New Horizons and Our Milk Paint Workshop Deadline

Let me start by saying Hello... I hope you are enjoying the holiday season!  Although today's blog is not my usual "Project Personality" post, it is a personal one.  This is a "Welcoming the New" post.

Since starting our little boutique last year we have shared our space with lovely Leslie of Sugar Blossoms Floral Design.  A fantastic designer and dear friend, we have had our laughs and adventures, ups and downs and we've learned a lot about our industries, businesses and ourselves.  And so it is with some wistfulness that I announce beginning in January, Leslie will be moving on to new horizons with the intention of focusing exclusively on wedding florals rather than maintaining a retail flower store.  I will miss Leslie around the shop, but am very excited for her and all the good things to come. 

As for Apple Box Boutique, many of you have been with us as our business has changed and grown over our time in historic Highlands.  We've found a home here and will stay on in our current location while expanding our own horizons -- the extra space afforded us now is much needed and has come along at just the right time. We have fabulous new and exciting plans in the works that we can't wait to share with you.

We recently released our new company logo.  It was developed with our future plans in mind and is the first reveal of the new look and feel of Apple Box Boutique, which we will develop in phases over the coming months.

With this change comes the need to take some time to rework the boutique, so we will be closed until January 7th, and look forward to seeing you starting on January 8th!

Milk Paint Workshop Deadline
Although the retail side of  Apple Box Boutique will be breaking for the week, our "Got Milk Paint?" Workshop is happening on Wednesday, January 2nd and there are still a few seats left.

Registrations are open until 8:00 PM on New Year's Day! Click below to learn more about this workshop or to register:

Happy New Year, everyone!

 "We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

---Edith Lovejoy Pierce

We wish you your best year yet.

~♥~  Leanne

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Late Night on the Ave is October 4th!

Be sure to watch our blog "On The Apple Box" for details on our Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan colour of the month and our October draw!

Looking forward to seeing you this Thursday at Late Night on the Ave!

♥,  
Apple Box Boutique

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It's a Bloomin' Big Sale: 75% Off at Sugar Blossoms!

If you love fresh, white lilies

today is your lucky day!

Our partner in-store, Sugar Blossoms Floral Design

is overstocked and selling fresh, white lilies at an unheard-of price!

Regularly $8.00 per stem

they are on sale for (drum roll please)...

$2 each

      That's 75% off!  Crazy, right?!!!

  Get them before they're gone!

6507 - 112 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta

♥,

Apple Box Boutique

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Spotlight on Eco-friendly Products: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ (ASCP)

Today is the the last of our three-day series focusing on our eco-friendly and natural product lines. At the outset we mentioned that we are consciously making an effort to offer items that are kind to our planet and our customers' health.  We are happy to be sharing the stories of our three major eco lines: Whitewater Candles, Barefoot Venus Bath and Body, and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ for Furniture, Walls and Floors.

Since other paints and coatings contain harmful levels of chemicals called VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), we are very excited to be the Central Alberta supplier of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ™ for Furniture, Walls and Floors, today's highlighted eco-friendly product and the signature paint used in our Apple Box Boutique studio.

Spotlight:  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ™

Annie Sloan developed her now famous Chalk Paint™ to answer the need she had for a paint which would have many uses from acting like limewash to looking like old painted furniture, and that had a good range of colour that could be extended by the user. This paint is quick-drying and very easy to work with, allowing people to be creative as one doesn’t get involved with the technicalities of preparation and it also allows you to change your mind without hassle.

Applications:

• Best paint on the market for painting furniture
• Paint can be use on any surface -- literally!
• Use on walls for a soft matte effect or wax it for a polished plaster effect
• Can even be used to paint floors
• Paint can be applied to interior or exterior surfaces and furnishings
• Yes, chalkboards, too -- imagine coordinating them with your decor!

Techniques:

• Use one colour or layer colours
• Distress and apply waxes to create an old world patina
• Can be used as a wash -- dilute with water so when you apply paint it shows the wood grain
• You can use it as an impasto (thickly) -- just leave the lid off to thicken
• Two to three coats makes a highly durable chalkboard
• Paint fabric -- holds up through washing.  Can wax to give a different look to the fabric finish.
• Very little black pigment is used so the colours can be mixed in any combination

Ease of Use:

People, pet and eco-friendly and with virtually no odour, everything can be painted on-the-spot!   

• No messy sanding, stripping or priming
• No more lugging furniture to a painting area
• No more waiting for perfect painting weather
• Easy clean-up
• Paint is flexible so you can be creative and change your mind

Credit: Foampillowss, Annie Sloan & Savvy Southern Style

Fun:

• Because the paint is pre-mixed and easy to use, it is stress-free
• You never waste paint because it is an aqueous product. Let it thicken to use as a fine art paint or a craft paint, or to get a 'chunky, farmhouse" feel to your furniture.  It doesn't 'skin over' like other paints.  Did it get too thick?  Just add water to lighten it up again or to use as a wash
• Coordinate curtains, pillows, accessories, carpets and floors by stenciling or painting them
• Annie Sloan shows her humour... she says this is a girls' paint, but boys can use it too!
• The paint is so versatile and pure in colour that extending allows you to create to your heart's, and imagination's, desire

Thousands of Colours:

"Extending" the paint means that the 30 'core' colours can be mixed together without becoming murky or 'muddied' as can often happen with latex and oil paints.  It allows you to create personalized and custom colours and really be creative with it!

The Right Paint for the Job:

• Originating in the UK, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ™ was designed to allow walls to breathe, making it perfect for cottage walls in Europe which means it also works perfectly in North America and our varying climates
• Paint indoor items, outdoor items, floors, walls, metal, glass, plastic laminate, smooth woods, rough woods, plastic, Ikea and Jysk style cabinets, kitchens, even fabric... the list goes on and on

Tried and True:

• Annie Sloan has been making it since 1990 so it's tried and tested! 
• True colour that transcends eras, styles, materials, climates and can keep up with your imagination
• Search the internet, books and catalogs for examples of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ projects (often also referred to as ASCP), and you'll find thousands of examples and positive reviews!

Lots of Class:

ASCP is so popular that we have joined forces with Tara Jamieson, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Specialist to offer classes in Edmonton on a monthly basis.

All supplies are included, so all you have to do is --

just show up in your paint clothes

• Take the Beginner's class to get hands-on experience with the paint and the tools, and learn aging and distressing techniques that will help you to with your own DIY projects

• If your kitchen needs to be freshened up or completely updated, then the Kitchen Reinvention class is for you

BONUS: 

Use the coupon code: APPLE to save $ each time you register for a class!

Go Green:

• Best of all, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ is extremely low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) so it won’t harm you or the environment

Now available at Apple Box Boutique Inc. in Edmonton, Alberta.

6507 - 112 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta

T5W 0P1

780-479-0007

♥,

Apple Box Boutique

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Spotlight on Eco-friendly Products: Whitewater Candles

Over the next few days, we will be highlighting our eco-friendly and natural products. We are consciously making an effort to offer items that are kind to our planet and our customer's health.

Our three major eco lines are Whitewater Candles, Barefoot Venus Bath and Body, and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ for Furniture, Walls and Floors.

Today our focus is on Whitewater candles.  These have quickly become a favourite at the boutique and we can't say enough good things about them.  Not only are they eco-friendly -- they are beautiful, aromatic and easy on the pocket book.

Spotlight:  Whitewater Premium Candles

Whitewater Premium Candle Co. was founded during the spring of 2007 as a result of our search for a quality all natural candle for our retail boutique. We were looking for a candle that was simple yet stylish, earth-friendly, long lasting, fragrant and most importantly made in Canada. After much searching we decided to take matters into our own hands and produce exactly what we were looking for.

Our quest began in search of the cleanest burning pure soybean wax, and a quality all natural fibre wick that would deliver a beautiful even flame and full fragrance throw without any wasted wax. The heart of our candle needed to have clean and natural aromatic attributes, which lead us to earth friendly vegetable oil based fragrances and essential oils to ensure a full bodied fragrance throughout the life of the candle. This was clearly our greatest challenge and achievement, and ultimately became the defining element of all Whitewater Premium Candles – our signature fragrances. No matter when or how often our candles are burned, our fragrances truly remain as pure as the day they were crafted.

We believe strongly in the use of renewable, biodegradable resources like soybean wax and oil, and we create environmentally friendly candles which produce minimal waste, and are an eco alternative to petroleum based products. Our reproduction antique enamel containers are stylish, re-useable and clean easily with soap and water, and we re-pour all empty containers which our local customers return to our store.

Whitewater Premium Candles are available as votives, tealights and container candles in a variety of natural scents.

Now available at Apple Box Boutique Inc. in Edmonton, Alberta.

6507 - 112 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta

T5W 0P1

780-479-0007

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Project Personality: Jewelry For Your Furniture

Project Personality

with Apple Box Boutique founder Leanne Playter Korsos

Hardware.  It sounds so 'masculine'!

... Until you think about interior design, decorating or furniture refinishing.  In this world, it means "pretty"!  Of course that was said in my most sing-songy voice, because what I am talking about is fancy handles, flowery knobs and shiny pulls... or as I like to call it, jewelry for your furniture.

Each time I reimagine a piece, a part of that is deciding what the bling should be.  Should I keep the original jewelry hardware, refinish it as well or replace it outright?

In the past I've run from store to store trying to find just the right hardware to finish off the look I've dreamed up.  It can take a lot of driving, parking, fuel and energy so finally I decided to carry hardware in the boutique in the hope that having it alongside Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™, paint supplies, decor and flowers means other DIYers won't have to travel to all ends of the city (or farther!) to find the good stuff.  Who doesn't love one-stop shopping?

Our first shipment of knobs has arrived and we'll be adding more over the coming weeks!  Of course our Blog and Facebook followers get a first look. Here are a few of the styles we have in stock:

So now dressing up your furniture AND your home is as easy as stopping in to say hi at Apple Box Boutique!

See you there!

~♥~ Leanne

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Pretty, Pretty Rain

We are at the boutique today meeting our customers as they come in to shop rather than hide away from the gloomy day.  Stopping in for cheery flowers from Sugar Blossoms, or picking up a little something special for yourself or a friend is a great start to conquering any blues that may come your way.  Thinking happy thoughts helps... and a little imagery never hurt either.

We thought that since we seem to be stuck with the rain, why not celebrate it?

Last but most definitely not least... the classic, timeless joy of singing in the rain:

Click to watch Gene... it is sure to make you smile in the rain.

Wishing you a joyful day, too!

♥,

Apple Box Boutique   

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Tonight: Go Barefoot at "Late Night on the Ave"

Our monthly Late Night on the Ave event is happening tonight from 4:00 - 9:00 PM with more great deals being offered up by the local merchants.

At Apple Box Boutique, we are featuring Barefoot Venus, a line of bath and body products so heavenly you`ll fee like a Goddess. 

The guiding principle at Barefoot Venus is to support a lifestyle of beauty and wellness through the simple pleasures of their natural, aromatic bath and body experiences.

Tonight only, get 10% off lotions, creams, bath soak, detoxifying Mustard Bath and more!

And since beautiful scents are the order of the day, our on-site florist Sugar Blossoms Floral Design is offering show-stopper bouquets starting at just $10!

But the savings don`t stop there...

sign up as a Follower of our blog, and you can also save 10% on all candles and home decor during tonight`s Late Night on the Ave event!  Just let us know during check-out that you are a Follower and cash in on this great deal!

See you tonight!
 

♥,

Apple Box Boutique   

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Enjoy The Sweet Things in Life...

Thank You... and Late Night on the Ave (June 7th)

And now for something completely personal... A message from our founder, Leanne Playter Korsos:

"I would like to send a very BIG thank you to Mista Zaugg and Andreas Korsos for your invaluable assistance during the Highlands Street Festival! You were both a huge part of our little success story.

Special thanks to Gwen and Bud Playter for puppysitting our sweet, loveable shop-dog so the rest of us could spend uninterrupted time preparing.

Thank you also to everyone who came out to the Festival... we had loads of fun and it was great to meet the people behind those tiny pictures in Facebook and Blogland, and to see our lovely customers again! We so value your support and look forward to sharing news, events and more fun with you this summer!

With great appreciation,
Leanne"

More from Apple Box Boutique

This Thursday, June 7th is Late Night on the Ave!

We are offering 10% off all Barefoot Venus products.  Shop 100% Canadian Made and...

PLUS watch our blog for more great deals exclusive to Followers!  Don`t miss out... sign up today!

This Thursday stop in to see all the new products we have in-store including bath and body, jewelry, aromatic soy candles and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and supplies.  

Then check out the other fabulous Highlands 112th Ave merchants for more deals and artists!

Click to view larger

♥,

Apple Box Boutique   

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TODAY for One Day Only: The Highlands Street Festival!

Today, for one day only!!!

Today`s the day!  The Highlands Street Festival runs from 10 AM - 5 PM and has over 60 vendors, musicians, kids activities, entertainment, special deals at local businesses and more!

At Apple Box Boutique we are featuring:

Visit us in the boutique for fantastic furniture, home decor and a bounty of beautiful florals by:

Here is all the Festival information...
See you there!

The Highlands Street Festival is an annual outdoor market that is fun for the entire family.  Created by the Highlands 112 Avenue Merchants, the festival highlights the area, local businesses and their wares while offering entertainment and fun for all ages.

Outdoor Market Local Art & Music Face Painting Children’s Area

Horse & Wagon Ride Historical Displays Fun Run & Dog Parade Silent Auction

2 Curls Jewellery Agoo Kids Clothes Airbender Custom Artistry Artesanias Casesa Avantina Fantasy Jewelry Baby Cakes & More Be-a-Bella Bluebird Hills Farm Soap Canadian Maple Shack Creole Envie Dazzling Designs Epicure Selections Expressions by Lori Hanna FireLillie Boutique Gandahara Designs Greenwood Soaps Gypsy Gardens Hormonic Images Illumination Fotography Jewelled Raven Juice Plus Keishkamma Canada Karen's Mosaic Studio Laura McGlone Photography Little Big Bug Little Clover Ideas Livewire Jewellery Mama Katz Mosaics Maria Pace Wynters Miss Oriental Mother Earth Essentials My Beading Heart Oodles of Cake Bites Pampered Chef Picture Perfect Spaces Sashiko Studio Scentsy Street Sweets S. Rauch Art The Fairy Factory The Jeweled Raven The Mombot Tröst - Kids Wear Tupper Ware Vintage Recreations Whiteout Workshop Woodland Botanicals John & Caroline Mandolin/Moen Stage - 10am The O'Neills Mandolin/Moen Stage - 11am The O'Neills are a Edmonton trio that plays traditional Celtic melodies. The O'Neills have entertained Highlanders at a number of local events including the Highlands Pancake Breakfast and Highlands St. Paddy's Day Pub Night. Rebecca Lappa Mandolin/Moen Stage - 12pm Rebecca is a prolific songwriter inspired by observations of life, historical events, and literary references. Her songs range from pop to folk, from explorations of the dark side of human nature to get-stuck-in-your-head catchy tunes about conquests and heroes. A classically trained singer, Rebecca’s expressive soprano is accompanied by her keyboard Sara Isabel Mandolin/Moen Stage - 1pm Sara believes that good music is about skill and talent coming together with honesty and heart --- but most of all, music is about having fun. Grounded by her dedication to hard work, and strengthened by her joy in music, Sara Isabel looks forward to sharing her music with audiences all over. Justine Ann Vandergrift Mandolin/Moen Stage - 2pm Alberta based singer-songwriter, Justine has been singing and ceating music her entire life. Her sound has been classified as country-folk, gospel, jazz, pop and blues. Her witty and insightful lyrics coupled with her passionate one-of-a-kind voice make Justine stand out long after an performance. Bellevue Community League Offering promotional materials for programs and selling membership. Edm. Ladies Meet Up Group Offering painted birdhouses, flower pots, canvases and baked treats. Go Green Team The Go Green Team advocates for the recycling of beverage containers in Alberta. They are offering games and prizes to raise awarenes about recycling and a recycle bin for empties.  Highland Community League Offering signed copies of the 1st edition book entitled Highlands/Bellevue & Virgina Park: Commemorative Benches, Signs, Plaques & Trees by J. Tidridge as well as league memberships and information. Highlands Historical Society Offering the limited Cetennial edition of the 1st edition book entitled My Hearts is In Highlands by author Ken Tingley. Highlands Gardening Club Offering information and a selection of perennial plants. Master Composting Group Providing information on composting, recycling and reuse in the City of Edmonton. Master Naturalist Group Helping to build community capacity, knowledge and enthusiasm for ongoing stewardship of local natural areas. Neighbourhood Church Offering information and popcorn.  Virginia Park - Fine Arts Night Providing information on the school as well as their 2012 cookbook.

Face Painting Charge/Face w/ Lady Dolphin Balloon Sculptures 10am - 5pm Charge/Creation w/ The Balloon Gang Cool Crafts w/ Grandin Preschool Reading Corner w/ Edmonton Public Library Games, Bubbles & Baby Blanket 1pm - 5pm w/ City of Edmonton Taoist Tai Chi 11209-65 Street - 2pm The Taoist Tai Chi™ internal arts have their origin in the tradition of Taoist internal alchemy. Alchemy in Taoism is a process of changing and transforming the body to the original healthy state. This starts with the transformation of the physical body. Lomani Mundi 11204-65 Street - 3:30pm Established in 2011, Lomani Mundi is a peer-lead women’s world percussion group. Drawn together by our love of world music and the call of the drum, we perform African, Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern, Irish, and original pieces using djembes, djundjuns, kpanlogos, bodhrans, congas, bongos, doumbeks, and small percussion instruments. Fire Inspired - Poi 6507-112 Avenue - 4pm Infusing seamless choreography with artistic style, we bring a modern twist on the ancient Maori art of poi. This special event is coordinated by Fire Inspired Production Horse & Wagon Ride 6419-112 Avenue - 20 Minutes Mandolin Books & Coffee Company. This special event is coordinated by Arie Jol $2/person Highlands Fun Run & Walk 2pm - 11155-65 Street Proceeds to rebuild the Highlands community centre! Special event coordinated by the Running Room and the Highlands Community League $10 / 2.5km - Register Now! $15 / 5km - Register Now! Highlands Dog Parade 1pm, 11208-65 Street Proceeds to the Humane Animal Rescue Team. This special event coordinated by Fiesty Fido $10 / Dog- Register Now! Streetcar Display Hosted by: Wayne Moen 6417-112 Avenue Presented by: Edmonton Radial Railway Society Vintage Fire Engine w/ Sparky the Fire Dog 11am - 2pm Location: 65 Street Presented by: Edmonton Fire Department Vintage Edmonton Transit Bus Location: 65 Street Presented by: Edmonton Transit Historical Telephone Display Location: Direct Line Insurance Windows 6414-112 Avenue Presented by: Telephone Historical Centre Historical Camera Display Location: Eye Masters 6515-112 Avenue Presented By: Dream Studios Highlands Historical Walking Tour Location: 2pm, Infront of Sterling Real Estate 11155-65 Street Presented by: Highlands Historical Society $5/Person The 2012 Silent Auction will be hosted by our new neighbours to the West, the Edmonton Bicycle Communters Society. Make sure to check out the great items up for auction. All proceeds go to the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters and their programs including Art & Bicycles, the Spoke and Ghost Bikes. Apple Box Boutique Brian Mason, MLA Chickies Antiques Derma Lounge Direct Line Insurance Diva Communications Eye Masters Highlands Kitchen La Boheme - Bed & Breakfast Mandolin Books & Coffee Co Sandal Wood Spa & Salon Sabrina Butterfly Designs Sterling Real Estate Sugar Blossoms Wayne Moen, Remax Realty Wheelworx Art Studio Wool Revival Rotary Club of Edmonton IM Solutions Avenue Magazine www.edmontonfestivals.ca Edmonton Journal Edmonton Sun - Weather Only Here For the Food - Blog Loosen Your Belt - Blog Mastermaq - Flickr Photos

Festival Map:  Click to view larger version

♥,

Apple Box Boutique   

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