Grand Magnolia

Grand Magnolia
The stunning leaves of the magnolia make for a bold statement with hydrangea and lotus pods to soften.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

If it's broke, sometimes it pays to fix it!


A friend of mine was moving house, and as you do, decided to throw out the old, unused items that she no longer wanted to keep 'just in case'.  We all do it, the opportunity to clean out the soul (as well as the house) is sometimes a huge factor in the success of any move.  You get the chance to 'spring clean' your house and can be ruthless where before you might have been 'careful'.
I was luckily there the day my darling friend decided she no longer wanted these antique keys.  She used to collect them, and has kept hold of them for many years.  My favourite is the tiny little key that demonstrates the perfect shape, age and story that any old key must have.  Where did it originate?  What was it's purpose?  Did it hold the secrets of a small diary or safe? This is one of the things about antiques that I love...the possibility of romanticism is hard to resist.  Thus I have become a collector.  A collector of unwanted small furniture items (furniture restoration opportunities!), jewellery (valuable or not...), garden furniture/pots (I draw the line at gnomes) and even old fabrics or shoes.


My husband is rolling his eyes and gritting his teeth.  His prized garage and 'tool shed' is about to be converted into a restoration studio for ambitious projects undertaken with fabulous flowers to match.  Look out world, Jules is on the prowl for curb side chuck outs...If anyone lives in Balmain, do let me know when yours is next!!  Ta

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Sugar Bee Flowers: Pink David Austin bouquet

Sugar Bee Flowers: Pink David Austin bouquet: "I can't believe I haven't shared this one on my blog yet! sugar bee flowers - pink rose bouquet Although this is from a while ago, this..."

Studio Impressions « Bringing photography to life

Four out of the top ten photographers in the world are Aussies! Wonderful news, and testament to our blooming bridal industry - flowers, photography, food and wine...it all produces a fantastic environment in which to fully enjoy your special day...even ten years down the track!

Studio Impressions « Bringing photography to life

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Modern elegance


The beauty of orchids (especially in winter), is that they can last for up to two weeks in a vase!  Team just one stem of phalaenopsis with some lush tropical foliage and natural fibres, and you have a stunning arrangement that showcases the crisp, clean lines of the beautiful blooms.

old world charm

A trip to the markets last week yielded some amazing phalaenopsis orchids and some very lush, romantic Pieris...the tree with old world charm and a tonne of romance.  Also known as Andromeda, it is an eternal favourite in the flower world for its display of weeping bells and lush green leaves.  Carefully arranged, a bridal bouquet can be fashioned entirely from the Pieris shrub, and will display an old world, 'freshly gathered', romantic shape.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Musings on mothers day

The following is a excerpt from my little notebook, which kept me company the very cold morning of sat 7th May while waiting for customers to arrive...the things we do...
"Clear day, crisp morning.  "...that indescribable feeling of my inner mantra chanting - "I will succeed in selling today!" - is going off in my head, and the temperature, the fresh smell of coffee, coupled with admiring glances of my 'wares' is giving me a sense of belonging - this is my calling.   Time: 8:45   Coffees: 2"
OK, so as poetic as it all sounds, it really did turn out to be a good day, and although I packed up at midday to go home and spend some time with my family, I left feeling a little tense about whether or not the rest of the stock would go on mothers day.  Completely unfounded as it turns out, I sold everything except one stubborn bouquet and a vase arrangement...lesson learned...stock is HARD to move when there the display is somewhat diminished due to excessive sales...haha...I'm not complaining!
So here is my fave photo of the day...more to follow.
Julia ~ GLR x

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Mother's Day!

To celebrate mothers day this May 8th, Julia from GLR is hand stitching lots of little floral buttons to adorn the bouquets for sale at TJs Coffee House in Penshurst.  Drop in for a coffee and some flowers for your mum/wife!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

French Champagne

I've done it.  I've actually eaten fine french food in a fine french restaurant in Woollahra, Sydney.  I am officially a HUGE fan of french food!!  Julia Childs watch out, I'm starting the experimental french cooking for my kids immediately!!
Aside from the degustation menu (that totally blew my socks off), the champagne was something else altogether...at least the bottles were.  Yes, french champagne is divine, and doesn't even compare with Australian (it's FAR better), but the enchanting bottles this luscious liquid came from were even better (at least from the eccentric, creative types point of view...)
I actually asked the waitress whether she would mind parting with a few empty bottles.  My only defence at the total lack of class was that I was 2 glasses into the degustation...and LOVING it...happily, she agreed, and even disguised them for me in an old Myer bag so that I wouldn't look like a complete tosser walking out of a VERY high end French restaurant with three empty champagne bottles.
The idea is to use them somehow in an installation at my friend's cafe in Penshurst "TJs Coffee House".  Keep you posted, but in the meantime, enjoy the pic...
~JGLR