I've never really written a blog, and never thought much about what I'd even put in one. But flowers are something I can talk about all day, so I though, why not? Here goes...

One of my first memories of flowers was in my Gran's garden one summer. I must have been 3 or 4, and she was showing me her Snapdragons and told me to pinch the sides of it carefully. So I did, and was completely amazed that this little flower opening and closing its mouth, just like a dragon. Every time I visited, it was the first thing I'd did when I went out into the garden. At 35, I still immediately give a little pinch whenever I see one. 

My mum and me would grow sunflowers every year and see who could grow the tallest. I can't remember who won, but I'd say me and my mum would say her. But I loved the shades of yellow and how their heads would move with the sun. When I was older, my mum painted my bedroom wall with sunflowers. 

In 2013 or 2014 (I can't remember which), my old job was hosting some national awards ceremony. The whole staff team pitched in to do the set up (this was way before events became my actual career). I was asked if I'd be able to put together the centrepieces, but other than supermarket bouquets in a jug at home, I'd never really arranged anything. It wasn't anything fancy, just some large vases with something like marbles and a few large stems. But something started making sense to me and it was the happiest I'd felt at work in a long time. I decided I should explore the idea of working with flowers further, then mostly forgot about it for years, except for coming back to it every so often with the promise I'd do something about it. 

Eventually, when it came back to me one day, I actually did do something about it. I started researching what I needed to do to make it happen and within half an hour, I'd applied to do my City and Guild level 2 certificate at college. It was exactly the floral education I wanted, and I knew that going in, but at least it would give me a good base and confirm whether or not I did actually want to do floristry or if it was just another hyperfixation. Turns out it wasn't a hyperfixation, or at least one that I haven't moved on from yet. I finished college with a distinction, then threw half of what I'd learnt out of my brain (think floral foam and spray carnations) and adapted everything into a sustainable way with design ideas that truly reflected me as a person. I'll probably go into the sustainability of floristry at some point, but not right now. 

So Penny&Petals became a thing. Being a new business is scary and daunting, and sometimes disheartening. Especially when you're working with a medium that has to be bought every single time (my poor bank account). But its also exciting, and standing back and seeing something you've created from scratch is pretty bloody lovely. 

So that's a brief history. I have a few things I want to write about in later posts, so please do check back. Or give me a follow on Instagram at @pennyandpetals to find out more!