Happy New Year!

I want to share with you my favorite New Year's Eve movie moment from one of my all time favorite movies.
"When Harry Met Sally" I cry every time! Who's with me? Does anyone have a favorite New Year's Eve moment in a film they want to share?
I'm going to try to spend the day reflecting back on my year. I've said it before, I feel so blessed and so thankful for all the good things that have happened this past year. I made some bold choices and I'm amazed by what can be accomplished in a year. I want to keep living life this way, it helps to have Tyler in my corner cheering me on. We are so blessed with incredibly supportive families and friends. Let's make a promise to ourselves to live life to the fullest in 2010. Take risks! Be bold! Leap without a net! And if you're already doing this, keep doing it!
Oh lil' doodles! Happy New Year to each and every one of you! May this year ahead be the best year yet!


Break out the bubbly and get ready to dance!
I'll give you 3 choices for this end of the year dance.
I think this song is a good inspirational tune, you'll want to get your dukes up and Lose Yourself.
This second choice is just a feel good favorite and is going to be mantra this year! Let the sunshine in!
And this song just because I feel like it's my 2009 theme song! If you know me well, you know that I'm Too Legit! Dance with me sucka!
And remember this, "It's not about weathering the storm but learning how to dance in the rain."
Happy New Year my dears!
Alison xo

Home for the holidays

Tyler and I ventured home for some much needed TLC this Christmas. We're both overworked and we desperately miss our families and we could hardly wait to get there. We were feeling a little torn this year and made the decision to be apart and join back up again on Christmas day. That night my mum had a late night fondue which is always a treat for me, there isn't anything I enjoy more than laughing hysterically with family, sharing memories over a long dinner and drinking delicious wine.
The next morning I headed over to Bill and Penny's. They greeted me with giant hugs and kisses and we passed a really wonderful day together. Tyler's brothers and Natasha, (Travis's girlfriend) were there too. They are such a fun bunch!
Penny is always cooking and baking, it feels like we're gourmet food testers. She's planning to open a cafe in the spring and I couldn't be happier for her. That's her gingerbread biscotti above that she lovingly sent me home with! I'm enjoying it right now as we speak with a cup of fresh brewed tea, thanks to my mumma for the kettle, now I can have tea in the shop!


Tyler and I arrived home last night because we both had to work early today. We slept well thanks to the custom down filled pillows dad gave us for Christmas from The Feather Factory.
Tonight we're joining him and his new girlfriend, Alice, for our Christmas dinner.
I'm sending you warmth and love this holiday season. If you don't have plans for New Year's Eve, come to Poor John's with a canned good or $5 dollars. Doors open at 8:30pm.


A centre piece made this morning for Heather and Kyle.

Alison : >

Merry Christmas my little doodles!

Officially it has been the hardest working day of my life!
Thank you to everyone for your love and support!
Merry Christmas shnoodles!
We'll be away visiting our families and taking a much needed break. See you soon!
Warmly,
Alison xo : >

Here comes Santa Claus

One more sleep until ol' St. Nick squeezes his doodle butt down your fireplace. How does he come in if you don't have a fireplace?
I imagine he has a skeleton key to open all the doors in all the land.
So, here I am in the shop working away like a good little elf. I am in total bliss. I just made a centre piece and I feel it's possibly the loveliest thing I've ever created. I don't mean this to come across the way it probably is. I've just been freaking out a little because, this is "on the job training" for shizzle my doodles.
I'll post pictures tomorrow. It's 11:30pm and I still have to clean up!
xo

Blog Monday

I got back into bed after my shower this morning. Tyler looked insanely cozy and it was just so warm and delicious under the blankets. Our bamboo sheets, last years Christmas gift from Ty's mama, Penny, felt so intoxicatingly soft on my fresh bathed skin that I couldn't resist lying there for an extra half hour with my skinny spoon.
I had to blog today, my day off, because it's the first day I've been able to come up for air. It's been so busy and I'm swimmin', sputtering and flailing occasionally because this is some serious "on the job training" but I'm stayin' a float and even attempting the occasional back stroke! People want flowers! They're buyin' what I'm sellin' and it feels so good!
I got so much accomplished today whilst running around. I feel like a Spartan going into battle.
Bring it Christmas!!!!
Werd.

That's Ranunculus!

Aren't these just the most spectacular little beauties!? Ranunculus make me smile. Little pleasures.
You know what else I find terribly pleasing?...Travel. I'm not really in any position to do so with the new business but I had a credit with Air Canada that was about to expire and so Tyler and I had to book something or this money would be lost forever! That's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it!
I'm a free spirit when it comes to traveling so I never thought I would say this but, we booked a cruise! Weird, I know!
But, with only one week and limited funds this seems like a really cool option. We get to see Belize, Costa Rica and Panama for so cheap and because we're Ontario residents they upgraded our room to a balcony! We're freaking out! I've flown well over twenty times in the last four years with my job as a car show CSR and I feel like a kid every time. It's always a thrill for me! Tyler hasn't flown since he was a kid, so we're gonna have a blast even on the plane! I've never flown with anyone else, only as a single. Mile high club here we come!(I'm currently air humping with glee!) I would never, I'm a lady. ;>


Hope you're having a magnificent Thursday!
Alison xo

Peaks and Valleys

Well, it's cold and blue out there but warm and toasty and colorful in here. Gosh, I keep pinching but I'm not waking up from this dream yet. You know in Vanilla Sky, when Tom Cruise keeps waking up to his miserable reality- I fear this sometimes. I think because I've gone through some scary stuff in my life. In fact, much like in Vanilla Sky, eight years ago, my face just decided one half didn't want to work anymore. It's called Bell's Palsy and it can manifest from stress or a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis. I spent almost a year in and out of hospital like a lab rat. I had a spinal tap which left me unable to sit up for a month in shear agony because the hospital didn't follow procedure correctly after the spinal. The muscles eventually started doing there thing again but the fear of not having my face work at all or even the same was all consuming. And as a 20yr old aspiring actress, my face was my business. Thankfully, I was assured my case was stress induced and that was that. People get diagnosed everyday with serious illness. We have to rejoice that we have our health, we have to be thankful for every moment with our loved ones. It's easier said than done because life can be so hard. Here at the flower shop people come in and buy flowers for the ones they love, or hope to love, or apologize to for not loving enough and it's a daily reminder for me to celebrate Tyler, my family and friends. I'm so looking forward to a couple days off over Christmas to share with them.


A birthday bouquet for Jesse's girlfriend. Spread the love people! It's contagious!



I wish you all love on this cold December night.
Alison xo

Dear Tuesday

Dear Tuesday,
Can you please let your hair down just this once? I realize it's the beginning of the week and maybe you need a little incentive. So fine, I can compromise. If you can get the lead out for the next few Tuesdays I will give you three sloth like days just after Valentines Day. What do you say?

Tuesday's thinking about it.

Today while sitting here doing my accounting a little elf popped into the shop. He brought me a thermos topped full with hot off the stove, homemade, carrot and ginger soup! That little elf sure knows how to tug on my heart strings.
His talents in the kitchen continue to surprise me. Cutest doodle.

Rainy Sunday

Why does snoop dog carry an umbrella? For drizzle! (This is Tyler's joke and every time he tells it I chime in all self satisfied with my own version)
And why does Snoop dog go to Germany? For schnitzel! Ha! Tyler laughs every time, he must really love me!
So, it's been a nice steady day. You know what "they" say? Slow and steady wins the race. With some time on my hands I did a little research here at the shop and guess what? Hall and Oats don't need a come back they never left!
I know! But I still feel like kickin' it ol' school!


I encourage you to invoke your inner black panther! A little "maneating" can be good for you! And I mean this in the most innocent possible way! (Had to come back in and edit this post- didn't mean for it to sound so x-rated!
When I say I imagine a Tyler buffet and spending all day at the dessert bar, I mean because he's just as sweet as a little cheesecake! You know?


This picture of him as a ghostbuster really does it for me. What a doodle! And those glasses! Too bad he has 20/20 vision. Just kidding, we love that his eyes are healthy!
I can't wait for that day off tomorrow. Apparently I need to go find my marbles!
xoxo Alison : >
P.S. I just made the cutest posie for the dearest lady. We had a good chat about life and love and health. Sometimes I feel like a therapist. I'm your friendly neighborhood florapist!

All I want for Christmas...

A woman just came into my shop, she's been in before and I'm absolutely smitten with her. When we speak there is a familiarity and a comfort that I can't explain. If we re-incarnate, and I think we do, I am certain she and I were close, if not family.
Isn't that crazy!? To recognize yourself in someone and feel that they see and understand you without having to explain. It's a rare and wonderful thing.
She spoke candidly about her life and decisions she needs to make and as she was leaving she said she might not see me again depending on her choices. We hugged. "I think I'll miss you." She said. I felt that way too. Perhaps we'll cross paths again.
I encourage you this season to open your heart to connect and to allow yourself to be seen. That's what Christmas should be about. "They" want you to believe Christmas is about Walmart staying open 24hrs until the 25th. I hope you'll reject Walmart's Christmas hours and be bold this year. Write a love song to your partner even if you can't sing! Draw a picture for your doodle even if you can't draw, cook a meal, sew a tie, build a birdhouse even if you've never held a hammer! Just do it with love and you can't go wrong!
I made a lot of arrangements today with love in my heart and I know they turned out extra special for that reason!
Go love somebody right now. Throw your arms around them and squeeze, maybe it's yourself, it's okay! Lay it on thick people!



This arrangement was part of my contribution to the City of Craft fair today. I also gave two dollar tokens and lavender sachets for the swag bags and a forty dollar floral gift certificate! Be sure to go down to the Theatre Centre at Dovercourt and Queen today and tomorrow!



Alison : > xo

New stuff!

They're little doodle hats in the softest alpaca wool you've ever felt!


They kind of make me wanna have a lil' doodle right now. Tyler! I love imagining our noodle in hand knit oatmeal sweaters and organic cotton diapers. Tyler is going to be a good dad someday.



Introducing The Sassy Lamb!
I'd like to welcome my friend Jaime Dobbs to the club, you know the one, Women who plan to take over the world with their amazingness! She knits, she plans parties and caters events and she'll even photograph the event too! Watch out Martha!
I'd like to dedicate a song to Jaime and ask you all to send out positive vibes for her new business as you dance around your house or apartment or even at the office! Let's kick it fools! Way to go warrior lady!
Click here!
Alison : > xo

Lil' doodle

Look at this lil' doodle! It's kia! She came to visit me with her mama Nicole, owner of Belly catering. This little noodle dog is definitely in the running to becoming Coriander Girl's next top doodle.



And then I made some bouquets.



I heart Tuesdays. My first working day of the week is always full of wonder! Jacques brought amazing things on his flower truck today and he played 'ol blue eyes' for me as I pointed out the flowers I couldn't leave behind. I think I threw a high kick when I heard, "Start spreadin' the news." Now, I understand how Karyn from The Workroom feels when fabric suppliers come visit her. Do I really need five different kinds of Leucadendron? Yes I do!
xoxo
Goodnight dear hearts!

"Sweat til ya can't sweat til ya can't sweat no mo" c+c music factory

My first official crisis(well almost) as a flower shop owner. Yesterday, A very dear woman named Barbara and her two lovely sisters came into the shop. They needed a flower arrangement for today to honor their mothers recent passing. My fridge was empty but I assured them that my flower guy, Jack "Jacques", wasn't far away and after his delivery I would have everything I needed to make them an arrangement their mum would have loved. I called and learned that Jacques had tried me earlier at the shop but I wasn't open. He would not be back my way. We almost agreed for him to leave flowers up at Pusateri's with my newest bf Tanya but that didn't feel right so, I said, "it's okay, I'll figure something out." I called different places near the airport, everyone was closed and definitely not open on Sunday. One last try to Can-mex. The woman insisted that someone would be there at seven o'clock this morning and I let out a gigantic sigh of relief.
Alarm goes off this morning at 6:00. I arrive at Can-mex by 7:15. I wait...and wait.....and wait...7:30...7:45...8:00...8:15...PANIC! I'm sitting in the car with it turned off and the cold has slowly seeped in to where I can now see my breath. My thought process, "She said they were open...she must have made a mistake....she thought today was Monday! Shit! Shit! Shit! Barbara's flower arrangement!...What do I do?.....Not only am I without flowers but by the time I get them I still have to construct this thing and get it over to the family all before 11:00am...I will not go to Loblaws! I would sooner jump in the lake than go to Walmart plus, the family needs pesticide free florals so I definitely can't go to Walmart!!! I won't do it!" I wasn't going to break! I wasn't giving up! Everything always works out!
And then the Can-mex truck pulled in, the owner popped out all jolly like and apologized for being a little late. I practically hugged him and ran inside to get everything I needed! Official crisis averted!
I like how Barbara's arrangement turned out. I think her mum would have liked it too.





Get your hands on this song and crank it up! Dance for your life and the treasures you've been given! I'm dancing right now!
"Everybody dance now...Everybody dance now...Everybody dance now...Come on let's sweat...baby...let the music take control let the rhythm move you...sweat...sweat...let the music take control...let the rhythm move you...da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da dow!!!!" Woooooh!
Click here if you wanna dance!!

xo Alison
See you Tuesday!

Christmas cards!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Coriander Girl!
Thanks to Erin Candela and her amazing hand drawn and painted cards!


I know! Little chickens!


Dancing in the snow!


Sneaky little chicken hiding his candy cane!


Little doodle waiting under the mistletoe!


Get them while you can, no two cards are exactly the same as she draws and paints each one by hand!
Gosh my friends are talented!

It's been a slow day here at the shop but I needed to get caught up on many projects. I'm taking part in the City of Craft fair this year, Dec 12 + 13. I'll be giving away free stuff in the swag bags. I had some trouble with printing one of my gifts but it's all settled. I should be able to have everything ready by tomorrow night. Come to the fair and get a (pause here) -I just had a man come into the shop to tell me the bouquet I made for his girlfriend last night was the envied bouquet by all the other actresses who also received bouquets from their partners! Yayyy! (resume here) gift for that special someone this holiday season!
Goodnight to all and to all a goodnight!
xoxo
Ali

What fun!

Today was fun!
This is what I enjoy doing more than anything.




Teenie tiny doodle posies!
I made 14 place settings for a Christmas party tonite for "The Little Paper."
Vicki, is giving these little posies in vintage bottles as gifts to her staff. How sweet is that!?



I'm going to have to go bottle hunting soon!



It was one glorious moment after the next today. I was at the computer when the door opened and the squealing began! My dear friend Priscilla and her darling Nico surprised me today. She's been living abroad with her french boyfriend and they've just recently come home for Priscilla to finish University. They are good people! Welcome home dear darlings!

Well off to do a focus group on pizza! Holla!
Alison : > xo

A Root toot doodle doot Tuesday!

I love Tuesday! For me it's my Monday because the shop is closed on Monday and today it's back to business as usual or rather, unusual actually. There is nothing usual about my day. The only thing consistent is putting the key in the door at 11am and closing up at 7pm. The way my day unfolds is always a surprise. This morning "Jacques" came early and I chose the most divine things from his flower truck of beauty. I'm really feeling the Christmas spirit now. In fact, Hall and Oats is singing Jingle Bell Rock on the radio this very minute! Oh Oats, you gave us so much and Hall, you guys were the best. Is there a re-union rumor? If anyone can confirm this, I'd be really pleased!
Well, I'm off to finish my little duties for the day!
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Alison : > xo

Fresh new day

An arrangement that I delivered this morning with the help of Coriander Dad.


Thistles are one of my favorites to work with.


An arrangement inspired by the season.


And some bouquets made from evergreen boughs, berries and twigs by Melanie Ollenburg.



Hope you're all having a lovely weekend so far!
Alison : > xo