This week I went for a wander around the orchid exhibition at Kew in my lunch hour. The sun was shining as the crowds streamed into the gardens. People “oohed” and “aaahed” their way around the fabulously curated displays and took snapshots of their favourite ones. 

The pink, peach, creamy white and yellow hues were like little dots of summer poking their heads up and saying “look at me! look at me!” Such exotic creatures! I recently spotted a celeb wearing a Philip Treacy Orchid hat in Hello magazine, I think it was Anna Friel, but I can't remember .. not quite as extravagant as the image below, but very striking, all the same.

Source: Uploaded by user via Tamso on Pinterest

I was wearing one of my hot pink lipsticks that day, L'Oreal Caresse #202 - Impulsive Fuschia - coincidently coordinating with some of the hot pink orchids on display! (Yes, I’m a geek.)

The exhibition is on at the Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens until the 3rd March. Check out the Kew website to book your tickets.

Learn more about Orchids here.

You can also have a tropical afternoon tea! Choose 3 of the delicious baked treats and tea or coffee for £6.95.

* Mini heart Victoria sponge cakes

* Passion fruit and kiwi tartlets

* Chocolate and cardamom brownies

* Blackberry and pistachio mojito fairy cakes

* Lemon and vanilla fairy cakes

* Battenburg cake with candied violets

They also have Divine hot chocolate… MMM! in Victoria Plaza cafe. Customise yours with chilli, nutmeg, fresh ginger, whipped cream, lemons, limes or oranges. [Adds to ‘to do’ list for this week.]

Photography © Lucie Kerley

(Shot using my iPhone 5 and edited in Aperture)