Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store A Modern General Store where Fun and Function reign supreme
We were psyched for the shout-out in last week’s Time Out New York Magazine in the Express Lane’s feature on Old School Candy. Stop in for some of our Black Jack, Clove, Beeman’s and Clark’s Teaberry gum. Or load up on my favorite Mega- Smarties (for reallly smart people that like sugar!)- Candy Dots, Gold Mine Gum, Game Night Candy, CHowards Violet Mints, etc. and MORE… Candy starts at $1.00.
It’s a big weekend in NYC the next few days- not only is it Halloween tomorrow, and the Yankees are in the World Series, but its the ING NYC Marathon on Sunday too! A customer just bought a few jars of Spring Chicken Muscle Rub (a wonderful salve packed with cinnamon and peppermint that soothes sore muscles and combats inflammation) for some running friends ($9). She also picked up some of the Dr. Hot Gel packs ($16.95)-
I also suggested Jane- Inc.’s Foot Soak- which I just put out at 1/2 price in honor of the 30,000 runners out there (was $21.95 now 1/2 price!)-
Or maybe some Rosemary (for tired/sore muscles) or Ginger (for body aches) Bath Salts- a treat for $19.95.
Good Luck to all the runners out there!
We are busy unpacking some of our latest finds- from one of my favorite manufacturers. First up: French Carafe Set. 4 glasses and a carafe beautifully packaged (just sold one straight from the box as a wedding present). The design is based on the old famous French glasses everybody knows and loves. Stack the glasses in the neck and you have one hand free when you are carrying it around, plus it looks elegant on your table with wine or water. A steal at $29.95.
Next up- this great twill (charcoal) apron, with oven mitts built right in! Fun and functional gift for your favorite chef- $24.
And loving these clever Money Banks Dream frame. Need some incentive to save for your dream purchase? fill the bank with a picture of what you are saving for, and then start saving your money! $27.
We got lots more goodies from this great company so come in and check them all out!
Before I opened the shop I worked in the Fashion Industry for several years and even though I am far removed from it now (and about as dressed up as I get now is jeans and sneakers) I am still also intrigued by the world I spent so much time loathing. I have been meaning to write about my latest double feature movie day I had a few weeks back and today’s rain inspired me to bring it up- perhaps you will have a similiar day to mine during our latest rainstorm. Besides coming to visit the shop and soak in some good vibes with all our great new merch, the second best place to be on a day like today is in a movie theatre keeping dry!
First up on my Rainy Day Double Feature was Coco Before Chanel. I love Coco Chanel and her story is very inspiring- from rags (her father left her and her sister at an orphanage when she was quite young) to riches. This movie however focuses on the fashion icon’s late 20′s when she grew into herself and her style while living as a mistress to Étienne Balsan just out side of Paris. I have read and seen other portrayls of Gabrielle Channel’s life, so I didn’t learn too much new in this one, but the Ms. Chanel was elegantly portrayed by Audrey Tautou and the movie was beautifully done. And of course I always love seeing how this young Frenchwoman morphed into becoming one of the most important fashion icons of modern times. I am all about strong women characters and Coco did not disappoint in this regard- she was tough and charming at the same time (something I inspire to be as a business woman).
As soon as Coco before Chanel started I had it in my head to see the movie playing down the hall too, and after quickly checking the times I decided to grab the next showing of The September Issue which was starting moments after Coco. I am soo glad I did! In comparison, The Septemeber Issue was the more upbeat movie of the two and I of course I feel in love with Grace Coddington (Creative Director of Vogue) and her immense talent straight away. Although Anna Wintour is the star of the movie, Grace steals the limelight and paints a truly understandable and sympathetic view of life behind the World’s most Important Fashion Magazine. I read that she did not even want to do the movie, but relented and actually used it to her advantage in a win-win for the movie and the magazine. If you are in the mood for a fashion double feature- I highly recommend my day at the theatre – popcorn and all!
I am pretty old school, especially when it comes to keeping a journal/calendar for the year. I have yet to transition to an all- computerized calendar. I still always like to see my handwriting to see what kind of a wacky day I was having when I wrote something, or I know if I put big stars around something it’s really important– you get the idea. So for the past 15 years or so I have been using a weekly planner from Graphic Image. I love the paper quality, the maps in the back, they even list important websites, 800 numbers and events around the world. I have tried all types of sizes and shapes and settled on my favorite- which is large enough to still hold important papers, but can easily fit in my purse (Leather Diary size closed: 5 3/8″ x 7 3/8″, 244 pages). It has a Week-at-a-view plus week note page (a place to write what to do on each day on the left, as well as a somewhat blank lined page to the right to write what to do for the week), & Month-at-a-view and all leather diaries are bound with archival, acid free cream paper, and contains double faced satin ribbon. Diaries are smyth sewn for strength, longevity and openability, as well as gold gilt edging. Here’s a picture of one open-
And you can see from above they come in 3 different leather styles- the Brights: in order- red, mocha, pink, lime, orange, blue, yellow–
And in Metallics: Silver and Gold, as above- and in Traditional leather (matte) as well: Black, British Tan, Traditional Red, Green and Navy.
All Styles are $58. These are only available to Blog/Facebook customers- so please email me if you’d like one- ann@blueribbongeneralstore.com by November 25 with your name, and color you’d like. Orders will be here beginning of December. If you are in the ‘hood and would like to see one in person, just ask- I have most of the last 15 years or so worth of journals at the shop as reference books for ideas, etc.
The Holidays are slowly sneaking up on us, so before the season takes charge, I wanted to introduce our original and exclusive Annie’s Advent Calendar! 24 Paint Cans wrapped with ribbon and jingle bells and filled with a fun treat from the shop for everyday of the Christmas count-down. Think mini slinkys, wind up animals, all your favorites from the shop– and a surprise for every day! No need to fill it yourself – we have done all the scouting for you- fun for Adults and Kids! And it comes with a paint can opener to open all the little treats. Two columns of cans measuring approximately 40″ each make this a FUN way to start your Christmas season! Pre-orders only, and available after 11/22- so get your orders in now to me at ann@blueribbongeneralstore.com by 11/10. $175 (next year we will fill it back up for you too for just the cost of the treats).
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We got some FUN pet toys in this week- first up is this funny mustache fetch toy for your favorite pooch. The Humunga-stache is a shiny black toy with a ball on one end, and a giant cartoon mustache on the other. Dogs naturally pick up the ball…which leaves the outrageously funny mustache sticking out! Dogs also love to hold the ball in their mouth, and shake the mustache back and forth! Ha! Love it. $14. And then for Cats- they hit the JACKPOT this time-
Fling-ama- String Cat toy– a customer told me about this and I was soo psyched to find it. Cats go crazy trying to get the string. The battery operated (takes 3 AA batteries, not included), hangs on any standard door knob, has 2 speeds and provides hours of entertainment for your little kitty. $34.
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From the “Pretty Useful Tool” collection we just got in some of these wonderful hammers. Not only are they nice lookin’ (as far as tools go!) and functional as a hammer, but BONUS: there are also 4 screwdrivers nested in the handle. Suwweeet! $14.95.
Love these new sticky notes from Cavallini- in the Kitchen and Office themes. 480 Decorative notes of all sizes and various shapes- neatly packed in a pretty little tin. Perfect gift for your neighbor at work or your favorite chef! $13.50 each.
I just can’t resist the fun and functional Matryoshka Dolls out there these days- including the 1 GB USB Drive we just got in- cute! And here are some Matryoshka’s to decorate your keys-
We also fun stickers, REAL Wood Matryoshka’s, plus the M-Cups we featured last week! Lots of Matryoshka fun! USB drive- $24.50, Key Covers- $6.50.
