Introducing HeyDay Design!

I'm so pleased to introduce another incredible artisan, Claire Madill of Heyday Design.
I obviously have a thing for porcelain cast jars and bottles because as you know, I carry beautiful porcelain pieces by Pigeon Toe Ceramics. Claire's pieces are completely unique and totally Canadian and we love this!




Claire's porcelain jars have been slipcast with molds made from the original vintage glass canning jars. All jars have been glazed on the inside as well as the outer lip with a clear glaze that is foodsafe and watertight. What is most amazing is that you can safely use your jar as a cup to drink from or as a vase for flowers! How convenient!
For the month of June, if you purchase one of Claire's beautiful porcelain jars, Coriander Girl will give you ten dollars worth of free flowers to help fill it!
Yay! I think that deserves a Julia Roberts style fist pump and holla!
Alison xo

Peonies peonies peonies....

I new you'd come!
xoxo

Container planting tra la la

I'm not sure if there is anything I enjoy more than container planting. Perhaps I'd like to dance while container planting, eat a fine meal while container planting, travel Europe with a container and some plantings and I'd be pretty darn happy.
I think it's the immediate reward, the boundary of an edge and it doesn't take days to accomplish. That's why I was never a good knitter unless I was using giant needles, like the size of baseball bat and the thickest wool I could find. I really mastered the one hour scarf. It was the same with sewing, if it can be done in under an hour, I'd make fifty of whatever project I had taken on.
I'd like to think I'm a journey kind of a girl but the destination is always so rewarding. Process for me seems to inspire my inner eight year old, "are we there yet?" When I do arrive I never seem to stay long is the problem, on to the next one and so it goes. Perhaps I should consider that I've plugged in and maybe need to let things percolate awhile before thinking 'now what?' List after list with things left unchecked.
Maybe we could all stand to let things be? Resist crossing it all off. At least just for tonight.
Alison xo

Wedding season!

If you're wondering where I've been all your life, I'm held up prisoner in my little shop arranging flowers for all those gorgeous brides to be. Wedding season is in full swing!
This past week end for Shira and Chris was a special one. Shira and I had taken acting classes together when we were young. We hadn't seen each other since we were 14 or so. She and her fiance randomly walked in last fall and less then seven months later I'm at The Berkley arranging flowers for her wedding. I did this one all on my own and I was really proud to see it all come together so beautifully.



Fresh cut ontario delphiniums in the most perfect light blue, white peonies, poppy red anemones, rich red ranunculus, feathery queen annes lace and creamy white tulips for the centre pieces.




The bouquets were fresh and whimsical, giant dutchess peonies with a few sprigs of lily of the valley, veronica, blue and red anemones, ranunculus and dark red berries.



Today being one of the hottest days of the year so far, I recommend a cold beverage on a sun filled patio. After my work after work tonight, not a typo, there is always two hours more at home! You know like, 'after the party, it's the after party.' Well, after that, Tyler and I are going to spend some good quality time in our bare feet on the balcony with some home made iced tea, preferably spiked and the tunes pumpin. Honey, break out the gin! I'm thinking MC Hammer. Stay cool little doodles. And something else to consider, AC is a luxury and should not be abused. It's summer, but if you need AC for sleeping or keeping your bunny rabbit alive, that's okay but we shouldn't need sweaters inside. If you want to see Ms. Westlake angry, go to a restaurant with me that is pumping AC and requiring me to put on another layer. I might even cause a scene.
Be bold people, live loud! Dance like it's your last time on the dance floor!

Alison xo

Oceanic flight 815

I'm terribly emotional when it comes to endings. After the final episode of Six feet Under I called every family member in tears telling them how much I loved them and didn't tell them enough.
Last night was another tearful goodbye. Oh Jack Shephard, you were such a good man. The whole gang, Kate and Hurley, Sawyer and Locke, Jin and Sun, Sayed and Desmond, Claire and Charlie, I even miss 'the others.'
I'm LOST with out all of you.
And in perfect LOST form, the show left me with just as many questions going out as I came in! I've got my theory though and I feel very good about the way it ended.
xo RIP

Alison in Wonderland

And here's the white rabbit!
The flower shop has been wildly busy and tomorrow is my first day off in a long time. I'm gonna snuggle the bun and the hun and hopefully sleep eight whole hours! I don't think there is anything better than that moment before you drift off into a deep and peaceful sleep, I'm wishing that for all of you tonight, a deep and restful sleep because the world is much more pleasant when you're well rested. Napping is also great. Permission to nap!! Nap lovers everywhere unite!
Alison xo

Dance and you'll feel better!

I am a firm believer that when stress starts to build, dance it off!
I forgot to dance this week. I knew there was a reason I've been feeling like poop.
The radio is full blast and I'm dancing up a storm! What a stress release!
This is a good one to get you out of your seat and who doesn't love New York? It might be overplayed but I'm still really enjoying it. Click here.
Good night friends.
Alison : >