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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
THINK OUTSIDE THE CARDBOARD PIZZA BOX
I'm going to make a call out to all parents to think outside the cardboard pizza box. When it comes time to plan your child's next birthday party don't just make a call to the local bounce-a-teria, vinyl foam block gym, or pizza place with characters and games. Let's take it back to when we were kids and your friends came to your house for your birthday party. Remember all the kids gathered around the picnic table? Well, I do, probably because I grew up in California and my birthday is on the Fourth of July.
We did a Little Chef's Party recently for my daughter's fifth birthday, the kids and parents all had a wonderful time. We met parents that we really liked and had never really met in passing at school. If I was following a five year old around putting tokens in games I never would have been able to meet and talk to these people.
The home furnishings business has been booming over the last decade and I've often wondered why people spend all this time shopping, looking at the internet & decor magazines, doing the weekend warrior thing at the local Home Depot, then they don't entertain in their homes? I'm perplexed. I just want to let everyone know, it does not have to perfect. And it doesn't have to be just for fancy holiday dinner parties either. Kids parties are just as (sometimes more) fun as adult parties. Use smaller gatherings in your home as a goal towards redoing certain areas, finishing up projects, or just cleaning the house and getting organized.
The other trend lately is saving money, doing a home party is really inexpensive. You may have to tap into your creative resources (or a friends), which is better than your wallet. This is where you will need to think outside the box, ask your child what type of party they would like then go from there. We came up with the Little Chef's because my daughter had received a Fairy Cookbook from Grandma for Christmas. We spent weeks going over which recipes we would be making and what color her My Little Pony cake would be, the final choice was vanilla cake with pink icing and purple writing.
My younger daughter Gianna's birthday is December 15th, so for her we started the annual "Trim the Tree and Celebrate Little G" party. We've only had two so far, but its a hit. We invite over our friends and their kids (our family does not live near us) for a tree trimming party and casual dinner. Dinner consists of a variety of casseroles and lots of yummy baked goods since we are in the holiday season. You can bake the casseroles the day before, there are also tons of take and bake options these days (another trend). Neither of these parties cost more than a party at the previously mentioned places. Cookie Magazine's website has a great list of party ideas, as well as the recipes.
And I'll save you even a little more, don't do goodie bags! Please! Tiny little toys are being scattered around parents cars every Saturday and Sunday afternoon throughout the country. The Playdooh and stickers are the worst offenders. If you must do a parting gift, a friend of mine did a mix CD of all her child's favorite songs (which were also a lot of my daughter's favorites too) or coloring pages that you can print off the internet (Nick Jr. & Noggin) tie up with some ribbon and a new box of crayons which are always appreciated. Or just give them a great time to remember.
A home is a much better place to talk and meet the children and their parents that your child will most likely be spending a lot of time with over the years. Invite them in & get to know them! You can't get to know someone in a loud, smelly, visually unappealing place, remember the bars in college?
We did a Little Chef's Party recently for my daughter's fifth birthday, the kids and parents all had a wonderful time. We met parents that we really liked and had never really met in passing at school. If I was following a five year old around putting tokens in games I never would have been able to meet and talk to these people.
The home furnishings business has been booming over the last decade and I've often wondered why people spend all this time shopping, looking at the internet & decor magazines, doing the weekend warrior thing at the local Home Depot, then they don't entertain in their homes? I'm perplexed. I just want to let everyone know, it does not have to perfect. And it doesn't have to be just for fancy holiday dinner parties either. Kids parties are just as (sometimes more) fun as adult parties. Use smaller gatherings in your home as a goal towards redoing certain areas, finishing up projects, or just cleaning the house and getting organized.
The other trend lately is saving money, doing a home party is really inexpensive. You may have to tap into your creative resources (or a friends), which is better than your wallet. This is where you will need to think outside the box, ask your child what type of party they would like then go from there. We came up with the Little Chef's because my daughter had received a Fairy Cookbook from Grandma for Christmas. We spent weeks going over which recipes we would be making and what color her My Little Pony cake would be, the final choice was vanilla cake with pink icing and purple writing.
My younger daughter Gianna's birthday is December 15th, so for her we started the annual "Trim the Tree and Celebrate Little G" party. We've only had two so far, but its a hit. We invite over our friends and their kids (our family does not live near us) for a tree trimming party and casual dinner. Dinner consists of a variety of casseroles and lots of yummy baked goods since we are in the holiday season. You can bake the casseroles the day before, there are also tons of take and bake options these days (another trend). Neither of these parties cost more than a party at the previously mentioned places. Cookie Magazine's website has a great list of party ideas, as well as the recipes.
And I'll save you even a little more, don't do goodie bags! Please! Tiny little toys are being scattered around parents cars every Saturday and Sunday afternoon throughout the country. The Playdooh and stickers are the worst offenders. If you must do a parting gift, a friend of mine did a mix CD of all her child's favorite songs (which were also a lot of my daughter's favorites too) or coloring pages that you can print off the internet (Nick Jr. & Noggin) tie up with some ribbon and a new box of crayons which are always appreciated. Or just give them a great time to remember.
A home is a much better place to talk and meet the children and their parents that your child will most likely be spending a lot of time with over the years. Invite them in & get to know them! You can't get to know someone in a loud, smelly, visually unappealing place, remember the bars in college?
Friday, May 1, 2009
THE 3/50 PROJECT
If you think there is nothing you can do to help the economy, think again, and think locally. Read about The 3/50 Project and please forward this on to your three favorites local business owners so they may get involved. We are fortunate here in Charleston to have so many great small businesses and if we want to continue we must all get out there and support them. Make that extra trip to the great local toy store (Hollipops) to pick up a party gift instead of just grabbing something while at a large chain store. And before buying wine for your next party at a warehouse store talk to your local wine shop (Avondale Wine & Cheese), tell her your price range and what you're looking for and it will be a much more pleasant shopping experience.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
WE'VE MOVED
We have moved our retail location.
Our new address is:
280 West Coleman Blvd. Suite L-2
Near Copper Penny & Southernbelles
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Please stop by and see the new digs!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
NEW AT THE SITTING ROOM
We have just put the Henry Headboard on the floor, Gianna has been with us since we opened. The Henry comes in all sizes, including twin. It is a headboard only that easily mounts to a metal frame. There are numerous fabric choices and you can do the welt and/or buttons in a contrasting fabric. The price point is excellent, the starting price (as shown) is $595 for a queen size. Please call or email for additional photos, dimensions, swatches, or if you would like to babysit.
By the way, the fabric shown is micro fiber velvet that is super soft AND stain resistant.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
MOM'S IN BUSINESS
I am currently in the 2009 Leading Mom's in Business Competition. If anyone would like to get out their and vote for me, it would be very much appreciated. Please click on the link above to vote, you can vote everyday up through March 31st.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
INTRODUCING....
The Lady Litton Lounge. This is the first of many pieces to come in The Sitting Room's new Fabulous Finds Collection. She came to Charleston from France in the 1950's (possibly looking for Rhett Butler). She has a gorgeous silver crackled finish, we gave her new glamourous seat cushions and added the beveled mirror on the table top.
Her stats are:
Length: 81"
Depth: 19"
Table Height: 16-1/2"
Seat Height: 18"
$1,900
Please call or email with inquiries, we would be happy to get you a shipping quote if you don't live locally. She's been in Charleston for a while and would be very interested in being carried off to another part of the country, or even the world.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
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