Christmas Fun to Start at Once!

November 30, 2017 admin Leave a comment

With the start of December upon us, it is a great time to begin enjoying some more social activities, and the City of Sydney really turns it on, with some great (and often FREE) activities that you can enjoy throughout the month leading up to Christmas.

This time of the year is notoriously busy of course, but many of these activities are great group activities that will help you get into the spirit of Christmas whilst socialising as well.

DID YOU KNOW that according to the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) nearly 25% of Aussie homes, and occupied by a single person? I find that pretty astounding. Nearly one quarter of our population lives alone, so the beginning of the festive season could also spell the beginning of feelings of loneliness and disconnectedness for those flying solo.

It is easy at this time of year to be consumed by our own lives and all the business that comes with the silly season. Often those who are lonely withdraw further, not wanting to burden others with their problems. Dropping in small thoughtful gifts to neighbours, can help combat feelings of isolation in those who have no family or friends around them- Check out our Christmas gift range if you need some inspiration. Now is also a great time to extend the invitation to people you suspect may be lonely. Keep plans open and informal- after all, the more the merrier!

Some of the sights throughout the city provide a base for creating a fantastic treasure hunt activity, or could provide entertainment between a festive pub crawl. How fun would that be? With so many amazing venues throughout the city, what a fun way to spend an afternoon or weekend with a group of friends.

ttd 2 — Image; Swarovski Christmas Tree at the QVB via What’s On

There is plenty to do and see in the city, so starting somewhere central makes sense. The QVB building is always dressed to impress at Christmas time, and with the Swarovski crystal Christmas tree taking centre stage, it is certainly worth a look. With Town Hall station basically underneath as well as many bus routes passing by, it is easily accessible. Then head toward Hyde Park.

PUB CRAWL SUGGESTION; RAMBLIN RASCAL TAVERN

ttd 4 — Image; David Jones flagship store on Elizabeth Street, Sydney

At the flagship David Jones Stores on Elizabeth Street you will find the big retailer’s take on Christmas modeled in each window display. This is always a nice thing to do with the kids- and this year features very cute gingerbread characters. The David Jones windows are beautiful to look at during the day, but are also gorgeous at night, with the displays illuminated once the sun goes down.

PUB CRAWL SUGGESTION; RABBIT HOLE BAR AND DINING

ttd 1 — Image; Martin Place Christmas Tree via The Salvos

The Christmas tree in Martin Place is already in place, and the lights are on, shining the way throughout the city. Each night leading up to Christmas, choirs will be at Martin Place caroling. With a train station near by at Martin Place this makes another great meeting point. Light projections are also on site here every night to see.

If you fancy a little sweet treat to keep your energy levels up, The GPO pop up dessert bar is set up at No 1 Martin Place offering a range of gelato, housemade sweets, cakes, coffee, cold beverages and savoury options.

PUB CRAWL SUGGESTION; GPO BAR

Head down through Pitt Street Mall though the Boulevarde of Light; a Christmas forest installation with nearly 80,000 white lights shining down on you. On Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings caroling choirs will also be performing here from 6-8pm. Check out what Choirs are coming to perform right here.

PUB CRAWL SUGGESTION; PALMER AND CO

Swing by St Mary’s Cathedral which will be putting on a Light Show again this year, with the sweet singing voices of a choir to accompany the show from 7.30pm every evening. There will be food options on site for those with grumbling bellies.

PUB CRAWL SUGGESTION; OPERA BAR

Circular Quay is a great destination to finish your city tour. For locals and tourists alike, it is a picturesque place to sit down and rest your weary bones, and grab something to eat or drink. After all isn’t that all part of getting into the Christmas spirit- eat, drink and be merry!

Fwf x

NEWS IN: Christmas Decorating Believed to Make You Happier

November 23, 2017 admin Leave a comment

Did you know there are LESS than 5 weeks til Christmas? If you are anything like me, hearing that fact gives you a little pang in your belly, aware of all the things you need to do and organise. Despite knowing that I am so far completely unprepared, even coming up with a list seems to premature. How could it be almost the end of another year???!!

I’ve always grown up in a house that does not begin Christmas decorating until December 1st. My mother’s birthday is in the last week of November, so she feels incredibly put out if there are any reference to Christmas before we have celebrated her day. Much to her annoyance, the shopping centres begin Christmas decorating usually sometime in October. Is it just me, or does it seem to be happening earlier every year?

WELL, according to new research by psychologist Steve McKeown, people who begin decorating for Christmas earlier are happier. McKeown says; “In a world full of stress and anxiety people like to associate to things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of the childhood,”

Ever heard that saying ‘like a kid on Christmas’? Well, according to McKeown, decorating for Christmas stirs up all those warm and fuzzy feelings we felt as children….all those wonderful feelings of anticipation and excitement. Christmas decorations work as visual cues, creating a nostalgic pathway back to those feelings.

It is not all happy news though- according to McKeown, hanging up the decorations early can be to relive happy memories from your past, BUT it can also be to over compensate for past neglect. Decorating the house early is also a tool that people use to appear more friendly or social. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, suggests there is a link between decorating your home for the festive season and seeming more open and social to your neighbours.

xmas 5 — Image; Country Cupboard Cookies

So what kind of festive activities does your family undertake? Do you bake gingerbread houses or shortbread? Do you create your own wreaths for the door or table? Do you create interesting advent calendars for the family? There is tonnes of inspiration on Facebook craft pages, Instagram and Pinterest if you fancy trying something new. And family favourite Kmart brings the goods at affordable prices if you fancy getting creative.

As always, Florist with Flowers offer a gorgeous array of Christmas themed decorative items for your home-check them out here. Fresh floral wreath arrangements can be ordered for your door or table. Poinsettia plants and miniature Christmas trees are sure to make an appearance in store in the coming weeks.

xmas 3

Christmas tends to be a very busy time socially and it is often difficult to choose gifts for people who you only know professionally, or perhaps for people who really seem to have everything they need. Fresh flowers or plants are always well received, and we can create an arrangement to suit any colour scheme or styling.

So on that note, I encourage you to start decorating now even if it goes against your whole being…after all, apparently it is good for you!

Fwf x

YES! Same Sex Weddings on the Horizon

November 16, 2017 admin Leave a comment

“Yes, Yes, Yes!

“What a fabulous day to be an Australian, because in this survey the Australian people have declared overwhelmingly Australia is ready for marriage equality.”

– Bill Shorten

Well, if yesterday’s result is anything to go by, as florists, life is about to get a little bit more exciting! For anyone in the wedding industry potentially there are going to be new clients. Servicing any wedding is an honour that we should appreciate. Being chosen to be part of any couple’s BIG DAY is the highest compliment….and the highest level of pressure. Getting it right matters. Exceeding expectations matters.

23498780_129334324444764_358349587024445440_n — Image; Mr Cook Florist

Yesterday, it was revealed that 61.6% of Australians who participated in the $122 million voluntary postal vote for same-sex marriage. Almost 13 million responses were counted.

At this stage, the Australian public has showed their support for same-sex marriage, however it is not legalised as yet.

“I feel for young people who had their relationships questioned in a way which I wouldn’t have thought we would see ever again, but nonetheless what this marriage survey shows is that unconditional love always has the last word.” Bill Shorten said. He believes that same-sex marriage should be legalised as quickly as possible. “Today we celebrate, tomorrow we legislate,” he said.

Malcolm Turnbull has committed to getting the bill passed through the senate so that same-sex marriage will actually be legalised by Christmas. “They voted yes for fairness, yes for commitment, yes for love. And now it is up to us here in the parliament of Australia to get on with it, to get on with the job the Australian people have tasked us to do and get this done this year before Christmas,” Mr Turnbull said.

There are still some hurdles to overcome, still some issues to iron out with the bill….whichever bill that is they decide to go with, or amend. Some believe that the bill should include religious protections that allow cake bakers, or even us florists to deny our services for a wedding if it is against our own convictions. Liberal MP Kevin Andrews also believes that a gay baker should be free to deny making a cake for a heterosexual wedding, or a Jewish baker objecting to make a cake for an Islamic wedding and vice versa. This is ‘compromise’ suggested to keep everyone happy, and if that is what it takes to work.

23595799_361888360928565_246948761115295744_n — Image; Sophie Monk Instagram

“There is a sense that, whether one agrees with it or not, this is a reasonable thing to do and that is reflected by the result,”

-MP Kevin Andrews.

So I wonder what the first high profile same sex marriages in Australia are going to look like? Are they going to be a kaleidoscope of rainbow colours, celebrating gay pride with no apologies? Are they going to be demure and romantic, using soft colour palettes and being quiet in their celebration?

Our talented designers can make every wedding wish come true with inspired ideas and creative concepts. If you are after a general price guide and pretty pictures to look at head on over to check out our wedding work here.

We must remember the vote was by no means unanimous,not everyone is happy. However it is important to remember that we all had the opportunity to cast our vote and have our say….

The crowd has spoken…now we just have to get on with it, showing each other respect along the way.

Fwf x

Eco Chic- Natural Materials Making Responsible Products

November 9, 2017 admin Leave a comment

We all seem to be developing more of a social conscience, or at least that is the way it seems. Products are popping up everywhere claiming to be more environmentally friendly, using renewable resources, and providing various new business opportunities.

As the first world gets richer though, it is encouraging to see that some of the wealth and opportunities are trickling down, utilising resources that can be found in some of the poorest regions of the world.

Did you know many products that we use in a commercial florist are sourced internationally these days? In some ways this is sad as money is going off shore, however it is largely due to the cost of wages in Australia. The truth is, if we were to grow them here, the price would probably end up so high, no one would buy them. Buying from overseas is also influenced by the difference in climate; what they are able to grow, that perhaps we can’t. Most of our orchids, anthuriums and tropical foliage (like cordyline or palm leaves) comes from South Eastern Asian countries and Mauritius.

vine 1 — Image; Monkey ladder vine via Project Noah

vine 2 — Image; Kiwi Vine via Dried Decor

vine 3 — Image; Bamboo via Better Homes and Gardens

We use several types of vines and canes in floristry, but some of these natural materials also make fantastic decor, and due to the nature in which they grow, they make eco-friendly choices.

Rattan is closely related to the palm plants, and considered a liana (or vine) rather than a true wood. As it is a climber, it’s texture is flexible and malleable, whilst still incredibly strong, making it an ideal material to weave furniture from. It is a rapid grower, with the ability to grow up to 30 metres tall however does not have the strength to grow alone, instead using the structure of other neighbouring plants to hold onto in order to reach higher. Rattan is generally confined to South East Asia, with 70% of the world’s rattan throughout Indonesia. The rest is sprinkled throughout the Phillipines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Given that rattan is grown throughout some of the poorest regions of the world, it is able to provide a sustainable income to those who need it most.

Rattan grows in between other trees in forests, and as a result, those forests have since been protected from logging to allow the rattan to be grown. It also grows in floodplains which were otherwise unused, which in turn encourages animals to create habitats, and increase animal populations.

Rattan is solid, and therefore incredibly strong, in fact it is almost impossible to break. Bamboo on the other hand, is hollow, but it is still incredibly strong. Ever been to a third world country and witnessed the construction of a new building? Bamboo scaffolding is still used today.

Bamboo is hard and straight making it harder to manipulate. Generally pieces are placed parallel to each other, and the design of the furniture usually tend to be more simplistic.

vine 4 — Image; Cane furniture is durable and stylish via Naturally cane

vine 6 — Image; Vintage Rattan Furniture via TEDXUMKC

Bamboo is another rapidly growing material that is being utilised in furniture design and other decorator items. Both rattan and bamboo are fast growing tropical plants, making them an ideal income source for those populating the developing countries in which they grow. Often bamboo and rattan are used together in furniture; making the framework from bamboo and utilising the flexible rattan pieces around the joins of the hard straight bamboo pieces.

Many of the furniture styles that were favoured in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s are making a comeback. This is largely because the furniture is durable, eco-friendly, light weight and attractive.Despite being able to create plastic furniture, the trend to make more eco-friendly choices is catching as we strive to reduce the amount of landfill and live more sustainably.

Fwf x

Wonderful Waratahs

November 2, 2017 admin Leave a comment

Over the past few weeks my Instagram feed has been flooded with beautiful specimens of native Waratahs. Waratah flowers only have a reasonably short season, generally beginning sometime in October and continuing throughout the month of November, so essentially they are currently in their prime. The blooms are available in stunning reds, as well as pink tones, white, creams and lemon.

Image ; Alexandra Simpson via National Parks Waratah (Telopea Speciosissima)

Telopea speciosissima, the most well known of the Waratah species, was named the floral emblem of New South Wales on 24 October 1962 after being used for many years informally. Telopea, derived from the Greek word ‘telopos’ means ‘seen from afar’ and refers to the fact that the rich red flowers could be seen from a distance. Speciosissima, is from a Latin word meaning ‘most beautiful’. Waratah was actually the Aboriginal name for the species. The Waratah was said to be popular with the Aboriginal people thanks to the rich nectar they would sip from the flowers.

Telopea is an Eastern Australian genus. The Waratah is part of the Proteaceae family, a family which also includes Grevillea, Banksia, Macadamia and Hakea. These plants are predominately found throughout Australia and South Africa. The defining feature of those within the Proteaceae family is the inflorescence; very large, brightly coloured and showy, and consisting of many small flowers densely packed into a compact head or spike. The Waratah certainly fits the bill, with it’s rounded head full of compact flowers which generally measure 7-10 cm in diameter. The long woody stems are adorned with dark green, long and leathery leaves.

waratah 2 — Image; Pink Waratahs- East Coast Wildflowers

The Waratah makes a fantastic cut flower as it is long lasting, has a lovely long, straight stem, and a large, eye catching bloom. The Waratah also has very little scent so makes a good choice for those who suffer from allergies.

Did you know that cutting Waratahs from the bush is an offence? These days many native wildflowers are protected, however, some twenty years ago it is estimated that as much as 90% of the Waratahs sold at Flemington Markets were bush picked.

Waratahs are generally sold per stem and the price will be determined by both the quality of the inflorescence, and the length of the stem. Like many other wild flowers, Waratahs are a tree. Therefore it is understandable that it takes quite some time for a tree to grow and produce a decent crop- approximately 3-5 years in fact! When you conosder that for a moment, it’s a substantial amount of time to wait to collect on your investment. Add to that the fact that Waratah cannot simply be planted and then forgotten, even more so. The Waratah does require a level of maintenance, as well as insecticide management and water throughout the drier months. It has also been known to have problems with Borers. For flowers like lilies, or gerberas you are only looking at 12-16 weeks for a yield- that equates to 3- 4 crops a year!

Waratahs are certainly a spectacular bloom endemic to our homeland and with only weeks left in their season, you’ll need to be quick to enjoy them this year! We also offer lovely native arrangements like the Wild Native Box which makes a gorgeous gift. Check it out here!

Fwf x

Month: November 2017

Christmas Fun to Start at Once!

NEWS IN: Christmas Decorating Believed to Make You Happier

YES! Same Sex Weddings on the Horizon

Eco Chic- Natural Materials Making Responsible Products

Wonderful Waratahs

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