Sometimes when a group of vendors gets together, we go a little overboard.  Imagine creative minds buzzing with so many great ideas, a beautiful day and a warehouse full of props.  It can be a lot of fun!

We set up an outdoor kitchen.  It would be sweet for an engagement shoot if the couple enjoyed cooking and the outdoors.  There are lots of fireside engagement shots so we figured we should take it up a notch and create a kitchen.  

More of this shoot and a vendor list is at Style Me Pretty Canada.  Enjoy.

When I was a little girl, I was given a Royal Doulton Alice In Wonderland figurine.  There is Alice, sitting in her pretty blue dress, long blonde hair set back under a white ribbon, reading a book. It is so finely made that you can read the words on the open page.  It is one my treasures.

I was excited when Julia from Justin & Mary called to tell me about a shoot / workshop they were doing near Toronto earlier this summer.  Toronto was their second last stop on their Spread The Love tour and it was themed after Alice In Wonderland.  It was a treat to meet them and watch them in action.  No doubt about it, if I was a photographer, I would want to learn from these two.  Justin & Mary are fantastic - sweet as pie, generous and hearts of gold.  I tell ya, Julia - who has a fab eye for styling - is one lucky gal to work with them!  

The Spread The Love Tour was a series of photography workshops across the U.S. and had one stop in Canada.  Photographers spend the day with Justin and Mary, photographing an entire wedding set-up with models.  From the ceremony through to reception, it is a full 12 hour+ day of learning, laughing and capturing great shots.

One of the photographers at the Spread The Love workshop in Toronto was Taylor Jackson from My Best Friends Wedding Photography.  Here are some her pics from the day - the ones that feature some HVR rentals. Thanks for letting me share them Taylor!

Of course the 'teachers' had some of their own shots too.  Check out Justin & Mary's work.  Julia kindly sent me a copy of the favourites to share with you.  

Now wasn't that a lovely diversion?!  

Coming soon - knit blankets for inventory, more from the June Backroads SMP feature with Life Images, a gorgeous Ontario wedding with a twist and some pictures of those beautiful aprons I was chatting about on HVR's Facebook page.  By the way, have you 'LIKED' us yet?  

I can't help myself.  I am addicted to pinning.  So many wonderful ideas out there and it is so easy to pin to the virtual boards.  Have you tried it yet?  I think it is the best way to accumulate your party ideas in one place.

I gathered a few ideas that I will use to adapt some of my pieces over the fall and winter months.  Take a look.  Do you like them?

Over the summer I had some custom orders.  Take a look at some of the cute things we made.

A couple of weeks ago, Style Me Pretty Canada featured one of our inspiration shoots.  The feature appeared on August 24th, three days after a devastating tornado ripped through the village of Benmiller, where we live, and our closest town of Goderich, Ontario where we shop, bank, hang out with friends in coffee shops, attend the farmers market and watch parades.  The days following are a blur to me.  All my family and our homes were fine but so many friends lost their homes or had severe damage to their businesses.  One of our properties in Goderich was also damaged.  As of today at 1 p.m., our downtown core will open again.  It has almost been 3 weeks.  Many businesses are still closed and will not re-open for some time but there is something significant about our town square opening again.  We are one step closer to the light at the end of the tunnel.

So my apologies to my readers, I haven't been keeping up.  I'll try better.

In the meantime, I would like show you all the details from our shoot.  It was a HUGE shoot - all day, with lots of vendors and lots of wardrobe changes and lots of scenes to style.  

BUT, today in celebration of last night's opening of the Toronto International Film Fest, I thought I would start with the fabulous wardrobe from the shoot.  I expect there will be a few star sightings at Cabaret Vintage over the next couple of weeks.  So if you are 'festing' stop by.

O.k. I can't help myself.  I love Tao and the gorgeous clothes he has in the shop!  Plus he is an absolute gem to work.  I am starting off with the dress that had me drooling.  The one that MUST land in my closet.  The ONE I NEED!

I adore this pink frock.  Take a look.  It would be perfect for a summer party!

Photographer: Alex Albojer / Vintage Rentals + Styling: Hazlitt Vintage Rentals / Wardrobe: Cabaret Vintage / Jewelry: Tara Fava Jewelry / Hair + Make-up: Dawna Boot + Michelle Porowski of Onare Salon / Wedding Cake + Dessert Table: Truffle / Stationery: Barbara Kua Calligraphy + Pulp and Pearl/ Floral Design: Wild Thyme / Event Planner + Styling: Sweet Beginnings Wedding & Event Planners / 


Next up will be the flowers by Wild Thyme!  Margaret is fabulous and I can't wait to show you her wonderful creations.

The weekend of October 22nd promises a lovely treat for soon-to-be local brides and grooms (or those of you planning a destination wedding to Ontario's West Coast).

The Little Inn of Bayfield is celebrating love with a 'Bride-To-Be' weekend get-away package.  Bring along your mate-to-be, your MOH or your Mom for a special look at all the wonderful things the Inn has to offer.  There will be tours of the grounds, buildings and the spa.  Staff and the Inn's event coordinator will be on-hand to answer questions on Saturday and Sunday.

I am especially excited about Sunday morning!  I will be on-site to chat about all your vintage dreams when it comes to wedding (or party) decor.  The Little Inn is the perfect back drop for a vintage themed wedding and offers lots of sweet areas to enhance with your personal touch.  

Be sure to take in the Huron Wedding Expo on Sunday afternoon.  It is just up the road from The Little Inn.  The show highlights some of the best that our area has to offer when it comes to florists, photographers, rentals, caterers and venues.

The Village of Bayfield provides a great resource for those planning parties in the Village.  Check out my-bayfield.com to discover more.