PINK TWIG 711 College, 416-537-7465, www.pinktwig.ca Rating: NNNNN
If you're thinking pink for this year's Valentine's Day gift, look no further than the rosy lineup at College and Crawford flower and gift shop Pink Twig. Owners Tanya List (a seasoned florist who cut her stems along Ave and Dav's flower row) and former TV producer Amy Saleh opened their doors in August and have lured local shoppers away from the cellophane-wrapped carnation bouquets at the neighbouring Dominion with their flirty raspberry-coloured window displays.
For February 14's big love fest, they've filled the window with fuchsia construction-paper hearts and cabinets full of red Tag pillar candles. Inside, a refrigerated glass case chills classic roses, trendy gerbera daisies and mod deep-purple-dyed mums. List describes their style as "funky Martha Stewart," meaning tight, compact arrangements with a bright colour palette.
An average bunch assembled in a glass cube vase, silver mint julep cup or ceramic bowl runs you $40 and is guaranteed to make your main squeeze blush.
Pink twig picks: A perfect Valentine arrangement mixes peach and dusty pink miniature roses with a waxy Anthurium sprig, $27.99;
Style Maven pillows are covered in purple flocked canvas, $87.99; List's line of patchwork clutches and handbags ranges from $30 to $150.
Look for: Extended hours on February 13 (9 am to 9 pm) and 14 (9 am to 10 pm) to help out procrastinating Valentines.
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 9 am to 7 pm, Thursday to Saturday 9 am to 8 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm.