“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day, someone might do the same for you.”
- Princess Diana
“My mission in life is to entertain, to educate, to inspire, and to make life better for people, through the art of living well.”
- Martha Stewart
There are certain women who have quietly shaped how I see the world and the kind of woman I want to be. Not because they were perfect, but because they lived with purpose - with heart, creativity, and a deep sense of care for the world around them.
Two women who have always inspired me are Princess Diana and Martha Stewart. They seem worlds apart - one a princess known for her compassion, the other a homemaker turned business icon - but I see pieces of both of them reflected in the life I’m trying to create. One reminds me to lead with empathy, the other to pour creativity and care into everyday life.
Princess Diana
My fascination with Princess Diana started when I was young. My mum, being English, would often talk about her - not just her beauty or her incredible fashion sense, but the way she made people feel. She was soft spoken, yet strong; elegant, yet approachable. There was something real about her, something that made even the grandest royal photos feel human.
As I’ve grown older, it’s her kindness that continues to stand out to me. She was never afraid to step outside the expected and show genuine compassion. Whether she was holding the hand of someone with HIV, comforting a child, or quietly visiting those in need, she reminded the world that empathy matters.
And then there was her style - timeless, graceful, and full of personality. I love how her clothes told her story: the pastel skirt suits during her early royal days, the bold colours and clean tailoring as she came into her own, and those effortless casual looks - jeans, jumpers, and pearls - that felt so natural. There’s something so endearing about that balance between elegance and comfort.
I think that’s what draws me to her most - the way she managed to be both polished and imperfect, regal and real. She reminds me that you can be gentle and still have a quiet kind of power.
Martha Stewart
If Diana represents heart, Martha represents home. She’s the kind of woman who makes everyday life feel meaningful - the smell of something baking, the way flowers are arranged on a table, the rhythm of a well tended garden.
I’ve always admired how she turns ordinary moments into something special. Watching her decorate a cake or gather herbs from her garden feels like watching someone create art from the simplest materials. There’s a calm confidence about her that I really connect with - a sense of taking pride in doing things properly, beautifully, and with purpose.
In many ways, I think Martha gave women permission to take domestic life seriously, to see it as a form of creativity rather than a chore. She celebrates tradition, craftsmanship, and the seasons - all things that sit at the very heart of Where the Roses Grow.
When I’m arranging florals, pouring candles, or setting up for a workshop in my cottage garden, I often think of her - that steady mix of creativity and precision, the appreciation for both beauty and order. She makes me want to keep learning, to keep refining the way I create and care for my space.
From Diana, I’ve learned to be kind - to meet people with warmth and softness, no matter who they are.
From Martha, I’ve learned that beauty can be practical - that the everyday rituals of home can be an expression of love and creativity.
Together, they’ve shaped the way I approach my work, my home, and even motherhood. I want my world to feel welcoming and full of life - imperfect but full of heart. When I’m arranging flowers or packaging up candle orders, I often think about the women who’ve inspired me and how their influence has gently guided me without me even realising it.
From My Kitchen - Honey Scones
It feels only right to end this post with something from the kitchen - a little nod to Martha and to those comforting, simple recipes that make a house feel like a home. These honey scones are soft, buttery, and just a little bit nostalgic - perfect for slow mornings, shared with family or a cup of tea in the garden.
Ingredients
2 cups self raising flour
A pinch of salt
1½ tbsp cold butter, cubed
¾ cup milk (plus a splash extra if needed)
1 tbsp honey
Extra honey and butter, to serve
Method
Preheat oven to 200°C (fan-forced). Line a baking tray with baking paper.
In a bowl, sift together the flour and salt.
Rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mix looks like fine crumbs.
Mix the milk and honey together, then pour into the dry ingredients. Stir with a butter knife until just combined.
Turn onto a floured surface and knead lightly until smooth (don’t overwork the dough).
Press or roll out to about 2 cm thick and cut into rounds.
Place close together on the tray, brush with milk, and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
Serve warm with butter and a drizzle of honey - best enjoyed fresh from the oven, preferably on a slow day when you’ve got nowhere else to be.
When I think about women like Diana and Martha, I’m reminded that inspiration doesn’t always come from the loud or the perfect - sometimes it’s found in the small, sincere ways people show up in the world.
Diana’s kindness reminds me to lead with heart. Martha’s creativity pushes me to live with purpose and find beauty in the everyday. Both have taught me that the heart and the home are deeply connected - each one reflects the other.
As I move through my own little world - working in the studio, tending the garden, or baking something for my family - I carry a little of both of them with me. They remind me that a life well lived isn’t about grandeur; it’s about warmth, care, and the quiet magic of making things beautiful.
Wishing you a beautiful rest of the week honeys.
With love and wildflowers,
Kels x