Coriander Holidays!

Well, it’s official – wedding season has come to a close at the Coriander loft.  And as the night frosts have claimed the last of our dahlias, anemone, and roses – not to mention the gorgeous fall leaves that have fallen from our trees – we’ve been left with a rather depressing palette of brown, browner, and brownest outside.  

That’s why we’ve decided to take it upon ourselves to bring a shot of natural energy to our front stoops long after the flowers have disappeared… So without further ado, it brings us great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Coriander Holiday Season!  In grand Coriander tradition, we are determined to combat the usual Christmas clichés; there is absolutely no place for fake poinsettias, stiff red bows, or big metallic balls on our mantle.  From urns to wreaths to swags to garlands, Coriander Girl will be offering full-service winter decorating services for your home or business using only the finest quality winter evergreens and natural elements to bring you beautifully crafted creations in organic shapes and colours that will last right through ‘til springtime.  This includes both on-site assembly services and ready-made drop-ins that will be sold in the shop.  How merry is that?

We were in High Park last weekend setting up our first front porch of the season and damn it looked good if we do say so ourselves.  When the sun went down and the twinkle lights were fired up, we actually found ourselves getting – gasp - excited for winter.  What the heck is that all about? 

If you are interested in having us come by your home or business for a consultation, please feel free e-mail us at hello@coriandergirl.com. And don’t forget to pop into the shop to check out our selection of wreaths, swags, laurels, and drop-ins for your urns.

Happy Holidays!

Amira and the Coriander Team

It's official! The Coriander church house is for sale!

We are selling our beautiful little oasis of love by private sale.
This home has been a true sanctuary for us. We wish we could keep it in the family forever but in order to move forward, sometimes you have to be willing to let things go.  The church house has been a haven, a calm place to land, an inspiring space to dream, to plan and to grow. We are excited (and a little envious) for whomever get's to own it next. We're asking 269,000 or best offer.

Built in the late 1800's, the church sits on about a half acre located on a quiet street, just a half hour drive to Prince Edward County. We've upgraded the kitchen, lighting, water filtration system and electrical. Last year we did a complete perennial garden installation. Everything is up to code and the finishes are of the finest quality. 

The church is the perfect seasonal getaway for the city dweller who wants to dip their toes into country living but is also winterized for those who want to live there year round. With a two bedroom additon off the back of the main church living space, there is enough privacy for a small family. We had a dream to build a loft in the main space which would have been an awesome spot to move the master bedroom. 

If you are interested in seeing the church or have any questions please email me at Alison.westlake@gmail.com. We're having an open house on Sunday, November 16th from 1pm to 4pm and we will be accepting offers at that time.

The church address is
479 Scott's Church Road
Quinte West, Ontario
K0K 2C0
My cell is 416 707 6242

To view some lovely images and read a beautiful write up of our church visit Emma Reddington's The Marion House Book Click here!

Alison xo

New Workshop Dates!

        

February 8th: Yearning For Spring ($100/person)
We know winter is dragging on, and we also know it is time for you to get out of the house and bring home some hope for spring. We will be teaching you how to make spring planters which can later be repurposed as a window box. Gorgeous long wooden planters, spring bulbs, potting material and snacks will be provided.

February 14th: All My Single Ladies ($75/person or $150 for you and your single pal)
Calling all single ladies, we are going to turn up the Beyonce and really get down to some floral design business. There is no point in being down about not receiving flowers on Valentines Day, we will make our own! Nothing says ladies night like sweets and B.Y.O.B. We will be designing in mason jars and all materials will be provided along with floral sheers.

February 21st: Centrepiece 101 ($150/person)
Learn how to design a centrepiece in a beautiful footed glass vase. We will walk you through every step from taping to greening to blooming. The workshop will include all materials, a pair of floral sheers and some tasty treats.

February 28th: Flower Crown Mechanics ($125/person)
We will teach you the mechanics behind making our famous flower crowns. Whether it is a "dainty band with a large floral cluster on the side" or a "full on crown of blooms" we have got you covered. All materials will be provided along with snacks.

Bridal Showers With Coriander Girl

Photo cred: Joseph & Jaime

Email workshops@coriandergirl.com for inquiries

Coriander Wedding Studio Of Love!

So, what the heck is going on these days at Coriander Girl?! If you've visited the shop recently you may have noticed that things are a little different. The first thing we did was open a wedding studio! Not far from the shop near Brock and Queen (77 Florence St. to be exact), this gorgeous loft space allows for the growth of the wedding department. Tellie and the team have the opportunity to take on larger scale weddings and focus their talents solely on making your special day the most beautiful wedding day imaginable. This allows for the shop to focus on you, our lovely and loyal customers! You may already know Chloe and Dianne, but for those of you who don't, please visit the shop and meet these delightful and talented women. And for those of you who miss Harry(the shop bunny) and Olive(the shop pup) they still visit occasionally and we'll Instagram when they do, there is a new little shop pet that you have to come meet. Dianne has a little baby lovebird named Lucy and she is as sweet as peach pie! And of course the newest member of the Coriander fam, little Hattie Hogan has arrived and I'll be sharing that story soon!

Much love! 

Alison

CCCCHANGES!

Lovely folks,

As you may already know, exciting changes are afoot! A Coriander baby joined the family this week and she's cute as a peach. Also, we've got a fancy new wedding studio whose doors are set to open soon.

To keep up with the pace of things - and give us time to move furniture, we've elected to close the shop, temporarily, for two weeks.

Please note:

• From June 30 - July 14, our shop will be closed
• Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate new flower orders that fall during this period.
• On Tuesday, July 15, our shop will reopen and we'll resume regular hours:
• Tuesday through Friday, from 11 am to 6 pm;
• Saturday, from 11 am to 5 pm; and
• Sunday, from noon to 4 pm.

For all wedding inquiries, please connect with our wedding coordinator, Tellie Hunt, via email at tellie@coriandergirl.com.

We look forward to catching up/sharing details about the wee babe and studio with you in two weeks.

Until then,

xo The Coriander Team

Our little lady is due today!

Our little girl is due to arrive today! 40 weeks of baking this little bean and I think I can officially say we're ready....well....sort of. 

How do you prepare for the coming of a human to join your blissful party of 2? You read a couple books, you buy all the necessities, try to prep your business for your absence and you wait. 

It's been an extraordinary nine months. I've watched my skinny little body morph into a voluptuous round curvy ball of bodacious-ness. Of course, I won't mind losing a few pounds but I love my curvy new bits. I think I look healthier than I have in years. And my skin! What the heck?! It's the glowy dewy perfection I always wished for in high school! These hormones have definitely helped me more then they've hurt. I know I'm lucky in that regard, don't hate me ladies, when the clock strikes twelve it's pumpkin time and this luscious mama might just shrivel up like an ol' prune. 

Truly, I have had a pretty awesome pregnancy, aside from the general exhaustion and some gastrointestinal stuff. I was never nauseas and actually at times felt better pregnant then not. However, I haven't LOVED being pregnant. If there was a check box with an alternative option for carrying a human, I might check it. For example check the appropriate box 1. Your husband, 2. A robot 3. A kangaroo  I'm okay with those options. Honestly, Tyler would have been a baby carrying soldier. He's been an absolute dream of a partner these last nine months, far exceeding my already high expectations of him. He's put up with a lot. It's amazing he can still fit in the bed what with all the pillows I've accumulated and demand be placed around me, just so. But if he were carrying our little noodle, I wonder, would he even burden me with his woes? Would he demand late night chocolate runs and abdominal massage at 3am? Probably no. He's a natural born nurturer and I simply cannot wait to see him with our daughter. He will love her fiercely and spend his days living to make her laugh and feel loved just as he has done for me. Man we are lucky ladies!

So, to wrap it up, our babe could arrive tonight, she's feeling low and walking has become a 

challenge. But, I also know that it could be another 2 weeks. What I ask from you dear friends is to wish for me strength and courage during labour and that our baby arrives safely and healthily. Imagine my milk flowing in like the white rushing river rapids of the BC mountains, or don't if that makes you uncomfortable, lol. Send me a speedy, painless recovery and a smooth transition back to our home in Prince Edward County. Our time here together in Toronto as we wait for our little one has been absolutely magical, it's like we've been tourists in our own city, like a honeymoon of sorts. I know I'll look back on this time with such fondness and carry these memories with me like little souvenieres.

The thought of labour actually excites me now, thanks to Ina May Gaskin. I'm going to the mountain, I'm going to bring back our daughter. I'll never be the same again and I'm okay with that.  

Much love.

Alison xo