Here we have a wedding tea party with a tea pot and delicate tea cups filled with flowers and greenery; and paeony cocktails.

Sandra began today’s show by confessing how fresh flowers have always been an inspiration and contribute to her feeling good about herself.  She shared with us her inspired choice of blooms that reflect various aspects of her rich personality: sweet peas that are delicate and sensitive but consistent; sassy and voluptuous paeonies; and calla lilies, both colourful and vibrant.

Her interview with Pasi, our leading Florist, began by probing into his childhood inspiration to become a Florist and Gardener. He in turn took us on a journey back in time to the days of helping his grandfather develop new varieties of roses [aged 3], selling his mother’s garden flowers at the local market [at five years old], and becoming Finland’s youngest qualified gardener [19 years old]; and all the while creating an elegant bouquet for Sandra to admire and decorate her home.

Both Sandra and Pasi summed up today’s feature by talking about how flowers can contribute to our well being and health. Whether we buy them for ourselves to create a warm ambience at home or for others, fresh flowers create harmony and well being.

The Summer Flowers course is a new workshop in our Flower School’s Spring/Summer programme of educational events. The aim of this short course is to educate students in some basic techniques of cutting flowers, designing a table decoration with seasonal blooms and provide tips in selecting flowers and their aftercare.

Our students were taught by our leading Florist Pasi Jokinen-Carter whose relaxed and fun approach to floristry helped to create a lively workshop. Everyone created table centres using a selection of the following seasonal flowers such as avalanche roses, paeonies, lathyrus [sweet peas], myosotis [forget-me-not, with a hint of alchemilla.

We were amazed by the quality of work, especially as most of our students were working with flowers for the first time. They were very happy with the finished results. Some plan to use each decoration to decorate their homes. Others are planning to host summer parties and want something stylish to wow their guests.

We always hope that students feel inspired to create other floral designs, drawing on the variety of textures, colours and shapes that mother natures provides for us.

Floristry is also a highly skilled trade that takes many years to perfect. A trainee whohas aspirations to become a top florist should learn about the varieties and names of flowers/plants and how to care for them. This practical knowledge is essential if one wishes to advise clients about flowers that are in season and varieties that are hardy or need extra care. By developing this competence further the trainee can learn how to be selective in their flower purchases and plan ahead for events [weddings, parties, corporate events etc] so that the blooms are looking their best in the floral display.

Floristry tools [knives, wires, ribbons/ties, oasis foam etc] need to be handled safely and correctly so that the trainee can produce perfect floral creations that look fresh from the beginning to the end of that special occasion. Other essential skills are learning how to put colours together, creating the perfect shapes and displaying floral creations that are in harmony with the environment.

An engineer needs to learn about the rudiments of constructing a building so that the finished product is stable and safe. Likewise a professional Florist needs to have a practical eye for constructing an installation that will not just look pretty but will survive three days on a exhibition stand.

Attention to detail is essential if the trainee wishes to develop a reputation for quality and professionalism. For example, select colours and varieties that harmonise and create an accent, use fresh greenery to add volume and texture and cut a few stems to different lengths to create interesting shapes.

Finally, a few words on gift wrapping. If the finished creation looks beautiful there is no need to suffocate the flowers in wads of plastic and ribbon. Select the minimum amount of gift wrap, in harmonic colours, that allows the flowers to nestle peacefully.

1. Demonstrate your love to a sweetheart

2. A good luck gesture

3. Lift the spirits of a lonely heart

4. Acknowledge a specific achievement

5. Welcome a new born baby

6. A token of thanks

7. Wish a sick person a speedy recovery

8. Bon Voyage

9. A gesture of peace to the bereaved

10. Wishing someone well in their new home

11. Family occasion

12. I enjoyed your performance

13. An appreciation to your dinner party host or hostess

14. Just because!!

Looking good, feeling great, new tv programme with Sandra Hutton-Miller

to be broadcast on Croydon’s Community television channel.  CT’s Director Robin proudly informed us that community tv is very new to these shores but has been popular in the US for many years. Robin added that the channel’s broad aim is to entertain folk, aged 9-90, with a wide spectrum of programming that is tasteful and entertaining.

Today’s location was carefully chosen by Sandra to create a relaxed setting for the styling and lifestyle events; it took place in the leafy suburbs of Brockley, in an amazing Victorian villa. The grand piano that graced the living room, gilt framed art works, tasteful sofas and our flowers, became an inspirational metaphore for ‘Looking Good, Feeling Great’. And on the subject of flowers, Pasi dressed the rooms with vases filled with blue and purple delphiniums and lavender/plum coloured sweet peas. They made a colourful statement without distracting the viewer from Sandra and her guests.

Sandra is well known in the fashion industry for her own designs of accessories such as silk scarves but recently has developed a reputation as a fun-loving style guru. For today’s programme she and her styling team, a make-up artist and hairdresser, styled two female models for day and evening wear. Filming initially took place in the garden and between short intervals waiting for the sun to reappear – natural light was a bonus on this rather cloudy day, Sandra interviewed both stylists to give us some hints on what we should expect from the final reveal. Then armed with rollers, hairdryers, and their makeup bags, stylists and models retreated to their dressing room.

Meanwhile, the production crew, Sandra and the bystanders [Flor Unikon] trooped upstairs to the lounge to set up the next shoot with, nutritionist Fiona Coppard and fitness guru Donovan Miller. Sandra chatted to both about what keeping fit means for them and the importance of maintaining a daily balance of diet and exercise. Fiona spoke further about the ideal daily intake of proteins, carbohydrates and salads/fruits/vegetables. We were all taken by surprise by Fiona’s suggestions for healthy portions, i.e.  a handful of pasta, a fistful of protein, with liberal amounts of fruit/veg, and rationed amounts of fruits. The word ‘gluttony’ came to mind when we reflected on the king size portions we normally consume throughout our working day.

Sandra saved the best scenes till last. The reveal of the two models was fantastic. All the stylists worked wonders in transforming both models into chic and stylish women; making the most of their features with subtle make-up, re-styling their lush tresses and flattering their slim figures with garments in bold and neutral colours.

A big thanks to the production team for allowing us to be on set to preview today’s very first programme. The premier airing of the show is early next month and we would like to wish Sandra great success with this exciting programme.

Credits:

Stylist and programme presenter, Sandra Hutton-Miller, www.sandrahuttonmiller.com

Croydon Television, Dr Robin Walker, Director, www.croydontv.co.uk and Cameraman, Sonny.

Fitness – Donovan Miller, Personal Trainer

Flowers and room styling – Pasi and Paul Jokinen-Carter, Flor Unikon Events

Location – London residence of Layton Plummer

Makeup – Aga Borowa, agaborowa.com

Hair stylist – Magdalena Tucholska, www.modelmayhem.com/706496

Models – Karina Bogdanova and Monika

Nutrition and Weight Management, Fiona Coppard

Wardrobe – Vivi Boutique Limited, Brighton, BN1 4EN

Day three was perfect for taking photographs that not only capture the heart of spring but also created a memory album of our delightful sojourn.

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Zoe talked with the audience about ideal body shapes for wearing a particular period wedding dress. Each model’s dress was discussed in turn which provided the perfect photo opportunity to take pictures of the gowns and our flowers.

Pasi gave a brief talk about wedding bouquets through the five decades and hosted drop in sessions for future brides to discuss their flower requirements. A question that popped up regularly was “Which varieties are going to be in season for our wedding?” We plan to discuss this point further in a future blog.

Visitors to wedding dress designer Faith Caton Barber www.faithbarber.com surely couldn’t fail to be excited by her wedding gowns. We were privy to her portfolio of sketches of new designs that are truly inspirational.

For vintage bridal accessories look no further than Cherished, www.cherishedvintage.co.uk Their choice pieces such as hair brocades and coronets are glamorous show pieces for brides and her maids.

Zoe Lem’s team were on hand to provide styling advice and help brides select from a wide selection of chic vintage gowns and accessories such as handbags and parasols.

Today’s event, like other smaller wedding fairs we have attended, tend to feature carefully selected suppliers and designers, plus they are not as overwhelming as the giant, national wedding shows. This is certainly proven by the relaxed atmosphere throughout the day here in Clerkenwell; here we witnessed many visitors taking time to talk to most of the designers/stall holders; and heard their appreciation of the designs and products on display.

Out hat models, Chantel and Sandra generously gave up their time for a short photo session, with our friend Michael at the camera helm. They are both very relaxed with the camera and so Michael’s task was so much easier as a result.

Also throughout the day Paul hosted mini workshops in making paper hats in three styles – Peter Pan, Samurai and Royal Crown. The former was the most popular style with our younger visitors, completing their finished designs with coloured feathers. A big thanks to the mum’s and dad’s who donated very generously.

Kate Langrish assisted with styling the hats for our models and with the paper hat making.

Our Amwell Street neighbour, Ground Control Coffee Shop, www.ethiopiancoffeecompany.co.uk also participated in this fund raising day by doing a cake raffle. Thanks to Polly, her team and customers for taking part.

A final big thanks to everyone who took part and donated their time and creations; we must also mention, Pennies Vintage www.penniesvintage.com who kindly loaned us some hats for the photo sessions, and Butterscotch and Beesting who provided sweets and novelties for the younger folk, www.butterstings.com They loved them and we did too.