give a gift blog feature

Thanks gift gurus for featuring our smooch salt & pepper shakers.

We just got another big order of these cuties in so be on the look-out for more of these animals in love online & at the stores soon!

5 good things about your day

I came across this free PFD print-out from the Whisker Graphics Blog and thought it was so so sweet.  It's the perfect little booklet to help remind me to be thankful for all the good things that happen every day…. like lunch with my honey every afternoon, curling up on the couch with a good magazine on a rainy morning, walking my dog, watching fireflies dance in my backyard and discovering new music on itunes.

The artist behind this booklet also has a great Etsy store where you can download her graphics and print your own stationery, stickers and more.

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summer spa giveaway

To celebrate our new partnership with the Hydra Soap Company, we're giving away a load of luxurious spa products including… 4 aromatherapy shower steamers, 4 fantasy chill pill bath fizzies, 4 bath tub teas and 4 natural aromatherapy shower steamers. ($71.20 VALUE!)

So how can you get these fabulous spa goodies for free?

There are 3 ways to enter – you can do 1,2 or all 3 to better your chances.

1. Comment at the bottom of this post and tell us one of your favorite pampering activities.  (no registration or sign-up required)

2. Spread the word about our giveaway on your Facebook page by clicking the Share on Facebook link below then send us a message via Facebook saying that you did. *

3. Post our Summer Spa giveaway on your blog (Feel free to copy our photo & info) Then
leave a comment on this blog post so we know that you did. *

* just let your friends & followers know if they happen to win, you get some of the goodies too :-)

We'll draw the lucky firefly fan's name on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 and post it on the blog.

Have fun, good luck and thanks for playing!

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amy smyth made it

Meet Amy Smyth.  She is the cheeky gal behind our latest of birthday cards we put on display. When Amy decided to start a greeting card business based on her illustrations it was only natural that the products were going to have attitude.  She is from Jersey; her family lives in Philly and her husband is from Brooklyn.

Amy has had a love of paper, color and design as long as anyone can remember.  As the story goes when she was in her playpen she would be entertained for hours by looking through catalogs and feeling the paper.  Yes, you read that correctly – feeling the paper.

vintage.  happy birthday

I am going to follow you around and take pictures of you without make-up.

and, luckily, it can be dyed.

If these make you smile, click HERE to see more savvy styles.

These hip birthday cards are available at our Berkley & Rochester locations.
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world’s longest yard sale this weekend!

Got this weekend free?  Like treasure hunting?  You might want to think about heading south on highway 127 for over 600 miles of yard sales!  I heard about this unique event from one of our firefly fans who's going for the first time with one of her girlfriends.  I can't wait to hear some stories about her wild adventure. 

I have to admit, I'm intrigued by the whole concept.  I think meeting the people behind this event would be as entertaining as hunting for odd ball treasures.  If anyone has been or plans on going, please share your fantastic finds and crazy stories with us!

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a shoe lovers dream way to get clean

Speaking of staying cool…

Try taking a dip in one of these over-the-top shoe bath tubs!  Just when you think you've seen it all.

Thanks Amy for sending over this artistic link… way way fabulous:)

catching fireflies may be a gift shop, but I still love to talk about shoes.  What… you too?  Then by all means, stay in the loop by signing up to receive these blog posts in your email inbox.

5 ways to stay cool this weekend

It's officially August this Saturday. If you're looking for ways to beat the heat, be sure check out some of our snazzy solutions… 1. Zoo Pops $16.95  2. Cool Shooters $14.95  3. Rocket Pops $13.95  4. Ice Kabobs $8.95  5. Motorized Ice Cream Cone $10.95

Wishing you lots of sweet slurps and very little brain freeze!

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‘say it with letters’ design project

One of our firefly fans was kind enough to invite me to participate in a design project involving shapes & letters she sells on her etsy site.  So about a month or two ago, this snazzy shape arrived in my mailbox…

I have to say, sea shells are not my forte… so I decided to turn it upside down and then envisioned a splashy party dress.

And with some bright handmade papers mixed with colorful ribbon, pom poms & berry beads – ta dah! 

Turns out my friend Michelle Allen also participated in the sea shell shape challenge and she saw it as a stunning peacock.  Isn't it fabulous?   She is so so talented!

That's the cool thing about looking at things in a different light – it always makes life more interesting.

Thanks Deb for including me in this design project.

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secrets of a happy marriage

Steve & I attended a lovely wedding over the weekend and one of the reception activities was to write something special for the bride & groom, then seal it in an envelope noting what anniversary year they should open it. 

We've only been married just over 10 years, but here are a few secrets that we think help make a happy marriage (with a little visual aide from these fun YouTube wedding videos)

Make the ordinary— extraordinary with a surprise or two now and then

Learn something new together (and don't ever put Baby in a corner)

Have fun with things and don't take each other too seriously

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jim gaffigan is coming to town

Steve & I stumbled upon Mr. Gaffigan while channel surfing earlier this year and caught a glimpse of his show, King Baby on Comedy Central.  I'm not one to laugh out loud at t.v. shows, but Jim managed to get me giggling pretty good.  So when we saw he was swinging by our way this summer we snagged a few tickets and can't wait to see his act in person at Meadowbrook next Friday.

I'm not the biggest fan of camping, so his take on this classic summer vacation activity makes me smile. There are loads of snippets on YouTube… some of my other favorites include Bacon, Escalators, Bologna and bowling.

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