Expanded Store Hours

We've heard enough horror stories about customers who stop by the shop when we're closed (and we're so grateful to all of you who have come back!), that we've finally figured out a way to open the doors on Mondays and expand our hours on Saturdays:

New Store Hours:

Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

Effective immediately. :)

Engraved Glassware

You've been asking and we've been searching. We're pleased to announce that we've finally found a monogrammed glassware line that meets all the criteria: high quality but cost effective, nice selection of fonts and products, quick turn around, and (most importantly) something that you can be proud to give as a gift or have in your own home.

Barware, stemware, carafes, and more -- each is hand-cut by a company that has been in business since 1954. Turn around is seven days (plus shipping) or less.

These items will make wonderful wedding gifts, housewarming gifts, as well as offer something for that hard-to-buy-for gentleman.

50% Off Post-Holiday Sale

Want to get a jump start on the holiday season for next year?

Get gifts at great prices and tuck them away for next December?

Get next year's holiday under control before the new year gets underway?

Stop in and take advantage of our post-holiday sale

Almost all holiday items are 50% off

This is not just an offer for blog readers, so make sure you stop in to take advantage of the great items that are currently on sale, before someone else does.

Sale lasts for a limited time only.

Vera Bradley Travel Set Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Rachael Batts!

She won a Large Duffel, Hipster, Tote and Zip Around Wallet simply by entering her name in our holiday drawing. This was a fun giveaway for us as there was no purchase necessary and someone from Initial Attraction was guaranteed to win.

Keep your eyes peeled for future giveaways, including one starting in mid-January.

If you aren't on our mailing list, but would like to know about promotions and events like this, please stop in, give us a call or shoot us an email (initialattraction@yahoo.com) and we'll make sure are in the know.

Congratulations again to Rachael and a big thank you to everyone who participated.

Holiday Hours

Initial Attraction will be closed from

12:00 noon on December 24th

through January 1st.

We will resume normal business hours on Friday, January 2nd.

We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season. We truly appreciate your business and your support and look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Holiday Cards - A Deal for our Readers

Haven't mailed your holiday cards yet? Thinking you might skip them this year?

We think keeping in touch and spreading holiday wishes is an important tradition, especially in this email driven world (who doesn't love seeing something personal in their mailbox?). Let us know that you read this blog entry and you'll receive a 50% discount (off the original retail price) on any Caspari holiday card purchase as a little added incentive to spread peace and good wishes this holiday season.

Photo cards or folded notes, Caspari's elegant designs will distinguish your holiday cards from the rest. With a 50% discount, holiday cards might not seem that far fetched this year. Or, for those readers who like to plan ahead, buy them now for next year... and then can you help us with ours??

As always, you must let us know you read about this offer when you are at the register, so that the discount will be taken from your purchase, since this isn't being promoted within the store.

Ana Candles - A Deal for our Readers

• These candles are one of our favorite gifts -- and not just at the holidays.
  


• They're elegant, sophisticated, classy, and unique.



• They're smokless, dripless, and made of high quality paraffin (which puts them on right par with soy in terms of burn quality).



• These candles come in such a variety of colors (even ivory), they fit perfectly in any home.



• They make great gifts for anyone and everyone -- from couples to singles, hosts and hostesses, or to showcase in your own home.



• We even have a selection of elegant matches to make your gift really complete.








• For a more personalized gift, pair them with a monogrammed hand or fingertip towel.
  
  

These candles are such a no-brainer in terms of gift giving, we even keep some of the ivory or amber on hand for those last minute gifts we haven't planned for (we know you know what we're talking about!).

We think these candles are such great gifts, we're offering our blog readers 20% off of any Ana candle purchase if you mention this promotion in the store. Once again, you must tell us that you read about this 20% discount when you are at the register, otherwise the percentage will not be deducted, since this sale is not being promoted within the store (but is only offered to our blog readers). Offer ends 12/20/08.

Current Lead Times as of 12/10/08

Wondering if you can still get something personalized in time?

Current turn around time for embroidery is holding steady at one week -- sometimes we can even fit orders in earlier.

Latest order date (to receive by 12/24) for items we do not personalize on the premises:

Insulated Tumblers: 12/9/08
Three Designing Women Personalized Stamps: 12/10/08
Engraved Silver: 12/15/08
Engraved Soap: 12/16/08

Store Hours:

Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturdays: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Sundays and Mondays: CLOSED

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us: 269.341.4444

Better Than Bisquick - A Deal for our Readers

Ok, we admit that $7.25 seemed a little steep when it came to pancake mix. But once we actually tried The Barefoot Contessa's Favorite Pancake & Waffle Mix, we quickly realized just how wrong we were as it just as quickly became our favorite pancake and waffle mix.


Please understand, we were perfectly happy with Bisquick. But Ina Garten's mix has a little bit of malt and a lovely vanilla flavor to which the big box just doesn't compare. Ina's mix is just as easy to make and just as effortless when it comes to consistent, easy pancakes and waffles, but the flavor will leaving you dreaming about more.


We think you'll like it so much, we're offering our blog readers a 50% discount off of one purchase of The Barefoot Contessa's Favorite Pancake & Waffle Mix. For the price of a box of Bisquick, you've got a holiday breakfast in the bag. However, you MUST mention that you read about this discount on the blog -- it will not be promoted within the store and we will not marketing it outside of this site (a little thank you to our blog readers). Limit one mix per customer, in stock quantities only, offer expires 12/24/08.

Perfect for a Party

Going to a Party? Some great hostess gifts:

• Wine Bottle Stopper: Single initials or a variety of stock designs by Mariposa. Price: $21 - $27.

• Stonewall Kitchen: assortment of sweet or savory food items, perfect on their own or pair with a set of napkins or a spreader. Price: $6.25 - $20.

• Napkin Box: One of our best-selling hostess gifts as it is perfect for the entertainer. Includes a Mariposa cocktail napkin box, any set of Caspari cocktail napkins, and any napkin weight. Mix and match to create a custom set, just for them. Price: $44.

• Sink Set: Frasier Fir, Olive Leaf, Gardener, Lavender or Eucalyptus scented hand wash and hand lotion from The Thymes. Perfect for the kitchen or bathroom, includes a convenient caddy. Price: $28.75.

Throwing a party? Some essentials to make it elegant and easy:

• Crepe Placemats: Set of 12, made of crepe paper in festive colors -- these are the perfect setting to your table, especially considering they won't need to be laundered later. Use coasters to keep the water marks away and you'll most likely be able to re-use them for another event. Made by Caspari. Price: $15.50.

• Stonewall Kitchen appetizers: Open a jar of Cranberry Horseradish Sauce or Roasted Garlic Onion jam, pair with some cream cheese and crackers and you have an elegant appetizer that doesn't require an oven. Price: $7.75.

• Caspari Paper goods: Keep clean up simple without forfeiting quality with lovely paper goods from Caspari -- plates, napkins, guest towels, etc. Price: $5.25 to $10.75.

• Mariposa spreaders: Serve your guests in style with spreaders from Mariposa. A variety of styles and motifs available, perfect for any occassion. Price: $17.