Diptyque and the Slow Flower Movement in France

Can you believe its already Valentine season? Now that 2019 is in full swing, I have finally settled on a worthy resolution for the year. I know, I know. It sounds indecisive. In my defense, its been a weird post holiday transition this year. Which led me to the goal of not wasting any more weekends in Paris. Even if the weather is cold and grey, I am going to get out more, explore, and find activities to bring some color and vibrancy to the week.

One of the many Valentine’s Day related events taking place this week led me to discover the slow flower movement. It also served as an reminder of the importance of self care. Or at least to start making a conscious effort to seek a better work life balance.

While the slow food movement is prominent globally, I must confess that I was completely unaware that a similar initiative is gaining support in the global market for cut flowers.

Recently, a friend introduced me to the concept of social jet lag when I complained about fatigue on the weekends. I have never been a morning person and always tried to make up for it on the weekends. Apparently there is a relatively new term to describe the discrepancy between your natural biological clock and social lock. For me, the spikes in my work schedule over the last few of years seem to have compounded the situation. Especially in winter when I have less motivation to be outdoors on weekends anyway.

After a 12 hour work day this Friday, I had nearly convinced myself to skip my weekend plans. Thankfully, I decided to push through albeit with a pared down list of activities. I attended a MeetUp where I met interesting expats and locals for lunch at an “American” diner, that included a long walk along the Seine river to enjoy the rare 50 plus degree weather.

Diptyque’s New Duo of Roses Collection

Diptyque organized a special Valentine’s event to commemorate the launch of its latest line at its chic boutique on rue Saint Honore. Diptyque, best known for its scented candles and home fragrances, partnered up with Popfleurs to host an atelier on how to produce handmade bracelets and floral decor using only fresh flowers and natural products from France.

For the cupid inspired holiday, Diptyque has released a new collection called Duo of Roses featuring two distinctive rose scents. The first is the centifolia from Grasse, the heart of France’s perfume region in the French Riviera.

Grasse is considered the world’s perfume capital. The cobble stoned medieval town has been associated with perfume production since the 17th century. If you are a perfume connoisseur, I recommend taking a perfume workshop to learn how flowers and other botanicals are distilled into essential oils for perfume production. I enjoyed a workshop at the Fragonard factory years ago while on a Contiki tour, but most of the factories in Grasse also offer a free tour.

The second rose in the collection is a damask rose from Persia. The damask is named after Syria’s capital but cultivated throughout the region. It is disputed weather French crusaders or Romans were the first to introduce the wildly popular old world variety to Europe.

Popfleurs’ floral bracelet workshop

Despite my rusty French, I learned quite a bit from the friendly ladies from Popfleurs. They explained that in addition to traditional French lavender and rose production in southern France, the slow flower movement is also breathing new life into local farms in the north. These farms supply directly to the neighboring and booming Parisian market – promoting an eco-friendly farm to vase experience.

I always assumed that tulip and other spring bulb production in Europe was dominated by the Dutch and that other flowers were primarily exported from large southern exporters such as Kenya or Ecuador, but it turns out that local farms are playing a big role in supplying the tulips and hyacinths available right now at floral shops.

The presenter reminded me that you should always ask where your flowers come from. You never know when you will learn something interesting about the industry.

Popfleur runs workshops and corporate seminars that allow city dwellers like myself to escape work stress and learn more about flower cultivation. All of the flowers they utilize come from their own farm or other local producers. The representative who helped me put together my creation, explained that the slow flower movement actually started in the United States.

It is building on the success of the slow food movement and is bringing together local growers, florists and designers all over the world. It all started with Amy Stewart’s book, “Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful”.

The fact that its a social media friendly movement has helped get the word out too.

I always covet photos of Ranunculus (buttercups) in glossy design magazines. So, I knew I would want to use a few in whatever I created.

For the workshop, the presenter helped me created a mini-wreath (perfect size for diptyque candles) with ranunculus, tulip, hyacinth, and eucalyptus. The trick is to pick a few buds from flowers such as hyacinths (which have tons of floral blooms) and use natural raffia to tie it all together.

I also came away with a pretty floral bracelet with more ranunculus and carnations!

I have to say that the workshop energized me to take the scenic way home. Which turned out to be longer than I expected given some bridge closures due to what’s become weekly Saturday protests near my place. I figured what better way to spend the rest of the afternoon than strolling along the Seine and picking up some indoor plants. It’s still a bit too early to try my hand on balcony plants. Overnight temperatures are still fluctuating and I am worried about another arctic blast before the winter is over.

I also need to fully unpack and adjust my decor to the new apartment’s layout. Usually, by the time I finish and get comfortable it is already time for another assignment and pack out.

I found the monogram marble coasters at the Pottery Barn during home leave and had to have them. It was before I knew that I would be lucky enough the live in a classic Haussmann apartment complete with a marble fireplace and carved mirror. I was still trying to figure out a post holiday spring theme for the fireplace. And also venture beyond my blue obsession. The workshop provided plenty of ideas.

How does the fireplace look with two bold colors?

I’m partial to Jasmine so I bought yet another Jasmine scented candle at Diptyque. In looking into the slow flower movement in France, I discovered that Grasse hosts an annual Jasmine festival every August.

I will have to add it to my growing bucket list of gardens and flower festivals to check out in Europe. Perhaps a combined trip to southern France is called for since the lavender runs from June through August.