For as along as I can remember I have always worn something
in my hair. In the good old 80’s my big hair was tied up with spotty
neckerchiefs and bows. The bows got a little more subtle and finally
transformed into flowers, mostly hibiscus these days with a nod to my rockabilly
heritage. I feel undressed without a hair flower, as do these ladies ...
Hair flowers lend a touch of the exotic, a freshness that
oozes glamour. Or simply craziness in the wilderness.
From the Northern greyness that was my Liverpool home as a
kid, I sought out the fun records from mum & dad’s vinyl collection. This
was one of my favourites – gatefold sleeve, a book in an album with pictures of
sunny beaches and flowers.
To my 10 yr old brain South Pacific had fun songs and a warm
sunny aesthetic, I would be become an advocate of high waisted pants and hair
flowers for ever more.
Something happens when you reach your 30’s – the gardening
gene kicks in. Believe me I was sceptical too, but low and behold mid 30's it suddenly became important to grow things in the garden and not just use it
as an extended playpen for the kiddies.
I wanted to grow the exotic lilies that
I have always loved, those that spoke of tropic isles and escapism and I wanted
to smell their scent. A bit tricky in East London without a hothouse, but you
can grow these lovlies outdoors ...
They're for sale in most garden centres and will keep coming back year after year.
My gardening impulse ebbs and flows – I’m really just as
happy with plastic flowers, which let’s face it last all year round. I mean is
it spring yet? It’s hard to tell with the wind blowing a gale and the odd hail
shower.
A couple of weeks ago the sun forced its way through the clouds and I
grabbed the opportunity to get some flowers in the ground quick. Bedding plants
are the ones you can plant out each year and watch bloom over summer, they add
a splash of colour and are cheap and cheerful in tubs or borders – just fend
the slugs off and keep well watered.
Last year my garden was getting the better of me so I hunted
around the web for help and came across Lisa Land Girl, a woman who gardens and
blogs about it. Lisa came over to help me clear some foliage that was
threatening to engulf the shed.
I was delighted to see Lisa arrive on a bike
with basket bedecked with flowers with Lisa herself in Rosie the Riveter garb.
You can read her gardening adventures and drool over flowers and muck at Lisa's Growbag blog
here.
If wearing fresh flowers in your hair leaves you looking
wilted and prone to greenfly, then there are plenty of wonderful crafters
making flower clips for the discerning rockabilly gal.
Have a look at Rosie Alia’s collection of hair accessories
for Vintage Sweethearts.
She has quite an authentic looking crop.
RosieAliaDesigns' Etsy Shop Announcement
"I take my inspiration from the
wonderful hair flowers so often seen in photographs and films atop the heads of
beautifully coiffed ladies of the past...because every girl deserves to feel
like a starlet!
I can also make custom pieces to order so if you
just can't find that perfect piece, please don't hesitate to get in touch."
Meanwhile through the wind and the rain, since planting out in my garden, one single petunia has flowered. Behold I have green fingers!
