THANKS for a great Year!

We just want to thank all of you for helping make this year a huge success for us! We really enjoyed transforming the store with each season and the stints in between. We are already scheming for the coming year and frantically buying for the now. We have three big buying sprees coming up....a road trip to Kentucky....the Gift Show in Atlanta...and the big one for us the New York Gift Show! In the meantime, bare with us as we do our nesting, preparing the store for the winter months to come. Don't be surprised if we ask you to look for the hammer when you come in!

The store will be open the remainder of the week with Ashley at the helm. Valerie's Mother is coming for a visit, and I am hibernating for a few days with the kids (surviving is the word actually). Knowing us, we will also be busy making things for you to buy in the comforts of our homes. From our families to yours, have a Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you very soon!

A Sneak Peek at Jenni's House

Unfortunately I am having technical difficulties with my digital camera so I had to drag out the old 35mm. The bad in that is I had no idea what the pictures would turn out like, the "can I see Mommy" window comes in handy more than I thought! So here are just a few I was okay with sharing.

I am very drawn to a "natural Christmas" look to the outside of my home. Maybe it's the setting of our house, or the "Over the river and through the woods" image I nostalically love. Whatever the reason, I add just a little something different each year. What I wish I had pictures to show are my white vintage fence posts at the entrance to my sidewalk. They have nice natural sprigs on them with the trusty old red wagon beside full of a load of firewood ready to be wheeled in for those cooler nights upon us! I like the welcome it gives me when I walk up to the front door. This is a shot of some of my Byers' Carolers. Over the years my family and friends have given me these and they all have special meanings. I just LOVE these little guys. I have the entire Nutcracker series now, a mommy, an artist, a gas lighter (Billy used to work for Atlanta Gas Light), and of course a Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the collection now. Some say they are ugly, but I think they are so sweet!
In the kitchen I hung my Christmas decoration find of the year from the light fixture. In the original brown paper box I found 12 shiny bright tiffany blue balls. (notice the window awning....that's my new addition to the kitchen in my favorite Amy Butler Fabric). The other blue balls are resting on top of some amber bottles in the window over the sink.

Here's the mantel with the Mr and Mrs Carolers. The sled was Billy's Grandmother's, the phone came from my Daddy when he worked for Bell. The art on the mantel is by William a couple of years ago. I actually used it for our Christmas card becuase I loved it so much!

So that's it for now....more when the decorations come down!

The Last Trunk Show

Whew....what a whirlwind of a month and a half with new merchandise coming in every week! It has been so much fun to see our trunk show artists bring their wares into our store for one week to see how they would sell with our wonderful shoppers! We've had everything from jewelry, purses, art, and now Hall Manor. You all have to make a stop by to see their beautifully handcrafted wooden items like colonial houses, stools, rocking horses, bookcase, sofa table and more! They also brought the nicest stockings for those needing an extra or wanting to change out for this year's decorating. Also in their trunk were "Hooking" bags...not that kind....but for your RUG hooking projects. Pockets just the right size and place for all your tools. They also design rug hooking patterns and have those to sell. Last, but not least, we have a sofa full of their pillows...some Christmas, some for the special teeth our children loose. Come on by this week!

A Peek at Valerie's Christmas

We promised you all a peek at our personal homes and decided to start with a peek at Christmas. For two years now we've both wanted a flocked tree and this year Valerie did it! Isn't it to die for? Looks like real snow has fallen onto this perfectly shaped tree. She's placed it in her family room window which overlooks the lake ( Which has a most fabulous view), so their family isn't the only one to enjoy it's magical feel.

As you approach her home she has a fabulous walk up with faux columns, wooden stars, flocked wreath and real greenery. To me it looks like you are walking into a magical winter wonderland. Do any of you recognize the stars? They came from the store. The sled came from a weekend stop at Scott's. This is just such a nice entrance, wow girl! A true winter wonderland. I want to come in to see more! Valerie has a large collection of mercury glass from over the years. This year she decided to take it out of it's regular nesting spot to the mantel. The mantel is always a challenge for me for some reason. She has made it look effortless, doing a great job of mixing the real greenery with her collection, a few glittery items and two cool clocks, which don't work by the way. Instead, they have frozen in time the moment her two beautiful children were born. So sweet!

Here's a close-up of that dreamy tree and her glass ornaments. Santa looks as though he's saying hey ya'll readers!
Here's the mantel from afar (I really should have tried to get these pictures organized better, sorry folks!) I love the glittery urns, they are really silhouettes I think she glittered herself.
Stepping back a bit further in her family room you will find her collection of wooden angel dolls. See in the background the way cool doors on a track? The arch on the brick fireplace? Her home is full of neat details like that!
These are the side entrance decorations. Love the idea of putting a tree outside with sparkly pinecones, real greenery, salvage angel on the door and more! She perfectly mixes the old with the new for a look that is so unique. They say that back door friends are the best, entering her home this way you definately feel welcomed.

So this is just a little peek, she has sooooo much more to see. You'll just have to wait and see after the Christmas decorations come down. My house is next.....

Oh for a Winter Day to Wear this Hat!

This week's Trunk Show is Lollie Belle. Valerie tells you a bit of their history on the website, so I'll just tell you the nitty gritty. You've gotta come in and at least try one on. It's so much fun, like being a little girl playing dress-up! The colors, the trims, the fabric combinations....oo..la...la.... Actually you've got to come by and try them ALL on. I have already got my eye on a black velvet one. It's funny, I tried on several, and this one just said you are so Jenni! Even if you think you aren't a hat person, I am sure you will find one of these that suits your personality. Can't wait to see you in it!

Trunk Show Double Trouble

Morr-is-Better Embroidery has on display at the Flea this week the most clever shoes ever. The sole of the shoe is super comfy with these little snap on straps which you can have custom embroidered! Is that smart or what? The shoe bases come in black, brown and my favorite, cork. They automatically come with a black strap with a monogram. If you check out the Lexees website you will find they retail for about $60, but at the Flea, Amy lists them for only $42 with additional straps for $20. What a deal! Here is their website: http://www.morr-is-betterembroidery.com/. Check them out for all your monogramming needs!

We also have Annie and her most adorable stationery. If you haven't picked up your Christmas cards, then come on by because her designs are sure to put a smile on your recipients face. Annie also has single cards, everyday card sets and her whimsical originals all for sale this week. In just two days her stationery has proven a hit with our customers. So, come on down and check it out for yourself! She also has a website: http://www.hodgepodgestationery.com/.