Fast fashion and fast fashion alternatives have been in the news a lot recently. Here are a few of our Favourite clothing and accessories brands that do a little more. Whether it is in how the items are made, the charities the brand is linked to or why the brand was created: Read more
Have you noticed less bee buzzing around you garden? Their gentle hum seems to have nearly disappeared now. We spoke to our charity partners, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust about what happens to bees at this time of the year, and what we can do to help them during their quiet time. Read more
www.capturedlifephotography.co.uk
Wedding season may be coming to a close, but weddings continue all year. We spoke to wedding photographer Charlotte Heather-Cray about what inspired her to become a wedding photographer and what her favourite thing is about her job. It also gave us a chance to look at some of her beautiful images.
We are really excited to introduce one of our latest partners and their gorgeous products. Emma is a mummy who started a brand to help parents feel more positive about themselves and parenthood. All of Emma’s designs are perfect gifts for new parents. And a percentage from sales of her button badges goes to Mind charity, supporting positive mental health.
Right, grab a coffee and we will tell you a little more about British Flowers Week. And why it is something to be excited about…
June is when British gardens really bloom, which is why it is the perfect time for British Flowers Week. British Flowers Week is an annual celebration of British flowers and the UK cut flower industry. Now in its 6th year and running 18th – 24th, the week was started by the Flower Market at New Covent Garden Market in 2013. There are various ways to take part across the UK.
We were lucky enough to catch up with Claire, one of the organisers at British Flowers Week, to ask her a few questions.
Here at the Flower Market at New Covent Garden Market, we’ve traded in British grown flowers and foliage for centuries. Up until the 1970s, the only flowers you saw came from flower farmers in Britain. Today, most of the flowers we see used in the floristry industry or for sale in your high street flower shop will have been grown by large scale commercial growers and routed through the Dutch auctions.
We wanted to promote and give visibility to these British flowers, their sellers, growers, and the independent florists championing locally-grown. Although beautiful British flowers are available all year round, we wanted to take one week to focus all our attentions on promoting them, generating interest and press coverage to boost the British flower industry.
There’s many reasons to support British flowers, from an environmental and also just a purely aesthetic perspective.
Just like with food, people are increasingly demanding more locally grown flowers to celebrate the seasons. When grown in season, flowers look and smell better, and can have more unusual movement to their stems and variation that isn’t seen in large scale farming.
Not only do British flowers usually have a better scent than imported ones, they will be fresher and last longer. And of course, fewer flower miles mean less environmental damage. It’s also important to support local industry and many farms that have been growing for generations at the centre of communities. British flower farms encourage wildlife and biodiversity, providing food and habitats for our butterflies and bees.
We want people to think about where their flowers, foliage and plants are coming from. To buy British wherever possible and support independent florists using British flowers.
People can follow everything that’s happening during British Flowers Week with the hashtag #BritishFlowersWeek across social media, and share how they’re celebrating too!
There’s events being held up and down the country to celebrate the week, including talks, pop-up shops and workshops – visit www.britishflowersweek.com for a full list. Our star event is a collaboration with the Garden Museum where six florists will be creating specially-commissioned installations using all British flowers, which will be on display from 18-24 June for people to visit.
On the website there’s also a toolkit for florists, with free gift tags, posters and more tips on how to make the most of the week.
Of course, buying British is the simplest way to support the campaign and back local growers. Florists can buy from the specialist wholesalers at the Flower Market at New Covent Garden Market, or a grower from the Flowers from the Farm network, and members of the public from independent florists around the country.
It’s really hard to pick just one. I’d have to say either sweet peas, for their gorgeous scent, or digitalis, for their unusual shapes and movement. Both remind me of playing in my parent’s garden when I was younger – I think British flowers have such a power to evoke memories with their scents and colours.
British Flowers Week is in association with the Flower Market, Flowers From the Farm and British Florist Association. All three websites have some great information on where to find British flower growers… And how to get involved in British Flowers Week.
Do you have any plans to celebrate British Flowers Week? We are planning to showcase some talented British Florists and growers, show you some of our favourite British flowers, and we are offering at least 10% off all our Flowers & Florals page. Fill your home with flowers. Please tag us in any of your photos of British flowers and any posts that show you celebrating #britishflowersweek.
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The Home of Juniper gift guide of things you can get your dad this Fathers Day. Whether he loves his beard, his man cave or his kitchen, we have a range of ideas for Fathers Day: Read more
As promised this is Christmas traditions – part two! Do you have a favourite festive tradition?
I love Christmas! When you are small it is all about the magic of Santa, flying reindeer, parents secretive whispering and packages under the Christmas tree. As I have gotten older I still find Christmas magical. The scent of pine, feeding the christmas cake, watching Christmas films (Love Actually, at least once!).. the list goes on. But, there are a few new things that I love about the festive season. One of my new favourite things about Christmas is finding out what other people do. What traditions they have and follow each year, or reminisce about. We asked a few people their favourite Christmas traditions. All people we asked have worked with us in some form over the last year. Here are a few of their Christmas traditions: Read more
Gloves are synonymous with British Autumn and Winter. There is something cosy about pulling on your favourite gloves. What made us fall a little in love with the gorgeous Aura Que gloves we stock stock at Home of Juniper is the fact that – as well as being stylish and cosy – they are also Fair Trade. We managed to catch designer and business owner Laura, and ask her some questions about her wonderful brand. Read more