Special Gifts

Here are some pictures of our special gift items. I just love the reds and greens of the holidays. I just love looking for the perfect gift - large or small - that will make the recipient glow with joy. For me that is one of the parts of Christmas that I love. It's that time when I can show how much I care for someone by giving them something that gives them pleasure; something they might not have given themselves; something that made me think of that person and how much they mean to me.

Small things for the kitchen make great stocking stuffers or teacher's gifts. Or this is a great way to make your own kitchen look festive. I imagine the red prep bowls holding my lemon zest and vanilla for the special sugar cookies. The organza bag is a quick and inexpensive wrap for a bottle of wine or special dipping oil. And imagine a cup of tea from the cheery red teapot. How relaxing after a busy day of wrapping or cooking or shared with a guest.Don't you love this brightly painted stoneware? It is rustic Portuguese. The berry bowls have the colander holes so that they are functional for draining as well as looking so good. The poinsetta dip dish and plate, I can see with guacamole - enhanced with the New Canaan Farms salsa - and homemade taco chips. (Not holiday everywhere, but soooo Texas.) These make great hostess gifts or a bread and butter thank you.An easy way to decorate is with a pinecone mix or a seasonal botanical. Just put in a bowl or tray, maybe around a candle, and you've created the seasonal feeling. We also have small gold dusted pinecones that can be hung on a tree or put in a bowl. A touch of glitter! Now for something a little different. The Debra Shephard jewelry is sold each element singly. For instance the 16" sterling silver ball chain necklace is available for $20 or the large hoops on the left and the small hoops on the right can also be purchased at $18 and $14 respectively. Then you choose the dangle you want. The long "bling string" is Swaroski crystals or pearls $18. There are many different silver charms $10 or single Swaroski crystals $6 for a shorter look. They slip on and off the earrings and chains easily so you can switch out the elements or hang two together on a chain or three on each earring. Lots of versatility for an everchanging look.

And if you're getting tired of red and green. (It seems like I've been fixating on red a lot in the last month of postings.) For holiday dips or fruit breads or nuts these lovely gray porcelain bowls and trays are perfect. Their great organic shapes lend a touch of class to your table or buffet. The soft, subtle grays create a restful place for your eyes among the reds and greens and golds. (The two bowls also look good in a bathroom to hold soap or cotton balls or a candle or a few gold dusted pinecones. A little touch to make a guest bathroom lovely.)

Thanks to Emily for the pictures. Thanks to all of you for listening. Come see us.

Ready for the Holidays

Well, we're gussied up here at the store. We've kept our airy, open look but incorporated our new gift items, glitter trees and spots of red everywhere. As promised from a previous post below are some pictures. Hope you enjoy.

Front room. We've kept it simple with some woodland trees, red pillows and throw, and red candles. Uncomplicated and uncluttered but cosy and warm.
Next pictures are of the second room. This room has suffered from a bit of an identity crises this year, but now it's back to being our gift area - full of kitchen items and gadgets, fabulous Murval bags, Caldrea, teapots and teas. A fun room to poke around in to discover the perfect gift. (And at a reasonable price.)

Lastly are pictures of our atrium. This special, serene space holds most of our furniture along with art, throws and some table top decor.Our approach this year is understated. We want to show that it doesn't take a lot of money or time to incorporate a seasonal feel. A runner on a dining table or coffee table is an easy spot of color to add. For some shine fill a bowl with the mercury glass ornaments that we have spotlighted on our big tree. Put some red leaves in a gold glass vase to play with Christmas colors.
Next post will include the rest of my pictures which feature the special items in our front room. My thanks to Emily for taking most of the pictures.