Celebrity London florist and founder of Bloom, Larry Walshe, shares his guide to creating an extravagant Valentine’s experience regardless of lockdown.
There are plenty of ways to make 14 February 2021 a Valentine’s Day to remember so don’t be disheartened by Lockdown.
From fine dining or enjoying cocktails, to getting your craft on together, there are lots of things we can do to mark the occasion, so, whether you’re lucky enough to be celebrating together at home or having to catch up via video call, Larry Walshe, founder of the newest luxury online florist, Bloom, is sharing his essential guide to an indulgent lockdown Valentine’s Day.
Larry says: “Whilst Valentine’s Day is looking a little different this year, as ever, it’s always important to look at the positives. The pressure of securing a booking at the trendiest restaurant, finding a meaningful gift in a one-hour lunch break, or trying not to crush your flowers on the commute home has been lifted this year and that’s a huge relief.
“With a little thought and planning, there’s no reason this Valentine’s Day can’t be the most extravagant and special celebration of your relationship yet.
“This year is a chance to really make the day personal and intimate rather than just going through the standard motions – and all without even leaving home!”
Whether you’re together or apart this Valentine’s Day, read on for Larry’s guide to enjoying the ultimate lockdown Valentine’s experience.
The Valentine’s Day scent…
Whilst you may have given some thought to the romantic setting – flickering candles, fairy lights, or a beautifully dressed table for example – have you considered the scent?
For the ultimate Valentine’s Day fragrance look to Tuberose by Diptyque; a heady yet fresh, green scent, delicately nuanced with fruity, milky notes. Need we say more?
For a slightly lighter, floral scent, opt for Red Roses by Jo Malone; a blend of seven of the world’s most exquisite roses.
If your loved one prefers a fresher scent, try No.22’s Lawn Scented Candle. Think wet, freshly cut grass with gentle floral undertones, transporting you to springtime.
Nothing says I love you like the perfect box of chocolates…
No sentiment of ‘I love you’ is quite complete without an exquisite box of chocolates.
Spare no expense and opt for the classic Valentine’s treat of Charbonnel et Walker Pink Marc de Champagne Chocolate Truffles. A powder pink box, housing luxurious white chocolate truffles, flavoured with a hint of strawberry and a creamy milk chocolate Marc de Champagne centre. Just heavenly.
For a selection of decadently smooth and creamy milk, dark and ruby chocolates, look to Fortnum & Mason for their Heart Chocolate Selection Box. If it’s good enough for the Queen…
And if it’s a vegan treat you’re after, indulge in a box of Chocolate Caramel Cups from Copperhouse Chocolate. A mixed box of chocolate cups made with organic dark chocolate and filled with coconut salted caramel or a coffee-liqueur caramel centre. Divine.
Be bolder with your choice of bubbles…
Fizz is synonymous with celebration so Valentine’s Day should be no different. And it falls on a Sunday this year so you can start earlier than usual!
Consider something a little different this year – English sparkling wine tends to get a bad rap but gems can be found. The Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage from Nyetimber has been consistently crowned one of England’s best sparkling wines. Described as ‘intense yet delicate, elegant yet complex’, it will make the perfect pairing to your day. Better yet the brand is committed to a sustainable and holistic approach to their land, the resources they use and to reducing the carbon footprint involved in production.
A fantastic alcohol-free option is Noughty Alcohol-Free Sparkling Chardonnay from Thomson & Scott. It’s also certified Vegan and Halal to boot.
Make your daily walk extra special…
What could be more romantic than enjoying a sunrise or sunset walk on Valentine’s Day?
If you’re in the city, make the most of it being crowd-free and simply enjoy exploring. Be a tourist for a change and get lost together – there’s nowhere else you need to be! Just remember to look up and admire the colourful skies.
And don’t forget to put the fizz on ice ready to enjoy when you get back.
Food…
If you’re after something extra special, why not bring some luxury to your dining table? Many London restaurants are offering delivery services including the Michelin starred HIDE Restaurant in Mayfair. The current weekend menu includes salad of winter chicory, pink grapefruit, mint and gingerbread; Cornish fish ‘bourride’, confit new potatoes, steamed greens, artichokes with lemon, thyme and black olive; warm pumpkin clafoutis with nutmeg and dried fruits soaked in earl grey with a choice of red, white and fizz. Michelin fare delivered to your door – a delightfully decadent Valentine’s Day treat.
Fancy the feeling of rustling something up but in need a little help in the kitchen? Look to Claridges for their ‘Dine at home’ option, enabling you to enjoy an array of dishes from the Lobster Wellington to the Claridge’s classic chicken pie. And as it’s Valentine’s Day, why not include a bottle of Laurent-Perrier ‘La Cuvee’? Orders can be collected or delivered and simply need to be finished in the oven, plated and devoured.
If you’re after a more affordable but just as tasty option, treat yourself to a delivery box, which contains all the pre-portioned ingredients you need to create a delicious meal for two. Hello Fresh has a fantastic range of meat and plant-based options, or if you love fish why not try Rick Stein’s At Home Food Boxes.
Don’t forget the roses…
No Valentine’s Day is complete without beautiful flowers, so whether you’re after ruby red, hot pink or light pink roses, romantic bouquets or thoughtful single stems, Bloom has something for everyone.
Whatever you decide, just remember that of all the years to strike the right tone come February 14th, this lockdown V-Day is the one. Suffice to say that this Valentine’s Day we will all deserve a bit of pampering and pleasure.
For more information on Bloom and/or Larry Walshe, or to buy your own Valentine’s bouquet please visit: www.bybloom.co.uk
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About Bloom
Launched in October 2020, Bloom is an online luxury flower delivery service created by celebrity London florist and designer, Larry Walshe.
Bloom is unlike any other online flower delivery service, offering a variety of options to suit all requirements, including hand tied Luxury Gift Bouquets (from £75), bunches of Market Flowers, which come direct from the grower (from £30), and flexible Best in Bloom flower subscription (£35 per box, per delivery).
Uniquely, Bloom is reinventing the way we buy flowers online by offering customers a revolutionary and hyper personalised Create Your Own Bouquet service. Starting from £44, customers can pick the stems, foliage, size, colour, sentiment, and overall look of their desired bouquet – just as they would in a florist – with Bloom then bringing the vision to life.
The Bloom website also features a Curated Home Collection of chic vases and trendy pots & plants, and there is a generous loyalty programme for customers to earn reward points towards future purchases.
Bloom is the first luxury online florist in the UK to be entirely sustainable and 100% plastic-free. The packaging is recyclable and/or compostable, all orders are shipped using DPD – the cleanest, greenest courier service currently available in the UK – and the brand also partners with the World Land Trust, planting trees to offset its carbon footprint.
Flowers arrive in Bloom’s stylish signature designed and fresh-water packaging and can be enjoyed at their very best instantly, with free deliveries for purchases of £100 or more.
For more information on Bloom, visit www.bybloom.co.uk.
