Through the end of this month, I am happy to be offering several wonderful gifts with purchase from Juliska, Simon Pearce, Andrew Pearce, and Mariposa. See the details below:

Juliska
$150 Juliska purchase, receive a Berry & Thread Utensil Crock ($55 value)
$250 Juliska purchase, receive a Berry & Thread Appetizer Platter ($95 value)

Simon Pearce
$125 Simon Pearce purchase, receive a glass Star Dish ($35 value)

Andrew Pearce
$150 Andrew Pearce purchase, receive a Live Edge Cherry 7" Bowl ($37.50 value)

Mariposa
$100 Mariposa purchase, receive a Beaded Round Frame ($36 value)

Now through April 30, 2019, while supplies last.

The mouth-blown creations of Simon Pearce are stand-outs in and of themselves, but now through April 29th you can make these pieces even more special with complimentary engraving done by Master Engraver, Mary Trefney. 

Mary will engrave 2-3 words for free on any piece of Simon Pearce glass valued at $50 or more and have it to you by May 10...just in time for Mother's Day and graduation.  

Come into the shop this week and see Mary's handiwork firsthand and pick the perfect gift for that special someone.

The 5 Keys to Al Fresco Entertaining

1. Beasts of Burden—I don’t expect you to line up a mule pack, but you will certainly need good trays to carry all those goodies out to the patio. Try Juliska’s Berry & Thread Melamine 24”  Tray.

2. Inside Out—Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you can’t use indoor things...think draped & layered tables, dining room chairs and cloth napkins.  Build around Juliska’s Basque Stripe napkin.

3. Pest Control—Nobody likes DEET in their pasta salad. Look for natural alternatives like candles and organic sprays to deter any unwanted guests. Try using baking cups as drink covers.

4. Be Practical—Nope, that brick patio is not as forgiving as your dining room floor, so opt out on the fine china and set the table with worry-free dishware instead.  Try Juliska’s Isabella Acrylic Drinkware and Melamine Tableware.

5. Hold the Mayo—Trust me, nobody wants potato salad that’s been sitting in the sun for an hour. Instead, focus on less spoil-prone foods and put everyone’s fears to rest. Try oil-based pasta salads instead of mayo.

Don't have your very own bar set-up at home?  I've got you covered.  Start with these six bottles, add in a few mixers and liqueurs and you're ready to mix at least 20 different drinks.  Add some key hardware and glassware and the world is your oyster.

The liquor recommendations below are basic in their class that play well in mixed drinks.

Liquid Assets-6 Basic Bottles

1. Vodka—A pretty neutral spirit distilled from just about anything, including  potatoes, beets, and grapes. Recommendation: Reyka
2. Gin—Never described as neutral, you know exactly where Gin stands, distilled from juniper berries it is a strong aromatic. Recommendation: Beefeater
3. Bourbon Whiskey—This one is American through and through, distilled from corn, most Bourbons come from Kentucky. Recommendation: Old Forester
4. Scotch Whiskey—To be called Scotch, it must hail from the land of Braveheart. Distilled from malted barley, many Scotches have a smoky taste. Mixing recommendation: Famous Grouse
5. Rum—Distilled from sugarcane, Rum is the base for many a tropical drink and most comfortable when shaded by a tiny umbrella. Recommendation: Plantation, 3-year
6. Tequila—Made from the Blue Agave plant, this spirit can make you do very embarrassing things. Recommendation: Olmeca Altos Plata

 Plus a Few Add-On’s

· Cognac
· Dry Vermouth              
· Sweet Vermouth
· Bitters
· Campari
· Cointreau
· Soda Water
· Tonic Water
· Clamato Juice
· Ginger Beer
· Soft Drinks
· Citrus/Juices
 
Yields These Dividends

· Bloody Mary
· Boulevardier
· Cosmopolitan
· Daiquiri
· Gin & Tonic
· Jungle Bird
· Lemon Drop
· Manhattan
· Margarita            
· Martini
· Mint Julep
· Moscow Mule
· Negroni
· Old Fashioned
· Sidecar
· Tequila & Tonic
· Tom Collins
· Vodka & Soda
· Whiskey Soda
· Whiskey Sour
 

​A Few More Details

Feel free to arrive at 10:00 and enjoy some delicious brunch bites & sips before settling in for Barb's presentation.

Please also bring one of your own plates you'd like to update. There will be tables set up after Barb's presentation for you to practice your own mixing and matching. Barb and I will be available to consult until 3:00.

We'll also kick off our Gift with Purchase Event that day with specials from Juliska, and a special Virtual Engraving Event with Simon Pearce that you will not want to miss out on.

Many years ago, I received a Sid Dickens Memory Block as a birthday gift from dear friends (Thank you, Schrinsky's).  Not long after I received another as a gift and it really got me thinking about how special these 6" x 8" blocks of plaster are.

For 25 years now, Sid Dickens, an artist out of Vancouver, BC, has created these beautiful pieces of art and has combined them with a perfect verse to make the artwork come to life. The result is one of the best gifts you can give yourself or anyone else on your list.

My collection has grown to about 13 blocks at this point...each one of them speaks to who I am and to the kind of person I want to be.  I see them each morning as I get ready and I see them every evening as I retire. They are the perfect motivation and reminder of all I am and all I can do.

The photos above are 8 of Sid's newest introduction from January.  Do yourself a favor and stop by the shop to learn more about Sid's work!  I'd love to show you around.

I know what you're thinking...there's really a day for that?  Well, yes!  And for someone who loves office supplies as much as I do, I love the idea of taking an entire day to celebrate the humble pencil!

Today's the perfect day to start that journal, open the sketchbook, or just send a little love note to someone special in your life.

If you're looking to up your pencil game, come check out this awesome set by DesignWorks...you'll love their journals as well!

​

Here's the third in a series of videos I've put together to get to the heart of what Home at Last is all about.  I hope you enjoy.

This is the current heart of my home.  With the cold winter days dragging on, I love to start and end my days in this spot in my living room with the fireplace roaring.  In the evenings, it is designated a "No Technology Zone" as Steve and I sip cocktails, discuss our days, and recharge our batteries.

I'd love to know where the heart of your home is...send me an email with a picture attached.