Ringing in the New Year

As 2022 draws to a close, I’m cherishing all that made 2022 so special and getting excited for what we have planned for the year ahead. 

The past year included more trips to France than usual for me, along with a few special events at the shop in Andover. Here’s a quick look back at some highlights from 2022 and a peek at what’s coming in 2023!

---

A paris Home

2022 began with what I call a “pinch me” moment last February, when my husband and I found ourselves in Paris looking for an apartment to possibly call our own! We searched in many beautiful neighborhoods before finding the perfect spot in the 6th arrondissement on our last day.

After living in Paris in my early 20s, I vowed that I would someday return. It took 30+years and a lot of French paperwork, but as of this spring, that life-long dream was finally fulfilled when we got the keys to our charming pied-à-terre.

We’re both over-the-moon excited to be there, part-time for now. We already brought our boys for a special French weekend a few months ago.

Women Supporting Women with Jamie Beck

In December we hosted our 2nd annual Women Supporting Women event, which I started a few years ago as a way to give back to our local community. This year we had the honor to host Jamie Beck, author of the NY Times best-seller, “An American in Provence,” for a book signing to benefit a local food pantry, The People’s Pantry.

We couldn’t have been more pleased with the support we received and can’t wait to plan another special event next year.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jamie Beck

Women in France

This year we had the chance to introduce a few other amazing women, in addition to Jamie Beck, who also reinvented their lives after moving to France.

In February, I got to meet fellow florist Adrienne Ryser who moved to Paris and purchased the stunning 100-year-old flower shop L’Arrosoir. Sara Silm also shared her story about buying and restoring the historic Chateau Montfort after moving to France. Both stories can be found in our blog.

French Tours 

Our French tours continued this past year with a trip to Provence in April and another in October to Paris and Normandy, both co-hosted by Les Fleurs and my dear friend Sharon Santoni of My French Country Home. We’re excited for the Provence Floral and Gardens Tour coming in 2023!

French gifts for 2023

Every January, we begin the year by taking down our holiday décor to fill the shop with new treasures. This year we had a stroke of luck when our large container from France arrived early!

We’re in the process of opening the crates filled with the all the found objects collected by “yours truly” during my many trips to France this past year. Unwrapping the items one by one brings back memories of each trip and truly feels like Christmas all over again! Stay tuned for an overload of French finds coming your way.

My First Book

One of the things I’m most looking forward to in 2023 is the release of my new (and first) book, French Blooms! We have so much to share with you about it, including the cover reveal coming soon!

The whole process, which began more than 3 years ago, has been both humbling and illuminating. I can’t wait for spring 2023 to share this beautiful book about France, flowers and so much more. I hope you love it as much as I do!  

---

As always, I want to thank you all for your support. I feel so grateful for this community and for all the new connections I’ve made. I love hearing how our little French flower shop has inspired you and hope you’ll continue to share your stories with me when reading this blog or when visiting our shop. It’s truly what makes our job worthwhile and joyful.

Bonne année (happy New Year). Here’s to a beautiful 2023.

With love,
Sandra

---