Today's Prescription: Decorate with the highly customizable Sticks Furniture Collection.

We are so excited to share this new collection with you!  We have recently brought in some furniture and decor from Sticks, a unique creator of artistic, colorful and one-of-a-kind pieces for the home.  You can get anything from a utensil holder for your kitchen counter to a king-size bed!  Most pieces are very colorful and covered in designs, images and various sayings - all of which are able to be customized to meet your specific decorating needs. 

For example, are you designing a dream nursery for a lucky baby girl?  If so, you might be interested in the soft, pastel color palette, in the "a star is born theme", and why not add phrases like "Dream Big", "Sleep Tight", and "Wish Upon A Star" to the pieces you select. 

Everything we have in stock is currently on our website and available for immediate sale.  The Lazy Susans are one of our favorite items!  Many other items that are available from Sticks are shown on our site and we are in the process of adding more so that our customers can see all the exciting products that are available.

The possibilities are endless...  Please contact us and let us help you design your own Sticks!
 
About Sticks:  "Sticks was started by Sarah Grant in 1992. Since then, Sticks has received national acclaim for our distinctive line of furniture, accessories and object art. The company began by designing smaller items such as ornaments and candlesticks, and has evolved to feature larger items such as dining sets, beds and armoires. Each piece is handcrafted within Sticks’ award winning studio in Des Moines, Iowa. All pieces are finely crafted from birch, poplar and driftwood. The pieces are further designed with hand drawn imagery, etched contouring and vibrantly blended paint. Pieces can be embellished with 3-D wood components, metal, leather and fabric. Our line is constantly evolving due to the imagination of our design team and the many talented craft artisans that we employ. Every piece that we produce can be personalized to feature themes, imagery or colors that you or your customers desire." [from Sticks website]

Today's Prescription: Swarovski jewelry is perfect for a summer wedding

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Whether you are the bride-to-be, one of her attendants, mother-of-the-groom or just attending the soiree, Swarovksi jewelry will be the perfect finishing touch for your look.  A simple black dress can be made totally glamorous with the right "bling".

Here are some of our current in-stock favorites:

• If you're the one in white this summer, check out the Lunar Indian Sapphire pendant.   Not for the faint of heart, this necklace will make a statement...  It is a beautiful way to add a touch of blue to your ensemble.  The Large Cobra Necklace is another knockout piece.    If you're a bit more conservative, the Angelic pendant is a sweet, light necklace you will surely wear time and time again.  
• The Bella Earrings in tanzanite moonlight crystal would be a wonderful bridesmaid gift.  They are simple, yet interesting and eye-catching. If you prefer to call attention to the bouquets by adding wrist sparkle, check out the Pave Circles bracelet. 
• Calling all Mothers of the Bride and Groom!  Show your love for the new couple by wearing the Etera heart pendant.  It might be the brides' day to shine, but you will surely get loads of compliments on this piece, too.  
• If you're just there to party, the sky is the limit as far as your accessories from Swarovski .  The Hoopla Hoop pendant is a fun piece that can easily be dressed up or down.  Everyone will notice this narrow mesh bracelet.  

We can special order any current jewelry item from Swarovski.  So, if you don't see what you need on our website, please contact us! 

Swarovski Jewelry Collection

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Today's Prescription: New items from Mary Jurek

We adore the stainless steel tableware collection created by Mary Jurek.  These luxury home goods combine old world artistry and craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.  All products are hand-made by artisans throughout the world with direct creative input from and oversight by Founder Mary Jurek.  What we think really makes this collection special is the fact that the products are eco-friendly, hand-made and dishwasher safe!  Yes, unlike so many metal-ware lines that require handwashing, these stainless steel items can go in the dishwasher.  One of my personal favorites is the Galaxy Cream & Sugar Set... it's going on my personal wish list! And for the modern bride who is scoffing at all the traditional cake knife & server sets out there, check out the Helyx Cake Set.  We love it!

We've brought a small selection into our store, but if you are looking for a particular item that you don't see on our website, please contact us. 

Today's Prescription: Baby gifts worth the splurge!

Exuding love as a first time Grandparent, Auntie, Godmother, etc... to a beautiful little bundle of joy?   We bet you're just in love with that little boy or girl already, right?   And you're trying to find the perfect gift to present to the new family, right?  We think we can help in that department!  Here are some splurge-worthy ($70 & up) new baby gifts:

• Help decorate the nursery or playroom with these fun, painted furniture items from Guidecraft.  The safari themed collection is fun and suitable for a boy or girl.  We love the Safari Rocking Chair, Storage Step Stool, Lamp, and  table and chairs set where the little one will eventually spend hours and hours coloring and playing for years to come.  Our website only shows a sampling of their furniture collections, but we can order anything that they make for you!
• Envelope the baby in the softest blanket you will ever touch from Little Giraffe!  The large, Luxe blanket comes in cream, pink, blue, navy and chocolate to name a few options and is currently $78.
• Keep them looking presentable with a brush and comb set.  We love the sterling Lunt Royalty Boy's Set and the simple, classic Lunt Girl's Set.
• Keep them warm and looking stylish in the functional, fun "Little Riding Cape" from Babyhood & Beyond.  This is one of my personal favorite new baby gifts!   They are super soft and come in great color combinations.  They'll use it for years...
• Treat the new mom to a diaper bag she'll adore from Ju-Ju-Be.  You can surely find a style and color to suit her.  Don't forget the coordinating accessories like checkbook covers and wallets, too.

Today's Prescription: Take advantage of our July 20% off Alessi sale

It's doesn't happen often, so when it does... take advantage!  During the month of July, you can save 20% on a great selection of baskets and bowls from Alessi.  Yes, this sale even includes the ultra popular Mediterraneo design. Do you know someone who is an avid gardener?  The La Rosa baskets would make a lovely gift for a flower lover.  For a a basic everyday  fruit basket, take a look at Alessi's medium wire basket.

Don't miss out on this July sale!  Have an upcoming wedding?  They would make a great gift, or pick one up for yourself!

Today's Prescription: Essentials for preparing & serving summer salads

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No one wants to slave away in the kitchen on these hot summer days!  So, a lovely, fresh summer salad bursting with flavor and color is the perfect meal.  We've got some great kitchen essentials to help you toss together something delicious.

• Once you've got one, you'll wonder how you lived without a great tomato knife.  We've got several from Wusthof , and our store owner's favorite Serrated Ceramic blade utility knife from Kyocera. 
• You'll likely need a peeler to prep a good salad - and we love the colorful ones from Kyocera and the sturdy, sleek one from Culinary Institute. 
• Don't forget a good cutting board!  We love Epicurean's cutting surfaces - they come in a variety of sizes, colors and they can easily be washed and sanitized in the dishwasher.  If you're eco-conscious, check out their Recycled boards. 
• Dry those lettuce leaves with this awesome OXO stainless salad spinner!
• When it comes to serving, let people help themselves with some great everyday servers or tongs from Jonathan's Spoons, Woodbury's of Vermont, Tizo, or how about these cute salad "hands" from Mudpie .   You can pick up an attractive, glass-looking bowl and servers for under $50 from William Bounds Grainware.  Perfect for indoor or outdoor eating, is our melamine collection  of salad bowls, servers and full dinnerware options from Le Cadeaux. 

 We offer plenty more preparing and serving products to meet all your entertaining (or mealtime-for-one) needs!  

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Today's Prescription: Make a splash!

This oppressive heat has me thinking of one thing only - cooling off! Hiding in an air-conditioned space works for many of us. For those of you lucky enough to have easy access to the water (whether it is pool, lake, river or ocean), we think you NEED one of these cute summer bags to keep all your essentials nearby:

• Even with the water nearby for cooling off, you still need to stay hydrated and refreshed! So, take along the insulated Bugalow! Scout's Dockette to keep beverages cool.

• The water-resistant Daytripper tote bag is another essential from Bungalow! Scout. This will easily hold your towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and other essentials.
  

• We've got the Brush Stroke Beach Tote from Chilewich (yes, the placemat company!) in two colors - Orange/Pink or Brown/Black. This is a really cute bag that works just as easily in the city as it does by the pool.

• Hey Moms! The WannaBe from Ju-Ju-Be is THE bag for you to use this summer especially, but all year round, too. Wanna know why??? How about because of its: sand drain, insulated cooler pocket, electronics pocket, towel holder, backpack or shoulder straps... not to mention the fun pattern! Seriously, if you know someone who lives at their local swimming "hole" in the summer, get them this bag! They'll thank you for it.

• Looking for the perfect option for small things? Check out the Ju-Ju-Be Fuel Cell, Shiraleah Snack Sack, and Scout Counterfeit (perfect for taking cash / credit cards to the pool).

Stay cool everyone!

Today's Prescription: Bridal party gifts they'll love!

If you're getting married soon, you have probably put some thought into what to give your bridal party. It's a tough decision, right? These people are important enough to you that you've asked them to play a crucial role on your most special day! We know you want to give them a thoughtful memento to remind them of the cherished role they will play in your not just wedding, but your entire life. We understand, too, that as generous as you would like to be, funds may be limited. So, we'd like to offer you some suggestions in a couple price ranges:

For Your Groomsman:

• Under $50 - can't go wrong with the traditional gifts of a flask, and we've got a nice, simple one from Reed & Barton.
• Under $100 - if you'll be surrounded by sports enthusiasts on your big day, they'll love this personalized hockey stick to hang in their "man caves"! If they're big entertainers for Sunday football, they'll love this football shaped serving dish from Beatriz Ball.
• Any price range - if they appreciate a good bottle of liquor, they would probably love to drink it from a quality, elegant glass. Check out our selection of formal drinkware, and choose a pair of Double Old Fashion or Highball glasses for each of your friends. Check out some gorgeous glasses from Saint Louis, Baccarat, and William Yeoward.

For Your Bridesmaids:

• Under $50 - every time they use this great little heart themed serving piece from Riverside Design Group's Plates with Purpose collection, they'll be reminded of the fun they had at your wedding.
• Under $100 - they'll love a gift that they can use all the time and these Hipster / Wristlets from Harveys Seatbelt Bags fit the bill! Order in advance and pick the perfect color for each bridesmaid!
• $65 and up - skip that boring, typical wedding jewelry and give each girl a specially selected piece from our Alexis Bittar or Liquid Metal jewelry collection. Your girlfriends aren't all the same, so why buy them all the same necklace???

If you need more ideas for wedding party gifts, please stop by, give us a call, or try out our website.

Today's prescription: Pick up last minute entertaining needs for the Fourth of July.

It's picnic time and here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania we are expecting a gorgeous weekend! Here are a few items that will allow for easy, fun entertaining this holiday weekend and all summer long:

• This patriotic display American Flag from Peggy Karr glass is the perfect decorating accessory for Memorial Day, Fourth of July and even year round.

• The Le Cadeaux collection of durable melamine dinnerware and polycarbonate drinkware lets you relax while you entertain beautifully. Forget about buying paper plates all the time, and invest once in a stack of these stylish, sturdy blue dinner plates. The planet will thank you too!

• Don't get burned (literally)! Pick up this Le Creuset BBQ mitt and silicone brush set in red or blue so you look festive!

• Keep your guests cool with refreshing drinks! Make sure you've got a great ice bucket stocked. The Regal swivel top ice bucket is a favorite due to its glass appearance (it's plastic!), heavy weight, and connected swivel top. Pick up a couple sets of Tervis Tumblers and drinks can stay hot or cool.

• We recently wrote about our new line - Calaisio. These pieces are PERFECT for picnics and all your entertaining needs.
  

So, come and see us for your entertaining needs. Be safe and have fun this holiday weekend. Hope your forecast is sunny!