It may have crossed some of your minds that Bloom Essentials is a bit of a strange name for a spa but, like most things around here, there is a story behind it. Kim and I are both registered aromatherapists and, when we first opened in 1997, essential oils were our main focus so the name made perfect sense. So many of the essential oils we love are derived from flowers (hence the word 'bloom') and, well, the 'essentials' part is pretty obvious. As the years went by, and the spa portion of our business became more and more popular, the essential oils sort of went by the wayside but the original name stuck and has come to mean so much more than we originally intended.
It just so happens that we are also located right next door to the incomparable Hilary Miles Flowers and usually about once a day someone comes down our stairs by accident. We figure they have flowers on their mind, see the word 'bloom' on our sign and make a beeline for us. We are not sure exactly when it happened but at some point when they would say "Oh, I thought you were a flower shop" we started responding with "Actually, we're a spa... but there are lots of ways to bloom!" At first it was just a cute and witty response but we soon realized it really was true.
This week our birthday celebration will focus on the word 'bloom' and why we think it ties in so perfectly with our grand prize from PhoTobin Photography. We look forward to sharing our thoughts and can't wait to see what the Bloomers themselves come up with!
Today's Challenge
It's Monday. We'll go easy on you by starting the week with a literal meaning of the word 'bloom'. All you have to do is share your favourite type of flower in the comments below and you could be randomly selected to win a $25 gift certificate to Hilary Miles Flowers. Don't forget that every time you participate in a daily challenge you gain an additional entry for the PhoTobin Photography prize package. And just to sweeten the pot a little more, if you post a picture of your favourite flower on our Facebook page you'll earn another grand prize entry!
Comments
Peonies!
What are your favorite flowers?
Peonies, they surprise me every time I see them. Effusive and beautiful.
tulips – because they bring colour to our lives when we so need it, they are a sure sign of spring and ‘things that bloom’ or soon will, and because I love the way they stand so tall and proud
Orchids…everyday but I love peonies in spring!
stargazer lilies!! :)
Lilacs only bloom for about 2 weeks in spring and I fill every room in my house with cuttings because I love the smell. But there really is no bad flower in my book!
Gerber daisies in pink of course! :)
Daisies! So simple, classic and easy to come by.
I love wild roses, they smell like heaven. I discovered them when we moved into our new home. They grow wild on the path around the waters edge! I will post my photo on FB!!
Orchids. Definetly orchids.
Stargazer lilies!
calla lilies and orchids
peonies! they’re beautiful and smell delicious. plus, when fully bloomed they look so puffy and soft that it makes me think of the “marshmallow stuffed pillows” from I Had Trouble In Getting To Solla Sollew", and makes me wish I could sleep on them. :)
Dahlias in arrangements and white bleeding hearts in the garden:)
Daisies! They are sweet, simple and grow wild and free.
Lily of the Valley.
Roses – with a scent. And cow parsley … So whimsical and reminds me of home (England).
Lilacs are my fav! They smell so great, but only last a short time :(
Any flower in Hot pink is a close second!
Tulips are my favorite. So pretty and unpretentious!
Daffodils have always been one of my favorites!
Orchids
I have a hard time narrowing it down to one flower. I currently have an arrangement from my garden which includes peonies, ladies mantle, astrantia and campanula, with some spiky crocosmia leaves and it’s a lovely combination but the peonies definitely stand out!
Lilacs. I love walking down the streets and getting the scent of lilacs in the air!
Blue Hydrangeas
gerber daisy – even more so, since found my engagement ring tucked in one (nine years ago!)
hot pink gerber daisies:)
Peonies. Or any flower that finds it’s way into my home.
Cheery cherry blossoms! I love the way our Kits streets look in early spring. <3
Peonies!! LOVE the fullness of the bloom and how pretty they are!
Hydrangea, any color at all… Always pretty!
Absolutely love peonies! Definitely my new favourite flower!
Nelly Moser clematis – reminds me of my late grandmother Nelly
Gerberas!
Daffodils! Beautiful, bright yellow, and the first sign of spring.
Gerber daisies! I love bouquets of Gerber daisies mixed with roses!
Peonies!
Gerbera daisies!
Gerber daisies, cause they are so bright and pretty!
Roses they come in so many different coulors (MY FAV)HOT PINK & BABY PINK,& there’s a meaning that goes along with each coulor :)
peonies… but honestly, any flower from Hillary’s is my favourite! I tell Tobin, I’d rather 1 flower from Hillary Mile’s than a whole bouquet from anywhere else!
Dahlia’s. Always have loved them but not very good at growing them. :-)
Gerberas!
plumeria and tuberose (hawaiian flowers remind me of my wedding :)
Iris! Even if they look like grass half the time :)
Gerbra daisies and Stephanotis
Lily of the Valley. Nothing takes me all the way back down memory lane like picking these gorgeous sweet smelling blooms for my grade school teachers. Understated and simply beautiful.
There are so many but right now – White Nicotiana – lovely fragrance!
By far, I love Gerber daisies the best! My husband always makes sure they are in any bouquets he gets for me and my kids always draw them in their pictures for me!
Peonies are my fave!
Lilly of the Valley!
Nice and easy for a Monday morning. For me, it’s a Eustoma, also known as a Lisianthus (dark purple to be precise). That’s what I had at my wedding last year :)
White Phalaenopsis orchid <3
I <3 Peonies! I had them at my wedding and my heart melts every time I see them!