Posted in musings, writing, tagged Boston, bouquets, Brattle Square Florist, Cambridge, daily life, essays, florist, flowers, habits, joy, Random Sample Review, self-care, whimsy on August 8, 2022| 7 Comments »
It started off small, as so many things do: with a job I hated and a commitment to buying myself flowers on Mondays.
My essay “Becoming the Crazy Flower Lady” is up at Random Sample Review! Please click over to read it, and let me know what you think, if you’d like.
Posted in musings, tagged Brattle Square Florist, Cambridge, changes, florist, flowers, Harvard Square, small business, summer, transitions on June 7, 2022| Leave a Comment »
This weekend, my guy and I took a Sunday bike ride from his house to Harvard Square. We wandered the weekend farmers’ market, savored BLTs from our beloved Darwin’s, and checked out a new arts and vintage market (where I scored a gorgeous pair of earrings). He headed home after that, but I had one more stop to make: the brand-new location of a favorite Harvard Square institution, Brattle Square Florist.
As regular readers know, I’ve been stopping by Brattle Square since 2013, when I worked at Harvard and bought myself flowers at least once a week. Since I left the university, I’ve done my best to keep dropping in when I can, buying peonies and tulips and daffodils, iris and ranunculus and bright anemones – whatever is in season. I’ve bought amaryllis bulbs and sunflowers and multiple African violets, and Stephen, the kind-eyed owner, has tucked many an extra rose into my bouquets.
I was sad when I heard they were moving – but relieved that they found a new space right down the street, near the Ed School and now bright with flowers and houseplants. They moved in last week, and though the new space is smaller, it feels a bit like the old: exposed brick, buckets of blooms, some of the carved wooden angels from the old shop, and Stephen’s smile.
I sniffed and explored and bought a vivid bouquet: orange roses and three Coral Charm peonies, which change color as they bloom. I hugged Stephen and rode home, thrilled to see an old favorite transplanted and flourishing in a new place.
What local adventures are you having, these days?
Posted in musings, tagged #31things, Brattle Square Florist, Cambridge, florist, flowers, Harvard Square, houseplants, joy, plants, small business, spring on March 27, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Once a week I go take photos for Instagram, chat to the guys, pick up a bouquet or two for my place. And soak in the lush green colorful loveliness there.
Posted in musings, tagged Brattle Square Florist, community, florist, flowers, Harvard Square, Instagram, light, photos, social media on December 7, 2020| Leave a Comment »
It’s no secret I am a flower fanatic – I’ve always got a vase or two of fresh blooms around here, plus the geraniums I can usually coax to go through the winter. My Instagram feed is at least half flower photos, and one of the ways my guy and I fell in love was taking flower walks through Cambridge and Boston together.
Recently, though, I’ve been taking even more flower photos than usual: I’m running the Instagram page for my beloved florist. They’ve been without a social media person for a bit, and I had both time and inclination, so once a week, I pop in to snap some photos of the latest arrangements, and post them throughout the week.
It’s a fun creative challenge: the flowers are gorgeous, and I’m enjoying the chance to try out different angles and filters. The holiday decorations are coming in now, too, and they’re so much fun to photograph.
In a time where I’ve struggled to find community, it’s also nice to have a compelling reason to show up somewhere once a week. I always grab a bunch of flowers to take home – tulips or sunflowers or bright gerbera daisies – and Stephen will wrap up a rose or two for me. The extra bit of cash doesn’t hurt, but mostly it’s a fun excuse to stop by a place I love.
Posted in musings, travel, tagged August Break, Brattle Square Florist, Cambridge, flowers, paradise, photos, signs, summer on August 24, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Spotted outside my beloved Brattle Square Florist, just before I went inside to buy orchids for my kitchen table. It is (in case you wondered) absolutely true.
cakes, tea and dreams 