Making a List and Checking It Twice...

I don't know about you, but as much as I look forward to the holiday season each year, there is always stress surrounding what to buy for some folks on my gift list. Since we are only 33 days away from Christmas I thought I would offer some of my best, and most affordable ideas! Oprah has favorites, why can't I, and I admit that some of my favorites...came straight from her lists. All of these gifts are available for purchase now in our store, with the exception of the wine...sorry!

For the cooking enthusiast friend (under $30)

Earthworks Limone hand wash for the kitchen sink, recipe cards or a market list note pad, oven mit or kitchen towel.

For those who like to try new things (only $5)

A small, but nicely packaged, thoughtful gift: Tea Forte Small Tin containing two silken tea infusers. A terrific hostess gift, party favor, "thank you" gift or stocking stuffer. Our best selling flavor - Citrus Mint - cool, brilliant peppermint is complemented by sunny citrus zest.

For the stylish friend (Kate Spade! for only $25)

Box of 10 engraved correspondence "Snail Mail" motif cards with gold lined envelopes.

For the perfect hostess (around $30 depending on your wine selection)

A bottle of wine and a "What A Character" Initial Bottle Stopper.

For the business man ($12-$18)

A Moleskine notebook. Moleskine® is the legendary notebook used for the past two centuries by great artists and thinkers, including Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin.

For the environmentally concious writer ($12)

Package of 8 artfully designed note cards by Waste Note Paper. Waste Not Paper is dedicated to the idea that what is used everyday can be not only beautiful and creative, but friendly to our world.

For the preppy little one ($20-$25)

A personalized T-Shirt or onesie from The Paper Menu. Available in short and long sleeve, various sizes and designs. Outfit your baby in style!

For the die-hard alumnus ($49.95)

Personalized self-inking return address stamp. Many colleges to choose from. Brand new for our store. Makes the PERFECT alumni gift. (Ships directly to you in 10 business days.)

For the engaged couple trying to survive the holidays while planning the biggest day of their lives, perfect stocking stuffer! (only $6.95)

Bride & Groom IOUs. Each voucher takes the worry out of asking for big favors, from in-law management and honeymoon planning sessions to permission to splurge or a weekend that's free of wedding talk.

For those who just have it all ($4.50 to $18)

Paddywax candles, packaged ready for gifting. Includes free little box of matches. We guarantee that the person who already has it all doesn't have this candle fragrance...and it is truly our best seller - New Mown Hay, with scents of cut grass, thyme and verbena. It seriously smells fabulous for any home or office.

Happy Shopping :)

Two Sweet Opened Today!

Read our previous post for the whole sweet story, but just wanted everyone to know that Two Sweet - A Cupcake Boutique opened today, November 21st, in the Shops at Wellesley...visit their website for more info, menu, hours and directions. You have got to go!

"Cricket"

For those of you who shopped with us last year during the holidays you will remember that our "paper lady" made her debut in our beautiful store window and was admired and photographed by many! Thanks to our fabulous designer, Jessica Lindsay, we have redressed her in new fashionable paper attire and she is back on display in our new store. We have even named her, and from now on she will be known as "Cricket".

Our Store Featured on New Entertaining Blog

How lucky we were to have our store and products recently featured on new entertaining blog Celebrations at Home. Visit this expert party planner's blog for fun, creative inspiration for entertaining at your home!

The Sweetest Thing!

I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know a couple of the newest boutique owners in Richmond, Tina and Debbie Pearlman, and let me just tell you, these ladies are really on to something sweet! A confessed sweet tooth myself, I have always had a fondness for cupcakes, even more so than a slice of cake, pie or other tempting desserts. As kids we probably all experienced having cupcakes at birthday parties, but how many of us have recently enjoyed a cupcake as an adult? Well, I can say that I have recently died and gone to cupcake heaven after tasting some of what will soon be the sweet talk of central Virginia.

Tina and Debbie are the proud owners of Two Sweet-A Cupcake Boutique, which is soon to open in the Shops at Wellesley in the West End. I have been lucky enough to know about the cupcake boutique for about a year now and am anxiously awaiting its official opening later this month. We got a sneak peek into the new boutique when we recently served these gourmet delights at an exclusive bridal event in our store. The boutique is as beautifully decorated and sweet as the signature cupcake confections themselves. They have put such hard work into every detail, to include custom signature packaging for the sweet treats! The boutique will feature a gourmet cupcake menu that changes daily, to include both gourmet filled and classic flavors such as: Vanilla Caramel, Key Lime Pie, White Chocolate Rasberry Cheesecake and Sprinkle Explosion. Being lucky enough to taste several of these personally, I can honestly say they are the best cupcakes I have EVER had! Freshness and quality are apparent in every bite.

I am very excited for these ladies and their wonderful sweets and am happy to endorse their new boutique business. Our boutique will be doing business with them for all of our special events and recommending them to our customers for delightful wedding desserts, baby or bridal shower desserts and birthday treats! What better way to celebrate your next event or any day with a cupcake from Two Sweet-A Cupcake Boutique! Please visit them when they open later this month. Feel free to visit their website or pick up a daily menu in our store. We will be glad to help you place your cupcake order anytime!