Very Zen.

Very cool.

Very chic.

Very illuminating.

Okay, so that's not some grand opera house in Manhatten. But it is on Broadway. Just not the Broadway.

So - it seems I never got around to posting from New York. My intentions were good. Honestly. But the show was huge and time was short.

The very first thing I wanted to share was a snap of our accommodations. Having just mentioned the new trend of using wallpaper in unusual applications, say... like on ceilings, wasn't I surprised to find the ceiling of our room wallpapered! It was actually quite nice, though I wouldn't consider using it in that fashion unless I had at least 10 foot high ceilings. It seemed to compress the space somewhat.

We managed to complete a five day show in three days thanks to my drill sergeant better half cracking the whip urging me on starting a half an hour before I went to bed early in the morning and non-stop throughout the day.

As an aside, it is truly amazing the punishment one's feet can endure. Granted, there were moments when I had to promise them a proper pampering with a luxurious pedi to get them to keep going. Note to self: Never wear new shoes to a show again. Or to New York. Or, ever (Okay, not likely. I think most of us know how much I love the art of the shoe.).

Our House is going to be a hub of activity starting the end of this month and the UPS man is going to feel ever so special as he's greeted with squeals of delight each time he walks in the door.

We found a host of terrific new lines, incredible luxe goods by accomplished designers and some truly clever new items we think you're going to love.

I'm going to put up a 'sneak peek' of some of our finds every day this week... the rest you'll have to see for yourself. You may want to begin frequently checking the "New" page at our online shop as new products are listed there as soon as they arrive. Take me there!

We leave this Friday for New York to attend the latest International Gift Show. What that means is I'm going to be shopping! Not likely for me, as time is crunchy this visit, but certainly for the store.

There are going to be oodles of new and the usual attendees showing off fabulous new wares and we intend to bring in some great new lines.

And that means that some of the lines we've been carrying are reduced in price to make room for the newest kids on the block. Many of our great products are available now to our customers at drastically reduced prices, in many cases at our cost! You'll find...

George Nelson Clocks

Chalkboard Candles

We'll be reporting back from New York later this week. In the meanwhile, stop in and see Kendal, have a latte and see the full range of clearance items.

At left... Farmhouse Industrial

Bolder color is being injected into homes, primarily used on feature walls and in accents. Grey is supposed to be the new beige and black is back with a fever ~ although we missed that it had gone anywhere because its a fave of ours for accent pieces. Citrus is on its way out but green is still hot in a variety of rich shades. Wallpaper (Wallpaper? Yep, wallpaper.) is being used in unexpected fashion - like on the ceiling and fabrics are being used on walls.

Green is still, well... Green. And big. From energy saving appliances to repurposed pieces (and thats something we love and know well), choices that are kind to mother earth are playing a large part in the things we select to outfit our homes.

The last set of Whisky Stones in our possession officially left the building last night, bound for Vermont to a delightful woman named Elizabeth Bluemle. How do I know she's delightful? Well, for starters, she saw our auction for Whisky Stones and didn't hesitate to send us her bid, along with a note telling us what a wonderful fundraising idea our auction was (and we DO love compliments so we, of course, liked her right off.).

Also, being the curious Kat that I am, I've spent some time perusing Elizabeth's two websites. After reading her personal web page I felt like she was somebody I would want to be friends with. She's bright and sincere and interesting. She has a terrific sense of humor. She's also an author of children's books and co-owner of a bookstore in Shelburne, Vermont. I'm wired to admire people who have a way of stringing together words, like shiny little pearls, to make something beautiful. It was this snippet, from her About Me page, that did it for me...

Well, that and the title, cover illustration and introduction to one of her books...

In honor of her father, Robert Bluemle, Elizabeth has chosen the Visiting Nurse Association (Care Connection) in Burlington, Vermont as the beneficiary of her winning bid. You can learn more about that fine organization here Take Me There!

Now, I'm off to figure out how to Wokka-Wokka.