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!!

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!

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!

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

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!

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!!!

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!!

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!!