We are pleased to announce...

...that we are finalists in two categories for the 2009 Retailer Excellence Awards. We are just a tad bit excited, as you can imagine, as well as honored to be considered a finalist along with other select retailers. You can read more about the awards and finalists below. The store staff and I will travel to New York in August to attend the awards gala and shop the New York Gift Show. Stay tuned to find out if we are indeed winners and about all of the great new products that we will bring back from the show!

Gifts and Decorative Accessories Names 2009 Retailer Excellence Awards Honorees

By Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 6/19/2009 1:34:00 PM

New York — Gifts & Decorative Accessories is pleased to name the finalists in its 2009 Retailer Excellence Awards competition, its finalists for Rep of the Year and its 2009 Industry Rising Star award recipient. These honorees will be feted at Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ 58th annual Retailer Excellence Awards Gala, which will be held at New York’s Marriott Marquis overlooking Times Square on Sunday evening, August 16, 2009, during the New York International Gift Fair, a co-sponsor of the event.

An additional element will highlight the evening when Gift for Life, the industry’s charitable arm raising funds for DIFFA, honors Bobbie Gottlieb of Two’s Company with the Gift for Life Industry Achievement Award in recognition of her 40 years of leadership and contribution to the gift industry.

The Gifts & Decorative Accessories 2009 Retailer Excellence Awards Finalists are:
Store Design/Redesign:Under $1 Million
• Elizabeth Allen Atelier, La Jolla, CA
• Flore, Southbury, CT

Store Design/Redesign: Over $1 Million
• Market Place Florida Hospital Orlando, Orlando, FL
• The Store at the Museum of Arts & Design, New York, NY
• Vera Bradley, Ft. Wayne, IN

Visual Merchandising/Display
• Kate's Paperie, New York, NY
• Slifer Designs, Edwards, CO
• Watson Kennedy, Seattle, WA

Marketing Achievement: Overall Marketing
• The Scarlet Tassel, Atlanta, GA
• Ten Thousand Villages, Ephrata, PA
• The Cordial Cricket, Chester, VA

Event-based Community Service
• Homeward Bound, New Milford, CT
• Leon & Lulu, Clawson, MI
• The Bowerbird, Olde Lyme, CT

Retail Internet Innovator/Innovation
• Dreamy, Encinitas, CA www.shopdreamy.com
• The Cordial Cricket, Chester, VA www.thecordialcricket.com

Rep of the Year Finalists
• Deb Cabrera, Ganz USA, Cheektowaga, NY
• Julia Elliman, Goetz Inc., Dallas
• Cheri Leos, OneCoast, Birmingham, AL

Industry Rising Star
• Under Stella’s Umbrella: Fine Whines, Bellemonde, Noble Initials, Gerard Puvis – Stella Martin, Atlanta, GA

Trophies specially designed by Italian ceramic-maker Deruta will be presented to the winner in each retailer category. Trophies for the Gift for Life Industry Achievement Award, the Rep of the Year and Industry Rising Star will be provided by Mikasa, div. of Lifetime Brands.

For further information or to purchase tickets for the gala, click here.

School is almost out, and we know all of you teachers are counting down the days! As a way to let all teachers know how much we appreciate them, we are pleased to announce our first Teacher Appreciation Shopping Event. All teachers, whether current, former, retired, etc. are eligible to participate in our upcoming event. 

Join us this Saturday, June 13th from 10:00 - 6:00 to receive 20% OFF your Entire Purchase if you are a teacher or a former teacher. No coupon required, just tell us your a teacher or used to be one. (20% off discount excludes all invitation purchases)

We will also have drawings, refreshments, specials and giveaways throughout the day! We have had some great prizes donated from other businesses as well, including Dream Dinners, Brickhouse Run Restaurant, Commonwealth Photography, Minerva Books, MEKO Kids and much more!! You never know what you might win in addition to your awesome discount that day! Tell all of the teachers you know, bring a few teacher friends with you! We look forward to seeing many teachers on Saturday, June 13th!

cinda b Bags on "The Bachelorette"

As many of you probably know the new season of "The Bachelorette" premiered on May 18th! For all of you who are watching this season, keep your eyes open for the very popular cinda b travel bags, handbags and accessories to appear on the show's star.  The cinda b collection was chosen to be featured as a fashionable accessory adorning this season’s “Bachelorette” star, Jillian Harris in the highly popular program “The Bachelorette”.

A variety of cinda b bags will hang on Jillian’s shoulder throughout the season. So tune in and keep an eye out for cinda b travel bags including The Weekender, Super Tote, Garment Bag, Cosmetic Set, and the Flat Iron/Curling Iron Cover all in an array of cinda b’s sassy patterns and colors. Jillian might also be pulling out some shades from her Matching Sunglasses Case or heading off to get to know the eligible bachelors with the stylish Hobo poised high on her shoulder.

Considering Jillian is a designer herself, what better way to show off some serious style than with cinda b. With an array of 11 custom-designed prints and bright colors, cinda b offers a collection of handbags, travel, beauty, totes, accessories and baby bags. From the slouchy and casual Hobo Purse to the darling and functional Slim Tote, cinda b offers a bag for any gal-on-the-go! Cinda b’s collection is water-resistant and machine washable, made from durable, poly/nylon fabrics and proudly manufactured in the US. Visit our store for more information about or to purchase any of the cinda b collection bags.

Our Brides Featured in Richmond Bride

A big congratulations to two of our brides whose weddings are featured in the June issue of Richmond Bride Magazine. The article entitled "Hitched at Home" Weddings in Your Backyard, features three great couples who had their weddings and/or receptions outside at someone's home. We were so pleased to see that two of our invitation brides were featured in this article. Check it out, the pictures are amazing! Available on new stands now. 

Congrats to Carly Daniels and Lee Cofield and to Stephanie Covington and Artie Haraway. Enjoy your time in the spotlight!

For All My Cupcake Lovin' Pals

Chris over at Celebrations At Home has the best post on her blog today all about unique cupcake ideas. Chris always finds the most creative things and these cupcake ideas certainly are creative! Use these ideas at your next party and send us your photos to post. Stop by and pick out an invitation to coordinate with your cupcakes too! Enjoy.

http://celebrationsathome.blogspot.com/2009/05/you-are-my-cuppy-cake.html

New Look

Our blog has a new look thanks to ShabbyBlogs.com 

Leave us a comment below to let us know what you think of it.

Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Dream Wedding Contest

Calling all brides, check out this Dream Wedding contest sponsored by US Weekly and WeddingChannel.com 

Click here to find out more and enter to win. Don't wait, deadline is May 26th!

Good luck!