Ringing in the New Year with a Look Back at 2023

As 2023 draws to a close and we return to the rhythm of our routines, I’m excited for all that we have planned in the year ahead. I hope to give myself permission to cherish the memories that were made in 2023 while planning for another memorable year. In doing so, here’s a brief glance back at some highlights of the past year and a few glimpses of what the new year holds.

A New Book

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my aspiration to create a flower book would materialize with my first book, “French Blooms.” The enduring love for France and flowers has been a constant in my life and being able to share that "flower love" story with you is a genuine privilege.

The book launch on March 28th, 2023 exceeded all expectations, including securing Amazon's #1 release, which was unexpected and so humbling! The mix of excitement and nervousness on the big day was palpable. We commemorated the occasion at our shop with a delightful friends and family gathering, followed by another celebration in April at the enchanting Parisian flower shop, L’Arrosoir, which belongs to my dear friend Adrienne. How wonderful it was to celebrate in such a magical location, especially since it’s where my French floral journey began many years ago.

My French Blooms Journey

As the months continued, book signings took me to extraordinary places, including a special trip to London for the Chelsea Flower Show and to Newport, RI for the Newport Flower Show. Visits to charming establishments like Hearth & Soul in Florida and St. Louis, along with local spots like the Beacon Hill Bookshop in Boston, and others in Cape Cod and Vermont, all added to the year's highlights. I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet old and new followers, part of the amazing community on IG, Facebook and Podcasts, who have supported me on this book journey. I cannot thank everyone from near and far for all their support and love to me. Merci!

What’s New from France

In addition to the book launch in Paris, I embarked on numerous other trips to France this year, both for pleasure and business. A particularly memorable journey took me to a large antique fair in Lille to uncover new treasures for our shop. We shopped nonstop and then packed up the treasures to bring home. It’s truly a highlight to find new spots to source for the shop, and we hope to find many more next year!

On other trips to France, I had the opportunity to visit with several artisan’s petit ateliers (small workshops) and see the making of their crafts firsthand! I was excited to bring some of their creations back to the shop, like the domino paper notebooks and prints from Design House Antoinette Poisson, French porcelainware from Alix D. Reynis, and papier-mâché sculptures by Charlotte Terriou. Learn more about their artisan workshops in our blog.

A New French Tour

Speaking of French treasures, we organized our first antique buying trip to Paris in March 2024, where clients will indulge in the delight of shopping for antiques to be shipped back on our container. The overwhelming enthusiasm and the tour's swift sell-out were heartwarming. Keep a look out in our emails and on our website for future trips to France. A new tour date will be coming soon…

Two Special Weddings

This year, we had the privilege of designing floral arrangements for a couple of exceptionally special weddings. The first one, set against the backdrop of my niece's family home in CT, and the second at a picturesque horse farm in Vermont, each marked significant milestones. Both events were truly an honor for me, given my longstanding connection with each of the brides since their younger years. I’m not surprised I shed tears at both of their weddings when they walked down the aisle to meet their future husbands.

A New Logo

Last but certainly not least, we decided to infuse a fresh perspective into our brand with a new logo. Inspired by the enchanting French greenhouses, a common sight during my visits, we incorporated this imagery into our floral logo, which has been a part of our identity for years. So far, the design found its way onto our new tote bags which are available on our website. Stay tuned for how this addition will play a role in our future endeavors…

As always, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support. I am thankful for the countless connections made with wonderful people and cherish the sense of community we share. Your stories about how our petite French flower shop has inspired you are a source of joy and fulfillment, whether shared through this blog or during your visits to our shop. It is these moments that make all of it so much more meaningful.

Wishing you a Bonne Année (Happy New Year)! Here's to a beautiful 2024.

With love,
Sandra