CULTURE & LEISURE • Friday Routine
MOLLY FORD • owner • Flowers by Ford
Neighborhood you work in: Bushwick
Neighborhood you live in: Bed-Stuy
It’s Friday afternoon, how are you rolling into the weekend?
I’m the owner of Flowers by Ford, a flower design company that specializes in events, brand activations, set design, select weddings, and custom floral arrangements. I also just launched my first collaboration with a lovely jewelry company, Starling. We created three flower charms: peony, sweet pea, and cosmo.
When I have a work-free weekend, I love to start my day with a leisurely morning at home. I usually head downstairs to brew a cup of coffee, then sit in my garden to read. When I have a work event, my day starts before sunrise at the New York City Flower Market. From there, I head to our floral production studio to work with my team of florists. We spend the day prepping for the weekend's event while enjoying plenty of coffee and music.
Where are you drinking or dining this weekend?
When in the city, my go-to dining spot is Corner Bar, followed by drinks at Swan Room. For a late-night adventure with friends, we often head to Clandenstino or Le Dive.
In Brooklyn, Cozy Royale's steak frites and manhattans are always a good idea. Allswell is another favorite, especially the outdoor corner seat, which offers prime people-watching opportunities. My order there is the house salad with grilled chicken and a glass of orange wine. Some of my favorite places to grab a drink in BK: Rhodora Wine Bar, Frog Wine Bar, Five Leaves, Minnows, and Hotel Delmano.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I love a day surrounded by nature — it's the ultimate form of leisure. This usually includes the New York Botanical Garden, Central Park, or Prospect Park. I also love shopping with my girlfriends. We recently walked all over the Upper West Side, window shopping. We stopped at The Row and TOTEME. Also thrilled to see KHAITE coming soon on Madison Ave. And I recently visited the New York Botanical Garden in The Bronx with my best friend to see their chrysanthemums display.
Any weekend getaways?
My favorite is INNESS in Accord, NY. Stay for dinner overlooking the beautiful upstate landscape and sit by the bonfire on top of the hill with a glass of wine. They also just opened a spa on the property. Accord is a very cute town! Here are a few of my local favs: Westwind Orchard, Arrowood Farms, Mill & Main Restaurant & Provisions, Cherries Roadside and General, and Ollie's Pizza. There are also plenty of small shops and vintage stores to explore.
What was your last great vacation?
In celebration of my 30th birthday, I took an unforgettable trip to the Cotswolds with my girlfriends. Among the many highlights of our adventure was an exquisite dinner at The Ox Barn. We went on a captivating tour of the Highgrove Gardens, where we immersed ourselves in the beauty of nature and indulged in a delightful high tea with champagne. Our journey continued as we explored the charming antique shops nestled in the heart of Tetbury.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
Something that I haven’t purchased yet but will be my next big-ticket purchase is this belted canvas bucket bag khaki green from TOTEME. It’s perfect for the winter and feels so classy with that canvas green fabric and brown leather.
What store or service do you always recommend?
In an effort to prioritize self-care, I’ve made a concerted effort to receive a massage every month, as well as maintain regular mani-pedi appointments. My go-to place for massages is Graham Spa in Williamsburg. Despite its modest appearance, they offer excellent massages for $50. It’s always such a treat.