Friday Seedlings
Spread Love...
Happy Friday! And Happy Valentines for tomorrow. Yes, I know it’s a little commercial and corny these days but the sentiment of spreading love is one I just can’t help but love!
Every year as a little girl, I received a tiny little mystery Valentine letter which was beyond exciting and magical (ok, now I know it was my mother…. but even better!). Years later, I was proposed to by my husband Charlie on Valentine’s Day, so 14th of February is the real deal for me. When I was in America this time last year, everyone seemed to give Valentines to everyone! Friends, teachers, postman. I love that. Now I love to give little Valentines posies or cards to all my boys and friends too, because why not spread some love? And if this recent rainy February weather wasn’t enough reason to spoil ourselves and each other, I don’t know what is! Pass the chocolate, please…
In this week’s dispatch - my spring forecast fashion wish list, my ideal romantic bouquet, a last-minute Valentines easy dessert à deux, how to get the motivation to get moving (hint: with some new kit), & more…
Have a lovely weekend,
Willow
x
My Dream Romantic Palette
I just found images of a spring shoot I did for Harpers Bazaar a couple of years ago - photographed at home and in my studio. I love the soft, romantic palette of pastel spring flowers in vintage Wedgwood, cut glass and blue & white vases. This is my ultimate bouquet of love - romantic, soft, airy, feminine colours and shapes and not a red rose in sight! Pillows of soft-hued dusty pink tulips dance with muscari, narcissi, soft white daffodils, delphiniums, and campanula. The jolt of vibrant green from guelder rose and a tiny touch of peach ranunculus balances any hint of saccharine. It’s a little early for many of these Spring flowers but this is a palette I return to again and again.
You can read more of this archival interview with me at home in The Cotswolds (with more flowery pics) for Harpers Bazaar UK here.
And if stuck for flowers to source to create your own last-minute bouquet for someone, try my supermarket tulips where I show you how to create, care, and condition them; and tie up in a paper wrap (with a bow!) that looks far more expensive!
From Burn Out to Time Out
Ella Mills from Deliciously Ella has joined Substack! (You can follow her here). I so enjoyed reading her dispatch below - a vulnerable and relatable read about knowing and acknowledging the signs of burn out despite the glossy success stories. And after burn out, what happens next…? For Ella and her family, a move to the countryside. For many of us, change in some form has to happen for us to break through burn out…
“Learning when enough is enough, and choosing a different kind of success”
Let’s Get Moving…
Following on from our focus on movement in last week’s edition, I’m looking to update my kit a little. I think half the battle is getting ready. If I am already in walking or work-out friendly attire at the start of the day, it’s so much easier to take the first step! And with athlesiure entirely acceptable and rather cool under your coat of choice, there really is no excuse. So here are six items to up my game (the skipping rope has been a great hit so far!)…
