What does a wedding florist get up to in autumn?
If I am writing my blog, it generally means I have a little time to breathe! It is one of those jobs that I adore, but in full flow of wedding season it gets neglected. Rightly so, the weddings will always take priority and being a last minute, all consuming, high intensity part of the job the summer really is completely focused on the weddings themselves. Whilst I am a warm loving, summer girl through and through (give me sunshine any day!) I fully appreciate and lean into the changing of the seasons. So with that in mind, what will I be enjoying this autumn?!
As we head into early autumn, what our bodies need and want definitely tends to shift. I am inspired by the changing warming tones of nature and so naturally I a drawn to these in all aspects of my life. I want to share with you some of what helps me embrace the new season, rather than resist it. Sorry flip flops and shorts, as much as I love you (we have been through a lot this summer!) It is time to pack you away and make room for dare I say it, cosy season vibes. Whilst I will never be grabbing a pumpkin spice latte, no thank you! I will be revelling in lots of other autumnal delights that will help me just a little in saying goodbye to my favourite season.
What’s a wedding florist wearing this autumn?
We are entering that awkward transitional stage, with even more unpredictable weather. In the morning you can require a full on coat and by lunchtime you can be in your t shirt! Layers are key, however I am not sure I have mastered the art of tying a jumper round your waist or neck in a super stylish way. Some can I know! Summer dressing is easy, throw on a beautiful easy to wear dress, or linen shirt and shorts and you are ready to go. Autumn wardrobes require more thought, because we are no way near at the guaranteed tights and thermals stage. Considered, stylish yet practical will always work for me, as the weddings slow down in the autumn, most days for me require the school run, admin (this is where we fit in lots of our pre wedding consultations/chats!) some form of walk or exercise and general all round daily chores, so my wardrobe is never gonna glam. Things I have spied lately that will make the perfect autumn treat to yourself!
Do I need another jacket? Probably not, but would I like another jacket? Then that is a completely different question in itself, with a completely different answer. This checked beauty is the perfect autumn tone and will pair equally perfectly with a white tee as it would a woollen jumper… everything has to go with jeans in my book and this jacket from Fox and Feather is a true beauty. As is this cardigan, pretty much all of my knitwear (and a significant part of my wardrobe!) is from this gorgeous independent in Bristol. I have been shopping there since they opened way back around the time I started my business, so it is great to see how well they have done over the years. I am never without a pair of sunnies, you can be either a bag or a shoes kinda girl…I love a good pair of sunglasses. These are really affordable (again Fox and Feather, swoon!) and come in so many different shapes, I always have a spare pair in my van and bag. Big sunnies are a must and this tortoiseshell pair is super stylish and will go with absolutely everything you own already. For those not as quite cool days where a full on jumper is required, I love this shorter sleeve high neck t shirt jumper from Mint Velvet. In a deep burgundy it is a colour synonymous with autumn, and lucky for my brunette self it is a colour that I wear a lot as it does suit my dark hair and eyes. I am very much a summer girl, but my wardrobe definitely fits in the autumn spectrum…. work that one out?!
I keep getting targeted with these suede ballet flats from Sezane, absolutely stunning and I blame the algorithm for getting inside my head! They are the most gorgeous colour that will lighten up any outfit and elevate that jeans and jumper look that we will all be opting for at the moment. I will resist, because if there is one thing I know, it is that expensive soft pale mustard suede ballet shoes will be completely wasted on the autumnal wet weather of North Devon. Puddles and suede is just a no no, so for now, they will pretty up my blog and the outfits that live inside my head! Scarves will complete any outfit, in a summer with a tee just whack on a pretty colourful scarf either in your hair or neck and you are good to go, autumn is no different. This rich chocolate brown scarf from Liberty is a beaut and will totally complete any autumn florist look without trying too hard. Finally, my beloved Victoria Beckham mascara, I converted to brown mascara a good few years back and honestly how I ever wore black I will never know. This VB one is a dream in shade Cocoa it sells out all the time so you will have to keep your eye on restocks. Love her or loathe her, (personally I love her and always have done!) she makes a mean mascara and believe you me, I have tried plenty over the years.
My autumn skincare favourites:
As we head into autumn our florist skin may need some extra nourishing. Over the busy summer months I try to look after my skin, always with the SPF, juicy moisturisers and of course plenty of hand cream. Our skin may require a little more TLC as we enter the cooler months, so I have a few go to tried and tested that I would not be without. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, is a cult classic and you can tell why when you wake up after applying it with super soft skin. For someone who cannot remember the last time she got a full eight hours, the name in itself makes me feel like I am doing my body good… marketing at its finest. Again on the sleep theme, this NEOM magnesium body butter is an absolute dream, the calming soft lavender and chamomile scent really does soothe me before sleep. Apply to your legs before bed, I genuinely feel that this combined with the fact wedding season has slowed down a little, has had a positive impact on my sleep. Aesop products are a real treat and geranium is one of my favourite scents, so this is a body cream I could really use head to toe it smells that delicious. I have been well on the red light mask train for a few years now, this Beauty Pie mask was a fraction of a price of the other well known ones. Does it work? Well I hope so, either way sitting there with it on for ten mins each night has become a bit of a ritual, before applying my night cream or face mask, I have found it works much better to apply in the evening rather than just before bed and wasting all your beautiful product on your pillow! It gets time to soak in and really begin to do it’s job.
What’s a wedding florist cooking this season?
Cookbooks are my go to read, yes strange I know… I probably should be reading more fiction to switch off, but to me reading a new cookbook and flicking through recipes is my kind of relaxation! I love figuring out new recipes or bookmarking ones I should cook soon and here are some of my favourites I go to when the seasons are changing and we require a little more heartier meals. Nigel Slater is one of my absolute favourite food writers, and I could listen to him talk for hours! This book is a really simple one packed full of seasonal vegetarian recipes which are SO easy to follow, classic Nigel.. no pretence just great cooking! Meera Sodha is another writer who I have all of her books, and it is hard to choose a favourite! Sticky mango and lime paneer naan is a real comfort food choice in our house with a crunchy red cabbage salad, you get the added bonus of being able to eat that for your lunch the following days after. I am all about efficiency in all aspects of my life and if I can make double or batch cook to save me time further down the line, I will! Indian food would always be my go to, I could eat a curry every day and be happy… this absolute classic Madhur Jeffrey’s in an Indian cooking bible full of every recipe you would need. Finally a great book for autumn, One Pot, Pan, Planet. Anna Jones is a fab food writer and the roasted coconut, lime and tamarind curry embraces the fact we are now in squash season, turning the humble butternut squash into the most delicious meal. I am always up for cook book recs so if anyone has any new favourites do send them my way!
Things that will bring me joy this Autumn:
My non negotiable each day is getting outside, whether it is wet and windy or glorious sunshine… fresh air is free and does you the wonders of good no matter how you are feeling. Since my daughter started school a few weeks ago I have the added bonus of a few extra days. The school day is shorter, so I am cramming everything into less hours, but having that bit of time each day has been quite a revelation. I am making time for a walk each day, no matter what. I know how lucky we are to live in a beautiful place where getting into nature is quite easy, so appreciate this may not be the case for everyone. The coast path is right on my door step so at this time of year I am watching the bracken turn a serous shade of brown, which in turn means the whole coast path is looking on the brown side. I enjoy this time of year because I feel that I can truly enjoy the coastline for how it is, at that moment.. in the hot summer there is the pressure to feel you need to be down on the beach in the sea, but in reality I would rather not and stick to the hills! But seriously, getting outside wherever and talking a walk, observing the seasonal shifts, that tree you walk past every day… how is it looking today? You will really begin to see the joy in noticing the small things nature is showing us.
Look out for a community apple day, September and October is prime time for apple picking and lots of places will be holding events for you to help pick the apples, get involved with juicing and try something new. It maybe the Somerset girl in me, but there is nothing better than this time of year for relishing those apples. We recently went to a community day in my hometown to help juice the apples from the community orchard. A huge old fashioned apple press took centre stage and throughout the afternoon various people came along to help chop apples, or contribute their own haul or scrumping. Seeing the pure joy of the kids turning the press and watching the apple juice trickle into a bottle was just fab.
Woodland walks will always be a great option at this time of year, perfect for kids and adults alike… conkers, sticks, pine cones, falling leaves… nature will provide you will so much interest and entertainment! We have some great woodland walks on our doorstep National Trust Arlington is one of my favourites, the huge old beech trees provide a huge canopy of bronze in the autumn and falling leaves aplenty. For more impressive tree displays in the south west head toWestonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury. Just Wow, when you see all those maples in full glory, it really is a natural marvel full of colourful explosion!
It is this time of year when I begin to think about making the house feel all cosy, as the nights draw in it is important for me to bring as much warmth into the house as possible. I do dread the cold, and the winter is not my favourite season… the wind, rain and cold is something I have to endure and survive so making the house feel as cosy as possible really helps me in this transitional season. Candles, fairy lights, soft lamps are all out in force and I am bringing out my beautiful blankets and adding autumn floral touches throughut the house. Consider adding an autumn wreath to yur front door or above your fireplace, or grab a big bunch of foliage to dress an empty looking sideboard or console. Read more about how you can decorate your house for autumn in this full journal page here, which of course features some ornamental pumpkins because were now in October and why not!
