Blooming, blossoming, budding flowers EVERYWHERE. If spring means anything at all, then it's flowers. 

I had a completely different vision for this post, but felt like I HAD to post about this instead. If you read my London Edition blog post in this spring-spiration series, you'll have seen that one of the things I recommended to do was to attend The RHS Chelsea Flower Show and to say that half the city had the same idea is an understatement. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show took over the SW3 area all week and it was heaving with people wanting to get in on some of the floral action. I was there working on Wednesday so thought I'd share a few snaps.

As well as the show itself, a lot the shop fronts in the area get decked out in elaborate and beautiful floral installations, along with individual, large, floral structures scattered across the streets. For anyone who wasn't able to purchase a ticket, this was a great way to still  get an essence of the the Flower Show and Chelsea in Bloom offered a great walking tour of all the installations for everyone to see.

The Chelsea Flower Show really upped it's game this year. There were definitely more installations - more out-there installations - than there have been previously and it was great to witness and be a part of all the hard work produced by so many different florists and stylists. The creativity that goes into everything is out of this world. More importantly, it was great seeing such good work getting recognised and appreciated.

Sadly, the last day of the Chelsea Flower Show was yesterday, however, some of these installations should still be up for a little while, so get yourself down to Sloane Square to start your own tour and get exploring.

©London Perfect

It's lighter, it's less chilly and those April Showers are ever present, but it doesn't matter because it means that being outside isn't the least favourable option anymore when making plans.

One of the best things about spring is just the ability to be outdoors again. London has been in hibernation for months, we've all been staying in doors, or sheltering in warm cafés, but now that's about to change...well at least by 50% depending on how much it rains, bur remember, we're focusing on the sun! Rain? What? Who? Never heard of him.

So while we sit here and ghost rain out of our lives, here's a guide to just some of the fab things to do this season in the capital.

| WALKING IN THE CITY |

If you're anything like me and enjoy walking whatever the weather, then this may not be as exciting to you. On the other hand, if your commute over this long drawn-out winter has consisted of nothing but trains, buses and Uber rides, then pack in the gym membership because now is the time to get walking and build those steps up on your pedometer in the spring air. Spending an afternoon strolling around Richmond Park or Hampstead Heath is nothing but wondrous in spring. Not only will you see all the flowers that are budding, but you can actually enjoy being outdoors again. Even if it's just skipping the bus that you take for just those four stops home from the station, or even getting off a stop earlier on the tube, it is worth it to get that spring air into your lungs.

| RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW |

Speaking of budding flowers, if you're like me and go gaga over them, then get booking a ticket to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show! In fact, if you go gaga over flowers then chances are you have probably already been, but it doesn't matter, go again! If you haven't been then all you need to know is that it is the world's most esteemed flower show, showcasing the beauty and power of plants and flowers in all colours, shapes and sizes. Ideal for anyone who likes the outdoors as well as the budding botanists.

| LONDON COFFEE FESTIVAL |
©Shlur

| PROSECCO SPRINGS |

| OPEN AIR THEATRE |

With a choice between Shakespeare's Globe and the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, a trip to the theatre is must. Did you know that Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is the one of the largest theatres in London? The cinema trips can be saved for when it's raining but for when the weather is fairly stable, you can go and watch a performance of Hamlet at The Globe or As You Like It and a magical twilight show of Peter Pan at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Maybe even slurp on some Prosecco while you're there too.

| THE LONDON MARATHON |

Now this is something you can either participate in running yourself or going and cheer on those who are participating. The London Marathon is coming, the vibe is electric, 2.62 miles of electric vibes to be exact, with people running for great charities and causes. Usually over 40,000 take part and just going to support those troopers is an experience in itself. Besides, a lot of the major roads will be closed so there's usually a little of difficulty getting around, so you might as well join in the fun!

©bungabungaldn

There is no way I could talk about spring without first mentioning one of the best parts of it, and that is Easter. Just like Christmas, Easter has it's own trademark products, images and visuals associated with it that we get bombarded with every year. Some of which include Easter eggs, fluffy stick-on chicks for kids crafts, bunny rabbits and OTT cartoon illustration of Jesus with light beams radiating from him.

Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate the chocolate (Cadbury's Mini Eggs for the win 🙌) and those fluffy stick-on chicks take me back to my primary school days, but what are the original foundations of Easter?

Easter follows Lent (which you can read a little about in my Pancake Day post here) in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and pays a fundamental part in the heart of Christianity. Palm Sunday marks the first day of Holy Week, the week in the lead-up to Easter and honours Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey, where crowds of people came to greet and worship him, throwing palm leaves on the road. Later in the week, is Maundy Thursday, the day that remembers the night of the Passover meal Jesus had with his disciples, most commonly known as the Last Supper. Here Jesus talks of his upcoming death and tells his disciples to love and serve one another. Today Christians remember this by breaking bread and drinking wine together, known as the act of taking Communion. Next is Good Friday, where the church recognises the crucifixtion, suffering and death of Jesus and what it means to their faith. But that isn't the end as Easter Sunday acknowledges his resurrection and his triumph over death. If you want to read the full detailed story, you can find Palm it in the Bible in the book of John chapter 12 (Palm Sunday) and Matthew chapter 26 to 28.

Easter is about redemption and love, but is also a time that celebrates, new life, hope and joy, all the things that also comes with spring too, another reason that makes it a great season. That being said, I enjoy celebrating Easter and am a sucker for all the extras the comes with it (chocolate included) so here are some great things you can do this Easter weekend. Speaking of chocolate...

| EASTER EGG HUNTS AND TRAILS |

If Easter is more of a family affair for you with little ones, head on down to Hampton Court Palace who are hosting an Easter Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt around the gardens, with other activities including chocolate tasting.

Or visit Lauderdale House for their Easter Egg-stravaganza, where they'll be, well, Easter eggs, an egg hunt AND Easter egg decorating!

If you're more of a Cadbury's fan than Lindt, Cadbury's have their own string of egg hunts at Ham House, Osterly Park and Morden Hall Park, just to name a few. If chocolate surrounded by beautiful surroundings isn't enough to make it a great day out for the whole family, then the fact that all proceeds go towards funding vital conservation work should do the trick.

| THEMED FOOD AND DRINK |

©astervictoria

Adults, don't worry there is some Lindt fun in the line-up for you as well. Chocolate Easter egg cocktails, Easter egg pizzas and about a billion Easter themed afternoon teas across the city. The Chocolate Surprise cocktail served in a giant chocolate egg at Aster is by far a fantastic way to jazz up an Easter themed brunch menu. The standout however titled 'The Eggs-troadinaire Pizza' complete with a custard base (instead of tomato sauce) and Creme Eggs, Mini Eggs and Lindt chocolate bunnies for toppings.

| THE PASSION OF JESUS |

©LondonTown

Come and see the story Good Friday, brought to life in a moving performance right in the centre of Trafalgar Square. Back for the ninth year in a row, with more than 100 cast members from the Wintershall Players accompanied by doves, horses and donkeys, will be putting on a lifelike rendition of the crucifixion. An event that usually draws in tens of thousands each year, and is an ideal event to attend before or after a contemplative service.

| WESTMINSTER ABBEY AND ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL |

©stpaulscathedral

There will be services taking place at Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral and all churches across London over the duration of the Easter Weekend. All of which you can visit freely - a great opportunity to do so if you haven't been to either the Abbey or Cathedral.

Don't worry if you can't make it into the centre of London though, you can pop into your local church for any of the services happening. Going to a service is a a great way to connect to the heart of Easter. Different churches will have different service times, so be sure to check times on each date in advance.

| SUNDAY ROAST |

©scoffandbanter

Now it wouldn't be Easter Sunday if there was no Sunday roast involved. I don't know about you, but a having a roast on Easter Sunday has always been a tradition. Whether that's going out to feast on your favourite pub lunch or cooking up a storm at home, a roast is a must.  To celebrate Easter, Scoff & Banter in Kensington has been highly recommended, offering a signature roast to the sound of live jazz.

Whatever it is you end up doing this weekend, whether you'll be spending it reflecting and celebrating at church, or making the most of a long overdue bank holiday, I wish you all a Happy Easter. May it involved plenty of chocolate!

Spring is FINALLY here! Despite the fact it is not in full swing just yet and the first day of spring has just been and gone, plus the clocks have now gone forward, I'm done with winter! I'm done with the freak weather changes, I'm done with too many close encounters with frostbite and I'm ready for spring to take over and make an appearance.

If you have spoken to anyone who lives in the UK recently or even just interact with any Brits on social media, you would have heard the complaining and seen the images and videos about the freezing weather and snow days this month. If you live in the UK you would have contributed to said complaining and probably enjoyed the snow for the first day but was over it by day two/three.

We've been waiting (for a while) and we're ready! The UK is ready for a new season! I definitely feel as though I have been wearing my winter coat for far too long now. It isn't just about the weather though. Winter can be tough. Quite like snow, it is nice at first but then the further in the season gets, the more challenging it becomes. December and January especially, can be the most difficult months for some people, who retreat into isolation, struggle with loneliness and feel distress about the next stages in their lives. The start of spring symbolises more than just the transition in seasons. It symbolises the start of new things, change, refreshing and hope.

What else do I think of when I think of spring? Longer days, Easter, bank holidays, sunny strolls, wearing less layers, pastel colours, seasonal salads, afternoon tea, daffodils, cherry blossom, spring cleans, revamped interiors and new found creativity. It just generally is a season to get excited about. Mainly because, let's be honest, it's a foretaste of summer.

So with all that wonderfulness in mind (whilst deliberately ignoring the reality of April Showers which plays a big part in spring as well), it is time to pack those thermal vests away and get stuck into all that spring has to offer. The thought alone has got me exhilarated and inspired, so much so that I'll be dedicating the next couple of weeks on the blog to all things spring-spiration! From things you can do in the capital, to how you can let spring motivate and influence your every day, all of which will be things to hopefully help put a spring in your step ;-)

Last year Back in 2016, Law's London installation - which you can read about and see images of in my post here - used 1,400 stems but the scale of this installation sees approximately 375,000 preserved flora from a personal collection, saved over the last decade, handcrafted into garlands.

Law tells us,

"It's difficult to flow against the cycle of life and death, trying to preserve and hold on to a material that traditionally has little or no value in a modern culture. The natural world has been at the core of my artwork and I have always longed to create art that enables the viewer to find serenity within nature, transporting them into a space without the constraints of time and where there is still life in death."

It's definitely worth a worth a visit, as are the other exhibitions in the gallery. In fact, if you're yet to make plans for Mother's Day, treat her to a trip to Kew Gardens, with afternoon tea in The Orangery followed by a visit to this exhibition of preserved flora. A little different than giving a traditional bouquet of flowers.

Exhibition on Until March 11th

Fore more details click here.