Wednesday, February 29, 2012

New In Our Nest: Scout Bags

As we had, you've probably come across, or owned, a piece from the Scout collection of tote bags over the years. This January when we saw the new collection at the Atlanta market, we couldn't resist bringing them into the store. The new colors and patterns are so versatile that they are perfect for everyday use and whether you are looking for a subtle bag or you prefer for your bag to be noticed, there are so many options that are fun (the pattern names definitely make you smile), affordable and highly functional.

I bought myself the "Pocket Rocket" style back in November at a charity shopping event (it was in a white/green/black stripe that I think is now discontinued) and I've commented on more than one occasion that it changed my life!
  
Pocket Rocket in Reptile Dysfunction

Between working and having two young boys, my daily tote bag is often overflowing with papers, personal items, cameras, water bottles, matchbox cars, wipes, etc. The Pocket Rocket is so terrific because it has ample space on the inside for papers, folders and more and then 6 individual pockets on the outside that so nicely contain a bottle of water, sippy cup, cell phone, keys, sunglasses, tissues/wipes, pens, etc. It makes it so that you aren't constantly searching through one middle section to hunt down whatever you need at that moment. All of these bags are wipeable and durable. The best part is that they are so affordable that you don't have to worry so much about the daily abuse of a bag and you can have more than one style and color at a time. They also don't weigh 30 pounds empty as so many other bags do. They're light as a feather (until you load them up of course)!

When our shipment arrived at the store this month, I immediately chose the "Grand Plan" tote in Indigo Go. It's sort of a dark blue denim but has a wonderful pop of green on the inside.

Grand Plan in Indigo Go (picture doesn't show the wonderful green interior)

While it doesn't have the outside pockets that the Pocket Rocket has, it does have one interior zipper pocket and Scout has now introduced small accessory bags that are just perfect. With the addition of the "Counterfeit" bag and the "Packin' Heat" bag, it's easy to keep your loose items contained and easily within reach.
Packin' Heat in Boca

Counterfeit in Vanilla Bean

We've pondered whether or not to carry tote bags in the store for a long time because who doesn't love buying a new bag, but with our focus on home, we didn't want to blur the line too much on our categories. Totes really are an extension of the home when you consider we carry so much of our lives around in them and the Scout bags really seemed to fit the bill for us.

In addition to their totes, we are also carrying smaller everyday bags, the accessory bags and the original "Deano" which I was given years ago and I love using for car travel. It's great for packing kids clothes or groceries for long car trips because inevitably you end up stopping along the way and have to have easy access to something. The Dean-O does the trick! Here are a few of the other styles and patterns we currently have in stock. Let us know if there's a Scout piece you love that we might be missing!
Original Deano in Reptile Dysfunction

Daytripper in Barbara Stripesand Blue

Pocket Rocket in Starstruck

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Simply Perfect Gifts from Juliska

A breath of fresh air flew into the store this week with the arrival of Juliska, a collection of ceramic tabletop and gift items that are just perfect for so many occasions. Juliska creates classic European inspired ceramic stoneware, made in Portugal.

What really caught our eye (and minds) was their "Cornerstones" collection of gift items that as they describe "uplift the mind as well as the eye." As assortment of ceramic trays focus on love, wisdom, integrity and courage. Available in small or large, each tray features an image with a quote on the back to align with that image. A wonderful gift idea for weddings, graduations and especially when you need that perfect something for a friend who needs a little uplifting.

Wisdom Tray (front)

Wisdom Tray (back)
Love Tray (front)

Love Tray Back

An added bonus is the gorgeous box each item in the Cornerstone collection is packaged in and many of the tabletop gift items come in as well.

We always love when we find a line that we know will appeal to so many lifestyles and occasions. In addition to the trays, we are also carrying select tabletop pieces that can easily mix with any decorating style including:
Hostess Server

4 piece Hostess Set

Jardins Cheese Set
Jardins White Mini Pitcher Set

Jardins White Dip Set
All pieces are lead free and each has the same tough durability to handle the most demanding everyday use. Their stoneware can go straight from the freezer into the oven on 500 degrees – also guaranteed for microwave and dishwasher use. Stoneware is highly resistant to chipping.

It's so nice to have a "go to" line of gifts that you feel great about giving and are confident will be so well received!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Sid Dickens Spring 2012 "Daydream" Collection Has Arrived

Just in the nick of time for Valentine's Day, our Spring 2012 "Daydream" Collection of memory blocks from Sid Dickens have arrived!

As described by Sid Dickens, this collection is a beautiful reminder of the joys of life: "The flight of Spring! With his 2012 Daydream Collection, Sid Dickens has dreamed up a fanciful romp to the brighter side of life. Joy and abundance inspires this vibrant new collection. Gilded with delicate touches of gold; whimsical wreaths adorn classic heart motifs. An elegant honeybee flashes his wings. Under the moon lies a magical playground. Now the world is ripe with inspiration and nature calls upon each spirit to imagine a new reality. Sunshine beckons us outside to collect its many colours; eternities held in a single afternoon. In this dream world, fantasy and memory collide. Let us drift a while in this reverie, building castles in the clouds; as real as a dream is to a child."

The new Daydream collection includes:
T276 Celebration:
In the unfurling tangles
of life's drifting course,
find joy.
Misplace not this feeling!
 
T275 Aviator
This tiny visitor,
messenger of change,
Bestirred from winter's dream
to the work of a new season,
And the passing of another page.
T274 Waterdance Mirrored ripples in

full moon's light,
Transport me to another time.
Awaken me in the land
where faeries dwell,
And castles keep their secrets.


T273 Ace of Hearts
One rich in love

is forever victorious.

T272 Fledgling
How quickly time passes,
my child. Take this moment;
keep it close. Like the youthful
voice of Spring.

T271 Whole Heart
With lightness I offer
the gift of laurels and love;
I offer myself.
All six of the new tiles are in stock now along with many more. $84 per tile and as always, we are happy to special order any tiles that are current in the line which we do not have in stock. We too are ready to welcome spring and the new Daydream collection is a welcome taste!
 

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Hello Again! Clean, Fresh & New for 2012


So it's been almost 6 months since our last blog post . . .as an independent retail store, we shift into high gear just before October to get ready for the holidays and with only so many hours in the day, the duties of blogging get lost in the shuffle. The good news is that we kept ourselves very busy and for that we are grateful!

Fast forward to February and we're back with lots to blog about. We went down to Atlanta for the Gift & Home buying show in January and every day we are so excited to see all of the new merchandise that we picked out finally arrive in the store.



We kicked off our new arrivals with a beautiful touch of spring featuring crisp whites, greens, purples and yellows mixed with textures from burlap, stone and tin.

Customers are always longing for something new to freshen up their homes after the holidays are over and all of the decorations have come down and been put away. We feel the same way in the store and we love the energy these little bits of spring bring into our space!

We were also so pleased to find many wonderful new furniture pieces at market that also have a clean and fresh feel. They can help open up your spaces at home by infusing them with lighter woods, glass and refreshing colors.

Gwenieve Wood & Glass Cocktail Table $575
Othello Iron Mirror Coffee Table $795
Cassidy Console $598

Oneen Lamp Table $595


Kate Linen Table $595
Take a look at our slideshow of many of the new furniture and accessory pieces that are arriving in our nest daily! We look forward to getting back on the blogging track and keeping you updated on this year's happenings in the store, in the design world and more!