Our friend the Sock Monkey, starring in a Super Bowl Commercial

The Super Bowl is tonight (we might cut out a little early from the shop tonight in order to get home in time for Kick Off) and I am very excited. Very excited for the big pot of chili Rob and I cooked up in the slow cooker this morning– and set to be ready just in time for the game. Very excited for my eleven minutes of football (have you heard this stat that the Wall Street Journal wrote about in January? That in a typical game the sports fan only watches 11 minutes of actual game playing action. We heard it this morning listening to NPR and it made me laugh).  Very excited for the Saints to win their first Super Bowl (I know, I know- there are a ton of Colts fans out there, my girl Jess included- but c’mon, what an exciting time for New Orleans fans!). VERY EXCITED for the fun commercials. I know, what a cliche- a girl that is more excited for the commercials than the sports action but it’s true. I saw that our friend the Sock Monkey is staring in a KIA commercial- check it out here:

Have fun tonight!

Staying in… ideas for KIDS & the OLDER SET…

Despite the cold and snow (or lack thereof in NYC’s case) we had a fun morning at the shop for our 2nd Annual Make Your Own Valentine’s Party! Lots of fun designs from kids and adults! I even made a few cute ones myself, thank you very much. Now on to the night time activities!  I wouldn’t blame you all if you just stayed put at home its soo frigid outside. But first come in and stock up on some fun activities to help keep you entertained while you stay warm: above, is one of the newest editions from the Table Topics team– Table Topics Dinner Party Edition, with lots of thought-provoking questions to get you thinking… $25. We got these in right before Christmas and they FLEW out the door- and make a nice hostess present too.

Or maybe you have Kids running around restless and in need of a new & exciting project– try our new science kits, all $22.50. Mind Blowing Science, above, includes “mind blowing experiments to delight and educate young scientists! Erupt a color changing volcano.  Mix up magic ooze with a mind of its own.  Play with sand that never gets wet.  Mix safe chemicals and watch colors change before your eyes. You’ll amaze yourself and your friends as you explore the science behind these truly remarkable reactions.” Or got a few girls over for a slumber party? try these spa kits or perfumery–

Star Student of the Month Kids!

Each month the school down the street brings in one kid from each class for a Star Student of the Month treat from the shop.  Public School 369 caters to children with Special Needs and Autism- and the kids are very dear.  And the teachers all have hearts of gold and boatloads of patience. Today 9 kids and 4 teachers came in for their monthly treats and it always makes me smile!   Here are some of the Best Sellers from today’s outing– #1 was the Robot Claw above.  In second place were the Tin Kaleidoscopes-

LOTS OF FUN for a Friday afternoon! Both items shown-$6.50.

Ding Ding…

Thanks Country Living for featuring our Classic Stationary Bell in this month’s Bargain Issue! We have sold TONS of these cute little baby’s. “A dead ringer for the classic hotel staple, this fun toy offers a fresh way to signal that dinner’s ready”. My brother got one yesterday for his office too, good times.  $5.50.

I am in LOVE…

I am in LOVE… with this NYC Handy Heart Map! How brilliant! Somehow the subway system looks gorgeous with this cool new map of NYC’s transit system (yes, including Brooklyn and all 5 boroughs!). On the back is a full on intense map of Manhattan (see below)- as well as info on getting to/from the airports, so its a great thing to have for house guests. Plus did I mention it is lovely framed as well? (unfolded size is 14 1/2″ x 10 1/4″- and it folds down to 2 7/8″ x 5 1/4″). The best part is- it’s $3.95 so you can spread the Love.

LOVE IT! WHILE WE ARE ON THE SUBJECT OF LOVE- don’t forget our 2nd Annual Spread Love, It’s the Brooklyn Way Make Your Own Valentine’s Party at the shop this Saturday Morning from 10-11am. Plenty of doily’s, glitter, etc. on hand to make your own Valentine’s, or if your not feeling so crafty come stock up on our great assortment. BYOS (Bring your own Scissors). 365 State Street on the corner of State and Bond.

New York Magazine’s Valentine’s Shop-A-Matic

So, it’s groundhog day and no surprise that we will NOT be having an early Spring this year. I feel like every year its the same old story– a long winter. In fact, it almost seems like a “groundhog day” moment when the same thing happens year after year! Apparently Punxsutawney Phil has only been right 39% of the time, so maybe it will be an early Spring??? WHO KNOWS. Right now though, we need to get through February and in less than 2 weeks is the love it- or leave it holiday of Valentine’s Day. Check out all our fun items in this week’s Shop-A-Matic from New York Magazine, lots of great treats to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day-

Heart Hot Water Bottle (with a snuggle knit cover), also available in White with Red heart- $14. (all photos from Newyorkmag.com)

LOVE this Pastellini Tin of 98 Colored Pencils. Make life and love more colorful! $14.95

Key to my Heart- Heart Key made from lasered kids books! $6.75.

With Love, Garden in a Bag- grow some flowers they can keep the whole year through- $8.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!

It’s COLD outside! Slather on some Body Butter for DRY SK

It’s COLD outside and my skin itches all over as soon as I go outside, so I have been slathering on this BODY BUTTER to soothe my dry skin. Beeswax and cocoa butter hydrate, nourish and soften the skin. YUM. $12.95.

MORE Amazing new goodies…

These are one of the coolest things I have seen EVER– Totem Stacking Cups. Perfect for small apartments that are short of space (or anyone in need of something fun & functional), these porcelain mugs stack one on top of each other in the Totem tradition. Set of 4 for $59.95. Or maybe you need these melamine plates Hot Plates- set of 4 for $30, 2 of each size- two 7.8″ plates and two 10″ plates-

Or how about this Hold Me Tight Pretty Bowl- $15.95-

Besides being lovely to look at- this bowl also has some more meaning: Good table manners are encouraged in Japanese dining rituals. When eating rice, take the bowl in one hand and chopsticks in another and lift it to your mouth, while taking your chopsticks to “scoop” the rice into your mouth. This prevents you from dropping food. When you do not get a soupspoon, it is proper to drink the soup out of the bowl and eat the solid food with chopsticks. The drawing of a hand on the outer surface of the bowl enlightens and reminds the guest to lift the bowl when eating.

And then there’s the Composition Book, which got a make-over and looks cooler than ever. $8.95.

some of my FAVORITE new items… I’M OBSESSED!

ROCK OUT with this super clever & cool (and useful!) 2 GB USB Flash Drive. approx 3″ high and made from PVC these come in a nice little box and have a limited one year warranty. Or maybe PEACE is more your thing…

ROCK OUT USB Drive, $35, PEACE USB Drive, $37

I also FLIPPED OUT when my friend Sems pulled his computer out of one of these laptop sleeves that looks like an Inter Office Envelope. LOVE IT. Seriously. 2 sizes, 13″ and 15″ (made to fit the MacBook and MacBook Air but my PC fit in there too). Inter Office Laptop Sleeve- $42 and $44 depending on size.

More new things tomorrow so stay tuned!

Stay Healthy this year, the Jao way!

Step up your hand sanitizer game (?!) with Jao Hand Refresher. Man this stuff smells good! Made with tea tree oil, lavender and eucalyptus (amongst other things that make this a 99.8% natural santizer) this stuff WORKS WELL and SMELLSYUMMY too. The one and only natural antiseptic all- purpose gym germ stopper, zit zapper, under arm refresher, after shave, not-just-for-hands sanitizer! So this FLU season keep healthy by washing your hands with some Jao. If you cough/sneeze into your hands, then wash with soap & water and/or use a hand sanitizer with atleast a 65% ethyl alcohol content. Flu viruses can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours people! Spread the Jao, not the germs. $7 for 2 oz. (easy to tote around in your bag).