Flowers and Tributes for ANZAC Day

April 20, 2019 admin Leave a comment

This year Easter holidays and ANZAC Day are separated by only a few days. It doesn’t always happen this way as Easter is determined by the Pashcal moon. This year however will be a tricky one for the farmers and retailers. The flower markets busiest days of trade tend to be Monday, Wednesday and Friday, when most of the large growers are in attendance. However, during a week where a public holiday falls on one of these days of trade, things are turned on their heads.

Tuesday is likely to be the busiest market, followed by Friday. What this means for those of your looking to organise fresh flowers for ANZAC Day tributes on Thursday, is the earlier you order, the better. Orders will be completed in a first in, best dressed manner if they have not been special preordered.

Don’t know what to get for an ANZAC Day service?

For ANZAC Day the traditional piece is a teardrop shaped wreath base covered in individual Laurel leaves, meticulously layered one piece at a time, and pinned over the entire surface area, including the sides. At the base of the teardrop, an arrangement of 3 red poppies is secured, often along with fresh sprigs of rosemary, and a purple ribbbon reading ‘Lest We Forget’.

Anzac Day wreath

Laurel, has been used since ancient Roman times, to crown Victors and the brave. Red poppies, according to forklore, are said to have absorbed the blood of the fallen soldiers, resulting in their vibrant colour. Poppies are also one of the first flowers to bloom in the battlefields of the First World War in Belgium and the North of France. The Lest We Forget purple ribbon is placed high in the left corner, across the wreath, and finishing low in the right hand side to symbolise the sun rising in the East and setting in the west. And, rosemary is another symbol of remembrance. These wreaths generally have to be ordered in advance as each of the sundry items is specific to this design only, and not something usually kept on hand.

Full floral wreath

Alternatives to this traditional style will often be seen at memorial sites and services. Perhaps the wreath is round instead of teardrop. Some will be covered in camellia leaves or flat pine. Some poeople will even choose to design a full floral wreath. At the end of the day, what you choose is entirely personal, and determined by your budget.

Alternatives to a wreath include a flat lay style bouquet known as a sheaf. This bouquet style is often used for funereal ceremonies as it can be easy laid on the floor at ceremonies or propped up against tombstones or memorial monuments. This style of fresh flower arrangement can be made to suit most budgets and can be quickly made while you wait in store, unlike a wreath arrangement.

Flat lay sheaf

There is still time to come in an organise your flowers for ANZAC Day, but come in or call as early as possible if you have something in particular in mind.

In the meantime, we hope you all enjoy the long weekend. Whether you are celebrating Easter or not, we hope you enjoy some down time, family time AND plenty of chocolate! 😉

Fwf x

Feature Image Credit

Easter Flowers and Fun

April 15, 2019April 15, 2019 admin Leave a comment

The school holidays is such a busy time for everyone, and yet the weeks just slip through our fingers. It certainly pays to consider the activities you would like to enjoy during your break as it is a great opportunity to relax, play, stop, reflect, and of course regenerate.

Research shows that the more connected we are with our natural environment, the better the outcomes are for our lives. This is particularly significant for our children, who spend less time in the natural world than previous generations and with Easter coming up this weekend, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside even if it is just for a chocolate egg hunt! 😉

Speckled Easter eggs

It is natural to spend more time indoors as the days become shorter and the weather turns cool, so now that daylight savings has finished, it is understandable that people start heading indoors earlier. The beauty of activities in the natural world is that for the most part, they are free, and that is a big draw card when the school holidays can get so darn expensive.

Autumn is a great time to take walks and collect flowers and leaves to press. Build a fort, weave leaves, make daisy chains, create mandalas from coloured leaves and nuts…the possibilities are limitless. Since moving out of Sydney a few years ago, we haven’t experienced the joy that the change of season can bring. The beauty of the changing trees is something my kids just haven’t seen so when they saw all the reds, oranges, yellows and rust tones littering the streets and treetops, they were awe struck! I love how kids are so amazed by things as adults we simply take for granted. It reminded me that simplicity brings gratitude.

Often when special occasions arise we feel burdened with the expectation of gifts. As an alternative to overwhelming a family with chocolate, and bunny/chicken themed plush toys this weekend: consider flowers. Being surrounded by nature reduces stress levels, lowers levels of depression, and improves mood. If you are enjoying time with beloved family or friends this weekend and want to take a fresh floral arrangement or cut flower bouquet, we can create something special. Whilst we do not have an Easter Range, we can work with any colour scheme. A cute idea is to match the arrangement to a selection of Easter eggs. Choose bright, clashing colours to match the vibrant foiled eggs, or team soft gelato tones with pastel speckle coated miniature eggs. YUM!

During the Easter period, plenty of people will request bunches of dainty little Easter daisies. They generally come in white, mauve, yellow and pink. They are a traditional flower for this time of year, and make an inexpensive gift. The problem is, Easter does not fall on a particular date, but rather is determined by the paschal moon. Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the Full Moon on or following March 20 . There can be a substantial difference from year to year, with Easter falling anywhere from late March to late April. Unfortunately this means that sometimes Easter daisies can be available long before, or long after Easter.

It is a great time to enjoy fresh cut flowers as the weather is more moderate. You will find arrangements and bouquets will last longer particularly if the water is regularly changed and the stems are trimmed.

Remember, we will be closed Good Friday and Easter Sunday, so be sure to pop in Thursday should you require any fresh flowers, gifts or potted plants before the long weekend.

Fwf x

The Simple Things

October 4, 2018August 26, 2019 admin Leave a comment

I’m in the midst of school holidays, and if I’m really honest I looked forward to hiding myself away for a little while to write this very blog post just a touch toooo much. And it’s not because I don’t enjoy being with my kids….I certainly do. In fact this year my eldest started school and I miss her being around terribly. I do think however, that in an effort to give our children more, we give them less, and leave ourselves with nothing 🤔 So my quiet time tucked away working can be my salvation.

I started jotting down things they asked to do, or things I thought could be fun as the school term was coming to an end. Of course there is some expectation that we might see one movie, but they are pretty darn happy running through the sprinkler, or playing board games, or passing the time playing together and having conversations with each other (and me) about nothing and everything.

It’s true we all parent differently and we’ve all been parented differently, so sometimes the things we value and see as important, non negotiable or necessary are also very different.

Daisy chain — Gorgeous daisy chains via The Reluctant Migrant

If you think about the things you enjoyed most when you were growing up, what do you remember? I could bet that it wasn’t some elaborate play date – did they even exist as a ‘thing’ back then? Or full day excursions to a theme park or a play centre? I doubt it.

Our world was simpler, wasn’t it? Hours used to pass sitting and playing at the local park, which was nothing more than a swing set and a slide (probably metal 😂)…surrounded with plenty of wide open green space and trees. Endless possibilities.
We’d climb the trees of course, and swing and slide…and then we’d sit, picking out “lucky” four leafed clovers.
Only the other day I realised this was something I was yet to do with my children. We had discovered a new park full of clover and bees….LOTS of them. It was a welcome sight, and a brought with it a feeling of nostalgia.

We sat collecting the small white flowers and I demonstrated the way you could link them together. Slowly the girls copied and created crowns for their heads.

Lucky four leafed clover — Lucky one! Source; Wikipedia

So I guess this got me thinking about the simplest pleasures we can share with our children, that are inspired by nature’s plants and flowers.

Here’s my list of just some of the wonderful opportunities Mother Nature has gifted us with, that we may use to bond with, talk to and teach our children;

1. Daisy chains 🌼
2. “Lucky” Four leafed clover hunts ☘️☘️☘️🍀
3. Plucking petals from a flower head one by one…he loves me….he loves me not… until you are finally presented with the answer you desire. 🥀
4. Carefully picking Dandelions, and then blowing the seeds into the breeze, carrying with it all your hopes and dreams. 🌬
5. Collecting different coloured leaves 🍁
6. Collecting leaves from different trees- use them for ‘rubbings’, or paint on one side and make prints, or press them into clay to see the leaf’ structure. 👩🏻‍🎨
7. Shell peas fresh from the garden 👨‍🍳
8. Use white chrysanthemums stems placed in different food colourings to demonstrate the capillary network within the flower structure. 👨🏼‍🔬
9. Collect interesting flowers and sprigs to press. 🌾
10. Make a grass head 👨🏼‍🌾

a girl blowing on a dandelion done with a vintage retro instagram filter — a girl blowing on a dandelion. Source: Flower Meaning

Sage leaves pressed into clay for added texture

Dying chrysanthemums with food colouring — Science experiment time with flowers and food colouring. Source: Laughing kids Learn

The beauty of all these activities is that children feel more connected to the world in which they live in, while you provide great opportunities for conversations and questions. Plus, things in nature just seem to take longer, so it helps develop patience. Spring is a beautiful time of the year to get out and enjoy the environment, with plenty of fresh flowers in bloom and great varieties of fresh cut flowers available in store to play with too! Teach them how to ‘arrange’ flowers by using a selection of our market fresh cut flower specials and a small glass bottle. It is easy to fill and will give them that feeling of achievement. Get them to help you water the garden; whether it is with a hose, watering can or old milk bottle, young ones love to be busy.

Fwf x

Floral Beards, Wigs and Wonder

August 16, 2018August 21, 2018 admin Leave a comment

Agricultural shows like Sydney’s Royal Easter Show, as well as regional shows, like Brisbane’s EKKA have always included some sort of floral design competition. In addition to prize winning specimens of stunning camellias, roses, and of course the local gigantic pumpkin, a variety of arrangements are submitted, displayed and judged on a a list of criteria.

This years EKKA took the concept of ‘manscaping’ to a whole new level. Instead of removing excess hair, the challenge at yesterday’s EKKA instead was to decorate the beard and head area of a (brave and) a willing participant using a combination of flowers and trees native to Queensland. In addition to exploring creativity, the event was able to shine the light brightly on the gorgeous native flora from the region, which can often be overlooked for imported varieties.

The trend has featured at EKKA over the last couple of years and provides an interesting medium to work with. Florists are accustomed to working on intricate floral crowns, floral fascinators, head bands, corsages, neckpieces, buttonholes, even pieces to attach to your clutch bag.

Competitions often provide an opportunity to experiment in ways that we don’t get in our usual business dealings. Over the years I have seen challenges like this where you get to dress a mannequin in flowers, or create wonderful scenes entirely from flowers. It is an incredible to experience to ‘see’ your materials in an entirely new light. I’m reminded of this often when playing with my children. Like when you’re lying on the grass looking at the clouds and seeing shapes and scenes, similarly, my middle child will pick up a coloured leaf on a walk that may have an unusual shape and will see a way she can use it in a piece of art.

I do not anticipate that floral beards are the next big thing. However for the hipster crowd it may provide an interesting and certainly unique way for men to incorporate more florals in their outfits for a special occasion. Just as men began wearing engagement rings a few years ago, we may see some orders for a floral beard adornment for a wedding. Why do the girls get to have all the fun? 😉 Floral expression is something entirely personal and so that means that our designs are guided by what our customer wants.

In the meantime, it gets our creative juices flowing simply thinking about the possibilities. And sometimes, the act of just thinking differently can be the key….

Fwf x

Chickens and rabbits symbolise fertility and new life, which has significance for Easter. Easter eggs were also a integral part of ancient pagan festivals

Eggs, Rabbits, Chicks and Flowers – Gift Ideas for Easter with Traditional Significance

March 29, 2018 admin Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered why we paint eggs at Easter, or why there are bunny rabbits, chicks and flowers everywhere? Easter as we all know, is a Christian holiday, however many of the traditions and festivities predate Christianity, and were central to the Eostre Festival (an ancient Spring festival).

The story goes that Pope Gregory sent a 40 strong team of monks from Rome to England with the mission to covert the pagans to Christianity. It was quite the colossal task given that the pagans held their rituals and celebrations so close, that Augustine, the mission leader was advised to allow the pagans to continue their with their rituals, and instead to teach them the Christian philosophy and to somehow intregrate Christian ceremonies. Many of the pagan customs that had been associated with the celebration of spring were eventually absorbed within Christianity, and accepted as symbols of the resurrection of Jesus.

Traditional symbols of Easter predate Christianity and were originally associated with pagan festivities symbolising fertility and new life. Photo credit

We know that Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection occurs around the time of Jewish Passover, which coincides with the Northern Hemisphere’s springtime. Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox, where the hours of the day begin increasing. The equinox is viewed as a time of fertility and new life. This is why fresh cut flowers are still a popular gift to take to people over the Easter period. In fact many of the symbols we see in today’s Easter celebration are steeped in the traditions of the Easter/ Eostre festival; rabbits for example are a symbol of fertility and new life, which also coincided with the North’s spring.

Easter daisies are a lovely traditional gift. Photo credit Homelife

There are many fresh cut flowers that make wonderful gifts, however if you are looking for something traditional or symbolic you cannot look past the humble “Easter Daisy”. Easter daisies are a perennial Aster. While there are many varieties of daisies, the Easter Daisy is dainty and pretty, and surprisingly as a plant it is incredibly hardy so makes a fantastic choice for the garden. Generally they flower for 3-4 months and look their best, as their name suggests, around Easter.

As a cut flower they last only around 5 -7 days, but what I find is often people cut the stems down to size to match their vase, but overlook stripping off the excess foliage and debris which will fall beneath the water line. This will DRAMATICALLY effect your flowers vase -life. Look for a bunch that has about half the blooms open, with nice green foliage. Cut the stems to the required length for your vase, and ensure you remove any foliage/flowers which will sit below the water line.

November lilies, Easter lilies, Longiflorum — November lilies, or Lilium Longiflorum are also known as Easter lilies in some cultures. Photo credit YouTube Star telegram video

In the Northern Hemisphere, what we Aussies know as November lilies or Christmas lilies are referred to as Easter lilies. For that reason many Europeans will look for the white trumpet shaped lilies for a traditional Easter gift.

Florist with flowers always stock a gorgeous variety of Phale orchids

Don’t want to give cut flowers? A house plant is always a great gift idea. Phaeleonopsis orchids are a stunning flowering plant which will give you months of pleasure. They do require some level of care and can be a touch fussy, particularly when they are too wet or too dry. The Spathiphyllum, or peace lily is an elegant house plant that is also incredibly forgiving for those who are not blessed with a green thumb. If you forget to water the lily plant, it will appear wilted and look miserable, but if you give it a soak overnight, they generally perk right up again.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our lovely loyal customers for making it such a great start to the new year. If you are celebrating this weekend we wish you a very Happy Easter.

Fwf x

Christmas Tree Decorating that Breaks the Internet

December 7, 2017 admin Leave a comment

If you, like me, like a good ‘theme’ to things, then Christmas is probably no different. I must confess though, in my current stage of life (3 kids under 5) over the last few years I have stuck with the same theme out of a combination of laziness and practicality. Despite the burning desire to change the colours, I have resisted, telling myself that this year is probably the last year that I will have to decorate a non traditional tree.

Over the last five years I have done what most families do; that is, either choose to have a non traditional Christmas tree decoration, OR, for the traditionalists, erect a fence-like structure around the parameter of your Christmas tree.

I have created a hanging wooden tree, made from various lengths of wooden slats, hung together to create a triangular Christmas tree silhouette and this has appeased me both practically as well as aesthetically. This hangs in an alcove at the entrance of our home, away from little hands that seem absolutely determined to pull everything out and down, only to throw it all on the floor….for me to stand on.

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Like many other cash savvy mums out there I keep my eye on decorator ideas from many of the big retailers. And I have to say, non rival what Kmart have on offer.

Mums from all over the country post pictures of their trees sourcing wisdom from the crowd for their decorating dilemmas. Others post pictures for others to take inspiration from, and of course to garner the envy and appreciation that only social media ‘likes’ and comments can give you.

The one that really seemed to impress this year was Tammy Sims’ black Christmas tree dressed head to toe in a slowly changing rainbow. Using a combination of store bought decorations as well as D.I.Y baubles that she glued and glittered herself, she was able to create a truly eye catching, creative tree.

xmas tree 2

xmas tree 3

xmas tree 4 — Images via Kmart Mums of Australia Facebook Page

The South Australia mum of three has scored over 6.1K ‘likes’ on the Kmart Mums of Australia’s Facebook page with her creation inspired by the ‘Yes’ vote.

“It seemed appropriate in celebration of the yes vote,” she explained.

Not everyone puts as much thought and consideration into the theme they will use to decorate their Christmas tree. Depending on your family, perhaps you have a box of precious baubles that have special memories attached to them, and they are lovingly hung each and every year.

Or perhaps you prefer less of the clutter that tends to comes with Christmas? If that sounds like you, then Kmart has another option that might fit the bill.

It’s not a fresh Christmas tree. It’s not even green. But Kmart’s stacking Christmas tree is both space saving and chic.

Part of the appeal of the Stacking tree is it’s neutral colour palette and simple Scandi style, however many creative people out there have used the shelf style tree pieces to create colourful compositions to suit their themes for the year.

Jacqueline Bertucci's metallic tree hack — Jacqueline Bertucci’s metallic tree hack

Sam Dawson decided to steer clear of glitzy baubles and instead created a neutral colour palette with light and texture

Louise Martin's take- with and without the lights illuminated. — Louise Martin’s take- with and without the lights illuminated.

So whether you choose to decorate a fresh or artificial tree, fill a vase with dried branches, or can decorate your home with festive fresh flowers you have endless opportunities to extend yourself creatively….and, if all else fails, know that we do it for you! Check out our Christmas range for inspiration!

Fwf x

Featured image; by Sofia Katariina

Bring on Spring

August 24, 2017 admin Leave a comment

After a dreary winter, and one of the worst cold and flu season’s ON RECORD, I know I am not alone in saying ‘Bring on Spring’. Apart from being an awesome time to get in your garden, the moderate Spring temperatures make it more enjoyable to be outside in general, and there are plenty of spring activities throughout Sydney to keep you busy.

In September;

The first Spring activity on most flower lovers calendar is the David Jones Flower Show at their Elizabeth Street Flagship store. The Flower show runs from August 31st until September 10th. It is always beautifully created by a team of approximately 30 florists and takes some 10,000 hours. My tip is to get there sooner than later. Whilst the crowds are bigger in the first few days, the display does start to look tired toward the end of the show.

A great way to spend the day outdoors is at Bondi’s annual Festival of the Winds. The festival takes place at Bondi Beach, Bondi Park and Bondi Pavillion and has something for everyone. There will be food on offer, kites for sale, kite making workshops, entertainment, jumping castles and puppet shows for the kids, and of course the sky will be full of kites. Kite flyers will WOW with their beautiful handmade creations and there is sure to be a mixture of creations; anything from flowers and animals to popular cartoon characters….the sky is the limit!

If you are up for the drive, Floriade Canberra is a lovely (and long) day trip. Interestingly, Floriade was originally designed to be a one off flower festival to celebrate Australia’s bicentenary and Canberra’s 75th anniversary back in 1988. It was so well received that the festival has been created year after year since; this year is its 30th year, so I imagine it will be extra special. Floriade is comprised of more than a million bulbs and annuals planted across 8000 square metres.

For something a bit different, head out to to Western Sydney’s Cabramatta on Sunday September 24th for the Moon Festival, an annual event celebrating the Southeast Asian culture and cuisine. Some 90,000 people from across Sydney join the giant street festival on John Street. The festival runs all day long from 9am and well into the evening with entertainment, rides, cooking demonstrations, gourmet foods, market stalls and fireworks closing the evening at 8pm.

Spring has many other activities happening over the coming months, and it is also an ideal time to get out into your garden and finish up any work you may have been avoiding. Fairly soon we will start to see the temperatures soar and we all know that makes outdoor manual labour FAR more taxing, so make it your mission to get your pruning, weeding and planting done throughout September.

Florist With Flowers tip; Enjoy fresh cut flowers now while the temperatures are still moderate. Spring is a great time to enjoy the fragrant blooms that are in season whilst still getting great vase life. Flowers deteriorate with excessive draughts, heat and bacteria. Remember to change the water regularly and re-cut the stems when you do so.

Fwf x

The Red ‘Flanders’ Poppy

April 20, 2017 admin Leave a comment

For any date of significance when it comes to war, an image of a red poppy has been firmly etched on my brain. Stunningly vibrant, and richly red, the poppy is a symbol of remembrance.

The Red Poppy is also known as the Flanders Poppy, and was first described as the flower of remembrance by Canadian Colonel John McCrae. McCrae composed a poem scrawled on a page of his book while in charge of a small first-aid post, which has since become famously known as “Flanders’ Field”. The poem describes the graves of the fallen soldiers simply marked by red poppies.

For Aussies, Red poppies have special significance as they were the first flower to bloom throughout the battlefields after the First World War, in northern France and Belgium. It was believed that the vivid red of the poppy had come from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground.

Poppies are generally available in Australia throughout the middle of the year, around July and August. They have a crepe paper texture, and soft stems, so are quite delicate. They are often scolded on the base of their stems, and are best kept in low levels of water, which is said to encourage the poppies to ‘stretch’ and therefore allow more of the blooms to pop open rather than deteriorating.

Image: Forster Anglican ANZAC Day service at the National War Memorial Wellington.

A.N.Z.A.C (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) Day falls on April 25 each year and commemorates the day that Australian and New Zealand troops rallied together with other allies in an attempt to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. As we know, it was not meant to be, and upon landing on Gallipoli that were met with fierce resistance, and were embattled for 8 months. When the allied forces were finally evacuated in 1915, both sides had suffered great loss in human life, and endured immense hardships. Every April 25th, Australians remember the huge sacrifice the ANZACs made. Although the mission they set out to accomplish at Gallipoli failed, the ANZAC spirit triumphed and would be forever remembered.

Fresh poppies are a pretty tall order at this time of year so you will notice that often artificial blooms adorn the wreaths laid at the memorials. But interestingly, you will rarely see them substituted by any other bloom in their place on the traditional laurel leaf wreath.

Cloth red poppies are sold by the RSL to fund raise for their welfare activities. They are an exact replica in terms of size and colour of the Flanders Poppy that was found in the battlefields following the WW1.

If you are unable to get your hands on a fresh, artificial or cloth red poppy for ANZAC day this year, Rosemary is also a symbol of remembrance and is readily available. Rosemary grew wild on the Gallipoli peninsula, so has a special significance for ANZAC day. Rosemary is also said to improve one’s memory.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Fwf x

Planting the Pea

March 15, 2017 admin Leave a comment

Did you know that traditionally Sweet Peas are planted on St Patrick’s Day? No? Me neither, that is until last week. After more than 15 years in the industry I’m not quite sure how I missed this curious fact, but I did, and it just goes to show you can learn something new each and every day. Interestingly, St. Patrick’s Day is traditionally a pea-planting time throughout the world, but in areas such as New York and New Jersey it is usually the green variety, no doubt because of the difference in climates.

Rather than listen to the Vatican’s recommendations for successful sowing, take it from the experts instead (that is, Horticulturists) who suggest that with careful planning you could see Aussie sweet peas flowering for up to 9 months of the year!! Short day varieties will need to be planted in March, May, September and December, and long day varieties in March, September and November, about 3cm deep, and 7cm apart. Once the seedlings have 4 sets of leaves, pinch the tip off the plant- this will encourage the plant to continue shooting, creating a fuller display.

Sweet peas, (Lathyrus odoratus) which are part of the legume family, need plenty of sunlight (at least 6 hours) and soil that drains well. They also require a fair amount of support, in the form of a trellis, obelisk or tee pee. The tendrils grip on more delicate surfaces, so sometimes you may use a wire mesh/net for easy grip. Once the tendril reaches the base of the support it will quickly progress vertically with little or no effort on your part. In warmer climates, you should plant the peas where they will enjoy morning sun, which tends to be less intense. Peas are prone to mildew, so like a well ventilated spot, with moist (but not soggy) soil. It is important to keep the soil consistent, so avoid over watering after periods where you have left them overly dry (and vice versa).

Truth be told, planting Sweet Peas in mid March is probably not the best time in order to see success in Australia, it’s probably still a touch warm. April and May are perfectly good times to sow your seeds. Try soaking your seeds for 24 hours in water before planting, and then, using a nail file, nick the seeds at the side to encourage the plant to sprout more quickly. Choose a site with good drainage, with alkaline soil, and where the sweet peas will have access to sunlight to dance in. If the soil tends to be acidic, sprinkle some powdered lime on the surface.

Some believe that although Sweet peas are not particularly difficult to grow, some people just have the knack and others do not. The trickiest bit is the germination process. Sweet peas are generally slow to germinate, taking between 7 to 15 days depending on the soil temperature….but as the saying goes, Good things come to those who wait. And oh, how totally divine they are. Peas have an unmistakable sweet fragrance that transports you to another time and place. They have their place firmly in cottage gardens, but will also provide a (pretty) and welcome change to the tomatoes growing on your trellis. Take a punt, and give it a go….maybe not on Friday, but at least mark it on the calendar for things to do in the coming months! 😜

Fwf x

You Sexy Thang

March 2, 2017March 2, 2017 admin Leave a comment

Unbelievable as it is, we have already got through two full months of the New Year. And as we enter March, we start the month off with the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.

Amidst the sequins, the costumes, the hair extensions and the amazing floats, people are coming together to “Create Equality” which is this year’s theme. Whilst Mardi Gras showcases diversity and difference, it is the ideal time to shine the light on areas where equality is still lacking. And let’s face it, inequality reaches far beyond the Gay and Lesbian communities in our current climate. Equality is defined as; the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. As always, this year is set to be a dazzling production; a flamboyant and creative display of pride, self expression and equality.

Ellen Page from Juno has said; “This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.” And couldn’t it be just as simple as that? I have personally always taken the stance that you probably want to know about what I do in the bedroom as much as I want to know what you do. Private lives are just that, private. What we choose to do, and who we love is our business, and only ours.

Did you know that flowers have been used in art for years to represent sexuality? I mean it makes sense that like all things in nature- they are what they are, and it is not for us to determine whether it is right or, wrong weird or normal. Interestingly enough many flowers are hermaphrodites – most have both pistils and stamens (both male and female sex organs) – and therefore they have a particular symbolic appeal in art. Flowers opening to full bloom can be used to represent sexual awakening, especially in relation to women’s sexuality as they are not unlike the appearance of female genitalia.

art 1 — Georgia O’Keefe is seen as creating some of the most sexually charged images

Similarly there are several blooms that are particularly phallic and ‘male’. Blooms such as Candlestick Banksias, Anthuriums, Cactus and many forms of lilies are indisputably masculine in form. The plants have dominant protrusions that are erect.

For many of us, we will not be attending the parade this weekend- word is it is at capacity already. So if you cannot show your support lining the streets of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian district, why not be there in spirit by filling a vase of some of the sexiest plants on offer?! If nothing else, it will probably provide a novel change to what you usually choose to fill your vase with 😉 Alternatively, as the Rainbow coloured flag has long been a symbol of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender pride so you could also choose to celebrate and support the community with a vaseful of Rainbow roses.

“It always seemed to me a bit pointless to disapprove of homosexuality. It’s like disapproving of rain.” — Francis Maude

Fwf x

Holidays/Festivities

Flowers and Tributes for ANZAC Day

Easter Flowers and Fun

The Simple Things

Floral Beards, Wigs and Wonder

Eggs, Rabbits, Chicks and Flowers – Gift Ideas for Easter with Traditional Significance

Christmas Tree Decorating that Breaks the Internet

Bring on Spring

The Red ‘Flanders’ Poppy

Planting the Pea

You Sexy Thang

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