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).

calling cards that cut straight to the point…

I can think of a ton of people to buy these STOP TALKING cards for– a black box filled with 25 cards that get straight to the point, STOP TALKING. that is funny! and serious. funny & serious all that the same time. 25 cards for $8. or maybe you know someone that needs these—

I am right, you are wrong. Never, ever bring this up again…c’mon, you need these!! $12 for 25. okay, I’ll STOP WRITING now!

R-E-L-A-X & make her day with these yummy bath treats…

LOVE this line of new Bath products we got in- Bubbles for the Bath or Shower. Above, the Cupid formula– because sometimes Love needs a little assistance.  Each of these Bubble Formulas addresses and offers guidance to modern frustrations. Each one addresses a specific problem (stress, relationships, etc.…) of everyday life, in an amusing, laugh-through-it way that can actually help boost the psyche, empower, relax, or revive. And it will all come from you. YOU control your beauty, your mind, your destiny. It’s not magic; it just works. Rich and incredibly emollient, just a small amount of product (less than two capfuls) will yield a virtual tower of suds. Seriously. At 12.17 fl. oz., this product will last a longer than most relationships. The vibrant colors have been selected specifically to soothe, empower, reinforce… The fragrances are strong enough to linger in the bathroom, yet subtle enough, post-bath, to not interfere with a favorite scented lotion or perfume. You can read more about each formula on our website…YUM!! All are perfect Valentine’s Gifts, or for anytime of the year for a friend in need, or YOURSELF. $15.50 each-

Liquid Freud Formula, for when you need to turn up the volume on your inner psyche (Clarifying Magnolia infused with St. John’s wort for an immediate mood lift)

Positive Luck formula, for when you need good things to happen- YESTERDAY (with actual 4- leaf clover extract imported from Ireland)

Sweet Dreams Formula, for help sleeping without waking up in a mad panic at 3am (with soothing Lavender & Chamomile, and a twist of Kiwi)

Bathing with Sharks Formula, when you need that competitive edge at work or play(with Royal Jelly Extract to kick up your energy level)

The Coolest Grandpa Clock you’ve ever seen….

Today I am working at home trying to get my apartment in tip-top shape, thanks to my friend Jennie who is an interior designer (Jennie has a great eye and helped me at the shop when I first opened too. She rocks!). As you might know from checking out the store, I do not like empty space on my walls- and as I eye up one lone wall in my entryway I think this Grandpa Clock would work wonderfully there. Yeah!  I have been obsessed with this ever since I saw it- and now excited I have room for it at my home. Its a clever clock printed on fabric- screws and plugs included to make it a real working clock. 17.3″ wide by 65 inches long (over 5 feet!).  A Grandfather clock for $79? Pretty cool!

Calling all Designers and Talent… OPEN CALL AT ANNIE’S BLUE RIBBON GENERAL STORE LAST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH, starting 1/28 6pm

photo by Jill Valle

We love to support new and emerging talent, and fellow small businesses as well so today I am announcing an OPEN CALL for all designers/artists/creators  to come to the shop and show us their goods. If you are a new biz, or have a great idea for a product- or are already selling something special, please come by this Thursday January 28th from 6-7pm to show us what you have! We would love to see what you’ve got to offer and try to fit it into our little shop’s assortment. So many times I have seen something new that I fall in love with,  only to spend hours tracking it down and then realize its one of our neighbors! I know there is so much great talent out there and we would love to support your cause. If you have any questions feel free to email me or call us at the shop at 718.522.9848. These open calls will be help the last Thursday of every month from 6- 7pm. Hope to see you then!

Our Valentine’s are hand picked with LOVE…. and info on our 2nd Annual Make Your Own Valentine’s Party – Saturday February 6th 10-11am

It’s official, our Valentine’s ROCK!! I am so excited for all our cute & clever Valentine’s which we are putting out at the shop. I showed you a few treats yesterday, here are some highlights of our CARDS. All are printe on recycled paper by small presses and start at $3.75. Online and out-of -towners, if you see something you NEED please email me at the shop at ann@blueribbongeneralstore.com and we can send it out for you!

These Typewriter cards are a set of 6 f0r $11.50 (all different quotes, a few typeovers/o’s– all wonderful).

GET THEM QUICK!! Every year it’s the same old thing- people looking for cute and clever Valentine’s at the last minute, stock up early for the best selection and let your sweetheart (or BFF or child) let them know you love them! xoxoxoxo

ALSO- PLEASE SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR SECOND ANNUAL MAKE YOUR OWN VALENTINE’S PARTY. If you’re in the ‘hood please come by Saturday  February 6th from 10-11am for lots of fun treasures to MAKE YOUR OWN VALENTINE’S with– you know what I’m talking about- pom poms, GLITTER, doily’s, all that good stuff! Hot chocolate and home made treats too. Lots of fun for ALL ages! (like I wrote last year- why should the kids have all the fun!?!). See you there. B.Y.O.S. (Bring your own Scissors please).

VALENTINE’S– Spread the LOVE!

We are putting out the Valentine’s treats and treasures today so come by and take a look, or check it out online here. A few highlights, these clever andhilarious Chinese Fortune cards, with the words IN BED printed on them. They are all different (just like Chinese Fortune Cookies) but all will make you- and the receipient- smile, In Bed cards– $4.95 with envelope.

Next up is My Puny Valentine’s, 15 (3 of each of 5 different designs, all shown above) notes to share with kids at school, co- workers, your secret crush at the gym (not sure where that came from?) , WHOMEVER… $12.50.

Here is another treasure, a new release Pop Up called Everyone Says I Love You— with Pop ups of landmarks from around the world and how to say I love you (phonetically and all!) in each of the languages. Soo cute and a fun find for $12.95.

Or give someone the Key to your heart (laser cut from recycled book covers)– precious indeed. $6.75.

Show them They’re a KEEPER with this (solid Milk) chocolate fish! $6.

TONS MORE IN STORE AND ONLINE! Quantities limited!