Whatever is next!!

We commented to each other today, that days no longer have names, we are quite frankly not sure of our own names at times and taking orders without enough caffiene inside of you is a bit of a struggle!! Ahhh but I hear you say its only 7 more days till the big one!! This time next week, I will be full of beef wellington (controversial I know...) and probably watching some terrible movie and loving every minute of it!! But enough of the frivolities...

Mmm this seems like it was all a long time ago, a blog written with all the intention of publishing it but it never happened. Christmas Day is over, I ate too much and drank a little too much of a rather fabulous gin....search Edinburgh Gin on facebook and see what you find. Orders flew in thick and fast and over the week before Christmas. We couldn't even keep the wreath on our own door before it got sold to the next customer walking through!! We enjoyed delivering orders in 6inches of snow and working in temperatures of minus 10,but it's been one of our best Christmases yet.

We trust you all had a great Christmas and we wish you all a fabulous New Year. Signing out and off to sample yet another christmas chocolate....!!

Three French Hens

Well, following on with this festive theme, one can't help but worry about how 3 french hens might survive in this delightfully cold weather! We have hit minus 4 in the workshop so far, but I'm sure it will go lower than that!! Anyway enough about the weather and more about the rather gorgeous designs coming out of Young Blooms Central....We had our first Christmas wreath workshop this weekend, do check out some of the wreaths below, I was so proud of all the ladies...I could have hired them on the spot.

All the workshops were sold out, which was brilliant and the atmosphere was lovely! We were really encouraged by all the positive feedback coming from the ladies so do look out because there most certainly be more workshops to follow....we think a lesson on spring hand-tie's is in order around Easter time.

Orders are stacking up nicely for our wreaths and don't forget if you want a more custom made one off design and then either phone and visit...

Signing off and in pursuit of warmth..

Two Turtle Doves

Mmmm coasting through google I found some rather lovely pictures of turtle doves...but then found a rather more amusing picture that seemed to fit even more into the festive period. How fab is that....a beer called 2 turtle doves. I think made in California. I could just imagine sitting by some nice log fire sipping that!!

Well enough of amusing/random pictures - Christmas is well and truly setting in as orders are coming in for wreaths and we are busy preparing for Hartley Farm Christmas Fair.

But back to the turtle doves, aren't they all about love and romance?..... What would you send your loved one? What would be your ideal present??

I know I am a florist but I love sending flowers at Christmas - all about treating people!!


So this Christmas - why not push the boat out and find that unexpected treat for that special person!!! Don't have to have a huge budget, why not make something? (you could always come on our wreath making workshop?) or check out http://www.youngblooms.co.uk/ as our Christmas Shop is up and running and if your on our mailing list then your Festive newsletter should have popped up in your inbox for you to feast your eyes upon!! Have a restful Sunday and keep warm....bitterly cold here x

Partridge in a Bay tree

Now I know, I know. Those are not the words, but I happened across a rather yummy recipe for pear & cranberry chutney and it got me thinking about the 12 days of the festive period that we are nearly upon. We don't have a pear tree but two rather nice bay trees sit outside our front door. (we did try and festoon them with sparkly lights, but that's another story all together).

Anyway here's the recipe, I am going to attempt to make it so I will let you the readers know how I get on.

PEAR & CRANBERRY CHUTNEY

Ingredients:

1 Onion (finely chopped)

325g Dried Cranberries

3cm Root Ginger (grated)

2 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)

1/2tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2tsp Ground Coriander

1/2tsp Ground Mixed Spice

150g Caster Sugar

2tsp Dried Chilli

300ml Cider Vinegar

2tbsp Brandy

5tbsp Water

4 Conference Pears (pealed, cored and chopped into small pieces)

Method:

Place the Onion, Dried Cranberries, Root Ginger, Garlic, Cinnamon, Coriander, Mixed Spice, Sugar, Chilli and Cider Vinegar into a large saucepan and put over the heat. Mix all the ingredients and allow them to reach a simmer, keep cooking the fruity mixture until all the liquid is soaked up and the fruit is tender.
Add the pears to the mixture and allow to cook until the pears start to soften. Keep an eye on the texture of the mixture and if it starts to get too dry add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Once the pear has softened, add the remaining water and the Brandy.Once all of the liquid has been absorbed take the chutney off the heat and spoon the chutney mixture into sterilised jars.Store in a cool dark place, eat within 6months. Once opened keep jar in the fridge and eat within 2months.




Well, I hope you enjoy the culinary moment! I'm sure there will be more as we head towards Christmas and I will let you know chutney making goes. As you finish reading, I hope you like the wreath to your right!! Currently on our front door. This ones a nice one as I made it in an oasis base so I think it will last longer than normal! Hurrah....(also don't forget that we can now post bouquets and wreaths, so if your not seeing friends or family this Christmas then why not send them something lovely, ala photo!!)....signing off xx

Christmas Special

We are very excited to be offering Christmas Workshops where you learn how to make your very own wreath. All the materials will be provided and we will be on hand to give you guidance! Now a lot of people see the wreaths that we make and say 'my gosh I could never make something like that.' But fear not, the kirsty McCall will come out in all of you and you WILL be surprised at how creative you can be! So why not book, bring a friend (for moral support) and come and enjoy doing something different this Christmas! (you can click on the image to make it bigger and see all the details.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!!!

Seasonal Delights

Well, its been a rather varied weekend. Weather wise and all :)....looking back through the photos taken, I thought I would just download a whole lot and let you the viewer enjoy!! These amaryllis are quite frankly sensational, they are currently being enjoyed by customers at Hartley Farm shop (aren't we nice) These will be available right through the Christmas period as cut flowers and also as plants.

This to my left was a rather yummy bouquet that got boxed up and sent off to leicestershire this afternoon (though I do think my packing left something to be desired) So don't forget we can send bouquets all around these fair isles and will also be sending Christmas wreaths!!! What joy for the postman....

George has just curled up on my lap demanding attention, so writing may be interesting! She is now big enough to lie down and paw/claw my face in a only the affectionate way she knows how...anyway moving on

This was a bridal bouquet done for a wedding at the Pump Rooms in Bath! I love its simplicity and elegance. Calla's work incredibly well by themselves, they fit together so easily and create such smooth lines....mmm beginning to sound like my old tutor!!! Finally below is another bridal bouquet. I love that no two bouquets are the same, some Brides will come with a very specific idea and picture of what they want and others really don't know what they like and you end up creating something together which is great fun. Equally ever being the diplomat, I love both ways of working. Otherwise my job would be dull dull dull!!

Signing out and off to hide under the duvet, as its far too cold.

Autumn leaves

Now as the title may suggest we are going nostalgic, oh yes we are. I don't know about where you live but the Autumn colours this year are quite frankly gorgeous!!! As I drive to work along the country lanes I can't help but see the season in all its glory.
But as the photo suggests Autumn is quickly making its way for the festive season as shops begin (VERY) quickly to stock all that you need. The weekend has seen our Christmas stock begin to arrive as we have been sorting out Cinnamon sticks, ordering our handmade vintage lavender hearts, untangling those pesky twinkly lights and sorting out the making of our fabulous Christmas wreaths.

So fear not all you lovely people!! Young Blooms will be here to help you source your every floral need for the coming festive season....and as always keep checking in on our blog to watch out for the new arrivals, the old favourites and frankly down right gorgeous items that we will be selling. Much love and keep warm.....signing out and in search of coffee!!!

A further top five

Well, now I dispelled all the rubbish about helping cut flowers survive in your home, I move onto plants! To be honest this is a slightly amusing topic for me to touch on as those who know me know that plants really don't survive that long in my house! But fret not before you fall over in a heap of desperation.......



I have had a eureka moment!!

Think Spring bulbs!!! Nooooo I hear you say that's so Grannified. But no, check out the photo. There is nothing that speaks less Granny than this arrangement. A nice sleek and stylish tin, sits easily on any coffee table and makes any visitor think your obviously a Kirsty Allsop in the making....

Anyway, enough of Allsop

Here is my top five hints for trying to keep plants alive at home:

1. Read care instructions (always good to state the obvious)
2. Watering, this might seem silly but all plants are different. Reading instructions will help on this matter. For instance orchid plants don't like to sit in water as the roots will go moldy...
3. If its a flowering plant, always a good idea to pull of heads that are dead or dying. Then the plant can put energies in elsewhere!
4. Think about the position of the plant. Don't put plant in sunlight if its not a fan!
5. Enjoy it as it enjoys your care and attention and then frankly you can feel pleased as punch and come over all Kirsty Allsop or Allan Titchmarsh...(which ever floats your boat)

And there you have it, very simple tips for healthy plants! (If you don't succeed then just give us a ring and we can send the replacement, no one will be none the wiser :)

Treats all around

I brought some rather gorgeous 'largo' parrot tulips home this weekend from work and it got me thinking how often I take flowers to friends and watch them plonk them in a vase or pop them in the sink till they get round to sorting them out. So my thought was to create a helpful top five tips for enjoying flowers in the house.

1. Take wrapping off (yes I have seen this left on, ha ha)


2. Cut off about an inch of stem at the bottom




3. Pull leaves off bottom of stems (so its not floating round in the water going moldy)




4. Find yummy container (my tulips are in a plant pot that I like) other good containers being jam jars, vases, old retro tin cans.....




5. Find suitable position for flowers to be enjoyed and admired(because aren't you good for having fresh flowers in the house!)

And there you have it, simple as pie!! Other flowers/plants to enjoy at this time of the year are potted bulbs, they might sound a bit old hat but we have been potting them up in sleek aluminium tins and they are selling like hot cakes!(photos to follow...)

Treats all around

It's been a rather nice week so far...people have been phoning with requests such as 'well, my friends feeling down and I would love to send a little treat to cheer her up'. That was the yummy sunflowers to the right. Or 'I just wanted to send a thank you present to my friend, can you do me something nice?' I think sometimes there is nothing more lovely than sending flowers. When people are not in the habit of treating themselves to a little luxury here and there, then its even better to do it for them.

If you do fancy a visit to the farm shop then our workshop (filled with very nice flowers and furniture) is now open 9.30am till 12 every day. And then you can stock up on treats for yourself and others...

Anyway I'm off to finish the quince jelly making extravaganza!!!!.....enjoy the rest of your weekend xx

Sunday Musings

Well, its been a funny week. Both of us sleeping lots and trying to cut down on the latte intake. But the van is cleaned out and the workshop almost back to normal. For those not in the know, we had a stand at the National Wedding Show (NEC) last weekend. Looking back it all seems like a blurry dream of sparkly wedding dresses, brides and vintageness (Ala Young Blooms of course)
But all in all we made some good contacts and met lots of lovely people. Do check out http://www.vintagebristol.co.uk/ These lovely people supplied our vintage crockery which got so many compliments. As you can see, small bunches of lovelyness placed in teacup and saucer works a treat.

The scariest highlight moment of this week was when we began to think about the next couple of weeks, which then rapidly switched to musing upon christmas and writing plans on the back of envelopes...cause thats what we like to do hahah, though it was made worse by driving past a local gift shop and seeing 93 shopping days left till Christmas....

Wowee, I think I am making a pact with myself to enjoy Autumn, mush through the leaves in the park, weed the garden, have a bonfire and enjoy walks in the autumn sun wrapped up in nice woolly scarves. Yes that is a plan!!!!

Anyway I sign out (in search of honey and lemon,mmm I think I have a mild case of man flu, though still determined to mush through the leaves) enjoy!!

Home again

Now I know in my zest for all things floral/wedding, said I would be blogging every night after the Wedding Show - quite frankly impossible. I barely had enough energy to eat a plateful full of food then collapse into bed, but all in all we had a fabulous time!!!

We talked to loooadds of brides, from everywhere really. Was amazed at what a variety of venues, ideas, dresses there were. Though I do wish I could have run around and tried a few sparkly ones on! Queues for the dress stands were incrediable, at one point on the Saturday I saw it was an hour and half wait to try a dress on!!!! I call that a dedicated wait.

Anyway let me dazzle you with photos of the great Young Blooms stand. I am so proud of all that Laura and I have done and we certainly proved that we can play the big boys, so enjoy the photos. Signing off (and on the hunt for another coffee,while the cat tries to lick me to death ) x

plans afoot

Well...huge apologies for no blog this weekend gone!! Due to the fact that Young Blooms is off to the National Wedding Show this weekend at the NEC in Birmingham! Thoroughly exciting, but with a list as long as my arm, its busy busy time. So if your going to the show we look forward to meeting you, if your not then check out our blog as I hope to be blogging every night after the show!! Hurrah

Chic & Unique

Chic & Unique has been the phrase of the day in all things Young Blooms. Sounds like it should be the title of a Madonna song!! Well yet again the weather has held for the lucky bride, we were back in the yummy Wicke barn & this time it was elegant, cool & chic!! And quite frankly all in the detail.

Well talking about detail, we are now two florists with nervous twitchy eyes!! A little google/medical research (I know, I know this is never a good idea!!).... but apparently caused by too much caffiene!! NOOOOO...Us florists exsist on latte's, or least I do.

Boy wonder is ironing his shirts....I know well trained or what. The sun is shining and George the cat is bumbling round in the garden somewhere...the rest of the afternoon is up for debate, but I think walks and nice pints will probably work for me, so enjoy whatever your up too....signing off till next time.

Ps Enjoy the photos below!!

This is part of our new workshop! You can see surely why I want to take most of the furniture there home....






















Simple yet, perfectly elegant!! Laura is truly fab!!!! ( that's the other of me, in Young Blooms world)











And of course this is the imfamous George....boy wonder is not a fan, though secretly I think he quite likes her.

Time in all its beauty

Mmmm went to bed last night feeling quite pleased with myself....back from work and I don't think I want to see a flower again for a while, but businesses do not run themselves alas. My man sits opposite me and wrinkles his noise, tongue stuck out the corner of his mouth (bless thats concentration for you) you see he has taken up blog writing too. Unfortunately his is slightly more intelectual than mine therefore one can only hope that mine will generate something in some useful form.

Flowers for wedding today were tres yummy! Vintage ahoy. Though me being a stressed lady this morning and did no photos of the brides bouquet at all! Darn...

Move has gone well, though the workspace is now a pigsty and you have to climb over lots of foliage to get a chance of seeing any nice furniture. Well, I sign out and dash off to the pub (one being so tired and all that, can't be bothered to cook you see)...

Delicous sights & smells

Is there not something completely delicious about finding a new something and thinking 'yes this is just up my alley?!?' Am home from work and sitting in the garden, beer in hand while I scribble my thoughts down! The weather is just yummy & autumnal and is blessing for the wedding we did this morning! The new something was Wick Barn...

A very chic new venue situated near Farliegh Hungerford, beautifully decorated and was a fabulous setting for out flowers (he he). From the farrow & Ball stable doors, the bunting tastefully draped around,to the Molton Brown moisturiser in the toilets. You can understand why I fell in love.

More exciting than all that Young Blooms is moving.......

Only to next door of course!!! We are in cahoots with Hartley farm on a new venture, we are sharing our workspace with lots of very gorgeous shabby chic french furniture. The type of stuff you would fill your house with (that's if I had my way...boy wonder thinks it just needs a coat of paint)...so I sign out with a view to eating more cheese and contemplating moving..

The joy of colour

Sounds a like a rather grandiose title, but I had a moment last week!!! The moment happened when I was conditioning the flowers (that's technical speak for putting flowers into water). It was the colour and more so the contrast of colours and rather pleasing they were!

Now I know flowers like celosia are up for debate but I had bright orange celosia, peach roses, sedum, orange gerbera and purple dalhia to play with!! Now I don't know about you or whether flowers even float your boat but I was in flower heaven.

Its funny when selling flowers at the farm-shop where we are, because we have yet to work out what mood our customers are in and what is going to take their fancy! I'm sure if I was of a scientific nature I would be able to find some study of customer moods and what makes them buy certain flowers and not others? Buckets full of cream gerbera go like hot cakes and a bucket full of gorgeous roses will hang around like a bad smell! Why?! Maybe I will do some reasearch and let you know! Anyway am signing out and off to drink some herbal tea (busy weekend and all that)x

Four wedding weekend....






Thought I would share some Young Blooms yummyness!!! We have certainly covered a fair few miles this weekend but as I sit here with my coffee and chocolate buttons (good pick me up :) there is a sense of satisfaction....

...All went well and our clients seemed to be happy with flower related things, weather was abit hit and miss but bless 'em all they got enough dry weather for those all important photos.

So I hope you all survived your Mondays, we have had record sales (of flowers) in the farm-shop so its deffo been a good Monday, so signing off (and on the hunt for more coffee) x

Ps...first planning meeting for National Wedding show on friday, soooo excited.

Well...five latte's consumed and the mind is buzzing. I think I have just about peeled myself from the ceiling. Young Bloom's has been invited by British Florist Association to attend the National Wedding Show at the NEC Birmingham. We will be displaying our super gorgeous flowers, stunning designs and all things beautiful. The event is happening on the 8th to the 10th of October 2010 and we will be part of it all!!!

As well as that very exciting news, I wanted to include some of my adventures this weekend, one being this rather yummy bouquet. Alliums (the big purple ball shaped ones) are fast becoming a favourite of mine. This was delivered to one of our lovely customers this morning.

In a moment of madness late Saturday afternoon I decided to make courgette chutney....there is a homemaker/housewife in me somewhere, it took jolly ages to create and then you have to boil it for what seems a lifetime ( I do have to thank my husband at this point as he finished it off when I got completly bored). Anyway here is the evidence of all our hardwork, I just need some crackers and a chunk of nice cheddar with a spot of wine and I will be in a happy place!! Signing out...(and on the hunt for wine)

How exciting, my first post on our shiny new blog!!! We are loving are new website, so thanks to James Green @ my green label for all his hard work.
We have both recently enjoyed holidays away and I managed to wangle a week in NYC!! Stayed at the Waldorf Astoria of course :), but oh my gosh, anyone thinking of getting married abroad, go do it at the Waldorf. The florist alone should be enough of a persuasion! They have a boutique in the lobby of the hotel and on my morning coffee run I would just drool at all the loveliness....yummy orchids everywhere! Though saying all that, one might pale at the starting price for a wedding there.
Anyway this blog will aim to bring you excitment, lovely flowers, new projects, gorgeous weddings and much more, so pleased stay tuned and keep in touch as we value all our Young Blooms friends.

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