Clever Bowties- Support a great new biz on Kickstarter…

I’m a lucky girl! Not only do I get to work at my Dream Store, but I also get to meet the most interesting people while I’m here! Last Saturday I met Nicholas, who looked special the minute I saw him because of his dapper bowtie. We got to talking and he MAKES these very cool bowties, all of which were inspired by either a Benefit or Show at the MoMa. I am enamored by them all. YOU can help bring these to life by contributing to Nicholas’ Kickstarter Campaign.  You might know Nicholas- he DJ’s at GumboBKLYN 1st Friday Parties, either way- give it up for his fab bowties and the entrepreneurial spirit!

Butter Beans Summer Camp! A Brooklyn fav…

The sun is out! The temperature is supposed to go up later this week, Spring Breaks have started… summer will be here before you know it! If you are lucky enough to be (or have) a 7-12 year old in Brooklyn this summer, please think about signing them up for Butter Beans Summer Camp. We wrote about this cool organization last year when one of our customers told us about it, and every time I hear more about it I wish I was I was either young enough to go, or Coco was old enough to attend (soon enough I suppose…). Check out all the kiddies get to do (write a cookbook, hello!)

Butter Beans Food and Garden Camp “Is a unique, FUN and one-of-kind experience where children ages 7-12 will have amazing farm-to-table adventures including:

• Harvesting fresh food from rooftop farms
• Exploring farmer’s markets to shop for their own ingredients
• Creating their own savory pickles and sweet jam
• Making delicious ice cream from scratch
• Tasting local honey and visiting beehives while wearing a bee suit
• Growing plants and sprouting seeds
• Writing a cookbook

Doesn’t that all sound amazing?? Sign up now, and save 10% off before 3/15.  Have fun everybody!

Lolly Koon Photography

My dear friend, and very talented photographer Lolly, is heading to Mexico next month to photograph families in the suburb of Ensenda while working with a charity organization which feeds, clothes, and educated impoverished families in the region. To help raise money for the trip she’s currently holding a print sale on Etsy. With the purchase of a print you’ll also receive a photographic newsletter documenting her trip. I can promise you they won’t be pics of her doing shots on the beach, either. Her photography is hauntingly beautiful and I look forward to seeing the work this trip produces. Check out her Etsy page for some great affordable pieces or her personal website for even more work! ~Jess

Skiing Gnome!

It’s true that Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store really is the BEST place to get the perfect gift! Not only do I (Megan) work here every now and then, but it’s my go-to place for unique and sure to be loved gifts. Case in point: the Gnome & Garden Gnovelty Kit I got my sister for Christmas. She loves the little gnome (named Gnoman Rockwell) so much he’s even gone skiing with her!

Annie’s Totes about town- seen in San Antonio, Texas!

I was sent this adorable picture this morning and had to share. Check out Dalton Campbell Voorhees (subway pins from the shop with his initials- cute factor went up a few more notches) in San Antonio, Texas using his Annie’s Tote as his lunchbag of choice! Stay tuned for a picture soon from NY Fashion Week, we had a stylist come in yesterday to tote around her stylist accessories for the Fashion Shows. Annie’s Totes are popping up everywhere! Annie’s Tote- $5.

Make a Difference With Donor’s Choose!

Ms. K's 2nd Grade Class

To close out our week of Back To School fun, we want to highlight a fantastic organization for teachers and students. Donor’s Choose is a great charity that allows you to donate directly to the classroom and project of you choosing. Teachers create projects at donorschoose.org and list the items they need to make that happen. Donors simply log on, search for a project they would like to support, and Donor’s Choose purchases the supplies and sends them to the classroom. The projects and classrooms are all validated by Donor’s Choice so there’s no concern about integrity, and you’re able to see the direct impact of your donation. There are thousands of worthy projects, but we wanted to spotlight one of our neighbors and great customers, Jennifer Konarski. Jennifer’s classroom is in a Title 1 school in Brooklyn, meaning at least 40% of the students come from low-income families. Please check out her’s or any of the many other classrooms in you area to help. As little as $1 can get much-needed books and supplies for students in need!!!

BEACH DAY! another ABRGS tote spotted ’round the world…

We love seeing our Annie’s Totes used around the world (remember Megan sporting hers at the Equator in Uganda)- here is another friend & customer, Suzanne- on the beach (in Harbour Island, Bahamas) with one of our Totes!! Going to the beach? Pack up your Annie’s Tote today! But don’t forget the sunscreen!

Bubblegum! My Big Gorilla’s latest video…

Ohh yeah it’s full on summer everyone! Need something cool to chill out to? Check out my Big Gorilla’s latest rap song and cool video, Bubblegum.  It is shot all around NYC including our favorite Coney Island (where we had our first date 7 years ago today!). Need some gum to go with it? We’ve got you covered with Fruit Stripe, Gold Nugget Gum, Gumball Cones and more! 

Yeah Mon. Welcome Fisherman’s Dawta to the ‘hood!

One of my favorite places in the world is Jamaica. Yeah Mon. The sun, the laid back vibe, the food (the rum punches!), all heaven on earth. Me and my Big Gorilla can eat Jerk Chicken (or sausage, or shrimp, or lobster, or pretty much anything….) every day so we were soo excited to discover that a new Caribbean restaurant had opened around the corner from the shop. Fisherman’s Dawta is a collaboration between the wonderful Cook & Restauranteer from (now closed) Brawta’s Caribbean Cafe and her daughter. We saw it open its doors recenlty, but it was the great write up in this week’s New York Magazine’s Cheap Eats that made us make our move. The Jerk was delicious, the back yard heavenly and the low maintenance service were all perfect enough to transport us back to Jamaica for a few. Gorilla got the (non- alcoholic) Ginger Beer too- yummm! I was eyeing the guava juice- should have gotten it (next time). Check it out if you’re in the hood. Fisherman’s Dawta, 407 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill Brooklyn.

Brooklyn’s annual visit to Brooklyn!

Meet Brooklyn and Jason Samuels- all the way from Dallas, Texas! This cute father and daughter pair came in first thing this morning and said they were here SAME DAY last year, and the year before- for their annual visit to Brooklyn. Jason grew up here but left 17 years ago, although still has a special place in his heart for his hometown.  So much so that he names his daughter Brooklyn! They bought some fun Brooklyn treats for Brooklyn and her friends.  Looking forward to seeing them next year- soo glad we are part of their yearly visit!