COOL new item! perfect for summer travels

We are getting some great travel gear in for summer trips, but I  just unpacked these Lightload Beach Towels (3 1/2″ diameter! only 5 oz.!) and think they are the coolest thing ever. Biodegradable, Multi-purpose, Machine washable, Superabsorbent, they can fit in your back pocket yet expand to be 36 x 60″. We read about these on one of our favorite Vendors, The Laundress’ website- under their Favorite Things. It’s now one of ours too! We have them in Orange and Purple. $7.50.

Blackbird, Fly Twin- Lens Reflex Camera

There are soo many cool and clever cameras on the market these days- but since we are Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store and just try and find the best of the crop and those worthy of the “blue ribbon” we are selling a choice few from Superheadz, and this one is our favorite. The Blackbird, Fly Twin- Lens Reflex Camera: one lens is used to expose the film, while the other is used like a viewfinder. It’s a famous style of camera whose history stretches back to the 1920s. Unlike most twin-lens reflex cameras, which take larger 120 format film, the Blackbird, fly uses 35mm film- which you can process, scan and print at any one-hour photoshop. You can take Normal (24×36) photos, Square (24×24) photos, or Full (36×36) photos. Go back to your old school roots and have fun this summer taking some cool snaphots. We have them in Black, White, Red and Orange. $130.

Fancy Seeing You Here

Loving this beautiful 11″x14″ letterpress print we got in from Sycamore Street Press! Un-framed for $34. Speaking of Peacocks, we saw one at farm in  Michigan last week– check it out– they are such beautiful and exquisite creatures

Barking Cat Studio’s Arts & Crafts Program

I’m here today supporting a neighbor and fellow Brooklyn Business Woman, Karen from Barking Cat Studios. They are starting up Arts and Crafts classes for the youngins’ and I am trying to spread the word. There is even a $5 off coupon above if you are in the hood. I was such a little arts and crafts junky when I was a kid & love to support that with children today as well. Barking Cat Studios is a few doors down from the shop at 65 Bond Street. Have fun- and when you are done, come by and show me what you made!

Happy Birthday Sems! and his beloved Doodle Track car

It is my dear friend Sems’ birthday today- HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEMS!! I have written about him before, but Sems (pronounced Shems) and I have been buddies (partners actually) since my Coach days when he was in charge of Production for our little group and I was head of Product Development. He is at home in Istanbul for a nice long vacation, but I thought I would write about his favorite item from the shop in honor of his special day. He loves the Doodle Track Cars ($13.50)- he is playing with the train above, but they also come in Sports Car & Fire Engine models too. You draw a line with the marker (included) and the car follows whatever line you draw, wherever it takes you! You can see Sems playing with his at his desk at work (marker erases for easy track “laying”) and you can see that kids of all ages will be entertained for hours by this great toy. In fact, one night I brought him a new car and we played with it at the bar where we were watching a band, and even the bartender got in to it! Funny thing though, I think Sems originally bought this for his little brother through Big Brothers/ Big Sisters- but curiously I don’t think it ever made it into Nicholas’ hands.  hmmm….

p.s. Don’t Stop till you get Enough

I’m in Love with a Plunger, and other new Must Haves

Yes, it’s true- I am in love with these new PLUNGERS we JUST got in! I think every bathroom needs one- and what a great Housewarming present- ha!! $14. Also, got these great stripe (and quite substantial) metal buckets- $34. These new items truly represent an Urban General Store- we love them!

All from the same wonderful team that brought us the awesome tool boxes that also just arrived! Check out Orange ($45) and Camo ($60) below. We are also getting in Wood Grain too. All come with removable tray and contrast handle.

Essential Beach Dog Collars & more from Mascot-

I am loving these great new dog collars we just got in from Mascot– they are perfect for the beach! Running in the surf or hanging poolside, the Mascot Essential Beach Collar is a must have for every summer lovin’ dog! These brightly colored collars are encased in water-resistant, anti-microbial material. Paired with Mascot’s signature bone buckle, this revolutionary design will not only look cool, but will withstand even the toughest of elements. $34. More Favs from Mascot below– collars are $28 and leads are $42.

Bathing Suit season

It’s swimsuit season and we have the perfect thing to wash your suits out with- The Laundress’ Swimsuit Care.  Chlorine, salt, and sand can be very tough on your swimwear so The Laundress forumulated Swimwear Care to be delicate on your items while thoroughly removing buildup. Works well for both hand and machine washing. Swimwear care protects your swimwear and keeps it smelling fresh. We have the 4 oz size (easy to bring with you on weekends away) for $7.95.

Travelling this summer?

Soo many people come into the shop looking for travel activities for the planes, trains and automobiles- so we got these great travel games in from Magnetic Poetry. I am particularly taken with the clever Hangman game above (look- it’s a real man! a cowboy at that!) — and am bringing this one on our flight to Michigan today. Rob is going to love when I spell silly words like ‘Gorilla’ and ‘Munchkin’ (is that actually a real word?) $11.95 each.

Love is All Around

A couple of weeks ago my brother loaded some new tunes on our store computer that we use to play music in the shop and we have been rockin’ out ever since. Among the new songs are a bunch of TV series theme songs and I have been laughing as they  (randomly) play next to Burning Down the House & The Beatles or whatever pops up next from the thousands of songs loaded on to the machine. Yesterday we heard the theme song to What’s Happening!! (remember that one with Dwayne, Rodge, Ree-Run, Dee & Shirley?), another one that made me laugh was the Magilla Gorilla song (Rob calls himself a “Big Gorilla” so I always laugh at the lyrics that say “We’ve got  a Gorilla for Sale!”). This morning as I was opening up The Mary Tyler Moore Show theme song came on and I just listened to the words to the song and smiled and realized I haven’t heard that tune in years. In fact my last memory of someone twirling their hat is Isaac Mizrahi in UnZipped so I decided to copy all the lyrics of this great theme song for you all, and I hope you get inspired too!

“Love is All Around” by Paul Williams – Mary Tyler Moore Show Lyrics

Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it’s you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have a town, why don’t you take it
You’re gonna make it after all
You’re gonna make it after all

How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big, girl this time you’re all alone
But it’s time you started living
It’s time you let someone else do some giving

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have a town, why don’t you take it
You’re gonna make it after all
You’re gonna make it after all