The Little Things

Back to School - Stationery Style

Sorry to break it to ya, but summer's over.  It's back-to-school time, which means it's time for pencils, markers, new backpacks... and the need for fun stationery!  Whether it's for a teacher gift or your favorite A+ student, fabulous stationery is a must staple for any age, and we just love this idea.  Check out our exclusive line of school-supply-inspired stationery, including three designs of 5 x 7 flat cards that depict yellow-ruled paper, the good ole' Big Chief tablet page, and grid sheets (for those architect/engineer types).  Plain or personalized, these are great pieces to get you in the school spirit.  Each set of 10 cards and envelopes is just $10, and with personalization they're just $15. 

"Style is not how you write.
It is how you do not write like anyone else."  -Charles Ghigna

Make what you write on DIFFERENT with notecards as unique and memorable as these this year!

The Ultimate Sleepover Bag

We are SO excited to share this new product with you.  It's a genius pillow bag from Bombinizz... and we love it!  Mothers of sleepover-age-appropriate children, please pay attention.  This is a fanastic bag that will keep your child's pillow off the floor and clean as can be, plus it has extra storage too!  It's a useful and attractive bag made in a fun, trendy fabric for your on-the-go needs. Perfect for a sleepover, camp or just toting larger items like sports balls, artist tablets and much more, this bag couldn't be more versatile! There is a large main zippered compartment, plus an outer pocket for easy-to-reach items. Lightweight and machine washable with an adjustable shoulder strap.  Available in a variety of colors on our website.
Main zippered compartment 29 x 19.5 inches
Front outer zippered pocket 12 x 12 with inner compartment 3 w x 10 h (the perfect size for a toothbrush!)
Can also be personalized with a monogram on the front pocket for $10 more.

Don't you just love the idea?  It makes us want to have a sleepover to go to!  Bring on the popcorn, movies, pajamas and CUTE pillow bags!

Lemon Love!

In case you missed it, a few weeks ago we had our Lemons & Leftovers Sale, and it was a big hit!  We were able to give some great deals to our customers, while making room for new fall goodies at the same time - everyone wins!

On the sale's Preview Night, we served up a few lemony treats and sweets while our customers shopped.  Several requested  the recipes from that night, so here you are!

The "Lemonade with a Twist" sure was a crowd pleaser!  This would be great for any summer get-together on the patio.

 

Lemonade with a Twist (adapted from All Recipes) 

4 cups lemon-flavored sparkling water (we used Perrier)

1 cup citrus-flavored vodka, chilled

1 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2+ cup sugar(we used all natural lemon juice, so it took a little more sugar to sweeten it up to our taste)

1/2 cup orange liqueur

Crushed ice

Lemon slices (because they make the pitcher look pretty)

Fresh mint for garnish

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large pitcher. Serve over crushed ice. Garnish each serving with a lemon slice and mint if desired.  ** Have extra ingredients on hand because this refreshing treat will be gone quickly!**

 

Chic Lemon Chèvre

(email newsletter recipe from one of our favorite local shops, Gourmet Pantry)

For a printable version of this recipe from Gourmet Pantry's website, click here.

This chèvre, (fresh, unripened goat cheese), is an amazingly delicious appetizer. There’s a double dose of the lemon-herb mix included in this preparation – half is mixed in with the cheese, the other half is lavishly drizzled on top. Serve with your favorite cracker or crostini.
4 oz. chèvre
Zest of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
Juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons minced, fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a medium bowl, place the chèvre and bring to room temperature.
In a small bowl, zest 1 lemon. Cut and juice the lemon into the bowl. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil.
Wash, dry, and mince basil leaves yielding 2 tablespoons of basil. Mince the garlic and smash with the heel of a knife, or a garlic press. Add the minced basil, smashed garlic, salt, and pepper to the lemon and oil mixture. Whisk the ingredients together until the lemon juice emulsifies the oil.
Pour half the lemon-basil-oil mixture into the medium bowl with the chèvre. With a fork, mix together very well until a smooth consistency is reached.
Place the mixed chèvre on a shallow serving dish, and drizzle the remaining lemon-basil-oil mixture on top the chèvre.
Serve with your favorite cracker or crostini.

Lemon Chess Bars (recipe courtesy of our very own Suzanne... yum!)

Stir together 1 egg, 1 stick of soft butter and 1 yellow cake mix.  Spread in a 9 x 13 pan.  In a bowl, mix 3 eggs, 8 oz. soft cream cheese, 1 box powdered sugar and a splash lemon extract (to taste).  Pour over crust.  Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Turn down the heat to 300 degrees for approximately 20 more minutes.  Dust with powdered sugar and cut into squares.

For those of you that came out for the sale, thanks again!  If you didn't come and want to find out about next year's sale, you can sign up to receive our email newsletters HERE.  Let us know if you try any of these recipes.  We can pretty much guarantee you won't be disappionted!