This month’s cover features fresh, beautiful sunflowers from the North Shore. I picked them up right before the photo shoot from one of my favorite flower shops, Flowers for a Friend, on King St. 

I have to admit, I have quite the fresh flower addiction. I love having them in my home—they enliven the space, and I like to think they make me happier, too. What I really enjoy, however, is developing a relationship with my florist. Chef Ed Kenney from Town once told me that those kinds of relationships, the ones with bakers and butchers and farmers, etc., have really been lost and desperately need to be rebuilt. Getting to know the people that help make your house your home, or help make the food on your table, is well worth it.

My florist is always helpful and answers any questions I have. I often inquire where the flowers come from, and many of the tropical blooms in her shop are actually grown on Oahu—including those cover-worthy sunflowers, and these sweet-smelling tuberose that I picked up on Saturday!