Actually it isn't a dream.  It happens every year in the lovely Village of Bayfield.

The latest addition to your destination wedding picks is right in my backyard
(well almost).  Bayfield is one of the big reasons why I love living in this area.

For me, Bayfield is....
.....where I build sand castles on the beach with my son.
.....where I eat fantastic local food, every single season of the year.
.....where I go for a night out with friends.
.....where I listen to the best Canadian artists in a very intimate setting.
.....where I savour huge ice cream cones on a hot summer day.
.....where I buy my books because they have the cutest little bookstore.

my-bayfield.com will inspire.  my-bayfield.com will connect you with all the people you need to know to plan your ideal destination wedding.  

My Vintage Talk and Shop will be held in Bayfield on the grounds of The Little Inn.  Join us on April 9th to talk about all things vintage and spend some time shopping.  It will be a great chance to take in the beautiful sights of Bayfield.  The workshop is at about 80 per cent capacity, so if you are planning to attend please email me asap.

Thinking of getting married in Niagara On The Lake?  

This coming Sunday, February 27th, the Vintage Hotels will play host to the 2011 Wedding Show.  Pillar and Post, Queen's Landing and Prince of Wales are hosting a fabulous annual event to showcase the venues and give you a chance to taste-test yummy food.

And who doesn't like free gourmet food samples!?!!?

When you are looking around Pillar and Post be sure to stop by and say hello to my friend (and oh so fantastic photographer) Nataschia Wielink.  You have got to check out her blog, my most recent favourite post is from the Niagara Ice Wine Festival.  

I was hoping to attend the show this year with Nataschia but my snowbird Mom is flying home for a 5 day visit.  Hey, what can I say?  I miss her and want to spend some time with her this weekend.  (See, there really is a human behind this blog)

Anyway, Nataschia kindly offered to display lots of vintage pieces from the HVR inventory.  She was at the shop today and picked up some of your favourite pieces. Yes, the travel trunk will be there.  Yes, there will be skeleton keys and empty frames too.  
And so much more!

So stop by & say hi to my friend.  It will be one of the many highlights of your Sunday!

This hint of spring must have many people in the spirit for a road trip.  Next week visitors are coming to the shop!  A little spring cleaning was in order so I spent most of the day re-arranging, dusting and dismantling The Wedding Show display.

I know.  The Wedding Show.  Yes, that was in January, about a month ago.  Oh well, it is all taken apart now and ready for the rental season.

I don't want to spoil the first glance of the shop for my visitors next week.  For now you will have to be satisfied with a shot of the door.  Plain Jane.  Unassuming.  Hmmmm......I wonder what is behind that door!

Give me a call to book an appointment and come see for yourself.  We know winter is going to linger for a bit longer, but spring is on its way.  Plan a road trip with your friends and come to the West Coast of Ontario.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

And don't forget to sign up for the Vintage Talk & Shop event on April 9th.  Hope to see you in Bayfield.  Photographers, brides & grooms, event planners, lovers of vintage are all welcome!

The sound of water trickling through the eaves trough is music to my ears.  We might just be having a short glimpse at spring but I will take it!  Besides my giddiness about the weather, I am also happy with the latest addition to the inventory.

A few weeks ago, a client approached me about a lemonade stand for an event this spring.  It was on my to-do list but this request forced the issue.  Vintage barn board isn't too easy to find these days without paying a hefty fee but I was able to secure boards that were in good condition at an acceptable rate.  Notice how wide the boards are?  That is rare and extra fantastic!!!

Enter the carpenter who is always eager to try new things.  Within a couple of days of measuring, I receive an email of a finished product.  Seriously, this guy rocks!  I have this great carpenter who can pull together anything I dream up!  Someday I am going to introduce you to him.

But for now, I am pleased to introduce you to the BARN BOARD BAR!

This beauty measures five feet long and is about 35 inches high.  It is about 20 inches wide.  Inside is a handy shelf for storing glasses and bottles.

You can use it for a lemonade stand, a dessert table, gift table or a bar.  

There is an option to have a custom sign made for over the top of the bar (see inspiration photo below).
 I can see it now....... Lemonade for Sale, Saddle Up or The Bar is Open.  
Or how bout Drop The Gifts Here and Sweets Please.

You could also turn it around and use the back side for displays.  I know my son has plans to use a smaller version for his fresh veggie stand at the end of our drive way this summer!

I'm coming up with lots of inspirational ideas for using this at your event.  Whenever the snow melts I'll style a few different ideas and post them.   (Can you tell I prefer I working outside!?!?)  In the meantime, here are a couple of inspirations for using a bar like this at your party.

Photo Credits:  JK Photography, Ruffled

Today I am going to highlight a few beautiful ways to incorporate empty picture frames at your event or photo shoot.  There are so many ways to use them!  The HVR inventory highlights individual frames with measurements.  I have some large frames (think 5 feet+) that will be coming online in the spring.  Meanwhile enjoy looking through these ideas. 

A great way to display original family photos in your home or at a party.  This could easily be shifted for employee photo displays at a business event too.

I am already dreaming of displaying the HVR collection in some pine trees this summer.

I think this would be fun for friends at a vintage tea party / wedding shower.

We can easily string twine around the frames and use them for escort cards.

Giving some height to the cake & treats display with pure love.

Photo Credits:  Green Shoe Weddings, Ruffled, Salt Harbor Design, Love The Dress

This morning I woke up feeling very positive that spring will actually arrive at some point this year.  After 6 or so weeks of bitter winter, it is nice to have it feeling a bit warmer.  Heck, there might even be a snowman in the works this week.

Spring brings new things; we all know it is about birth and regeneration.  We aren't quite there yet but I thought I would let you know that a few things are 'gestating' in terms of inventory at Hazlitt Vintage Rental.

No pictures yet but they will come.  Soon.

Here is a list of what is on the horizon.  Soon.
- wine barrels
- 150 feet of globe lights
- a paymaster machine : you can use it stamp your party date on a piece of paper and guests can use it for writing well wishes
- a couple of new typewriters (1960's style)
- almost 20 crackled pottery containers for centerpieces
- a barn board lemonade stand
- 6 quart fruit baskets
- a fantastic post office wooden cabinet that was used for sorting mail 
- some cafe chairs and a black cafe table
- a sweet '50s vanity table
- an old phonograph stand (but no phonograph) : it will be a great cake stand!
- floor light and a couple of small chandeliers


The spring workshop is coming up too!  Don't miss out, we are going to have a fantastic time.  Plan to hop in the car & come for a drive to Bayfield on Saturday April 9th.  We will start the afternoon off with a spring cocktail and chat about vintage for awhile.  Afterwards we will head out for some great shopping.  Find out more.......  

Vintage luggage is hot! If you were hanging out in the Menswear Department at Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street over the holidays you would have noticed stacks of vintage luggage in their display.

Luggage is versatile.  Stack it!  Carry it!  Open it! 

Here are a few ideas for incorporating luggage into your party decor. 

Use luggage to display party favours.  It makes such a grand display and can be used as a statement piece until the end of the event when your guests take their favour and go home.

You could also use this same set-up for escort cards.  Each guest could take their potted plant to the table.  The potted plants could be placed in the middle of the table to create a center piece or set at each place setting to enhance an already present centerpiece.

Here are a couple of ways to use luggage for your cake display.  Open case or shut, they both serve the purpose well of making your cake a focal point.

A word of caution about BUYing luggage; these days it is highly priced due to the demand.  If you are set on buying your own piece remember to open it up & smell it!  Yes, smell it.  Not everything smells like fields of lavender.    There are methods to remove the mildew smell but it takes some time and sunlight. 

Another tip for buyers, make sure the locks are in good working condition.  The mechanisms should work smoothly for opening and locking shut.  Keys are optional but if the set comes with them, make sure they are the correct keys for the locks. 

And before you buy, think about what you are going to do with the luggage after your party.  Is it going to be a dust collector in a closet?  If so, RENT it!  Check out my luggage inventory.

Carrie Bradshaw pulled it off first, or at least she tried.  Thanks to BIG her dream wedding in the gorgeous halls of a New York City Library were tarnished.  Nevertheless, it was the written word that brought the two love birds back together.  Remember, BIG’s emails featuring snippets of love poems and precious thoughts?

I love books and I know there are quite a few of you out there who also appreciate  black type on paper gathered together in a hard cover.  Considering the shift towards Kindles and iPads, I guess we could say that hard cover books are starting to become a vintage item.

I have numerous hard cover vintage (pre-1970) books available for rent in a wide range of colours.  Unlike a library, where books are sorted by subject and author, my book shelves are sorted by colour.   Whether your colour theme is red, blue, black, beige or green, books can be inserted for decor pieces.

Here are some nice ideas for incorporating books into your event decor.  Don't forget family photo shoots and engagement pictures are great for incorporating vintage too.  

Take a close look at the table.  Pages from a book make up the table runner.  LOVE this!



The next three shots feature books as part of the centerpieces and how to use books for table numbers.

Books are great additions to photo shoots too.  There is the romantic twist of reading each other love poems or a classic.  Some parties revolve around a book theme; Alice In Wonderland was all the craze last year!  In an upcoming blog I'll pull together some classic story kits to highlight for you.