my february video, flowers in Paris

by Sharon Santoni

clarisse puts the final touches to a flower arrangement

I am excited today to bring you a new video, shot entirely in Paris, where I spent the day last week with my girlfriend Clarisse Beraud, one of the best floral artists in the city, and a of course someone you may recognise from my book.

flowers for sale at wholesale market

The day was a tiny bit long, as we started at the Parisian wholesale markets before dawn, and worked straight through to early evening, but it was fun, and hey!  you hardly have to twist my arm for me to spend the whole day surrounded by flowers!

sharon santoni and clarisse beraud in flower workshop

I love the Paris flower markets, buying is reserved for professionals only, and I never miss an opportunity to visit.   The bustle, the perfumes, the noise, and of course the pure quality and selection of the plants, I love it all.  Some of the plants are flown in from abroad, but there are still a lot of French producers selling their speciality  flowers, in particular in the spring and summer, when the local rose producers turn up with truck loads of pure heaven.

We drove back in to Paris just as everyone was heading to work, that magical hour when the light is golden and the day is still fresh.

Once at Clarisse’s store,  Atelier Vertumne, she showed me how to put together one of her signature bouquets and it was lovely to watch her expert hands work their magic.

flowers arrangment with roses

And if you would like to spend two inspirational days with me in Paris,  immersed in flowers and floral art , I have a very limited number of places available for a two-day floral tour on the 12th and 13th of May.   The tour will include a visit to the wholesale market, visits to some of the best florists in the city, and the best places to admire floral art.  There will also be a lesson with Clarisse, and a day at the fantastic plant fair in the grounds of the château de Chantilly.  So much concentrated beauty!    You are welcome to email me for details HERE

plant fair in the grounds of the chateau de chantilly

I hope you like this new video.  To stay informed as soon as we publish any new films, then be sure to subscribe to the MFCH YouTube channel.

Atelier Vertumne

12 rue de la Sourdiere, 75001

red roses for sale

Enregistrer

90 comments

Justine February 21, 2016 - 12:55 pm

Lovely Sharon – perfect choice of music. Well done.

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Kerstin Trott February 21, 2016 - 1:09 pm

How gorgeous and such an inspiration – thank you very much! Kind regards,
Kerstin

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It's me February 21, 2016 - 1:15 pm

Wowwww this is magic…..love to see this flowers is my life,…we have a flowershop in Holland and i really like to work with flowers every day..i can’t imagine a life without flowers…Nice movie…like it a lot Paris is our favorite city…..love from je Ria x

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Dianne B February 21, 2016 - 1:19 pm

Thank you for the uplifting minutes spent watching your pretty video! I really needed that

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Our French Oasis February 21, 2016 - 1:30 pm

Fabulous video, now I am hoping I might learn to arrange flowers – not my strong point, I’m more of a pick a bunch from the garden or hedgerow and pop them in a vase on the table naturally spelling out over the edges x

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Kimberlee February 21, 2016 - 1:45 pm

What a beautiful and wonderful gift your video is. I shall keep it and rewatch it for a very long time. Thank you.

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wendy February 21, 2016 - 1:49 pm

Lovely video, thank you. I wish I could join you in Paris in May – maybe next time. x

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Allison February 21, 2016 - 2:01 pm

I love the bubble vase!

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Corinne February 21, 2016 - 2:07 pm

Flower arrangement is one of those skills I have yet to cultivate! This video is stunning and lovely, and so inspirational. Your skills are always a welcome visual inspiration as well. Interestingly, you and your friend make it look so easy. It is not. Thank you ever so much for this.

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Vicky from Athens February 21, 2016 - 2:21 pm

Sharon – What a wonderful way to start my day!! The video was such a treat and I will be watching it many times. I’m sure each time I watch I’ll see something I missed before. Thank you this lovely Sunday morning gift.
Vicky

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carolina elizabeth February 21, 2016 - 2:21 pm

That was so much fun to watch. Thank you for starting my day with some flowers and happy day to you. Carolina E.

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miranda February 21, 2016 - 2:22 pm

You nailed the music this time. Lovely

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Rita Key February 21, 2016 - 2:34 pm

Such a lovely video Sharon! I hope that we will see more! It made the start of my day here in the US.

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Kelly February 21, 2016 - 2:42 pm

So beautiful! Thanks for sharing this!

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Linda Mahkovec February 21, 2016 - 2:48 pm

Loved the video! Loved the flowers! Loved the journey of early morning flower market to Clarisse’s lovely shop – the that beautiful arrangement in the bubble vase. What an amazing day.

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Julie February 21, 2016 - 2:49 pm

What a cheery way to brighten this dull, overcast day here in Ontario! I can only imagine how beautiful it would be visiting the market, all those amazing colours and aromas. Thank you for this little burst of spring!

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Lisa February 21, 2016 - 3:09 pm

Where can I get a bubble vase?

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Sawyer Dianne February 22, 2016 - 12:47 am

In the U.S. it’s called the Small Circle of Best Buds Vase and can be found at save-on-crafts.com or Amazon ( currently out of stock ).

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Bev Cook February 21, 2016 - 3:16 pm

Thank you for providing such a beautiful video to start my day. I love Paris and have always dreamed of owning my own flower shop much like all the quaint little shops on the streets of Paris. The two of you must have had a wonderful day.

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Patty February 21, 2016 - 3:16 pm

Well, that was fun! Loved watching every moment! For someone who lives in the mid west US, it was a quick and wonderful visit to Paris– thank you!

P.S. More videos!

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Sally Bainbridge February 21, 2016 - 3:27 pm

With a cup of hot tea, your lovely video was a perfect beginning to my Connecticut Sunday. It felt as if I were right back in Paris! Merci a toi!

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Anna Conway February 21, 2016 - 3:32 pm

Love, love, love the video!

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Mary Anne Simpson February 21, 2016 - 3:35 pm

Absolutely beautiful video of flowers and friendship.

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Lynda Griffiths February 21, 2016 - 3:37 pm

What a wonderful respite from a cold and windy Sunday in the Cotswolds!
The colours remind me that Spring is just around the corner and to stay positive for all the Summer glory to come!
I love the idea of the bubble vase – I must look out for one!!
Thank you for another wonderful video Sharon
Lynda

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stacey snacks February 21, 2016 - 3:38 pm

2 beauties surrounded by beauty…..no hat needed! 😉

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Diana Ferguson February 21, 2016 - 3:43 pm

Inspiring flower arrangement . Fun video. Well done, once again, Sharon!
PS what was the music incidentally?

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Karena February 21, 2016 - 3:44 pm

Sharon, a beautiful floral gift to start Sunday morning! Oh and I love Clarisse’s silver locks!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

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Wendy February 21, 2016 - 3:46 pm

Thank you for a peak into the Paris flower market and Clarissse. You are all Parisian treasures!

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Marian from England February 21, 2016 - 3:47 pm

Loved it!! Sharon – Clarisse is a master at her art. What a beautiful arrangement and it was exactly the sort of arrangement that gladdens my heart! What dedication too to get up so early to purchase her flowers! Thank you for sharing this and it’s on my list of visits when I go to Paris.

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Jan Bell February 21, 2016 - 3:55 pm

Good morning Sharon from the cold still snowy state of Maine in the US. Your video only makes me continue to long for a trip to France and one of your tours. I was just talking last evening with one of my girlfriends about making this trip and she stated that I must include her. The music was just perfect, not that I minded the first video music, but this one was just perfect with the flowers and “traveling” to the flower shop. Looking forward to more videos!

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Marian from England February 21, 2016 - 3:55 pm

I forgot to ask Sharon – can you suggest a cafe/restaurant near to Vertumme? I’ve just realised we will be visiting Musée de l’Orangerie in the summer and it is not far. We could combine our visit but will need to include lunch! Hope you don’t mind me asking.

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Sharon Santoni February 23, 2016 - 12:11 am

Hi Marian, I had lunch at Au Bistro, rue marché st Honoré. Very small, very busy and very parisian, it was fun!

Sharon
x

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Janie February 21, 2016 - 4:19 pm

I loved this! Thank you Sharon for inspiring me on this Sunday morning. Flowers give such pleasure. Please keep doing your videos. Xo

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Vickie Cunningham February 21, 2016 - 4:54 pm

Absolutely lovely! A perfect video!

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Anne February 23, 2016 - 5:31 am

So very beautiful. Wished I go go to paris one day…… So enjoyed your video.

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Fran February 21, 2016 - 4:55 pm

Absolutely Stunning – your friend, too-Love her style and hair- Tres Chic Magnifique!!

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Juli February 21, 2016 - 4:56 pm

Absolutely stunning everything about your day in Paris. I love everything about it.
Sharon you are an inspiration to all women in the world, and especially the young ones who are wondering what are there out in the world for them to do.
I hope lots of them follows you.
Your truly wonderful together with everyone around you.
Take care now.

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Eileen February 21, 2016 - 5:16 pm

Just what I needed! Stuck in bed in Canada with the ‘flu and thoroughly miserable – I was transported to another world – I swear I could smell those lovely blooms, especially the freesia. Thanks for brightening my day.

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Parsimonious Decor Darling February 21, 2016 - 5:21 pm

Stunning video…it would be perfect on PBS in the États-Unis! Wonderfully shot, and beautifully done.

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Beth Williams February 21, 2016 - 5:29 pm

Just beautiful. Thanks for a lovely gift on a cloudy day. But, please, where does one find such a bubble vase, preferably here in the USA?

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Deborah February 21, 2016 - 5:34 pm

Sharon,
Thank you so very much! What a wonderful beginning to my bright Sunday morning! I so loved the video. I could almost place myself there, and the music was perfect! You always come up with the most interesting topics of choice for us readers! Thank you again!
XO. Deb

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Pamela February 21, 2016 - 5:42 pm

Thank you for sharing this video , wow! It was beautiful to see all the flowers, and see the
The floral design. I worked at a florist as extra help for Mother’s Day.. It was the best two
Weeks and fragrence was beautiful . The video was great.

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Jan miller February 21, 2016 - 5:42 pm

Stunning flower arrangement,and all my favorite flowers and colors. Thank you so much.
Makes me wish that I didn’t live at the other “end” of France as I would love to attend one of Clarisse’s lessons in flower arranging.
Thank you. Jan.

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Barbara Novello February 21, 2016 - 5:49 pm

I enjoyed your video so much! The story and the flowers gave me the zen to start my day here in Los Angeles. Thank you!

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Susan February 21, 2016 - 6:26 pm

How I LOVE flowers! Thank you for the beautiful, informative and inspirational video. Hope to see more.

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Colleen Taylor February 21, 2016 - 6:27 pm

Oh my Sharon, this video just takes my breath away! I’ve been in a number of wholesale floral warehouses but none as gorgeous as this. Her website with that little bird is enchanting! X

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Cindi February 21, 2016 - 6:36 pm

Love….. Keep them coming

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Bungalow Hostess February 21, 2016 - 6:54 pm

Two of my favourite things are flowers and Paris!
Thank you for this lovely video…your book sits beside me and I love perusing the pages for inspiration and you and your talented girlfriends never fail to brighten my days.

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Maria February 21, 2016 - 6:55 pm

Thank you Sharon! Just delightful! One of may favorites things to do when in Paris, Florist shops. They are wonderful!

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Annie February 21, 2016 - 7:18 pm

Your video is fabulous….I love it!

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Debbie February 21, 2016 - 7:50 pm

What a delightful start to my day today. Thank you!

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Lynne February 21, 2016 - 8:01 pm

Sharon, this was magic! It was a joy to see Clarisse’s shop! Everything is so beautiful. I was also over the moon with the carrier that she placed your arrangement in to take home! I have always been drawn to Clarisse because of her noticeable passion for the color green.
Thank you for gifting such wonderful inspiration!
w / L

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splendid market February 21, 2016 - 8:38 pm

The roses are lovely, but I’ll take a bunch of ranaculas over roses any day. I find they are so much more available in France than in the usa.

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Nancy February 21, 2016 - 9:12 pm

LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about this charming video. Nothing better than flowers and Paris!

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Carol Ariens February 21, 2016 - 10:45 pm

Would love to buy a bubble vase like that, any idea where I could find one? Love flowers, must have them in my home 12 months of the year.

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Carol Ariens February 21, 2016 - 10:48 pm

Any idea where I could buy a bubble vase like that? Loved the video.

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susana February 21, 2016 - 11:10 pm

Sharon dear this little video about your friend Clarisse and her shop is fabulos,underlying with your voice give me the imression that the world we living in not a wrong place after all.I shall call in to see all this lovely shop on my next visit to Paris.So much inspiration is there !

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Michelle in Illinois February 21, 2016 - 11:21 pm

Awesome, beautiful flowers, what a unique vase. Great video, Sharon.
Merci, for the footage of the Tower, always enjoy seeing the landmark!

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AFN February 22, 2016 - 12:07 am

Lovely Sharon. Flowers are so important. Unique arrangement with the bubble vase.
Such inspiration. Thoroughly enjoyed all the video. Can’t wait for the next. This one
Will be rerun several times. Thank you for a trip through Paris. AFN

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Elvie February 22, 2016 - 12:10 am

Sharon,enjoyed your video Flowers in Paris immensely ,flowers beautiful,loverly music and your friend and yourself looking great also.Most enjoyable Elvie

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Dianne Sawyer February 22, 2016 - 12:34 am

Cheerfully happy music, soft Parisian light, vibrant florals and delightful company. What could be better? Thank you.

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Eileen February 22, 2016 - 1:11 am

For all you North American ladies who, like me, simply have to have the bubble glass circle – I got mine from West Elm but I see it is no longer available. Fear not, http://www.save-on-crafts.com has a small and larger version in the vases section. They call it Best Buds. Alternatively, I suspect your florist could source it for you. Hope it’s OK to post this, Sharon. No commercial intended.

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jan g. February 22, 2016 - 1:13 am

Such an inspiration. Love your videos.

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Toni February 22, 2016 - 2:01 am

Bon jour Sharon! I absolutely LUVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV your website! Wow! Its like joy and beauty and grace all in one visual gift. Thank you so much for all your posts, but especially for this video; totally enchanting. Merci, mon ami!

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Esther George February 22, 2016 - 2:05 am

Hi Sharon, only one word comes to mind….breathtaking. Thank you for sharing beauty. Till next time, regards Esther from Sydney. PS can I say that this was a moveable feast.

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Lisa February 22, 2016 - 2:14 am

Thank you

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Beverley February 22, 2016 - 9:09 am

What a perfect way to spend an early morning, and a day, working with flowers. The perfumes wafting about must be divine. I could really lose myself in there.
Thank you Sharon, for another delightful video. Well done. And I love the music you have chosen this time, very French. Thank you again
Beverley

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Darina February 22, 2016 - 9:14 am

Such pretty flowers. Love this video and choice of music. And to see Paris again…missing it. Thank you for sharing!

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Catherine D February 22, 2016 - 11:54 am

The flowers in Paris made me dream of countryside, where I grow my own flowers ! But your video makes me dream…

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Delaine February 22, 2016 - 12:49 pm

Thank you so much for this wonderful start to my day! I felt like I was in Paris with the two of you this morning! What an inspiration to do more flower arranging! These videos are delightful! Merci, Merci, Merci!

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Taste of France February 22, 2016 - 2:16 pm

Those flowers are just gorgeous. I never find hydrangeas at the florists here, so I have to grow my own.
Clarisse is gorgeous too!
francetaste.wordpress.com

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Iona Spencer February 22, 2016 - 3:39 pm

Wow, so loved this video! My dream job would be to have run a florists as I have a wonderful garden and a way with plants, working for my brother’s company fine honed my skills. I could have watched this video for hours, please can we have more of these?
Sadly too ill now to do so (Lupus etc).
Thanks

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Pat Crowder February 22, 2016 - 3:55 pm

Sharon what a joy, enjoyed every second of this video!

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Ann February 22, 2016 - 4:18 pm

Oh what a lovely video, thank you so much!

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Danielle February 22, 2016 - 4:46 pm

Bicycling through Paris at dawn sounds wonderful! Nothing like a fresh bouquet!

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Lynne Bagby February 22, 2016 - 6:09 pm

Thank you for sharing your time with Clarisse; totally enjoyed the time spent with the 2 of you & the beautiful assortment of flowers. As February will come to a close after next weekend; this is a wonderfully exciting “almost-Spring” appetizer–

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Renee Thompson February 22, 2016 - 7:53 pm

I was so sad when it ended! I could have watched this for hours. Sharon, your voice was so soft and inviting. Have you ever thought of doing “voice overs”?
This was a beautiful few minutes for me today! Thank you!

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Inge leveau February 22, 2016 - 11:45 pm

Beautiful flowers, beautiful decorations. I just love flowers.- The bag/sac the flowers were placed in was marvellous. Is this a Paris-thing? I never saw it before. Inge

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Madeleine February 23, 2016 - 5:46 am

Wow, gorgeous! Merci Beaucoup 🙂

Madeleine.x

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Judy Marrone February 23, 2016 - 6:51 am

Beautiful pictures, and what a gorgeous floral arrangement.

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bonnie groves poppe February 23, 2016 - 10:42 am

Bubble vase, Yes! Beautiful arrangement, yes! Quick look at the flower market, Yes! Excellent music, Yes! And the great vignettes of Paris zipping by, Yes! Its all Yes, Sharon!

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Iris February 23, 2016 - 3:41 pm

How inspiring. As a self proclaimed gardener and flower lover this video was a great pick me up on a chilly but sunny Tuesday morningin February. The bubble vase is great and allows you to showcase flowers in a new creative way. Love it.

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Maryanne Flaherty February 23, 2016 - 6:38 pm

Loved the post, can smell the floral fragrance from here!!!!!!!!!!! Also I want Clarisses hair!!!!! 😉

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Joy Moos February 24, 2016 - 12:36 am

Oh My..what a delight..you, the video, the flowers, Paris and the total beauty of it all…Thank you.

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Leslie in Oregon February 24, 2016 - 2:08 am

Part of my delight in watching this video was seeing that Clarisse has a happy little dog who is eager to help with her errands and join her in Atelier Vertumne. Thank you for this lovely treat.

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Marlene Blackwood February 24, 2016 - 5:20 am

Marlene
From Tasmania Australia
Watching your video, whilst the rain is coming down outside on a grey wet summer day and recovering from 2 back surgeries in 6 weeks. The flowers and the shop put a much needed smile on my face. The views of Paris also brought back wonderful memories of holidays spent wandering the streets of Paris.. Thank you

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Lucia Donahower February 24, 2016 - 7:07 am

Sharon, thank you for this lovely post. The video was wonderful! Beautiful flower shop and enjoyed watching your friend Clarisse do her magic!
Thank you,
Lucy in California

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Lillian Plummer February 24, 2016 - 11:37 am

Hi Sharon, really enjoyed this beautiful presentation. Love the vase. Say hello to Clarisse, how wonderfully talented.
Regards lillian

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Lee February 25, 2016 - 9:10 pm

Utterly delightful, food for the soul…

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Dominique March 10, 2016 - 3:31 pm

What a lovely video! The flowers, Paris in the early morning, the darling dog and Clarice’s hair! I want to rock silver hair like she does when I turn 60 in 5 years. Thank you for such a nice way to start my day.

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