It just occurred to me that I really miss blogging. I need to do this more often and I’m making a promise to myself to make a comeback in 2020. I’m not promising to be better on Instagram but my blog is my baby and it needs my attention.
2019 was a roller-coaster of well, everything. Personally, it was a tough year for many reasons. Nathan is now an entrepreneur which is so exciting but was financially a struggle to start with. In a few years we will be comfortable but it’s been tough cutting back, living from month to month, and counting every dirham that comes in and then goes back out. I feel like all my money goes on groceries. (Why do kids eat so much? lol) It’s got easier in the last 2 months because I’m working and had a pretty good run of weddings, but I know in a few months that will slow down. Last year was the first year in a long time that I had to ask Nathan for money, and it was so hard. (Hello babe, can I have some cash for a food shop please. Blahhhhhh) and It’s caused so much anxiety along with panic attacks, and for anyone who knows what it’s like to feel this way, you’ll know it really sucks. Nathan is also away 5 days a week, and even though we make it work it’s still tough because our ‘husband and wife’ time is limited, and having 2 kids under 4 keeps us busy, even with help. BUT I can’t complain, we have a house, a decent car that gets us from A-Z, healthy kids and I love my job. In the grand scheme of things, life is good. So yeah, when you break it down its not so bad. (It’s way more complicated but I won’t bore you with the details) and please remember that this little blog is like my journal, its ok to have a moan now and again right?
In early 2019 I had big dreams of making The Lovely Flower Co. a full-blown online store with maybe some staff, a branded van and online delivery service…. But reality is, you need loads of money to start a business and also support. So I’ve done what I can with the help from friends, my mum and amazing people like Bernie + Bindi, Monica and Mona.
Styling weddings plus doing all the florals has been the best thing I’ve ever done. I LOVE styling with flowers and having full creative control over every detail now has been a game changer. It’s really hard because its labor intensive, and being a florist isn’t easy but it’s worth it. I’m not sure where MLW is going in 2020 but my gut feeling tells me it’s going to be good. I think I’ve realized even more so now that I adore working on smaller weddings, and with brides that I connect with. I’ve been so lucky that this season every bride has been amazing, and I miss them. Every wedding was unique in its own way, and every relationship I had was special in its own way too and I think it’s because they trusted me 100% with my vision, with their desires and even though I need to make more money now than ever before (School fees are not cheap here in Dubai) I have decided not to take on everything that comes my way, and I shouldn’t discount my fee because WE (That’s Myself, Kara and Mona) are really damn good at what we do. So yeah, thats all for now.
I’ll be back in a few weeks with another blog. I promise. But for now… have a lovely day.
Joelle xx
