Happy Monday to you. I very excited today to be starting a new series called – Monthly Botanical Pick Me Up. Lately, I have come to realise my obsession with green goodness does not only cover house plants. I have been harbouring lots of pastimes, found things and tips that relate to my ever growing passion for plants and nature. The photos in this first post are of a Sophora prostrata plant or ‘little baby’. Something I have been looking for since we saw them in Paris last April but sadly could not bring one back with us. I picked this delicate little beauty up in gorgeous Lewes shop From Victoria, where I admit, I am becoming a regular offender! That combined with this weekend’s favourite read ‘Living With Plants’, a beautiful little book I bought over in Hege Morris’s lovely shop S220 – I have been in green raptures.
So – Monthy Botanical Pick Me Up – Because that’s exactly what all things green are to me. They filter the air, deter illness and some even help with my Asthma. Unlike other plants – orchids and succulents actually take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night too. So if you keep them in your bedroom like me, they keep the oxygen flowing at night. I am loving learning more about the health benefits of living with plants, every day. Simply being in the presence of nature can also improve concentration and productivity. According to studies – being “under the influence of plants” can increase memory retention. I am not sure about the memory thing, but I am definitely under the influence. Our office, brimming with green makes me feel joyful every day – so surely that can only help to ease the working day.
I have also been missing my monthly Instagram get-togethers with Natasha from 2015. So this year I thought I would indulge my green thumbs further and share all my botanical pictures with a new hashtag and if you join in, I will get to keep up with your leafy antics too. So say hello to #botanicalpickmeup . Since we moved here (almost three years ago – I can’t quite believe it has been that long) and started looking after plants outside and indoors, caring for all things green has been a revelation. A few minutes of complete escape and bliss in each day. Then becoming part of Igor and Judith’s Urban Jungle bloggers gang encouraged me to keep it up, growing our indoor garden way beyond anything I ever imagined.
If you’d like to join me on my continuing plant journey, I would love to share my favourite photos here each month. Just share your leafy images with @lobsterandswan and #botanicalpickmeup
It could be your latest green reading material, a green juice, plant-patterned fabric, art prints, your garden, houseplants, bonsai tree or seedlings – go nuts, just keep it botanical. see you over on IG soon :)
What a really lovely idea! I’ve noticed you like your botanicals as your photos are always so serene and magnificent :). I’ll be sure to join in on Instagram x
Alina from The Fairytale Pretty Picture
Hooray and Thank you Alina! I can’t wait to see your serene green joys x
Such a lovely idea. I love your pictures with the plants. They feel so calming.
Such a lovely idea. I love your pictures with the plants. They feel so calming.
Thank you so much Helen :) x
Oooh I have been desiring one of those sophora for a while now, too. I saw a big one in Kew, growing in the Mediterranean garden last year and then the ‘Little Baby’ houseplant started to pop up in my Pinterest feed and I’ve been lusting ever since. I obviously need to make a trip to Lewes soon!
Yes! Get over there, Sabrina – they are so beautiful :)
Yes! Get over there, Sabrina – they are so beautiful :)
Oooh I have been desiring one of those sophora for a while now, too. I saw a big one in Kew, growing in the Mediterranean garden last year and then the ‘Little Baby’ houseplant started to pop up in my Pinterest feed and I’ve been lusting ever since. I obviously need to make a trip to Lewes soon!
Love this post, I am a little obsessed with Victoria too, I saw the Sephora on her ig and am popping down later this week to see if there are any in stock still, they are so so pretty! It’s so nice surrounding yourself with greenery, I think it adds another dimension to your home! My husband does say he feels like he is living in a jungle these days though!
Such a great shop! I hear ya, a common feeling for all the husbands I know -including mine obvs ;)
Maybe they should start a jungle anonymous group hah!
Love this post, I am a little obsessed with Victoria too, I saw the Sephora on her ig and am popping down later this week to see if there are any in stock still, they are so so pretty! It’s so nice surrounding yourself with greenery, I think it adds another dimension to your home! My husband does say he feels like he is living in a jungle these days though!
Love this and love everything green, especially houseplants!!
Yay! Thank you :)
Yay! Thank you :)
A lovely post Jeska; this would make a sweet gift for a mother to be to nurture!
Thank you Lynn. Yes it would! x
Thank you Lynn. Yes it would! x
A lovely post Jeska; this would make a sweet gift for a mother to be to nurture!
Lovely post, and I am loving your gorgeous plant! You’ve inspired me to go and bring more plants into my home! x
Yay Emma! We have been feeling way healthier over the last couple of years – no colds OR flu so far – touch wood! :)