Dream wardrobe incoming: one scroll of the & Other Stories website and boom, your basket is full, you have 5 packages en route and your bank manager is on the phone wondering what the f*ck is going on. Their irresistible combination of design influences from Paris, L.A and Stockholm means they nail new-in, on-trend yet classic styles every time, and you can shop safe in the knowledge that you can’t go far wrong where & Other Stories is concerned. 

This week the team are running you through their favourite ‘add to basket’ picks as the dreaminess of June 21st approaches and hugs, kisses, parties and picnics become the new, ‘new normal’. Insert all the heart eye emojis.

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As at-home activities go, we can safely say we’ve peaked with the CAST jewellery making experience. The humble diy flower crown is cancelled, guys.

CAST, a company based in Sheffield and owned by brothers James and Luke Cottingham, offers bespoke jewellery making experiences across the UK, from public events to private hen dos, team building sessions and wedding ring workshops for couples.

The second element of CAST is the bespoke jewellery making kits, designed for all those people who prefer to get creative in their own time and in the comfort of their own home. It’s genius.

The bespoke jewellery making kit is £29 and contains everything you need to design and create your very own jewellery at home, including shaping tools, sandpaper, wax moulds and a tin and freepost envelope so your design can reach the team safely, ready for casting.

You don’t need any experience but if you find yourself stuck for ideas, you can always check out the Makers Table section on CAST’s Instagram or website for tips and design inspo.

Whether you want to make a signet ring, a hammered coin pendant, earrings or cufflinks, the possibilities are endless. The more unique and special to you, the better!

Once you’re happy with your piece, you simply fill out the online form and send your piece off to the CAST experts. There’s also an opportunity to add in your ring size, metal and choice of finish.

Every piece then goes through a strict ancient process of lost wax casting by the silversmithing team and is finished by hand in solid silver, platinum or gold. Prices for casting the jewellery start from £60 for a single wax jewellery piece weighing upto 1.5g in wax. You can also select optional extras such as engraving, gold plating and stone setting.

Not only do you get the opportunity to switch off and make some magic, you also get a piece of jewellery designed and carved by you, for you. Buzzing!

You can find out more about the CAST experience and jewellery making kits here!

And because we couldn’t resist having a go at it ourselves, you can see the team’s CAST creations below!

Holly says…

I bloody love getting crafty and I would go as far as to say this is my favourite activity so far. The whole experience was just great. The guys who run its were so friendly and it was just like friends hanging out. I sometimes worry that zoom calls and classes will be awkward but this wasn’t awkward at all. We were on the call for over 2 hours and it absolutely flew by.

I decided to make a ring because I want to have some that I like and want to wear every day. I engraved all my families names in to it so it means something too. I can’t say I was great at it but I really enjoyed it.

I have giant sausage fingers and got a bit carried away when I was trying to make the ring bigger and made it too big. The guys were so helpful and made it a tiny bit smaller so it wouldn’t slip of, I would have cried if I’d lost it after 700 hours making it.

I couldn’t stop, I kept adding to it afterwards so it actually took me about a month to sign up in the end. I opted for a gold finish in a kind of worn style, if that’s what you call it? And actually love how it came out. I genuinely think this would make a great gift for someone and love the idea of making wedding bands for each other.

Lareese says…

For someone who writes and takes photos for a living, you’d think I’d have creative bones but for whatever reason, crafting and me have never hit it off, so I had to manage my expectations of my jewellery making abilities. I wasn’t exactly confident I’d be up to the task of creating something I could realistically ya know, wear with pride. I have a hard time drawing a star (true story) let alone chiselling something from wax with my own barely functioning hands. Luckily for me Luke and James were pretty pro imperfection when it comes to making unique pieces of jewellery, which bodes well for this clumsy girl.

The bespoke kit is beautifully presented with all kinds of fancy utensils – the jewel blade slightly terrified me at first but if I can use it without hacking a finger off, you’ll be fine. For £29 I think it’s a pretty good deal for the quality tools you’re getting. Plus, you can carry on making jewellery time and time again, just order some more wax refills for 50p and job’s a good’un.

I found the process of sanding away at the wax and seeing the design take shape really calming. I was in the zen zone! In terms of the making side of things, it was much easier than I thought it would be, which speaks volumes because, did I mention, I’m outrageously bad at crafts. Now I’m not saying my creation is Hatton Garden worthy or anything but that’s kind of the point. I wanted to create something a bit battered and irregular (like its mother) and I think it’s going to come into its own when it’s been through the casting process.

I love that you can create anything you set your mind to with CAST – from wedding rings to sentimental keepsakes or even a blooming croissant ring if you so wished – I did wish very much so but without exhausting this self-deprecating memoir I’m writing here, I think that would have been a little bit ambitious. You don’t need to be an expert, you just have to have fun with it.

I can’t wait to see the finished result and wear a piece of jewellery I designed and made myself, all in the comfort of my own pad. I’ll definitely be making another piece in the future. Thank you to the lovely CAST team for making it happen!

Charlotte says…

I would consider myself a relatively creative person but for some reason my brain really struggles with tactile things like this, as I learnt the hard way during my art GCSEs in which my vision rarely translates IRL, haha! I absolutely love jewellery though, and especially rings, so I was so excited at the prospect of this lovely evening activity with the team, and it certainly did not disappoint!

I was definitely a little intimidated when I first opened up the box as the different tools and materials looked v professional for an extreme newbie, but the CAST guys were so wonderful and knowledgeable that it definitely helped me feel at ease. The team shared one of their Pinterest boards at the beginning of the session which was really helpful as it is quite easy to feel a bit overwhelmed with just how many possibilities there are in terms of the direction you want to take your design in. I decided on a simple band design for my ring (managing expectations of my abilities early on) and shaping, adjusting and fitting the ring was really therapeutic actually! It’s the perfect mindful activity to be focused on and feel very ‘in the moment’ whilst also allowing for a glass of wine (optional!) and chat with the group too.

I decided to melt some wax too and give that a go, adding some small bead-like textures to the front of the ring which looks super simple but I think once CAST will be quite chic (hopefully) and classic. I’m opting for a gold finish as I’m definitely a gold lover through and through and I can’t wait to see how this more personal, unique 

Danielle says…

Normally when we do crafty things as a team I have grand illusions of how it will turn out, try-hard for about 10 minutes, then mess it up and just decide to have fun and make a mess instead. But because I love jewellery – specifically rings – so much, I put my all into this one so I could create something I can wear and wouldn’t leave in a box for years to come!

The box came beautifully packaged with some really high-end tools, I couldn’t wait to get stuck in. To kick things off we had to sand the inside of our rings to fit our fingers, I wanted one for my index finger as this is my chunkiest finger and always harder to find rings for. Sanding down the hole was time-consuming but super easy and I realised what a good opportunity it is to get a perfectly sized ring.

I started chipping away at the ring to get it a bit thinner and realised I loved the hammered effect so I kept on chipping and sanded down the edges so it wasn’t as sharp. I wanted to keep my band quite long like a cigarette band as apposed to something thin and dainty. I haven’t received my ring back yet but I’m super excited to see how it turns out.

I’d highly recommend using CAST if you’re looking to get into jewellery making, and it would also make a great activity for an event or party. I’ve done so many hen do activities in the past that cost so much money, doing something like this where people can go away with something they will actually want to keep is perfect!

Darcey says…

I don’t usually get crafty and actually I do really enjoy it once I get stuck in but I’m bad at finding time to just sit and make something or get creative. So when I found out we were going to be making our own jewellery I was so excited! It’s also so nice to spend some time away from your phone and just enjoy the moment creating something cool.

I had such a fun experience with the CAST guys and the kit is so lovely with all the bits and bobs you need to make your own bespoke jewellery! Their Instagram and Pinterest are also full of great inspo if you find yourself a bit stuck on the design (which I absolutely was at first).

I decided to create a ring, which let me tell you took a while as I have rather large fingers, so carving out the size of my ring took me ages but it was so worth it for the accomplishment. For my design I decided to go with a textured metal effect by heating up one of the tools with a candle and then melting the wax to create a bumpy, textured effect. I hope once it’s cast to metal it should look pretty cool! I’ve gone with a silver finish as I think that looks best with the style ring I’ve designed.

I’m really excited to see the finished result and wear a piece of jewellery I designed myself! I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is looking for something crafty to do, it would also be a fabulous gift!

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The summer months bring colour and freshness to your evening dinner plate, and the same can be said for your wardrobe too! As the weather warms up (please universe) and fake tan gets topped up with a real one, the urge to embrace bold, primary colours increases along with the fun and flirty vision that’s forced into hiding during the season of jumpers and boots. And what screams Italian vineyard or English orchard during a heatwave more than the humble fruit print?! Appearing in bold and statement prints or smaller micro nods to the trend, the variety of ways to rock fruit print mean the possibilities for summer outfits are truly endless. 

Which pieces are going straight into your basket?

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The end of lockdown is so close we can practically taste the Aperol but that doesn’t mean we’re immune to life’s many, many problems. Pause the bunting people, shit’s going down.

If only there was a vaccination to save us from mardy bum mother in-laws serving sly digs left right and centre, romance ruts and pals slating their dickhead boyfriends but continuing to do absolutely nothing about it. If scientists could make that jab happen by 2030, thank you please. Push it through guys, see what strings you can pull eh?

In this month’s BYAM, we’re working through all of the above and more. Join us for a good venting sesh, won’t you?

Does anyone else agree that coffee table styling feels like peak adulthood? Us too. Balancing the needs of functionality and aesthetics has never been more key than in a living space that’s considered the hub of the home- the place guests visit as well as housing your daily bits, bobs and everything in between. Clutter but make it cool. Everyday essentials but make it edgy. It’s all the ‘stuff’ that’s worthy of public viewing. Nailing the balance of purposeful decor, whilst also leaving space for your actual coffee cups and snacks aplenty is a fine art, friends!

If you’re in need of inspo then think vases, coasters, candles, plants and our personal favourite: BOOKS. There’s something about buying a chunky, hardback coffee table book (aka an oversized visual book that possibly collects dust but looks fabulous doing so) too that feels 10/10 joyful. A book with no expectations or set reading time can be a welcome break from a heavy reading list or excessive screen time day. The key here is not to overthink. Much like shelf styling it can feel overwhelming to nail the fine line between intentional interiors and excessive ‘stuff’, but the more you play around with the space and switch things up seasonally, the more effortless it feels.

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AD This is a paid partnership with Fellows Auctioneers.

In the market for a designer handbag but don’t really have the budget to splash out on a brand-new Birkin? Here’s a competition you’re going to want to circulate in the girls’ WhatsApp group asap.

One of our lucky readers will be able to get their hands on a £500 voucher to spend at Fellows Auctioneers, making it possible to get hold of the ‘It’ bag of your vision board dreams without breaking the bank. Praise be.

Founded in Birmingham in 1876, Fellows is one of the UK’s most established auction houses with a focus on luxury watches, designer brands and unique jewellery. They hold regular specialist designer handbag and accessories auctions, with a luxury handbag auction each quarter, at a variety of price points.

With names such as Chanel, FENDI, and Louis Vuitton regularly appearing in their saleroom, you can pick up the most covetable arm candy and iconic designer totes at a price you can afford.

Designer handbags on a broke girl budget? Yep, we’re sold.

Hold up, why the bargain price?

Klaxon: there is no catch. Most designer handbags – the holy trinity Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton aside – depreciate with ownership. Every item listed at Fellows is pre-owned and therefore classed as second-hand goods.

Buying pre-loved designer bags at auction is not only a great way to get your hands on a hot-ticket item for a fraction of the retail price (excluding big buck Hermès Birkins) but it’s far more sustainable than buying new. Bring on the bidding buzz!

Authenticity

Fellows have a specialist team to check and authenticate every item. A handbag’s estimate depends on various factors including condition, desirability, brand and past auction results, though the price could exceed the estimate if multiple people keep bidding.

Every item has an extensive condition report listed online alongside its description but if you’d like to view an item or you have any specific questions, you can book a pre-auction one-to-one Zoom appointment with one of the Fellows specialists for the ultimate virtual personal shopping experience. No one wants to deal with buyer’s remorse.

Place your bids

Whether you’re on the hunt for a Louis Vuitton Monogram Neverfull MM, a Chanel lambskin Hidden Chain or a Céline Phantom, you can snap up the deal of the century from the comfort of your own home thanks to the Designer Collection timed online auction.

Firstly, you’ll need to register for a Fellows account in order to bid. Once registered, you’ll be able to see the remaining time left to bid on each lot before it closes and access past auction results.

The timed auctions normally take place over two weeks but unlike a live auction, there isn’t an auctioneer. The extended time frame means you can re-submit bids mid-auction, should your initial maximum bid be beaten. In this event, you’ll be notified, allowing you to bid again at the click of a button.

Conveniently, you don’t have to wait for the day of the auction to take part. You can bid on your desired items as soon as the catalogue becomes available. Sign up for alerts to get notified of the auctions so you’ll never have to sleep on that FENDI baguette ever again.

Even if you’re new to the world of auctions, Fellows make it easy to bid for the bag of your dreams with Samantha Jones-worthy confidence.

The next Designer Collection timed auction starts on 7^th June at 9am and you can view the catalogue right here.

How to enter…

For your chance to win a £500 voucher to spend at Fellows, simply enter your name and contact email address below. Good luck fashionistas!

Find the Terms & Conditions here.

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Jewellery: the fun, flirty, low commitment fashion purchase that can take a look from classic to current as quick as you can press ‘continue to checkout’. It’s these non essential purchases that are a style lovers dream- the items we might not have been able to justify during the past 12 months but that really make you feel like you’ve got your sh*t together when you put them on.

Other notable trends include pearls (Bridgerton and other period dramas we thank you), seaside inspired jewels (still seeking a slice of escapism? Us too) and bangles (hello 90s disco), and the variety of styles means there really is something for everyone here! 

Which trend will you be rocking during hot girl summer?

Rings

Pearls

Sea Themed Jewellery 

Bangles

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Dried flowers are back from the dead and the options are wild, with fluffy pampas grass displayed in chic af vases and everlasting bouquets taking over our Instagram and our homes.

Fun fact: back in the 70s, planting the feathery plumes in your garden was considered rather risqué after rumours spread that pampas-proud homeowners were into none other than… swinging. Bold of them to assume an innocent, albeit a little phallic-looking, plant was code for wife swapping but OK.

Since then, the humble species has gone up in the world and enjoyed some great pr – with a little help from a certain Kardashian – cementing itself as a millennial must-have and putting that silly gossip well and truly to bed.

Not only are dried flowers a more affordable way to enjoy a bit of nature in your home, they’re also highly convenient for lazy girls and failed flower parents like @ me, meaning you can leave them sitting pretty in the curves of Anissa Kermiche’s love handles without having to worry that they’re casually dying of thirst.

Whether you’re into statement grasses, bushy bunnytails or dainty gypsophila, these versatile blooms are a simple way to add some personality into a room and incorporate some natural texture throughout your home. They also get a big fat tick where sustainability is concerned, since they’re often locally sourced and free from plastic.

Far from the outdated posies once associated with dusty B&Bs and granny’s bathroom, you can now get your hands on all kinds of bougie arrangements from earthy neutrals and tonal designs right through to Wes Anderson worthy pastels and bright ‘n’ bold creations. If you can dream it, you can buy it.

With the sales of dried blooms up 115% and lockdown living inspiring many budding florists to quit their office jobs in favour of creative pursuits, we caught up with three of our favourite dried flower brands, The Happy Blossoms, Phohm and Three Sisters Farm, to chat business, blooms and the future of floristry.

PHOHM

What inspired you to start your own dried flower business?

I was inspired by the everlasting nature of dried flowers and creating displays that are designed with the intention of permanence. 

Have you always been interested in floral design?

I’ve always loved flowers and some of my fondest memories are of going to Columbia Road Flower Market. My passion for floral design came later. I studied Fine Art and have always had an eye for arranging things as well as a skill for creating. I started working as a prop-maker and during that time I worked on a project which used lots of artificial flowers. I really enjoyed the project and decided to start creating flower arches for local Brighton businesses. I got a lot of commissions and quickly launched my own floral design business in 2018. 

How did you turn your passion for dried flowers into a business?

PHOHM started as a floral design company trading solely to commercial businesses. I used artificial flowers and foliage to create large scale installations for bars, salons, shops and restaurants. These were mainly commissions, so whenever I could add my own personal touch to the installations I opted for dried flowers over artificial. 

The aesthetic of dried flowers are much more my style so when Covid hit I had to think fast and decided to start creating dried flower bouquets for people’s homes.

A friend of mine had a shop in The North Lanes and let me rent the space to start a dried flower pop-up. We opened the weekend that the first lock down eased. 

The trial weekend went really well and PHOHM pop-ups quickly became a weekly affair. As well as having the space in The North Lanes I also hosted multiple pop-ups outside cafes and bars in Brighton and Greater London. All the handwork paid off and I now have a permanent space in The Lanes Brighton and I couldn’t be happier.

Why do you think there’s been such a resurgence in the popularity of dried flowers over the last few years?

Fashion goes round in circles. It always does. I think this time around it has more significance because people are much more aware of being wasteful.  It’s very en vogue to be environmentally conscious which means home interiors are much more focused around the concept of slow living. 

What does an average day in the life of floral creative look like?

Wake up at 7ish get washed and dressed followed by Coffee (Oat Mocha) & Crumpets (Marmite) stick on 6music and reply to enquiries, send out quotes + invoices & complete general life admin.

I live locally so I walk into town and open the shop at 11. On busy days it’s back to back creating bouquets and vase stylings for customers. On the quieter midweek days my studio is inside the shop which is great because I can focus on my commissions for larger scale designs such as vase stylings, custom wreaths and pampas clouds.

On the days that I’m not working in the shop, I’ll be going to meetings with potential clients, visiting antiques fairs to source vases or out installing larger projects. 

How do you go about sourcing your flowers?

I use a few different suppliers depending on what I need. Sourcing the fluffiest pampas or the perfect shaped palm can be tricky so I take my time when researching to ensure that I get the best stems to stock in the shop.

What’s different about working with dried blooms compared with fresh flowers?

I keep to a neutral earthy palette for my everlasting displays which are mainly focussed around dried grasses. This is very reflective of my own personal style, I dress in a very neutral palette and as you can see from the interior of my shop this is my style preference in terms of interiors too.   
What I love about working with fresh flowers is that I can be really playful with colour. I find this a lot harder to do with dried because I don’t particularly like the look of dyed dried flowers.

Working with fresh also enables me to practise mindfulness, patience and being more gentle in my approach. I really enjoy editing fresh flowers, an example of this is flexing. Flexing is where you gently fold back the petals of the flower to change its more recognisable appearance. Roses and Lisianthus look incredible when flexed. It’s these little tricks & techniques that make the difference between floral design and traditional floristry.  

Are there any trends we should be on the lookout for, what’s going to be the next pampas do you think?!

In terms of trends Mantelscaping. The rise of sculptural ceramic vases, ornamental candles and of course dried flowers are all major players when it comes to Mantelscaping. Mantelscaping is where you arrange your favourite objects in your home candles, vases, mirrors, artworks etc and display them on your mantelpiece to curate a design feature that fills you with joy each time you look at it. The beauty of this is that it will naturally change and evolve depending on the flowers and objects you choose to display. 

Having flowers in your mantelscape is crucial. Fresh, dried or in my case both,  always look fantastic in sculptural ceramic vases. In terms of what’s going to be the next pampas, who knows. I would like to see larger floral installations in peoples homes, such as wall-based displays as pieces of art and floating cloud designs above peoples dining tables. 

For anyone new to dried flowers, what’s the easiest way to introduce them into your home décor?

Come and visit me in my shop, bring your own vase or purchase one from our antique collection and I’ll style it for you. These custom vase stylings are excellent because we create a bespoke arrangement that is completely unique to you and your style. 

Part of the beauty of dried flowers is their longevity, but do you have any top tips for making sure they stay looking their best?

Each stem differs but some good guidelines to follow are:Palms away from sunlight (if you don’t want them to fade), anything fluffy i.e Pampas + Reed grass away from any moisture. For extra fluffiness use a warm hairdryer on the stems, do this outside if possible, then hairspray to reduce any shedding. Give your dried flowers a little wiggle every now and then to avoid any dust gathering. 

What’s the best thing about owning a dried flower business?

The business is a creative outlet for me. I love designing and creating new displays every day. I’m an ideas person for sure so coming up with interesting concepts for brands + larger scale installations is definitely my favourite part of the job.

What do you think floristry will look like in the next 5-10 years and what sort of changes do you hope to see happen, any predictions?

Probably not too dissimilar from now I imagine. Nothing ever really changes that much. I think the permanence of dried is very appealing so I can’t see it going anywhere anytime soon. It really would defeat the object of the long lasting appeal if everyone decided to just throw them away. Prediction wise I think that dried flower weddings will be extremely popular.

What’s your best advice for anyone else looking to start their own floristry business?

Find your own style, appreciate but don’t imitate. I think having your own style is super important, you can tell the difference between floral designs when none of the personality of the florist has gone into their work and they’ve just replicated. It’s hard to be original nowadays when everything everyone else is doing is presented to us all the time on Instagram. All the images we see seep into our subconscious and we recreate often un-intentionally.

My advice would be to find inspiration from real things that you truly love. And if you are using platforms like Instagram for inspo one tip I have would be to save images that you’re inspired by, look at them all together in your saved section then put your phone down and create your own interpretation of the amalgamation of images that you’ve seen. 

In terms of styling and making your own dried arrangements, are there any dos and don’ts to consider?

Colour-wise I prefer sticking to a neutral earthy palette. Complementary tones where you can’t really go wrong would be beiges and lights alongside minky coffee tones. Avoid dark colours with lights and have contrasting textures of the same tones. When it comes to larger sculptural elements like palms stick to just one  and have it front facing. If you’re using small sculptural stems like floral heads or bunny tails stick to odd numbers. Taller fluffy stems like pampas look best arranged in threes or fives. A loose guideline to follow would be to arrange in triangles playing with differing heights. Floral design is just about having the eye for arranging and having the confidence to know when to stop. 

What’s the biggest misconception or assumption about your job?

I suppose the biggest assumption would be that my house is filled with flowers. That assumption would be correct, my house is of course filled with flowers.

Let’s get whimsical, what do flowers mean to you?

Some of the frills, textures and colours of fresh florals I find mesmerising. Sometimes I think the world can’t be so bad when something so beautiful can naturally grow from the soil. I love the ceremonial aspect of flowers. We give them as gifts, carry them around at weddings, and have them laid on top of us when we die. Flowers are a big part of our culture in Britain and I think that goes fairly unnoticed.

An impossible question to answer BUT, what’s your all-time favourite flower / dried grass?

All-time fresh favourite is a Cafe au lait Dahlia, Dried Strelitzia leaves are my current crush, each one is so unique and adds a gorgeous sculptural element to my displays. 

What’s next for you and your business?

Launching our events program from June. Expect lots of floral design workshops as well as, life drawing, ceramics & Silversmithing. The space will also be hireable allowing creatives to use the space outside of shop hours to host their own workshops or pop-ups. 

Three Sisters Farm Shop

What inspired you to start your own dried flower business, have you always been interested in floral design?

We saw a gap in the market and decided to go for it! We didn’t know much about floristry at all. Having just left a long career in banking I decided why not give blooms a go! After an online course and a bit of experimenting my creative side was unleashed!

How did you turn your passion for dried flowers into a business?

There is something very whimsical about Dried Flowers, the way they fall, the colours and textures are so unique and interesting. It was love at first sight. I thought if I can see this, so will others and be gone with their old 80’s reputation!

Why do you think there’s been such a resurgence in the popularity of dried flowers over the last few years?

Dried flowers are the perfect finishing touch to the ever-popular boho scandi type interior that is very on trend. The soft textures and fluffy pampas add warmth to a room like no other accessory can. Not forgetting the low maintenance attribute. I for one struggle keeping plants alive and always get sad throwing flowers away once they have died. Dried flowers solve this problem by giving you a low maintenance fresh-looking bunch for years! 

What does an average day in the life of floral creative look like?

It is cliché but no two days are the same. We are super busy right now and staying on top of orders is our number one priority! It is a tricky job trying to get each bouquet unique in its own right but uniformed and measured correctly for each customer. So much care and attention goes into each one of our bouquets. We recently installed a flower wall at Westfield shopping centre. This was so much fun to create and we hope to increase our installation and wedding side of the business very soon!

How do you go about sourcing your flowers?

We have worked in this industry for almost a year now so have developed great relationships with key suppliers in both the UK and The Netherlands. We purchase from the auctions in Holland as you would with fresh flowers. Stock is quick to sell and change so we need to be planning our stock demands in advance.

What’s different about working with dried blooms compared with fresh flowers?

I think the biggest difference is the fact they are dried! When working with fresh they are in water and its cold! However, dried flower stems are so fragile so it takes a different type of skill to perfect a spiralled bouquet! These are quotes from our floristry team headed up by Rachel, Eleanor and Julie.

Are there any trends we should be on the look-out for, what’s going to be the next pampas do you think?!

I think pampas will be around for a while yet as there are so many different colours and textures that you could refresh an interior space just by changing your pampas! There is certainly a demand for faux pampas as well but I can’t bear the thought of more plastic! Stay natural people!

A simple statement piece of some short pampas is a great way to add a minimalist look. Depending on your colour choice a small bouquet would also be a great starting point!

Part of the beauty of dried flowers is their longevity, but do you have any top tips for making sure they stay looking their best?

We include some tips on a care card when purchasing but dried flowers adapt to their environment! For this we advise they are kept out of direct sunlight and away from moisture! You can also dust them by giving them a blow with a hairdryer, every six months or so! Some of the stems may drop but this is fine and adds to the texture and look of the flowers.

What’s the best thing about owning a dried flower business?

The chance to work with nature and beautiful flowers every day! We absolutely love to hear when customers receive their orders and they are happy.

What do you think floristry will look like in the next 5-10 years and what sort of changes do you hope to see happen, any predictions?

I think it is an industry that needs to accept its place in the climate change discussion. The amount of water consumption that is required for fresh flowers alone is damaging. There are many sustainable benefits from using dried. I would like to see dried installations being used in commercial and corporate spaces as well as securing its place in mainstream society. Moving away or reducing our use of fresh and artificial flowers seems like a great choice for the planet! I would love to see dried flowers have a large share of the market when it comes to buyers choice.

What’s your best advice for anyone else looking to start their own floristry business?

Why buy? And why buy from us? We ask ourselves this question all the time and I think its great. The ‘us’ part gives you a purpose and the why buy, gives you direction. What do you want to sell? Bouquets or wreaths. Arrangements or stems. Figure out your purpose and direction first!

In terms of styling and making your own dried arrangements, are there any dos and don’ts to consider?

We have come to realise there really isn’t any rules when it comes to dried flowers! I feel like we are creating arrangements that have never been done before as there so many different variations. I do tend to stick to colour blocking as I think this helps the customer decide on the bouquets purpose. For example, we have pinks and purples but also greys and blues. Something for everyone! But we really do recommend you purchase some single stems and have a go at creating your own unique arrangement! Its so easy and fun!

What’s the biggest misconception or assumption about your job?

That’s easy! It really isn’t. We have worked so hard and have sacrificed a lot. Time with my son being one of them. We are hoping as we expand that it allows an option to be flexible but right now it’s day and night and it’s hard work.

Let’s get whimsical, what do flowers mean to you?

Flowers are beautiful and I think they can represent so much! I have a bunch that my son made for me for my birthday and every day I look at them and think of him! Dried flowers are the gift that keep on giving and so does their beauty.

An impossible question to answer BUT, what’s all-time favourite flower / dried grass?

It is a very hard question as I love them all! However, the bunny tail / lagurus holds a special place in my heart. It’s so soft and fluffy and delicate. I love them.

What’s next for you and your business?

We have big plans. We want to be the biggest dried flower supplier in the UK! This is going to take a lot of hard work but with the amazing team we have behind us we believe anything is possible so why not aim to be the best!

The Happy Blossoms

What inspired you to start your own dried flower business, have you always been interested in floral design? 

We already had a successful floral business before we launched the Baked Blossoms, but I was very worried about Brexit impacting on supply chains and thought adding an extra arm to the business would be a no-brainer! Also had seen lots of dried flowers around that were very colourless and plain and wanted to create a product that was super vibrant and happy, so I started to investigate and contact suppliers to trial products and create the Baked Blossoms!

Why do you think there’s been such a resurgence in the popularity of dried flowers over the last few years? 

I think Instagram is amazing at sharing interior trends and this has been massive in us creating the colourful dried flower trend introduced by the Baked Blossoms. Our customers love that they can have flowers in the house for such a long time. 

How do you go about sourcing your flowers?

We have amazing suppliers that we have brilliant relationships with from being in the floral industry for several years.

What’s different about working with dried blooms compared with fresh flowers? 

Lots of dried flowers are actually grasses, therefore in each bunch, there is often a much higher stem count than you would get in a fresh flower bouquet. They don’t require conditioning in the same way, and no bucket – scrubbing which we do a lot of with fresh flowers!

Are there any trends we should be on the look-out for, what’s going to be the next pampas do you think?! 

I think that protea could be the next pampas grass for sure!

For anyone new to dried flowers, what’s the easiest way to introduce them into your home décor? 

Grab your favourite jug, vase or pot and cut your new bunch to size!

Part of the beauty of dried flowers is their longevity, but do you have any top tips for making sure they stay looking their best? 

Keep away from direct sunlight, humidity, temperature changes and sit them in a vase so that they’re supported.

What’s the best thing about owning a dried flower business? 

Being surrounded by gorgeous flowers and colours on a daily basis and getting to work with a wonderful team of humans! 

What do you think floristry will look like in the next 5-10 years and what sort of changes do you hope to see happen, any predictions? 

I think that this last year has made us appreciate our homes & interiors in a whole new way and introducing flowers whether fresh or dried will be a massive part of continuing this. Flowers have a hugely positive impact on mental health and I think everyone has started to really realise that.

What’s your best advice for anyone else looking to start their own floristry business? 

I undertook a 1-year college course before getting a job in a local florist. I don’t think it’s necessary to go to college, but would really recommend gaining work experience and learning on the job! 

In terms of styling and making your own dried arrangements, are there any dos and don’ts to consider?

If the colours make you happy, then go for it! 

Let’s get whimsical, what do flowers mean to you? 

They are my world, I love them and they make me so happy! The flower industry is an incredible industry and brings me so so much joy each day.

An impossible question to answer BUT, what’s all-time favourite flower / dried grass? 

Favourite fresh flower is lilac, favourite dried flower is hillflower.

What’s next for you and your business? 

Keep spreading happiness through flowers, in every way we can!

First off, how are you and how is your 2021 going?

I’m good thank you! 2021 has been pretty hectic so far but I won’t complain. Every day has brought something new which is really exciting. Since the new year, we have introduced a new rebrand for All Things Money, launched two new products, and have released a brand-new podcast. Now that lockdown is starting to ease, I am really excited to see how the rest of 2021 goes. (Fingers crossed there are no more lockdowns on the horizon though…!)

Can you tell us about All Things Money and what you provide?

All Things Money is a personal finance platform that is designed to discuss all of the personal finance topics we weren’t taught at school or university from budgeting, saving, investing and everything in between!

Adulting life can be extremely daunting as we are expected to know certain things such as how to get a credit card, how to buy or rent property to knowing how to get the best energy and electricity deals without being taught all of it at school! Because of this, All Things Money is here to help make the adulting world feel a lot less daunting. To do so I provide lots of financial tips and information over on Instagram and Twitter which is where you can find me mainly. I also sell a wide range of personal finance eBooks and planners to help people develop their knowledge and understanding further and I now officially have my very own podcast which I highly recommend if anyone is looking to kickstart their personal finance journey!

What inspired you to start All Things Money?

I had just finished University during the first lockdown and my plans to travel Australia had just been cancelled due to covid which I remember being really upset about. Around the same time I had just learnt how to invest in the stock market and that same week I managed to get around 5 of my friends involved in it too! That spurred on the idea to help others get started on their investing journey along with other tips and information about the world of personal finance as we’re not taught much about this at school or university when I really believe it should be! Entering adulthood is hard enough as it is, let alone learning how to manage your finances effectively on top of it too.

Why do you think it’s so important that people continue to educate themselves about their money?

I think it’s really important that people educate themselves about money as poor money management can often leave people in a lot of debt or with long-term mental health issues due to the stress money can often cause. I think that’s another main reason why I decided to create All Things Money, to create accessible resources for young people to show them that managing your finances really isn’t as complicated or boring as it may seem! The more education there is on the topic, the more people will find themselves in better financial positions which is probably even more important than ever after the last year we’ve had!

What can people expect to hear in your podcast?

On my podcast, you can expect to hear me chat about all things money! So far, I have discussed effective saving hacks, investing and mortgages along with some great guests and we have lots more exciting topics to come from how to create your own successful side hustle to how you can negotiate a higher salary in the workplace.

I aim to make each episode fun and light-hearted as like I mentioned earlier, conversations about money really don’t need to be boring or mundane at all!

What are some of the most common misconceptions people have about finance?

One of the main misconceptions people have about finance is that you need to have a lot of money to be able to save or invest your money. When it comes to creating a separate pot of savings, you can literally start saving as little or as much as you want. It’s all about your own affordability which will be different for everybody. What people seem to overlook is that every little helps. Even if you manage to put aside £5 a week for the whole year that is an easy £255 saved up which can go towards an emergency fund which can be used to replace that flat car battery or even purchase that emergency train ticket home from uni! (I have found myself in those situations countless times…)

Interestingly enough, the same goes for investing. A lot of people assume that you need to have a lot of spare cash to start investing in the stock market, when that really isn’t the case. There are so many platforms out there now that allow you to start investing with as little as £1!

What do you hope to achieve with All Things Money over the coming years?

This is a very good question! I change my mind nearly every day about where I see All Things Money going in the future. However, one thing I definitely want to do is go into schools and colleges and host a number of personal finance talks and workshops because I really do feel that personal finance education is a crucial skill that all of us need to develop and is majorly lacking in schools!

What are you currently working on?

I have previously spent the past month or so working on this new podcast which I am very excited about! So, for now, I am focusing on growing the podcast and finding exciting new guests to join me each week!

Who are some of your favourite follows online?

My favourite follows online include:

– Chloé from @chloesdealclub as she always manages to find THE best deals.

– Elvire from @savewithelvs as she provides some amazing money-saving hacks that everyone needs to know about!

– Ryan from @makingmoneysimple as he provides some amazing investing tips for beginners.

What does your perfect weekend look like?

The perfect weekend for me would be either a bottomless brunch or evening drinks with the girls. My Sunday would then consist of a chilled day filled with lots of snacks and a movie. Now that lockdown is starting to ease, I look forward to weekends out and about again!

What do you always carry with you?

You won’t catch me anywhere without my phone. I’m not quite sure if that is a good or bad thing, but my phone is pretty glued to me along with my facemask!

What would your last ever meal be?

Oooooh this is a hard one because I love food so much… I think for me my last ever meal would be a hugeee Chinese takeaway followed by a double chocolate fudge cake.

What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?

Try not to be too hard on yourself. I know it’s way easier said than done. But the last year has been such a tough one and for many of us, we may not be exactly where we planned to be. However, I believe everything happens for a reason and things always work out in the end!

Tumbling out of bed has never looked so good! If you’ve also been trying to style out your ‘not so cute’ pyjamas for a trip to the corner shop over the past 14 months then you’re in the right place because sleepwear for daywear is IN. Comfy, unique, practical and on-trend, pushing the style limits to the max and rocking the two-piece you would usually reserve for after your evening bath is a 2021 trend we can absolutely get behind. But don’t be fooled, we’re not suggesting you whip out your fluffy Disney PJs at any opportunity, oh no, this trend focuses on smarter, more structured sets and luxurious materials and textures to really elevate your comfort and make it suitable for the outside world. Our lifestyles have changed dramatically in the past year, and with that has been changes in trends too, including the bridging of inside and outside clothes and perceived dress code dos and don’ts.

Brands such as Sleeper and Kitri Studio have been nailing the structured full length two piece (plus who doesn’t want feathers attached to their look?!) for a while now, and the high street is following suit with a selection of posh pjs that are most definitely suitable for outside the bedroom.

The key here is the remainder of your look, as although your pyjamas will certainly be doing the talking, the focus on balancing the rest of your ‘fit is make or break. Add a chic bag, simple jewellery, statement or more formal footwear and boom, you’ve gone from bedroom to boardroom in an instant.

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