PRICKLY PEAR EXTREME FLORISTRY- PORT MELBOURNE

We are now open at 177 Ross Street, Port Melbourne. Here are a few pictures of our beautiful new store. A HUGE "Thank You" to my design team Jason Burns and Rachael Milne for helping me make it look so beautiful. We really created something special and the team at Prickly pear are very proud of our new home ;-)

A VERY PRICKLY CHRISTMAS!

The team at Prickly Pear are very excited to have launched a unique Christmas range. These products, designed and delivered by Prickly Pear Extreme Floristry are available EXCLUSIVELY from Wishlist!
Here is the link:
www.wishlist.com.au

CAULFIELD CUP

Here are a few pictures of the work we created for the CAULFIELD GUINESS DAY and CAULFIELD CUP. We are always very excited to work with the team from THINK CREATIVE and this year was certainly a very sucessful event. Enjoy!

OUR NEW STORE!

Well, its certainly been a busy few months, and I apologise for being such a slack Blogger! I have so much to catch up on!.
We were kept very busy during October with the David Jones Windows and of course all the beautiful work we did with THINK CREATIVE for the Caulfield Races. We have also been involved in some fabulous events over November, including the MAKE A DIFFERENCE BALL and MELBOURNE VICTORY XMAS PARTY.
To top it all off, we have moved our head office and also opened a shop front ( our first! ) in Port Melbourne. Ill be posting photos of beautiful work from Oct/Nov very very soon, so stay posted ( oh, and of course some amazing before and after shots of our sexy new shop! )
Be back soon guys......................

MRC- The Age Ladies Lunch

Here are a couple shots from The Age Ladies Lunch on October 3rd. The room smelt so wonderful with all the hycynth. I really enjoy installing flowers at Carosel. Such a great venue!

1st Birthday Party

Its always difficult to make childrens birthday parties both elegant and fun.
Here are are few snaps from a recent party I did with the girls at www.babycakesbydesign.com.au

I just love the huge balloon!

Carnival Of Colour- David Jones Flower Show 2008

As promised here are a few of my favourite pics from the David Jones Flower Show 2008- Carnival Of Colour. Enjoy!

WSJ Magazine

Prickly Pear is very proud to be featured in the Wall Street Journal "Bright Lights, Big Cities" feature. (Sept 5th 2008 )

http://magazine.wsj.com/hunter/global-style-axis/bright-lights-big-cities/

Bride To Be Magazine- Flowers Annual 08/09

The team at Prickly Pear are very excited to have our work featured in this years Bride To Be Flowers Annual. On page 126 a gorgeous cupcake stack by the brilliant girls at BabyCakes, has been decorated by Prickly Pear with lush white orchids and a beautiful Oriental Lilly cake topper.
For any enquiries regarding wedding cakes and flowers please dont hesitate to contact us:
info@babycakesbydesign.com.au
sales@pricklypear.com.au

David Jones Flower Show

Well, it was a very long week, but I am back in Melbourne after working on The David Jones Flower Show in Sydney. I urge anyone who can see it, to do so as soon as possible. This was my 4th flower show, and I must say I find it the most beautiful. The theme this year is Carnival Of Colour and the flowers certainly live up to the theme. Lots of magnificent orchids, Blossom, Bromeliads, Heliconia...the list goes on and on. Under the guidance of George Low and Elizabeth Johnson, 6 talented florists ( including me ) spent a week constructing, treating and arranging the most breathtaking arragements you will be likely to see anywhere else in this country. I feel very fortunate to have been invited back for the 2008 show and look forward to sharing some images soon.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

RIGHT: New Online Florist Products
BELOW: Prickly Pear Products

When Sarah and I developed Prickly Pear we both made one unanimous decision. We wanted to start new trends, not follow them. We both felt frustrated that almost all e-commerce flower sites contain the same- or similar- products. We wanted to change this. After Sarah moved on from Prickly Pear I ensured that every new development or product addition followed this simple rule. Stand out, and create trends- never follow... and I am beginning to see the results!

I was very excited to hear an old colleague of mine had launched a new online florist. I had a look today and was overwhelmed by the products! (see above- almost identical to Prickly Pear products below) We acheived our goal! Florists are beginning to sit up and take notice of Prickly Pear.....as they say, Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery....

Bouvardia

Its difficult to find beautiful Bouvardia in Australia. Bouvardia is a sweet smelling white flower ( similar to Jasmine ) and is a personal favourite. The only problem is that it tends to be bruised here, and often does not hold up to our weather. It was with great jealousy that I saw this gorgeous bouquet with stunning Bouvardia by Amy Hall from "Bloemen Ecke The Florist" in Edinburgh.

Absolutely beautiful!

http://www.bloemenecke.com/

The struggles of finding Dad a present....

Fathers Day is coming up, and I always struggle to find a present for my Dad. He loves his garden ( they have won awards for their gardening! ) so usually either a gardening book, or a beautiful orchid plant are my gifts of choice.

This year, I think I'll send both! http://www.wishlist.com.au/ have fantastic gardening books- including this gem I just discovered "The Green Gardener" by Josh Byrne. They also deliver fabulous potted plants in the flower department. Problem solved!

The Return of "Babies Breath"???????

Since the late 80's, and due to its over-use, Babies Breath or "Gyp" has been a fordidden flower for florists the world over. Its one of those flowers you could never admit to liking, and especially not using. I personally dont find it offensive at all- I love all flowers, even those that have have been used poorly over the years. Lately though, Ive seen a swing back towards the old Babies Breath. With all the current trends being very floral and Victorian, and a move away from the organic, I really feel it is due for a comeback....I saw this arrangement from http://www.nextflowers.co.uk/ and I dare say ( even if I lose all credability ) that I rather like it!

"Pink Jumbo Cup & Saucer
This Pink Polka Dot Jumbo Ceramic Tea Cup & Saucer, is a novel floral arrangement with an impressive display of a dozen gorgeous pink roses with foliage. This would make a fantastic gift for someone special...
£40.00"

Candles from Pink Frosting

A perfect gift for guests at your wedding.

https://www.pinkfrosting.com.au/proddetail.php?prod=20032WT&cat=145

"A super sophisticated set of four white wedding candles. Utterly classic and delicately fragranced, this set of four tea light candles brings the right touch of class to any reception table."

Wedding Cakes

I lost count many years ago, how many brides I have the pleasure of working with. It is such a stressful time for all concerned and brings me so much happiness to see a bride overjoyed by her wedding flowers. I always pay close attention to the other details of the wedding, particularily the cake. Im a bit of a foodie these days, and I must say for all the delicious looking cakes I have seen, I have seen plenty of shockers! I was stoked when I came across the girls at BabyCakes in Elwood Victoria. Finally, a cake supplier worth recommending!- c\Check them out!

http://www.babycakesbydesign.com.au/

Its Tulip Season!

Its the perfect time for Tulips in Australia! This product "Rococco" from www.pricklypear.com.au is sensational value and makes for a stunning gift. In peak season Tulips can last up to 2 weeks. Enjoy!

Welcome!!!!!

Welcome to my blog! I have been a florist for 14 years now. Im always on the look out for new and inspiring trends. My company http://www.pricklypear.com.au/ has been running for almost 3 years now, and in that time Ive been reviewed and mentioned on many blogs. I guess I thought I should return the favour. Ive made it past the 2 year mark, and hope I can help other creative businesses succeed.

Here goes..............................