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Thursday, June 24, 2010

wild flower wedding

70 vintage bottles later and the wedding of my dreams. The lovely couple made my job easy from the very beginning.





Naturally my favorite of the season so far, but wasn't able to take many photos before it went out the door.
Individual pics of the bouquets and boutonnieres would have been great. I just loved everything about this one.
xo

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Flower Auction Sunday!



So, my weekend begins on Sunday evening. I have Mondays off and Tuesday is 'by chance.' Rather than take all those lovely flowers left over in the fridge home with me, why not sell them off at a Coriander Girl auction!? Why not invite a friend to play her accordion? Why not have a laugh with the lovely neighborhood folk? So, that's exactly what I did.
It was an amazing event and I think people walked away with some pretty great deals.





I'll try doing it every couple of weeks or so, depending on what's left in the fridge. I'll send an auction blast off on that Sunday morning if it's going to happen.


Kelsey Mcnulty and her friend Graham brought Parisian flair to the auction. A million times thank you!

Alison xo

Friday, June 18, 2010

It's a nice day for a white wedding

Florists everywhere are being run off their feet. We're in the thick of it now... wedding season.
Thank you to friends and family everywhere who must be thinking I've been abducted.
I remember when I first opened about 8 months ago and wondering if anyone would want little ol' me to do their wedding flowers. I'm amazed at the interest and so pleased with the results thus far. For everyone still waiting on a quote I sincerely appreciate your patience. After this week end I'll be tackling a stack full of estimates and maybe I'll squeeze some sleep in there too!


Kerri and Mischa working hard in the shop, how lucky I feel to have had such amazing help with this one.


Kerri is responsible for this beauty.


And this one too. I love the simplicity of a bouquet of calla lilies.


And just when I thought, "Wow I have not had a thing to eat all day." My darling arrives with a beautiful homemade salad! Complete with organic apples and freshly chopped herbs. How lovely is that?
Lead with love and you cannot go wrong.
Goodnight friends.
Alison xo

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Bzzzzzz......


Like a little bee I buzz about. I liken myself to a bee because technically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly because of it's wing span to body size ratio. But, the kicker is, the bee doesn't know that so it just keeps on flying.
I'm not implying that I'm over weight. It's a mental thing. With all my inner criticisms and fears about not being good enough, that could be somewhat debilitating, right? But rather, I say, "Poop!" I'm gonna keep on flyin' and not pay any attention to all that nonsense because in the end it's usually ourselves that hold us back from our greatest accomplishments. Why on earth would I want to do that?
This little doodle bee lost his life in my store window recently. There wasn't time to resuscitate him. I hope he's found his eternal garden of delicious flowers.




So I challenge all of you to stand up to that inner critic who tells you that you aren't good enough. Do something fabulous and shut it up.
As for my 365 outfit project, I wore a belt yesterday!
Watch out fashion world, here I come!
Peace out.
Cori G xo

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Shake it up!

I'm doing something fun!
After a crazy week end with no sleep and working my little buns off with out rest, you'd think tonite I'd be pretty tired?
Somehow I can keep going when I know I have the option to flop into bed at any moment.
Also, I may just be in a state of delirium.
So, what am I doing?
Well, if you've noticed my attire lately you would have seen that I was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. If you saw me three days in a row, yep, t-shirt and jeans. Oh, I change up the color of t-shirt and my jeans change frequently too but that's kind of become my lazy, no brainer uniform. Tonite, after glancing through my J.CREW catalogue I got inspired. And you fabulous, style savvy, bloggers out there post such rad pictures of cool clothes- I couldn't take it anymore. My look is in a state of emergency. I know there are real problems in the world and my life ain't so easy breezy lemon squeezy these days either with the stresses of business. Maybe I need a diversion? Maybe I need to feel pretty. Maybe I need to put as much care into myself as I do the shop, my home, my love, my rabbit, my blog so that when I walk down the street I can hold my little head up high.
So here goes. My 365 fabulous outfit project. My closet has been spilling over with fabulous finds and every time I edit down, I hold onto things saying, "I'm so going to wear that someday." That day is now people! Closets are spilling open every where! Wear that patent leather jumpsuit you squealed over at the Sally Anne. Wear those hot pink pumps you broke the bank on. No more excuses! My inspiration style gurus include, Karyn Valino(The Workroom), Rachelle Turner(Hawk Eyes), Breeyn McCarney(Fashion Designer), Amanda Woods(fashionista), oh gosh the list goes on and on. You hotties know who you are and for those of us who are wardrobe challenged and unsure where to begin, I say throw your t-shirts to the wind and go for it! It's time to look hot. Accessorize! I dare you!
When I say accessorize, I don't necessarily mean with a faux moustache. Although, I think I'm kinda rockin' this one, no?



Alison xoxo

Saturday, June 5, 2010

And breathe

Arrangements from various events this week. More to come!






Sometimes I forget to breathe. Sometimes it feels like I've been holding my breath for weeks.
Wedding season is in full swing and I had no idea what I was in for. Often challenging. Always rewarding. Sometimes illuminating.

10 Things to consider when you're a newbee,

1. When you estimate three hours to make 6 bouquets, twenty odd boutonnieres and corsages, thirty five centre pieces and two large arrangements- tack on another ten to fifteen hours and you might be close.
2. Eat something... and breathe.
3. Don't plan on doing anything else that week end, even if it is a ten second phone call to a friend. You will neglect your loved ones. Even if they just had surgery on their foot. ; >
4. Hug your boyfriend while you're sleeping because that's the closest you'll get to him in the 48 hours surrounding the wedding.
5. Pray.
6. Pack everything as if you're carrying fine crystals that will adorn the Queen, her last request as she breathes her final breath. Dude, you don't want to screw that up.
7. Eat something again... and breathe.
8. Drink a crisp white zinfandel to get you through all those carpel tunnel inducing boutonnieres. Wild Vines will do just fine.
9. Pray again... and breathe.
10. Hire an amazing woman who can do it all effortlessly, and enjoys drinking on the job too! One glass, we're professionals!

A very special thank you to Kerri and Meesha for doing such an amazing job here in the shop. You'll be seeing a new face here and there. Don't be frightened, change is good.

Remember to breathe.

Alison xo

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Shop life





Oh man, am I ever busy. Every time I think, "wow, I'm the busiest I've been in my entire life." I get even busier!
I'm having an amazingly good time however, and can't believe this is my business.
I'm tired but I can handle it.
Good night little doodles.
Alison xo