Now I know it sounds cliche to talk about getting a good start in January and subscribing to the whole "new year, new me" type mentality. I used to work for a coupon company and that was always the name of the new year coupon edition - new year new you, lol, but I digress.
January for me has always been about lots of productivity, planning and purging and organizing, but also about resting and taking time to unwind after a beautiful flower season.
This January is a bit different though as I have been focused on becoming a full on year-round, local flower florist! AKA you'll be able to get beautiful, local blooms from us all year long! So what does that involve? Lots of work behind the scenes, so let me break it down!
Updating the website
- Working on a new about me section. I'm still the same person, but things have definitely changed since I wrote the original and it's time reflect those changes!
- Tom is working on a new theme and some formatting to help make the website more user friendly and to run more smoothly.
- Writing a weekly blog post...this has been such a joy! I've never been much of a writer, but there is something so beautiful about reflecting and sharing that journey with others. And having weekly deadlines to hold myself accountable definitely helps. And yes I am write the blog posts with the main intention of sharing them with you, but it is also just for me <3
Expanding our product offerings
- I want you to be able to access beautiful, local flowers year round, so you will now find a limited collection of everyday flowers available for order on our website.
- I also want to be able to offer sustainable sympathy flower options, which you can also find on our website. I have always found the funeral industry to be damaging and wasteful to the environment, so creating a more earth friendly collection was important to me.
- I absolutely loved creating this year's Valentine's Day Collection. I am so so happy with how they turned out and can honestly say I am enamoured with the passion colourway. I have the sample bouquet in the cooler and every time I walk by it, I stop and stare and think "damn girl!". I hope you feel the same way too! The collection is live on our website and available to order now!
Learning
- Last weekend, I attended a bridal bouquet masterclass with Beck De Oliviera from Blush and Bloom. It was such a great day filled with so many tips, trick, and helpful techniques. I met some other wonderful ladies and it was so cool to see everyone's creation turn out so differently and true to who we are. After I got home, I spent some time practising and applying the new techniques learned.
- In addition, I've also been reviewing Aesme online training videos I purchased last year (a gorgeous sustainable flower studio in the UK run by two lovely sisters) as they are loaded with flower arranging mechanics, colour theory etc, etc. I have also been reviewing my Forever Wildfield learning documents and loosely following along with this year's class for the Floret online workshop (I took it in 2020!).
Planning for the coming season
- Even though it is currently the "off season", there is still lots going on behind the scenes. The main task is creating the planting guide of what to grow and where. We have a limited amount of space so it is very important to ensure I have homes for everyone. And even if I don't, well there's always crates, pots and hanging baskets lol
- Next week I will start the ranunculus corms by soaking and pre-sprouting them inside with the hopes of planting them outside in late February or early March. So this means, I need to make sure the beds that I have designated for ranunculus are ready to go with healthy soil, protection from pests and plastic sheets for protection from the elements. They like to get a long and cool start, but still need protection from hard frosts.
- A big job that we have on the list, that is important, but I am kind of dreading...moving the greenhouse to the back of our property and moving those beds to where the greenhouse was. We should be able to move the greenhouse in mostly one piece, but we'll have to make a new pad in the back for its new home. It'll be a lot of work, but it makes the most sense. In its current position, the greenhouse gets way too hot as it basically gets sun the entire day - no rest for the wicked! Not ideal for a greenhouse, which needs some afternoon shade, but at the back of the property under part of the maple tree, should be perfect!
Taking Time for Me!
- I've been lucky to be spending lots of time with the dogs and doing my best to also take time to rest with them - we lie down together most afternoons. We also make sure to go on daily walks in all kinds of weather!
- I've been working at keeping active by going to the gym 1-2 times a week and doing yoga at home - been focusing on yin yoga these days at getting my back right.
- And a very special mention goes to the NFL playoffs that have been keeping my weekends well
See you in February :)