It’s no secret that we’re big fans of florals here at Obus, from brightening a room to boosting a mood, flowers have the ability to create joy wherever they bloom.

With Spring just around the corner, we speak to Flower Bowl creator and passionate florist Jodie about how she got started and what keeps her going.

Flower Bowl is now over 15 years old, can you tell us about it’s conception?

I was 20 and in love with all things pretty and pink, so I opened a pretty pink shop! I wanted to be surrounded by all the things that made my heart happy. At the end of the day, flowers make people happy, and that seemed like a pretty lovely thing to be a part of.

I started on my own in East Geelong with three bunches of Camelia, a bunch of Gerberas and a free delivery driver (thanks Mum!). I was petrified and passionate. But I’ve always come back to the idea of just making people happy. 16 years later, a few more Flower Bowl girls and A LOT more flowers, I’m lucky to have been a part of so much happiness.

As a small business owner, how have you had to adapt over the past year & what have you learnt?

When we haven’t been able to connect with our customers in person, we’ve had to find other ways to reach them and let them know that we’re still here for everything life throws their way. Our online and social media presence has been really important. We have put a lot of love into the products we offer and the content we share.

Our relationships with our growers and suppliers has also been SO important. For a while there I was spending over ten hours every week driving to and from Monbulk to pick up flowers. The flower hustle was real. Our growers work hard to give us pretty things to play with (they also put up with me begging for alllllllllll the Hydrangea) so we have worked hard to support them back.

I have learnt to always have wine in the fridge… but in all honesty, I have learnt the importance of staying true to your brand and backing yourself. You also can’t do this on your own - you need to find your people!

Flower Bowl is female owned and operated, how do you think this has contributed to it’s success?

We’re actually not a workroom of crazy chicks on purpose! It just so happens that the most fabulous florists (and people) who have walked into Flower Bowl have been females. So if there’s any flower-loving guys out there who think they could put up with us, you know where to find us! That being said, there’s nothing like a bit of girl power in a room. We’re a team of tough, kind, creative and hard working women, and I think that shines through on our socials.

If you could send flowers to anyone in the world who would it be?

My girl J.Lo, to say thanks for all the ripper nights on the dance floor! #jennyfromtheblock

How does fashion play a role in Flower Bowl?

We’re visual people, so that not only includes flowers and colours but outfits too! There’s nothing like matching your outfit to the season or finding that perfect shade of lippy to match your favourite rose. We love bold patterns, bright pants and pink Converse of course!

We definitely stand out when we get our morning coffee… We won’t lie though, there’s times when we couldn’t care less about our outfit choice. 2am at the flower market, day six of Mother’s Day week and when you’re knee deep in the green bin. But mostly we’re having fun with our ‘fits. We’re lucky to work in a job that allows us to tell the world who we are with our clothing - sparkly jackets, pink overalls and all!

Do you have a favourite Obus piece?

I mean, this is like asking a florist if they have a favourite flower… impossible! I love my ‘Beauty Within’ boiler suit. But this new range is giving it a run for it’s money! The ‘Marché aux Fleurs’ skirt is pretty damn fab.

What’s next for Flower Bowl?

In the last 12 months I’ve opened up two new shops (the warehouse in Ryan Place and the retail space in Pakington Street) so I think I need a hot minute! I adore my Pakington Street space - it’s everything I love in one little shop!

A second, smaller retail space concentrating on beautiful gifts, a selection of our very favourite seasonal blooms and really personal service was something I’ve always wanted to create, so I’m just enjoying it at the moment. I do love a challenge though, so I’m sure it won’t be long until I think of something new, pretty and exciting for Flower Bowl. At the moment we’re expanding our team, adding to our online range and just trying to keep up with t­he crazy!

Flower Bowl is owned and operated by Jodie and her lovely team of Flower Bowl girls in Geelong, Vic. A contemporary florist - they love all things seasonal, luxe and locally grown. Offering hand selected florals, made and delivered with love by Jodie and her girls daily throughout Geelong, Surfcoast, Bellarine Peninsula and Melbourne.

You can find them on Instagram at @flowerbowl

Wearing Marché Aux Fleurs Wrap Dress, Blouse and Skirt from the Souvenir Spring 2021 Collection, available now.

Wellness expert Caz Butler breaks down how to select the professionals you want on your team and tools to use at home.

Start with a good GP and health team that suits YOUR needs.

How do you do that? Take note of what your health needs really are and choose based off that

• Do you have any issues with your period (pain, flooding, intense week or so long PMS etc)? Seek out someone with an interest in women’s/menstrual health.

• Is mental health your priority? Then look for this in their bio. Given the year we’ve had, I’ve certainly noticed clinically that more and more people are requiring a mental health plan and the support of talk therapy. If you feel a bit off and are unsure whether you are eligible, talk to you GP.

• The best way to choose someone is usually word of mouth. Ask your friends, family or community who they like and trust. If you have a specific condition, there will probably by a Facebook or Instagram community who will help to guide you to someone who is capable and listens.

• Remember to trust your gut. Sometimes you may need a second opinion. And if you don’t feel as though the therapeutic relationship is serving you, find one that will.

Are there other health professionals that might help you?

• Everyone has differing needs and preferences. There are so many allied health and complementary modalities out there for us to choose from! Chinese medicine, osteopathy, naturopathy/nutrition, massage, myotherapy… the list goes on.
• Know that you can be choosy. Again, word of mouth can pay in dividends. Look at their social media or website, read their bio. Have an open mind, but trust your gut – I can’t say that enough.

If you require specialist care for a chronic condition, do consider asking around for recommendations from people with the condition or complimentary practitioners who are in the know. Not all specialists are created equal, as with any other professional.

Back to basics

Sometimes the simplest things are the easier to forget about! This is the advice that I never stop handing out clinically, because often we all just need a little reminder.

Are you drinking enough water?

• No, seriously. And are you thirsty? If you’re not thirsty, are your tummy and bowels feeling ok? Look into that if they’re not.

Are you eating fruit and veg regularly?

• What we eat doesn’t need to be perfect, but if you’re going from toast for breakfast to a sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner, that is a lot of filler and not lot of substance.

Are you getting enough sleep?

• Are you looking at screens until bedtime (this is my downfall that I need to peel myself out of occasionally)? This will really feed insomnia.
  
  
• If you have ongoing issues with insomnia, whether you can’t fall asleep, stay asleep OR no matter how much sleep you get you’re always exhausted, please investigate.

Move your body with some regularity.

• It doesn’t need to be for long and it doesn’t need to be intense, it just needs to be movement. I don’t even mind if you don’t call it exercise. Go for a walk (or a wander), do some stretching in front of the telly. Weight bearing exercise is beneficial for a host of reasons, but it you’re currently not really doing anything, any movement will do.

Find 5 minutes to yourself each day!

• If you tell me that you don’t have 5 minutes to yourself in the day, I won’t believe you. If you’re overwhelmed and all you’ve got is time to sit on the toilet and have a cry while life goes on outside the door, take it. There is always time; sometimes you just need to be creative. 

• If there is a self care thing that floats your boat, make it a part of your routine. I love journaling in the morning, some people love getting out in nature, others love a float tank or a manicure.

Pause and take a breath right now as you read this. Thank you.

Always cold? This is for you

I have included this section, because I cannot TELL you how many patients I see who are cold all the time, but don’t think of these little things. You’re welcome. 

Keep your feet warm!

• Thick socks or slippers instead of bare feet when you’re walking around the house and have tiles or floor boards.

Kick smoothies to the curb.

• Beginning your day (or snacking) on a cold smoothie is only going to further cool you down. Swap it out for porridge or another yummy warm breakfast or drink it warm – yes, this is a thing. If you really must, drink it warm and add some cinnamon or ginger to it.

Give tap or cold water the flick and sip on warm water throughout the day. Get yourself a thermos and keep warm and hydrated.

Think about the tread on your shoes in winter.

• If they are thin little sneakers, the cold from the ground will come up into your feet and cool your whole body down, no matter how thick your socks are.
• Pick a shoe with a more solid sole. I love a flatform, or anything that isn’t just a thin strip of leather. Give it a go – I swear you’ll notice a difference.

Do you catch colds regularly?

See the advice above for cold people.

Keep your neck warm!

• Wear a scarf please. In Chinese medicine it is of utmost importance for us to keep our necks warm as this is where a pathogen can enter from.

Consider speaking with a trusted complimentary health professional to seek out answers before self-prescribing a myriad of supplements.

• Consider looking into blood-work to ensure everything is right as rain.

Caz Butler is a Chinese medicine practitioner in Collingwood and Mornington who adores menstrual health and mental health. Her passion is to bring joy to body literacy. She believes that education and open communication around health and our bodies is a social and political responsibility.

You can find her on Instagram at @caz.butler_tcm.dr

Dani Venn is a lover of cooking, colour and wild dancing. Being a Mum of two she’s a big believer in keeping things simple and fun when feeding her family.

This Mother’s Day she takes us through a scrumptious pudding recipe to add some sauce to your Sunday! 

Ingredients

• Zest of 2 lemons, finely grated

• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary

• 1 cup caster sugar

• 125g unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 4 eggs, separated

• Juice of 2 lemons, freshly squeezed

• ½ cup plain flour

• 1 cup milk

• 1 tablespoon icing sugar, to dust (optional)

• Dollop cream or ice cream to serve

 Method

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees, rub melted or softened butter into a 1.5 – 2 litre casserole dish, ensuring that your casserole dish can fit into a slightly larger baking tray.
   
   
2. In a mixing bowl, rub lemon zest and rosemary into the sugar with the tips of your fingers to release the natural oils in the lemon and rosemary. Place butter in bowl of electric stand mixer fitted with the flexible beater paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar mixture together until creamy and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed.
   
   
3. Add egg yolks one at a time until fully incorporated before adding the next, add lemon juice and then reduce speed to the lowest setting and fold in the flour then pour in the milk. The mixture might look a little curdle and different to your usual cake batter but not to worry.
   
   
4. Pour batter into a large mixing bowl, clean stand mixer bowl fully so its sparkling clean with no oily residue and then place egg whites into clean stand mixing bowl fitted with whisk attachment. Whisk on high speed until egg whites are thick and fluffy like clouds. Using a large metal spoon, place half the egg white mixture into the batter and fold through gently then place the remainder of the egg whites into the batter and fold until fully incorporated.
   
   
5. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish, then place in a larger baking tray. Fill the baking tray about ¾ of the way up with boiling water then carefully place in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until sponge is golden and bounces back. A thin layer or gooey sauce should remain at the bottom, so you can always poke a knife in the sides of the pudding to check.
   
   
6. Remove from oven carefully, dust with icing sugar and serve pudding hot with dollop cream or ice cream.

We ask Dani a few questions...

 If you had to pick just one dish to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? 

This is like picking my favourite child, impossible to answer!! I would say dish “category” would be curry. I am borderline obsessed with spices, grinding my own spice powders and mortar and pestling my own curry pastes. There is such complexity and depth of flavour in curries from the world over and so many different ways to serve them with all kinds of veg and proteins. Of course Sri Lankan curries are my favourite and I love that I can share my interpretation of Sri Lankan flavours in my new curry simmer sauce range at Coles, much simpler then making from scratch too.

What vegetable did you dislike as a child, that you know love? 

I think its a stereotypical vegetable to dislike, but as a kid my brussel sprouts were not over boiled and let out a certain pong which I never enjoyed, but it turns out as an adult come winter I adore a Brussel Sprout. The trick is to halve them and deep fry them until crispy, blot them with paper towel and then smother in a dressing made from extra virgin olive oil, tangy English Mustard and if you can find it, Vino Cotto. Whisk together and drizzle over with a can of lentils and chopped mint and you are in for one of the best vegetable experiences of your life.

What self-care ritual do you swear by (when you have a second to yourself)? 

My bathtub is my happy place, it is fills my cup. I always emerge from it feeling renewed and revived If I am feeling fancy I might light a candle, add some drops of Lavender oil maybe put on a face mask and play some relaxing tunes. Pure bliss.

Flowers or chocolates for Mother’s Day? 

I still have so many left over Easter eggs that I have hidden from the kids that I sneakily eat when they go to bed so lets go for flowers!

Where in Australia would you love to travel to on your next vacay?

I love looking closer to home to find unique experiences, if I was to splurge I would love to go up to Broome and the Kimberlys but the next holiday I am actually going on with the kids is the Sunshine Coast in winter, because I really want to take the kids to Australia Zoo.

Recipe courtesy of Dani Venn. You can follow her on Instaram @danivenn

Photo courtesy of Dani, wearing Obus Idyll Blouse and Companion Jean (Coming Soon).