Hello, July

In the Victorian era, flowers were a language. They were a means of communication, allowing individuals to express feelings that otherwise could not be spoken. When a suitor sent a woman primroses, for instance, it meant he confessed his eternal love. If she replied with striped carnations, the lady was refusing him. A single rose in full bloom? She loved him too.

I like to think of July as my month, as this month of year I celebrate my birthday, always a joyous time and thinking of gifts (can’t help it, the enthusiasm begins mounting up way in advance) reminds me of this simple, one of the most beautiful gestures: offering a bouquet of flowers.

Is it a lost art? Since when I was little until well into my teenage years, before leaving for university, every weekend my father used to bring me flowers from the flower market. He still buys me flowers when I go home. My face would light up just as it does every time someone surprises me with this sincere and wonderful token for expressing gratitude, best wishes or simply to say hi. We may not pay much attention to this secret language as in Victorian times, but a nice gesture coming from the heart is never forgotten. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

images: 1-Content in a Cottage / 2-Elie Saab Couture 2011, edited by me, elle.com / 3-Oscar de la Renta spring 2011, edited by me, vogue.com / 4-Art Luna Garden via Captivated by image / 5-Stockholm Streetstyle / 6-Pinterest , edited by me

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18 Responses to Hello, July

juste wrote on
--> 1 July 2011 at 9:41 am

How lovely Your father is!
And it is the first time I hear about the language of flowers, it sounds so complicated in this SMS era!:))
Have a beautiful day, Ada!
LittleRus wrote on
--> 1 July 2011 at 10:12 am

What a beautiful and summery story! Do you have a favorite flower, darling? x
- classiq wrote on
  --> 1 July 2011 at 10:33 am
  
  @Little Rus
  I do, Little Rus. White garden roses, tulips and peonies. All white. 🙂
  - LittleRus wrote on
    --> 1 July 2011 at 3:29 pm
    
    Oh I just noticed that I DID manage to publish my comment earlier! Yay… happy days… I was checking your blog on my phone and wasn’t sure if the message was published – something went a little bit wrong here… Anyway… All worked and I am happy.
    You know I love peonies and roses and tulips, too! Peonies would have to be pink, roses – yellow or dusty pink and tulips – lipstick red. 🙂 I also adore ranunculunses – they are just way too adorable to be ignored. 🙂
    
    Wishing you a wonderful sunny day, sweetie!
    x
denise wrote on
--> 1 July 2011 at 11:16 am

this is a nice story, i have totally forgotten about language of flowers.
happy bthday in advance!

🙂
Susu Paris Chic wrote on
--> 1 July 2011 at 11:57 am

Such uber sweet post! So ‘you’, my dear. How lovely to have your birthday in the midst of the best of summer. Mine is one month later… summer kiddos we are!
LatteLisa wrote on
--> 1 July 2011 at 12:55 pm

This post warmed my heart. How wonderful it must have been to get the flowers from your father. And hey, I’m a July birthday girl too 😉

I couldn’t imagine my life without flowers. It was my New Year’s resolution to buy more flowers and I’ve done so. I can’t get enough!

Have a wonderful day Ada.
Fashion Addict wrote on
--> 1 July 2011 at 5:04 pm

I really love giving flowers to people and, of course, receiving them! Flowers are just so lovely and even if they die in a week, it’s the gesture that counts! And hope you have a wonderful month, especially on your birthday. 🙂
mary jo wrote on
--> 1 July 2011 at 7:31 pm

So beautiful Ada! This is the prettiest post I’ve seen all morning! Wishing you a wonderful summer weekend!

xoxo Mary Jo
Erin wrote on
--> 2 July 2011 at 12:38 am

Gorgeous post! I love that story and I am happy that you are a follow Cancer! Happy Early Birthday to you!

xx

Erin @ https://www.trufflesnruffles.com/
jasna wrote on
--> 2 July 2011 at 3:05 am

Wow, this is a stunning story and so special with regards to your dad : ) xx
Shin wrote on
--> 2 July 2011 at 6:21 am

Hi Ada! How sweet is that your father buys you flowers! I think it’s such an affectionate gesture and when a guy gives a girl a flower bouquet, it’s such romantic thing to do! So your birthday is in July?! How wonderful! I hope you will receive many flowers! Have a wonderful weekend! xoxoxoxoo
kira wrote on
--> 2 July 2011 at 6:23 am

one word- beautiful 🙂
http://www.northernstyle.blog.com
Georgianna wrote on
--> 2 July 2011 at 8:14 am

This is a beautiful post, Ada! What a lovely memory of your father bringing you flowers. There is nothing like flowers, is there? Of course you already know that I love them. 🙂 Happy weekend. xo – g
Monica {bohemian twilight} wrote on
--> 2 July 2011 at 9:58 pm

lovely.
what a great dad, you’re a very lucky daughtlovely.
what a great dad, you’re a very lucky daughter.er.
Haute World wrote on
--> 2 July 2011 at 11:52 pm

I’ve known about the secret language of flowers and think it’s a beautiful thing. A shame that some of the flower giving has become so generic now (cheap bouquets in supermarkets or overpriced variants during Valentine’s Day) and for so many is only considered during special occasions. My mother always has flowers around the house and I do love it when my husband spontaneously brings home a bouquet.
Captivated by image wrote on
--> 3 July 2011 at 10:33 pm

Oh my, I’ve missed out on a very gorgeous post! Beautiful pairings <3 Flowers go straight to the heart, it always amazes me how enjoying their beauty can be something so special. I think your father does a great job at giving you lovely gestures 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend.
Claire wrote on
--> 4 July 2011 at 12:08 am

Ada, these images are so beautiful – breathtakingly so – and your dad – what a lovely story xx

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