Drum Roll Please...

 

Join Firefly and Amy Flurry of Recipe for Press, Thursday, February the 2nd. This is what Amy is all about:

OVERVIEW:

Recipe for Press, pitch your story like the pros & create a buzz represents my irrepressible desire to share with small business owners, budding designers, musicians, chefs, and family brands how to get press and create fruitful relationships with editors and media influencers. In a nutshell, Recipe for Press is like getting to spend the weekend with a seasoned editor talking about your brand and learning what it takes to reach a larger audience through constant press coverage. You can also expect to find lush illustrations and photography and Q&A’s featuring successful entrepreneurs who keep their marketing in-house including designer Amy Butler, chef Hugh Acheson, potter and blogger Rebecca Wood and indie market juggernaut and UNIQUE LA founder, Sonja Rasula.  This isn’t just good medicine, it’s a book that you’ll want to fall in to.

I’ve seen plenty of great products with passionate people behind them fail, whereas others with so-so services receive the bulk of the attention.  The difference isn’t in luck; the difference is what you will find in this book and I couldn’t be more excited about getting it into the hands of the people who need it most.

Please take a minute to visit the website and my blog and join me on Twitter (@Recipeforpress). The information I post on each is really companion material to the book, news your brand needs to know!

 www.recipeforpress.com

$23.95

BIO:

Amy Flurry is a freelance writer, editor and stylist of fifteen years with work featured in InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, O @ Home, Four Seasons, House Beautiful, Trump, Country Living and Refinery 29. She served as a regional editor for Lucky magazine for six years and is currently a style correspondent for eBay’s online magazine, The Inside Source. In addition to her editorial work, she has provided brand consulting and served as a marketing strategist for a mix of fashion and lifestyle clients. 

Recipe for Press, pitch your story like the pros and create a buzz! is Flurry's first book and published by PC Press.

Flurry has been identified as an industry authority, serving as a regular commentator for Saks 5^th Avenue’s “Want It” presentation and a frequent guest speaker on trends at AmericasMart Atlanta, Fashion Group International and the Savannah College of Art and Design. 

In January 2010, Flurry co-founded Paper-Cut-Project, a company that conceives art direction and highly crafted installations in paper for window installations, runway, catalog and advertising campaigns. Their work has been featured in the New York Times, Italian Vogue, Nylon, Marie Claire Taiwan and on influential blogs including Diane Pernet’s, A Shaded View on Fashion and Paper-Cut-Project has been commissioned exclusive collections for global brands including Cartier, Hermes, Kate Spade and The Bay. September marked Paper-Cut-Project’s debut runway accessories collection with designer Jen Kao for fashion week New York.

FIREFLY'S Schedule of Events:

At Firefly, 11:00am to 12pm, Amy will be in the store with her book and signing.

12pm- 1:30pm Walk down to Studio 209 for Recipe for Press and a Picnic Lunch. Here,we will have a Q/A session and an informal talk with Amy.  Lunch will be provided and in a  brown bag( simple and yummy, i promise). This is $30.  Reservations required, Check or cash please.  After lunch, Amy will then meet with individuals, who would like to discuss with an expert/editor about their website, marketing material, brand and receive honest feedback, as well as ideas to take their product, concepts forward.  These sessions are very limited and will last for 30 minutes each. Cost $125.  These sessions will take place in a private office space, in the same building( Haile's building, Studio 209, the Coke Cola Bottling building, whatever you call it).  This is a great opportunity, and I can think of so many people, who could benefit from this, including myself.  So call the store, and I will call you back with a time, as I am leaving in the morning for business.  It will be first come, first serve though, and I will be all "Atticus" about that.  I encourage all fellow small businesses to come too, as we are all in this boat together.  

The book ,Recipe for Press is NOW in Firefly, so come pick up a copy and get inspired...I got it personally, in early December and just had a small fit, and then I got out my highlighter, and then I begged her to come, and Voila! So, call the store or email me for a reservation for the lunch and learn, as well as an individual spot with Amy- nanatfireflyhomedotcom( I have been told by smarter beings that you should always type out your email on blogs)!  Best, Nan

Attention! Attention! Firefly has some exciting Events in the works...Stay Tuned and Stay Caffeinated!

Merry Christmas!

Well, I never did get around to posting about children's stockings... It is BIG little stuff...I love a stocking and I take it very seriously.  My children's stockings are MAGIC.  Santa does some seriously clever stuff.  I will give you details after the fact I promise.  I will give a little nimble though:

 There apparently is this ELF in the North Pole that makes the most darling mice, you have ever seen and we have been so lucky, to be the recipient of these mice for the last four years! The boys  love to guess what is in the carefully wrapped tiny box, with the official seal of wax, at the tip of their stocking!  Simple, Small, Pleasures!

May the force be with you...

 Here are two of our six.  We have a lot of Star Wars themed ones.  Now, Reid is guessing James Bond, or Ninja Mouse.  Hmmm.  I guess we will know in the morning!  Thanks everyone for a great Christmas Season!  May your stockings, home, and family be filled with the Christmas Spirit tomorrow and All year long! Nan

Stockings Stuffers

I am a big fan of Stockings!  It holds the perfect amount, not too little and not too much, but just RIGHT!
In fact, Stockings is really all we do for each other... Here are some of my favorites in store currently.

1. Ten Thousand Waves Hinoki (organic) Lotion.  This is a famous Japanese spa in Santa Fe, NM and this lotion is clean pine and divine. We have it in shower gel too.  I am just a soap girl, which leads me to number two.
2.  You have to have a bar of good soap in your Stocking.  Unless, you are one of those who "collect" it and never use it, which a customer admitted to me yesterday.  I was mortified.  We never ever EVER use grocery store soap. EVER.   It is crap, and once you use the real deal, you will never go back... You  are paying more for the good stuff, but it last ten times longer at least, so it is a wash literally.  Wash well, that is my philosophy.

Be warned:  Whomever receives this will become addicted. You may get away with a single this year, but next year, you will be graduating to the 4bar box! Men love this.

 

Another pine scent and NEW to Firefly.  I love how fresh and clean this is.  Lightfoot screams MEN to me, this is nice for both gender.

This is what will be in my Stocking this year.
Goat's milk, honey, with a hint of rose.
Swiss made perfection.

3.  Our scarves are flying out the door, regardless of the 70 degree temperature, and I just don't think you can have too many!

4.  I am loving Alexa Pulitzer and all her paper fabulousness.   Her monogram antler stationary is awesome.  

We have a range of mousepads too!

 5.  Our local Mayhew jelly is delicious.  Here it is featured at THE wedding, I did, this past October.

6.  Any of our jewelry will be much appreciated.

7. Some RADICAL chocolate, made by an old friend.  These are pretty and GOOD!

pink peppercorn and blueberry featured here.

8. These pot holders, hand screened and designed in New Mexico, will make you smile every time. Below are two of favorites- Avocado Opera and the Chickens, affordable($16), practical, handmade, functional art.  

9. and 10.-  Here are just some ideas in general. Treat your significant other with a splurge in their Spirits, like a nice bourbon, red wine, champagne etc... It might be a NICE bottle of Olive Oil.  Sweetgrass has some lovely ones(hint, hint).  You might renew their favorite magazine (HINT, HINT), and please add Town and Country!  I don't know why I love thin wool socks like I do, but I DO. I DO. I DO.  So, Santa baby go down to Kevin's please.  Tomorrow check back for some Stocking Ideas for the Kiddos!  Have a great weekend, Nan

Hugh,His Unicorn and the Mean Girl.

Mean Girl and Hugh

glimpse of window

I feel kind of bad that I told Hugh, he was the only guy that I knew, that could ROCK a unibrow.  I have never been one to mince words... and if we were ten, on a playground, he could have retaliated and pulled my hair and called me  "Carrot Top"! Then he could have told me, that I, unlike him, could not ROCK a unibrow.  I certainly had one!  So "Sorry" that was kind of a mean thing to say.  Translation: Hugh is handsome,  darling, and funny... BUT I couldn't say that! Don't want to give the boy an ego, because he does a good job about keeping it real. I will elaborate more on that tomorrow.   So, instead, I had to revert back to Playground Antics.  Anyway, now he plans to pluck it for a good cause, making REAL food, available to all folks, regardless of socioeconomic factors.  Awesome. Read more about it here.

READ THIS POST!!!

Hey Gals!  I don't have a huge following, especially when I tease you (again tongue in cheek)with my sporadic postings!  I get that.  Anyway, those few- TWELVE of you, I hope you READ this one!     Here is a great  GIFT option that I offer to all my T'villian friends and  ALL good T'villian FOLKS, who have the "friend" that has everything, who have that need for charity, and who have ulitimately the SPIRIT of Christmas, which is  how we should live everyday of this life, on this FRAGILE EARTH,  OUR ISLAND HOME!  So let's all give a little, and a get a  whole lot in return!  Of course, all NON-T'VILLIANS can give, but I am sure there are a lot of worthy causes, within your own community.  However, if you STILL do, this Wendy Greene, is apparently a rock star, and can bleed blood from a turnip, or a coupon, and gets up at some ungodly hour, in the morning to  perform some  serious MODERN DAY SALE RETAIL MIRACLES.  Bless you!  Again if you know me, it would be a COLD DAY in HELL, before I entered the door of a CHAIN RETAILER at 3 am, in the morning EVER!  However, I totally understand it, and I love this woman's heart and her SPIRIT. Thank you.

Here is the deal-

Let's do Christmas up right this year and let's do it different! In lieu of gifts to our friends, let's donate to CASA. Their funding was drastically cut and we can make their days **Merry and Bright**

This will provide Christmas to 85 local Thomasville Children. What is CASA Kids Program?

It stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, and basically last year alone there were approximately 500 reports of child abuse and neglect in Thomas County.  101 of these children, came before our Juvenille Court Judge and they were assigned, through a court order into the CASA Program.  When a child is assigned to CASA, they advocate for them until their case is resolved and they are placed back with their parents, guardianship of the child is given to a family member, or the child is adopted.  These children NEED to experience the Spirit of Christmas, and know that someone does care for them, and that they are special.  These donations will help purchase Christmas presents for our most needy children.  It cost CASA, about a $1,000 dollars a year per child to be their voice and advocate, so if we raise above and beyond their immediate need (Christmas), then your donation will go even farther and help this much needed organization all year long.  

So my oh, so clever sister-in-law, Haile has designed a donation card.  They cost $10.00 each and you can pick them up at Firefly, Relish, and this Saturday at our Christmas Market.  I am sure MORE local retailers will be added to this list, so stay posted and ask when you are shopping in other LOCAL shops. Give a little and get a lot!  Merry Christmas, Nan

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas...

I always like to have a theme going.  This year, at the store it is, All is Calm.  All is Bright. I am also excited about an upcoming ski trip to Colorado.  We will be heading to Crested Butte in early February, which will be here, before we know it. Have you ever been to Crested Butte ( CB to the locals)? It is an amazing little town, with healthy, active people and with a plethora of yummy restaurants.   It is also where I met my husband and where we still have nice friends.  It is a special place; I highly recommend it.
As I type this, I am drinking my favorite coffee, in  ALL the  world, that we have shipped to us every 5 weeks from CB.  I have blogged about it before, but worth a link again.  Charming and breakfast burritos to die for.  Anyway,  here is a product from Finland that we are selling at the store, and that will be in the bottom of my boy's stockings this year...
Currently, it is also by my desk and I am constantly squeezing it.   It is like a "stress" ball, but filled with positive energy.  It sounds like the crunch of snow.  It is amazing!  Each one is handmade and unique, but again, it sounds like crunching SNOW.  I love it.

These stuffed animals are so cool and realistic...I could easily revert back to my childhood, and  take them all home.  In particular, this Snow Leopard  really speaks to me.  You should see his eyes, ICE BLUE. Many years ago, now, Tallahassee Junior Museum had visiting Snow Leopards.  I could have watched them for days.  What an amazing feline.  We have a great selection of animals ranging from falcons to kiwi birds.  Come see!

A darling book!  Have you seen our darling children's wrapping paper?  Yes, it involves snow, and critters, and children!

Yes, the little crab lives in the penguin, and can come out to play... and yes, we have other others...
bear in a cave, owl in a tree, fabulous tee-pee, and arrows!  LOVE! LOVE!

I can't remember where I "dragged" this image from, but it speaks to me!  All is Calm, All is Bright!
Remember, we ship all the time and I will be glad to assist you...  Warm Winter Wishes, Nan