Friday, June 19, 2009

Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association Auction

The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association will hold their Annual Benefit Auction on Saturday June 20, 2009 from 5-9 p.m. This year's event will be at the residence of Ned and Ann Rand. Ann is a Board Member of the BRMAA and offered their exciting home on the banks of the Hothouse Creek in Mineral Bluff for the auction. This year's motto says it all: "Sometimes You Just Gotta Party" and that's exactly what this auction is going to be. Shawn and I always love this event it is a great time and it is a for a very important cause!

This year "Daddy's Smokin' Great Southern BBQ" will please the most particular BBQ enthusiast. The music is soulful Blues and supplied by The Boomers who will play all the favorites. There will be a silent and live auction with beautiful art and other great things to bid on. Fun games and even a hula hoop contest will invite all guests to participate. Plein Aire Painters create their art throughout the evening and that's so much fun to watch. Libations will cool the throat of the thirsty.


The tickets are $25 early purchase and $30 at the door. The address of the Rand's Residence is 1058 Old Mill Road in Mineral Bluff. When you pick up your tickets at the Art Center you'll find detailed but easy directions to the Rand's residence printed right on your tickets. We'll see you there!


For more information call the Art Center 706- 632-2144 or email http://www.brmaa.net/

Friday, June 12, 2009

Something to Talk About...TableTopics

In December 2002, Cristy Clarke was on her way to a Christmas cocktail party, trying to think of interesting conversation starters because she couldn't face another evening of small talk that went nowhere. Her experiment was a complete success, and by morning she was writing questions to test on her three daughters at their family dinner. The successful result is TableTopics, a collection of conversation starters meant to spark fun, interesting, and meaningful discussions around the dinner table, at parties, on dates, on road trips-wherever! We have been carrying them for quite awhile and our customers have loved the Original Version, Girls Night Out, and the Gourmet Version. You can learn alot about people by going through the cube! The latest Decades Versions for the 60’s, 70's and 80’s have just arrived and they are really FUN!

PEACE, LOVE, PARTY- Decades: The '60s

TableTopics '60s edition gets everyone talking about the decade that changed the world! Explore topics ranging from the heavy to the groovy. Whether you were part of the Establishment or anti-everything, TableTopics '60s edition will launch you on discussions as high-flying as Apollo 11.

Questions Include:

What '60s fashion that you wore is now most embarrassing?
What classic '60s food was your favorite?
Which Beatles song represents the group best?
Where were you when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon?
What was magical about childhood in the '60s?

…and party everyday- Decades: The '70s

Start your own encounter group with TableTopics '70s edition. Each card is an opportunity to explore, explain and express yourself on subjects serious to silly, and everything in between. Leisure suits to lava lamps, Pet Rocks to your favorite rock group on 8 track tape. TableTopics '70s edition will inspire a full blown Disco Inferno. Can you dig it?

Questions Include:

How did Watergate affect your view of politics?
What concerts did you attend in the '70s?
How many times did you see Saturday Night Fever?
Who was sexier Paul Newman or Robert Redford?
Were you more likely to own a lava lamp or make fun of someone who did?

Party Like Its 1989… Decades: The '80s

Valley girls and video games, Ronald Regan and Rubik's Cube, Flashdance and the fall of the Berlin Wall... TableTopics '80s edition has it all covered. Let the era of big business and even bigger hair inspire fun conversation with friends and family. Because when it comes to boring conversation, our advice is "just say no."

Questions Include:

Which was better Fame, Footloose or Flashdance?
What were the first videos you remember seeing on MTV?
Did you own any clothes inspired by Miami Vice?
Which character in the Breakfast Club were you most like in the '80s?
Was Fantasy Island magical or creepy?

TableTopics area great hostest gifts, they’re wonderful to take on a vacation and they are excellent to have at your cabin! The TableTopics team has even have created a party idea sheet that includes everything from the menu, signature cocktail to the playlist! Check them out the next time you are in the store.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

New Pine Cone Hill Arrivals

Finally!...Today we received our new summer season Pine Cone Hill Pajamas and Willow Knit lounge wear. While we certainly are not a clothing store as a PCH Partner Store we have the opportunity to carry these products and we take full advantage of it. Our customers love this part of the line, and our repeat sales speak volumes for the quality (and addiction!) of these wonderful pajamas and lounge wear. Pictured above is the Rio Voile knee length kaftan, great for the lake as a bathing suit cover-up.

The Bala Stripe top and pant make a great, comfy summer set. Very stylish, cool and classy!


The Avani floral dress can be worn around the house, by the pool or out to dinner!


The Willow Knit chocolate giraffe print halter and solid pants made of bamboo and spandex are perfect for summer lounge or casual wear. Every customer that buys Willow Knit always comes back for more, they say it "washes up" very nicely and is great for travel. Come try it out for yourself! As a special treat for our blog readers mention that you saw this post and take 15% off any regular priced, in-stock, Pine Cone Hill pajama, robe or lounge wear item now through Sunday June 6th, 2009.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Otis & Matilda's Marina Grill

If you haven't heard yet (because we've been telling everyone) there is a new place to grab a quick bite to eat. Two of our customers Bradley and Candel have taken over the marina grill down at Lake Blue Ridge and named it after their beloved dogs Otis and Matilda. We have become some of their biggest fans, we love that we can grab something and take it out on our boat. It is also fun just to go there for breakfast (Shawn loves their biscuits and gravy) or lunch and sit on their patio and watch our beautiful lake that is looking so great at full pool this season.


You will love their delicious food...like the very tasty Chicken Salad with pecans, sun dried cranberries and a touch of tarragon (my favorite and I'm picky about my chicken salad), the Grilled Fish Ruben or their "Dammit Janet's pulled pork sandwich". They have some great coffee drinks, fruit smoothies or how about a virgin strawberry daiquiri or pina colada? YUM! Last but not least they have some outrageous homemade desserts under their "Grandma B's Goodies" section of the menu. I love the cupcakes (the flavors change but the Red Velvet and German Chocolate are divine!) Shawn loves Aunt Mary's Double Chocolate brownies!

Stop by and see Bradley and Candel, tell them we sent you! (Heck...you'll probably see us there!)

Otis & Matilda's Marina Grill is open seven days a week 6:00 AM t0 5:00 PM and you can check out their menu online at http://www.lakeblueridgemarina.com/grill.html.