tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89823029646439358422024-03-07T14:08:59.848-05:00Lettres from The Blissful (Home)Read blog archives from THE BLISSFUL {formerly called The Blissful Home}, a French-Inspired boutique in Canton, Ohio. For more recent updates, please visit the shop's current blog, Lettres from THE BLISSFUL, at theblissful.blogspot.com. Merci!Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-89908983454888736942007-09-30T19:23:00.000-04:002007-09-30T19:24:07.718-04:00New Blog & Website!Today's the day! We've moved our blog to a new URL. Please visit us <a href="http://theblissful.blogspot.com/">here</a>, and please be sure to bookmark our new blog site for future visits. Our blog is now called <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Lettres from The Blissful</span></strong>, and as you will see, we've re-styled a few things! The blog you are currently reading will remain active and will serve as our archives.<br /><br />Also, when you have a moment, please stop by our new website at <strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.theblissful.com/">theblissful.com</a></span></strong>! As anybody who has created one knows, designing and building a website is a labor of love. I am so pleased to make its debut.<br /><br />Thanks for reading and we look forward to visiting with <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">you</span></strong> on our new sites!Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-13847917415472733562007-09-24T12:45:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:30.250-05:00No Longer Under Wraps<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9Y1RWclUnVtFaHijus0-vBpU6qav-LFpuvpAWlKZ3EXCeup9ygk6Uwz8cDX3n2Bn8awWC8jBx_EFgJjpw5cKQh7LVJ6HyMspbdRjIPsbZQlzwuBtL6XLjb_vFzty3hnwEStqZVBWmRM/s1600-h/DSC00655.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113811355335185970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9Y1RWclUnVtFaHijus0-vBpU6qav-LFpuvpAWlKZ3EXCeup9ygk6Uwz8cDX3n2Bn8awWC8jBx_EFgJjpw5cKQh7LVJ6HyMspbdRjIPsbZQlzwuBtL6XLjb_vFzty3hnwEStqZVBWmRM/s400/DSC00655.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Waiting for the moment when everything will be unveiled!</span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">I admit it. We've been savoring a secret around here. It's been a little tough to keep under wraps. And today, after many, many months of dreaming, planning, and behind-the-scenes work, today is <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">the time</span></strong> to debut it.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Many of our local customers may have caught the <a href="http://cantonrep.com/archive/index.php?Category=26&Reporter=DIANA%25ROSSETTI">item</a> about our shop in Diana Rossetti's <strong>Boldface</strong> column in yesterday's <em>Canton Repository </em>(click on the highlighted link above, then scroll all the way down to the bottom to read about us under Omnium-Gatherums).</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">While the final touches are still being prepped for our Big Reveal ("officially" scheduled for October 1st), I think now's a good time to bring you all into the loop! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">As we approach the anniversary of the opening of our brick-and-mortar location here in Jackson Township, we are simplifying the shop's name. As of October 1st, the shop you have known as The Blissful Home will now be called, simply, <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>THE BLISSFUL. </strong></span>Our new tagline, <strong>French-Inspired Finds & Furnishings</strong>, completes the package. As you know, I frequently refer to the shop in print as The Blissful. Now we are "officially" simplifying for two reasons: 1) to better reflect our Euro sensibility (with the new tagline), and (2) to better reflect the breadth of our offerings. Our scope stretches way beyond the home; not only do we offer accent furniture, art, lighting, mirrors, and home accessories, but we also have an array of apothecary, candles, jewelry, stationery, gourmet products, unique gifts, and ladies' apparel and accessories. <strong>THE BLISSFUL </strong>reflects our lifestyle approach to appointing your home <em>and </em>yourself.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Over the next few weeks, watch for our chic new storefront signage to be installed, as well as our new sign on the corner of Fulton and Dressler. Our gorgeous new website will go live on October 1st at <a href="http://www.theblissful.com/">http://www.theblissful.com/</a>. There's nothing there yet, but please bookmark us for future visits! (For all of you who have asked, we are adding online commerce in January.) In addition, our blog (which you are currently reading) will be <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">re-styled</span></strong> and make its home at a new URL, to be announced in about a week. Check back here for one last post, which will lead you to the new URL. The blog site you are currently reading <em>will </em>remain active and serve as our archives.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Local customers, please watch your mailbox in October for a personal invitation to <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>THE BLISSFUL Unveiling & A French-Inspired Noel. </strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">This weekend soirée will feature shopping promotions, gourmet food and drink, and of course all of our wonderful holiday decorations and new finds perfect for gift-giving or for keeping! Please save these dates: <strong>Thursday, Nov. 1st, Friday, Nov. 2nd, and Saturday, Nov. 3rd</strong>, during regular store hours. </span>Watch for our next post!</div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-43684950272320128092007-09-13T17:10:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:30.603-05:00We're Going to the Fair!I <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">love</span></strong> fairs!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioejAJxBjOi19Kc_48NsxIoMWDh4CEE67D4_T7f-umFPlgvky2WxVlyA_yRfhyDzQlsNJ1ysHIL36gqgpSvW5yoNdZ-KgyLFR92OMtlAx7wHjqtUKCbl4O2bAE-3cwvkb-CUj312YiPa0/s1600-h/Country+Living+Fair.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109792639229272546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioejAJxBjOi19Kc_48NsxIoMWDh4CEE67D4_T7f-umFPlgvky2WxVlyA_yRfhyDzQlsNJ1ysHIL36gqgpSvW5yoNdZ-KgyLFR92OMtlAx7wHjqtUKCbl4O2bAE-3cwvkb-CUj312YiPa0/s400/Country+Living+Fair.jpg" border="0" /></a> Love almost everything about them: from the temperate weather of early autumn in which they're usually held to the people-watching to the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">fair fries</span></strong> and caramel apples...the ones with nuts. There is something about an outdoor festival that brings people of all ages and types together. The air buzzes with a feeling of community spirit, and whenever I can be, I'm right along for the ride. If there's a carousel around, I'm probably riding that, too.<br />*<br />On Sunday, September 30th, I'll venture for the very first time to <strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.countryliving.com/fair">The <em>Country Living</em> Fair</a></span></strong>, sponsored by the beautiful and always inspiring magazine of the same name (maybe you've heard of it? :)) This year, the Fair will be held in Morrow, Ohio, at The Workshops of David T. Smith from Friday, September 28th through Sunday the 30th. Over a hundred artisans and craftspeople will show and sell their specialty wares while visitors wend their way through booths and stands chock full of the best of what's around. Among them will be our friends and fellow shop owners Kara and Darcy from the "petite department store" in Greenville, Ohio, <a href="http://www.mcmasterandstorm.blogspot.com/">McMaster & Storm</a>. Perhaps next year <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Blissful</span></strong> will be persuaded to set up a booth of our own!<br />*<br />Making the trip with me will be my new, dear friend Rebecca, a designer with an eye for detail like nobody's business. What a pair we'll be: a designer and a boutique owner together at The Country Living Fair! You can bet we'll be <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">lavishing</span></strong> in all of autumn's splendor and the creative handiwork of all the artists. I'll be taking my camera and will be sure to report back on the blog in full-color detail.<br />*<br />Stay tuned!<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo courtesy of CountryLiving.com</span></em>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-34519499329290852812007-09-06T15:37:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:30.995-05:00Welcome to Autumn<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9uzwgoYYOiuH3Nr76YpR_FgqvWwAZIwLUHnI7kJ5Z9f_NfY9YFYD-n89fVQcIfiSsks_SWwZqa1-PrM86aOsBW-68dSEV6Ldn1x9I_aB5daoQaXH6j3ieR2J9UWfLQpAX1X8hzY4I2A/s1600-h/DSC00517.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107172680845883666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9uzwgoYYOiuH3Nr76YpR_FgqvWwAZIwLUHnI7kJ5Z9f_NfY9YFYD-n89fVQcIfiSsks_SWwZqa1-PrM86aOsBW-68dSEV6Ldn1x9I_aB5daoQaXH6j3ieR2J9UWfLQpAX1X8hzY4I2A/s400/DSC00517.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Our much-loved French Doormats are back, this time in spiced-up colors for fall.</span></div><p>Sorry to all of you hot weather lovers out there, but we are so <em>over</em> summer here at <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Blissful</span></strong>! We're fall and winter weather people anyway, and we love how these shorter, slightly crisper autumnal days make us feel like nesting. How about you?</p><p>*</p><p>New arrivals are showing up weekly as we make <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Le Grand Slide</span></strong> into autumn and [gulp] winter goods. Don't worry--we're not rushing things. Come in and see our new soy candle line (in chic, chunky boxes complete with matches!), our Bibliotheque Bangle bracelets, beaded candelabra, and extra large 2008 wall calendars by <a href="http://www.cavallini.com/">Cavallini & Co.</a>, among lots of other great finds.<br />*</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAptiRo_BN9D_Txiebqtt9JjQnLZNpjBUrLndGwK1KhlVC6bIPcyyx4cgCfn69rXEjVOfPwAIbN4LBdZp0iwctUP70cbSrDZINTfih3ny_4ihnG6gVEOUNO5-VYxdWIvTHmzFv1y8RzGU/s1600-h/DSC00511.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107172689435818274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAptiRo_BN9D_Txiebqtt9JjQnLZNpjBUrLndGwK1KhlVC6bIPcyyx4cgCfn69rXEjVOfPwAIbN4LBdZp0iwctUP70cbSrDZINTfih3ny_4ihnG6gVEOUNO5-VYxdWIvTHmzFv1y8RzGU/s400/DSC00511.JPG" border="0" /></a> Much, much more is in store, as I've got a storage room, a warehouse, <em>and </em>a living room, dining room, and basement full of boxes. All of the contents will make their way into the store between now and December...there's only so much we can pack in each week!</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P6It5EPMA1fvj7eh3lkPGttRz7G3x9mE4OqhfPbe_FKIbM5qc6KXikO4sCnUHzC-1h9KdaA63vc1IA9W0dt_6s2omMIUFs-HvH6icrnAUEieccQFLyaInl8izKp6i0KtoHEr2J4ATQU/s1600-h/DSC00515.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107172702320720178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P6It5EPMA1fvj7eh3lkPGttRz7G3x9mE4OqhfPbe_FKIbM5qc6KXikO4sCnUHzC-1h9KdaA63vc1IA9W0dt_6s2omMIUFs-HvH6icrnAUEieccQFLyaInl8izKp6i0KtoHEr2J4ATQU/s400/DSC00515.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">P.S.</span></strong> If you are in need of a beautiful fall scarf, stay tuned, because we've got a new shipment in that hasn't yet made its way onto the sales floor.</p><p>Enjoy the good sleeping weather!</p>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-66417859600801695492007-08-23T17:56:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:31.140-05:00A Plethora of Sid<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iJpWhHlu3uvBbDg_UdWInSW6py3wW4gyaqBKWEu2d9FHPXGO0t6IUtOjA2KvRXZF2A2u6NRq5BarsWI-EB3VD9DHAyA3_R5rv51QpHjDplXSgGDSrOMkO_KrEj-yX3C0oZ7sSN-fqIo/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1595.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102014717181163730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iJpWhHlu3uvBbDg_UdWInSW6py3wW4gyaqBKWEu2d9FHPXGO0t6IUtOjA2KvRXZF2A2u6NRq5BarsWI-EB3VD9DHAyA3_R5rv51QpHjDplXSgGDSrOMkO_KrEj-yX3C0oZ7sSN-fqIo/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1595.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Look carefully at the reflection in the mirror...they're baa-aack!</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Our much-awaited large shipment of <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Sid Dickens Memory Blocks</span> </strong>has arrrived! The newest collection for Fall/Holiday 2007 will arrive in the shop in October. We can't wait to see the new ones, either! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">As our local customers know, we sell right off the wall, but often we will sell out of a particular Block and need to order it for you. In a few weeks, we will issue a "last call" for orders that need to be delivered in time for Christmas, in the likely event that we will sell out of certain styles. Order <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">now</span></strong> to be sure you receive the ones you want to give as Christmas gifts! Your requests can be reserved with a 50% deposit.</div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-58095392079637530232007-08-20T13:50:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:31.306-05:00Make Way for Autumn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeASmLapv97JlyDHA6YQN_FVgqVO6F3Lso5E7CE124207BQWUFrc_sV3hPg3eSZNIRjTvTxXGY4CwFvRavNrbEnsZ0AVjWC7zpT2Xv1CORxX1h2Yz_GAvudvV0Uq6qe1lTag7CUP-F3o/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1482.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100840133820020930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeASmLapv97JlyDHA6YQN_FVgqVO6F3Lso5E7CE124207BQWUFrc_sV3hPg3eSZNIRjTvTxXGY4CwFvRavNrbEnsZ0AVjWC7zpT2Xv1CORxX1h2Yz_GAvudvV0Uq6qe1lTag7CUP-F3o/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1482.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yesterday we traveled down to Columbus for another visit to our regional tradeshow. As I have shared before on this blog, we don't shop this market frequently, nor do we buy deeply from its offerings. The predominant 'look' purveyed in most of the showrooms is not quite us. However, we do consistently buy from a couple of them, so we make our way down two or three times a year to take a peek at <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">what's new</span></strong>.</div><br /><div>*</div><br /><div>And are we ever glad we went yesterday! We picked up a new tabletop collection for fall/winter, spied out a second one we may decide to bring in, put in our fall/winter <a href="http://www.votivo.com/">VOTIVO</a> order (yes, we will be carrying Christmas Sage and Joie de Noel in their ready-to-gift holiday packaging, as well as Gingerbread in a holiday-ish chocolate brown box). But our best score of the show was a fabulously well-made, perfectly <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">on-trend</span></strong>, and ridiculously well-priced ladies' accessories line which I am keeping under wraps until it shows up in the store. I have to confess that I didn't think a line like this would ever turn up at the Columbus show...or maybe I underestimated the Columbus show! It's fun to find new things to offer, and nice and convenient when you can see them in person without having to get on a plane.</div><br /><div>*</div><br /><div>In addition, for all of you who have complimented the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"5"</span></strong> necklace I wear very often, we are now offering two other styles from the same collection, both of them with 5's. Come in and see!</div><br /><div>*</div><br /><div>And one last thing: our big fall shipment of Sid Dickens Memory Blocks is due to arrive <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">this week</span></strong>, while smaller shipments will arrive periodically throughout the fall. This is our grand attempt to stay well-stocked through the holidays. Please keep in mind that this is one of our most popular collections, and we tend to go from well-stocked to spotty rather quickly. If you have your heart set on some particular styles, I recommend you reserve them now with a 50% deposit rather than take a chance. The second Retiring list has been released, so stop in to see which Blocks will soon become collectors' items (read: once we are sold out of the Retiring blocks, we will not be getting more, as they will no longer be in production after December 1st).</div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-14328255422689168152007-08-15T11:54:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:31.440-05:00We've Finally Arrived<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NJyiewimy4BrJ4zQbHje7pHrkd68UEPcPxS1pGzoHX58YRoYjN2L1xGQbiKhI-MlhWX55WURZ2wNy-qzg2rPIQWbzvn-_8W0DBzxd5dkJkBy-3qFkNIlZbG1sr9oZVQ3Pp-11l_tRxY/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1480.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098956135365110338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NJyiewimy4BrJ4zQbHje7pHrkd68UEPcPxS1pGzoHX58YRoYjN2L1xGQbiKhI-MlhWX55WURZ2wNy-qzg2rPIQWbzvn-_8W0DBzxd5dkJkBy-3qFkNIlZbG1sr9oZVQ3Pp-11l_tRxY/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1480.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The day before yesterday, I received in the mail for the first time an invitation to the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Maison et Objet</span></strong> show in Paris! Now mind you, they got my name from a list of retailers somewhere, undoubtedly because I am registered for some of the domestic tradeshows. But still. The thought of me being included on this list, period, was a little thrill, one that I wanted to share. I am still new enough at this shop owning thing to stand back and say to myself, "Wow. I'm a shop owner." Three years ago, doing anything retail-related was so far out of the realm of anything I ever expected to do with my life that it's funny. I mean, I <em>never</em> meant to do this. And here I am, loving (almost) every minute of it. </div><br /><br /><div>*</div><br /><br /><div>The almost part is the one exception I have to make for a couple months back when, moving a heavy box in our storage room, my shoulder accidentally nudged our fire extinguisher off of its wall mount, deploying the thing and sending pungent-tasting (yes, I forgot to close my mouth for the first five seconds or so) white powder flying all over our storage room, our boxes of merchandise, our window treatments, and...all over me. Of course. It was real fun cleaning <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">that</span></strong> up.</div><br /><br /><div>*</div><br /><br /><div>And so, thanks to a glossy little leaflet that arrived in my mailbox straight from France, I feel, this week, that I've finally <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">arrived</span></strong>.</div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-8398329354299875392007-08-06T13:12:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:31.653-05:00'Twas Four Months Before Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpz_w_VjCwwNaG4x8yMnsRcPx_CEpsjomEGkAMT6Sijo2XA1Gr84S1mwiMG2MXJ7UIld-FwPNUaAPWQGMizRaf1I5cr89U-5-wksUf_jCQnx0M0U1tmBnzyabqnzej2EtIh3iq8NpePw/s1600-h/Joyeux+Noel+Dog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095634497852697106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpz_w_VjCwwNaG4x8yMnsRcPx_CEpsjomEGkAMT6Sijo2XA1Gr84S1mwiMG2MXJ7UIld-FwPNUaAPWQGMizRaf1I5cr89U-5-wksUf_jCQnx0M0U1tmBnzyabqnzej2EtIh3iq8NpePw/s400/Joyeux+Noel+Dog.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I spent last Wednesday and Thursday evening sprawled out on the family room floor, watching <em>So You Think You Can Dance</em> (go, Sabra!) and zipping open box after box of holiday merchandise with my box cutter. Yep, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">holiday merchandise!</span></strong> Generally the goodies for "fourth quarter" (in retail lingo, that's October, November, and December) are delivered to the shop in mid-to-late summer. This year, we've been receiving all of our big holiday shipments at our warehouse, then taking them home so I can open and inspect everything, ooh and aah over it, check it against my purchase order, check it off my invoice, price it, empty the boxes of a <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">superfluity</span></strong> of packing peanuts (we hate these static electricity-charged little buggers so much we sometimes call them "hell peanuts"), repack the boxes, seal them up with packing tape, load them back into my car (I see an SUV in my future), and take them back over to the warehouse. Were our warehouse comfy and well-lit, I could do this all over there, but what warehouse do you know that fits <em>that </em>bill?<br /></div><br /><div>*</div><br /><div>I hope it's not too much of an abomination to be writing about <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">the Holidays </span></strong>when it's only recently been ninety-plus degrees outside. Before I was a retailer, I would feel disgusted and even slightly offended when I'd walk into the mall in October and see snowflake garlands dangling from the ceiling and oversized red bows adorning every surface. <em>Gimme a break</em>, I'd think. <em>Way to be mercenary. </em>Now, though, I must admit that I eagerly anticipate the holiday season, and not just because sales go way up. Heck, to tell you the truth, I'm ready <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">now!</span></strong> For me, the holidays are the best time of year to be a retailer because we get to participate in helping customers bring <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">comfort</span></strong> and <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">joy </span></strong>to their family and friends. This is the one of my primary motivations for having a shop. I absolutely love to entertain, but with my current lifestyle and the fact that many of my friends live out of town, I'm not able to do it half as much as I'd like. Through appointing my shop with all sorts of delectable finds, I like to think I can extend that same delicious feeling of being a hostess to you.<br /><br /></div><div>*</div><br /><div>And let me tell you, do we ever have some pretty and <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">fascinating</span></strong> things for the offering this holiday season. As my mom and I unpacked, we could already tell which items we probably hadn't ordered enough of. My caveat to you will be <em>shop early</em>, because as you know, we are a small, independently owned boutique and not a big box retailer or a franchise, so<em> </em>quantities are always limited. You'll have to wait a while longer for a sneak peak! It <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">is</span></strong> still only August, after all.</div><br /><br /><div>*</div><br /><div>I have a notebook in which I record all of my fantasy ideas for future vignettes, display stories, category themes, etc. I have recently begun jotting notes on our <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Holiday Open House!</span></strong> As soon as I have the date finalized, I will put the word out. Until then, I'll keep all of my glitter glass-adorned and mica snow-filled fantasies stuffed up my sleeves and I'll let you enjoy the rest of your summer!</div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-38098335178389079372007-08-01T18:28:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:34.368-05:00Paper Freak<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROooiDZuVUb4gI6ve8-MR9x5Po1brjR1iVWuQozCIIarM8iKWJx_QRQWtlvDm76t0wVCSxzG6sU28J_zqF3KoL5FZNZziVl9McEF0zK8iPPFiMLAecCsIaDe7mWZ1PTCJfYYWUq_syYk/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1396.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093865113060665858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROooiDZuVUb4gI6ve8-MR9x5Po1brjR1iVWuQozCIIarM8iKWJx_QRQWtlvDm76t0wVCSxzG6sU28J_zqF3KoL5FZNZziVl9McEF0zK8iPPFiMLAecCsIaDe7mWZ1PTCJfYYWUq_syYk/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1396.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Our Wine Cork Cardholders keep your pretty paper things in place.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">*</span><br /></div><div align="left">With back to school just a few weeks away (sorry, teachers, to break into your summer reverie!), I thought it was high time for a post <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">on paper</span></strong>.<br />*<br />I'll begin with a confession: I am <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">a paper freak</span></strong>. Have been since childhood. From the age of three into early elementary school, I wrote and illustrated my own stories on the inside front and back covers of my Little Golden Books. My parents didn’t mind. They supplied me with plenty of scratch paper, but my crayons, and later on, pens, gravitated only to what paper was between two perfect bound covers. I guess I knew from an early age that whatever I had to say, whatever characters my mind could generate, whatever witty dialogue I could spin, it was supposed to <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">live</span></strong> inside the two covers of a book. When my mind (and word count) outgrew Little Golden Books, I moved <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">my writing life</span></strong> into spiral bound notebooks. Lots of them. Like, one for every story. Because for some reason, it brought me a great deal of discomfort to scrap an idea, turn the page, and begin anew with a fresh idea. With each new idea, I needed a new notebook. Rest assured, the idea of simply ripping out a page and throwing it away occurred to me. But I didn’t like how the pages would then bear the imprint of the words I’d just rejected as too “dumb,” too “babyish,” too “superficial” (yes, this was me at seven). The imprints of my discarded story still were legible, as if they had been written in invisible ink awaiting a milk decoder formula. I felt that my new ideas deserved an unadulterated landing place that had not been marred by what came before. For each new idea, a new notebook. A spanking clean little tome whose paper smelled of <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">possibilities</span></strong>.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPg45nKb_d74xov3Sz1jqDdX_BEEHbqom_lsxftt8bjY05tmVYzInc6siW9luufffL_S-Dq_V5Cq26MUzpSI5vLaXpC9vVBisY6iTIRvVEhFL0gROYRi23wlzmYF2uAnaAyHXuCbe_Ew/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1365.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093841168617990594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPg45nKb_d74xov3Sz1jqDdX_BEEHbqom_lsxftt8bjY05tmVYzInc6siW9luufffL_S-Dq_V5Cq26MUzpSI5vLaXpC9vVBisY6iTIRvVEhFL0gROYRi23wlzmYF2uAnaAyHXuCbe_Ew/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1365.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Winsome handmade card by calligraphy artist Helen Lewis of Illuminating Words.</span> </p><br /><p align="left">*</p><br /><p align="left">As you might imagine, by the end of high school, what I had were lots of empty notebooks with the first few pages torn out. Back then, I wasn’t a finisher.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPKwIctazNJzRLsAjkVxOKNkT9ev8LysPh5J8KcN7lUrzq-b9OJKpio0Eip63ZI5fzxOEeWGjN8WTzFm5iogYLiZOyCh0agEk2sSajdUS0vhh-s2fmVT_JRTr1vgMVlxt9P5gj5RKz64/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1376.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093841211567663570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPKwIctazNJzRLsAjkVxOKNkT9ev8LysPh5J8KcN7lUrzq-b9OJKpio0Eip63ZI5fzxOEeWGjN8WTzFm5iogYLiZOyCh0agEk2sSajdUS0vhh-s2fmVT_JRTr1vgMVlxt9P5gj5RKz64/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1376.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Handmade notebooks and sketchbooks from Illuminating Words.</span></p><br /><p align="left">Then came college, where finishing made the difference between completing a workshop course and not. So I had to learn to follow my characters until the end of the stories they wanted to tell...or at least until the end of the page requirement. Usually I was long winded (no kidding???). We usually had to write stories that were ten to twenty pages, though this was more of a suggestion than a rule. Mine generally ran more toward the forty page mark. Single spaced. They<strong> </strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">wanted</span></strong> to be novellas. For one workshop, I had to submit a five page story, double spaced. Not four, not ten, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">five</span></strong>. This particular assignment was an exercise in compression, elucidation, extracting only the essence of a moment, an idea, a character. We were to be like poets writing in the short story form. Only the choicest words and details would do.<br />*<br />I won a prize for that story. Go figure.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9EPpTBu4vUxroeG_KCokekYNbDOtrutSKQYSCKM5XjFiq6lWGkQI4oPsXHOqlJ2mzzwsQebwnmF5LeL5RuXHIpjYSfwDyEu1QL4c5Jnkbyu8vVimH9iSrl0pztaL9RPgdWhhffeR8Sc/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1378.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093841215862630882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9EPpTBu4vUxroeG_KCokekYNbDOtrutSKQYSCKM5XjFiq6lWGkQI4oPsXHOqlJ2mzzwsQebwnmF5LeL5RuXHIpjYSfwDyEu1QL4c5Jnkbyu8vVimH9iSrl0pztaL9RPgdWhhffeR8Sc/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1378.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Reproduction vintage French "cahiers" (notebooks). Just enough pages for a stirring little epistle.</span> </p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghynmyo9L04b_IbZgLXm4ipmQ9hZOcq0n2LHdxIiBdTKbtu3YZLh7GVD-WTU9tRVkMKfs66bJd1D8Q1JOfHzmH7no-ddPM5Vl6Bxmdk7h020439FWMMRXLtY291CH8jZX5WE2CVdbU7-E/s1600-h/Scrap+Journal+Triptych.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093841250222369266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghynmyo9L04b_IbZgLXm4ipmQ9hZOcq0n2LHdxIiBdTKbtu3YZLh7GVD-WTU9tRVkMKfs66bJd1D8Q1JOfHzmH7no-ddPM5Vl6Bxmdk7h020439FWMMRXLtY291CH8jZX5WE2CVdbU7-E/s400/Scrap+Journal+Triptych.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Triptych of Scrap Journals by <a href="http://www.secretleaves.com/">Secret Leaves</a>.</span></p><br /><p align="left">Today, as a boutique proprietor, I get to <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">lavish</span></strong> (hi, Becki) in all of the notebooks, journals, and wonderful paper products I can find. Yes, I’ve finally gotten my fill of paper. Here are some wonderful finds at <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Blissful</span></strong> to whet your own writerly whistle (Off-rhymes are purely unintentional, I promise.)<br /></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht12xrizae7upckTY_kowY6pDzcJTx94oU2v1aXoZRop4SOK_2pnfnOLcb5QJfGXbM6SVfSgeqGBCIBe9Yuhzyndl5Xtz00xfnHbBfsLxOx-ZMi7v7f6B9_DP_T1-Vtbc02OqCvLzHelQ/s1600-h/Scrap+Journal+Interior.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093839064084015458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht12xrizae7upckTY_kowY6pDzcJTx94oU2v1aXoZRop4SOK_2pnfnOLcb5QJfGXbM6SVfSgeqGBCIBe9Yuhzyndl5Xtz00xfnHbBfsLxOx-ZMi7v7f6B9_DP_T1-Vtbc02OqCvLzHelQ/s400/Scrap+Journal+Interior.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Sharon and Ann at Secret Leaves custom-designed these French-inspired Scrap Journals for us. For an inside look at the design and construction process of another type of journal (it's fascinating), go <a href="http://secretleavespaperworks.blogspot.com/2007/07/duck-and-take-cover.html">here</a> to read their blog.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpvUtzPrI0qAlPz-Uiqnt5x7C91PAh6cpJoydcdBvL7Dz_XnkNc6ovKpV9HSS-LcdYmCIstGkyJfF9NvN6nABDLUMJxlMICyQCnDhhmky8Rq4eNN2I3DW2ZBaFbcKfFG3_VA9hFlvyws/s1600-h/Scrap+Journal+Triptych.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MFAxpbBSwupYY3igR1gBVVcdXBHA5ljDkFk5qkvSVjDSwWsEad0Q2MTwVgGUUgjFoDv-nW6fIDYjfpszaKQOd6kJxqwGOyU9vCOwGxAH18gxnCZORIZEQ_INLG7XRejm5o5etTVzi7Y/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1391.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093839076968917378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MFAxpbBSwupYY3igR1gBVVcdXBHA5ljDkFk5qkvSVjDSwWsEad0Q2MTwVgGUUgjFoDv-nW6fIDYjfpszaKQOd6kJxqwGOyU9vCOwGxAH18gxnCZORIZEQ_INLG7XRejm5o5etTVzi7Y/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1391.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Send out all your correspondence and packages with our Tour Eiffel-embellished mailing labels.</span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH1pCVrJYCAOuzECwt_RgSm9U0FqJQQQO_beUJl-0-mLI7_HyuzxO246j8XxrcyJBnmT7ahyphenhyphen2HJsptNyEKntdnD66EKGMd8eja2StBchv2t08PzLw8WKlCWNZeY8hEH-HAD-uCokOB0A/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1385.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093839085558851986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH1pCVrJYCAOuzECwt_RgSm9U0FqJQQQO_beUJl-0-mLI7_HyuzxO246j8XxrcyJBnmT7ahyphenhyphen2HJsptNyEKntdnD66EKGMd8eja2StBchv2t08PzLw8WKlCWNZeY8hEH-HAD-uCokOB0A/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1385.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Small enough to fit into your handbag or any roomy pocket and fat enough to fill your palm, our little travel notebooks will inspire you to record your dreams and observations when you're abroad...or right in your own backyard.</span></p><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKRBmnCemCZFbea6xcL6U8HtGrTnx3MSAtC-XAgihqdzuJKpRHt9dHy2Aqelk4plACP_xxGr1Gv8qvyuhBwTGCORA7Gx6DIZndl9loQrg4ooMYhvzmAisJt6wE_fJHwUEsitu1XzQngw/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1368.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093839098443753890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKRBmnCemCZFbea6xcL6U8HtGrTnx3MSAtC-XAgihqdzuJKpRHt9dHy2Aqelk4plACP_xxGr1Gv8qvyuhBwTGCORA7Gx6DIZndl9loQrg4ooMYhvzmAisJt6wE_fJHwUEsitu1XzQngw/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1368.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p><span style="font-size:78%;">With a former English teacher at the helm, you can be sure <strong>The Blissful</strong> is full of interesting titles to help you while away the hours and learn something new.</span><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ_zvQ_DJ1HbVdSl-NBb5N5WMLzn1tv-emEJK5gx_FKQQPt2aI8nMYxRlLKFkF_Hk-Tq3wA3Z_0l21c2hP1ZmtEw4YOVwUBIdFTl7Dzohu0OjTHBzoJMO2lQ_zKjA1joBRnZFZEeUVOs/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1395.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093837908737812818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ_zvQ_DJ1HbVdSl-NBb5N5WMLzn1tv-emEJK5gx_FKQQPt2aI8nMYxRlLKFkF_Hk-Tq3wA3Z_0l21c2hP1ZmtEw4YOVwUBIdFTl7Dzohu0OjTHBzoJMO2lQ_zKjA1joBRnZFZEeUVOs/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1395.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">In lieu of a beach read, take along "Entre Nous" by Debra Ollivier, a cheeky page turner about the qualities of mind, habit, and character that give French women that <em>je ne sais quoi.</em> A must-r ead for Francophiles and aspiring Francophiles alike.</span></p><br /><p align="left">In addition to what you see pictured here, we've got pretty file folders, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">beloved</span></strong> paperweights, decorative correspondence sets, stationery, labels, cute erasers, and much, much more. Going back to school this year? Sending someone off in just a few weeks? Ease the transition back into the paper-loving way of life with something from the shop. Or buy your favorite teacher a little something to start off her schoolyear on a sweet note.</p><br /><p align="left">*</p><br /><p align="left">And don't forget to pre-order your <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Sid Dickens Memory Blocks</span></strong> in time for holiday gift giving! I have been taking phone orders from people around the country (how cool is that?), so they truly are booking up fast. The artist just released the first half of the 2007 Retiring list, so stop in to see which Blocks will no longer be in production after December 1st. The second Retiring list will be released later this month. Oh, so much suspense! You've got to love a line with such mystique and cache surrounding it.</p><br /><p align="left">*</p><br /><p align="left"><em>A bientot!</em></p>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-44114831048553566502007-07-18T10:02:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:34.578-05:00Sneak Peek at Sid<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOsn7FLa0gPacjTpOV-xYjN0O0_9F6C_Zr7Eep5z8IuWDbxzDqiq66sty110CBEhPRy_FQFOztarLr7wUtWpnbs5HyXskVk6BD5KH2PYoo_of4BXPdRv2sIaqPL22jwnNI5dl0fyA-Po/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1342.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088536600218244434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOsn7FLa0gPacjTpOV-xYjN0O0_9F6C_Zr7Eep5z8IuWDbxzDqiq66sty110CBEhPRy_FQFOztarLr7wUtWpnbs5HyXskVk6BD5KH2PYoo_of4BXPdRv2sIaqPL22jwnNI5dl0fyA-Po/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1342.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>In order to help get your wheels turning about which <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Sid Dickens Memory Blocks</span></strong> you want to reserve in time for holiday delivery, here's a sneak peek at the Fall and Holiday collections! I wasn't able to get to the big show in Atlanta this past week, so these photos come courtesy of the wonderful Sue from Traditions Unlimited, a retail shop in Erie, PA. Click <a href="http://traditionsjournal.blogspot.com/2007/07/atlanta-showroom-pictures.html"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">here</span></strong></a> to view her photos of the new blocks, snapped in the artist's booth.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Once again, Sid has outdone himself!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Oh, and the number five? Only my favorite number. Did you know that the blocks are available in any letter and in digits one through nine? Here's a unique way to personalize a room: spell out <em>Le Bain </em>on your bathroom wall or your child's name above his bed. As a wedding gift, give the happy couple the numerical date of their Big Day. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Possibilities, possibilities...</span></strong></div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-20588607218870423962007-07-17T12:52:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:34.717-05:00Get Your Sid<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCXYm7piXgbxpiA1iQnvepqLJLmG9m07Ju6omh-Bon-n9qNskbEsA95JBcVjSQxkbt_LW6X8LCk1I9ySOIh4EML_w0MBFyCcm8EAarJahnyVoX9jEMqJw1KQvL6wfxtiDuqLlLOJscwQ/s1600-h/Sid+Dickens.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088207966500623682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCXYm7piXgbxpiA1iQnvepqLJLmG9m07Ju6omh-Bon-n9qNskbEsA95JBcVjSQxkbt_LW6X8LCk1I9ySOIh4EML_w0MBFyCcm8EAarJahnyVoX9jEMqJw1KQvL6wfxtiDuqLlLOJscwQ/s400/Sid+Dickens.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Every shop owner loves it when a new line goes over so well that she actually has to worry about replenishing it as quickly as her customers want it. We are happy to say this is the case with our <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Sid Dickens Memory Blocks</span></strong>. As many of you have discovered, this is a beautiful, exciting line of handmade, hand-stained decorative plaster tiles. One block makes the perfect gift for <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">the person who has</span></strong> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">everything</span></strong>. Many blocks comprise a work of art on any wall you want to make especially memorable. You can double click the article above to read the artist's story.</div><br /><div>*</div><br /><div>Due to overwhelming response, we are <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">now taking Holiday Orders</span></strong> (yes, I said it: Holiday Orders!) for all Sid Dickens blocks, including the new Fall and Holiday 2007 tiles. These new collections have only recently debuted and have received an awesome response. The artist has been inundated with orders, so to ensure you receive the tiles you want to give <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">(and receive!)</span></strong> this holiday season, reserve your tiles at <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Blissful</span></strong> now with a 50% deposit. Ship time on active tiles other than the new collections is approximately 6 weeks, so it would be a good idea to pre-order those, as well. To view the active collection, stop in and see our <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">in-store vignette</span></strong> and our color catalog, or visit the artist's own website <a href="http://siddickens.com/">here</a>. As of the date of this post, the Fall and Holiday collections are not yet online, so please stop into the shop to view photos. </div><br /><div>*</div><br /><div>The Fall and Holiday collections are gorgeous and not to be missed. Some of the blocks are available in a new finish, which uses the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">purest</span></strong> form of silver there is. That silver is then aged, giving the blocks an Old World finish beloved by Sid Dickens fans the world over.</div><br /><div>*</div><br /><div>Please contact us for pricing. We can be reached at the shop at (330) 492-2500 or by e-mail at <a href="mailto:theblissfulhome@yahoo.com">theblissfulhome@yahoo.com</a>. Pre-holiday ship dates are <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">booking up fast</span></strong>, so place your orders as soon as possible to guarantee delivery in time for gift-giving.</div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-18476426072626537652007-07-05T18:36:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:35.188-05:00One Luscious Lather<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB48nAiW0mDxaukaZTcsILHOOB5W_6Vtt_B0tMKhnnWLPOedtKM67nxVHI93zinbZ8Iil5vK4pjlhjlFTS5-7HiTifd7F3JYfsRw7FKMmWs3HCwAiHX_Ot0Aj5IOlfvka-_wIyRmMJHM/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1301.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083842076613954146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB48nAiW0mDxaukaZTcsILHOOB5W_6Vtt_B0tMKhnnWLPOedtKM67nxVHI93zinbZ8Iil5vK4pjlhjlFTS5-7HiTifd7F3JYfsRw7FKMmWs3HCwAiHX_Ot0Aj5IOlfvka-_wIyRmMJHM/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1301.jpg" border="0" /></a> Part of the fun of shop owning is <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">the thrill of the hunt</span></strong>: searching out compelling goods to offer to my customers at great prices. When I find a product I really love that fits with the aesthetic of my store AND offers us all a fabulous value, I get pretty excited.<br />*<br />Above, see <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">our latest find</span></strong>: these delectable Australian cocoa butter vegetable soaps. Handmade and enriched with Vitamin E, these sweet, three-ounce babies fit perfectly in the palm of your hand and create a super rich and creamy lather. They're ideal for sensitive skin, not to mention they give a <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">fantastic</span></strong> fragrance in the bath or shower.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaPKYdkg4e6KkgLM3XAcpOcCg1MSqepWV2aGE1veNSrJ2_r58LLvjXNZULAxBpUMx4Zec6eLqj7ZtsrhUWcp5X5zJRio-e6T3uCSwpIprsvbT1LU59QKpJR7e_-Hm1m3wtYHXMnRzpwE/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1252.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083841784556178002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaPKYdkg4e6KkgLM3XAcpOcCg1MSqepWV2aGE1veNSrJ2_r58LLvjXNZULAxBpUMx4Zec6eLqj7ZtsrhUWcp5X5zJRio-e6T3uCSwpIprsvbT1LU59QKpJR7e_-Hm1m3wtYHXMnRzpwE/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1252.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This weekend, I'm taking off for a much needed trip to the ocean with some dear friends. I plan to give these soaps as <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">refreshing</span></strong> after-sun gifts. My scents of choice? Ocean and Milkshake. What will <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">yours</span></strong> be?Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-34165516034445972702007-07-04T10:56:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:35.317-05:00Happy Fourth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhZWJ9gCehJ4RDx2Cozt0A_OUtsTA71G1xQHfuZKzlCJLMfpTVwmi2Au25gLUbDax9fnbSEPRmToMATTWd32UEFKIEV2earIjb9UIMCZPsOKgaLwwhfH31KTRCxk22_R32SWERhA8cGI/s1600-h/Flag+II.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083762709913291314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhZWJ9gCehJ4RDx2Cozt0A_OUtsTA71G1xQHfuZKzlCJLMfpTVwmi2Au25gLUbDax9fnbSEPRmToMATTWd32UEFKIEV2earIjb9UIMCZPsOKgaLwwhfH31KTRCxk22_R32SWERhA8cGI/s400/Flag+II.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Happy Fourth of July!</strong> </span></div><div></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Thank you to all those serving and all those who have served. Because of you, we enjoy our freedom and liberty. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">God bless the U.S.A.!</span></div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-72396773668729870332007-06-30T12:46:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:39.471-05:00Full-On Summer<div align="center">It's full-on summer here at <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Blissful. </strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Here's a peek at some of our <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">inspiring</span></strong> favorites.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vLY88XqGEUsDAa3WeDAeFv_NFYcOS-Jf2qhnWh2bsYzHYk9Ei99lv4s3PFrSoC8pFD9Ki3X30gJXydqh4kn4VT7jvZMNiSIvmUre_wuOT35aIDIS2VpH4P4OtuLgJLcBLDAYFwg6Otc/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1290.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081904651226466738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vLY88XqGEUsDAa3WeDAeFv_NFYcOS-Jf2qhnWh2bsYzHYk9Ei99lv4s3PFrSoC8pFD9Ki3X30gJXydqh4kn4VT7jvZMNiSIvmUre_wuOT35aIDIS2VpH4P4OtuLgJLcBLDAYFwg6Otc/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1290.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uov9dXuwP768EJNJOw-wN1k7YLbxTTiPkZpI40NAn7z0DlZ1m8L5PENayG_EHjyVAOLghzgX3BlkFMNhnj9jdhTFavrXLILX5lG0LFBwL4PeoFzwlAbXKe4IdGQoVijZe8k1fYbziIY/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1285.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081904655521434050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uov9dXuwP768EJNJOw-wN1k7YLbxTTiPkZpI40NAn7z0DlZ1m8L5PENayG_EHjyVAOLghzgX3BlkFMNhnj9jdhTFavrXLILX5lG0LFBwL4PeoFzwlAbXKe4IdGQoVijZe8k1fYbziIY/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1285.jpg" border="0" /></a> While there are still a few shopping days left until July Fourth, we're offering our favorite Franco-American-inspired linens and chair pads for your holiday picnic at <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">20-25% off</span></strong>.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtFa1hLGsNFHQMTdY9j9XVMTddFaZPzem3O0lrHKEj5kra8i77e7o4_Y8MoY9zF9EXIDPUGutqw_71d13bqwqRTv2ujDFoWe9almokpQ24xa8eiiNeFZZSMr9WjA1RUw4deTz7tKv2ME/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1298.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081904659816401362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtFa1hLGsNFHQMTdY9j9XVMTddFaZPzem3O0lrHKEj5kra8i77e7o4_Y8MoY9zF9EXIDPUGutqw_71d13bqwqRTv2ujDFoWe9almokpQ24xa8eiiNeFZZSMr9WjA1RUw4deTz7tKv2ME/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1298.jpg" border="0" /></a> We almost cried <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">tears of joy</span></strong> when we unwrapped our new collection of handbags from a New York-based designer. These have more of a fall persuasion, but it's never too early to start getting ideas. We can't decide which one is our favorite: the Starry Tartan Tote, the Velvet Jamavaar, or the French Gypsy Bag. Best of all: there's <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">more</span></strong> to come!</p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7WjTixolY0Ry2PU5hRtoYT2JzanxeVZ1kbjkBDYtK51loDoK91diwOBQj4Mo3PI5hhkMODjnGRPDhl9S2iL_0mwifsN6-4JQm9fZ-pivexPY2LDHRZVj7Eb_5kTNaoRReHrhJku5-ss/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1299.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081904664111368674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7WjTixolY0Ry2PU5hRtoYT2JzanxeVZ1kbjkBDYtK51loDoK91diwOBQj4Mo3PI5hhkMODjnGRPDhl9S2iL_0mwifsN6-4JQm9fZ-pivexPY2LDHRZVj7Eb_5kTNaoRReHrhJku5-ss/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1299.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Our Chandelier Messenger Bag is <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">the</span></strong> perfect laptop bag, school bag, or (why not?) a diaper bag. No one ever said you had to carry one that was all baby bunnies or firetrucks. With plentiful interior pockets and a detachable mini bag, you can be a chic mama (with or without bébé) with this elegantly embroidered <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Italian </span></strong>fabric. Available in two colorways.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTFNggZ3ckQNPasY6b_u519nT7pQ1AjoHI6gGvw23JC1HvvUItFVvLmtF0Zd34okBkSVOjBCfwEr2ltLJRgbL-wnAvMDqBMWDw2Xhen-CjnPrhDC-dMionGdNxi5nKnm825lvY94K5d4/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1300.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081904672701303282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTFNggZ3ckQNPasY6b_u519nT7pQ1AjoHI6gGvw23JC1HvvUItFVvLmtF0Zd34okBkSVOjBCfwEr2ltLJRgbL-wnAvMDqBMWDw2Xhen-CjnPrhDC-dMionGdNxi5nKnm825lvY94K5d4/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1300.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Our Chandelier Sack Bag is the perfect accompaniment to your going-out-to-dinner ensemble. Jeans, heels, great earrings, and this bag. <strong>You go.<br /></strong></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPI3m8wklUR-sOUM0cSvtiymu-Akvivy4AzJyhUxiB7GgI_487pqDthtaWXr5X8VFEfzWFnqUa0omqJUnwow0-6gr2z6-BUNiDtOo1pXDFLqS2tDM4jkx53U2zpaN41ZBvt3CARqapOY/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1255.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081903263952030050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPI3m8wklUR-sOUM0cSvtiymu-Akvivy4AzJyhUxiB7GgI_487pqDthtaWXr5X8VFEfzWFnqUa0omqJUnwow0-6gr2z6-BUNiDtOo1pXDFLqS2tDM4jkx53U2zpaN41ZBvt3CARqapOY/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1255.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoutr4Xk4Df53oZZJTSqL4mSZs9QdV3XtmcO8BB__dIlR5QgRGTogTM5a2bekC482sFo-0OWK6y89CDT8HeQyiOW898200FgEvEpWwXxYxMHZZucP643q84Z3ad89BDqpcMxQO10TgA4/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1242.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081903268246997362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoutr4Xk4Df53oZZJTSqL4mSZs9QdV3XtmcO8BB__dIlR5QgRGTogTM5a2bekC482sFo-0OWK6y89CDT8HeQyiOW898200FgEvEpWwXxYxMHZZucP643q84Z3ad89BDqpcMxQO10TgA4/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1242.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFElys2VJWk_BFaoiqTvkZcceEvCGSGBh1_cI4C3A3S_qwctKo_oFViusQVvbTI-A5wCOSCneOYGOz86n5Ouf9bkxV_3mXphOYkjVLUhbK9EvV_c8mh27H2XI62KTGD3710kPzeqI0yU/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1258.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081903272541964674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFElys2VJWk_BFaoiqTvkZcceEvCGSGBh1_cI4C3A3S_qwctKo_oFViusQVvbTI-A5wCOSCneOYGOz86n5Ouf9bkxV_3mXphOYkjVLUhbK9EvV_c8mh27H2XI62KTGD3710kPzeqI0yU/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1258.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Blissful Home <strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">en été.</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJW34FdKEZRUalmNKsOVfAoGLBdnbCZ7O8zX7AM_UrvJv1dJ3oijGPAspS-eCOZfatkMLrbdD5xNELsqumOewAx0zyf2wnx87QIUbdIApjKyWCpFqh6Qxd66MUsegZaVpO9yR0Cl0s7Dg/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1277.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081903276836931986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJW34FdKEZRUalmNKsOVfAoGLBdnbCZ7O8zX7AM_UrvJv1dJ3oijGPAspS-eCOZfatkMLrbdD5xNELsqumOewAx0zyf2wnx87QIUbdIApjKyWCpFqh6Qxd66MUsegZaVpO9yR0Cl0s7Dg/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1277.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oCL_A0oycqYfmugNpxfrBaXwc3q9hm08q7BWbYN-ZEBdEtcjr6HWSVyyhSGmKc4e0iKl2yto6t54uiUaSu1cAnmLk4khYGVLZtoqD1yorBVsVyWm4a85Y9j05ax2QaJXEZCR7PBJgxQ/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1279.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081903281131899298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oCL_A0oycqYfmugNpxfrBaXwc3q9hm08q7BWbYN-ZEBdEtcjr6HWSVyyhSGmKc4e0iKl2yto6t54uiUaSu1cAnmLk4khYGVLZtoqD1yorBVsVyWm4a85Y9j05ax2QaJXEZCR7PBJgxQ/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1279.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Sorbonne Loveseat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet5ZBwHBm5K1uTQRcUhhLzZQHuX-ww8EFMVCsWbs9wdhWG5EJQBFehoNH8LxeJczXrExO_c5Adra_csikE8qjlxMf8IGaceLm4oDMqekGll7iQzn9ky8BQNOWeMc9pSe9XOU2bLQrSwg/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1209.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081901258202302786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet5ZBwHBm5K1uTQRcUhhLzZQHuX-ww8EFMVCsWbs9wdhWG5EJQBFehoNH8LxeJczXrExO_c5Adra_csikE8qjlxMf8IGaceLm4oDMqekGll7iQzn9ky8BQNOWeMc9pSe9XOU2bLQrSwg/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1209.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wine-inspired <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">goodies.</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirumGgFMWw7rFRTazj1ygAepbPp8zz9S0oGSZtjdhaFQVa_Q4qatmbhWIli18XsW_wNtTGpStJbllvTRk3Rjm-i1kFB_1eaSbI-G13NUimmaxN5a0pbLlM0qxOhEj5zvahDe8fRZXU5u0/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1226.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081901262497270098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirumGgFMWw7rFRTazj1ygAepbPp8zz9S0oGSZtjdhaFQVa_Q4qatmbhWIli18XsW_wNtTGpStJbllvTRk3Rjm-i1kFB_1eaSbI-G13NUimmaxN5a0pbLlM0qxOhEj5zvahDe8fRZXU5u0/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1226.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm afraid these would make us want to <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">nibble</span></strong> every time we walked into our kitchen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5o1FPLbZMpAODt2h_-0FVXNvr4ehFGJaU6kXqrOc1UhGwua4OSTdAFiFVWTk4CcN9wQRJb_8lmIMH3wDjpPza7Tz3jxUFxzAlaNSK_D73q8sMFtLuiB4UzAXZ5cL2QaChFkBB5uk8i8/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1280.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081900927489820914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5o1FPLbZMpAODt2h_-0FVXNvr4ehFGJaU6kXqrOc1UhGwua4OSTdAFiFVWTk4CcN9wQRJb_8lmIMH3wDjpPza7Tz3jxUFxzAlaNSK_D73q8sMFtLuiB4UzAXZ5cL2QaChFkBB5uk8i8/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1280.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjXKnqax3_6t_XoKF_Txd8orvElCgpYcAXGIJk93wFjXrOSKx0DKgJvaZsZHRmjpNnI5zrq1nEeOWXefIakim6EWJhoN4w-xguXNpYnlLFyicIJldHLIAdvxWos7MFHB2DmU0lOSWwL4/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1281.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081900936079755522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjXKnqax3_6t_XoKF_Txd8orvElCgpYcAXGIJk93wFjXrOSKx0DKgJvaZsZHRmjpNnI5zrq1nEeOWXefIakim6EWJhoN4w-xguXNpYnlLFyicIJldHLIAdvxWos7MFHB2DmU0lOSWwL4/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1281.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzXyGrg9FtQJtA0aIbTegJQwmBya6CX5qdGbSfHYtQYl1F4XnBRLWIHJDGtP7JBGNLLNrMuOhupoGlJT703XawA6bSqiUPnv653gU6hvYLr0I3U1VUYPeOYl3lsyVnBp8AYva_RoH3Rk/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1193.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081900940374722834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzXyGrg9FtQJtA0aIbTegJQwmBya6CX5qdGbSfHYtQYl1F4XnBRLWIHJDGtP7JBGNLLNrMuOhupoGlJT703XawA6bSqiUPnv653gU6hvYLr0I3U1VUYPeOYl3lsyVnBp8AYva_RoH3Rk/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1193.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our exciting new candle line: <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Claus Porto</strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">. In summery scents with vivid packaging. These clean-burning soy candles give up to 70 hours of the finest French fragrance while slowly revealing their own unique Art Deco-inspired etched-glass designs. Our favorite: <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Lelite</span></strong> (Orange Amber).</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89sy5q76AJ1XAwM71bt1ZpEkA-oMggBI68gXnEqlV5dT6dEAJFGnWpxuPrHfbwPmgPkjqnjuU5U98Zk39gJVvQbyu3yKbIDyaQqkK7bFZ8nGcSO4Izo3XIH5ju-e0B5UeL1TRZ6YNKOQ/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1205.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081900944669690146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89sy5q76AJ1XAwM71bt1ZpEkA-oMggBI68gXnEqlV5dT6dEAJFGnWpxuPrHfbwPmgPkjqnjuU5U98Zk39gJVvQbyu3yKbIDyaQqkK7bFZ8nGcSO4Izo3XIH5ju-e0B5UeL1TRZ6YNKOQ/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1205.jpg" border="0" /></a>When <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">ticking met toile</span></strong>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmnC6sBaB6wMv_EPAmwsMHYptAuWrQWCo9Aj4SglGiRA2zcBJgPHeXvgFVn3Vg3mvNua8l62ooX_Er5M0-fZ1SbvbqisgQI1AyrSdGL1Ml_a98KVghhQcaFNXxZzWR_Hepuog9ElG4Y0/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1206.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081900953259624754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmnC6sBaB6wMv_EPAmwsMHYptAuWrQWCo9Aj4SglGiRA2zcBJgPHeXvgFVn3Vg3mvNua8l62ooX_Er5M0-fZ1SbvbqisgQI1AyrSdGL1Ml_a98KVghhQcaFNXxZzWR_Hepuog9ElG4Y0/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1206.jpg" border="0" /></a>Our Open-Air Market Bags are made from <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">vintage</span></strong> grain sacks. Soft leather handles finish the "I'm not just a tourist" look.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Blissful </strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">will be closed on the Fourth of July. <em>Vive la liberté, la France, et <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">l’Amerique!</span></strong></em></span> </div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-59125166089831466062007-06-22T15:25:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:40.041-05:00The Dog Days of Summer<div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtkbMNyiOOa6q5GHWpCdKMTJacS48jWyxacakgthmvGyJ1xJJYJY1ApzsH2kqqVoiqyfZ_FsdZKy14lq0xCJ7JgtWgF4vlqmYOH3z2xS_TdbiBU75sYMMoO4sTWe1RlANpxIIOnJzdLg/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1182.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078973180132742226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtkbMNyiOOa6q5GHWpCdKMTJacS48jWyxacakgthmvGyJ1xJJYJY1ApzsH2kqqVoiqyfZ_FsdZKy14lq0xCJ7JgtWgF4vlqmYOH3z2xS_TdbiBU75sYMMoO4sTWe1RlANpxIIOnJzdLg/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1182.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">"<em>Cafe au lait</em>, please...in a dish."</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">At <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Blissful</strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">, we are known for our French-inspired finds and furnishings. But did you know we have an interest in matching up French-inspired <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">dogs</span></strong> with great homes? Take a look at some of our favorite pups with personality.<br /></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtufxw-ML3BF9xkDafR1N3FjkqrqDJpjfXHapj5t1gHxNR-M_KenpRDhKJJo6cziYyYQ28730oMxfW7K1MRMKn_sKHmJdDtgV3znvMTafgTbLALh4fHtiS2sl85_zbZ3GQpIZd0py_Fk/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1186.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078973188722676834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtufxw-ML3BF9xkDafR1N3FjkqrqDJpjfXHapj5t1gHxNR-M_KenpRDhKJJo6cziYyYQ28730oMxfW7K1MRMKn_sKHmJdDtgV3znvMTafgTbLALh4fHtiS2sl85_zbZ3GQpIZd0py_Fk/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1186.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This little toughie wears his France & Hammer Necklace collar proudly. (Our necklace looks great on two-legged people, too.)</span></p><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQ4X9qDh9hpbwpLrf40TmaNFIZOOcEsX_1-msChYvtEL1emt4l90yFkhMBRjspgeD5IkYqRRPX88C33wYk4HSiPGfe8rC-1qUNrb-ykhRf4KpzeMxxB8DbdBd-jBwyIARxMPvzhBhtfU/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1195.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078973201607578738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQ4X9qDh9hpbwpLrf40TmaNFIZOOcEsX_1-msChYvtEL1emt4l90yFkhMBRjspgeD5IkYqRRPX88C33wYk4HSiPGfe8rC-1qUNrb-ykhRf4KpzeMxxB8DbdBd-jBwyIARxMPvzhBhtfU/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1195.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><em>Chien</em> a la Sophia Loren on the Cote de Mer, circa 1955.</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uk7TD20piXtYONFd7nM3f8C_7SyT08vnFi20u7J0GHSSRrSX9lPrirNiDmtvggMHH0s2iOE0OI5dHi3XpqNUSMEWWap0YxSC0r9KRPVQv3h6EPV-BNbD8E9JMUsrReb1bhT8hyG01uA/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1202.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078973205902546050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uk7TD20piXtYONFd7nM3f8C_7SyT08vnFi20u7J0GHSSRrSX9lPrirNiDmtvggMHH0s2iOE0OI5dHi3XpqNUSMEWWap0YxSC0r9KRPVQv3h6EPV-BNbD8E9JMUsrReb1bhT8hyG01uA/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1202.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This little puppy had an unfortunate accident, but he has a great attitude. Wouldn't you like to make his little day?</span></p>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-23511836827717589072007-06-20T11:35:00.001-04:002008-12-10T20:04:41.701-05:00One Item, Three Ways<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip42vCIdWLdQ3ZUDwlE408vIt-fJlD5VCZagqla9uvSCpB0yC1dfvJNvXxkOzkB8jLPDocK2w55NKO5stQlva_WpCroXIHDUsPXnFgbSMV6wtKVEfdK-ou05IepinwW4BRaFwMYPEc7Y/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1164.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078172035588052034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip42vCIdWLdQ3ZUDwlE408vIt-fJlD5VCZagqla9uvSCpB0yC1dfvJNvXxkOzkB8jLPDocK2w55NKO5stQlva_WpCroXIHDUsPXnFgbSMV6wtKVEfdK-ou05IepinwW4BRaFwMYPEc7Y/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1164.jpg" border="0" /></a> Yesterday when my customer Ingrid and her friend pulled up at the store, I was outside pinning a $20 bill to a rosebush. Stranger things have happened around here, but rarely do anyone other than my mom and I witness them!<br />*<br />I was staging a photo shoot for <a href="http://boutiqueindustry.blogspot.com/">my new blog</a>, which I've been devoting so much time to that I fear I've been neglecting this one!<br />*<br />Never lacking for inspiration (well, okay, <em>sometimes</em> lacking for inspiration...but never for long), here is a fresh new post with some inspiration for YOU.<br />*<br />Upon a suggestion from a friend, I thought it might be neat to do an occasional post showing you a couple different ways to use some of our <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">favorite finds</span></strong>. I love using objects in <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">unconventional</span></strong>, not-intended-for-this-purpose ways.<br />*<br />The ideas I'm showing you today aren't all that out of the box, but these <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">little green cast iron pots</span></strong> are too cute not to be included.<br />*<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt5jtsj6879N6Sj2aDavEQVGSBPJp0Ag0vFoDdJAJxHmjXiPDjINN0ozOEr3XH7GoTclpvY27SsJ5Dth6RLivrK61iOoWEhoTscgZ9IIwKpnn_DYQ1Iu153vhQktjp7X_ziPARz7y5a8/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1170.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078171344098317330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt5jtsj6879N6Sj2aDavEQVGSBPJp0Ag0vFoDdJAJxHmjXiPDjINN0ozOEr3XH7GoTclpvY27SsJ5Dth6RLivrK61iOoWEhoTscgZ9IIwKpnn_DYQ1Iu153vhQktjp7X_ziPARz7y5a8/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1170.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Une:</span></strong> The basic use: pop an overblown flower into the vase for a chic meets <em>rustique </em>effect.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBO9eF85tu0B4KlNvWHYowsgkZ2dRODdk8b4rwqfyEiIfUDPuxIeIJal0Tssi8L9s5f16XlWrOsQvlzMHQRix1-5jMtP5FpGeTcN0iehvcwAayvleudaVNKNcRJ0LMzBa8dJicKAZrqQ/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1155.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078171352688251938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBO9eF85tu0B4KlNvWHYowsgkZ2dRODdk8b4rwqfyEiIfUDPuxIeIJal0Tssi8L9s5f16XlWrOsQvlzMHQRix1-5jMtP5FpGeTcN0iehvcwAayvleudaVNKNcRJ0LMzBa8dJicKAZrqQ/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1155.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Deux:</span></strong> Use as a pencil or pen holder. Or how about for your makeup brushes?</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdhOMQ0RnOZsGDq8ivBjEIYMNnA7yVCOic9p6T_dMWDk9SAts1Mqtzhq9p5t5oZ64B4SKOJ1-IvOqyk4dIiDT2wirBSI8uC9FYn0ybvq6DCzgWgJRBDhcTDOnDqBTpszbZ_MS3-OxjGY/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1158.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078171361278186546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdhOMQ0RnOZsGDq8ivBjEIYMNnA7yVCOic9p6T_dMWDk9SAts1Mqtzhq9p5t5oZ64B4SKOJ1-IvOqyk4dIiDT2wirBSI8uC9FYn0ybvq6DCzgWgJRBDhcTDOnDqBTpszbZ_MS3-OxjGY/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1158.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> Trois:</span></strong> Tuck moss around a taper candle for some seat-me-at-a-table-in-a-European-<em>chateau</em> charm. Do one at every place setting and let each guest take hers home at the end of the night. Or try one on a small shelf, tucked into a summer windowsill, or on your bedside table for some candlelit reading.</p><p align="center">What do you think?</p>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-13499958441797970402007-06-16T15:44:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:42.129-05:00For the Dads<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFaXe-rFD2wNAy5x3qwA-9AaZe7YwEI27Pf5SKfHccNlAk3Gtv7oIGJZao9APgJ5TQajKb9ngWRJsFPrAQ4Mq3QKszFv8BNhSpB6Ug-w7my8J26hI9Mj1Vr8QDE6XLQS1V5Z0ZwYOk9s/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1131.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076751170212221906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFaXe-rFD2wNAy5x3qwA-9AaZe7YwEI27Pf5SKfHccNlAk3Gtv7oIGJZao9APgJ5TQajKb9ngWRJsFPrAQ4Mq3QKszFv8BNhSpB6Ug-w7my8J26hI9Mj1Vr8QDE6XLQS1V5Z0ZwYOk9s/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1131.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">'King of Hearts' by Sid Dickens</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Father's Day!</span></strong></div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-27619188798082134822007-06-07T17:19:00.001-04:002008-12-10T20:04:43.662-05:00Nouveau Merch<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2-FTxRvcfOtKnbz5eZkuk9KkqS6uGq57174ToyOVpRZtsxL9_IUfgAb4SlzOitDvUele_U08_E-dPevHznnlJOIBJuGqNQcHfPypSVuhY0fAHYfN7OXKtjkntCXPb9FGKdutz_F2iNo/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073437036007674754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2-FTxRvcfOtKnbz5eZkuk9KkqS6uGq57174ToyOVpRZtsxL9_IUfgAb4SlzOitDvUele_U08_E-dPevHznnlJOIBJuGqNQcHfPypSVuhY0fAHYfN7OXKtjkntCXPb9FGKdutz_F2iNo/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1039.jpg" border="0" /></a>We still believe in <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">fairytales</span></strong>. So does 'Dido' by Sid Dickens. Draped across her plaster decolletage is a necklace from our new collection. Pendants of translucent glass with hand-drawn messages hang from whisper-thin sterling silver chains. Come in and be among the first to see and try on these delicate beauties in person. Doubleclick the photo above to view the necklace up close.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XaIXtqwun-F_ZwW64hdjysJ3hH7kx9kKK-2Oap_ZvW6kx7bi0ZTjbvn0vyAeK0kqzTZQF0-ixluIuNuupV-kNWht0VbKOR6JcqdoT1VAkWYk5wE4iw-LdmHSRhhlOsA0fYb_EmzUnQ8/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073436782604604210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XaIXtqwun-F_ZwW64hdjysJ3hH7kx9kKK-2Oap_ZvW6kx7bi0ZTjbvn0vyAeK0kqzTZQF0-ixluIuNuupV-kNWht0VbKOR6JcqdoT1VAkWYk5wE4iw-LdmHSRhhlOsA0fYb_EmzUnQ8/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1042.jpg" border="0" /></a> Be <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">transported</span></strong> by our Pink Paris Paperweight.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6fnerSoGPSUz4dNka___xE8DbUMI0sT2xTdliRCN-bYZti0rXtORU6eZjCfhRgi7Ev_z5N8Ca-ldxsBnN7vIEYZ0Qj0IV-qZ_Guo-QxQ4fJAM4yR_-Hc2bhkHIBQ7KWHE1pzzKoJJiM/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073436799784473410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6fnerSoGPSUz4dNka___xE8DbUMI0sT2xTdliRCN-bYZti0rXtORU6eZjCfhRgi7Ev_z5N8Ca-ldxsBnN7vIEYZ0Qj0IV-qZ_Guo-QxQ4fJAM4yR_-Hc2bhkHIBQ7KWHE1pzzKoJJiM/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1013.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Also new at <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Blissful</span></strong>: a vintage-inspired collection of cosmetic and travel bags by the much-lauded Stephanie Johnson. Based on a 1920s European <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Metro</span></strong> motif, this fabric is matte treated and specially coated to withstand moisture and lipgloss smears. In five perfect shapes and sizes, complete with essential inner pockets.</p><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59PI09agxMzV9HLzJYW1bUJ9M1HImTFe6V8LdxI7iKCYxZbnHpNYbj-zOQ_YcwM8wxpNFKosOzLMcYE8oukE01KvsiaSMsw3kfo8yFBbiswCoXQ8iAdQsr3vEUKymA4YyUbMaT98J2vA/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073436812669375314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59PI09agxMzV9HLzJYW1bUJ9M1HImTFe6V8LdxI7iKCYxZbnHpNYbj-zOQ_YcwM8wxpNFKosOzLMcYE8oukE01KvsiaSMsw3kfo8yFBbiswCoXQ8iAdQsr3vEUKymA4YyUbMaT98J2vA/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1004.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our French Franc Plates make adorable little <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">catch-alls</span></strong> for your pocket change, jewelry, or even an assortment of <em>bon-bons </em>for your next girl talk.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyQUiOnPqf5q-p7mSfS11BdK1bnSQXe8tsJ8lwpeQRxrZTfpQLYrK-MIzrkSFqz-Yyg_QhcYsoeCwptedNIoeLxI0IU4GDQ3pKi1Se8nYEGPqmtW2gfiJAJlBnK297IVBt6R9uGOl80M/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073436821259309922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyQUiOnPqf5q-p7mSfS11BdK1bnSQXe8tsJ8lwpeQRxrZTfpQLYrK-MIzrkSFqz-Yyg_QhcYsoeCwptedNIoeLxI0IU4GDQ3pKi1Se8nYEGPqmtW2gfiJAJlBnK297IVBt6R9uGOl80M/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1046.jpg" border="0" /></a> New art has arrived! Come meet 'The Guitarist.' Haven't seen just the right piece for that wall you're looking to <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">adorn?</span></strong> Ask us about our online art catalog.</p><p align="center"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrkFduy8rsAgpjPOSqrJb6vnbppHI1TZ8jdZD-wbEDpPctHQiHu0IF6IHNDQPlLBMHaaFNXqeESK2d3sXfTQ3loN9pW2BZz6ES38U5n5G9n4Q7ZsCZHNiAPk1M0AgLBH1qkiCjifd7ZE/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073436838439179122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrkFduy8rsAgpjPOSqrJb6vnbppHI1TZ8jdZD-wbEDpPctHQiHu0IF6IHNDQPlLBMHaaFNXqeESK2d3sXfTQ3loN9pW2BZz6ES38U5n5G9n4Q7ZsCZHNiAPk1M0AgLBH1qkiCjifd7ZE/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1048.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>New creations from <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Elements/Jill Schwartz</span></strong>. Designs from her Spring '07 collection are on the way! </p>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-72382321825389165272007-06-07T13:08:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:43.837-05:00To New Friends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXbINDpZtLRfdfq6zrd_ZEebUqsbZ73S538eVT1PVupPWYakTTYT-BbJyztHYFWw8C9B5bq3tkwvWjOSZ53Q_l0lsGvnaJUiSMfegFvrczMw_E8KWwQCFhBAYeLTKow4R_1u1JO3Ef-o/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073387613818999586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXbINDpZtLRfdfq6zrd_ZEebUqsbZ73S538eVT1PVupPWYakTTYT-BbJyztHYFWw8C9B5bq3tkwvWjOSZ53Q_l0lsGvnaJUiSMfegFvrczMw_E8KWwQCFhBAYeLTKow4R_1u1JO3Ef-o/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We couldn't have guessed who would've sent us these gorgeous, French-fields-in-the-summer flowers in a perfect stone pot. They were delivered today and upon opening the card, my mom and I were so excited and touched to learn that they were sent by the staff of <a href="http://eisforeverything.com">Ms. E's Place</a>, a totally cute jewelry and ladies' accessories shop up the street from us. Being pretty busy these days (and who <em>isn't?</em>), I haven't yet taken the time to go in and introduce myself to the ladies at Ms. E's. Tonight will be the night. Thanks, girls, for making us feel so welcome. From one set of shop girls to another, your kind gesture means so much.</div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-29057629053380399702007-06-04T19:59:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:44.594-05:00I've Been Tagged!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkRbliu5P9rG67-UM2O0t6y4Ci_RIGxGEhfue3iCKNYY3xU1oq57aVUYNkUq7hU3bwHKOplWwD4KLP5acywMGQ8gQ3Mm3HypzIUlxvhFOmZ85n8T322W1icxDmbHB88OGSAl1dRDbCxo/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072569611527672498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkRbliu5P9rG67-UM2O0t6y4Ci_RIGxGEhfue3iCKNYY3xU1oq57aVUYNkUq7hU3bwHKOplWwD4KLP5acywMGQ8gQ3Mm3HypzIUlxvhFOmZ85n8T322W1icxDmbHB88OGSAl1dRDbCxo/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Folk artist <a href="http://sweetannee.blogspot.com/">SweetAnnee</a> has tagged me! <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Tagging,"</span></strong> for those of you new to the phenomenon (including <em>moi</em> until recently), is when you create a blog post sharing 7 interesting, quirky, or little known facts about yourself, then "tagging"/inviting 3 other bloggers to do the same. I think the idea is for all of us in the blogosphere to get to know each other a little better. I've been tagged before but didn't respond because I was so new to blogging that I felt too timid to ask a blogger I didn't know well to participate with me. I guess a part of us never fully gets over our schoolgirl shyness. In any case, here I go.</div><br /><br /><div><strong>Seven Little Known Facts About Me</strong></div><br /><div>1. I almost always wear pajamas around the house.</div><div>2. My guilty indulgence is reality TV. I am obsessed with watching everyday people in their natural habitats.</div><div>3. I have naturally curly hair, but it didn't get that way until I hit puberty. As a little girl, my hair was pin straight. Strange. Wonder what will happen when I have a baby. Back to straight, maybe? </div><div>4. Just five years ago, I was in fitness model shape with 13% body fat. I worked very diligently to get into that condition. I would love to attain that level of fitness again. I know I can do it; it's all a matter of committing.</div><div>5. My love of homestyling and creating interiors began when I discovered the now-defunct (but rumored to be resurrected soon) <em>Victoria </em>magazine as a pre-teen. At the age of twelve, I would pore over those mags like it was my job. No <em>Teen </em>or <em>Tiger Beat</em> for me, baby.</div><div>6. I have two cats. Their names are Skoochie and Schmenckman. Don't ask.</div><div>7. In high school, I was an award-winning Speech competitor. My best event was Original Oratory. I wrote my own ten-minute speech about how TV talk shows exploit vulnerable people (see fact #2), then delivered it in three rounds every weekend for a three-month long season. </div><br /><div>Have I made myself sound sufficiently kooky?</div><br /><div>Okay: <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Kelly</span></strong> from <a href="http://theseflowersthismoon.blogspot.com/">these flowers, this moon</a>, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Jamie</span></strong> from <a href="http://dahliashome.blogspot.com/">Dahlias</a>, and <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Kara and Darcy</span></strong> from <a href="http://mcmasterandstorm.blogspot.com/">McMaster and Storm</a>. Tag--you're it!</div></div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-55986395624345643082007-06-02T16:15:00.001-04:002008-12-10T20:04:44.853-05:00NEW! A Boutique Industry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4DBE5q8cJFaYDWnF68CxFaPXQ8t4rRP5KGxF2YJdmBFkuIKjEx1CeLxH_Un5YTym8CmD8kNl37sloNbATghyphenhyphenQFBv6lLvXqG5fbqwUmOyOgK0W1x_lnVovBI8iSvyxrhI9IEcJbtqIS4/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+1009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071567582877078290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4DBE5q8cJFaYDWnF68CxFaPXQ8t4rRP5KGxF2YJdmBFkuIKjEx1CeLxH_Un5YTym8CmD8kNl37sloNbATghyphenhyphenQFBv6lLvXqG5fbqwUmOyOgK0W1x_lnVovBI8iSvyxrhI9IEcJbtqIS4/s400/The+Blissful+Home+1009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>I am very excited to be sharing <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">something new</span></strong> with you today.</div><br /><div></div><div>Throughout all of my experiences as a shop owner over the past year and a half, I've come to realize that I have an abiding passion for talking to other women about their dreams and interest in starting creative businesses of their own. So often a customer will say to my mom and me, "I would love to do something like what you're doing," or "This has always been my dream, too." Other customers have set a great handbag down on my counter, worn a beautiful necklace into the shop, or sent me a cute birthday card, and when I compliment them on it, they tell me they made it themselves! I love that. I also love <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">freely sharing</span></strong> my experiences with other people. For these reasons and more, I have decided to begin a second blog, one devoted to recounting my journey as a new entrepreneur to anyone who has a similar interest or even just curiosity about how all of this works. </div><br /><div></div><div>I am not alone in this venture. My new blog is co-written by my friend Kelly, who many of you know as the designer behind <em><a href="http://theseflowersthismoon.com">these flowers, this moon</a></em>, a modern vintage jewelry line we carry at The Blissful Home. In our new blog, called <strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://boutiqueindustry.blogspot.com">A Boutique Industry</a></span></strong>, Kelly and I will share the details of how we each found our way to entrepreneurship (after being educated for something totally different, after first careers, after starting a family, after being broke, etc.). It is our intention to tell the truth about what it's like to grow a business from the ground up--the day-to-day habits, the unglossy realities, and the amazing confirmations that <em>yes, this is truly IT for me</em>. We hope to offer practical ideas plus support and encouragement to all of you out there who have a creative passion burning inside <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">you</span></strong>. We also want to network with other women entrepreneurs. We look at it as a great dialogue between us and each of you, and all of us together. It'll all be here: <a href="http://boutiqueindustry.blogspot.com">boutiqueindustry.blogspot.com</a>. I hope you'll come along for our journey!</div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-59570598098147404072007-06-01T11:46:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:47.055-05:00Need a Pick-Me-Up?<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T3uqhYJFt0KxZU2MVVIs-bwWFkMEZaK9EG9nDCmE4uG2Qumb7f2M-oTizYnt73IqEaxY4MaIy_HHigRY4YBtapSh3vzADh16XzrJNNv-r-xoPnagUMegj7vWqD7uEdvCBiJ669MPLLw/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+955.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071125244195263058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T3uqhYJFt0KxZU2MVVIs-bwWFkMEZaK9EG9nDCmE4uG2Qumb7f2M-oTizYnt73IqEaxY4MaIy_HHigRY4YBtapSh3vzADh16XzrJNNv-r-xoPnagUMegj7vWqD7uEdvCBiJ669MPLLw/s400/The+Blissful+Home+955.jpg" border="0" /></a> The temps are high, so I thought you might need <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>a little lift. </strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">You know my real chatty posts? This won't be one of them. Just wanted to share a few images of some great items that are still on sale, such as our French Doormats (above and below), which are 50% OFF.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlD8LpNkoTM-G5oofEHGNI437kigI6Q826WFZkymSt8F6vJu8z-BTw3JUG_wsvNJyxnKPYkCtFwYiagT_YASvtZjrUsz8DGlqh0CePgoVM6_5mjM6KbH3XCXDc_WtXdrYnOxQgac140o/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+945.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071125261375132258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlD8LpNkoTM-G5oofEHGNI437kigI6Q826WFZkymSt8F6vJu8z-BTw3JUG_wsvNJyxnKPYkCtFwYiagT_YASvtZjrUsz8DGlqh0CePgoVM6_5mjM6KbH3XCXDc_WtXdrYnOxQgac140o/s400/The+Blissful+Home+945.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_-Aar28qOw8V7G37uox8rKc5SknoH713yAniOyNnLaCJaCjZLP11rE1eW_ltKj6ULJmY9Tek88npG4-3ZvG6EL1HcJusQs4sbll59m0okeqtdGG4evXXna6bhB5QN9lVFjb2u94WWJg/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+953.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071125278555001458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_-Aar28qOw8V7G37uox8rKc5SknoH713yAniOyNnLaCJaCjZLP11rE1eW_ltKj6ULJmY9Tek88npG4-3ZvG6EL1HcJusQs4sbll59m0okeqtdGG4evXXna6bhB5QN9lVFjb2u94WWJg/s400/The+Blissful+Home+953.jpg" border="0" /></a> Fresh Lavender Bouquets are 20% OFF.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7qpG8rJpND7PXcFuYGdGDiTHIgGnIlzoyEJ9mW3weI_E_T2We-xt4B_YlttXZgZ1gjmJLjBb9kXnqsHTbY0kNk6Yjn6gYsbjhlAD7Hf1bmxP2_f-ljMgDQfMj5oVdWnSNlcAQe1lALM/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+951.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071125300029837954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7qpG8rJpND7PXcFuYGdGDiTHIgGnIlzoyEJ9mW3weI_E_T2We-xt4B_YlttXZgZ1gjmJLjBb9kXnqsHTbY0kNk6Yjn6gYsbjhlAD7Hf1bmxP2_f-ljMgDQfMj5oVdWnSNlcAQe1lALM/s400/The+Blissful+Home+951.jpg" border="0" /></a>Select garden and patio furniture is 20 to 40% OFF, including our Estella Chairs (throw pillows not included).<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBdf6PuWo9UlFVCJ1hdnUAhsF1jNFhp-tqfnVXU82cK-YlXkelDn6ZeUrEJHpL_PUIDPN2Wb_3_ygq8GKgecrgV_Q-akq4868W_h-bDpbNOtJTQu6xkPAyX7lv4gkgU-9v9bvKe2iZjY/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+960.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071125321504674450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBdf6PuWo9UlFVCJ1hdnUAhsF1jNFhp-tqfnVXU82cK-YlXkelDn6ZeUrEJHpL_PUIDPN2Wb_3_ygq8GKgecrgV_Q-akq4868W_h-bDpbNOtJTQu6xkPAyX7lv4gkgU-9v9bvKe2iZjY/s400/The+Blissful+Home+960.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Our in-demand Fleur de Lis tubs are 20% OFF. If you want these, get thee to <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Blissful</span></strong>, because there aren't too many left! In large, medium, and small, these are perfect for planting or for ice and beverages at your next party.<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4op713CtgcD_TLe_PQQfmBwmcl2xwhGYdpQW0BeFYWJpU_8a5UZG8g6TvyA40OpqZLovp_8vF51XoLRQ1vMtP0vvNKcszggYIAhoKBtEpx8R-d0N1V01tw4zUMlWJ3tAGMPUcH1MRRvs/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+940.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071123844035924482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4op713CtgcD_TLe_PQQfmBwmcl2xwhGYdpQW0BeFYWJpU_8a5UZG8g6TvyA40OpqZLovp_8vF51XoLRQ1vMtP0vvNKcszggYIAhoKBtEpx8R-d0N1V01tw4zUMlWJ3tAGMPUcH1MRRvs/s400/The+Blissful+Home+940.jpg" border="0" /></a> For a limited time, we're offering our wonderful Bella Notte bedding collection at 20% OFF, including custom orders. Our other bedding collections are 40% OFF what we currently have in the shop. Time to transition to lighter weight stuff!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnjNDKYFOxDOVN0oUN69K2Ky_lqp9bptuOWZFo93XRIbtya2cQX6sSsZeKllmJLvglTrTsFtjiWqKIOGpqzVWGak0HJMhN2SYBAyAEw1Pu0wG-5dQ_opK-Pizk_E20d6JBCjBfAgRhWY/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+965.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071123856920826386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnjNDKYFOxDOVN0oUN69K2Ky_lqp9bptuOWZFo93XRIbtya2cQX6sSsZeKllmJLvglTrTsFtjiWqKIOGpqzVWGak0HJMhN2SYBAyAEw1Pu0wG-5dQ_opK-Pizk_E20d6JBCjBfAgRhWY/s400/The+Blissful+Home+965.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our Madame Bovary and The Raven candles by Sprig are 50% OFF. Subtle scents and adorable, literary-inspired packaging. A portion of all sales goes to purchasing storybooks for underprivileged children.</p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS44R8DlOpFYvLCafE1gq-hJuqvFgiz5jU9OHOqZiUvsqM0pjsNnUSP0JOJAdc24rJbmysX30VDJuYsbPNcAw8iBfiT59N9qiOsN3buqzxpZgEVNB9Yx4J4ZKbTOR1oACL4TwVQjEwBg4/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+954.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071123869805728290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS44R8DlOpFYvLCafE1gq-hJuqvFgiz5jU9OHOqZiUvsqM0pjsNnUSP0JOJAdc24rJbmysX30VDJuYsbPNcAw8iBfiT59N9qiOsN3buqzxpZgEVNB9Yx4J4ZKbTOR1oACL4TwVQjEwBg4/s400/The+Blissful+Home+954.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Our retro-inspired aprons are 10% OFF. 'Tis the season to whip up a light meal in a flirty, colorful apron, don't you think?<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFevxO5j8nyRa977gstGe4HEJB6BMYvO2jXId4RFE6GMqYh5fxkNh_te5l8_FUQXhHwh-wbMwbsoyTQvSKFucQGHQtgD41fQhFOm_vXJ7BahZ5PX_kax7FOjXxxEsqT0Svqd4eKJysjE/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+937.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071123886985597490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFevxO5j8nyRa977gstGe4HEJB6BMYvO2jXId4RFE6GMqYh5fxkNh_te5l8_FUQXhHwh-wbMwbsoyTQvSKFucQGHQtgD41fQhFOm_vXJ7BahZ5PX_kax7FOjXxxEsqT0Svqd4eKJysjE/s400/The+Blissful+Home+937.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Because so many of you are traveling or gearing up for a nice vacation, we're offering our new line of cosmetic bags (in three convenient sizes) by Simply Sarah at 20% OFF. In Cherry Blossom, Pink Dot, and Fleur-de-Bee. (Fleur-de-<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>BEE!</strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">)<br /></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0MQzCS5TvBofLXS-GcwZE3-VB1FybexEohicVH0xvptXBiBoqhIkz7QuxB1RBoPUfH8407KFb4NNLdvSB7lr2gTPeAYD_W8CpANPypTum7fy8HVhBRUazo5JphwR8MiuaKVTDdkdpcU/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+964.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071123904165466690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0MQzCS5TvBofLXS-GcwZE3-VB1FybexEohicVH0xvptXBiBoqhIkz7QuxB1RBoPUfH8407KFb4NNLdvSB7lr2gTPeAYD_W8CpANPypTum7fy8HVhBRUazo5JphwR8MiuaKVTDdkdpcU/s400/The+Blissful+Home+964.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Scarves are <em>tres au courant</em>. These look so cute knotted in your hair, worn as a belt, or tied onto your handbag or beachbag. Our collection is 50% OFF.</p><p align="center">And that's not all. Come visit us and see what's waiting for you...</p>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-64114628169502079642007-05-28T08:43:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:47.709-05:00Un Merci<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgcNb8pr5AR4zv17EPDSWUvXkxE3yAUQ5mbO7XQbbPf-5B2-FnlBZgltbV_QlKevYqi904T89elVxHZlfvFaJw0j87fG52P5zyPVSTPcyZHKcphfUSX4vLQ0524xw4Nw4asc-404i2AM/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+896.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069591610158109170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgcNb8pr5AR4zv17EPDSWUvXkxE3yAUQ5mbO7XQbbPf-5B2-FnlBZgltbV_QlKevYqi904T89elVxHZlfvFaJw0j87fG52P5zyPVSTPcyZHKcphfUSX4vLQ0524xw4Nw4asc-404i2AM/s400/The+Blissful+Home+896.jpg" border="0" /></a> For all those throughout the ages who sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedoms, we say <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>thank you. </strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">And to the families of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, our thoughts and prayers are with you today. Happy Memorial Day.<br /></span><div></div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-17912221779039738702007-05-24T16:32:00.001-04:002008-12-10T20:04:53.571-05:00A Sale of Delightful Proportions<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0b9Oy__FWdXjrojPkYRE6mJyCa5tV6PSfYkdx9hSTtxcvDEXyBeG3M5q8-WaeHL98oLoafNS1Jr67Pnvlz6TSCkch0OwJH-EbxKJnpwq4-Pj-XPOXRAun6kjYk20GqmxkF3wBKMbZQo/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+863.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068231909411541442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0b9Oy__FWdXjrojPkYRE6mJyCa5tV6PSfYkdx9hSTtxcvDEXyBeG3M5q8-WaeHL98oLoafNS1Jr67Pnvlz6TSCkch0OwJH-EbxKJnpwq4-Pj-XPOXRAun6kjYk20GqmxkF3wBKMbZQo/s400/The+Blissful+Home+863.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Bienvenue!</span></div><br /><p align="left">For all of you diehard holiday shoppers out there, our door will be thrown wide open this Monday for Memorial Day from 10 AM to 5 PM. And there's a <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>SALE</strong></span>...oh, is there ever a sale! Beginning today, save <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">10-50%</span> </strong>on hundreds of items throughout the store. We are clearing out some <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">wonderful</span></strong> things to make room for next season's shipments. Sales abound in just about every category in the shop, so you're sure to find that perfect graduation or hostess gift, gift for yourself, or accessory for your next get-together. Here's a peek at some of our sale items, plus a look at some of our new finds. Pallets and boxes are arriving daily, so be sure to check in regularly to get first shot at what's new! Feast your eyes and read on for more details...</p><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD_z2CgNqIyyMIwx3DNVcQPGIHQWNQFdWWS9NqPGTjlSp0iafXsoHORleIRPh5uQqsbR6Um-XyZWxoICJbhWzD6QCAox8_yBkS_H92baFznLsd9WIgISZlsc7ulj6NujGVOqaM-Ze5mI/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+728.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068231930886377938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD_z2CgNqIyyMIwx3DNVcQPGIHQWNQFdWWS9NqPGTjlSp0iafXsoHORleIRPh5uQqsbR6Um-XyZWxoICJbhWzD6QCAox8_yBkS_H92baFznLsd9WIgISZlsc7ulj6NujGVOqaM-Ze5mI/s400/The+Blissful+Home+728.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We're in love with our new <strong>Cafe de la Tour Eiffel tabletop collection</strong>. From our mugs and dessert plates to our latte bowls and mini bowls, this stuff is not only quintessentially French-y, but is sturdy and microwave/dishwasher safe--safe in the hands of your kids and safe after a long night of entertaining when all you want to do is load up that Kitchenaid and fall into bed.</span><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XwV1lbvZpJYksbP74Lyr0LkiwbUTIXZEEDakJbXYYCEdHLl8_9IuQ8Y-a8Cv70GUvwi2cmglF1cDtm9zZsTKEM9C2XQYV43gm3MIfAciVC34D-iLL6qp7qww8ZVHDsvtT5fbNkZzn0Y/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+729.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068231939476312546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XwV1lbvZpJYksbP74Lyr0LkiwbUTIXZEEDakJbXYYCEdHLl8_9IuQ8Y-a8Cv70GUvwi2cmglF1cDtm9zZsTKEM9C2XQYV43gm3MIfAciVC34D-iLL6qp7qww8ZVHDsvtT5fbNkZzn0Y/s400/The+Blissful+Home+729.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">These little birds, carved from bone, are actually <strong>corkscrews!</strong> A really special hostess gift when you particularly want to impress.</span><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqCYDdPaEFDyn6tLU_gul9M3PFk27HRZ3h-e_BuZa03ZwISvFaoc-RGZIwkch4eR7vVGgaK6BOuwbiWAoW8ALoyL3Mk52o4Q9Si3Ut-llFZQSetNEfuPP0eC5RtMEkc0I7A8GHXs44FU/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+864.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068230994583507314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqCYDdPaEFDyn6tLU_gul9M3PFk27HRZ3h-e_BuZa03ZwISvFaoc-RGZIwkch4eR7vVGgaK6BOuwbiWAoW8ALoyL3Mk52o4Q9Si3Ut-llFZQSetNEfuPP0eC5RtMEkc0I7A8GHXs44FU/s400/The+Blissful+Home+864.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Have a picnic with Louis! Meet <strong>Louis</strong>, our new collection of <strong>plastic picnicware</strong>. Available in Minuit (Blue), Rouge (fuschia), and Verte (bright green), we've got 12" plates, 9" plates, and 7" bowls. Add easy panache to your next outdoor gathering. Elegant and striking without the high pricetag.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIV6ruTZ7XWfE51HaU-fnGvndZ0rD7Zs85UR9VkqQKbfEJBuiX2kV_MpcxsSDzLukthcOnAUDyd2jRD9_Jw_TwCoyg7g7cy_Kdq92QAALk09cIO4cbAQcw6hBumTt5X80y-iK85d5SLk/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+837.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068231007468409218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIV6ruTZ7XWfE51HaU-fnGvndZ0rD7Zs85UR9VkqQKbfEJBuiX2kV_MpcxsSDzLukthcOnAUDyd2jRD9_Jw_TwCoyg7g7cy_Kdq92QAALk09cIO4cbAQcw6hBumTt5X80y-iK85d5SLk/s400/The+Blissful+Home+837.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Our <strong>Marmiton pottery</strong>, in buttery yellow, rounds out our French Farmhouse-inspired table. Classic French Country style.</span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCJ9QXyEUiDhStNkDanFWMjBh-v-KUhq0nCTwx6kR01i8tlDTKVFvL3uuacR-6AJ78RP6n2CFgLKIe970BAQNuadk18UUBQDPxrey2gkwo5v7MmBHeeQrwGhLf41WvC4btC6Eug64KDM/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+865.jpg"></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068231016058343826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCJ9QXyEUiDhStNkDanFWMjBh-v-KUhq0nCTwx6kR01i8tlDTKVFvL3uuacR-6AJ78RP6n2CFgLKIe970BAQNuadk18UUBQDPxrey2gkwo5v7MmBHeeQrwGhLf41WvC4btC6Eug64KDM/s400/The+Blissful+Home+865.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We love <strong>olivewood</strong> and this cheeky guidebook to<em> l'Italia</em>, a great gift for someone taking their first trip OR for the seasoned traveller.</span></p><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><p><br /></p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4gmxAAQ2ZYsp-pbj6LbvHvnVXc7957O1xmRt0nynkIP3B5m35Q7jtKzw4ofWurfcPyCAKCuzSUkUTzhuPrARtMofYr8y_tuM3vJXQVg5lQ00-azCF_4hVvt6O4w0N4EuS6XrvgvghrI/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+866.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068231028943245730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4gmxAAQ2ZYsp-pbj6LbvHvnVXc7957O1xmRt0nynkIP3B5m35Q7jtKzw4ofWurfcPyCAKCuzSUkUTzhuPrARtMofYr8y_tuM3vJXQVg5lQ00-azCF_4hVvt6O4w0N4EuS6XrvgvghrI/s400/The+Blissful+Home+866.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We don't think you can ever have too many fun little drinking glasses. These <strong>French Coin glasses </strong>are great for water or something a little more lively.</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8nq-lp0oc_Lu2fUPB4yRVvPVgW_bwiK2BCLMRsKffNv6UgSI7uOHWDowPyiDIrvTh7zVr4mEIAWQsM4SsKessHn0OuLWkQoBXD2_PZ0d04HwRYEceG_yOjP4aC-MgWOnr-pHQ1KvqBM/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+867.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068231037533180338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8nq-lp0oc_Lu2fUPB4yRVvPVgW_bwiK2BCLMRsKffNv6UgSI7uOHWDowPyiDIrvTh7zVr4mEIAWQsM4SsKessHn0OuLWkQoBXD2_PZ0d04HwRYEceG_yOjP4aC-MgWOnr-pHQ1KvqBM/s400/The+Blissful+Home+867.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">It ticks! It tells time! It filters light beautifully through its metal mesh background printed with an urn. It's a <strong>clock!</strong></span><br /><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEcvXyEZnKAWYaZwfmf3tA2_aaKcj7jKfuCTvR7yQkCLNFr2nnxlrM67MMpT7wg6oKtzdtylVwGaM8HgzdA2WKrF-JY1CFRpQT4hVXyl9A5B7bz2F2LWdKJP2EwFEV8R6NNJLgVRBtMo/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+868.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068230255849132322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEcvXyEZnKAWYaZwfmf3tA2_aaKcj7jKfuCTvR7yQkCLNFr2nnxlrM67MMpT7wg6oKtzdtylVwGaM8HgzdA2WKrF-JY1CFRpQT4hVXyl9A5B7bz2F2LWdKJP2EwFEV8R6NNJLgVRBtMo/s400/The+Blissful+Home+868.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">No French-inspired store worth its salt is without a rooster on <em>something. </em>Get your fix with our <strong>plush seat cushions</strong>. Wouldn't these look so cheery and handsome on your porch or on your kitchen chairs?</span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWspVRuVgZRvUCfcma-Rntd1BU-aDsmdqT75tstNpeGL91iDUMS8OPbeuTzxhp0CbtNKIIP56ecBTbHdTlL7xbwMD1fSRrve59DUBnVLXUyq6dH7hPOv0KA6ahAgPOMkYnt_z-s5Lu8A/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+870.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068230264439066930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWspVRuVgZRvUCfcma-Rntd1BU-aDsmdqT75tstNpeGL91iDUMS8OPbeuTzxhp0CbtNKIIP56ecBTbHdTlL7xbwMD1fSRrve59DUBnVLXUyq6dH7hPOv0KA6ahAgPOMkYnt_z-s5Lu8A/s400/The+Blissful+Home+870.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Our <strong>Moroccan Mini Tumblers</strong> just <em>feel</em> like summer to me. In red, green, purple, and (my favorite) blue. Hold one up to the light and you'll catch the fever, too. Now I just need a cabana on the beach, a bonfire, and a starry night. Romance in a glass.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068230285913903426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5CNL9iePHWnIwEjKlBTKF7x5jurakj97I0BVGbo-0PUMgnNDpU6GYUZNJ72Hsw560sQro5HzU5QVQDWWjGF9OojRbYCBzqyNv__DQr0ravhYtjlaLVFQHHIKpKNAi8hL1qO5rD999lA/s400/The+Blissful+Home+872.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><strong>Red, white, and blue</strong> are <em>toujours </em>fresh.</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0XL8HBsN6ir4haDcYYlvNIYkux6YGIdFU0XFWSmiUG1jl0HYX6sRO2IKTtorPk8qw0kwXAJP7m6_ts93Z7j86swIFjw6cyJ8tm4ShGgJYYBz8IAmy8d8k7NM6p7mnW5HE-FfA7rAiBI/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+875.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068230294503838034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0XL8HBsN6ir4haDcYYlvNIYkux6YGIdFU0XFWSmiUG1jl0HYX6sRO2IKTtorPk8qw0kwXAJP7m6_ts93Z7j86swIFjw6cyJ8tm4ShGgJYYBz8IAmy8d8k7NM6p7mnW5HE-FfA7rAiBI/s400/The+Blissful+Home+875.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">These</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">little <strong>babies</strong> have the sweetest faces. How can one resist?</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEFimiG5I6D536u1pIyHfLbJcKYbQnMRsvMepLwnc4mf1jD3dPJeljGSiWGtl2-kY5-uiQn0lGYKV2vIxUZW5YozHNQ0IB2zKh_hIrvAZjo5UIZwLAuHbIUNyCWa6BjekFFVKvbv2KO8/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+876.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068230307388739938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEFimiG5I6D536u1pIyHfLbJcKYbQnMRsvMepLwnc4mf1jD3dPJeljGSiWGtl2-kY5-uiQn0lGYKV2vIxUZW5YozHNQ0IB2zKh_hIrvAZjo5UIZwLAuHbIUNyCWa6BjekFFVKvbv2KO8/s400/The+Blissful+Home+876.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong> </strong><span style="font-size:78%;"><strong>Shell</strong> chic.</span><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKJ9DE7Ru7eMkWUZOrZX6YBv3geGdNzz8AiECInfcj-mqlkkZlJHHIEigMDgk-uaAXT0_VmHCWEHkvEHOQwMdO91BE8XXUf-GzZJoN3VTGHH2WuWb-29gsHhQppIy8pcJC-jsy-FICBM/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+878.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068229504229855442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKJ9DE7Ru7eMkWUZOrZX6YBv3geGdNzz8AiECInfcj-mqlkkZlJHHIEigMDgk-uaAXT0_VmHCWEHkvEHOQwMdO91BE8XXUf-GzZJoN3VTGHH2WuWb-29gsHhQppIy8pcJC-jsy-FICBM/s400/The+Blissful+Home+878.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">One highlight of our sale: crazy savings on <strong>bedding.</strong> Our bed, done up in a <strong>Bella Notte</strong> duvet and sheets, with throw pillows by Bella Notte, Pine Cone Hill, and D.L. Rhein, is a dreamlike summery escape. Remember going to bed when it was still light outside as a kid? Now you'll <em>want </em>to when you're bed is this well-dressed. For the duration of our SALE, save <strong>20% on all Bella Notte (include custom orders)</strong> and <strong>40%</strong> on all of our other bedding lines. Pillows are marked down, too.</span></div><div align="center"><br /> </div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_SYvifQsrZTj_qOJPutYngw9oloE-jGCXb_kpMbUPhWYgElP60_teWg-dpi-8e2_INBtm1RWC3M3txejwaz8B5Cqs9lHEfvyh4YbW7pf-zLfeVjkcVQllo-BIqRN1Qy4mv7T9hvAJe0/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+880.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068229512819790050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_SYvifQsrZTj_qOJPutYngw9oloE-jGCXb_kpMbUPhWYgElP60_teWg-dpi-8e2_INBtm1RWC3M3txejwaz8B5Cqs9lHEfvyh4YbW7pf-zLfeVjkcVQllo-BIqRN1Qy4mv7T9hvAJe0/s400/The+Blissful+Home+880.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Due to popular demand, we've expanded our line of <strong>Barkology tees</strong>. In soft, layerable cotton and the juiciest colors and most versatile neutrals, you are sure to love the way these fit. Take it from a curvy girl--these tees are immensely flattering! Available in sizes small through extra large. And for all of us CAT lovers out there, Barkology/Me Me Meow has designed a tee just for us! Try it on here.</span></p><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><p><br /></p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1ZYo_HZHUC7C-8dBo9f3yFmNj480EqWkHqy8HJPqJNgA3-Lnj4inVX8On7Jf4hTfunzzL3rDWhtuhLadqhXuUSAJrJwYoAfi1pdak6kqBt3JitGVYBgvhPbQe4Ly9QRlBiU1Hcjz8II/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+885.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068229521409724658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1ZYo_HZHUC7C-8dBo9f3yFmNj480EqWkHqy8HJPqJNgA3-Lnj4inVX8On7Jf4hTfunzzL3rDWhtuhLadqhXuUSAJrJwYoAfi1pdak6kqBt3JitGVYBgvhPbQe4Ly9QRlBiU1Hcjz8II/s400/The+Blissful+Home+885.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our <strong>Metal Jonquil Candelabra</strong> look right in all seasons.</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs67kZZWAc9DVoKO9MHCaa8oHqM-YOzewziXPO1pE8gBbpTeQonqQJbgxzNzdVjmfMRvAYhbDjEcnBmuww5BNDyfVe9TawxNS7HO_XjWswz9NCqh9pQ9_BdcF9nudomiEJOwWFciR0Seg/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+888.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068229534294626562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs67kZZWAc9DVoKO9MHCaa8oHqM-YOzewziXPO1pE8gBbpTeQonqQJbgxzNzdVjmfMRvAYhbDjEcnBmuww5BNDyfVe9TawxNS7HO_XjWswz9NCqh9pQ9_BdcF9nudomiEJOwWFciR0Seg/s400/The+Blissful+Home+888.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Studied <em>Bohemien:</em> our vintage and sea-inspired collection of <strong>jewelry</strong> by <a href="http://theseflowersthismoon.com">These Flowers, This Moon </a>meets our Wilde's Seaside Holiday <strong>picnicware collection</strong>. They love each other! Go figure.</span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMaKaDOStRQFwH9PD_sfyqjplHqS3PI9yemSUxHVPAuXiGEELlWncBvxN_X9Jgtyss19iOmWEjjLOPfCr0HeFtIO4IChHbT6B1BsmtS0LJgngzD-In2jO8ZR2k8_imqXYC0bCYamvxxA/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+889.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068229542884561170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMaKaDOStRQFwH9PD_sfyqjplHqS3PI9yemSUxHVPAuXiGEELlWncBvxN_X9Jgtyss19iOmWEjjLOPfCr0HeFtIO4IChHbT6B1BsmtS0LJgngzD-In2jO8ZR2k8_imqXYC0bCYamvxxA/s400/The+Blissful+Home+889.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Awash in a delicate baby pink, our <strong>Bistro au Petit Tonneau tableware</strong> collection is the stuff<em> </em>of our Parisian fantasies. (And we have lots of them.)</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb8FF0owieYT7PIV_FqbKs9yMqAzPqGQlXqSWjlCEx_keNzR2Hugx8sv7D7H1CkH5THdbN8BDI0mOxnxHJnRY4nOfICv5oeS9oE9sVvLA9FgksReILyY001cNvqU-Lvu95z2UVx-Kvu0/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+890.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068228658121298050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb8FF0owieYT7PIV_FqbKs9yMqAzPqGQlXqSWjlCEx_keNzR2Hugx8sv7D7H1CkH5THdbN8BDI0mOxnxHJnRY4nOfICv5oeS9oE9sVvLA9FgksReILyY001cNvqU-Lvu95z2UVx-Kvu0/s400/The+Blissful+Home+890.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Our <strong>wire scrollwork birdcages</strong> are a hot sale item. 'Tis the season.</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GOYyeL2HnXW4hTglv9CpDJ6_n9kSLyT6Qb7AirSDVcN7bgqFpnuBvTshS3yZkv6UqKVYG8Mo3C-9YfJkSjwFapJDSPHvpayW_0emY-3ztvLFDPNadsl5qn53uI3IkZ0c3rhr1YPlFpI/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+892.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068228671006199954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GOYyeL2HnXW4hTglv9CpDJ6_n9kSLyT6Qb7AirSDVcN7bgqFpnuBvTshS3yZkv6UqKVYG8Mo3C-9YfJkSjwFapJDSPHvpayW_0emY-3ztvLFDPNadsl5qn53uI3IkZ0c3rhr1YPlFpI/s400/The+Blissful+Home+892.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">To serve appetizers on, or to hang on the wall as art, or to use as a message board with pushpins...this is the question. So many uses, so much character, such a great price. We can't stop selling these <strong>Parisian Breadboards!</strong></span></p><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKlWjI42Mzfza8qF4RSFhor0yZXCSwWHkuCl-23aUEIqvaS0cT2mPaPH9JNIsrEqwTnoOZ3n_PsElWQAQt70UMzdEZy_jMSC7JkirRW0MeptnL-jz1bVOeWDP-1mybNHILZZdIyCyyM4/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+861.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068228683891101858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKlWjI42Mzfza8qF4RSFhor0yZXCSwWHkuCl-23aUEIqvaS0cT2mPaPH9JNIsrEqwTnoOZ3n_PsElWQAQt70UMzdEZy_jMSC7JkirRW0MeptnL-jz1bVOeWDP-1mybNHILZZdIyCyyM4/s400/The+Blissful+Home+861.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A shade off of robin's egg blue, a shade off of turquoise, our <strong>Chez Germain collection</strong> of dessert plates, latte bowls, and glasses looks fresh, fresh, fresh. </span><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghELHwy96Az42ShNO_clXkzSBd7m9vHr8ssl7Yigdb1LNJWKSTjjJ6YVRPzC-5tikaQ4ubzOXOYw8Fkf2hfIuID5FJjNdkqH8I7Hml_d-YZtMPcyG1lJU46WkfJKLY4yTME2zJ6sRbmIk/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+819.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068228692481036466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghELHwy96Az42ShNO_clXkzSBd7m9vHr8ssl7Yigdb1LNJWKSTjjJ6YVRPzC-5tikaQ4ubzOXOYw8Fkf2hfIuID5FJjNdkqH8I7Hml_d-YZtMPcyG1lJU46WkfJKLY4yTME2zJ6sRbmIk/s400/The+Blissful+Home+819.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A <strong>vintage shopping cart</strong> and <strong>antique seltzer bottles</strong> from South America add layers of character and charm.</span><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rXNQY94S4CfqM9bOMJhRDwUF1qwdlZDTxVCS8hAOgE4KD_O2iUrCKun3DL5YWCwGWEwg4Ps_F-stXpv09AD51D2imx6rFqwNrmiZm9vM2FCx1rIQml7TFgL7sc2x1IoVAEBfwGt69j8/s1600-h/The+Blissful+Home+707.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068228705365938370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rXNQY94S4CfqM9bOMJhRDwUF1qwdlZDTxVCS8hAOgE4KD_O2iUrCKun3DL5YWCwGWEwg4Ps_F-stXpv09AD51D2imx6rFqwNrmiZm9vM2FCx1rIQml7TFgL7sc2x1IoVAEBfwGt69j8/s400/The+Blissful+Home+707.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our little red <strong>Chez Pastis bistro</strong> display. From shiny little Harem glasses to the perfect red-and-white water pitcher to a fabulously fun serving tray, let our fantasy inspire your own!</span> </p><p align="left">A note to all of you reading out there: we are still in the process of creating our <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">website</span></strong> (with e-commerce!). It's a long time coming but hopefully it will be worth it! We are taking the process slowly to make sure we truly <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">love</span></strong> what's being developed. We want our online presence to reflect our store as much as possible and give our shoppers an experience similar to the one they would have in the shop. Meanwhile, if you ever see anything in a photo on this blog that looks interesting, please send me a private e-mail at <a href="mailto:theblissfulhome@yahoo.com">theblissfulhome@yahoo.com</a> or call the shop at 330-492-2500 and we can discuss pricing and shipping. We ship UPS Ground to anywhere in the continental U.S.</p><p align="left">Thanks for reading and if you're in our area, we invite you to come in and spend part of your Memorial Day weekend with us at <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Blissful!</strong><br /></span></p>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982302964643935842.post-70087382209814880082007-05-21T10:30:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:04:54.362-05:00What Brand Are You?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33bVj9yE13vy-ngoTGULvVIbKj0e8aUAwWPoPG3N0O9qz2w2URxd2t_KezmtX9FjTuFXYG7Lvobqk1snSTILfvE7OCZWkznvSRNROqqsGkP4PdHgD59rNusbH1tlRpvrxqhvst_RuOWM/s1600-h/Domino+I.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067023168175493218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33bVj9yE13vy-ngoTGULvVIbKj0e8aUAwWPoPG3N0O9qz2w2URxd2t_KezmtX9FjTuFXYG7Lvobqk1snSTILfvE7OCZWkznvSRNROqqsGkP4PdHgD59rNusbH1tlRpvrxqhvst_RuOWM/s400/Domino+I.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WuKux7umZvgbTrWj2t2JQcA8IrZ9oApkO2UIlY1AltdDknEaS8OiegFM_nYeSE55XK9QqpXOtzFK7FeYcn8KqfFDj_ws2shpTY4SsnWJazD39yR4GVgjD0ekr081JR1YOPJJ6Q6u0kI/s1600-h/Domino+II.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067023189650329714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WuKux7umZvgbTrWj2t2JQcA8IrZ9oApkO2UIlY1AltdDknEaS8OiegFM_nYeSE55XK9QqpXOtzFK7FeYcn8KqfFDj_ws2shpTY4SsnWJazD39yR4GVgjD0ekr081JR1YOPJJ6Q6u0kI/s400/Domino+II.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I love magazines, don’t you? <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Yum.<br /></span></strong><br />Yesterday, I was hot-diggity-dog pleased to find an interesting article on a topic I love to think about and play with: <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">the art of branding</span></strong>. As a boutique owner, defining a brand identity for one’s store is a critical piece in winning customers and making sales. In my mind, it’s the cornerstone of <em>everything</em>. This article, featured in the May issue of <em><a href="http://dominomag.com">Domino</a></em> magazine, explores the idea of personal or self-branding--being able to distill the essence of one’s own personal tastes, credo, or philosophy of life and style into <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">two words</span></strong>. (You can double click the photos above to read the article yourself.) The writer describes her experience of a phone consultation with Carrie and Danielle of <a href="http://carrieanddanielle.com">carrieanddanielle.com</a>, who provide the service of self-branding through asking their customers a series of imaginative questions designed to elicit information about their deepest desires, inspirations, and in fact, identity. I don’t know about you, but this process sounds <em>very</em> cool to me. If only I had a spare $500 sitting around, I might consider contacting Carrie and Danielle myself. In lieu of that, I thought we could try a stab at it here ourselves.<br /><br />At <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Blissful</span></strong>, we carry a line of candles called Capri Blue (for those of you who have been in, they’re the ones in the big fat cobalt blue jars). The best-selling scent, for us, is Boho-Luxe. When I first decided to carry this line, I had pangs of longing over the name of that candle. For me, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Boho-Luxe</span></strong> perfectly describes my own personal style. So that's it for me: Boho-Luxe is my two-word style statement! I’m a little bit Bohemian (naturally curly hair worn long and ‘unstyled,’ natural makeup, jeans almost always), but always with a Luxe edge (unusual jewelry, rich beading, patent leather stilettos the color of cola with grenadine—okay, you won’t find me wearing these often, especially not in my shop where I'm on my feet for ten hours a day). Boho-Luxe translates into my home decorating choices, too. Now, while I’m establishing and funneling all my resources into my business, feathering my nest is—shall we say—on hold. But in my previous apartment, my furnishings reflected a Boho-Luxe aesthetic—bone-colored walls, a sofa and oversized chair slipcovered with a merlot-colored tapestry, Indian-inspired throw pillows, a sisal rug, fat candles in sherbet-y colors on grand candelabra. People would tell me it was feminine but not girly, artsy yet ultimately comfortable. Boho-Luxe!<br /><br />The article explains that your two-word style philosophy should guide you in an <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">80/20 ratio</span></strong>—the first word should dominate 80% of the time, while the second word provides the unexpected accent or finishing detail. Pump the 20% up a bit too much and you've crossed over into overdone or something totally different. In my case, though, the ratio flip flops depending on my mood or the occasion. Decorating my patio? Boho dominates. Dressing for a wedding? Luxe wins out.<br /><br />Now it’s your turn. Leave a comment sharing your two-word self-branding statement, and give us an example of what your style ‘looks’ like. Have fun!</div>Abby Kerr Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952001814817975831noreply@blogger.com6