studio rien: flowers as parties, flowers as sprinkles, oblig strawberry cake

scented memory cliches

Well my chickadees,

Forgive any loopiness, more than my usual Enthusiasm with a capital E. We spent last week in the Bay Area—summer of a different kind, with foggy days and sharp sun and roses everywhere—and for the first time, jet lag has hit hard. Blame the kid, blame the vacation drinks, blame the allergies… all I know is my eyes are drooping and my thoughts are fuzzy.

But: in any case. Flowers! They were were everywhere, and so many tiny reminders of moments passed. Bougainvillea climbing outside my in-laws’ home, as it has for years. A patch of Chinese Lanterns, reminding me of the first time we returned after the pandemic (and I couldn’t believe they were real, or we were really there).

And one afternoon, the bambino wandered in with a few tiny white blooms crushed in his grubby fist. Leaning over to smell them, I was immediately transported to childhood summers in India and the thrill of flowers woven through hair. A crown! Such a delight.

Tiny madeleines, little nostalgia crumbs. I’m not sure why they’re so particularly poignant in the summer, but here we are. And so: wishing you a week where you not only stop to smell the flowers as the line goes, but let them take you where they will, and hopefully back home again.

now booking private ✨Flower Parties✨!

I’m looking forward to announcing the next ✨Flower Party✨ fall date… but a reminder that you too can host your very own! That mother daughter bonding event? That special birthday! The awkward (but no longer!) corporate event?… all can be yours! A flower workshop that works for all people, for all occasions. I bring the flowers and guidance, you bring the friends. Reach out here to explore.

announcing flower subscriptions!

Several of you have asked, so I am delighted to announce: a brand new flower subscription for the summer! Sign up for a month of weekly flowers. We have wrapped arrangements and vases, with pick up in Fort Greene or local delivery. Worried you’ll be out of town one week? No problem, we can pause too. Check it out here. (ps, also excellent as a gift…)

around the studio

rainbow me: The thing is I love sprinkles. Yes, I know that they’re definitely chemical and I know they taste waxy on your ice cream cone, but they are also a party and, since we’re on theme today, nostalgia complete. But I do understand that sometimes you need to go a little more elegant, and so enter the dried flower variation. I’ve been hoarding this one from Loria Stern and have by eye on this one, with an excellent shape. one by one: Speaking of heavenly tuberose, a little flower tip: as the bottommost bloom turns brown and dry, gently pick it off which will cause the next one up to open. a little prezzie: T Magazine recommended this print of the iconic rainbow tunnel in SF for Father’s Day, but having just been through it with a very excited bambino, I couldn’t resist getting it for his room. So cheery (…though yes he has already forgotten driving through)! because everyone needs a strawberry cake: So many we love! But every June, all the memories are with this one: an Ottolenghi strawberry rhubarb edition, with a foundation of soft white cake made with confectioners sugar, and the most addictive crumble on top. (Excuse the buzzfeed link, apparently the only online reprint available!) favorite story of all time, also child edition: Here, no comment needed.

xo with all the cheesiness, freyan

ps, did someone forward you this little note?