Self-care is Just a Bouquet Away

When we think about self-care, it’s easy to get caught up in ideas like bubble baths or massages. But the truth is, self-care can take many shapes and sometimes, it’s as simple as surrounding yourself with the beauty of nature.

Flowers aren’t just pretty; they have a deep, therapeutic power. The sight of a vibrant bouquet can immediately brighten your mood, help you feel more connected to the world around you, and even reduce stress.

How can flowers boost your self-care routine?

1. A Feast for the Eyes: Surrounding yourself with fresh flowers or even floral patterns can instantly lift your spirits. Whether it’s a simple vase on your kitchen table or a floral print on your clothes, a burst of color and life can make a difference in your environment... and in your mood. 
2. Aromatherapy: Flowers, like waxflower or lavender, are known for their calming effects. A simple floral-scented candle, essential oil, or bath soak can help you unwind after a long day and create a peaceful atmosphere. 
3. Nature’s Healing: There’s something truly special about spending time with flowers… whether that means gardening, walking through a botanical garden, or simply noticing the flowers in your neighborhood. Nature has a way of grounding us, and flowers are the perfect reminder to slow down and appreciate the small, beautiful things around us. 
4. Creative Inspiration: Flowers have inspired art, fashion, and design for centuries. Whether you’re creating a floral arrangement or incorporating flower motifs into your daily life, the process can spark creativity and bring a sense of calm focus to your day. 

Self-care isn’t just about what you do for yourself… it’s about surrounding yourself with things that make you feel whole, joyful + connected!

Orange Flowers

Orange flowers have a magical way of making us feel connected to the brighter, more blissful side of life. Their vivid, warm hue evokes feelings of energy, positivity, and warmth... like a burst of sunlight in full bloom. Whether it’s the rich tones of a sunset, the vibrancy of autumn leaves, or the energetic fireworks-like qualities of the Leucospermum 'pincushion', orange has the power to capture attention and evoke positive emotions.

There's something inherently uplifting about orange. It’s bold yet inviting, vibrant yet soothing, creating a perfect balance that stirs our emotions. When we see these flowers, we can’t help but feel a sense of enthusiasm, and even comfort. It's as though the orange blooms are a reminder that life is full of brightness and possibility, even on cloudy days.

Orange makes any space feel welcoming and lively. It’s impossible to look at orange without feeling a sense of joy, as if the color itself is inviting us to smile and celebrate the moment. Whether it's in nature, fashion, or design, orange carries an undeniable presence that lights up our world, reminding us to embrace life with energy, positivity, and a little bit of flair.

Designing with the Boldest Blooms: A Spring Protea Trio

If you're anything like me, spring isn't just about soft, dainty blooms. It’s time to lean into bold forms and rich textures, and few botanicals deliver like Proteas. This season, I’m designing a beautiful, sculptural arrangement using three favorites: Protea, Leucospermum "pincushions", and Leucadendron.

This trio offers a perfect balance: the architectural weight of proteas, the dynamic energy of pincushions, and the drama of flowering leucadendron. Whether you're creating for a special occasion, a gift, or just want something gorgeous to enjoy at home, here's a composition to inspire your next seasonal piece.

The Ingredients

• 2 King Protea + 1 Protea Venus - Choose open blooms with strong color. Pink is classic, but reds or even blush-toned varieties can shift the mood instantly. 
• 7 -10 Leucospermum - Bright orange, red, or even peach hues work well here. Look for large, open flowers… these will give you the best shape and longevity. 
• 10 - 12 Leucadendron - White Tulip is a go-to for rich color, but Crown Jubilee and Galpinii add interest with their cone-like textures. These act as both line and filler, making them indispensable.

For More Texture + Fillers

• Eucalyptus parvifolia and silver dollar plus, my favorite: grevillea Ivanhoe foliage.
• A weighty ceramic pastel blue container (5-6” opening minimum).

Design Strategy

1. Build Your Form - Start by inserting your eucalyptus and grevillea foliage to establish height and shape. Think of them as the scaffolding of your arrangement. Let a few reach out asymmetrically to create movement and let them drape naturally over the vessel’s edge to ground the composition. 
2. Anchor with the Protea - Insert your protea as these are your focal anchors, so space them to lead the eye naturally. 
3. Add in the Leucospermum - Pincushions are your texture bombs. Use them to bridge the form around the proteas and the foliage. Tuck them close to the base or float them out slightly. 
4. Soften and Layer - Use Leucadendron to fill in transitions and add softness.

Design Notes

• Color: While the natural hues of proteas are rich enough to stand alone, don’t be afraid to play with tonal layering—deep red, soft peach, dusty pink, and creamy-yellow all play beautifully together in a spring palette. 
• Texture: These blooms are inherently sculptural. The goal here isn’t volume, it’s form and contrast. 
• Vase Mechanics: Floral foam or chicken wire… whatever your go-to method, these stems are woody and top-heavy, so stability is key.

Why It Works for Spring

 

Proteas are available year-round, but spring is when they shine in a design context as they aren’t just statement blooms—they’re sculptural tools too. So, if you're craving a break from predictable spring arrangements, lean into the attitude of this stunning trio.

The Captivating Leucospermum

Leucopermum, with its delicate, vibrant hues and captivating form, is a true gem of the botanical world. Known for its intricate structure and striking appearance, it stands out among the wonders of nature. Often described as an exquisite combination of vibrant red, orange, yellow and pastel hues, ranging from pale pink to soft peach.

What truly sets the Leucospermum apart, however, is its unique blend of elegance and wildness. The flowers are made up of many slender, almost spindly petals that curl back to reveal a central cluster of delicate stamens. This gives the flower an energetic, almost fireworks-like quality, making it a favorite among designers and gardeners alike.

Leucospermum thrives in Mediterranean climates, adding to its charm as a symbol of natural resilience and beauty. Its graceful form has earned it the nickname "pincushion" due to the striking resemblance to a pincushion... a perfect fit for a flower so full of life and energy.

Whether in a field, garden, or a floral arrangement, the Leucospermum never fails to captivate anyone who takes a moment to admire it. It’s not just a flower; it’s a reminder of nature’s ability to weave elegance and wildness into a single, breathtaking bloom.

Good Moods Stem from Flowers

Have you ever noticed how your mood brightens when you spot a vibrant bloom or smell the sweet aroma of flowers? There's more to that feeling than just a beautiful sight, flowers have a special way of lifting our spirits and spreading joy.

Good moods, much like flowers, have their roots in nature. Flowers symbolize beauty, growth, and resilience, and these qualities are naturally linked to our health. When we surround ourselves with flowers or take a moment to appreciate their colors, textures and scents, it’s as if we’re tapping into a natural source of happiness.

The act of gifting or receiving flowers has been shown to trigger positive emotions and even reduce stress. Flowers have a natural ability to encourage mindfulness, helping us focus on the present moment and appreciate the little things. Simply being in the presence of flowers or nurturing your own garden can promote feelings of calm and contentment.

Just like a flower needs sunlight, water, and care to bloom, so do our moods. Sometimes, all it takes is a little nature’s touch to remind us that beauty and joy are all around us. So, let the flowers be your reminder to nurture your happiness, after all, a good mood is just a stem away.

Pincushion Season

As we slowly slide into springtime, nature starts to bloom in its signature fiery hues. The transition into leucospermum or "pincushion” season is a subtle one, but it’s unmistakably beautiful.

These remarkable flowers are known for their spiky, orb-shaped blooms that resemble a pincushion with their long, thin stamens reaching out in every direction. As they begin to take center stage in the fields and our bouquets, it’s clear that the season is shifting.

The arrival of pincushions often coincides with a gentle, yet noticeable change in the fields. Their vivid colors—ranging from sunset oranges and fiery reds to warm yellows and peaches, offer a visual cue that warmer days are on the way. As they stand tall and sway in the breeze, these flowers bring a sense of energy and anticipation to the air, like nature itself starting a new chapter.

For those who haven’t noticed yet, leucospermum are more than just a pretty face in the fields. These proteas are incredibly hardy, and their unique shape makes them stand out in any bouquet. The pincushion’s structure, with its twisty, radiating petals, creates a playful contrast with the more traditional blooms we’ve seen earlier in the year.

So, as the light starts to shift and the days lengthen, keep your eyes peeled for these fiery blooms. The slow transition into pincushion season reminds us that even in the quietest moments, change is always just around the corner…bursting into full bloom when we least expect it.

Proteas and Their Deep Symbolism

Proteas, with their striking, otherworldly appearance, hold deep symbolism and meaning across many cultures, making them a fascinating subject. They're often seen as symbols of transformation and resilience. And their ability to thrive in harsh conditions, particularly in areas with poor soil, symbolizes strength, endurance and the beauty that comes with overcoming adversity. 

Diversity and Uniqueness 

Proteas are known for their unique shape and texture, which is why they have come to symbolize diversity and individuality. Their striking, sometimes almost alien appearance and intricate, spiky petals, speaks to embracing individuality and celebrating uniqueness. 

Courage and Hope 

Proteas are also a symbol of hope, encouragement, and the courage to push through hard times. Their bold, bright colors, ranging from pinks and reds to whites and purples, are often associated with the strength to face challenges and the promise of brighter days ahead. 

Love and Romance 

While proteas can symbolize many abstract concepts, they're also linked to love and romance. Particularly in South Africa, the flower is often exchanged as a gesture of affection, and admiration for someone who stands out in one's life.

Whether admired for their beauty or their rich symbolism, proteas are a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of diversity. As a plant that thrives in the most challenging environments, it inspires hope and encourages us to face life's challenges with courage and grace. Whether you're drawn to its unique appearance or its deeper meanings, proteas serve as a reminder of the strength found in nature... and in ourselves.