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