On Monday morning at 6am, somewhere between Norfolk and Cambridge, I drove past a gigantic field of sunflowers and shouted out loud "you are SOOOOOOO beautiful".
Truth is, I'd been thinking about these sunflowers since I first drove past them last week. They had caught me at a bad moment and completely transformed my mood. I've recently re-read Julia Baird's book Phosphorescence: On Awe, Wonder and Things That Sustain You When the World Goes Dark, and I realised that is exactly what I was feeling: true, unadulterated awe at a field of yellow beauties. So, it felt only right to show my appreciation out the car window.
Sunflowers = Prizes
After speaking to the sunflowers, I decided to dedicate this newsletter to them. When I got home I searched "sunflowers" in my digital archives and this gem from the family album popped up: me and my brother dressed as paper flowers for a fancy dress competition. Turning these kinds of nostalgic family album memories into physical keepsakes is what inspired our custom prints.
P.S. Don't let my face fool you - I love fancy dress and we did in fact win a yellow camera!
Your Turn!
Or, get a 20% discount* off any custom print order using the code: AWE1 at checkout.
*Discount codes valid until 31st August 2026
Want your own Moment of Awe?
If you want to experience a little sunflower awe yourself this weekend here are 3 fields near London (ish) that, according to their websites, are still in bloom: Garsons Farm, Stanhill Farm and Meopham PYO.
Keep looking for the little moments of wonder 🌻