Today's Prescription: Serve some soup!

Cool, rainy days and now I'm dreaming of soup.  So, today I'm highlighting my favorite soup related servers!

A store favorite is the pasta / soup ceramic bowl from Simon Pearce.  Choose from their Corinth, Cavendish, or Belmont patterns.  These are great for pasta, stew, entree salads and more!  

You'll find this Juliska Berry & Thread Pasta Bowl at home in my cabinet, and I love it for serving up some turkey chili on a bed of tortilla chips and sprinkled with cheese!

If you don't like a rim on your soup bowl, check out Vietri's Cucina Fresca Coupe Soup bowls available in several color combinations.  I can picture steaming chicken noodle soup with some warm crusty bread on the side!

Can't go wrong with white, right?  For a simple, contemporary look, check out Rosenthal's soup bowl options like the Rosenthal Loft White soup / pasta bowl. It's under $20 too!

If French Onion is your soup-Du-jour, don't miss Le Creuset's  French Onion stoneware crocks.  Perfect for individual servings of this bubbly, cheese topped soup, but also great for serving warm dips at your next party.   While you're looking at Le Creuset, don't forget to invest in a French Oven Pot in which to make these delicious creations!

For delicious recipes, check out WholeLiving magazine or website.   Here is one I'd love to taste:
Lobster & Corn Chowder

Today's Prescription: Spice up your home for Fall

The change in season means more time inside for many us.  Rainy days keep us cooped up, and these dreary days can be the perfect time to look around at your surroundings and find a few spots in your home to spruce up with touches of Fall colors.  You may have the space the add some new items, or feel free to pack up a couple pieces just for the season to add these new accents for Fall and possibly Winter months.  Here are just a few seasonal suggestions:

Julia Knight made it easy on us this year to choose the perfect colors for Fall when they added Caviar and Spice to their palette.  Used together they'll make a Halloween party festive, yet elegant.  Separated, they can warm up any table and make entertaining a breeze.   Also check out Julia Knight's Argento drinkware collection; amethyst, saffron and pomegranate would be gorgeous hues for the season. 

Linens are an easy tabletop item to change seasonally.  Chilewich and modern-twist both offer festive mats in Fall colors.  Modern-twist's silicone mats have become a store favorite, and we love them all!  From Chilewich, there are countless options in browns, blacks, oranges, and many textures to choose from as well.   

A practical and popular gift from Mariposa is their beaded cocktail napkin box. Add some colorful cloth napkins and a napkin weight for the season (pumpkin, leaf, football, ghost, etc...) and you're ready for company! 

Tamara Childs gilded glass bowls & vases in golds and copper are perfect for the season or year round.  The mini vases grouped together are a store favorite.  At under $30, they are a good alternative to a bottle of wine as a hostess gift. 

Stop in and see us for more ideas, and "like us" on Facebook to get updates on new products and more!

Today's Prescription: Realize that white doesn't have to mean boring.

People choose white dinnerware for many reasons... best for food presentation, for a modern look, numerous options available at many price points, easy to accessorize with colored linens or stemware, worried about getting tired of any color, or maybe they are just lacking in the imagination department.  Whatever the reason, we don't think white has to be a "boring" option.  Sure, you can keep it simple and traditional, but you can also create a very interesting table setting with textured white dinnerware.  We've highlighted just a few of our favorite white collections here:

Juliska Berry and Thread - This textured collection remains a constant favorite among our brides.  They have numerous options for all pieces of a place setting and a wide array of serving pieces available.  The collection also coordinates with their spectacular Jardins du Monde white dinnerware and the colored Berry and Thread pieces.  Busy families love its easy-to-care-for qualities - oven, dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe!

Bernardaud Louvre - If you want dinnerware to easily transition from everyday to formal entertaining, you can't go wrong with the extremely durable Louvre collection.  Options abound here as well as far as serving pieces and accessories.  Their over-sized Latte Mug has become an instant favorite at our store, it's the perfect piece for the upcoming fall and winter season!  While not the most popular of the Bernardaud patterns, I am personally in love with Digital which the photos just don't do justice!  It's a lovely, organic texture that also works for everyday and formal dining.

Simon Pearce Corinth or Cavendish - More contemporary than Juliska, but similar in weight (stoneware), we are always a fan of Simon Pearce.  Their dinnerware coordinates beautifully with their glassware as well.  The style is simple, classic and can work in a modern, traditional or even more country cottage style home. 

Rosenthal Thomas Loft - For a reasonable price, you'll be pleasantly surprised by your options in the Loft product line.  This classic casual porcelain offers everything you need for a place setting as well as oven-to-table items. 

Let us help you choose the right white for your family table!

Related articles

• Must Register For: Juliska (alwaysablogsmaid.com)

Today's Prescription: Back to school prep!

Hey Moms & Dads, after you hit the nearest Target for back to school necessities, come see us for some less obvious back-to-school supplies...

Lunch Supplies - For your toddlers hitting preschool for the first time, we've got soft, quilted, smaller backpacks, as well as some colorful snack sacks and lunchboxes.    Teach them early to be eco-conscious by getting them their own stainless steel water bottle. Improve your tools for making and packing healthy lunches for your family by investing in a quality cutting board from Epicurean and a Kyocera Utility Knife to make slicing a cinch!

Preschool - If your little one will need to take a nap at home, check out Barefoot Dreams "Nap to Go" set.  This blanket and pillow set is deliciously soft!

Skills - Make sure his or her bookshelves are stocked to keep them interested in learning to read. We've got various selections from Usborne books for a variety of ages.  For those learning to write, try Melissa and  Doug's Write-a-Mat placemat, it's an educational way to keep them busy at the dinner table. 

Family Dinners - Ok, not a requirement of back-to-school shopping, but we hope you'll be able to enjoy a family meal at the end of most days whether its homemade or take-out.  We suggest serving it on modern-twist's eco-conscious, fun, colorful silicone placemats. 

Related articles

• Bullying in Preschool: What Parents Need to Know (education.com)
• My New Favourite Kitchen Utensil (iandanielstewart.com)

Today's Prescription: Pittsburgh gifts!

We're often asked for gift ideas that are "Pittsburgh themed". Sometimes the shopper is buying for a co-worker or friend leaving the city or maybe they are traveling and want to bring something from their home town.

Our most popular gift by far in this category is a piece from Riverside Design Group, a local company located in Lawrenceville, PA dedicated to sustainable design.  They have created several beautiful collections, but Plates with Purpose tends to be the most popular as a "Pittsburgh" gift.  Fifteen percent of the proceeds of any Plate with Purpose benefits various Pennsylvania (mostly in Pittsburgh) charities such as Habitat for Humanity, Family House, and the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.   Although glass, the plates are packaged well and with some extra TLC (i.e. bubble wrap) from us, we've had many customers successfully transport their gifts tucked inside their luggage all around the world. A subset of this is a small collection called A Platter That Matters that is ONLY available through our store.  Inspired by Riverside Designs' charity plates, we have partnered with select charities and Contemporary Concepts makes the donation to the designated charity (HEARTH, Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh). 

If your recipient is a Pittsburgh sports fan, we'll likely prescribe a set of Pittsburgh Penguins Tervis Tumblers, or a Steelers Tervis Mug.  People LOVE their Tervis Tumblers which are perfect for hot or cold beverages and the double walled construction keeps drinks insulated longer!  Got a big kid on your list, we usually have a selection of novelty Pittsburgh items like the boxing puppet in a Steelers jersey. 

Help keep someone's Pittsburgh memories alive with one or more of our WQED DVDs about Pittsburgh like the "Things That Aren't There Anymore" or "Kennywood Memories" DVDs.  These would make a great gift for a family. 

Today's Prescription: Colorful wedding gift ideas!

Buying a wedding gift for a fun, casual, artsy, creative couple?  If so, we suggest you forgo the traditional and go bold and colorful!  Here are a just a few of our favorite fun and colorful weddings gifts:

For under $75, choose four food-grade silicone placemats from modern-twist. These eco-chic mats are priced at $14.50 and up and are available in several solid hues and many cool contemporary patterns.

A truly contemporary couple will surely appreciate the modern aesthetic of vibrant Kosta Boda.  We have votives, bowls, vases and more available at a variety of price points.  Many shoppers make a Kosta Boda bowl or cake plate their "go-to" gift for newlyweds.   

Just because they're "everyday glasses" does not mean they have to be ordinary.  A set of four, six, eight, or more USA-made Esteban Prieto tumblers would make a lovely gift.   Photos of these lovely glasses do not do them justice!  Choose all matching glasses or get a mix of colors for more casual entertaining. 

Let us help you find the perfect gift for all of your upcoming events!

Today's Prescription: Christmas in July

Many of us are struggling through the hottest day of the year and I'm asking you to think about Christmas!   Stay inside to beat the heat, but shop online for 2011 Holiday ornaments that we already have in stock!  Many of these are limited editions, so don't miss your opportunity to add to your collection or even to start one for someone special. 

Here are just a few of this year's ornaments you won't want to miss:

We think Mom might appreciate the beauty of Reed & Barton's 2011 Sterling Silver Snowflake ornament.  2011 marks the 5th edition of this lovely, elegant holiday ornament.

A consummate collector will appreciate one of the 2011 Lladro collectibles.  Choose the traditional bell or ball design or either shape in the re-deco version.  The "Born in 2011" figurines are perfect to mark the birth of  special little boy or girl this year. 

Lunt is offering a new collection of silver-plated, hand-cast and Swarovski jeweled ornaments this year.  The Jeweled Holly Christmas Ball would make the perfect gift this season. 

My own tree wouldn't be complete without Swarovski's annual crystal ornament.  The 2011 Swarovski Snowflake is another beauty worth owning.  We still have some 2010's in stock too if you missed out last year!

While these are all great holiday gifts, consider a 2011 ornament  to commemorate any occasion this year - weddings, new homes, babies, engagements, etc...

Today's Prescription: Give a personalized baby gift!

To make sure your new baby gift is one of the new mom's favorites, get it personalized!  Here are our most popular personalized baby gifts:

A chair from Hoohobbers will get years of use by the little ones!  Choose from either the Jr. Director's Chair style which easily folds for toting around or the slightly larger Rocker.  You'll have several fabric choices for either and don't forget to choose to add an embroidered name and design to make it truly unique.  The Jr. Director's Chair is our biggest selling personalized baby gift. 

A wooden step stool is also a wonderful, practical choice.  The child's name will be carved out of the top so that the letters will come out like puzzle pieces.  There are several different stool options available like flowers, sports, transportation and more!  The personalization is included in the price of these puzzle name stools. 

A set of Initial Bookends are one of our newest options.  These are great choice as they are not "babyish" and can easily be part of a child's room into their teenage years. For under $40, you can't go wrong!  Add a couple books to encourage their love of reading to start young!

These are just a few ideas!  Visit our website for more baby gift possibilities!

Today's Prescription: Wedding gifts for under $100

Do you hear wedding bells?  We do!  Everyday we help someone find a wedding gift for a special couple.  If you are in need of a wedding gift, and can't or don't want to use the couple's registry, here are a few ideas in the under $100 range:

I believe you cannot go wrong with a vase from Simon Pearce.  While most of this collection is over $100, there are some lovely pieces for less.  The Petite Woodbury Vase, for example, is just too perfect!  Whether it's displaying a sweet smelling peony bloom, some colorful jelly beans, or shells collected over the years, it's a piece they'll appreciate forever.

Has the new couple just moved into their first home together?  If so, A Platter That Matters benefiting a local charity called HEARTH may be just the ticket.  This is a great piece for appetizers, cookies, even a cake.  There are other designs available as well.  Add a reasonably priced cake knife to make a complete gift!

The newlyweds will certainly have wedding, reception and honeymoon photos they'll want to display!  Whether it's the formal 8x10 from the wedding photographer, or a great snapshot, help them cherish their memories with a lovely frame.  We are fans of Elias Art Metal frames, and for under $100, you can choose from many 4x6 or 5x7 frames.  For a more formal option, consider a Waterford, Vera Wang, or Reed & Barton frame.

If these options don't work for you, we're happy to help find the perfect gift for you!

Related Registry articles

• Kim Kardashian's EXPENSIVE Wedding Gift Registry! (997now.radio.com)
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Today's Prescription: Fourth of July means parties and picnics!

This weekend brings together families and friends for barbecues, picnics, and festive outdoor (if you're lucky!) parties.  Are you ready for yours?  Whether you are hosting or attending, we've got all sorts of goodies to help you prepare:

Fun for the kids - we've got all sorts of activities and games from Alex Toys, Melissa & Doug and more.  Check out the Paint a Pinwheel craft to keep the kiddos out of your hair for a bit.

Keep your guests hydrated!  We're not fans of disposable items, so consider stocking up on some fairly inexpensive tumblers from Luigi Bormioli or invest a little more in a durable, insulated set of  Tervis Tumblers.  We've got several inexpensive pitchers under $40, like the Fiesta from Lenox Tuscany perfect for lemonade or sangria.  And prevent the "which bottle is mine" question with these fun Beer Belts from Mud Pie!

Serve up a storm!  From spreaders to spaghetti tongs, Sambonet has got your covered on serving essentials you'll use all year round.   Grainware from William Bounds will let you look elegant, but you'll be practical with their products that look like crystal or glass but are actually plastic!

Have fun with your families!  Be safe!  And let us help you get ready to celebrate the Fourth of July!

Today's Prescription:

This weekend many of us will gather with our families to celebrate Father's Day.  Show your Father how much you love and appreciate him with a thoughtful gift.  Here are just a few ideas you can grab this week from us:

For under $20, decorate his laptop with a removable laptop "skin".  These fun, witty temporary peel & stick "tattoos" will remind Dad of you every time he uses his laptop.


For the Dad who shows his skills in the kitchen, upgrade his gadgets to something from Kyocera ceramics.  We can't tell you how many of our customers try a ceramic blade once and come back for more or to give one as a gift.    Your Dad will love one too!

Local Shoppers:  If Dad is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, get him a gag gift he'll show off on game days.  The Steelers Boxing Puppet is fun for tailgating and parties.   Check out our other Pittsburgh themed items as well.



If Dad's got business cards and an artsy side, he'd probably get a kick out of the H&K Metals business card holder sculptures.  Most of them hold a stack of cards as well as a few pens. 

If you need to ship your gift, order today or tomorrow and it will likely get there in time! 

Today's Prescription: Brighten up your family dinner with colorful new dishes from Casafina.

If you're in need of new everyday dinnerware, don't miss Casafina's new South Beach collection of fine Portuguese stoneware.  This casual collection is reminiscent of cool ocean breezes.  You can stick with one color, but we love to mix, match, and combine the four colors.  Most pieces are available in Lime, Turquoise, and White and then you can brighten it up even more with some accents of Yellow if you so choose.   

This bright, fun collection will make you think of sunshiny days all year round!    This can be used every day and is safe in the dishwasher (even a commercial dishwasher, oven (up to 500 degrees), microwave and freezer. It also retains heat better than most ceramics so your food will stay warmer longer at the table. Highly resistant to chipping and breaking as well.

Our website only shows a couple pieces of the dinnerware, so if you're interested, please contact us for more information on the collection. 

Today's Prescription: Don't forget... girls love jewelry!

Recently, we just added to our jewelry selection with a variety of pieces from Ettika.  Ettika was recently featured in Sports Illustrated magazine, and is a favorite of many Hollywood celebrities.  This is a fun, spirited line of jewelry with all our current pieces under $100, and many under $50!   We love the color selections from earthy hues to vibrant jewel tones.  You'll see sweet little charms of wishbones, hamsas, fleur-de-lis and more adorning bracelets and necklaces alike.  The bracelets and bangles are meant to be layered, so start stacking! 

Consider the collection for Bat Mitzvah gifts because many of the items can be appropriate for a "tween". 

Don't worry, you can still come to us for the popular Alexis Bittar and Swarovski jewelry collections.

Today's Prescription: Last minute Mother's Day gifts!

Local shoppers!  There's still time to pop in and grab mom a gift she'll love!  We're here until 5:00 PM tonight, and open 10-5 on Saturday. Here are some in-stock items for all kinds of Moms:


Useful & Beautiful - Go to get a glass of water at Mom's house recently and notice a bunch of mismatched glasses?   If so, she may appreciate a new set. We just received colorful glassware from Esteban Prieto.  We've got double old fashioned and hiball glasses in gorgeous shades of aqua, blue, purple and more.  These will surely impress.

Culinary Inspirations - We know that many moms spend A LOT of time in the kitchen!  Their cookies are sprinkled with love and their soups get stirred with love, all to show their families how much they are loved.  Why not make her time in the kitchen more pleasant with some culinary updates like a Le Creuset colorful stock pot or tea kettle, collapsible silicone colander, Kyocera ceramic knife set, or Epicurean cutting boards.


The more the merrier - If mom is constantly entertaining, we've got countless items she'll surely find useful like Atticus' Large Handled Salad Bowl, Julia Knights' Yin Yang chip & dip server, Wilton Armetale's Flutes & Pearls Large Oval Platter, or one of Mariposa's many popular serving items.

Reservations required - Some kitchens are just for show, right?  If your mom has her favorite restaurants on speed dial, we've got her covered as well.  If she's up on the latest styles & fashions, she'd surely be impressed with a piece from Alexis Bittar's modern jewelry collection.  Swarovski jewelry may be more fitting for a classic or traditional mom.  For under $100, you can get her a stylish handbag from Shiraleah. 

Hopefully we've got you thinking now about the perfect gift for mom!  Come see us or drop us an email for more gift ideas.

Today's Prescription: Salads for Spring!

We're enjoying a lovely Spring day here today, so I started thinking about what tabletop items our customers should make sure they have for this season.  Farmer's markets are starting up again, and some of us may have packed on a few pounds while hibernating this winter!  Spring is the perfect time to toss a lovely, fresh, nightly salad!  Dig out your salad bowls, everyone...  If yours is cracked, missing, non-existent, or just kind of pathetic, check out our suggestions below. 

Biggest Seller - Nambe's Yaro Wooden Salad Bowl & Servers is our most widely gifted salad bowl!  This is a great bowl that a family could use daily.

Elegant Choice - Julia Knight's metalware collection is immensely popular for us and her Classic 15" Salad Bowl in Hydrangea is no exception!  There are many other colors available too if this isn't your personal favorite.  (I prescribe it in Platinum!)

Goes with everything - Simon Pearce glassware is a personal favorite, and you can't go wrong with one of these gorgeous bowls.  Whether you're treating yourself or trying to find a gift for someone you may not know very well, their designs easily mesh with contemporary or traditional styles.  Check out the Shelburne or Woodbury collections!

Best Value - We can hardly keep these Nachtmann Bossanova Serving Bowls in stock!  The size would work for a couple to use daily.

Basic Wood - Enrico's Acacia Honeycomb Salad Bowl is a great bowl for under $50.  Don't miss Enrico's serving pieces and other more extravagant bowls when you check this out as well!

Related articles

• Meatless Monday: 10 Vegetarian Spring Salad Recipes (blisstree.com)
• Quick Friday Supper: Grilled Salmon and Mache Salad (blogcritics.org)

Today's Prescription: Fill their Easter basket with treats that won't rot the teeth!

Whether you're in charge of the Easter basket, or looking for a special gift for your grandchild on Easter, we've got something for you!

Under $10 - Melissa & Doug Door Plaques, Melissa & Doug Learning Mats, Books like That's Not My Puppy, a Train Car from Maple Landmark...

Something to keep them busy - puzzles, toys & crafts from Alex Toys, Eeboo and more...

Something to wear - Elegant Baby Egg Hunt Mary Jane Socks (so cute!), a sterling locket...

Collectibles - Swarovski Rabbit Lying, Herend, Lladro (maybe a small child or little rabbit)...

Today's Prescription: The perfect pitcher!

Not sure I can actually choose my favorite, there are so many beautiful choices out there! But let me highlight some of my favorites for you to peruse.  I don't think everyone would treat themselves to a quality pitcher, so these make wonderful gifts.

Cool shape - The Woodbury Large Pitcher from Simon Pearce may be my personal favorite and will be eternally on my wish list!  Available in multiple sizes, the large holds 64 oz of liquid, and I adore the square shape and solid design.  Don't miss the adorable creamer!

European flair - I doubt you'll find another pitcher like the iittala Ultima Thule Pitcher.  This textured, sturdy 1.5 quart pitcher has a lip specifically designed to keep ice from sliding out.

Happy Hour Drinks - If mojitos are on the menu, Nambe's Sernity Pitcher and Stirrer is the perfect way to serve up a yummy cocktail.  But don't reserve this sleek piece solely for happy hour, iced tea or lemonade will taste equally as refreshing.

Romantic Garden Party - This gorgeous large, round Amalia Pitcher from Juliska is just simply divine.  Snip a few roses for the table (arrange in a Juliska vase), toss up a healthy green salad, and serve eighty ounces of anything refreshing at a luncheon for the ladies with one of Juliska's beautiful crystal pitchers.

Splurge - Look no further for THE elegant, perfect pitcher you will cherish for a lifetime.  William Yeoward's Victoria two pint fine crystal pitcher would make a tasteful, generous wedding gift. 

Value - Lenox's Angled Pitcher makes a lovely gift for around $35.  At this low price you may just pick one up for yourself!  The rounded Fiesta Pitcher also from Lenox is a solid value as well. 

Related articles

• Must Register For: Juliska (alwaysablogsmaid.com)

Today's Prescription: Whether you celebrate Passover or Easter, start your prep work!

We're a couple weeks out from two Spring holidays, so start thinking about what you might need for these holiday meals. Here are just a few things to check on:

Wine Glasses - did your Christmas party get out of hand?  Maybe a stem or two got broken?  Or if you've been meaning to complete your stemware collection,now may be the time.  Let us know if we can find your pattern for you.

Bread Basket - many of our clients find the Eucalyptus Stoneware collection perfect for everyday and holiday use.  Their stoneware, American made baskets serve as perfect fruit bowls or bread baskets and come in an array of colors and sizes.  If you prefer a contemporary table, maybe one from Alessi will suit you.

Pie Plate - if dessert is a key part of your meal, you may need a pie plate.  We love these ceramic, handled options from Staub.

Sedar Plate - check out our plates from Spode, Annieglass, Nambe, and more.  Order soon to make sure you have it in time!

Serving Pieces - depending on your menu, you may need salad servers, tongs, ice tongs, pie or cake servers, appetizer forks, etc...

Just scratching the surface of all that goes into these wonderful family meals.  Check out our website for all your entertaining needs!

Today's Prescription: Israeli designer jewelry makes perfect birthday, Mother's Day, Bat Mitzvah gifts & more!

Recently, we happily added Israeli designers Amaro and Ayala Bar to our jewelry collections. 

AMARO is designed by Irit Goffer-Sasson.  Irit, who resides with her family in Israel, is inspired by her travels throughout the world and the power of women and draws on the forces of nature to create her unique line.  Her collection combines semi-precious stones with swarovski crystals on a base of silver-plate or 24 kt. gold plated nickel-free metal.

Since the late 1980's, Ayala Bar, who was born and resides in Israel, has been a prominent Israeli jewelry designer.  Her current designs blend natural elements, swarovski crystals, and glass with assorted metals to create a rich mosaic, resulting in intricate pieces that change every season. Ayala Bar has consistently produced designs that are innovative yet timeless, bold yet feminine, and international in appeal.

We're excited to extend our jewelry selection to offer these beautiful collections.  Expect even more pieces added in the next several weeks!

Today's Prescription: Give the gift of light!

Looking for a small, more traditional gift under $50?  Check out Bernardaud's Votivelight Candles. Light the tealight and watch the porcelain design begin to glow.  There are so many designs available, they are suited for so many occasions!

• Is someone taking their first big trip to New York, Rome, Africa, or Greece?  Commemorate the occasion with the appropriate city votivelight.
• Did a lovely neighbor do you a favor?  What's her favorite flower - Sweet Peas, Wildflowers, or maybe Roses?  Don't buy her a bouquet that will wilt away, get her something she can have forever!
• For the engaged or married couple, the Wedding Scene or simply Amours candle suits these special memories. 
• What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right?  Well, your friends can be reminded of the good times every time they look at their Las Vegas votivelight!

These are packaged in a blue Bernardaud gift box and once we add our complimentary gift wrap, you've got a special gift for someone!  

Today's Prescription: Give some bling for $30

Friend get a promotion?  Have a co-worker moving on to another job?  Daughter get her first "real' job?  We just received these Crystalline Ball Point Pens from Swarovski!  The perfect pen for any stylish woman who needs more bling in her life.  She'll love signing checks, deals, memos & more with this sparkly instrument.  The cartridge can be refilled as well, so she can use it for years and be reminded of your thoughtful gift. 

Today's Prescription: Like the look of pewter? Check out "pewter" stoneware from Juliska

Juliska's stoneware dinnerware collections are widely popular for us. The Berry & Thread collection continues to be a favorite for new brides. Climbing in popularity, however, is their Pewter collection which now offers even more pieces!  The collection has an old-world feel, yet the shapes and metal appearance give it a somewhat contemporary aesthetic.  Of all the Juliska designs, Pewter may offer a more masculine appeal.  You can set your entire table with Pewter or feel free to mix and match with some other Juliska patterns  especially Petit Singe.

  
And don't worry, their metallic glaze is dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven safe (up to 500 degrees)!   

Today's Prescription: Timely fashion!

The Gift Doctor is "in".  We're back in 2011 with more great gift and entertaining ideas!

Since we last chatted, we've received some new items in the store while we were on blog "hiatus".  We brought in an interesting new product during the holidays from a company called S.T.A.M.P.S. watches. These customized, cool watches are reasonably priced and offer styles fit for boys, girls, men, and women alike!   They were very popular gift items for teens and twenty-somethings this holiday season.  You pick the "STAMP" (watch face) and select a coordinating band to create a unique, fashion-forward timepiece.  STAMPS come in bright, fun colors and prints and the bands are offered in classic and bright hues as well as glossy, metallic finishes and more!  Best of all, you can put together a watch for as little as $52 (plus tax).   The STAMP face itself also comes with a self-adhesive backing in case you want to just stick it on your monitor or near your desk to keep you on schedule.