The Gift Show!

What a long and exhausting day full of shopping, shopping and shopping! This week the CGTA is on and let me say, what an interesting show it is. There is basically a whole convention center (and I mean like 8 different rooms) filled with vendors selling anything and everything to retail stores. Whether they are from British Columbia, the United States or overseas they are there and they are trying to sell you everything. This is where buyers go to get new product for the store and I must say that we were good and didn't go as crazy as I thought we would. Although these pictures are not of what we bought at the gift show they are a little peak at the merchandising I do. I must say that I love merchandising and I am so incredibly excited to merchandise the new product we bought today.

Lovelies of the Week

As I continue to settle in whether it is painting, putting up pictures or buying new furniture I am truly exhausted. Today is the first day that everything is finished besides little projects that will take time such as painting the wall unit, finishing some paintings (which I have been trying to finish painting for months) and sewing some new pillow cases for the couch. Don't worry I will be sure to post lots of pictures of my endeavors and keep you updated! But as all of this chaos prolongs I still continue to work almost everyday and keep my head up by making and being surrounded by pretty little things. Here are some of the beautiful little friends that came in this week at East of Eliza.

Taking a deep breath before Valentines Day.

Here is a little sneak peak of what I will be doing for Valentines day which is sneaking up on me like a mosquito. This is a little "Rose Garden" which I made just to give you a little sneak peak. I promise I will keep you posted throughout this lovely little hectic holiday. Although I may sound like I am dreading it I am actually excited for the little rush, it should be fun!

Dear Blog.. I'm sorry.

What a crazy couple of weeks it has been. I keep thinking to myself "Damn I really need to write a new post" and seeing as I cannot find my camera after my big move it kept getting pushed aside. Let me tell you moving from the wonderful little community of Parkdale to "condoland" had been quite the change. I am just so fortunate to still be able to work in the west end which will always make me feel at home. However I await with anticipation the usual post-moving trip to ikea for the basics as well as the trip to the antique market for the bigger stuff. There is lots of nifty projects I have up my sleeve that I am excited to share once I settle in so keep your eye out! But for now enjoy this little posie I made in a tiny little jam jar with eucalyptus, thistle, queen anne's lace and hydrangea. Yum!

Dancing at Sweetpea's

It has become a weekly ritual to end the day with some good solid dancing. Secretly nothing makes me want to dance and sing more than Chromeo. So, the minute I start to close, on it comes and the dancing begins. This post is not only about dancing though it is also about the lovely store I work at. All week long I anticipate the weekends so I can go to work at Sweetpea's. It is the most lovely place anyone could hope to work at. It always smells like lavender and since I go to the flower market on Tuesdays, I always have a fridge full of flowers that I have picked myself and am so excited to use. But it is not only the store itself that is fantastic, it is also the area; Roncesvalles Village. I ABSOLUTLY love Roncey. Although I live in Parkdale I cannot wait to move to Roncey one day. Everyone is always walking and shopping locally. Going out on the street everyone seems to know eachother and they are always so happy to see eachother. It is quite a magical place.

A "must watch" for dreamers.

Noah + Courtney Love Story//Same Day Premiere from AQUA VIVUS on Vimeo.

I have never seen a wedding video that has touched me quite as much as this one did. Not only is it the fact that the videographers Aquavivus are phenomenal but it's the fact that the bride reminds me so much of myself. The whole vintage country feel to the wedding is straight up my alley. Just watching the bride as she goes through her wedding day I had this deep feeling that it would be me someday and I'm not going to lie it brought a little tear to my eye. I'm sure you will love the equally stunning pictures taken of this wedding by Sloan Photographers as well.

I now pronounce you... Groom and Groom

I must say it is so nice to live in a country where two men or women are able to get married. This weekend I had the opportunity to work on a beautiful large wedding that was held at The Liberty Grand for two men. The East of Eliza team has been working on putting this wedding together non-stop for months now. Let me tell you I must have reworked the quote at least seven times but the end result was phenomenal. The colour scheme was black and white and hopefully soon I will have pictures of the set-up but for now here are a couple of workshop photos.

In order to get all 20 centerpieces looking the same while using three designers we would each be in charge of three flowers so that there were no centerpieces with funny shapes or different styles. 

The Anemones with their little black were to die for and defiantly tied in the colour scheme

These were the candelabras in which the floral arrangement inserts would be placed inside. 

Here is one out of six of the entrance pieces which sat on top of pillars. *please note China in the background 

The Unusual Tourist

The only way to explore an unknown place is to visit a few places which aren't always on the tourist radar. It is the best way to experience a new place in depth and get a feel for what it is all about. While in Kissimee we decided to go walking in a forest to see what kind of unusual things we could find.

Some Holiday Reading

Besides the novels I have on the go (which are late going back to the library as always.) I obviously had to pick up some bridal magazines to read in the sun. Here are just a few of the images I will be putting in my scrapbook of wedding ideas. Enjoy!

Little folded up hearts depicting the itinerary for the big weekend.

Folded envelope "save the dates"

Having urns filled with tall branches makes the room feel whimsical and gardeny. Ever since I did a wedding with tall magnolia trees which towered over the aisle, it has always been my dream to do the same and have it feel as though I am walking through a forest indoors.

There's something about topiaries that just say Victorian garden. This mantle display is so sweet and so cost effective.

I had always planned on using loose tea as my wedding favor but the idea of using seeds is so much more gardeny, which I love! Not to mention how sweet it is to sew the pouch onto the place card or to put it in a matchbook.

Oh how I love Martha Stewart Weddings! There are so many crafty ideas that always make me so inspired. My poor boyfriend who has to listen to me all day saying "Ooooh look at this!! look at this!!! wow this is amazing!!" might not appreciate Martha as much on the other hand.