One of the benefits of being part of The Wedding Co.'s show is the chance to meet creative vendors who provide supplies and services to brides and grooms.  I met so many talented people!  From time to time I will chat about them in the blog and I'm always ready to provide recommendations too.

Today is all about Lilium.  Lilium is a fantastic flower shop located on Hazelton Lane in Toronto.  After many years of working from a studio, Phyllis Lill and her daughter, Marilyn opened Lilium last spring.  

Some of you may recall that Lilium was featured on Breakfast TV during the build-up to The Wedding Show.

Phyllis approached at the show to talk about all things vintage.  After the show we chatted a bit more and I stopped by their shop too.  Phyllis and Marilyn decided they wanted to add a few more vintage touches for the upcoming Valentine and early spring displays.   

So today I load up the SUV with some props, brought a friend along for the drive and spent a couple of hours inhaling the sweet smell of fragrant blooms while adding some more vintage touches to the shop.  There was already a great base of inventory to work with thanks to the shop owners' great taste.

So take a walk in Yorkville & stop by.  The window display is coming together with all the Valentine glory that is expected during this season.  Marilyn has a show stopper arrangement planned!  There will be lots of the beautiful canning jars around too.  So if you are a bride interested in those jars be sure to go see them in person!

Lilium
41 Hazelton Avenue  Toronto, Ontario  M5R 2E3
p. 416-482-5380
marilyn . lill @ lilium . ca
www.lilium.ca

Besides flowers, Lilium also offers workshops, great books, lovely greeting cards, candles and stunning vases from England and France.

I am so happy that people can’t get enough of our winter romance shoot.  It really was spectacular!  (Obviously I am biased)  Last week at The Wedding Show it was great to hear from so many of you who had viewed on Style Me Pretty.  It is good to know brides are out there doing their research and finding what works for them.

LaBelle Bride featured the shoot today and outlined the important pieces that you need to carry-off a superb vintage wedding.  Enjoy!


On another note, I went shopping yesterday.  It was a cold and blustery day, so no one else was shopping for vintage.  I arrived home with our SUV full of goodies.  A vanity table, a phonograph stand (sans the phonograph), some books and sheet music, a couple of typewriters (sorry, it isn’t the Royal pink), a chippy paint ladder, some luggage and a fantastic Paymaster machine.  Will post pictures soon!

I continue to work on posting inventory and clarifying rental fees.

If you are looking for picture frames, check out the Door & Frame section.  I photographed each frame.  Rental fees and measurements are included for each frame.

A couple of new chairs have been added to the Furniture section too.  

I grew up with this rattan chair (and 5 other pieces from the same set) covered in a woolen red plaid material.  The set was produced in Stratford Ontario and belonged to a great Aunt before my parents received it.  It was originally covered in a floral pattern and took up residence in Detroit where some of my maternal family emigrated to in the '50s.  In the '70s when it returned to Canada, my Mom thought red plaid would be great.  

I know plaid is making a bit of a come back but after so many years I couldn't bear to look at it any longer.  Over the holidays I stopped by to visit my favourite upholster and we mixed & matched material from her left-over stock to create this look.  I love it so much!  To be honest these chairs are sitting in my sun room as I type.  Don't worry I'm still willing to rent out these beauties.

What a weekend!  I was at The Wedding Show at The Carlu.

I met beautiful brides and handsome grooms.  I met talented photographers, florists and designers.  I tasted glorious bits of yumminess from caterers and cake decorators.  I listened to the sweet voice of a pianist. 

It was so much fun!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciated your kind words and most of all your excitement about VINTAGE!  It is going to be a great year.

I have photos to post, stories to share and vendors to boast about.  Stay tuned for lots of ideas too!

BUT today I have to do laundry, unpack from the show, drink hot lemon so my voice returns, walk my dog and build lego structures when my boy returns home from school. 

In the meantime, check out Shell Design's blog.  Shelley is a fantastic wedding planner in the London area.  If you stopped by my booth at the show, you likely saw one of Shelley and Greg's engagement photos.  Thanks Shelley!  Looking forward to seeing you & Greg in April.

I am inspired by the bride's who are emailing me.  Some of you know exactly what you want, others have an idea but not sure how to incorporate vintage pieces and some of you are just excited about the prospect of renting vintage!

I'm pleased to present a Vintage Decor Workshop to answer all your questions and help you discover the world of vintage decor at weddings.

This workshop is for brides & grooms, event planners and photographers.

Saturday April 9, 2011
The Little Inn of Bayfield, Bayfield Ontario

11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Lunch (optional)
Come before the workshop and join us for a casual lunch at The Little Inn.

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.   Workshop
We will move across the street to The Little Inn's Cottage property for our afternoon workshop.  Refreshments will be served.

Topics include;
- the vintage wedding trend
- vintage pieces that inspire 
- it isn't just pretty stuff: adding the male vibe with vintage
- how to use vintage pieces at your wedding 
- where to buy and rent vintage decor

Bring your inspiration boards, swatches, pictures and/or your favourite vintage piece.  There will be lots of time to chat and share!

3:00 p.m.  Vintage Shopping
Come shopping with me!  We will visit some local vintage shops together and hopefully find some goodies just a short walk and drive away.  

$55 per person 
lunch is not included

Click here to email me & register.

Sunday April 10, 2011
I'll be booking individual appointments with brides & grooms, event planners and photographers who would like to visit the HVR shop.  We can chat about your plans, look at the inventory and come up with some great picks for your day.  Please contact me to book a time.

This is my all time favourite shot of Katie and Eric.  It was taken towards the end of the day.  They had persevered through a chilly wind and Katie had just wrapped up an intense session of modelling at the bed vignette.   You could tell Eric was a bit concerned that his beautiful lady was getting chilly (even though she never let on).  


In this moment, we were all cold BUT then Eric put his hand on Katie's head and gave her the most sensuous kiss.  

BREATH-TAKING!  

It made all of us stop in our tracks and of course, Erin captured the moment perfectly.

Filled With Heart stumbled upon our shoot in late December.  I was so happy to read the post today.

I am a bundle of emotions!  The Wedding Show is quickly approaching!

Things are busy at the shop.  While I'm sewing my Dad is out in the shop working on the frames for the display.  Here is a sneak peak at what is going on.
See you there!