I seem to have a penchant for peach this autumn. Apricot, light salmon, oyster shell, soft champagne and tea rose are just some of the descriptive names you may have heard me spouting in recent weeks - much to the amusement and ridicule of friends and family I assure you. I seem to have fallen in love with this peachy hue, more commonly associated with old ladies cardigans, and it pairs perfectly with the jewel-like berries and rusty foliages that we see appearing around us in the hedgerows this month.
I believe it may have started with the Cafe Au Lait dahlia, and I feel she has a lot to answer for. I have been using the Cafe Au Lait in weddings for the last few years, they are no stranger to the workbench, but when my mum produced the most perfect dinner plate sized homegrown one a few weeks ago I couldn't stop staring at it. That same week I had a glut of British grown 'English Miss' roses I had used for a shoot, and I then saw the wild honeysuckle cascading over the hedge at the allotment at the same time as the Californian poppies showed their faces, and I fell head over heels in love with early autumn all over again. Honeysuckle will forever be one of my favourites, with her delicate cup shaped blooms fading gently from raspberry in the centre to apricot and then to blush on the periphery. Even the name conjures up lightness and elegance, and I think if I were I flower I would like to be the honeysuckle. I digress, but as you will see from this months roll of film I couldn't get enough of these delicate hues in their buttery shades.
A few weeks ago I was very lucky to work with two incredibly talented and ever-so-lovely ladies; Sundari from The Wedding Stylist and Lucy Davenport. We shot a beautiful seasonal editorial in a favourite Buckinghamshire village of mine, Old Amersham, on a warm September morning fuelled by croissants and good coffee. I gathered as much seasonal bounty as I could for the shoot; homegrown hydrangea, dahlia and crab apples on the branch, mixed with that wild and unruly honeysuckle, the last of my favourite rose 'Koko Loko' and a mass of cheery japanese anemone amongst others. Sundari found the most perfect locations, including a hidden pear orchard and a beautiful old textile workers cottage, whilst Lucy worked her magic on film. We are all so looking forward to sharing this one with you, I will be sure to do so as soon as its ready. I will be working alongside Sundari again next week on her Reflect, Create, Grow workshop too which is set to be a beauty - pop over to her website here to find out more...
Talking of teamwork, you might have noticed periods of quiet over on the Verity & Thyme social media channels over recent months. This has been namely due to the fact that I have been freelancing with some truly remarkable florists across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire in between V&T weddings and events, and I have relished every minute. I have been honoured to be invited on board to freelance with Jane, Jo and Juliet on some absolutely incredible weddings and events this spring and summer. They have not only trusted me with amazing and wonderful clients but have also become friends in the process. It has been such a pleasure to work with these women, enduring the early starts and late finishes of such events together, and I have enjoyed every second of this little floral community we have created. Endless stories and offers of friendly advice have been shared whilst working alongside each other, or divulged over tea and biscuits during breaks. I flourish in that type of environment and their support and floral wisdom has not gone unappreciated. I have learnt so much, laughed too much, and returned home feeling incredibly proud of the beauty a few pairs of experienced hands can create. It has been heavenly. I was also very lucky to meet the lovely Fiona Pickles of Firenza Flowers on a recent shoot at the idyllic River Cottage, and spend the night before chatting all things floral over dinner. Isn't it lovely when we share? A special thank you to these ladies, long may it continue...
In between the above and slowly bringing the studio together (just a few finishing touches now) I have relished a few early mornings at the allotment too, picking for bouquets and posies in the low autumn sunshine. I've been stomping around in my favourite handknitted jumper (so unflattering yet so warm) and a pair of bottle green Hunter wellies gifted to me from an auntie, taking a few moments to soak in the season before the cold really sets in. I have to say, I really do feel part of the set now in my official allotmenteers gear, just need a navy gillet and some mustard yellow corduroy slacks next... (I am joking, promise).
It is officially pudding season and I have been in the kitchen, a lot. I have already made my way through spiced apple cakes, pear and chocolate upside down pudding and this weeks blackberry and chocolate cake, and I shall be posting recipes soon. These cooler days allow for a decadent afternoon treat with your afternoon cuppa, that extra lick of custard on your crumble and indulgent nap-inducing puddings following a hearty roast. Thank you Autumn, you little beauty...
Charlotte x