Anna Banana & Apple Jack

We have adopted to little furry friends! Please welcome Anna Banana & Apple Jack to my lovely little flower shop Sweetpea's. We were initially told that Mrs. Banana was 7 years old... However, in fine print we read a weak later "1 year old" scribbled in by the vet. So much for getting two senior citizens... we got ourselves some kittens. Every morning we await their sweet little faces at the door, only to walk in on running sinks, broken vases, Orchids on the floor and one time Mrs. Banana even got stuck in between the 100 year old floor boards... don't ask how and don't worry we got her out and it will never happen again. Life is always an adventure at our quirky little petting zoo... i mean flower shop. Talk soon!

Nice to meet you to... New York Times

Sweetpea's  
163 Roncesvalles Avenue 
(416) 537-3700 
sweetpeablooms.ca   

This year-old flower shop is a trove of hyper-local design. Hand-sewn quilts (150 dollars) come courtesy of the owner Sara Jameson's mother. And pretty lavender sachets (8 dollars) are made by Tellie Hunt, the tattooed rocker who works behind the counter.

Credit: Ian Willms for The New York Times

Can you believe it?! I sure can't! Your little florist is mentioned in the New York Times this week! It just blows my mind to see my picture at the top of the page in one of the biggest newspapers in North America. Did I mention that it was released on my birthday! Thats what I call a roaring start to my twenties! Still kind of in shock. 

Other good news... I finally am all settled into my new quaint little apartment and have a computer again. Therefore, no more excuses I will once again be that avid blogger that I once was. I can`t wait to show you photos of my new diggs. It is probably the girliest apartment that could exist in this neck of the woods. In my opinion, any newly single gal should absolutely fill her apartment with all things pink and floral. 

The Little Florist Pillows

Been up to some major crafting this summer. Here is one of my first pillows for sale how exciting ! I will have many more to come. They are made out of recycled fabric, filled with down and hand sewn with a vintage doily. I hope you like it!

Hello Weddings!

First big wedding this year and lucky little me got to make the bridal bouquet! How can you make something ugly when you have some of the nicest flowers to work with? Peonies with Dusty Miller and Brunia made for a stunning combination. I am so happy the season is here. In case you didn't know... weddings are my favorite thing in the world (besides my little furry friends... and perhaps my boyfriend).  This lovely bride found our store through Jaiden's Petals because they were booked for the weekend. I strongly recomend you check out her amazing blog she does some stunning work. It is so nice to have a little floral network in this lovely big old city.

Yummy Mummies!

Holy cow it is finally over. These past three days were the busiest in Sweetpea's history. I'm talking busier than Valentine's Day ( by like 10 times .) It was an absolute gong show but it was fabulous! Holidays aren't holidays without working in a flower shop anymore. They are so much fun and you get to make so many lovely things (non-stop). The flower of the weekend was definitely Peonies. I'm talking  going through 300 Peonies in 3 days... Ya I know right? I jokingly say to my single female friends that if they want to meet some big sweeties to come take a gander in a flower shop on Mother's Day. These are men that are buying flowers for their mummies and grandmas (top quality men if you ask me.) Nonetheless, this weekend is going down in history for the busiest flower shop I have ever worked during my 5 year career as a florist. 

Our Local Friends

I have a lovely customer who comes in at least once a week with her beautiful baby girl and gorgeous Golden Retriever. She runs a business called 3rd Story Cakes out of her home and does lovely organic custom cakes where everything and anything on them is edible. It is wonderful to support local small businesses which is why I am so proud to introduce you to her work.
For more info about her cakes visit her  Facebook or e-mail her at 3rdstorycakes@gmail.com.

Sweetpea's & Wedding Magazines

Just thought I should share with you some of the fabulous arrangements and boutonnieres that were done at Sweetpea's by my co-worker for a Weddingbells magazine photo shoot. The theme was "Preppy, Mod, Gossip Girl" and I must say Molly pulled it off flawlessly. 

A day of Sweethearts

I wouldn't spend Valentines Day any other way than in a flower shop. It is amazing to be a part of so much love. At one point during the day we had a lineup of six men staring at the card wall trying to find the perfect card for their sweethearts. I must have made 200 bouquets this weekend and each one of them for a guy who is either in love or falling for a special someone. Some men would take forever to pick out the exact bouquet that represented their sweeheart's personality perfectly. The real winners are the men who were sending bouquets to their grandmothers in retirement homes who no longer had a sweetheart. Each man I served reminded me of my sweetie trying to pick out a bouquet for me. Although we planned to celebrate Valentines Day on the 15th I still came home to the surprise of a bouquet from my favorite florist Coriander Girl. Having so much love around me made me feel all cozy inside.

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.

Antique Cycling

As an avid cyclist (still riding in the snow) and an antique hunter I was blown away by this amazing find. This stunning cruiser was made out of bamboo from top to bottom from the chain guard to the fenders to the woven bamboo seat. It was just stunning! How nice it is to simply walk to the end of my street and be able to go antiquen' untill I drop. Oh do I love Parkdale!

Flowers From My Sweetheart

Lucky little me to have such a sweet boyfriend that surprises me at work with a gorgeous bouquet. It is hard to train a man to do such things especially when you yourself are a florist. The thing is guys... us florists like flowers so much that we do it for a living! Just because were around them all day doesn't mean we appreciate them any less! This is my second bouquet that my sweetheart has gotten me from Coriander Girl which is defiantly my favorite florist in the city besides the shops I work at of course. 

The Melissa

I have found the most amazing new little store on Queen West; The Melissa. Located at 1080 Queen St. W. right by Dovercourt is where you will find this wonderful treasure. It was a big coincidence that the owner is actually a frequent shopper at Sweetpea's and I have sold her some bulbs a couple of times. Here are a couple of amazing finds that I have recently purchased from her and also a little craft project that her store inspired me to do.

A lovely peachy pink hat box which was originally from New York,

.. and last put not least this little hanky which I sewed onto my pillow. What a quick and easy way to add  to any boring old pillow.

Unfortunately Frowned Upon

There are many flowers out there which have been used and abused. Now when flowers such as Gladiolas and Baby's Breath are mentioned most people will scream in horror. But, what most people don't know is how lovely these little misfits can be if used properly.
Gladiolas:
Striking tall friends that make a huge impact for a tight budget. When used in mass they look absolutely stunning. Here are a couple of arrangements I have done for weddings that turned out quite well if I do say so myself.

Baby's Breath:
Stop picturing it alongside a dozen red roses and imagine it in a tight posy all by itself. When you look at the flowers on their own, you notice how sweet each little flower is and how it forms a beautiful white cloud when bunched together. I absolutely adore this bouquet from my favorite florist Coriander Girl who owns an amazing little shop in Parkdale which you must go and visit.

I think there is no need to be a flower snob and we really look at flowers for what they are and find new ways to use them and put them back in their glory.