Holder's stockings feature colors such as olive green, raspberry, butter yellow, baby blue and chocolate brown, along with some contemporary takes on red and green. Her architectural background comes through in her use of multi-layered felt flowers and geometric design. Each one looks as if it was "built" to be three-dimensional. At 12-inches by 8-inches, there's plenty of room for stuffing them full of goodies. Buying matching stockings for the kids? Each one comes with a tiny picture frame attached to the top. Just slip a photo in to identify it -- and prevent Christmas morning squabbles.
By Kathy Schultz | December 12, 2006
Available in 11 vibrant shapes and sizes – hearts, flowers, birds and circles, to name a few – these innovative magnetic-receptive metal pieces attach to almost any surface with their powerful adhesive-strip backing. Then, just pop on a magnet to display artwork, photos, grocery lists, etc. Our favorite placements? On bathroom walls, kitchen walls and car dashboards.
By Sarah Jio | December 11, 2006
Knitting is a trendy hobby that's on the rise, especially among 25- to 34-year-old women, according to the Craft Yarn Council of America. If you're already a fan, or just thinking about picking up your first set of needles, you'll want to check out a new book by two Seattle-based knitting gurus.
By Sarah Jio | December 8, 2006
Dishware diva and designer Rosanna Bowles is having a warehouse sale on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the shop's warehouse location. You'll find Rosanna's creative designs on everything from plates and mugs to serving pieces and teapots. These twice-a-year sales are worth the wait. The prolific designer will have discontinued pieces and seconds for less than wholesale prices.
By Kathy Schultz | December 7, 2006
The gift haven has everything from edible lavender goodies to sleep aids, bath and body products and candles. One of her top sellers is the squishable lavender stress ball ($6). "Everyone from nurses to teachers to executives loves these," says Jordan. Smush these fragrant fabric-covered balls filled with lavender to relieve tension. Also popular are eye pillows filled with lavender ($20), lavender-filled neck and shoulder bags that can be heated up in the microwave ($30), and pretty organza scarves with beaded fringe filled with just a bit of lavender hiding in the folds of the fabric ($33.95).
By Kathy Schultz | December 6, 2006
The soon-to-be 20-year-old local company has always designed technical clothing for intrepid adventurers, but now it's concentrating on design elements as well. After all, don't you want to look cute in your shirt and pants while riding that elephant?
By Kathy Schultz | December 5, 2006
Blustery rain, crowds, lines, parking headaches -- sure, there are plenty of things that make holiday shopping a real drag. But who says it can't be fun? Grab your girlfriends and head to University Village Dec. 5-7, from 5 to 7 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., for a "Holidate with the Girls," a unique event designed especially for gift givers (the female ones!).
By Sarah Jio | December 4, 2006
Calling all foodies: Join the area's hottest chefs and cookbook authors at the Palace Ballroom on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. for the "Ultimate Holiday Cookbook Social."
By Sarah Jio | December 1, 2006
The Stroms also raise baby 'roos. "We got one and it escalated from there," says Ray Strom, who slowly added to the menagerie they now have. Babies are hand-raised in playpens in the Strom's home and fed every four hours with bottles. There's usually a baby 'roo swaddled like an infant that guests can hold.
By Kathy Schultz | November 29, 2006
The shop is spare and organic. A stuffed taxidermy pheasant forever suspended in time is perched atop a fallen log on a pedestal. Some jewelry is displayed under bell jars, as if Baker is protecting delicate insects or other organic specimens.
By Kathy Schultz | November 29, 2006
