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A trip down lavender lane

Nita Fourie is a firm believer that life is a celebration … whether it’s a beautiful sunset, a fat full moon, or the first fig of the season. She made a conscious decision to focus on life’s little joys, and now she’s on a mission to help you do the same. Her secret weapon? Lavender!

For Nita Fourie, lavender isn’t just a plant. It’s an experience. A state of mind. A way of life. It’s mindfulness in a fragrant, purple package. And because she believes that all good things should be shared, she created Purple Posy. A business (and a passion project) that started with selling lavender as cut flowers but quickly blossomed into something much bigger.

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It didn’t take long for her to realise she wasn’t alone in her love affair with lavender. Others were just as captivated by its scent, versatility, and soothing properties as she was. So she expanded her business into a range of wellness products. Think luxurious hand-blended lavender-infused lotions, bath crystals, scrubs, mists, soaps, and powders. But, true to her personality, she knew she wasn’t going to stop at just selling things in a bottle, either.

She wanted to create a memorable experience … a full immersion into the world of lavender and the calm it brings. And so she took it a step further and became a certified life coach, specialising in de-stressing and mindfulness. Today she hosts workshops where people can unplug, unwind, and soak up all the lavender-infused goodness while learning how to find their own moments of peace.

‘My sessions offer an escape into a stress-free zone where guests can simply stay in the moment, relax, laugh and enjoy lavender infused treats and refreshments. All while being surrounded by the beauty of the lovely plant. It is informative, inspiring and thought provoking. Most of all, it is fun.’

She also digs a bit deeper, helping others with something she is exceptionally passionate about … personal growth.

‘Stress can steal your joy and make it difficult to see the bigger picture. Spending time surrounded by lavender brings calm and connectedness. Then you can focus on what matters to you. And growth just naturally follows.’

With about 30 species of lavender worldwide, each with its own variety, it’s no surprise that Nita has her faves, including Lavandula Dentata, Stoechas, and Margaret Roberts Lavender growing on her farm. No wonder she falls in love with the fresh morning air every day when she first opens doors and windows to let the day in.

Anyone who knows this lovely lavender lady, knows she’s all about authentic connections. Lifelong friendships. Family. And simply being her true self. She’s also big on slowing down (something we all struggle with, let’s be honest). Her advice? Plan for it. ‘Pick a weekend with no commitments and be strict about it. Defend your own time vigorously. Slowing down really brings perspective and quality to our lives.

‘For me, the key is mindfulness, which is an awakening to life. It means I try to stay in the moment. It helps to be open to learning more about yourself, other people and the environment. It makes you willing to let go of old labels and think creatively.’

For Nita it’s quite simple. Live according to your core values, don’t compare yourself to others, and be unapologetically authentic. She’s the kind of person who’s almost always bubbling with new ideas, constantly learning, and keeping up with the latest trends. Which is why you’ll always find a great read or two on her Purple Posy blog. Think love, life, family … and, of course, the most divine lavender recipes you’ll ever come across. (PS, you’ll want to check out her most recent blog post, Word for the Year).

Because, as she puts it, ‘creativity has no limits when you’re working with nature’s gifts.’ And so, she hopes to always keep growing … becoming better, calmer, kinder, more at peace, more fun, and more interesting.

Through it all, her rock has been her husband, Leon. ‘He’s my anchor. He makes plans, can fix everything and stays calm in a crisis. Together, we’ve raised our two boys, Brenden and Ruan, and Purple Posy has been part of our lives every step of the way.’ From listening to Mom’s endless lavender stories to taste-testing her latest recipes and even drinking lavender tea, the Fourie family is as close as they come.

‘To find joy in the simplest things is precious. Surviving the day is worth celebrating. And you can do it by listening to beautiful music, calling a loved one, or baking a cake. The more you look for reasons to celebrate, the more gratitude you’ll feel. And gratitude shifts your entire focus to the positive.

Of course, life isn’t always easy. But that’s exactly why Nita believes in making every moment count. ‘We all leave something behind. What do you want to be remembered for … as a parent, a friend, a woman or as a person with a specific life purpose?’

So go ahead … pop the bubbles, breathe in the lavender, shake off the stress, and live with intention. Life’s too short not to celebrate the little things.

Details: Visit purpleposy.co.za or Purple Posy on Facebook

Butternut and feta quiche with lavender
Enjoy a Posylicious take on a classic quiche with butternut, feta, and lavender

You’ll need: 3 slices of brown bread (crumbed); 30g butter; 125g bacon (chopped and grilled); 100g cheddar cheese; 1 chopped onion (sauté until soft); 500g diced butternut (roasted); 2 feta wheels; 1ml salt; 10ml Margaret Robberts lavender flowers; nutmeg; black pepper; 4 eggs (beaten); 1 small bunch of spinach (chopped and steamed); 25ml parsley; 500 ml milk

To make: Heat butter, bread and milk to form a pulp. Let it cool. Add most of the butternut, but keep some to use later.

Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Pour the mixture into a greased pie dish.
Press the extra butternut pieces into the dish and crumble a bit of feta over it.
Bake at 180 degrees celcius for about 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs and lavender.

Invite your loved ones and enjoy

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