As a blogger, I’m very lucky to be invited to lots of different events but the truth is, I rarely go to them. I know that sounds crazy because what could be better than swanning around with your fellow blogger mates, enjoying free booze and being treated like VIPs?
Well, don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that but the truth is, most of these events are held in London. And I’m in Manchester. And travelling back and forth to London is not only expensive, it’s also incredibly time consuming (it’s about 5 hours for a round trip including getting to and from the train station so an event that lasts 2 hours will basically be a full day for me) so I just don’t always have the time to partake in events. #sadtimes #firstworldproblems #irealiseimcomplainingaboutnothingandshouldshutmyprivilegedmouth #whyamiusinghashtagsonablog
However, every once in a while, I get an invitation that I just can’t say no to.
When OKA invited me and a few other bloggers down to London for their faux flower arranging class, a peek around their flagship Chelsea store as well as a trip to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, I just couldn’t refuse. It’s Spring, flowers are on my mind of course and it sounded like a fun day out. I cleared my diary for that day and headed down on the train.
We were warmly welcomed by OKA’s staff into their store which is enormous with two whole floors of incredibly beautiful furniture and accessories. With various room set ups everywhere, there really is something for everyone and I saw plenty of things that I wanted to take home with me.
Beautiful canapes and desserts and Prosecco with Hibiscus flowers were lovingly laid out for our arrival and we oooh’d and awww’d over the vast array of gorgeous fauxs they carry. Now you know I do love my fauxs but I fully admit, I’m pretty rubbish with arranging flowers so Hilary shared her tips on getting a beautiful arrangement and then we were invited to try it for ourselves under her guidance.
I was actually rather pleased at how mine turned out – lots of faux hydrangea and peonies and a few ranunculus for good measure – all my favourite flowers in one beautiful bunch.
After we admired the results of our newly found skills and had a little mooch around the beautiful store, we headed off to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
There was so many gorgeous flowers on display (these ones real of course), I was in awe at the skill and dedication of the exhibitors. As it was the first opening day of the show, it was very busy but I wanted to share just some of the shots of the show that I took. Click on any of the images for the pop up gallery and then click the arrows to see them all.
I walked away with plenty of inspiration for my own garden too. We are now making plans to start some work on our back patio which I’ll go into more detail a little later this month but seeing this got my brain into overdrive… So a little preview for you!
All in all, it was a fantastic day of flowers and I wanted to thank OKA and my fellow bloggers for a wonderful day out. I got home around 11pm that day, feet aching, head a little cloudy from all the gorgeous Prosecco but thoroughly inspired.
If you are in London, do go check out OKA’s Oxford Store or if you are nearer to my own location in the North West, there’s a store in Knutsford which I’m definitely going to have to pay a visit. Of course, if you aren’t near one of their locations, their website has a wealth of gorgeous items too. Check out their faux flowers here.
What do you think of my faux flower arrangement – not bad for a novice, eh? ;) Did you make it to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year? And if so, what inspired you for your own garden?
I was not compensated for this post nor was I under any obligation to share my visit on the blog. It was just a lovely trip and I wanted to share OKA with you.
That sounded like a good day out. It must be really lovely to be able to arrange your own flowers. I hold my hands up, I buy I bunch of fresh flowers and just stick them into a vase so faux flowers, I don’t stand a chance. You did a really good job with yours Kimberly, they look good xxx
Honesty that’s all I ever do myself! Ha! One thing I learned is to work in three’s which made sense as I do that when decorating too so that seemed to help ;) xxx
Looks like it was a lovely day :-) Your flowers look fab!
Thanks hun, it really was such a nice day out :) I need more of those kinds of days! xxx
Sounds like a lovely (long) day. I’m rubbish with flowers and plants so faux flowers would be right up my street. I used to hate them as they always looked so obviously faux but these days you can hardly tell.
I’m fully on board with fauxs myself! Years ago, I wouldn’t have touched them but they really have come such a long way :) xx
Oh I love your blousy floral arrangement! The RHS Chelsea Flower Show sounds like a beautiful flowery dream. I’ve often wished I could go, but not really practical for me right now. It’s fine, I’ll live vicariously through your gorgeous photos! Those climbing roses over the arch are wonderful. I planted a pink climbing rose last month at the bottom of my garden arch and I’m keeping my fingers tightly crossed that it performs well for me.
It was amazing and the scent of all those flowers were incredible! The climbing roses were really a sight, I’d love to have some in my own garden as well! I shall keep my fingers crossed for yours too ;) xx
Wow! What a beautiful day you had, not only are the furniture and accessories so gorgeous at any OKA store but they gave you all those faux flowers to settle up! I do think they are some of the best quality fauxs ever, and I’ve been deciding for a while now which will look best in my house but such a hard decision to make! X
Wait, OKA has a store?! Dangerous discovery! I shall pop in next time I’m in London (I assume it’s on Oxford Street? I think you missed the Street bit ;-)) I am so awful with house plants, mainly because I’m away so much and so busy, so faux is def the way to go for me (though today I have some stunning peonies from the garden which seem to have done brilliantly with no help from me!). In fact, when my future mother in law was over last time, she chucked several of my ailing plants and banned me from keeping them…embarrassed much?! :D x
The pictures you’ve taken are amazing! I love the one with the drink being poured – it’s such a great shot. You’ve really captured everything so well – a feast for the eyes!! xx