Delicious Dinner Tables...

I was very flattered to be included in Hello! Fashion magazines summer entertaining article this month.

www.hellofashion.com

My Mulberry Interview

Willow Crossley is a British designer, writer and floral artist whose meadow-relaxed flower arrangements have decorated our showroom for summer events.  She invited us to her house in Oxfordshire to see her work and hear about her new book Inspire.

How did you get into floristry and was it something you always intended to do?

I’ve always adored flowers for as long as I can remember; I grew up in Wales where my mother, Kate, was a serious gardener and the house was always full of flowers. I had a eureka moment though writing my second book, Inspire, a couple of years ago. Career wise, I was spreading myself very thinly doing a bit of everything- styling, fashion, personal shopping, writing etc and it was all a bit, bitty. I then starting working on the ‘Flora’ chapter and something just clicked. It made me so happy. So calm and just like it was meant to be. So I stopped everything else and focused on the flowers. And I haven’t looked back since really.

What did you do before flowers?

Mostly fashion. I went to the London School of Fashion and did a degree in Fashion Promotion – basically styling and journalism. I then worked on a few magazines in the fashion and beauty departments but never really got very far. And then I followed my boyfriend Charlie, now husband, to a vineyard in the South of France. I set up my blog, Willow Rose Boutique there and my first book, The Art of Handmade Living sprung from that.

You’ve written two books, one on handmade living and one on nature. How can we, as a commercial, excess-loving society, do more to embrace the handmade and the natural?

Put down the technology. I think the more time you spend outside surrounded by nature, the more you learn how good it can make you feel. We’re all so used to being glued to our phones and laptops every waking second that we need to almost schedule in time to shut it all down and get outside. Or even if it’s not going outside, take time to do something creative – be it sewing or knitting, writing, making jewellery, anything – it’s extraordinary how calming and stress relieving it can be.

How do you live with nature? 

Every surface of our home is covered with some sort of natural creation. Be it flowers, plants, shells, feathers – the boys cant walk past a feather without presenting it to me like they’ve won the lottery – twigs, leaves – we have a Clematis plant weaving it’s way into our bedroom from outside as we speak. I’m trying to train it to weave its way around all the frames on the walls. I basically like to bring the outside, inside at any given opportunity. And most of my days are spent outside, rain or shine.

You live in Oxfordshire; did you make a conscious effort to be away from London and city life? 

No, not at all. I love London. When I was little, growing up in the country, all I wanted was to be stomping up and down a pavement surrounded by skyscrapers and shops. We moved here purely because we found our dream house and we knew one day we were going to move. We also found out we were having another baby, another boy and therefore our little cottage in London was going to have to go anyway. Saying that though, having been here for a few years now the idea of living in London again slightly fills me with dread.

You have three boys. What do they love most about living in the countryside? 

The space. They’re like small, explosive energy balls and need to run around 24/7. They’re at the stage too where everything becomes an imaginary weapon – everything they touch gets turned into a sword/gun/shield and I’m always made to be the ‘baddie’. So there’s a lot of walks, park life and hanging out in the garden, purely so the house isn’t smashed to smithereens.

We’ve been conditioned to believe in the romance of flowers, and their potency as a beautiful gift. What do you think it is about flowers that make us so delighted? 

Their simple beauty. The fact that they’re living things. How they change in front of your eyes I think is just so magical. 

What are your favourite flowers to work with? 

Lilac in the winter, foxgloves and peonies in the summer and dahlias a bit later on. And then berries in the autumn.

What are your favourite flowers to receive? 

Something deliciously scented makes me really happy. Narcissi from the Isles of Scilly are heaven sent in the winter but I think if I really had to choose, English grown garden roses would be my top choice. 

What is next for you? How would you like your business to grow? 

I’m writing a new book, all about flowers which will be out in September 2016. My business is slowly growing and I’m being asked to do more and more events which I cant do alone any more. So I’m looking for assistants as we speak and then later down the line I’d love to have a big team, maybe a shop where we’d work from and be able to do much bigger scale jobs… and then there’s also a flower box subscription somewhere in the pipeline. I love to dream!

Willow Crossley

Bobo Choses

I don't think the smallest Cub has one item of new clothing.  Being the third boy, everything is a hand me down.  I obviously exaggerate,  he's been given a lot of divine little creations, but I personally haven't bought a thing.  Apart from maybe a bib or two. 

Two weeks ago I went to Amsterdam to surprise my brother Ned on his 30th birthday.  I had a couple of hours to kill and on the train into the city was directed to the 'Nine Lanes' area for a shop and a potter.   I had a bit of an ignorant view of Amsterdam before I went - clogs, red lights, cheese, maybe a tulip or two.  I now feel rather embarrassed about my naivety and can't wait to go back again and explore properly.

 The children's clothes shops there are like no others I've ever come across - brands I've never even heard of and the coolest, most original designs and styles.  With no suitcase to hand I had to leave empty handed -  though me and Mr Fedex are now becoming firm friends since my return.

Bobo Choses was my favourite discovery;  it's watermelon strewn collection is properly sensational - desperate to get some adult sized pieces.  I yet haven't broached the subject of the pink onesie that's hiding in my office with Chaz, yet.  Boys can wear pink though, no?

Watermelon Onesie by Bobo Choses

Bobo Choses Mr Puzzled sweatshirt

Bobo Choses watermelon T

There's even a baby grow...

These starry sensations are by Louis Louise, another new Dutch discovery that I wish came in my size.

www.en.smallable.com

  

Mulberry Lunch Flowers

Since the arrival of the newest Cublet, I've been properly hibernating.  Living life slightly a la Waynetta Slob.  I've spent two months in pyjamas.   Night and day.  Maybe a tracksuit bottom for a good day/special occasion. I've had Nashville on on a loop, pesto pasta for every meal  and all forms of self-beautification felt like a far and distant memory.  I cannot remember the last time my legs saw a moisturiser.  Or I saw them for that matter.  Poor Chaz.  

But last week I ran out of Nashville episodes, the sun put his hat on and I did start to feel slightly more human again.  I got back in my jeans, did the school run with all three and even put on mascara.

  

And then I went back to work.  My first job, post baby -  flowers for a spring lunch in London at the Mulberry showroom.  The brief was to create a relaxed yet wild feel with green and white flowers and all in takeable-home vases.  So I did a mix of white potted muscari in ribbed, chunky glass jars and Kilner jars bursting with ammi, ranunculas, anemones, blossom and lilac.

Even if I say so myself, they did look pretty special.  Perfect for a spring time wedding in case anyone reading is thinking about that...

www.willowcrossley.com

And then there were three...

Our newest, incredibly divine arrival, is another blue one!  Another darling Cub to add to the pack.  Kit Fox Rocket arrived into the world three weeks ago and I will happily admit that I am on a totally different planet to the one I usually inhabit.  Three boys under five is quite something.  The last three weeks have passed in a total and utter blur and I have no idea how the hell I'm ever going to get anything done ever again. Thankfully my brain has signed off meaning I actually can't think any further than that thought.  I guess Mother Nature's kind like that.

The smallest new Cub

So far, the hardest part has been attempting to give all three equal amounts of love and attention, pretending that the smallest Cub's arrival hasn't changed a thing.  The bigger two are not impressed by this new intruder.   Not remotely enjoying his 24/7 crying or the fact that he gets to cling to me all day long.  The first glimpse of the dodgy-looking tummy button cord on night one sent the bigger one into a total spin. Proper hysteria/hyperventilating for a good hour. And then he wouldn't come anywhere near him until it had fallen off.  

Not wanting to scare them about the whole birthing process, they're blissfully unaware of the agony of my c-section scar.  So to them, seeing as I'm no longer a "massive fatso", my role as playmate/punchbag has been instantly resumed.  Coming up with creative reasons for why I can't yet roll around on the floor being a Ninja Turtle or bounce on the trampoline fighting Lego ninjas, is a full time job in itself. 

Although progress has been made.   He earnt their respect after covering me and my brand new J Crew pyjamas with jet propelled, yellow diarrhoea whilst we were all lying in bed this weekend.  Result.  So slowly, I think we'll get there.  I may be black and blue and covered in poo but I have a good feeling about our new life with three...

New Year Skin Rescue

I am beyond thrilled that the new year is here and 2014 is no longer with us.  I am determined that this coming year is going to be a LOT better than the last.  Our new small Cub is about to arrive for starters - any second in fact- so we're off to a good start so far...

I'm meant to be taking down Christmas decorations and re-packing my hospital bag, for the third time but I quickly wanted to share one of my best Christmas finds before I go MIA for a few weeks.

I bought this for my Mum for Christmas but it turns out that she already had it. So being too fat (lazy) to take it back, I thought I'd save myself the hell of the festive post office queues and treat myself to it too.  India Knight wrote about it a few months ago and made it sound semi-miraculous.  It is aimed at more mature skin but I thought with the sleep deprivation that's coming way, I'll be looking like I belong to that camp in no time at all.

It's called 'In Transit, Camera Close Up', made by This Works.  A mask, moisturiser and primer in one, it really is quite sensational.  Old bat or not.  I like how instantly it works; you put it on straight onto clean skin and it immediately looks like you've been air brushed.  I should probably admit that I currently don't have any light bulbs in my bathroom but even Chaz has commented on how 'much better I look'.  I'm taking that as a compliment. 

So if you're looking for a New Year miracle helper, this is my suggestion.  And on that note, i'm signing off for a few weeks. I will be back again when my brain is working again.  

Wish me luck!

x

Happy Halloween

The Cubs have had a thing for pumpkins for as long as I can remember.  No idea why, but the bigger and the more orange they are, the better.   In a dream world they would fill the house with them all year round.  

This year, to my absolute joy, they announced orange was out and they would like green ones instead.  Imagine my joy! The rejoicing was short lived however when I was informed it was due to them all being transformed into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Lit up with neon, oh so tasteful, glow sticks. Not then, for the rather chic table display I was already envisaging.

These photos are taken from my book, Inspire, which I thought I'd share in case you have an overload of pumpkins that you don't know what do to with. Don't throw them away just yet - get out some paint and get crafty.  If you want an extra sparkle, sprinkle over some extra fine glitter when the paint's still wet.

www.willowcrossley.com

Country & Town House October Issue

Thank you Alice B-B and Country & Town House Magazine for the lovely write up in this month's issue!

Willow Crossley dreams of owning a florist’s shop, but for now the author and interior decorator has her hands full, says Alice B-B.

With two children and another on the way, a house in the Cotswolds and her second bookInspire: The Art of Living with Nature published last spring, it would appear that at the age of 31, ethereal beauty Willow Crossley has fulfilled her dreams. But it seems that the minute Willow’s dreams become a reality, a new idea pops up. It’s what keeps the creativity in motion. And the latest dream is… but first, let’s rewind.

Growing up in Wales with her Vogue  writer, author, painter and all-round creative mother Kate Corbett-Winder, Willow longed for London. ‘I wanted to feel the pavement beneath my feet,’ she explains. So, aged 18, she moved to The Smoke and began a three-year degree in fashion journalism at The London College of Fashion. Just a year into the course, lightning struck when she met her future husband: Charlie Crossley, model and manager of Fulham Road’s famous The Goat in Boots pub and subsequently owner and manager of the Hollywood Arms pub in Chelsea. ‘A couple of years into our relationship, Charlie sold the pub and moved to South of France,’ says Willow. ‘His father has a vineyard outside Cogolin and Charlie’s always dreamed of opening a beach restaurant in St Tropez.’ So Willow went too.

‘I dropped everthing,’ says Crossley. ‘My internship in the beauty department at Tatler magazine had ended so I upped sticks and followed him.’ While Charlie was tending the vineyards and making wine, Willow began to occupy herself by trawling local flea-markets and vintage fairs, making baskets with vintage pompoms and selling them to the beach shops, while also having endless friends to stay. Willow began blogging about her experiences. And that’s when the writer’s lottery-win happened. ‘An agent saw my blog, got in touch and told me that she thought it could make a book.’

Just a year later, Willow’s first book The Art of Handmade Living was published. And the publishers immediately signed her up for a second book. But, like a ripe brie, the French fantasy had begun to go off. ‘By then, Charlie and I were married and had our first child Wolf,’ says Willow. ‘I was just 25, with a tiny baby and no friends or family out there… I really began to struggle.’ This coincided with Charlie’s beach-restaurant reverie turning to dust, when he realised that beachfront property is tied up by old mafia-style St Tropez families. He was going to need a cool £20m to get his idea off the ground.

So the young family packed up their knapsacks and headed back to Blighty. ‘It was heaven coming back to London and to our house in Chelsea,’ says Willow, ‘but Charlie was climbing the walls – we’d gone from huge fields and mountains in France to a little house in London.’ So with a second baby on the way, they had the ‘shall we move to the country?’ chat. ‘We went out for dinner and made the decision to stay in London for another year,’ laughs Willow. ‘That night Charlie came up to bed with his laptop and said, “Look at this house!”’

The very next morning, they got on the train to Woodstock and it was love at first sight. Two weeks later their offer on the Cotswold cottage had been accepted. Willow worked her magic on the tired interior, bringing the outside in with jungly Sanderson wallpaper and hand-painted florals in the bathroom. Much of the house has been used as the backdrop for the alluringly creative photography in her latest book Inspire. It’s a charming, encouraging, enticing book about using flowers, beachcombed bounty and foraged finds for decorating the home and lifting the spirits. ‘Literally nothing makes me happier than flowers,’ says Willow. ‘If ever I’m feeling a bit shit, I’ll go for a walk with my secateurs, pick things and arrange them when I get home. Immediately I feel better.’

Which leads on to the next dream… ‘I’d love to have a florist’s shop, with a gallery, coffee shop, and sell some homewares and clothes… like Petersham Nurseries. And Charlie would run the restaurant.’ But having had a spate of crafting at summer festivals, including floral headpiece workshops at Wilderness and tribal pebble painting at Port Eliot, wedding floristry jobs, anInspire residency at Anthropologie and interiors ‘dressing’ work, her green-hands are pretty full. Oh, and add to that a third book and third baby in the pipeline – she has plenty to be getting on with. But in Willow’s world there’s always room for one more dream.

Inspire by Willow Crossley, published by Cico Books (£16.99) with photos © Emma Mitchell 

My 'This is your Kingdom' Contribution

Sunday morning croissants and jam at Worton Organic Garden near Cassington.

I have a slight obsession with cafes. My dream is to one day open my own; a flower-shop-come-coffee-shop-come-gallery, all under one white-washed, rustic roof. I still can’t get over the fact that it took me a whole year to discover Worton. After moving from the South of France to Oxfordshire three years ago I was desperate to find somewhere special that I could escape to; somewhere beautiful with proper coffee and cakes. I made do with character-free coffee shops for months until one wet morning I found a postcard advertising Worton Organic Garden. I was there in a flash.

After getting very lost (it’s hidden down a long, bumpy track, almost in the middle of nowhere), I pulled up in front of a small, grey, wooden hut. Behind closed doors was the most delicious looking organic fruit and vegetables I’ve ever seen, eye-wateringly beautiful, home-grown flowers and steaming towers of freshly baked breads and croissants. And even better still to come was the cafe which sells, hands down, the best coffee I’ve ever tasted.

The weekly changing menu is full of organic, locally-grown, quite ‘girly’, Ottolenghi-style food and everything I’ve ever tried is absolutely delicious. We take ‘the Cubs’ on a Sunday morning. They pretend they’re still in France and order hot chocolates and croissants with Jostaberry jam while I work my way through as much of their patisserie section as time will allow. Sitting still and small boys don’t go hand in hand, but Worton is perfect for them as they’re free to run around the garden, talk to the chickens and throw sticks for the owners’, David and Annekes’, dogs. It’s upsettingly only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (if I could, I’d be there all day, every day) but it’s a relatively hidden gem that I cannot recommend highly enough.

For the whole article click here 

English Summer Wedding Flowers

Hattie with the boot full of flowers


Last weekend my mama and I did the flowers for one of my best friend's wedding.  She's a jeweller and wanted us to use lots of bright jewel coloured flowers so we filled the church with garden picked peonies, sweet peas, delphiniums, daisies foxgloves and my fave lime green alchemila to stick to her theme.
Here are our creations from inside the church and also the brides and bridesmaids posies...

Brides bouquet

posies

contemplating our creations

table arrangement at the back of the church

the beautiful bride

foxgloves in zinc planters for outside the church