I didn’t realise Chelsea in Bloom has such a short lifespan.
I mean, I should have realised, seeing as it involves draping fresh flowers all over London buildings, so OBVIOUSLY it was never going to last long… But for some reason, it just never quite registered in my head before.
So here we are, two weeks after Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea in Bloom have finished, and I’ve not published this post yet. Oops.
I toyed with the idea of just NOT posting it, but I’m trying to be more chilled about my blog content at the moment, and just post what I love. And what I love is pink and orange giraffes, rhinos made of succulents, and gin cocktails sipped from pretty floral teacups.
(Plus I have a snazzy new blog design, and I unashamedly want to show off my photos…)
(Doh, the dates are even on the sticker above! HOW DID I MISS THIS?)
Every year, the fancy shops and restaurants in Chelsea get all decked out in their floral best. There’s always a theme, with prizes awarded to the prettiest/craziest/most impressive creation.
This year, Hackett won the top prize, and it’s not hard to see why!
This snazzy giraffe archway won second prize (and I don’t have a particularly clear shot of the whole thing because there were SO MANY PEOPLE trying to take photos!)
Apparently the only way to get people-free photos of Chelsea in Bloom is to get there early in the morning, when everyone’s either at work or still in bed!
The rhino was one of my absolute favourites.
Tree bark, succulents and purple roses. So creative and so pretty!
I wasn’t that impressed by last year’s tropical Rio theme, but everyone threw their all in 2017’s Floral Safari, and the results were just STUNNING.
The detail that goes into creating the displays is just absolutely breathtaking and makes me want to take a floristry course.
The giraffe has prettier eyelashes than I do.
WHAT I’M WEARING
Polka dot crop top (try saying that five times fast…) (old)
Stripey midi skirt (similar) // Tan cork-heeled sandals (suuuuuper comfy and easy to walk in)
Retro sunglasses (now in the sale!) // (Faux) leather jacket (similar)
Olympus camera bag (sold out in black but: pale pink & midnight blue)
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Once Kelly and I were done looking at flowers, we turned back and wandered down towards Sloane Square.
John Lewis and Wedgwood teamed up over the Flower Show to pull together the fabulous Wedgwood Tea Conservatory inside Peter Jones department store. It’s a super pretty white structure, filled with blue sofas, and marble-topped tables, where you can indulge in a full afternoon tea, a spot of brunch, or even just a scone (or two).
We were invited along for the launch night, and had a wonderful evening sipping cocktails, nibbling on mini-quiches, and doing some flower-arranging!
The new Wedgwood Wonderlust collection is bright and colorful and STUNNING. Each set is designed around a different country, and inspired by the fabulous elegance of 19th century travel.
My favourite is the Japanese pagoda set (the navy blue one!), but all of them are pretty special. Pretty flowers, bright colours, intricate details… definitely something to add to the wishlist!
Then, to make it extra special, Wedgwood have created a tea blend to match each set. One of them smells EXACTLY like a porn star martini and I’m dying to try it ice-cold in summer time…
Because I’m late and lame: the Wedgwood Tea Conservatory is only open until Friday 16th of June.
If you’re free and can get there before then: the Afternoon Tea costs £35, and includes sandwiches, sweets, and scones, served with the delicious Wedgwood Teas. You can also order a more simple Cream Tea, or breakfast (between 9:30-11am). Book your table online HERE.
(And I promise not to be so late about posting next time!)
*I was a guest of Peter Jones and Wedgwood for this event.
