Flowers are Priya Jelly’s business – and dream (she’s got Amsterdam’s tulips and Japan’s cherry blossoms on her bucket list).
In between just taking it easy, the founder of Dubai-based floral company Maison Des Fleurs spends her weekend cooking, kick-boxing and dreaming of seeing Japan’s cherry blossoms
Lazyways
Fridays are mostly a family day – I tend to spend most of my time at home watching TV on the couch with my husband, not wanting to go out because that’s how I refuel on energy for the upcoming week.
I HAVE NEVER EVER
…had a client request a bizarre flower arrangement. However, one of our client’s orders included turning a private beach into a flower garden and flower carpet. That was exciting.
MARRYSMART
My dad used to say, “Make sure you marry a man who can cook”. I never used to cook until I met my husband. Funnily enough, cooking is now my passion apart from flowers. I find cooking therapeutic and eat at home as much as I can.
FLYING FOR FLOWERS
Travel is the only thing I splurge on. My bucket list destination is Japan to see the sakura (cherry blossoms) because usually at that time of year (March) I am swamped and can never get away from work. I haven’t been to the tulip fields in Amsterdam, but that’s on my bucket list, too.
LET’SGOLEGO
Every weekend, I’m binge-watching crime drama series Blind Spot and Suits. Once I start on a TV show I tend to continue watching it right until the last episode. I want to check out Legoland, though. Maybe I will leave the house to do that.
QUEEN BEE
I like all kinds of music but I’d only brave the chaos of a concert venue for Beyoncé. Who wouldn’t want to see her live? And Michael Jackson, if he were still alive. I often go to La Petite Maison and La Cantine du Fabourg for their good music.
FLOWER POWER
I’m half-Singaporean and half-Indian and moved to Dubai 12 years ago. This is a city where anything is possible, which is how we came to start a desert floral company that delivers flower arrangements everywhere and to everyone.
SALAD SENSE
Exercise at least five times a week and eat clean – your body will thank you in the long run. That’s the best advice I have to offer. Kale salads and kickboxing classes are how I stay healthy.
BLOOMING GOOD LIFE LESSONS
Working with flowers has taught me that me that life has its ups and downs – thorns if you will – but it’s beautiful all the same. You have to have hope, as long as you have hope you can handle whatever life throws at you.