say Yes to the Dress and I Found the Gown and Don't Tell the Bride.

Don't judge me too harshly.

Whilst these shows are fun, they don't quite satisfy my fascination for wedding gowns. And I think it's because they lack variety. Apart from the odd statuesque and overly self-assured New York bride who confidently picks a structured, art-deco inspired gown, the majority of the dresses walking out the door at Klenfield and Bridals by Lori are white, strapless ball gowns, with sweet-heart neck lines. Even the consultants in the bridal stores concede to camera that the majority of the off the rack dresses fit this precise formula. Why? Where is the choice and variety?

Where is the antique lace in off white?

Where are the high neck lines?

Where are the delicate buttons as an alternative to corsets?

Why has everything been embellished with crystals masquerading as diamonds?

And for the love of all things chic, where are the sleeved gown options? 

Below are some links to dress inspirations that don't fit the cookie cutter bridal aesthetic from Wedding Sparrow.

25 Best wedding dresses for the fine art bride

Blue wedding dress inspiration

Blush pink wedding dress inspiration

Black wedding dress inspiration

And yes, I know I just dissed the sparkles, but below is an example of chic, show-stopping embellished dresses.

Sequin wedding inspiration

But at the end of the day, if a white, jewel encrusted, strapless, cinderella-type ball gown rocks your socks, then wear it. There must be an abundance of them for a reason, even if I don't recognise it. Don't let anyone dull your sparkle, least of all me. I just want to see some variety!

K xx

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Photographed open magazine spreads are from Hello May magazine and

Bride to Be  magazine.

Wedding photograph is my own Nan at her 1950s wedding.

Ocean + Bush

My weekend bride adores flannel flowers. That was my brief...

Flannel flowers.

What a wonderful brief.

Below is a pre-view.

Boutonnières

Father of the Bride, Father of the Groom, Brother of the Groom

Boutonnière

Chest corsages

Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom

Boutonnière

Groom

Posy bouquets

Ring bearers

Bathroom Arrangement

Flower Crown

Bride

The Bouquet

A thousand times, congratulations!

K xx

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

Love beautiful things?

Me too.

So, I will share with you some pretty// gorgeous// beautiful// stunning// exquisite things.

The Tenth Meadow is the kind of life I dream of living.

Ginnyau has a near perfect aesthetic happening. Her images are blissful. If I could style images half as well as her... oh my!

And whilst we are admiring aesthetics, we must stop by Pearl & Godiva.

Here is Snippet & Ink paying homage to The Mrs Box. And rightly so.

How about the stunning website design at Flannel Flowers?

And here is photographic proof that roses are simply exquisite, no matter what stage of their life they are at.

So much beauty in the world.

K xx

Styling and Photography by Moss & Vine