tidings

happy valium-tines day!

2009-02-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

Just to remind you to remember the sweethearts in your life!!

We've got adorable sterling silver and japanese paper mini heart necklaces, our famous mini mercury glass ornaments now in pink or red hearts...just $1.75 each...get the heck out of here!!

Yummy popcorn...deelish candles...heart shaped tea boxes....CYOOT!!!

Check out this link on how to make your OWN conversation hearts!!!

2008-11-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

Most of the time, I find the word "gourmet" a little off putting. It has come to represent, for me anyway, mostly over priced and/or overrated. Not this time! 479 Popcorn does not disappoint. It is a brand of organic popcorn made in super small batches in San Francisco in eight amazing flavors including Vietnamese Cinnamon Sugar and Ginger Sesame Caramel...from sweet to savory to spicy! DEELISHUS! Perfect to "pop" into a holiday gift basket, stocking, or, ya' know...yer mouth!

You must try the Fleur de Sel Caramel...amazing caramel corn...if I haven't eaten it all before you get here!!

GREETINGS!!

2008-10-19T12:42:00.001-07:00

I don't know about you, but I'm a greeting card addict. I've worked for shops that have carried paper lines in one form or another for about, oh...twenty five years!! There should be a twelve step program for people like me. I've been visiting this line at the shows for a few years now and finally decided to get back into paper at the shop.

You really must come and see these in person.

The artwork is an amazing combination of collage and a little bit if glitter. Not overly sentimental but somehow, they say just the right thing. We will have some holiday cards,journals, notepads, folders etc. Most of the designs are available as giclee prints...subtle glitter included!

If you hurry in, you can even pick from a few Halloween designs!

A little daub'll do ya!

2008-09-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

We've discussed our never ending love of Mrs Meyer's before and we are devotees. Here's a new brand we've had in the shop for a bit.

The package design is amazing and has been featured on many design blogs. Each product comes in 3 limited edition designs per colorway .

Though you may want to keep the bottles, rest assured they are 100% recyclable!!

Ingredients? Oh...let's see...aloe vera, grapeseed oil, vitamin e, shea butter, avocado butter, magic, sunshine...(okay just kiddin about the last two)

Ready for the fragrances? Are ya' sittin' down?

Tarocco Orange and Clove, Mission Fig and Thyme, Sorrento Lemon and Ginger

coming soon: Arriba Cacao and Spice...roasted cacao beans,a hint of curry, cardamom and chili pepper. DELISH!!!

We currently stock the handwash and hand lotion but may venture into dish soap and surface cleanser soon enough.

BTW... i LOVE the handwash! Light fragrance, and doesn't dry your hands out like that orange antibacterial soap. A bonus for all us compulsive handwashers out there!

POW!

2008-09-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...it's been a while! Sorry about that. I wish I could say I've been on vacation in the tropics or something but...

I hadn't been feeling very inspired and then I went to the New York Gift Show and...BAMMMM!!! My wheels started a-spinnin'!! Wahoooo! All kinds of goodies. I have decided to take a different tack this year, especially for the holidays. I am choosing our merchandise even more selectively, always keeping in mind our want for quality at a good price.

It ain't a value if it falls apart in a month!

We've got a lot of interesting things coming in. We're expanding on some of our better lines, bringing in more variety of what we know you like and even jumping head first into some new categories. Be on the lookout for a FABULOUS body care line....AMAAAAAZING!!! and yummy!

Stop in often to see what's new. It'll be rolling in soon! Just like the pumpkins!! YAY!!!

BIGGIE SMALLS

2008-05-30T15:34:00.001-07:00

Our favorite bootysuits, some might call them onesies.

I love a company with a sense of humor and these are chock full!

Quips from songs, movie quotes..this is funny stuff!

Go ahead, read, chuckle...I can appreciate!

They are available in four sizes and a whole laundry list of sayings, around $25.

KAH-YOOT!

I'm particularly fond of "my Dad's a geek", that one's been a hit at every shower!

BYE LOCAL!

2008-03-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

If I may, for a moment, get on my soapbox. Eh-hem.
The current economy is a little bit scary! (hello Captain Understatement!)It's seeping into everything. Higher gas prices, the credit crunch, the mortgage situation...
everyone is affected somehow. Even if you can afford your oranges, they still cost more than normal!!
I am hoping that you will consider this: when possible, try to buy local!
Not everything is available local, obviously. But, try to think local when you can.
By local, I mean small, independent businesses that don't have a headquarters somewhere else.
Coca Cola is part of one area "BUY LOCAL" campaign....ummmm, yeah.
I am not self righteous. I travel to NJ four days a week for work, shop at Target, recycle most of the time. I try to do what I can. I can CERTAINLY be doing more. I'm going to try to remember the local hardware store when I need something rather than going to the big orange box, I'm going to try to get to the local farmers market for real, beautiful locally grown fruits and veggies. I've a lot to learn.

When we support local businesses, more monies stay in our area.
Hopefully, you'll might think of your local businesses, of all types, when you get your "Economic Stimulus" check.
BUY LOCAL OR BYE BYE LOCAL

Some items of interest:
this article about my neighboring merchants
and this organization, you might see some faces you already know!
http://www.sbnlv.org/

TAG...YOU'RE IT!!!

2008-03-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

Sooooo....lemme know when the sun is planning on coming out wouldja? I am patiently waiting for the warmer weather, sunshine, fresh air and colors of spring.

An easy (read: inexpensive!!) way to bring beautiful color into your home is with new dishes.

We carry this wonderful, utilitarian, durable dishware from TAG.

There are five pieces available (mug, dinner plate, salad plate, rimmed/pasta bowl and cereal bowl)

in at least a dozen colors (3 more coming soon)

prices ranging from $5 to $7 a piece.

That's only $30 for a full place setting.

We have found that the best way to do it is choose two or three colors, get a few table settings in each and mix and match. Lovely!

GRRRRRRREAT!!

2008-03-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS: Comfort & Joy is looking for a few good crafters...make that GREAT crafters. (why am I suddenly thinking about Frosted Flakes?)
We'd like to find some local (as in PA) artisans that would like their work represented (as in sold)
in the shop. The details are that the work has to be handmade, needs to fit in with the design aesthetic of the shop, and fit into the product categories that we currently carry. We will accept any submissions via email or feel free to call and we'll take a look. We have to be sure that the work is right for our shop!! Work that is accepted will be handled on a consignment basis, at least in the beginning. We hope to develop this into a big part of our store. Holiday goods, baby, textiles, furniture, jewelry, whatever....

Here's the contact info:
smoxee@msn.com
610.867.9916 we're closed mondays. please call to set up a visit...cold calls make us grumpy!
okay so maybe it's not just cold calls but you know what I mean!!

You Blockhead!!

2007-12-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

Okay okay...it's not nice to call someone a blockhead. I like to think of it as a term of endearment for people who love quilts!! (get it quilt, blocks....ahhhh nevermind!!)

Anyway, one of the mainstays here at the shop are these wonderful quilts designed by Denyse Schmidt. She is a graphic artist who loves to sew; as evidenced by her design aesthetic.

We love her contemporary take on the traditional handcraft, the fact that she works with an ethical, woman-owned manufacturing company, that she works for historic preservation in her home town, and that she drinks bourbon and is a former ballerina who will put her cigarette out on the bottom of her boot!!!

Have you seen these quilts elsewhere? Maybe.

What you may not know is that Comfort & Joy is the ONLY store in PA and one of very few in the entire country that have Denyse's WORKS line of quilts also.

You definitely won't find those anywhere else. And when they're gone...they're gone!!!

Come and take a look! Blockhead!!

Photographic memories

2007-11-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how many people there are like me out there. I don't remember much about my childhood. I have memories but not details like special birthday parties or family vacations. The events happened in my life, I just don't remember being there!! I do, however, remember special toys, cartoons, games, my favorite red white and blue jeans or my bike. Which is why I LOVE this jewelry!! The pieces are all designed by a woman named Ruth. She actually owns or owned everything that she has photographed and then turns those photos into jewelry. They are available on resin, glass or sterling silver, as bracelets, necklaces and earrings. The images can also be created as small wall pieces. Images include vintage halloween and christmas decor, plastic circus animals, Fisher Price people, dolls, doll clothes, toy furniture, sewing tools, on and on and on.

I think she's been inside my brain!! Maybe THAT'S why i've been having such trouble using it!!

Stop in the shop to see a small sampling. We can special order but hurry if you'd like something for the holidays!

you can't catch me...

2007-11-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

Since we opened our doors almost seven years ago, we have sold Mrs. Meyers cleaning products. We love them and so do our customers. Usually, it starts with the dish soap or the laundry soap. Little by little, it creeps in and takes over all of your cleaning supplies.

Wouldn't you rather have YOUR house smell like lavender than say, chemicals??

For those of you that don't know, Mrs. Meyers products are environmentally friendly, biodegradable, cruelty free cleaning products that are available in 3 fragrances: Lavender, Lemon Verbena, and Geranium and all of them happen to work phenomenally.

What I REALLY wanted to tell you about is the release of a holiday collection... GINGERBREAD!

You don't even have to bake, just clean...wait...is that a BETTER option?

Anyway, the gingerbread fragrance is available in a cleaning kit, hand lotion and hand soap set and a soy candle.

You gotta smell it to believe it!!

Run, run as fast as you can....

By the way, it's only bad to give cleaning products as a gift if it's NOT Mrs. Meyers.

tea for two...

2007-11-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

About three or so years ago, we brought this tea into the shop because we LOVED the packaging.

Turns out, it happens to be FABULOUS tea also. Looks and substance....hmmmm.

This year, along with some beautiful gift sets, they have added two new tea collections.

Hang on to your hat Marge!

DOLCE VITA is a collection of dessert teas. Flavors like raspberry nectar, coco truffle, and vienna cinnamon fill this box. Think chocolate, fruit, and spices. YUMMY!!

Also introduced this year is the limited edition, read: get it before it's gone folks,

WINTER COLLECTION. Perfect for holiday giving in a rich red box. Warm and festive flavors fill this assortment. Favorites like black currant and brand new belgian mint.

Just the right gift for the person who has everything (or those of us who'd like too!)

This stuff is so good it even made the O LIST, but we had it first!!!

Herbal teas, exotic red and white teas, black teas, teapots and teacups. Come and check out all the offerings! Do yourself a FLAVOR!!!

mi casa es su casa

2007-09-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

LOVE IT!

These are so cute. They measure about 5 inches high and 5 inches wide. You can put a tealight underneath if you like. (we recommend one of those battery operated ones.)

The bold colors are amazing and we love the graphic quality of the designs. Some are inspired by real houses, others are drawn out of the imaginations of Felix and Olga, a husband and wife team from Russia who are both award winning ceramicists.

Each piece is handmade from beginning to end so they are never identical. Felix and Olga believe in the value of the handmade object, that it carries the spirit of the person creating it.

Come on in and see for yourself. The pictures don't do them justice!

Speaking of pictures, they also make these fabulous frames!

Nightmare on Third Street

2007-09-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

Don't tell Christmas, but Halloween is our favorite holiday and the build up is already starting!

Mark it on your calendar:

Sept 28-Sept 30

the second annual

NIGHTMARE ON THIRD STREET!

Our annual Halloween and Day of the Dead shopping event with

Home and Planet.

Our preferred customers, like you, get first dibs at the best of the best in our Halloween collection. We've become well known for our ghoulish gathering of goodies.

At Home and Planet, you'll find a fabulous array of Catrina dolls, retablos, and other traditional crafts of the Day of the Dead from South America.

Those of you that are on our mailing list will get a postcard in the mail.

If you're reading this, you're on our email list and will get an e-vite!

Bring your friends!

If you'd like more info, contact Comfort & Joy or Home and Planet.

Hello Dalai

2007-09-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

okay so here's my new favorite item.

It 's called a Buddha bowl.

Great for coffee, hot cocoa, soup, cereal, ice cream, rice, lattes...

It's available in colors like shitake, snowpea and green curry.

At only $20, my prediction is it will be one of our best sellers this season!

What makes it so special is the shape the designer has created.

You cradle it it the palm of your hand with your thumb through the handle.

Come on in a try one out. You'll feel enlightened!

Namaste

Coming soon...baby buddhas and udon noodle bowls!

hotcakes and ice cream!

2007-08-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's just me but wasn't it ike 62 degrees a couple days ago and now it's so hot you can't possibly breathe. OR if you just stand still you could sweat off a few pounds? NAH, not worth it!

It can do really bad things to a girls hair.

Here's a suggestion:

get yourself and your friends one of these bath ice creams and treat yourself to a spa at home.

Just chuck one in your tub. It fizzles, has moisturizers from mostly organic oils and smells delicious! In flavors like "Gotta Have It Pomegranate" and "Green Tea", how could you pass it up!

my dogs are barkin'

2007-08-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

So I know these posts are supposed to be about the shop and new stuff and things like that, but...I gotta tell you about this place.
I have been spent the last three days at gift shows finding new and wonderful goodies for the shop. Saturday was Market Square where we find most of our more "country" handmades, and Sunday and Monday were spent in NYC at the Mecca of all gift shows at Jacob Javits Convention Center. I'm pretty sure I walked the equivalent of a marathon.

Aaaanyway, fortunately for me, I had an excellent travelling companion. I have decided that she is now in charge of all social event coordination.
Sunday after the show we went to this groovy shop called Toy Tokyo. They specialize in imported toys and collectibles from Japan. We spent at least an hour looking at all manner of Godzillas, anime figures, old cereal character bobbleheads and even Michael Jackson dolls. That was cool.

THEN we travelled to what I might call "Heaven on Earth" It's this little tiny restaurant called S'Mac. All they make is macaroni and cheese. Oy! The food was fab, the vibe was cool and the owners were lovely. Check it out next time you visit the Big Apple. Oh, and a little tip, go for the smallest portion size and try a couple different kinds. Even the medium is large!!

hotcakes and grilled cheese

2007-08-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

this weeks best seller...hold on to your hat Marge!!

HOLY TOAST!

I'm glad to see our customers have the same sense of humor that we do! This thing cracks me up. You press it into your bread, toast it up, and VOILA! the Virgin Mary appears.

I know it ain't grilled cheese but...

soooo...what's new?

2007-08-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

okay. So we got a little box from our favorite ups guy the other day. Ho-hum. Then, I opened it! Just in time for Musikpest, we got these groovy jazz guitar ice cube tray/drink stirrer doo-hickies. They rock! and so will your Mojito when you include one of these bad boys!