Marilyn Denis~Thanksgiving with Coriander Girl!

Marilyn and the gang were so awesome and as usual made me feel right at home. And, I got to hang with my pal Michael Penney,designer extraordinaire, who was also on the show today and totally killed it. Coriander Girl has been invited back in December to discuss holiday arrangements so we'll keep you posted on the show date! Much love and thanks for watching! Alison xo

Coriander Girl on Marilyn Denis~Easing into orchids!

Click here to watch the segment. Thank you once again to everyone from Camp Marilyn for another amazing experience!! Alison xo

Hey darling doodles! It looks like we've been nominated as NOW magazines top wedding florist! What a thrill and a delight! If you want to support us and vote, because you agree, click here! Thanks so much for being so fabulous over the last three and a half years, it's been a pleasure serving you! Warmly, Alison xo

Coriander Girl on The Marilyn Denis Show!

Click here to watch!

Definitely one of those pinch me moments in life that I'm so excited to share with you! A huge thank you to everyone on the show for being so kind.  Marilyn was an absolute delight. Wendy, Seta, Kathy, Amy, Justin, Chris and so many other fabulous folks helped make this experience out of this world by miles!! Melissa, Dee and Carl thanks for the dear words of encouragement, you're an inspiration!
A good day, "absolutely."
Alison xo

Mother's Day just around the corner, Sunday May 12th!

Hasn't May been the prettiest May ever? Because we had such a cold winter, Spring feels so much more exciting this year. And when Spring finally arrives it's always my reminder that Mother's day is just around the corner, this Sunday to be exact and so if you're ordering Mother's Day flowers for delivery, please have your orders in by Friday. You can also just pop in and grab a bouquet anytime between 11 and 7pm on Saturday and 10 to 5pm on Sunday.

Also, we're so excited to share that the back garden is open for business this weekend. Sadly, we aren't renting to Urban Harvest (Colette Murphy, my sister from another Mr.) this year as the seedlings required more sun than our space could provide but we'll be selling some plants and garden decor of our own. Please come by this weekend and check it out!  Urban Harvest can be found at 2457 Dundas Street West just north of Bloor. Happy planting everyone!!

Reblogged Click here

Alison xo

Oh it's finally here!...yeah?

Source: Picture Perfect For You

Spring!!!!!
Is it really you? You've been teasing me so.
Well, I just want to say how much I've missed you and can't wait to party with you!!
The shop has got some exciting plans for you too. The back garden reveal is happening very soon and we'll have more garden inspired things for sale!
Anyway, just thought I'd formally welcome you and thank you for coming. Our brides are excited too about their Spring weddings. This year we've got a ton in May so you've come just in time.
Oh and Urban Harvest seeds are back at the shop and ready for planting so you keep that warm breeze comin' girl!

Alison xo
Coriander Girl

Penney and Company floral workshop!

A few months back I had been asked by the fiercely talented Michael Penney, designer extraordinaire and owner of Penney and Company to come to his fabulous shop in Whitby and teach a floral workshop this month. It was our first time meeting yesterday after almost 3 years of virtual high fives and way to go's! Yet, it couldn't have felt more like bumping into an old friend. I think that's one of Michael's many gifts, he immediately puts you at ease. The down to earth guy you see on the tube, (The Marilyn Denis Show, House and Home etc) is just what you get in person but a foot t taller then you might expect.

So there I was with 30 of Michael's dearest customers, no pressure:). For flowers 101, my goal was less about teaching rules and more about letting go. I think you should get wild with your floral self, get loose and have fun with it, throw the rules out the window and feel it, don't fight it. I'm sure I sounded like a maniac but these women were really blowing my mind. In fact, there were a few who could have dropped off resumes, I wasn't kidding! I'm not sure that there is anything better than watching a person surprise themselves by their own talents. One woman specifically mentioned she didn't normally like what she created but she was a standout! I felt so lucky to watch these fabulous women create such beauty. Isn't that what life is about, finding the beauty?

So talented!! 

Some familiar faces were there too, Krista and Georgia, what a delight it was seeing you both! I'm also curious to know a woman's name who pulled me aside at the beginning to ask a few questions, she sat near the back on the right side of the room where the window was, she was so kind and left before I could tell her that I simply LOVED her arrangement,  she did so much with so little. Her wee little mason jar beauty was simply perfect and I'm heart broken that I didn't get a picture.

Not florists! But could be! 

Anyway, it's safe to say that yesterday was a lightbulb moment for me. I love teaching! Not because I think I'm so brilliant, goodness no, but because I get so much back, it's selfish really!

At one point a lady said, 'you wouldn't tell us if ours wasn't any good,' and it's true, I wouldn't. I found a way to assist if it was needed and it was really awesome to see how one quick tip could really help and how much appreciated those tips were!

Krista with her lovely friends, hilarious ladies! 

Amazing! Amazing!!

Thank you to all of the wonderful ladies who participated yesterday, never stop arranging!

And a big thank you to Michael's right hand gals Julie and Kristen, you were a big help to me too.

And of course endless gratitude to Michael for inviting me. I had an absolute blast!

Alison xo

P.S To all the lovely ladies, couldn't post all the pics from the day! Mostly chose ones that were in focus, eyes open, you understand.

A lovely feature in The Luxe Life!

The Luxe Life recently came to Coriander Girl to photograph Tellie doing what she does best!  Click here to see the complete DIY and get all the tips on how to make this pretty bouquet. 

'Flower Child: Tellie Hunt’s DIY Bouquet'  by The Luxe Life

Alison xo

Flower Girl shoot with eLUXE!

Happy April friends! 

Check out this beautiful editorial for eLUXE shot by the fiercely talented Kira Crugnale at Coriander Girl last week. Thanks for including us ladies! Watch for an upcoming floral DIY with our girl Tellie Hunt. 

Visit the lovely eLUXE here. 

That floral print dress above has my name on it! 
Alison xo

Twitter: @shopeluxe 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopeluxe

Instagram: @shopeluxe

Coriander Bits 20! Easter Bunny Harry!

Happy Easter everyone!




Ahahahahahahaha. Come visit!
Alison xo

St. Patrick's Day Special : Free Antique Mason Jars!

Due to its high popularity, we have decided to extend our special until March 21st! So come by the shop this week and get a free antique mason jar with any $45+ flower arrangement. Consider this the extension of the white rabbit special!!

To claim the offer say the promotional code "St-Patty's Day" at the cash desk, with an accent of course! 

As you may already know, Coriander Girl is a floral and gift boutique in the heart of Parkdale. I offer a unique array of fresh and locally grown floral arrangements that are garden inspired and uniquely designed. You can come by and pick up a fragrant bouquet or place an order and have an arrangement delivered. You're also encouraged to bring in your own vase and have it filled or choose from a range of beautiful vessels. 

Shop Hours: 

Monday: Closed 

Tuesday and Wednesday: 12-6 

Thursday and Friday: 11-6

Saturday: 11-5 

Sunday: 12-4 

To arrange delivery call: 416-532-3333

or stop by the shop located at: 1604 Queen Street West. 

Offer valid March 12th through to March 17th 

Coriander Girl's white rabbit promo launches this weekend!

Come on by this weekend kids and get 20% off a garden inspired bouquet similar in size to the picture above worth $50 or more. Consider this the white rabbit special cuz Harry's in town! This offer ends March 21st so hurry up!

To claim the offer say the promotional code "Harry" at the cash desk 

As you may already know, Coriander Girl is a floral and gift boutique in the heart of Parkdale. I offer a unique array of fresh and locally grown floral arrangements that are garden inspired and uniquely designed. You can come by and pick up a fragrant bouquet or place an order and have an arrangement delivered. You're also encouraged to bring in your own vase and have it filled or choose from a range of beautiful vessels. 

Shop Hours: 

Monday: Closed 
Tuesday and Wednesday: 12-6 
Thursday and Friday: 11-6
Saturday: 11-5 
Sunday: 12-4 

To arrange delivery call: 416-532-3333
or stop by the shop located at: 1604 Queen Street West. 


Offer valid March 12th through to March 17th 

New addition to the Coriander fam!

If my little flower shop could dance, she would throw on a mix of 90's party jams and get a little crazy. Why party jams? What's new at Coriander Girl you ask? We recently welcomed 'The Little Florist' Tellie Hunt.  Yeah... she's takin' names. Rogers Business Internet you better be run, cuz this girl doesn't just settle for highspeed.
In all seriousness, I feel so blessed to have her. Her floral skills are amazing and her organizational skills could put Martha to shame. I'm not always the most organized human on the planet, but thanks to Tellie, everything has a place and there is a label on it.  Please come in and introduce yourselves to this lovely, lovely lady.

Tellie 's recent bouquets and a snuggle with Harry. 

Alison xo

A few pretty pics from out there in the world

Pretty lavender fields and pics below all from (At Home in Love)

 

If I'm not dreaming, I'm not living.
A

2013~ letting go

I love this time of year. It's got the fresh start feel of September but the new year suggests a clean slate where one has the opportunity to begin again. It's time to start new projects, dig out half finished ones and get them done or toss it out, along with all the mental clutter it's caused you for not seeing it through. It's ok to start things and then move on, but my new approach is to let go of all the guilt that consumes me if I don't get back to something. This is the year I give myself a break for not being perfect. I've been trying to do it all for too long, how can you give 100% of yourself to everything, you're going to drop a few balls here and there and that's ok too!! You know, I almost drowned in the sea of plastic balls at Chucky Cheese when I was 5. I just remember a whistle blowing and someone asked all the kids to get out of the balls. I guess my little hand emerged and they dove in after me. So, I've got ball issues ok. lol that sounds amazing. ; > Point being, let the balls drop where they may. 

So, I'm going to dance more and worry less about the small stuff. It's always this time of year that I'm reminded to think my own thoughts rather then to let my brain run on autopilot. How many thoughts a day are you not even conscious of? Worry can consume me if I'm not careful. I worry that I'm not being a good friend, a good daughter, good sister, good auntie, good cousin, good niece, good grandaughter, good daughter in law, good business owner. I am a damn good wife and a good bunny mama. But seriously, in our lives as busy freaking women, we can't do it all. My friend Amy blames Martha a little bit, I have to agree. But Martha had a team behind her and even she wound up in jail.
I am full of hope for the year ahead. The dishes can wait, The Vampire Diaries cannot.
Team Damon! That ones for you Karyn ; >
What task can you swap out for something much more fun right now? Give yourself permission to let go and enjoy this life. You'll never regret the time you put off writing that e-mail and went for late night all you can eat sushi.

Alison xo

Happy 2013!!!

(Source: tarafirma, via laurenstaud)

Happy new year dear friends! 2012 was an extraordinary year and Tyler and I feel so blessed. May this be the best year yet for all of us! I can't wait to share my dreams for Coriander Girl as they come to fruition. Dream big baby or don't bother getting out of bed!
Much love.
Alison xo