Family Dinner

Family Dinner: homemade ranch, Juliska Berry & Thread, and...maracas?

What are we burning right now? Mariposa's Love in Bloom candle - -a bouquet of sweet gardenia, rose petals, and honeysuckle intertwined with notes of citrus and light sandalwood. Personally, I'm not usually a huge fan of florals -- they tend to turn too sweet or stale for me. But this candle is light and fresh -- as the spring flowers are blooming, it truly feels like bringing a little bit of the outside in. We especially love being able to re-purpose the container when we're done (think: cotton balls/q-tips in the powder room, nuts/candy in the kitchen, a catchall for change in a study or bedroom, the list goes on...).

This Memorial Day

"Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices." —President Harry S. Truman 

In honor of Memorial Day, Initial Attraction will be closed today. Our thanks to those who have given everything to support the freedoms we enjoy on this day and everyday.

Something exquisitely fun and free

Today is a beautiful day to mosey in and enter to win our Juliska Graham Trumpet Vase (retail value $165). There's no purchase necessary to win -- it's just something exquisitely fun and free that we get to do as part of our month-long Juliska event. A stunning piece of art, this mouth blown glass vase needs at least 3 artisans to create this graceful beauty. But like all Juliska glass items, it's dishwasher safe and the glass will stay crystal clear (no etching or frosting!). Spring flowers are popping with plenty of opportunities to use this beauty.

Don't want to arrive empty handed, but still respect the unwritten/unspoken  agreement of not doing birthday gifts with certain people?  

Want to bring a little something to someone who already has so many things?  

Need a little something to brighten your own kitchen/office/day?  

Check out our assortment of potted plants in these sweet jute plant covers -- waterproof plastic linings mean the plants are easy to care for, the cute jute elevates these lovelies to something special (and all ready for gift presentation!).

Teriyaki Marinade

It's Family Dinner night for Meme and I (each Wednesday, my brother and I and our families convene at Chuck & Meme's house for a home cooked meal and a low key evening together).  In honor of my husband's birthday this week, Chuck and Meme are making one of his favorite things -- flank steak.  The marinade is super simple, tastes divine, and is super versatile.  Enjoy!

Nora Fleming Has Arrived!

So many of you  have asked us to let you know when Nora Fleming actually arrives on the premises, that we thought an email would be helpful.  We are excited to announce that the Nora Fleming line of customizable serving pieces are here and available to interchange and play!

If you've never encountered Nora Fleming's fun line of platters and minis, watch the video above to get a great taste for how it all works and why they say you only need one platter to serve for every occasion.

To celebrate the arrival of this new line of cost effective, microwave and dishwasher safe, adorable tableware, we're offering you two spectacular deals:

Purchase any regularly priced

Nora Fleming platter and mini,

and receive an additional mini of your choice

for free.

Or, purchase

nine regularly priced minis,

we'll give you a Keepsake box to store them all

(retail value $30)

for free.

You can even use one regularly priced mini to participate in both deals!

Offers are unlimited and end 3/16/14.

Gotta Have It Giveaway - The Gathering of Friends

Looking for a little mealtime inspiration?  Then this Gotta Have It Giveaway is just for you!  Enter the giveaway by posting the recipe for one of your favorite Winter Weeknight dinners and you'll be entered to win an (in-stock) The Gathering of Friends Cookbook of your choice.  These cookbooks are full of simple recipes with sophisticated twists and beautiful photos.

The giveaway ends 3/1/14, so don't delay!  Post your recipe (including ingredients and how-to -- we want to make these recipes ourselves!) here to enter.  

Looking for something new to bake for Valentine's Day this year? Check out this recipe from The Gathering of Friends. I'm thinking about making these (in a heart shape, of course!), but switching out the fruit and subbing in red/pink sprinkles. Not up your alley? Stop in and peruse our Gathering of Friends cookbook collection -- the pictures alone are worth the peek!

(Click the image to enlarge)

Be(e) Mine

A stunningly beautiful and unexpectedly different way to say Be(e) Mine this Valentine's Day.

Plus, free gift wrapping with any regularly priced jewelry purchase through Friday.