Urban Jungle Bloggers: Happy Green Easter!

The March topic of Urban Jungle Bloggers is basically a reedition of last year's seasonal topic - a green Easter styling with plants. To be honest, this month it was pretty tricky for me. First of all I was on holidays and had not prepared anything in advance and second, this year I will not be in Munich for Easter so I have not prepared anything regarding Easter decoration. However, I couldn't miss out the opportunity and had to come up with a very quick and easy green styling.

So what was my idea at all? I wanted to bring in some colours with my plants and use some blossoming plants for a change. I went to the local market last Saturday and found a lovely and delicate Fritillaria meleagris - also known as chess flower because it has chess patterned blooms. I also got a little bunch of catkin twigs because they belong to Easter like the Christmas tree to Christmas. I also added a cactus paddle I brought back from Sicily last week and potted it in my new blue planter from 'Small Spells' and prepared new tableware from the range 'Nordic Sand' by Broste Copenhagen for an Easter table setting.

I played along by swapping plants and adding my growing little cactus (a cutting that I sneaked out from a restaurant) under a glass cloche and another time I added my playful Oxalis triangularis plant with its butterfly like purple flowers. And to be honest, the only real Easter decor item are some chocolate eggs that I brought back from Sicily too. Well I am afraid that's it with my Easter styling for this year - nothing fancy or special. But after all I won't be here anyway.

Now I am off to get inspiration from all other Urban Jungle Bloggers posts with their Easter styling and I will eat up my only Easter decoration simultaneously - I am already at chocolate egg number three. Happy Easter dear Urban Jungle Bloggers!

Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series initiated by 2 bloggers: Igor (Happy Interior Blog) and Judith (JOELIX.com). Every month we share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs and green tips & tricks. You can find additional inspiration on our Urban Jungle Bloggers Pinterest board and keep up-to-date on our website and Facebook page. Want to join? Use #urbanjunglebloggers on Twitter and Instagram. Or let us know and we'll share the badge and upcoming topics with you. Let's bring some green into your homes and blogs!

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Plant Of The Month: Chrysanthemum

Today I am sharing the third and last part of my bilingual mini-series 'Plant of the Month' in collaboration with Pflanzenfreude.de. The plant of the month October is a cheerful indoor and outdoor companion, a perfect matchmaker for lovers of green houseplants and colourful blooms: the Chrysanthemums. 

When I got my potted Chrysanthemums it made me smile instantly. Those happy little blooms, tightly snuggled together brought a touch of springtime into this autumn month. That is why the Chrysanthemums are so special: they are blooming now in all sorts of colours and bloom sizes. Thus, they are the perfect plant to cheer up the gloomy and colder autumn days. I had to make myself a fresh coffee and enjoy that moment with my new plant.

Even those doubting their so-called 'green thumb' can be completely reassured: Chrysanthemums require a minimum of care. A little bit of water and a sunny, not too hot place are all they want. But as usual I have prepared a little cheat sheet with care tips for Chrysanthemums at your home. Oh, and don't miss the charming and fun little video about the 'Plant of the Month'. And now it's your turn: add some blooming colour to your home too!

Heute möchte ich euch den dritten und letzten Teil meiner zweisprachigen Mini-Serie 'Pflanze des Monats' in Zusammenarbeit mit Pflanzenfreude.de vorstellen. Die Pflanze des Monats Oktober ist ein froher Indoor und Outdoor Begleiter, eine perfekte Kombination für Grünpflanzen- und Blumenfreunde: die Chrysantheme.

Als die gelb-weiße Topfchrysantheme bei mir Einzug hielt, musst ich im ersten Moment lächeln. Diese kleinen und fröhlichen, eng aneinander gedrängten Blüten wirken wie eine Frühlingsbrise mitten im Herbst. Das macht die Chrysantheme auch so besonders: sie blüht jetzt in einer Vielzahl an Farben und Formen. Somit sind die Chrysanthemen die perfekte Pflanze, um die grauen und trüben Herbsttage ein wenig aufzumuntern. Um den Moment mit meiner neuen Pflanzen voll und ganz zu genießen, musste ich mir auch einen frischen Kaffee aufbrühen - ein perfekter Oktobertag!

Auch all jene, die an ihrem sogenannten "grünen Daumen" zweifeln, können beruhigt werden: Chrysanthemen bedürfen eines Minimums an Pflege. Alles was sie benötigen ist ein wenig Wasser und ein sonniger, nicht zu warmer Standort. Aber ich habe euch wie auch bei den letzten zwei Teilen einen Pflege-Spickzettel für Chrysanthemen vorbereitet. Oh, und verpasst nicht das wundervoll amüsante Video zur 'Pflanze des Monats'. Und jetzt seid ihr an der Reihe: Bringt ein wenig blühende Farbe in eure eigenen vier Wände!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

This post was supported by Pflanzenfreude.de

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A Story About Flowers, Joy And Life

I love beautiful flowers. I love how they brighten up a space and make me smile. I buy them even though I know they are meant to wilt and go. In that point they remind me of life. They come, they bring joy and they go. But flowers will always remind me of one more thing: of the #2flowergirls. 

I have joined their bloomy and joyful blog series a few times and today I am sad to be joining it for the last time as one of the two flowers has left us for good. But remembering the moment when a 'flower' leaves us seems not to be the right thing to me. I remember the flower in its full bloom, thriving with life, enchanting the beholder, making people smile. Making people happy. I remember the beauty, goodness and happiness they bring. It is exactly that way how I will remember her: smiling, friendly and surrounded by her beloved flowers. You will be missed! These flowers are for you, Inga!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Book Review: Decorate With Flowers / Wohnen Mit Blumen

After yesterday's green 'Urban Jungle Bloggers' inspiration, let's talk today about flowers. Even though I am a green lover and adore my potted houseplants, I also love to buy a bunch of fresh blooms every now and then. They add colour and joyous vibe into any home. And they finally give a right to exist to my numerous vases - I mean how else would I explain any new vase acquisition? 

'Decorate with Flowers' or 'Wohnen mit Blumen' (in German) was written by Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring, both ladies have already successfully collaborated in a regular blog series on Decor8. They obviously share the same passion for flowers and beautiful stylings so it is no wonder that this book is a visual feast - not only for flower fans but for everyone who loves interior styling and decoration. 

The book is structured in three parts: The first part deals with basics like important flower facts, the use of props and the visual effects of different bouquet sizes. The main part of the book features various floral stylings: Natural stylings, pastels and neon stylings, market flowers, nautical themes and more. There is basically a floral idea for any taste and preference. The third and last part covers useful addresses and sources for your own floral projects.

What I really love about this book is its hands-on approach and easy writing enriched with beautiful photography. You don't have to be a florist or a decoration expert to create beautiful floral stylings - 'Decorate with Flowers' or 'Wohnen mit Blumen' in German offers simple tips and tricks for floral arrangements. All you need to do is get some fresh blooms and this book! Oh and I was more than happy to discover a few shots from the stylish home of Victoria Smith of sfgirlbybay.com in San Francisco - some of you might remember that I was staying in her home back in September! Sweet memories.

'Decorate with Flowers' is published by Jacqui Small LLP and the German version entitled 'Wohnen mit Blumen' is published by Callwey.

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Welcoming Spring With Anemones

I can't believe myself that I am writing about welcoming spring on February 27th! But it's not my fault - it's the sunny and super mild weather that makes me think of spring. Trees are burgeoning, snowdrops and crocuses are popping up on every green patch and the markets are awash with colorful blooms. Plus it came in pretty handy that the famous #2flowergirls Elodie and Inga were back this month with a floral topic - anemones.

This said, I rushed to the local farmers market and bought a small bunch of anemones. I think they are so beautiful themselves that I didn't feel any need to do additional styling around them. I've just put them in my concrete vase from Bolia and voilà, spring has not only sprung but also moved into my apartment.

To see all the floral inspiration of the #2flowergirls check out their wonderful Pinterest board. And why not join them too?

Happy Thursday everyone!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Happy Guest: A Happy Bouquet Of Flowers

Hello! My name is Elodie from Madame Love Blog and today I have prepared a little happy bouquet with seasonal and locally grown flowers from the Hamburg region - from Mrs. Love to Mr. Happy.

I am so glad to be a guest on Igor's blog today. I truly love his blog and the search for happiness in home design as a leitmotif. 

I know that Igor likes flowers and especially wild and colourful ones as well as a bit of a French touch / so I tried to compose a happy bouquet for him today with poppies, daisies and cornflowers to give you the feeling of being in the French countryside on the side of a cornfield in the middle of July.

I displayed them in a bright yellow watering can. This can made me instantly think of Igor when I saw it. 

I wish you a wonderful holiday my friend and a wonderful day dear readers!

xxx, Elodie

Photography by Elodie Love. Watering can via Butlers. Colourful fabric from 'Aime comme Marie' via Motif personnel.

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