Archive for the ‘Shopping’ Category

Big Sale at Green Spring Gardens Gift Shops

Monday, March 1st, 2010

By JillAnderson

Green Spring Gardens is having a tremendous sale on a wide array of items from both its gift shops.
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Now through Sunday, March 7, 2010, enjoy unusual mid-winter savings on pewter birdfeeders, wind-chimes, t-shirts, puzzles and note cards by local artists. The gift shop rarely offers discounted prices.

Many items are in limited quantities such as Carruth sculptures, plaques, travel mugs, candles, tea, dishes, and jewelry by local artists. The Great Snowmageddon Sale is located in the Horticulture Center and includes items from the Historic House.

Visit the shop in the main garden building at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road in Alexandria.

Shop hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday; noon to 4:30 p.m., on Sunday. Members of the Friends of Green Spring Gardens receive additional discounts.

You can see additional photos from Green Spring Gardens gift shop in my Holiday Shopping post from last November.

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Gift for Tortilla Lovers

Friday, December 18th, 2009

By JillAnderson

Do you or someone you know love Flour Tortillas?

I have a great love for them – they’re just the best thing since sliced bread! I use them to make burritos, quesadillas, wraps, or sometimes I just warm them and eat them like a slice a bread.

Recently as a gift, I received a Tortilla Grill. Wow. This grill is fabulous.

It warms the tortillas while giving them a slight char taste that makes them taste homemade. Scrumptious.

Available at Santa Fe School of Cooking $30

Available at Santa Fe School of Cooking $30

Whether your stove is gas or electric, this grill is perfect for warming flour tortillas as well as for dry roasting chiles, sweet peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and other summer-fresh vegetables. You can pick one up for your Tortilla Lover at the Santa Fe Cooking School.

Simple Snack or Lunch:
The other day I wanted a simple lunch and of course wanted it to include a Flour Tortilla. So, I warmed a flour tortilla on the Tortilla Grill –

Grated Cheese and Hot Chile Oil

Grated Cheese and Hot Chile Oil

- then lightly brushed the warmed tortilla with some Chile Oil and added some grated Colby Jack cheese to the top. Put it back onto to the Tortilla Grill to allow the cheese to melt.

Tortilla brushed with Chile Oil and Grated Cheese

Tortilla brushed with Chile Oil and Grated Cheese

Keep an eye on it as the grill heats up quickly. Simply Delicious!!

I love the charred bits; it gives the tortilla a homemade taste

I love the charred bits; it gives the tortilla a homemade taste


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Fabulous Gift Idea for the Cooks in Your Life

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

By JillAnderson

I just stumbled on a terrific new way to create a personalized Cookbook – for yourself or your friends & family. TasteBook. These are hardcover cookbooks that look professional and include a dedication page. And, you can continue to add recipes to your personalized cookbook.
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TasteBook: “Create Your Own Personal Cookbook in Minutes”

TasteBook has partnered with top chefs, cookbook authors, and some of the best recipe web sites, including Epicurious, Food Network, MyRecipes, Better Recipes, Food & Wine, and Better Homes and Gardens.

They now feature more than 100,000 tested recipes from professional chefs and home cooks alike, and magazines such as Gourmet, Bon Appétit, Cooking Light, Oxmoor House, Sunset, Southern Living, and Coastal Living.

And then they took it one step further. They paired up with cookbook authors, editors, and bloggers, and call them Guest TasteMakers.

And if that wasn’t enough – they have also included a way for you add in your own favorite recipes from your recipe box, old newspaper clippings or even ones that were shared with you via email from friends and co-workers.

I haven’t ordered one yet but plan to soon. I would love to hear from you if you order one – for yourself or a loved one. Leave a note in the comment section below.

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Great Gift Idea (or Not?) – Ionic Closet Purifier

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

By JillAnderson

What would you think if someone gave you an Ionic Closet Purifier as a gift? Boring?

Or, would you jump for joy that you finally have a way to keep your clothes from smelling like the shoes you’ve worn all week or your dirty laundry? Hmmm…..the gift quandary.

Smartek Ionic Closet Purifier - Available at Amazon for $24.99

Smartek Ionic Closet Purifier - Available at Amazon for $24.99

I actually have one (my model is old and isn’t made any longer) and I LOVE it. My closet smells terrific when I open the door and my clothes don’t stink of dirty laundry!

A drawback is that they do take a lot of batteries (this one takes 6-size D batteries- ouch) although this particular one includes a UL AC adapter (if you happen to have an outlet inside your closet).

I actually would be thrilled to receive (hint hint Kevin) one or even two more for my other closets. What about you? Would you be thrilled or disappointed to receive one?

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Three Favorite Children’s Book Series

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

By JillAnderson

Books make great gifts anytime of the year but as the holiday season approaches I thought that I would share with you some of my family’s very favorite early reader books.

The three books below all have fun-loving characters, provide valuable life lessons and are sure to make your kids laugh while providing many hours of reading pleasure.

Tails From the Pantry – 5 Cheesy Stories

I love this book! The Series’ title is “Tails from the Pantry – Little Lessons from Mom & Dad” and is built around a cute little mouse family that lives in a forgotten box of Christmas candy on the third pantry shelf.

5 Cheesy Stories By Patsy Clairmont

5 Cheesy Stories By Patsy Clairmont

In 5 Cheesy Stories you’ll meet the Mackenzie mouse kids:

  • Meatball overcoming her fears
  • Soccer not believing everything he hears
  • Spud learning that bullies aren’t so big
  • Stinky knowing when strangers are dangerous
  • Basil and Parsley sticking together in an emergency

A delight to read!! I have added more of Tails from the Pantry series to my Amazon wish list.

Elephant & Piggie:

Meet Elephant Gerald and Piggie. Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so Piggie does not have to.

Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

Are You Ready to Play Outside By Mo Willems

Are You Ready to Play Outside By Mo Willems

In these delightfully funny books, Mo Willems has created two characters who teach us about all of the ups and downs of friendship. In Are You Ready to Play Outside Piggie announces that she is not a happy pig when it starts to rain. But Gerald finds a solution to cheer Piggie up while two little worms show how much fun it can be to play in the rain.

The Elephant & Piggie series are geared for kids 4-8 years old and are excellent for early readers. Kids and parents will laugh out loud! Mo Willems is also the author of the Pigeon books (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and others) as well as Knuffle Bunny stories.

Frog and Toad:

Days With Frog and Toad By Arnold Lobel

Days With Frog and Toad By Arnold Lobel

Frog and Toad are best friends – they do everything together. In Days With Frog and Toad, they fly kites together, clean house and tell ghost stories. The Frog and Toad series consists of four wonderful books highlighting the rewards of friendship.

I hope that your family enjoys these books as much as we do.

What are some of your family favorite early reader books? I would love to hear about them. Please feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments section below.

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Leaves, Leaves, Leaves

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

By JillAnderson

Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day; a perfect day for getting the leaves down to the street for Fairfax County pick-up- and, our 4-year old son wanted to help. The only problem was that we didn’t have a rake that he could handle.

They sure are beautiful - until it's time to clean them up.

Leaves sure are beautiful - until it's time to clean them up.

On our way home from having breakfast at Whitlows in Clarendon we stopped at Ayers Variety & Hardware (a really fabulous Mom & Pop store – if you haven’t been, stop reading this and go now!) to see if they stocked small size rakes.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only were they open on Sunday; (according to Wilma Kaplan- she and her husband, Ronald are the owners and are LB residents – they’re open 7 days a week and are only closed 4 days per year – wow!) they do carry child-size rakes. Score!

Hey, thanks, this rake is just my size!.

Hey, thanks, this rake is just my size!.

Oh, man, what have I gotten myself into?

Oh, man, what have I gotten myself into?

Maybe Daddy can get the rest by himself?

Maybe Daddy can get the rest by himself?

Please No More Pictures Mommy!

Please No More Pictures Mommy!

Hey, Daddy - have fun. We're all done.

Hey, Daddy - have fun. We're all done.

If you have a small child or grandchild that would like to help with your leaves please stop by Ayers Variety & Hardware and pick up a kid-sized rake.

Lake Barcroft neighborhood (to my knowledge – all of us) are in Zone 6 in the Fairfax County leaf pickup schedule and are scheduled for the 1st of 3 leaf pick-ups on November 18th. Will you be ready?

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Green Spring Gardens – Terrific Holiday Shopping

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

By JillAnderson

I have always loved browsing museum stores (including many of the ones downtown). They typically have items that are a bit more artsy and unique than the typical fare at department stores and I love that!!

But truth be told, when the holiday season rolls around I typically sit down at my computer and do my shopping as quickly as I can think of items for my beloved family and friends.

I do love them…I’m just not a big shopper and I always seem to be short on time and I hate crowds and, well, you know, it’s a busy time of the year.

However, today I am going to let you in on a fabulous secret (shhh…don’t tell everyone). Green Spring Gardens Park has a fabulous Museum Shop and they are located right down the street from us. Really. It’s a short drive to 4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312.

My son and I stopped by this afternoon and took some photos to entice you. Have a look:

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My son loved the Frog Puppet - $19.99

My son loved the Frog Puppet - $19.99

Used Books for $1! And they would love book donations from you.

Used Books for $1! And they would love book donations from you.

These are so cute! Price varied based on size - roughly $22

These are so cute! Price varied based on size - roughly $22

My son's turn with the camera

My son's turn with the camera

Adult & kids' gardening gloves start at $6.99

Adult & kids' gardening gloves start at $6.99

Well, surely you get the idea by now. I have more photos but do yourself a favor and stop by the Green Spring Gardens Park Museum Shop this holiday season. In fact, they’re actually hosting a Holiday Open House – Gifts from the Garden on Sunday, December 6th – 12pm-4pm. Make crafty creations, hear holiday music and feast on refreshments and its Free. Mark your calendars.

Their selection includes T-shirts for adults and kids, gardening gloves, beautiful blown glass bird feeders and wind chimes, terrific selection on things for the kids including puzzles, games, stuffed birds and other creatures, and lots of books (for both adults and kids).

Sample items and prices (subject to change):
Adult T-shirts $14.99
Blown Glass Bird Feeders/Wind Chimes – start at $16.99
Melissa & David “Bug & Jug” – $14.99
Science Bingo (& other bingo games) – $14.99
Audubon Birds with call – $7.99

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Holiday Gift Ideas

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

By JillAnderson

I am starting to put together my holiday shopping list and thought that I would share some unique, unusual gift ideas with you.

Olio2Go

  • Olio2Go – Italy’s Finest Olive Oils – I learned of Olio2Go while attending The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show a few years back. I bought at least 4 excellent bottles of Olive Oil for gifts. However, I ended up keeping most for myself and placing an additional order for my friends. Olio2Go also has a nice selection of vinegars, jams, sea salts and more. Olive Oils start at $15. Bonus: They’re headquartered in Fairfax, VA.

    Grill Charms

  • Grill Charms – I learned of these while watching Shark Tank on ABC. Grill Charms™ are dime-sized solid stainless steel charms that are placed in food BEFORE grilling to identify either the meat’s intended temperature or spiciness. 6 charms for $19.95

    lilmissmatched

  • Little Miss Matched – sells crazy, unique socks in sets of three as well as other mis-matched items (Pajamas, Hats, Tights, Scarves, and more) I love these! Starting at $4.00.

    GreenCookingPots

    GreenCookingPots


    Green Pots – eco friendly “green” cookware. Greencookingpots are made of enameled cast iron and are free of any chemicals, making them a great alternative to potentially toxic cookware and making healthy cooking affordable and simple. Individual pans start at $33.58 and Sets start at $135.98.

    Know of some other great gift ideas? Please leave your favorites in the comments section. I will create additions to the list as we get closer to the holidays.

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