0 The French Man...

Of late The French Man has been getting a bad rap, well some of them, ahem. Yet French men do have many redeeming qualities. We must not overlook these by focusing too much on la French femme don't cha think? For ex. French men have A LOT of hair. Is it their diet or their genes? Are they hairy everywhere? One sometimes wonders... Yet they are effortlessly chic/classe/cool. And a French man carries a man purse so perhaps he understand us better?
It's a well known fact French men notice if you change your hairstyle, hair color or get a haircut. The American guy may not yet have realized you have hair.

                                 Viva la difference!

French men never tire of noticing French women of a certain age... Nor do French men have a problem entering all-pink patisserie Fauchon and helping his ladylove choose desserts.
French bouquets were put on this earth...
For the French man to show his appreciation to the French woman. American guys, as a rule only remember flowers on Valentines day...hmmm
Showing affection in public?

No problem for the French guy.

Many French dads are out and about strolling with their offspring.

Let's face it. Go into any Parisian cafe and you will meet up with a French man.

Eat in most French restaurants and you'll be eating the fruits of a French man.

French pastry?

French men mostly own that turf and who could complain?

My own French Monsieur showers me with flowers and champagne. He always carries my pastry bags too.

BONJOUR THE FRENCH MAN!

0 FlowerSchool NY2

Paris Tea, art on Etsy, 9" x 11"

Last Thursday I was invited to attend an evening class at FlowerSchool New York in Tudor City.

Meredith Waga-Perez of Belle Fleur was going to show us how to make Spring flower bouquets for special events.I was stuck on a delayed train so Meredith kindly took apart her demo bouquet for me to work with. OH Meredith why did you do that?!
Meredith demonstrates how to design a bouquet in your hand.
First I take my flowers...

And separate them like ingredients in a recipe...

Designing a bouquet in your hand is quite a challange. Your brightest flower is the center. Then you circle outwards directionally, adding texture and variety. Can you feel me clutching these flowers for dear life? Meredith comes over, calmly removes it from my strangle-hold and expertly adjusts the flowers this way and that...

We use tiny transparent bands to discretely hold the flowers together.

This student took the intro flower course, something I'm seriously considering. I'd love to get over my fear-of-flowers and become serene like the rest of the class. Evidently floral design keeps you calm and balanced...

Look at her perfect bouquet! Heavenly no?

We're shown how to singe the bottoms of Poppies so they don't leak their toxins. And where to go on west 28th street for the best, freshest flowers. Be prepared to get up early (between 6 - 7 AM) and know what days of the week the flights from Holland arrive. Who knew?

There are stacks of gorgeous books to further your education..

I bought FlowerSchool director, Eileen Johnson's book, The Art Of Floral Arranging, because of all the step-be-step pictures and clear text. I must learn to handle more than 1-2 blooms!

Plus many top flower designers share their secrets like: Michael George, La Grenouille's Charles Masson, Remco Van Vliet of the Met, And dear, patient Meredith of course. They all teach Master classes at FlowerSchool too..

End of class we calmly and serenely toast our bouquets with bubbly and petit fours.Then we wrap them in special boxes so they arrive home in perfect form.

Mine are still in the refrigerator, looking as lovely as ever, since I spent the weekend in Austin. But be sure and remove ALL citrus! Flowers don't like lemons.

BONJOUR FlowerSchool NY again et MERCI!

0 Flower School NY

La Peonie de Maman, art on Etsy, 9" x 11"

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For ages I've been wanting to go to Flower School's open studio Saturdays...

I was booked in January and then ze Back kicked in. Last Saturday I went. It was held at floral shop, Opalia owned by Phoebe Crary in Brooklyn, 377 Atlantic avenue. The windows were full of wild dancing poppies - the stems are filled with sap so you can't cut them or they'll die instantly... Inside an endless array of flowers wait to be choosen for your bouquet. I usually paint just 1 or 2 flowers and my vases are tiny so I was stumped...
The other students have taken Flower School intro classes...
And are busy creating complex masterpieces...
The instructor was whipping out perfect bouquets in minutes. YIKES! This is daunting.
I ran out to eat something at nearby Bedouin Tent, 405 Atlantic Ave. This picture has me munching hummos and carrots as I post.
Back to face the flowers and finally choose a few ranunculas... And one tight pink peonie bud...

Mini display bouquets around the shop give me courage. Just ONE flower - my kind of bouquet! Yay.

Meanwhile 'Roses' finished TWO divine arrangements...

And the other student reached the heights of orchid perfection.

My handiwork looks raggedy. Hmmm... I did paint the peonie. I plan to attend another open studio Saturday at Flower School. I'll take some Dutch courage next time.

This Parisien Piggy says, "Don't eat to much chocolate this weekend!"

BONJOUR FLOWER SCHOOL!

et

Bon Week-End!