around here | shop grams

After what felt like the longest, snowiest winter, I am so ready for spring and this upcoming wedding season! We've been getting things ready around the shop, and are super excited. Lot's of spring cleaning, painting, potting, organizing, and we're just getting started. 

Here is a little preview of what I've been up to recently at the shop via Instagram. The first of many of our 'shop grams' 

And follow along with my flower adventures on instagram @joeybutta

jordana

happy birthday sweet woodruff

Today is my 31st birthday. And it's also Sweet Woodruff's birthday. The store is 2 years old today and this summer will be our 5th wedding season in business. I know I say it all the time, but it really is crazy how fast time flies.

Seeing as it's an anniversary of sorts, I thought it would be a natural time to reflect. Here are some thoughts on the shop, my evolving style, and being in my 30's.

the shop | I would never say that I have a "love/hate" relationship with the store, but some days I wish it was bigger. Some days when it's a huge mess, I wish it was a studio. Some days when I'm crouched on a stool with my laptop amongst buckets and piles of stems I wish I had a proper office to work out of. But then there are mornings like the one I had today, when I come in early to this peaceful, quiet space and it just feels right. Or someone walks in talks about sweet smell wafting over them and I can see the space new again, threw their eyes and I feel so much pride, so much love. Like everything else in my life, it's a work in progress. And I feel happy about that.

my style | I recently went through all my old blog posts. OMG. Its a bit scary back there! In a few short years I think I've come a pretty long way. And I have to admit I feel a little embarrassed looking back on some of the older stuff. But I guess that only means I'm getting that much closer to creating work I really love. It's been a journey for me. And I'm happy that my style is evolving as my skill evolves. For me, I want everything to be romantic and elegant and effortlessly beautiful. I think flowers should look like how they're found in nature, like a beautiful garden. That they should be arranged in a loose, natural, organic way. My friend Ashley puts it so well, "luxury is about comfort not crystals." I love this and I couldn't say it better. Embracing my style and continuing to strengthen our brand has taken a lot of effort, and sometimes even bravery. And it will be something that I continue to work at indefinitely.    

my first year of 30's | Turning 30 wasn't something that really freaked me out.  For me getting older has just meant that life's gotten better and better. So I really embraced 30, and welcomed it as just a cool milestone. 30 was a good year. The business grew, and I tried to find some more live/work balance, something I'm still trying to get the hang of. (I really want to start running again). Geoff and I took a lot more time just for us, and we traveled a ton. We went to Costa Rica, California, Chicago, Paris, Stockholm and Copenhagen (whoa... that sounds like a lot written down all together in one sentence). Having this chance to be away together was really special. And I feel so blessed that we got to do it. 

Turning 31 today doesn't feel weird, but writing it actually looks a little funny. Like WAY older than I  am, than I feel, but everyone says that. I have lots of hopes for this decade. I hope the rest of my 30's will bring us a baby (that's no hint, I'm not pregnant!) a house that we love, and more time with family. I'm so so excited. So far my 30's have been pretty good and the rest seem like they will be even better!

photos by MK Photographics 

meet cara

Hello! my name is Cara and I am the newest member of the Sweet Woodruff team! 

For as long as I can remember I've been drawn to beauty and creating with my hands. Flowers were no exception, but growing up with 3 brothers made me feel embarrassed about being a girl or anything that was considered "girly". So I pretended that I liked it when they cut my Barbie's heads off. At this stage in my life I was a closet florist, saving dandelions (which I was convinced were flowers) from the lawn mower and secretly talking to tulips in my mother's garden. This was up until Mary-kate and Ashley Olsen taught me that it was fun to be a girl! 

Thanks to MK&A you can still find me talking to tulips, just no longer in secret.

Sometimes I think as young adults we don't trust our gut enough. We end up doing what we think we should do instead of what we really want to do. So thats kind of what happened to me. When I confirmed that spending my days doing paperwork at a desk was not my life's passion, I finally listened to my gut and pursued floral design full time. Sweet woodruff was my first and only choice. Lisa's designs, shop and overall aesthetic were everything that I loved. I've been working at the shop for 6 months now and I've never been happier. Working alongside Lisa and Jordana I find myself constantly inspired and learning new things. The three of us still get starstruck with every new box of flowers that arrive. I cannot wait for this upcoming summer and all of the beautiful weddings and flowers we will get to work with.

Now if you would like to know more, I also really love my husband, traveling, killer whales and trying to be stronger than all the boys at the gym.

 Photos by Katya Leclerc

meet jordana

Hello readers! My name is Jordana, and I am Sweet Woodruff’s head designer & manager. Nature has always played a huge part in my life, and my identity for that matter. My parents tell me that growing up I was sort of a wanderer. I would explore the forest and little streams beside my house, rummage through my grandfathers gardens, and pretty much touch and play with any animal that crossed my path. 23 years in, and not much has changed.

I first started working with flowers when I was around 15, and have never gone more than a couple months without being around them. I worked at a flower shop & garden center all throughout high school, and when I moved to Toronto for University, I worked part time at another flower shop for a couple more years. After graduating with an Urban Planning degree, I did some traveling, worked and volunteered for a few non-profit organizations, and then decided I wanted to use my hands again.

I started at Sweet Woodruff in the fall of 2012, and have loved it since day one. Sweet Woodruff is unlike any job. It has been a place for me to go and clear my head when everything has felt overwhelming. Being able to channel my energies into creating things has done more good for me emotionally and physically, than any desk job could ever.

When I first met Lisa, I was blown away by her incredibly refreshing and beautiful aesthetic. Not to mention, how humble and sweet she was. She has helped me grow even more into a designer, guiding and encouraging me along the way. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a boss who is also a great teacher, and most importantly, an amazing friend.

We've had many late nights and countless early mornings, but it’s never really felt like ‘’work.’’ Most of the time it feels like I’m hanging out with my friends making beautiful things, listening to good music and talking about life. I've had the pleasure of working with many talented and aspiring florists thus far, and it’s always exciting to have a new energy in the shop.

I love beauty, in all its quirky and non-traditional forms. I love people and animals, and try and surround myself with tons of living things. Music and art also play a huge part in my life, as I’m sure it does for most creative types. I am a mom, to a 1.5-year-old kitten named Jax! He is the sweetest, most loving creature I've ever been around. I pretty much talk about him 24/7.

So, if you’re ever in the neighbourhood, stop by the shop and don’t hesitate to come up and say hello! We can chat about plants, flowers, and cats. I don’t know much more than that ;)

- Jordana

 Photos by Vicky Starz

the girls of sweet woodruff

If you've been in our shop or you've read the blog then you've definitely met or heard me talk about the talented girls that I work with, Jordana & Cara. And it will be absolutely no surprise to you how much I completely adore these two. I love how we collaborate together, I love how we inspire each other, I love how we encourage each other, I love how we make each other laugh. I love that these two talented beauties are who I get to share my every day with.

And now, I get to share them and their brilliance with you!

Our Sweet Woodruff blog has a new voice, well two actually. Look out for the new posts from all of us - the whole team - starting this week!

*Also, this is clearly not a picture of the three of us together (because I don't have a picture of the three of us together - which must be rectified immediately!!!!) but it is a picture of me right before I so elegantly fell off a ladder... one of Jordana's fondest memories of me to date ;)

photo by Rebecca Amber 

workshop series | mother's day

Remember when you used to hand-make your Mother's Day gifts? She loved that! And so did you. Why not bring back the tradition, and come create a beautiful flower arrangement with us at our Mother's Day Flower Workshop!

In this 2-hour workshop we'll show you how to create a beautiful spring arrangement that you can give to you mom, all while sipping champagne in our pretty studio.

Not going to be seeing your mom in person that weekend? No problem, we'll deliver the arrangement right to her!

Material Provided:

1 hour tutorial and demonstration by Lisa Collins

1 hour arrangement instruction, with hands on guidance from Sweet Woodruff designers

All tools required to make an arrangement

Beautiful spring blooms

Elegant vessel

Sweet box, tissue and matching ribbon for wrapping 

Champagne Cocktail for sipping (flowers come together better with a bit of bubbly!)

*Flower Delivery charge additional

Date: Friday May 9th 

Time: 7pm

Cost: $200

Address: 889 Dundas Street West, Toronto

email lisa[@]sweetwoodruff.ca to reserve your spot!

photos by Tara McMullen

emily & jared | when he found her

I am absolutely head over heels for When He Found Her. Reid's photography is gorgeous. He shot Emily & Jared's wedding last summer - and when Emily sent me a few sneak peeks I was smitten! 

Can't wait for a fun collaboration we have in the works with Reid this spring. Yes! Spring! Can't wait for that either...