One of the things I miss most about London is flowers – a strange comment as there are flowers everywhere – but what I mean is that I miss being within close proximity of some truly lovely flower sellers (see here, here and here) and I’ve not yet found a florists in Dublin that quite comes up to the Olympian heights of Wild At Heart

Though not a market but a shop, it’s one of the first places I recommend friends go when I know they’ll be visiting London for a week or more (because then they’ll be able to get the most out of any flowers bought!). Pop by when you first arrive and basque in the gloriousness of the tailor made bouquet for your entire trip, I promise you, the hotel’s flowers will have nothing on a Nikki Tibbles luxury bouquet! Just make sure you photograph every inch of it, that way it’ll last forever!

I discovered these photos whilst trawling through old London photo albums and was stunned to realise I had never shared them on here, which was the complete intention when taking them – which makes me wonder what other gems have been misplaced over time within my hard drive!

*cue massive laptop clearout!!*

At the time of taking these, I didn’t actually know that we would be leaving London so soon – we hadn’t even discussed it yet! If you live in London and have yet to visit this iconic flower shop, consider that lack of attendance a travesty and make it your mission to have a goo sometime soon! (then tag me in your post so I can live vicariously through you!)

Short Sleeved Coat (sold out, similar) | Scarf (made by me) | Jeans | Top | Shoes (previous season, similar)

Turquoise Island is the stores official location name and has become a total institution. It was designed in 1993 by Mr Piers Gough, the creator of the National Portrait Gallery and this little slice of floral heaven has actually now achieved listed status, which I think is incredible, though totally understandable! It’s bright turquoise tiles can be seen from quite some distance and will beckon you towards it’s brightly coloured treats – moths to a flame style!

There, you’ll find steel bucket, after steel bucket,

after steel bucket dotted all around the wedges exterior, stuffed full of the most beautiful flowers – some spilling out, some standing tall waiting to be chosen – it’s a wonderful place to spend some time and oh my GOODNESS do they do some truly incredible wreaths!!

If you just twitched because you thought I was mentioning Christmas, relax, I meant Autumnal wreaths…..although FYI, they do AMAZING Winter wreaths too, in case you’re in the market… (don’t be mad!)

My top tip: Unless you have a super SUPER clear idea of the type of bouquet you’re craving, I would go to one of the extremely helpful staff who work there and bow down to their knowledge unreservedly. State your price point and ask them to make you as beautiful a bouquet as possible for that amount, stand back and let them work their magic! Maybe admire your shoes whilst you wait…which is exactly what I did!

Flowers and Manolos are a match made in heaven in my opinion – both are the epitome of optimism! I bought these booties in 2016 when Himself and I went on our Honeymoon in New York, I went into the Manhattan store (you get treated SO much better than if you go into a store that stocks lots of different brands, plus the staff are so much more knowledgeable!) and shopped ’till I dropped – actually – what am I like explaining when you could just read it here!?!

Roses and Ranunculus were the flowers of the moment when we were there and honestly, their scents were divine – yes I remember – they were that good!

Once you’ve got your flowers, take that iconic Instagram x Wild at Heart picture

and perhaps LOOK at the camera!

That’s better!

Afterwards, take yourself back through Notting Hill’s Portobello road, peruse the various shops and their wears and seeing as you’re there…why not go full tilt tourist and visit the Notting Hill book shop and that famous Blue Door from the film too!?! (I feel, not doing so would be like going to King’s Cross Station and NOT seeking out Platform 9 3/4’s, it just wouldn’t happen! Am I right!?!)

What’s a flower shop I should visit here in Dublin? If you live outside Ireland, do you have a go-to store where you buy your flowers or do you just hop into any oul florists?