Best of 2011 | Coriander Girl

TEXT by Celine MacKay | PHOTOGRAPHS by esterday we shared beautiful images from Coriander Girl's wedding, which took place over the summer of 2011 - today we're offering a deeper glimpse at the girl behind it all - Alison Westlake, as part of our Best of 2011 series. The feature originally appeared in Issue 5 (our re-launch issue featuring our brand spanking new look courtesy of our fabulous Design Director Anile Prakash) and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Alison is something of a kindred spirit and we were thrilled to bits to announce yesterday that she will be working with Pure Green on a new column that we can't wait to share with you!! You are going to LOVE her. Until then, indulge in these beautiful shots of Alison and her shop, located in Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood on Queen West.

Revisiting our Interview with Alison Westlake

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Yesterday we shared beautiful images from Coriander Girl's wedding, which took place over the summer of 2011 - today we're offering a deeper glimpse at the girl behind it all - Alison Westlake, as part of our Best of 2011 series. The feature originally appeared in Issue 5 (our re-launch issue featuring our brand spanking new look courtesy of our fabulous Design Director Anile Prakash) and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Alison is something of a kindred spirit and we were thrilled to bits to announce yesterday that she will be working with Pure Green on a new column that we can't wait to share with you!! You are going to LOVE her. Until then, indulge in these beautiful shots of Alison and her shop, located in Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood on Queen West. You can read the ENTIRE ARTICLE here (we've also collected a few of our favourite quotes from Alison here for you).

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"I love cities. It wasn’t until I became a teenager that I really began a love affair with the country. Storming out of the house, running up and over the hill, yelling at the moon—nature played an integral part in my development. I’d walk the fields for hours, longing over my high school crushes and dreaming about my life as a grown-up. I call them my 'Anne of Green Gables years.'"

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"I’m definitely a healthier, happier person when I’m nose-deep in delicious blossoms."

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"I’ve officially graduated from the school of hard knocks."

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"I'm the “girl” in Coriander Girl, and I’m a little different—those who know me will agree."

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"...I have dance parties to relieve stress on a regular basis."

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"I wanted Coriander Girl to be a stop on your pleasure journey. That’s all it ever has to be."

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"I’m not a religious woman but some days, there is a higher power working through me. And other days, I should have stayed in bed."