He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not...He Loves Me...

Valentine's Day is always greeted with an equal mix of anticipation and derision. From the, "Oh it's a made up holiday" or "It's a Hallmark holiday" or "It doesn't really mean anything anyway" to the "Oooh I can't wait to see what he has planned." And whether or not we admit to it, fact is, we all wait with bated breath to see if there are any deliveries - flowers, cookiegrams, something to indicate we are being thought of.
For some of us, Valentine's Day takes us back to the time when we first met, a time filled with excitement and romance, and, well, Flowers! Course now, what was once viewed with delight (back in the day when I received Roses every week much to the envy of my dorm roommates), now is viewed with a tiny bit of suspicion as in as "Ok what'd you do?"

Am I alone in this?

To ensure this doesn't happen to you, buy Flowers for your Beloved, often.

We also have a few Gift selections to include with your gift of flowers:

Green Thumb Gift Selection: $69.00

This package is perfect for an aspiring gardener, and includes faux African Violets
in a ceramic pitcher, garden spade, gardening book and gloves.

Weekend in Paris Gift selection: $66.00-$150.00

This package includes a few things one might pick up while spending a Weekend in Paris....Paris wall plaque, chambre keyholder,wall hook, Moulin Rouge flower holder, Cigale French milled soap with wooden holder, and a framed print. Nice additions to this package include Lavender Linen sachets, or perhaps a provencal tablecloth. Ooh la la!!

Mmmm Chocolates

But not just any chocolates...Belgian cocoa dusted Truffles - 1lb. box $13.99, Add their favorite wine, or some local Gouda cheese to this selection.

Can't wait for Spring Gift selection: $50.00

Feel like Spring will never arrive? This package includes faux or fresh tulips, with an inspiring book on Tulips, to cheer a person up!

We offer delivery (locally) or shipping (if needed). Delivery/Shipping charges will apply.

Call me at 807-475-3551 or toll-free (in Canada) at 1-877-523-7444.

I thee wed

You thought finding your soulmate and perfect partner was hard??

Try planning a wedding!

Caterers, marriage certificates, special occasions permit, toasting glasses, centerpieces, the list goes on and on.

Not to mention all the people you’ve to invite – and really it’s because your mother says you’ve to invite them.

While we can’t help you with any of those things, we can guarantee you’ll have the most memorable flowers, unique wedding favours, and a stunning location!

Always in bloom flowers

We will create the bouquet of your dreams with fresh-look, faux, botanical flowers.

Why choose faux?

Because it’s one less potential for disaster!

Let’s take a moment to explore the origin of flowers.

Last Spring, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Flower Markets in Holland . One of my in-laws is a grower and that spring her specialty was Campanula – in White, Lavender & Purple. I got to help with picking the blooms, bundling them, packing them in crates, and then taking them to the Market. There, her crop was put into the Auction, bought, and then shipped to various countries.

Although Canada grows a lot of flowers, the majority of our favourite blooms travel many miles before they arrive at your local florist (check out the video at www.ontarioflowergrowers.ca for an overview of the flower growing & buying process).

Going with faux blooms offers you an environmentally friendly and sustainable option – something you can feel great about and have a fantastic custom bouquet that looks so real you’d have to touch it to know it wasn’t. It also leaves less room for disaster – for e.g. your flower of choice isn’t in season; poor handling resulting in crushed and/or wilted flowers. They also travel well (for those of you planning a wedding moon).

Faux arrangements are finished ahead of time giving you one less thing to worry about and they’ll last long after your wedding day is over, leaving you with a lasting memento and keepsake. Choose from roses, lilacs, sweet peas, calla lilies, daisies, orchids, dahlias, zinnias, and so much more. Luxurious ribbons add the final embellishment and sparkle to your bouquet.

I'll transform this
Into this

And this


If you’re like me – creative, crafty, and a DIY-er then consider signing up for one of my Wedding Flower classes here at the Camelia. We’ve DIY supplies and flowers close at hand; knowledge of wrapping stems in floral tape would help.

Visitg dreamweddings.thecamellia.com to book your complimentary wedding consultation today or come visit us at the store. Our hours: Saturday 11-5 & Sunday Noon-5. We're also open by appointment.

Valentine's Day Contest:

Enter the draw to win a Spa basket from The Camellia and Brunch for 2 at the
Travelodge Airlane.. Draw to take place Feb. 11th. Entry box is in the Lobby at
the Airlane on Arthur St.

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Wedding favours

Traditionally weddings were considered a lucky occasion and by passing out bonbonnieres or wedding favours onto wedding guests, the Happy Couple felt they were sharing their good luck upon their guests.

They are a time-honoured tradition and we’ve the perfect wedding favour for you, now that you’ve hooked your perfect partner.

"Get Hooked" are unique fishing lure wedding favours!

Each lure is hand tied and locally assembled with 25 lure colors available. We have several label designs to choose from along with two packaging options.

For more information please ring 807-475-5388 or email overmeer@shaw.ca.

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Location Location Location

Meander slightly off the beaten path (35mins from Downtown Thunder Bay) to Taiga Ventures for the perfect wedding location. Our location is one of the healthiest Conference Centres in the world and is the perfect setting for your for engagement and rehearsal parties, bridal showers, and of course, your wedding day.

Taiga, perfectly private and secluded, sits upon a glacial esker created during the last ice age and features a 100 mile vista, several kilometers of cross-country skiing and hiking trails. During the warmer months, tents of any size can be accommodated in the garden allowing for any number of guests.

Lindsey and Damon Crack celebrated with an outdoor winter wedding, and a day of dog sled rides and tobogganing for guests. Dawn Marie and Michael Sabaz exchanged wedding vows in the warmth and beauty of The Grotto.

Our on-site caterers are committed to creating an epicurean feast for your wedding – fresh, healthful ingredients, locally grown in season whenever possible.

Evelyne is also a Wedding Officiant with All Seasons Weddings and can be contracted to officiate at your wedding, no matter where it's taking place.

For details regarding any of our activities or to book an event, contact us at 807-577-6972 or taiga @tbaytel.net.

Join us at The Camellia on Feb 27 & 28 for our Wedding Open House - we'll have floral and bouquet samples, wedding favours, and sign up sheets for Taiga tours.

Oops

So apologies are in order - I completely forgot about my part 2 of 2 on Window Treatments exploring Faux and Real wood amidst the kick-off of this year's wedding season.

I promise I'll be back to that shortly and thanks everyone for submitting your questions and pictures. I love the brainstorming and transformation part of the process.

Next up, getting ready for your big day.

If anyone in your social circle is getting married, please forward my blog to them.

Thanks and see you at The Camellia!

Shaking things up!

Well it's taken a few weeks to recover from the holidays, I actually had a little mini-break with husband (sans kids, kids' girlfriends, dogs, to-do lists, clients, family...you get the picture) and it was lovely.

It led to this revelation: I love January.

Sure, January usually means freezing temps (so cold that the mercury in the thermometer is off the scale), my skin usually resembles the Sahara desert during the dry season, and summer seems like a cruel joke. (I won't dwell on the fact that it is 26degrees C (36 with the humidity) in Antigua right now and my girlfriend who lives there, is out sailing as I write this.) I'll just ignore the mountains of snow in our backyard!

But here's the thing - after the hustle and bustle of the holidays January affords us time to stop and catch our breath, maybe even think (novel concept having a thought or two). And in that moment I stop and take stock, remind myself to be grateful for all that I have, as I envision the year ahead – full of white space, waiting to be filled in.

But sometimes, as you sit there thinking about the kind of year you’d like, your mind can wander...mine wandered to Window Treatments (probably because I was looking at my blinds thinking they’re a little dated).

Window treatments and Blinds have come a long way. Gone are the Wall-to-wall sheers that were so popular before, and in its place is a staggering assortment of new options - Panel Tracks, Skyline panels, Mandalay Multi-Shades, Sheer Vertical Wraps, Silhouettes, and the list goes on.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the plethora of choice and this is where I come in. I’ll do a brief in-home, walk-through consultation to assist you in selecting the best treatment for your windows.

Aesthetically, installing window treatments in coordinating styles and colors will finish your room; on the practical side they offer privacy,
help with keeping the warm air inside your house in the winter and the heat out of your house in the summer ($ saver), add to the R-Value of your windows - the higher the number the better the insulation effectiveness ($ saver), and help to prevent sun and uv damage to your floors and furniture. More importantly they'll help you qualify for the Home Renovation Tax Credit.

Maxxmar is one of two lines I carry and I was lucky to be able to tour the manufacturing plant of Maxxmar, a Canadian manufacturer of blinds. I’m going to say that again - Canadian manufacturer (when was the last time you heard that?).

Before I visited their facility, I hadn't given any real thought as to how blinds were manufactured, so it was quite enlightening to see the various steps involved in manufacture. I was impressed with the state of the art machinery, laser cutters, lighted testing stations, and the many hours of labour that go into the making of a blind or shutter.

Most of our customers love the Mandalay Alternative Multi-Shades featuring Light Filtering, Translucent, and Room Darkening, all in one blind. Have a look at www.maxxmar.com for more information.

Wooden blinds are making a huge comeback as we embrace our natural environment. Next week I’ll discuss Panel tracks and the difference between Real wood and Faux wood.

On an slight tangent, Maxxmar recently completed the Art Gallery of Ontario project, a Design Build Project that required a fully automated, operable louver system that incorporated over-sized custom louvers and panels for sections 10feet in width and 24 feet in height on three separate floors. The end result was the Aero Maxx System which allowed them to create 8 " wood louvers with 2" thick centers and 60" in length. I thought it was pretty impressive!

If you’re toying with the idea of shaking things up a bit, consider window treatments. If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, take a few pictures of the room and email them to me, along with approximate sizes. I’ll send over some recommendations. Alternately you can visit me at the store to review brochures and samples.

Rocking around the Christmas Tree

at the Christmas party Hop!

I'm so behind I've decided to forget the whole "Keep Calm & Carry On" adage and just go into full blown panic! (Which sometimes manifests itself by loud, off tune singing of Christmas music).

I know Christmas comes at the same time every year but why does it seem that this year it's sooner than ever?

I've received quite a few calls about last minute gift ideas so here are a few suggestions - scented and unscented whipped shea butter. It's easy to spread and the perfect cure for dry skin (I use it all the time on mine because it starts to resemble the Sahara Desert once Winter sets in). Don't forget No-Crack Hand cream , a great stocking stuffer especially with the cold and flue season upon us. Treat Your Doggyness to a jar of Sally Ander Dry Dog Shampoo, for when he or she starts to smell.

Great Gift Basket ideas: Chocolate Truffles and Biscottis, Relaxation and Spa baskets, and much more. They also make a great hostess gift. And yes, we do deliver (for a price!).

For those of us who're remembering our loved ones who've passed, consider evergreens. This year, to commemorate what would've been my Dad's 80th birthday (he passed in 2001) on Dec 23rd we're hanging an evergreen wreath on our french doors. The doors open out to our back deck and boast a glorious view of the Norwester mountains - he loved sitting out there when he visited in the summer. If you'd like to send a sympathy tribute consider an evergeen wreath or our fresh evergreen headstone saddles.

On the decorating front, refresh your traditional Christmas decora with Faux evergreen wreaths, garlands and branches; if you prefer fresh, we have a small selection of real wreaths - square evergreen and magnolia, small red willows, large red pine and Magnolia with Birch twigs, and Green Moss wreaths.

We also have a lovely selection of ribbons by the yard which are great to pair with plain brown paper for a wrapping creation all your own.

I'd love to see what you've done with your decor, so do send me some pictures. I'll feature them in January on the blog.

And if you've left the impossible person to buy for last on your list, email me - I'm sure I can help.

Hours this week:

Sunday, Dec. 20, Noon to 5
Monday , Dec. 21, and Tues. Dec. 22nd, Open by appointment, Phone 475-3551
Wednesday , Dec. 23rd. 11-6
Thursday, Dec. 24th. 11-4

See you soon!

Camille

ps. Here's what's on my Christmas wish list - a virtual assistant. They exist and I'd really like one!

Keep Calm and Carry On

This motivational slogan developed by the Brits during World War II was developed to offer reassurance during a time of great fear and stress.

I find it particularly à propos as we enter the final weeks of Christmas. We have 21 days of intense shopping, baking, cleaning, and decorating as we prepare for the invasion by family and friends.

However the holidays are also about giving, sharing, reminiscing and all that good stuff so folks, “Keep Calm and Carry On,” because I’ve a plan that may actually let you enjoy the holiday preparations!

Gifting

It’s always a rush, knowing you’ve found the perfect gift for your special someone; whether it’s your girly daughter who’s into lotions, potions, and soaps or your control-freak fiancée who prefers gift cards because you couldn’t possibly know what she really wants.

Come to our Winter Wonderland Show & Sale on Friday December 4th & Saturday December 5th and discover the treasures that abound. Choose from:
· Monogrammed Linens
· All things Lavender
· Handmade Soaps
· Gifts for your Doggyness (or in our case the Dogfather as he’s soon to be a Grandfather)
· Customizable Gift Baskets

Decorating

I find something intrinsically comforting, a sense of all being well with the world, when I see a Christmas tree replete with ornaments and lights. Maybe because it transports me back to simpler times – Santa, wishes, helping my Mum decorate the (excuse for) a real pine tree that my Dad had managed to find. (Pine trees aren’t native to Guyana).

Whether you’re thinking about recreating Christmas’s of your childhood or starting new traditions, consider our fresh and faux wreaths and garlands; fragrant evergreens, symbolizing enduring love and hope for a fruitful year ahead, are a lovely touch to spruce up planters and urns.

Ask me how to pair ribbons and bows with unusual wrapping paper, greenery, fruit, and flowers to create opulent and unique displays that shimmer and sparkle.

Hint Hint Cards

As a teenager, after my parents and siblings had immigrated to Canada, my sister would methodically compile her Christmas list and give a copy to everyone. She figured this way she’d get things she really wanted, rather than having to fake pleasure at things she didn’t want.

Our Hint Hint cards allow you to do the same thing in a much more elegant and graceful manner. Simply list the item you desire, include the name and email address of the person you’d like to receive it from, and we’ll make sure they get the hint.

Come out to the Camellia and be inspired by nature’s decorations of snow drifts and lush evergreens to create your own Christmas Winter wonderland in your home.

Show & Sale
Friday, Dec. 4th, 2009 11-8
Saturday, Dec.5th, 2009 11-5

Additional hours by appointment.

Santa's Newest Helper

Christmas is truly a magical time - a time of giving; a time to show our appreciation for each other; parties and bubbly.

It can also be extremely stressful.

Let us help you ring in the holidays with our Holiday Decorating & Gifting Service.


We have garlands for draping over doorways, mantels, staircases, and decks. What about doing up your planter boxes and Garden Urns in evergreens? We also make Wreaths & Swags of magnolia, birch, alder, and red willow. Our garlands and wreaths are made fresh from local evergreens, red and white pine, cedar, and balsam.

For me working with fresh evergreens helps me forget the stress of the holidays. Grab some friends and come out to the country for a wreath-making class; the smell will whisk you away (at least for a little while).

We have unique and useful gifts for your clients, staff, and business partners like a jar of No-Crack hand cream, perfect for dry hands (and especially perfect given the flu season). Boxed, gift-wrapped, and delivered to your door or shipped to your destination - what could be easier?

In fact we even have a present for you – a free 1-hr consultation.

Please call us at 475-3551 to schedule your free custom consultation and see how our Holiday Decorating & Gifting service can work for you. We are booking consultations through November 30th.

We're also at the Artisans Northwest show at The Valhalla Inn, Saturday Nov21st and Sunday Nov 22nd so come out and see us if you can. Remember that your best selection of products is at our store location on Hacquoil Rd, a scenic 10 minute drive form The Airport, south on Hwy.61, left on Hacquoil Rd. Phone ahead to check our hours.

See you in the country.