evelyns entertaining blog

2012-01-30T14:46:00.005-05:00

We have had many people ask us to have a presence on Pinterest and we are now on it! Be use to click on the link below and see our bulletin boards of great floral arrangements, Evening of Design events, holiday decor, and even some of my floorcloths (if you have trouble connecting search for us under EvelynsJewelry). Hope you enjoy! I will add to it often so keep checking back.

WE'RE BACK FROM MARKET

2012-01-17T09:44:00.012-05:00

We are back from the 2012 Winter Market in Atlanta & had a wonderful buying trip. This was a very busy & crowded market that gives me the impression that the businesses had good 4th quarter seasons and ready to showcase a lot of great new product.

One of the highlights of the market for us was attending a seminar by Mary McDonald and Nathan Turner from Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators. They gave a insightful and humorous seminar on what inspires them when they are designing beautiful living spaces.

The main focus on this market for us was Christmas, Fall, & Halloween 2012. You are going to love all the wonderful collections we will be showcasing at our Fall and Christmas Open Houses.

We didn't forget about Spring. Many of our spring collections were bought in July 2011 and are arriving daily. But we did fill in on a lot of the new colors & themes that were so popular at market. Butterflies were everywhere and on everything from ceramics to scarves & jewelry.

Colors this spring are going to blues, lavenders, and tangerines. Neutrals in grays, blacks,and khakis are also very popular.

We also don't want to forget about the bright pinks, greens, and blues we will showcase with our new Lily Pulitzer collections arriving soon.

We are busy planning our Spring & Easter Open House. Our shop will be filled with wonderful collections that will inspire you to add to your home. Our Spring & Easter Open House will be Saturday, February 25. Be sure to put this date on your calendar & join us for our famous peach bellinis!

We hope to see you in the shop soon.

WE'RE OFF TO MARKET

2012-01-07T12:49:00.007-05:00

It's hard to believe that we will soon be off to market again. Every January & July we head to this country's largest market, Americasmart, in Atlanta to be the very best in gifts & decor. This market in Atlanta provides us with everything we could possibly want to see & find. And, we are excited to see how some of our favorite showrooms have remodeled. We gain such wonderful inspiration from our vendors that we will bring back to the shop. And it provides us with the perfect opportunity to talk with other retailers & pick up some great ideas from them.

Although we bought the majority of Easter & Spring in July, we will still be looking for great fill-ins to brighten up the shop.

The majority of our buying will be Fall, Halloween, and Christmas. Yes, we buy these holidays in January to ensure we will get the product we want to showcase in the shop. The majority of these items will be sold out by the time we return to market in July. I have already planned all the themes for our Christmas trees & decor of the shop. It is sure to be one of our best ever!

I'm really excited about going to a seminar with 2 of Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators, Nathan Turner and Mary McDonald. They will be discussing interiors, entertaining, & party planning. It should be great!

We will be closed Friday, January 13th, through Monday, January 16th. We will be back on Tuesday, January 17th and will let you know about all the wonderful things we find.

A NEW YEAR AT EVELYN'S

2011-12-31T09:13:00.004-05:00

It's hard to believe we are celebrating a New Year. We have many exciting events planned for 2012 including our Spring Open House, Spring Evening of Design, & many more exciting events throughout the year. This year we will also be offering a limited number of in home Fall & Christmas decorating services (be sure to book early). We will be traveling back to Atlanta to market soon and find many wonderful new collections that will be sure to excite you. And, as you know, we have already planned Christmas 2012 with beautiful, classic, & elegant designs in mind. We will showcase a lot of crystal, silver, white, & jewel tones for this Christmas. Spring is arriving daily & we are sure you will find our collections unique & refreshing. Keep us in mind when you are shopping for a gift, or for yourself. We always appreciate your business & friendship.

GIFTS AND DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES INTERVIEW

2011-12-21T17:56:00.005-05:00

Now you can read my interview with Gifts and Decorative Accessories magazine. Click on the title above to read the interview.

A GIFTED RETAILER

2011-12-10T08:48:00.004-05:00

We received wonderful news that Evelyn's has been selected as one of Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine's 2011 "25 Gifted Retailers." It is great to be recognized by one of the industry's top trade magazines. I will post an interview soon that you can read about what is involved in running a small retail business. We are successful because we have such wonderful customers!

CHRISTMAS DECORATING

2011-11-17T10:03:00.011-05:00

It is hard to believe that it is already the Christmas season & time to start decorating our homes to welcome all our family & friends. This is a wonderful time to bring nature into our homes with fresh greenery that smells so great! The following are pictures taken from a home that I recently decorated for a garden club meeting.

Living Room Mantle Before:

Living Room Mantle After:

Entrance Table Before:

Entrance Table & Coffee Table After:

Dining Room Mantle Before:

Dining Room Mantle After:

Dining Room Table Before:

Dining Room Table After:

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season. We hope to see you in the shop soon.

2011 CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

2011-11-07T12:04:00.007-05:00

This year's Christmas Open House celebrated "Home for Christmas." At a time of economic uncertainty, we are celebrating home, family, & friends this Christmas. Our trees reflect the love we have for our home town & all our friends & family.
The love of childhood Christmas is reflected in our "Santa Please" tree. This tree is filled with santas, reindeer, snowmen, & a lot of "fresh baked cookies."

Our Crimson themed tree reflects the formal trees our grandparents would have in their living rooms. We would always sneak in there to spy on our Christmas gifts. This tree has a lot of gold, red, & bronze ornaments.

Over the woods & through the snow we get to the cabin for a cozy Christmas. Our elegant lodge tree is filled with all things in nature including red birds, deer, pine cones, & acorns.

The real meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus. Our "Joy to the World" tree is filled with nativities, churches, angels & crosses.

We all hope you will come in & see us this holiday season. We have so many wonderful collections that you will love. We always appreciate you shopping locally this Christmas.

SHOP LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS

2011-10-20T09:39:00.002-04:00

All the Barnwell Downtown merchants invite you to stimulate Barnwell's economy & shop local this year. Local, independent merchants offer many unique gifts & will even gift wrap them for free for you. And you can't beat the wonderful customer service you will receive. We all want & need your business this holiday season so that we can be around for many more years.

2011 WITCHES NIGHT OUT

2011-10-17T11:38:00.004-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came to our fun Witches Night Out last week. We loved all the unique witch's hats! We look forward to next years big event.

Fall Decorating

2011-10-11T11:34:00.017-04:00

I recently spoke at a homemakers meeting about quick & easy ways to decorate your home for fall. Below are the before and after pictures. Enjoy!
Living Room Before:

Living Room After:

Foyer Before:

Foyer After:

Dining Room Mantle Before:

Dining Room Mantle After:

Dining Room Table Before:

Dining Room Table After:

I look forward to the next presentation.

FALL DECORATING

2011-10-08T10:51:00.013-04:00

Fall is here! This is one of my favorite times of year. I love all the colors of fall & the cool weather is an added bonus. Now is the perfect time to start thinking of how you want to decorate your home for your holiday guests. Here are some of my favorite ideas.

Greet your guests with a beautiful display of pumpkins. I love the idea of writing messages on pumpkins. And I love filling large urns with fall leaves, indian corn and topping with a large pumpkin.

Add some more interest to your table by using pumpkins & gourds in creative ways. Add some mums to mini pumpkins and place at each place setting. And, pumpkins & gourds make great place card holders. I always love using fugi mums since they last a long time & come in many great colors.

Candles are always a great way to add a festive touch to your decor. Use your glass votives and add colorful ribbons, raffia, or twigs for a new look. Hollow out pumpkins in many sizes and add candles for a quick display. And add fall leaves to vases & add a battery operated candle for a warm glow.

A great way to end your evening of entertaining is with a delicious apple crostata. A fun way to serve is in mini individual cast iron frying pans. I hope you enjoy and come in the shop soon for more great ideas!

EVELYN'S HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN 2011

2011-09-22T14:04:00.012-04:00

Thanks to everyone who attended our Holiday Evening of Design. We had so much fun! This season's program showed wonderful ways to entertain this Fall & Christmas.

We showed how easy it is to take the china you already have & add an accent plate and festive linens to make a beautiful table setting. Add pumpkins, gourds, fall leaves, and rustic ceramics to complete your look.

We also show ways to turn a common Christmas pattern into a more current table setting. By simply adding linens in lime green & red, a holly pattern looks fresh & modern.

Our centerpieces were made of "gifts" of peppermint candies.

And "gifts" made of peppermint carnations.

The centerpieces were completed with a modern take on bottle brush trees.

The night was enjoyed by everyone.

The evening ended with a presentation of $800.00 to the Barnwell County Museum.

RECIPES FROM OUR HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN

2011-09-19T11:44:00.000-04:00

We had so much fun at our recent Holiday Evening of Design benefiting the Barnwell County Museum. Many people asked us to post some of the recipes they loved.

MARINATED SHRIMP2lb. peeled, large raw shrimp1 1/2 C white vinegar1 C vegetable oil1/2 C sugar1/4 C capers, undrained1 1/2 tsp celery salt1/2 to 1 tsp salt1 md.size red onion, sliced & separated into rings1. Bring 6 cups slated water to a boil; add shrimp, & cook 3 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Drain & rinse with cold water. Peel shrimp, leaving tails on. Devein, if desired.2. Combine vinegar & next 5 ingredients in a shallow dis; add shrimp alternately with onion. Cover & chill 6 to 24 hours, turning often. Drain shrimp mixture, discarding liquid, before serving.

APPLE & MAPLE TARTLETS2- 8oz. Cream Cheese softened1/2 bottle Rothschild Farms Harvest Apple & Maple Sauce1/4 C. sugar50 to 60 phyllo pastry shells1 can Apple Pie Filling1. Mix softened cream cheese & apple & maple sauce together. Add 1/4 cup sugar.2. Fill pastry shell with cream cheese mixture.3. Place apple pie filling in food processor & puree.4. Top each pastry with pie filling.

Hope you enjoy! Check back soon for all our pictures from our wonderful Holiday Evening of Design.

IN STYLE?

2011-08-18T17:23:00.006-04:00

I often hear many people ask if their current decor is in style. I had a wise designer tell me that if you like it & it feels comfortable to you, then it is in style. We too often decorate our homes to please or impress others. I love going into a home that is purely eclectic & a little disheveled. I can see a person's personality in their collections & objects they proudly display. We try to do that same thing in our shop displays. I know "themes" are the thing in most shops, but I like to show how you can add any beautiful object into your home with ease. Choosing a color in different mediums & textures is a great way to update an existing decor. I always like to soften a room with beautiful florals & vibrant pillows. Small, independent shops like Evelyn's are the perfect place to find the most unique objects for your home. We search out great items that cannot be found at the big box stores. These will make your home look unique & not like your neighbor's home. And small shops will give you the individual service that is so hard to find in mass merchant stores. I always tell people to buy the best they can afford. Simply buying a lot of cheap product to fill your home will only give it a cheap look. You will be proud to have those special objects that show craftsmanship & great style. As summer begins to fade away, we will begin to transition the shop for fall. Now is the perfect time to infuse some style into your your home. And, we will always be glad to help you express your style in your home.

EVELYN'S HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN

2011-07-30T13:51:00.002-04:00

We are busy preparing for our next Holiday Evening of Design & hope you will be able to attend. Please join us Thursday, September 15th, 6:30pm-8:00pm, for an evening filled with wonderful tips & ideas on decorating your home for the holidays. Tickets are $20.00 each & will benefit the Barnwell County Museum. Only 40 tickets are available & will sell out quickly. Call today (803)259-5130 to reserve your tickets. This is one event you will not want to miss.

EVELYN'S GOES BACK TO SCHOOL

2011-07-25T10:20:00.004-04:00

Let Evelyn's help you go back to school in style. You will love our new monogrammed backpacks & insulated lunchboxes in 4 great patterns. We also have laptop covers & tote bags that are perfect for school. We hope to see you soon!

ATLANTA MARKET TRIP

2011-07-19T13:15:00.005-04:00

Twice a year we close shop & head to Atlanta for this country's largest gift show. Although it can be a lot of fun, there is a lot of work in finding the most unique gifts for the shop. This year Evelyn's was featured in the Atlanta Market Magazine which was mailed out to buyers all around the world. We were honored that a small shop like ours was featured. And we were so lucky to have met the executive editor, Tammy Trout, on our way out one evening. Tammy recognized us and treated us like "celebrities". We do appreciate her kindness, especially after a long day of shopping.
Day 1 We left Barnwell at 4:30am so we could get to the hotel then to the market for a full day of shopping. Our first day at market is usually a day we look around for any new & unique items that have a "wow" factor. We had several appointments & found some great gift you are going to love. The market stayed open until 8:00pm for late night shopping. We got back to the hotel by 9pm & I worked on our invoices, schedule, & budget. It had been a long 16 hours since we had left Barnwell.
Day 2 We left the hotel at 8am for another full day of shopping. This day was for completing our Fall, Halloween, & Christmas shopping. Although the majority of Christmas was purchased in January, we spent the day finding some fill in items that will add some humor & warmth to our collections. And, we bought the majority of our 2012 Spring & Easter collections. I will blog soon on these wonderful finds. I hate that we were unable to meet our favorite Millionaire Decorators designer, Katheryn Ireland, but we just had too many appointments we had to keep. We did meet Katheryn last January, & she is as humorous in person as she is on tv! Once again we stayed at market until 8pm. After catching the bus back to the hotel we went to one of our favorite restaurants, Einsteins in Midtown, for a delicious meal.
Day 3 We left the hotel at 8:30am to make a 9am appointment. We got there just in time to find some wonderful decorative accessories that we will debut at our Fall Evening of Design. We spent the day choosing beautiful florals, fragrances, and accessories that will complete our winter collections. As we buy, we constantly think of our customers & whose home we think some of our finds will look great in. And we always strive to find the most unique items you are proud to give & receive. The market closed at 6pm, so we had an early dinner at Houston's & went back to the hotel to add up all our invoices & make sure we took care of all our special orders. This was another successful market trip & we returned home energized for a wonderful holiday season.
As always, we went over our budget a little, but I know you will love our new Fall & Christmas collection. Please remember that we will be having our Fall & Halloween Open House September 17th, and our Christmas Open House November 6. Come in the shop & see all that is new for Fall. We always appreciate your business.

OFF TO MARKET

2011-07-12T09:36:00.005-04:00

It's that time of year when we head back to Atlanta to this country's largest gift & home show. Many people think we are buying for Christmas, but in fact we are shopping for wonderful Spring & Easter gifts & decor. We bought Christmas in January & it has already arrived. We have already marked & sorted all our beautiful ornaments & decor and packed them away for our Christmas Open House in November. You are going to love what we have in store for you this Christmas! Think about us as we leave bright & early Friday morning at 4:30am. And, we will think of you as we pick out the best Spring & Easter goodies you will love. Don't forget we have a wonderful Fall & Halloween Open House September 17th. I will blog on our buying trip when we return. Stay tuned for all our adventures!

MADE IN USA

2011-06-22T12:28:00.004-04:00

We are celebrating Made in USA at Evelyn's by featuring these wonderful treasures made in USA.
*Greenleaf makes wonderful bath & fragrant products that are made in Spartanburg, SC.

*Aromatique: We began selling Aromatique about 10 years ago by the recommendation of a customer. This has been one of our best selling lines & is made in Arkansas.

*Stirrings: We began carrying this line of delicious martini mixes when we hosted our first Witches Night Out. Everyone comes out for our delicious peach bellinis we serve at our Spring & Fall Open Houses.

*Cinda B is a wonderful line of quilted bags & travel accessories that are always popular with our graduates. This line has truly grown to now include a wonderful collection of sports bags & covers.

We have many more Made in USA products including several jewelry lines that you love.
So, are you conscious of where the gifts you buy are made? Come in today & let us show you the quality & uniqueness of Made in USA products.

GREAT DADS

2011-06-10T17:38:00.004-04:00

Father's Day will soon be here (June 19th) and what better way to celebrate than with a wonderful gift from Evelyn's. Give your dad a personalized gift such as a set of monogrammed acrylic mugs, a monogrammed sports towel for all those long hard workouts, a monogrammed toiletries travel bag, or a luxurious monogrammed beach towel. We also have a great wine bottle opener set & cool bottle toppers. Our Firelights are great for any dad who likes the great outdoors. And don't forget we have great USC & Clemson gifts for the die hard fan. Come in soon & let us help you choose the perfect gift.

CELEBRATING LIFE'S MILESTONES

2011-05-26T09:34:00.004-04:00

Graduation is such an important time in people's lives. It marks the beginning of new adventures in life. We always pride ourselves on thoughtful,unique gifts to remember all of life's milestones. Come in today & let us help you select a truly memorable gifts for all the special graduates in your life.

Recipes from Spring Evening of Design

2011-05-18T13:52:00.003-04:00

As promised, I am finally posting a couple of recipes from our Spring Evening of Design. I hope you will enjoy!

TOMATO-CUCUMBER SALAD TARTLETS

1 pt. Grape Tomatoes chopped
1 md. Cucumber, peeled, seeded, & chopped
1/4 C. chopped sweet onion
1/4 C. chopped fresh parsley
1/3 C. crumbled feta cheese
Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper

Toss all ingredients together and spoon into mini pastry shells.

MELON, MOZZARELLA, AND PROSCIUTTO SKEWERS

20 (1 in.) cantaloupe or honeydew cubes
20 thin slices prosciutto
20 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls
20 (4 in.) wooden skewers
Freshly cracked black pepper

Thread 1 melon cube, 1 prosciutto slice, and 1 mozzarella ball onto each of 20 wooden skewers. Sprinkle with black pepper.

EVELYN'S SPRING EVENING OF DESIGN

2011-05-05T15:35:00.003-04:00

Our Spring Evening of Design was a huge success raising $600.00 for the Barnwell County Arts County. Attendees learned great entertaining tips and the art of floral arranging. Enjoy our video of the evening. We will soon post the recipes that you all loved!

Spring & Easter Video of Evelyn's

2011-04-08T15:29:00.003-04:00

VINTAGE EASTER

2011-03-29T10:26:00.003-04:00

Add a little nostalgia to your home with our wonderful Vintage Easter Collections. You will love our foil rabbits, glittered rabbits & chicks, and Easter ornaments. These are sure to remind you of your childhood Easters.

SPRING ARRIVALS

2011-03-19T13:17:00.005-04:00

The warmer weather has brought many wonderful new treasures into the shop. You will love our unique garden welcome signs, metal floral centerpieces, baskets, birdfeeders, chimes and everlasting florals. Come in soon & lest us help you celebrate the Spring season!

THE MAKING OF AN OPEN HOUSE

2011-02-27T18:05:00.004-05:00

We have recently had a successful Spring & Easter Open House & I thought I would give you a little background into what goes into making a successful Open House.
We searched, found, & bought Easter treasures last July at the Atlanta International Gift Market. These all were shipped to us in December & we marked & sorted into categories for the Open House. We planned the date of our Spring Open House last July also.
I drew out my floor plans over Christmas so that I would know where every item would be placed. I then worked on a postcard that we gave out at the shop & mailed. I must have taken 50 pictures to capture the spirit of the Open House that I put on our postcard.
On the week of Open House we moved all the furniture around according to floor plans. We then had the fun task of opening all the boxes & displaying all the treasures.
We always serve our delicious peach bellinis that everyone loves, & this year Hannah made her delicious Spring cookies that were gobbled up!
And, if you are wondering, I have already bought Christmas 2011 & will receive it in June. We will have our Christmas Open House November 6th.
We still have many wonderful Spring & Easter treasure you have to have. Come in today & see them for yourself.

SNEEK A QUICK GLANCE

2011-02-23T19:23:00.004-05:00

Our Spring & Easter Open House is only a few days away & here is a quick glance at just a few treasures we have in store for you. We hope you can attend & enjoy our delicious peach bellinis & nibbles. Our Spring & Easter Open House is this Saturday, February 26th, 9am-3pm. We hope to see you!!

SIGNS OF SPRING

2011-02-15T19:04:00.003-05:00

Spring is creeping its way into the shop & I am loving it! I am anxiously awaiting constant warm days & flowers showing off their beauty. As we prepare for our Spring & Easter Open House on February 26th, preview some of the treasures that have already made it into the shop.

MORE GREAT VALENTINE'S GIFT IDEAS

2011-02-06T06:54:00.004-05:00

Valentine's Day is fast approaching & we still have many wonderful ways to say "I Love You".

FOR HER: Susan Shaw's handmade jewelry, Southern Gates sterling silver jewelry representing the iron scroll work of lowcountry artisans, Celebrating bracelets represents all the special moments in your life, Convertible bracelets with interchangeable clasps, Aromatique fragrant candles & bath products, European soaps, wonderful CDs from pianist Dan Troxell, Cinda B bags & travel accessories, & more!

FOR HIM: Lenox wine opener & serving set, Caravelle watches, Engraved business cards cases, Handmade wood photo albums, Pewter USC & Clemson travel mugs & giftware.

FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS: Valentine guest towels, Aromatique candles & fragrant diffusers, Willow Tree angels & figurines, Luxurious European soaps, Habersham fragrant wax pottery vessels & solid solutions lotions, Dan Troxell beautiful CDs.

And don't forget we have all the wonderful Hallmark Valentine's Day cards you love to give & receive! We hope to see you soon. Gift wrapping & engraving are always complimentary at Evelyn's!

DROP A HINT FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

2011-01-30T07:26:00.006-05:00

Valentine's Day will soon be here & let us help you drop a hint to cupid for what you want this Valentine's Day. We have added so many beautiful & unique treasures that you are going to love!
Our 2011 Spring Susan Shaw collection is now in stock & you are going to love all the long gold vermille necklaces, bracelets, & earrings she has added to her collection, many of which are embedded with cotton pearls, silver coins, & aventurine.
Our luxurious European soaps have added 2 new fragrances in wild lily, and red current. And, you will love our set of 4 heart shaped soaps in rose & camellia. These will be great for all your friends!
Who wouldn't love to receive a beautiful arrangement of exotic fresh flowers in one of our unique vases. After the flowers have passed, you will still have a beautiful piece of decorative art.
Our Celebration bracelets have already become one of our most popular bracelets. Each bead added to your bracelet represents all the special moments in your life. Beads are available in sterling silver, Murano glass, & Austrian crystals.
Our Cinda B bags & travel accessories come in many exciting colors & patterns. Cinda B has added a new pattern & new sports & tech pieces to its wide collection.
Come in today and register your wishes with us and we will let cupid know exactly what you want. See more great ideas on our website www.evelynsjewelry.com

QUICK LOOK FROM MARKET

2011-01-22T17:21:00.004-05:00

We are back from this country's busiest market in Atlanta & have so many wonderful treasures arriving soon. In the next several blogs I will showcase some of our favorite looks going into Spring.

The equestrian look was all over the Atlanta market & is perfect for our town. Being in thoroughbred country, we were glad to see such a vast & unique collection of equestrian product that is easy to work into your decor. We have wonderful horse bookends, cocktail napkins, coasters, guest towels, prints, plates, & trays that are classic. Come in soon & let us help you choose the perfect accessories to spice up your home.

DREAMING OF SPRING

2011-01-06T18:37:00.003-05:00

The warm weather we had recently had me & the shop dreaming of an early Spring. Although reality hit with cold & raining weather, the shop is filled with beautiful Spring florals that will brighten even the dreariest of days. You will love our selection of hydrangeas, Queen Anne's lace, orchids, peach blossoms, & more to freshen up your home. Come in soon & take a little bit of sunshine home with you.

CHRISTMAS JEWELS

2010-12-04T06:44:00.003-05:00

Each Christmas we all try to find the perfect gifts for everyone on our gift giving list. One of our favorite jewelry artisans is Jessica and Ian of J andI Jewelry. This is a unique jewelry collection that is handmade by artisans in Philadelphia. Why wear massed produced jewelry when you can wear a beautiful piece of art? Come in the shop & let us show you this wonderful collection.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING

2010-11-21T08:12:00.004-05:00

Christmas is the time of year we festoon our homes with all the finery that brings back wonderful memories & joy. Recently I spoke at a garden club and showed how to decorate your home with wonderful & fragrant clippings from the garden.
The entrance table was decorated with a large Tuscan footed urn filled with an abundance of fresh cedar, pine, magnolia, nandina, holly, & umbrella palm. A set of 3 glittery bottle brush trees completes the look.
The dining table was set with a beautiful magnolia garland complimented with blue & white vases and mercury glass vases filled with cedar, pine & holly. The buffet featured a yellow Tuscan grapes cachepot filled with cedar & nandina and topped with a red gazing ball.
The mantle featured a classic magnolia garland topped with a silk plaid ribbon. An extra tall Tuscan vase was filled with umbrella palm and red flowering branches. Tall red candles completed the look of the mantle
Look to your own garden for inspiration this Christmas and make your own home just as spectacular!

FALL HOME DESIGN

2010-10-22T18:40:00.004-04:00

Fall is finally here and now is the time to bring all its beauty & glory into your home. I recently spoke at a homemakers group & showed several ways to bring fall throughout your home.
I first decorated the dining room with an eclectic mix of "country" pumpkins, magnolia leaves, feathers, & hydrangeas. The dining table is outfitted with beautiful magnolia garland that is layered with a feather & natural grass garland. Several country pumpkins were mixed in the garland along with gold gilded magnolia cones. Two Asian ginger jars were filled with fresh magnolia and dried gold painted oak leaf hydrangeas. The buffet is decorated with a pheasant feather & natural grass wreath & gold magnolia cones. A glass cake stand is in the center with a beautiful pumpkin tureen filled with natural magnolia leaves & gold painted oak leaf hydrangeas.
I next decorated a hunt board with an antique tole tray topped with a terracotta pot. I added a great orange berry garland around the pot & cascading around the tray. I next added a wonderful ceramic pumpkin in the center of the pot & added some fall leaves to complete the fall centerpiece.
I love Halloween, so I wanted to show how to bring "classy" Halloween into your home without it being too childish or too scary. I took a weathered bird cage and added lichen branches & dried purple beauty berry branches. To complete the look I added a fabulous black raven to watch over your home.
I didn't want to forget Christmas, so I showed how to decorate a coffee table. I took one of our new rustic metal deer centerpieces and wrapped the inside & outside with a great new glittery pine garland that has silver, gold, & bronze ball ornaments attached. I then filled the center of the basket with over sized gold & silver pine cone ornaments and acorn mercury glass ornaments. To complete the look I added two extra tall candle holders with 18" candles for festive drama.
Always remember to add layers of texture, color, & height to your decorating & you can make your own home look professionally decorated! Happy Holidays to everyone!
Please remember to come see us for our wonderful Christmas Open House Sunday, November 7th, 1:30-6:00. Come see how we transform the shop into a winter wonderland.

WITCHS' NIGHT OUT

2010-10-15T18:58:00.005-04:00

Thanks to everyone who flew in for our 2nd annual Witches' Night Out. We had so much fun and we were so impressed with all the extravagant witch's hats that were worn! This was our largest crowd and many of you flew out with many wonderful treasures. Our blood orange martinis were the biggest hit along with our sweet roasted toads tongues dip on cream cheese (this was our delicious roasted pineapple habanero dip). We hope to see you at our next big event, our HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, Sunday, November 7th, 1:30pm-6:pm. Hope to see everyone soon!

HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN

2010-09-12T08:04:00.003-04:00

Our recent Holiday Evening of Design was so much fun that I wanted to share it with everyone. If you have never attended one of our design events, I hope this will inspire you to want to attend our next design event. Everyone learned creative ways to set their holiday tables, display their cherished holiday collections, create beautiful arrangements, add touches of holiday to their decor, and so much more. I hope to see people making their own pumpkin topiaries like the ones we showed. And, I know everyone is going to have breathtaking tablescapes like the ones we showed. Always look for ways to use your accessories and serveware in ways other than their intended purpose. We used candle holders to display pumpkins, and two tiered cake stands to showcase collectibles. Wall mirrors were used as table runners, and serving trays were used a charger plates. As promised, I am sharing the recipes for the delicious munchies you enjoyed. Thanks to everyone who attended and help raise $800.00 for the Barnwell County Museum. We hope to see you at the next event!

Brie Tartlets
Cut up pieces of brie cheese and place in pre-made tartlet cups, top with Rothschild Farms hot pepper raspberry preserves. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes & serve.

Goat Cheese Spread
4 ounces cream cheese
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. finely chopped onion
1/4 tsp. cracked black pepper
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
chopped dried apricots

Beat first 4 ingredients until well combined. Form into desired shape. Combined pecans & apricots and cover top & sides of cheese. Serve with crackers.

Skewered Greek Salad
Grape tomatoes
3 ounces feta cheese
Pitted kalamata olives
1/2 small red onion
Leaf lettuce torn into small pieces

Thread the skewers starting with olive, then add a piece of cheese, leaf lettuce, onion, and finish with a tomato. Marinate with creamy Caesar dressing.

You can find our delicious marinated shrimp recipe on previous evening of design posts. Enjoy!

Celebrations

2010-08-15T19:16:00.002-04:00

My family recently celebrated our parents 50th wedding anniversary with a family trip to North Carolina. It was so wonderful to all be together and share all our laughs (and driving mishaps)and stories with each other. While in North Carolina, I was inspired by the beautiful architecture and gardens we visited. We went in many independent artisan shops that also inspired me with their creativity. I have so many wonderful ideas to bring my inspirations & adventures back to the shop. Be sure to visit us and let us help you celebrate all the special moments in your life! And, I promise to be nicer to the woman on the GPS who had me driving down every back road in NC!

HOT COLOR

2010-08-01T18:41:00.003-04:00

Every time we return from market, we are always asked what is the hot color we saw a lot. This market we saw a lot of wonderful shades of yellow. It has been a while since we had much yellow in the shop, but yellow will be well represented in the shop this fall. Yellow always puts a smile on my face. It is bright, cheery, and welcoming. And if you are afraid to go full force with yellow, add simple accents in this luscious color. Deep mustard yellows are paired with intense oxblood reds for a Tuscany Italian look. Pale yellows mixed with neutrals & grays give an airy country French look. Both of these looks will be found in decorative accessories, pillows, prints, & more this fall. Come in today & let us help you add yellow to your decor.

ATLANTA SUMMER MARKET

2010-07-25T14:01:00.006-04:00

We have returned from the Atlanta market and have found many wonderful treasures you will love! Many people think the market is a fun vacation for us, but it is a lot of hard work & long days. We do have some fun while we are there, but most of the day is searching for the perfect treasures to bring to the shop. The following is how we spent our days at market.

Saturday, July 17th
We leave Barnwell at 4:30am and head to Atlanta for a long day at market. We check in at the hotel (a funny story in itself) and catch the bus to the market. We begin our adventures at 9:00am looking through countless showrooms trying to pick up on the current trends and fashion colors. Most of the home accessory showrooms are a feast for the eyes. It is hard not to want to buy it all, but budget forbids it! We went to a seminar given by Eddie Ross, a former contestant on Bravo's Top Design. He gave many wonderful ideas on entertaining & decorating that we will pass on at our September Holiday Evening of Design. Several of the showrooms hosted buyer appreciation parties that we attended. We returned to the hotel at 8:30pm. It took several times riding up & down the hotel elevator & a nice woman to tell us we had to use our room key to access our floor.

Sunday, July 18, We catch the hotel bus and arrive at the market at 8:30am. I have a 9am appointment & add many wonderful new designs in our popular decoupage trays including new vanity trays. A buyers' group lounge was offering a complimentary breakfast & we gladly accepted. After breakfast we had another appointment & I bought wonderful bright & cheerful Easter & Spring 2011 merchandise.
We found many wonderful pillows, lamps, and accessories you are going to love! I picked up the Sunday addition of Home Accents Today magazine and found the list of the best showroom displays. I like to see all the winners & get wonderful display ideas from them. Market closed at 6pm today and we were back at the hotel by 7pm. A woman on the bus suggested a Thai restaurant for us to eat supper. We were a little hesitant since we had never eaten Thai food, but we decided to give it a try. The waitress was wonderful help and we loved it! We returned to our rooms and & reviewed invoices and budgets.

Monday, July 19, We catch the 8:30am bus to market & begin with appointments bright & early. Wow! I love the new prints we bought at such great prices! We also added a new entertaining line that will debut at our Fall Open House in September. Time seems to really fly by fast while at the market. We catch the 6pm bus back to the hotel & walk 2 blocks to one of our favorite restaurants, Einstein's. We love all their food, and their drinks are so needed by this time. We get back to our rooms & I re-work my schedule to make sure I get all the buying done in our last day.

Tuesday, July 20th, This is our last day at the market and we arrive at 9am. We quickly go up to the holiday & floral floors to finish all our holiday buying. These showrooms are always packed during the week & I wait until the last day so I can easily see everything. We are so excited with the looks we will have for this fall and Christmas, and for the new service we will be offering. We get back to the hotel by 7pm and go to another one of our favorite restaurants, Houstons. They have a wonderful jazz trio and the best ribs anywhere around!

Wednesday, July 21, We leave Atlanta at 9:30am and drive through all the traffic and look forward getting back to Barnwell. The traffic & business of Atlanta makes me truly love living in the small community of Barnwell!

Our wonderful new treasures will begin arriving in August and all will be here by our Fall & Halloween Open House, Saturday, September 18th. Also, don't forget about our Holiday Evening of Design in September (only 40 tickets are available). Other events include our Witches' Night Out, October 14th, and Holiday Open House, November 7th. We look forward seeing you soon in the shop. Be sure to follow us on facebook(evelyn's jewelry & gift shop) and
twitter (evelynsjewelry) for all our updates and arrives of our great new treasures!

We're Off To Market

2010-07-16T20:09:00.005-04:00

It's hard to believe, but it is time once again for us to go to market in Atlanta & find many wonderful treasures to fill the shop. We have already placed Christmas orders in January & most have already arrived & sorted. We will finish up Christmas & also buy for Easter & early Spring 2011. We will also be on the hunt for unique items for our Holiday Evening of Design in September.
We have many appointments set & will also attend several wonderful seminars. I will post our day by day happenings when we return. I am also taking the camera to try & sneak a few great pictures of the market so you can see the huge size of it. Stay tuned for a new service we will begin offering this fall!

EVELYN'S IS ONE OF HOME ACCENTS TODAY 50 RETAIL STARS

2010-07-04T14:45:00.004-04:00

We are so proud to be listed as one of Home Accents Today magazine's 50 Retail Stars. Evelyn's is only 1 of 2 shops listed from South Carolina and we are so proud to recognized in a national magazine. We strive to bring the freshest & trend forward gifts & accessories to our shop. And we have so much fun with our special events including our seasonal open houses, evening of designs, and our witches' night out. We share this success with you, our valued customers & friends. Thank you for all your support! Click images to enlarge.

CELEBRATING MOMS

2010-04-29T19:07:00.003-04:00

Moms are the ones who are always there for us when we are happy, sad, sick, or just need someone to talk to. This Mother's Day let Evelyn's help you thank your mom for all she does for us all year long. Some of our favorite gifts are our collections of:

*Beautiful Decorative Pillows

*Vases & Cachepots for beautiful flowers & plants from the garden.

*Luxurious soaps in many luscious fragrances to pamper herself.

*Gorgeous Journals & Photo Albums for all her favorite memories

*Aromatique Lotions & Shower gels for that great spa experience.

*Shelley Kyle wonderfully fragrant perfumes that are as unique as your mom.

*Susan Shaw handmade intaglio and vintage style jewelry.

*Southern Gates Palmetto Jewelry

*Cinda B Bags & Travel Accessories in a wonderful collection of colors & patterns.

*Vintage Style Aprons for the mom who loves to be a true chef.

*Sterling Silver Picket Fence Children Charms, Charm Bracelets & Charm Necklaces.

*Aromatique Fragrance Diffusers & Candles

And so much more!!

Visit us today and let us help you choose the most unique treasure for your mom. Monogramming & beautiful gift wrapping are always complimentary at Evelyn's. Visit our website for more great gift ideas http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/

EVELYN'S SPRING EVENING OF DESIGN

2010-04-24T15:27:00.004-04:00

Thank you to everyone who attended our sold-out Spring Evening of Design. We raised $800.00 for The Barnwell County Arts Council for its many cultural arts programs it brings to Barnwell County.

After enjoying some of our favorite wines & delicious appetizers,our guests learned many great tips on exciting table settings, floral arranging, & entertaining. And this time we showed easy ways to compose great tabletops & bookcases. Everyone went home with many great ideas to rearrange their cherished belongings. Any many of you went home with some unique accessories for your home.

As promised, the following are some of the recipes of our delicious appetizers:

TOMATO-CUCUMBER SALAD TARTLETS

1 pt.grape tomatoes,halved

1 md. cucumber, peeled, seeded, & cubed

1/4 c. fresh chopped parsley

1/2 c. crumbled feta cheese

1/4 c. basil Parmesan vinaigrette

1 (9oz.)package frozen pastry shells

Mix first 5 ingredients. Fill thawed pastry shells just before serving. Serve immediately.

CREAMY PESTO CHEESE TORTE

1 lb. cream cheese

1 C. traditional pesto sauce

1/2 C. butter

Rothschild Farms Raspberry Hot Pepper Preserves

Whip cream cheese & butter. Add pesto. Line spring-form pan or 3" tall cake pan with plastic wrap and press mixture into pan. Cover and chill overnight. Un-mold on tray and top with raspberry hot pepper preserves. Serve with baguette slices or crispy crackers.

BEEF AND ASPARAGUS BUNDLES

Asparagus spears

Bibb lettuce

Red Bell Pepper (cut into thin strips)

Thin sliced deli roast beef, halved

Rothschild Farms Blooming Onion Dill Sauce

Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus. Cut asparagus tips into 3.5" pieces. Cook asparagus in boiling water to cover, 2 to 4 minutes or until crisp tender; drain. Plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process: drain and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange roast beef, lettuce, asparagus, bell pepper & top with dill sauce. Roll up & secure with bamboo skewer.

We hope you enjoy! Come in the shop soon & let us inspire you to create a beautiful home. Be sure to see more pictures on our facebook page.

SPRING BLOOMS

2010-04-11T18:57:00.003-04:00

Spring Flowers are now blooming and there is no place more beautiful than springtime in the south. Azaleas are in full bloom now and our iconic magnolias, hydrangeas,& roses will soon be in bloom. Evelyn's has so many ways to show off your "prize-winning" blooms. You will love our collection of flower sacks. Simply add water, flowers, & hang your flower sack on your door & you will be the envy of your neighbors. You will also love showing off your blooms in our collection of handmade vases in wonderful shades of green, white, and aqua. Come in the shop today & let us help you choose the perfect vessel for your Spring blooms.

Visit our website http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/ to see all our collections.

HIPPITY, HOPPITY, EASTER'S ON ITS WAY

2010-03-20T06:36:00.003-04:00

It's Spring and that means Easter will soon be here! We have so many great ways to bring Easter into your home & so many wonderful Easter gift ideas that you will love.

Our unique terracotta rabbits are great to use all spring & summer in your garden. They make wonderful centerpieces for your table when surrounded by potted plants & flowers.

Bring a vintage touch to your home with our glittered Spring rabbits in various sizes. A grouping of these rabbits on a buffet with fresh flowers arranged in silver & crystal vases, creamers, & julep cups will make everyone think of all the wonderful Easters they treasure.

And, don't forget the children. Our fabulous Easter bunnies in their Easter finery will bring delight to every child on Easter morning. We even have plush chicks that chirp, ducklings that quack, and lambs that baaaaa. And for the child in us all we have musical bunny ears that are sure to delight us all!

Come see us soon and let us inspire you this Easter. You can always see us on our website, www.evelynsjewelry.com to see a sampling of our great Easter treasures!

I'm Loving Turquoise

2010-01-31T12:56:00.003-05:00

Many people have asked me what colors do we see at the market that are the new "must-have" colors. Although there are many new trend colors shown at market (you will start seeing a lot of purples & oranges in home decor magazines) we love the turquoise & aqua colors the best. These are soothing colors that can easily be mixed into many decor styles. Home decor colors get their start from the fashion runways (remember all the purple gowns worn at the golden globe awards). Aqua & turquoise are big this season in fashion, jewelry & home decor. The aqua tones are almost a neutral that look great with browns, sea greens, reds, pinks, corals, and many more. If you do not want to change everything to this color, try accenting with these colors. A throw pillow or a beautiful piece of pottery in aqua is a perfect accent you could add to your home. And, don't forget to add these colors to your wardrobe and jewelry. Many of our jewelry designers have added a lot of this color to their collections. Come in the shop today and let us show you how you can add these two great colors to your life. We love these colors so much we have changed our gift wrapping and packaging to these colors!

OUR JANUARY ATLANTA MARKET TRIP

2010-01-17T13:40:00.004-05:00

We braved the Atlanta ice & snow to attend this country's largest gift & home furnishings market. This is a market comprised of 4 buildings each with 14 to 20 floors of permanent & temporary showrooms. We found so many great treasures you are going to love! We added many great new lines that fit the Evelyn's experience. Our major goal was to buy Christmas 2010 and we succeeded with great style & panache. We bought with our Spring Open House (February 27th) and our 3rd Evening Of Design (late April) in mind. These are two events you love and we have outdone ourselves for these two events. The following is a snapshot of our week in Atlanta. I wish we would have had more pictures for you, but my camera's battery died on the 1st day. Hope you enjoy!

Day 1 (Friday)

We left Barnwell at 4:30am with much concern about the weather. I watched the weather channel all evening checking the Atlanta weather. The interstates were fine and we didn't get into any icy conditions until we reached our 14th street hotel. The sidewalks still had ice on them and our bus could not make it up the hills at the market. We got to the market by 9:00am to a market of yesteryear. There were so many buyers & everyone was so upbeat about their business. Showroom were full of buying customers & we were glad we had made appointments with our key vendors. The first day is usually set aside for getting a feel of the current trends, colors, & designs. We went to 2 seminars. Our first seminar was on holiday decorating. We picked up great ideas that we will share with you during our open house and evening of design. Our second seminar was with Kathryn Ireland (she was first to admit she was Not the swimsuit model) on entertaining. She is a designer who designs homes for the wealthy in California and many movie stars (Reese Witherspoon bought her home). I can't wait to share her ideas with you at our Evening of Design! We shopped until 7:00pm then went to the 10th Anniversary party for Willow Tree Angels designer Susan Lordi. We got back to the hotel around 8:30pm & I planned our agenda for Saturday.

Day 2 (Saturday)

We caught the 8:15am bus and arrived at the market by 8:30am. Not much traffic on the roads because of all the ice. I began by looking through several of my holiday showrooms to complete our holiday look. We had a 11:3o lunch appointment with my major holiday vendor and bought Christmas, Christmas, and more Christmas. Expect classy, elegant, & unique twists on Christmas this year from us. I had another appointment with a Halloween vendor that you all love! We added so many wonderfully creepy creatures from our Joe Spencer line. These will debut at our Fall/Halloween open house in September and they sell out FAST! We wrapped up our holiday buying and prepared ourselves for the many events planned by our vendors. We were lucky to see some of our favorites & some new people: Jim Shore & his wife, Tony Curtis, Meredith Baxter, Cinda Boomershine, Shelley Kyle, Susan Lordi, Kathryn Ireland, and many more. We stayed until 8:00pm and arrived back at the hotel by 8:30pm to go over invoices, budgets, & Sunday's appointments.

Day 3 (Sunday)

We once again took the 8:15am bus to arrive at the market by 8:30am. Today was the day to buy home accessories. You will love the colors of aqua, golden yellows, rustic reds, and worn whites that will be predominate this Spring. There were other "trendy" colors that we passed on (lavenders and oranges). Styles include vintage & time worn looks complete with Fleur De Li's & crowns. Our garden looks will include apple greens & mercury glass complimented with many bird and butterfly designs. You will love these looks and want to add pieces to your decor! We arrived back to our hotel by 6:30pm and went to our one of our favorite restaurants, Einstein's.

Day 4 (Monday)

We took the 8:30am bus and arrived at the market by 9:00am. This was a busy day for us since it was our last shopping day. Today we added to our delicious gourmet food lines including our famous martini mixes (the new watermelon martini is yum!). We then had an appointment with Caroline who showed us a great new line of entertaining & home decor items that we plan on using for our evening of design. We also added many new colors to our popular woven placemats & patterned fabric napkins. It was fun to see her & meet her mother & sister-in-law. We went to the temporaries and added to our popular J&I, and Susan Shaw jewelry lines. I hope these will arrive before Valentine's since I know you all would love to receive these from Cupid! We then did our tour of High Design. I love to go through this juried collection of vendors who show cutting edge designs. As mentioned before, the people are as unique as the product they sell & they didn't disappoint this market! We actually found a great line of handmade jewelry based on nature that we plan to introduce for Mother's Day. We constantly search out made in USA products and this new line in all made in USA. We wrapped up the day buying all those beautiful scarves you love in wonderful spring colors. We left the market by 6:00pm and went to another one of our favorite restaurants, Houston's.

Day 5 (Tuesday)

We left Atlanta exhausted, but excited about all the wonderful treasures we found. Please be sure to put Saturday, February 27th on your calendar for our Spring and Easter Open House. We will be serving our famous bellini's, and delicious munchies as you preview the best in Spring and Easter decor.

We hope to see you in the shop soon so you can see all the unique finds we found with you in mind! Also, check out our updated website for great gift ideas: www.evelynsjewelry.com

IT'S MARKET TIME

2010-01-06T19:04:00.004-05:00

It's hard to believe that it is market time again for us. This is the time of year we buy our Christmas, Fall, & Halloween for 2010. We also buy many treasures to make your home fabulous! With Valentine's coming soon we will add great new handmade jewelry, luxurious bath products, stylish handbags, and fashionable scarves. You will want it all! We will be closed Friday, Jan 8th, through Tuesday, Jan. 12th. Yes we are going to travel through the Atlanta snow to bring you the best treasures we can find. We hope to see you in the shop soon. In the meantime, check out our updated website http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/

The Great Christmas Clearance Sale Has Begun!

2010-01-03T18:23:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe that it's that time of year for our famous After Christmas Clearance Sale. Now is the time to pick up some great bargains on our unique Christmas decor. All our remaining fabulous Christmas items are 50% off! Our Jim Shore collectible santa's & angels, and our Byers' Choice Carolers are 20% off. But hurry, the last day for this sale is Thursday, January 7th. We will be at market January 8-January 12 buying Christmas 2010. We look forward seeing you soon!

Preview some of our great Valentine's gifts on our website http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/

Great Hostess & Teacher Gifts

2009-12-06T17:42:00.003-05:00

GREAT HOSTESS & TEACHER GIFTS

It's that time of year for Christmas entertaining and we have the perfect gifts for you to take to the host & hostess. These great gift ideas also are great teacher gifts! Some of our favorite gifts are:

*Unique Christmas Ornaments

*Christmas Linen Guest Towels

*Aromatique Christmas Fragrances

*Delicious Gourmet Foods

*Christmas Paper Guest Towels in Holders

*Luxurious Lotions & Scented Soaps

And don't forget that we always offer complimentary Christmas wrapping! Come by the shop today and let us help you with everyone on your Christmas gift giving list! See more great gift ideas at our website www.evelynsjewelry.com

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

2009-11-14T05:29:00.003-05:00

Christmas has arrived at Evelyn's and we had a great time at our Christmas Open House. Thanks to everyone who made this year's open house our most successful ever! This year we featured a winter wonderland of festive ornaments and holiday decor. Our trees this year are: Aspen Ridge, First Snow, Glory To The New Born King, Pure Grace, and Very Merry. Although we have sold out of some of our most spectacular treasures, we still have a wonderful collection for you to add to your decor. We still have some of our most popular snowy owl ornaments, but they are flying out the door fast! And our beautiful Pure Grace angels and crosses carry a special meaning of the true meaning of Christmas. Another great item that is selling fast are our festive mesh Christmas trees in silver and lime green (sorry, all but 1 gold remains). And, our glittery wreaths in gold, silver, and red will add a special "bling" to your home. We invite you into the shop soon so that you will not miss out on any of these special treasures. We hope to see you soon!

OUR MOST ANTICIPATED EVENT

2009-11-06T05:35:00.002-05:00

All the elves are busy transforming the shop into a winter wonderland just for you! Join us for sips and nibbles while listening to our beautiful Christmas music. Come see all the treasures we found to make this Christmas spectacular!

We will be closed this Saturday, Nov. 7, as we put the special touches on the shop. Be sure to join us Sunday, Nov. 8th, 2:00pm-6:00pm, for the glorious beginning of the holiday season!

WITCHES' NIGHT OUT

2009-10-24T06:35:00.003-04:00

Thanks to everyone who flew in to our first Witches' Night Out. We all had a cackling good time! There were some very creative witches hats that I loved! Everyone sure got in the spirit of Halloween and enjoyed our delicious Blood Orange Martinis, Marinated Witches' Knuckles, Bloody Treats, Goblin Goo, and Cheesy Lizard Tongues. And I know you loved the spooktacular savings on our funtastic halloween decor. We look forward to next year's Witches' Night Out. We are now beginning to transform the shop into a winter wonderland for our Christmas Open House. Please join us Sunday, November 8th, for our spectacular Christmas Open House.

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

2009-10-04T15:42:00.003-04:00

Are you ready for Christmas? We begin planning for Christmas in January and work all year making it better than the previous year. This year we are excited with the looks we have for Christmas. We have been receiving Christmas treasures since June and sorting them into their themes. Today I took a zillion pictures for our annual Christmas Open House postcard. We all laugh that we are covered in glitter for months! Today was no exception. Everything I used for the Christmas postcard was covered in glitter and it will take months to get it off of me and out of my living room. I am sharing with you the process in putting together our postcard photo. Hope you enjoy the photos. Our Christmas Open House is Sunday, November 8th, 2:00-6:00. I know you will love all that we will be offering this Christmas! Please put this date on your calendar and join us for all the fun!

HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN

2009-09-13T07:59:00.003-04:00

Thank you to everyone who attended our Holiday Evening of Design on Thursday, September 10Th. We all had so much fun! Hopefully everyone picked up a few tips to make your holidays fabulous. Many of you have asked me about the wines we served.

The wines were:

*White Merlot by Sutter Home (our most popular!) California

*Shiraz by Lindemans, Australia

*Chenin Blanc by Beringer, California

Because of your generosity, $800.00 was donated to the Barnwell County Museum!

Please continue to support the arts in our community by attending events sponsored by the Barnwell County Museum, Barnwell County Arts Council, & Barnwell Circle Theatre.

We will have our next Evening of Design in April. Tickets are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early when we announce the date.

We hope to see you in the shop soon!

NOTES FROM THE MARKET

2009-07-15T18:58:00.003-04:00

Many people ask me what it is like to shop the Atlanta market. Everyone thinks it is days full of fun and excitement. It is fun, but it is a lot of work and a lot of walking! The following is a snapshot of the days we spent at market.

Friday, July 10th

Busy day! We left Barnwell at 4:30am for a very long day at market. As our shuttle bus pulled up at the market, I was amazed at the very large attendance! This is such a change from the January market where there was a low attendance. We waited in a long time to get our market badges then quickly went over to the merchandise mart building to catch an elevator up to our first floor of shopping. We start off visiting some of our favorite designer showrooms to pick up on emerging home decor trends. Vintage inspired looks are everywhere! We begin buying Spring and Easter 2010 which will be shipped December 26th. You are going to love these great designs! We added to our handcrafted made in USA designer jewelry collections (think vintage Coco Chanel). We picked up many catalogs and walked many, many floors searching out the truly unique treasures. As the day winds down we attended several buyer receptions. We made it back to the hotel at 8:45pm and prepared for a busy Saturday.

Saturday, July 11th

We started the day off early with a 9:00am breakfast meeting with one of our new vendors. This was an exciting new showroom and we added 3 great lines you are going to love!! After our meeting we attended a seminar on Avante Garde Christmas decorating. I love to attend these seminars to learn great new design techniques. Unfortunately, the speaker was only given 1 hour notice that she would be giving the seminar and is was apparent by her presentation. I felt bad for her as many of the attendees left during her presentation. How rude!! We stayed for the entire presentation and went down to her showroom to purchase some of the great product that she used. We then went down to the High Design floor. This is a juried group of vendors that show cutting edge designed products. I admit that we rarely buy from this floor, but I enjoy seeing what will be the trends 3 years from now. The people on this floor are as "unique" as the product they are selling! I know we seem like "country bumpkins" when we enter this area! We were lucky to meet many of our designers today. We met Jim Shore, Beatriz Ball, Andrea & Charles Sadek, and Cyndi Bloomshire. These are positive people who are very proud of their product, as they should be. They are gracious and always want to know our concerns and recommendations for their lines. Today we added a total of 7 new lines for the shop. We got back to the hotel around 8:30pm and go through all our invoices and catalogs to prepare for Sunday.

Sunday, July 12th

I didn't have an appointment until 10:00am, so I went to our favorite book vendor and ordered a lot of great children's books. Dot always has the most unique children's books that sell out quickly. She can literally recite any book in her showroom and make the best recommendations for us. We always love seeing her! Most of our reps seem like family to us. Today we had several appointments with our key vendors and added all the new goodies they had to offer. Aromatique always adds 1 new fragrance for the winter season. This year it is peppermint (very refreshing). Those of you who attended our Evening of Design will be glad to know that we have added a wonderful new collection of entertaining items that will make your holiday entertaining a breeze. We added a lot of color to our home decor selections with great urns, prints, and lamps. Most of these will arrive before our fall open house in September! Several celebrities were at the market today. Marie Osmond, Jane Seymour, and Jim Brickman all have new product that they were introducing at the market. We arrived back at our hotel around 6:30pm and went to one of our favorite restaurants in Atlanta (Einstein's).

Monday, July 13th

This is our last day at market, so we have to be very aware of our time. We still have 15 showrooms to go see. One of our favorite reps Caroline showed a new line of linens that we went crazy over. These have great fall colors that are truly unique (you will not see this at any big box chain!). We added a great new line of scarves that are going to be "the fashion accessory" this fall. We had a wonderful rep who, I think, tried everyone on for us! She earned her commission that day! One of our lamp vendors offered us great savings on some of their unique lamps. I couldn't resist ordering these at such great prices. Most of these are so unique that you would only see them in a designer's boutique. And now you will get to see them in Barnwell and put them in your beautiful home! Did we over spend our budget? Yes. But, now is the time to make our homes beautiful and festive for the holidays. We hope to see you soon in our shop and see all the treasures we purchased with you in mind!

Cameras are not allowed in the market, but I snuck one in to give you an idea of what it looks like inside the market. There are 4 buildings with 10 to 20 floors of showroom and temporary vendor space in each building. Showrooms (don't call them shops) are beautifully decorated and give such great inspiration on design ideas.

Visit us at our website, http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/ or on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ and search Evelyn's Jewelry & Gift Shop.

IT'S MARKET TIME!

2009-07-08T19:02:00.003-04:00

It's hard to believe it is time for us to head back to the summer Atlanta market. This is the largest market in the country with over a 7 million square feet of vendor space, and growing! We will be at market from Friday, July 10Th until Tuesday, July 14Th. Even with 4 full days (8:00am-8:00pm) we still do not see all the market has to offer. We always make appointments with our key vendors. But, we also make sure we have ample time to search out new vendors with the latest high design trends to bring back to the shop. There are several exciting seminars we will attend to learn the best way to merchandise and operate our shop. We also meet many talented professionals and share success stories and "war" stories. We are planning many exciting special events for the shop this fall and we will be searching for the perfect treasures to showcase at these events. Most people think we will be buying Christmas, but in actuality we will be buying Spring and Summer 2010. Our Christmas 2009 was purchased in January and has already arrived at our shop. We have sorted and marked our Christmas treasures and will showcase them at our open house in November. I know you are going to love the unique gifts, jewelry and decorations we have for this Christmas! Check back with us next week and see my daily snapshots from the market. We will be closed Friday, July 10Th through Tuesday, July, 14Th. We will reopen Wednesday, July 15Th for all your gift giving needs!! We hope to see you next week! In the meantime, check out our website at http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/ and become a fan of ours at http://www.facebook.com/ and search evelyn's jewelry & gift shop.

Buy Smart, Buy American Made

2009-06-28T08:32:00.003-04:00

Have you noticed recently that most products being sold are made in China and other foreign countries? What has happened to made in USA? Our town of Barnwell has recently felt the effects of industries moving their factories to other countries. This greatly hampers not only our local economy, but the economy of our country. Let's send a message to these companies by finding alternative products that are made in USA. But, this is not an easy task. I recently read an article about a man who went to one of the "big box" stores to find a shirt that was made in USA. He asked the assistance of a sales person and they were unable to find any type of shirt that was made in USA. He stated that if everyone asks for made in USA products in every store we shop, we will send a message to the company buyers to add more made in USA products. I have taken up the challenge to do this at Evelyn's. I have marked all the products that are made in USA with a special sign in the shop. These signs will make it easy for you to find these great products. We are going to market soon and finding made in USA products will be our major focus. Let's put the pride back in owning made in USA products. Visit us at our website, http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/ to see a sampling of our made in USA treasures. Lets all make a positive difference to our economy. Remember to buy smart, buy made in USA!

GRADUATING TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

2009-05-15T19:31:00.003-04:00

It seems like yesterday that today's graduates were learning to ride their tricycles and their biggest decision was what flavor Popsicle they loved best. When I graduated, computers were a mysterious huge machine that no one had in their homes. We hand wrote everything in cursive writing and typed on the "newest" electronic typewriters. Things have changed! But the one thing that will never change is our pride in all our graduates as they begin their new adventures in adult life. We want to hold them close to us and are excited to cheer them in their new adventures. You will never see a more proud face than that of a parent as their child walks up to receive their diploma.

We have many special ways to congratulate the graduates you love. Our personalized collections are always the most popular gifts at graduation. We always offer complimentary engraving on any of our unique treasures. Our monogrammed collections include monogrammed: jewelry, bags, towels, jewelry boxes, license plates, bath wraps, pens, pocket knives, key rings, money clips,and so much more. Our newest travel bags and accessories, CindaB, are on every graduate's registry. Check out this new collection (this is being featured on the new bachelorette starting 5/18) that has so many pieces you will love! Come by the shop soon and let us help you choose the perfect gifts for all you special graduates!

We always offer complimentary monogramming and gift wrapping!

Hope to see you soon!

EVELYN'S EVENING OF DESIGN

2009-05-02T16:00:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, April 30, we hosted our first EVENING OF DESIGN benefiting the Animal Advocates of Barnwell. Our sold out audience learned how to create breathtaking table settings and centerpieces to complete their next party. Each guest enjoyed our delicious appetizers as they learned great tips on hosting the perfect party. We are so thankful for such a successful event that raised $600.00 for the Animal Advocates. Guests left our fabulous event with wonderful gifts from Evelyn's and tasty pet treats from the Animal Advocates. We are planning our next Evening of Design event for September. Be sure you are on our e-mail newsletter list to learn about the exact date before anyone else. Limited tickets will be available for our September event "Decorating for the Holidays". To sign up for our e-mail newsletter visit our website http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/.

As requested, the following is one of our requested appetizer recipes:

TORTELLINI SALAD SKEWERS

1 (9oz.) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 (8oz.) package frozen sugar snap peas

68 (4in.) wooden skewers

1 pt. grapes tomatoes, cut in half

1 bottle champagne vinaigrette

(1) Cook tortellini according to package directions. Rinse under cold running water.

(2)Place sugar snap peas in a small bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Microwave at HIGH 2 minutes. Rinse under cold running water.

(3) Thread each skewer with 1 sugar snap pea, 1 tortellini, and 1 tomato half. Place skewers in a 13x9 inch backing dish. Pour vinaigrette over skewers, turning to coat. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.

Transfer to serving platter and discard vinaigrette.

BE JEWELED THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

2009-02-01T08:13:00.005-05:00

Can you believe it is almost Valentine's Day? Where has the time gone? We have been busy finding you the perfect and most unique gifts to give and receive this Valentine's Day. Our handmade sterling silver jewelry by artisans in Philadelphia is one of our most unique offerings this Valentine's. We have many heart designs in necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. And if you are not a "heart" person, you will love our collection of designs in coin pearls, aventurine, and more!

If you are searching for a Valentine's gift to give a special friend or teacher we have the following perfect gifts: luxurious European soaps, Aromatique lotions and fragrance diffusers, Patience Brewster Valentine's guest towels, Willow Tree angels, and delicious gourmet treats!

So come by the shop soon and let us help you choose the perfect gift for your Valentine! Remember, we have all the wonderful Hallmark Valentine's Day cards you love!!

Visit our collections on our website: http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/

WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT

2009-01-17T17:17:00.007-05:00

We just got back from a busy market in Atlanta and have found many great treasures you will have to have! And at each market we find out what is hot for the new year and what is out. The following is our list of what will be in for 2009:

What's In:

Monograms, Inspirational Gifts, Scarves, Aprons, Traditional Prints, Spectacular Serving Pieces like Arthur Court Designs, Unique Lamps with Interesting Shades, Vintage Looks in Distressed Wood and Iron, Mercury Glass, Recycled Glass, Owls, Penguins, Fragrance Diffusers, Rustic Glamour, Mixing Styles and Periods, All Shades of Green, Black/White/Silver, Copper, Nature Themes, Luxury Soaps and Lotions, Made in USA.

What's Out:

Flip Flops, Vera Bradley Bags, Jar Candles, Printed T-Shirts, Fake Looking Flowers, Giraffe and Zebra Print Bags, Muddy Earth Tones, Victorian Themes, Boring Lamps, Cheaply Made Accessories, Cheap Imports, Primitive Themes, Matchy-Matchy , Imports.

This will be a year to pamper yourself with affordable luxuries. We have a wonderful collection of soaps, lotions, fragrance diffusers, delectable gourmet treats, and soothing Cd's to help you relax in luxury. We also are going back to what we know we do best. We are increasing our offerings of unique home decor at prices you will not believe. Our new collection of lamps, prints, linens, and decorative accessories will help you redesign your living space in high style. So, come by the shop often and see all the new treasures we have just for you!! Visit our website http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/ to see the beginning of our new collections.

IT'S A GREAT NEW YEAR AT EVELYN'S

2009-01-04T09:21:00.003-05:00

Where did the year go? Can you believe it is already a new year? This new year will be an exciting and mysterious time as our country prepares for a new president and recover from the recession we have been suffering through. We would like to thank you, our valued customers, for helping us have a wonderful Christmas season! As the "big box" stores were struggling, you helped us have a profitable season. Many of you told us you were shopping locally and we are greatly appreciative for your generosity! We hope you were excited with our unique collections of personalized gifts that you gave and received. Our monogrammed jewelry was our star this Christmas. If you didn't receive any for Christmas, don't fret. Valentine's Day is soon approaching and cupid will be listening for hints! We are going to market soon to find many treasures to bring back to the shop. We try to continue offering you the most unique and trend forward gifts, decorative accessories, and jewelry that you will have to have! Future posts will show you our unique finds. Spring will bring a new look for the shop and several special events you will want to attend. Check our website http://evelynsjewelry.com/ for upcoming shop events. If there is ever anything you are searching for, let us know. We will try our best to find it for you.

Everyone at Evelyn's hopes you will have a blessed new year!

READY, SET, IT'S CHRISTMAS!

2008-11-25T19:10:00.003-05:00

I can't believe the Christmas season is already here! It seems like yesterday I was planting hostas in my yard, and now the freezing temperature has caused them to sleep for the winter. We have had a wonderful Fall season at the shop. With all the doom and gloom the news has reported on our economy, I would have thought business would have been brisk at best. But, we have had a wonderful season! I think all the unique products we found at the markets were the reason we continue to do so well. And, this Christmas season we have outdone ourselves with some of the most unique gifts you have got to have! You will love our new monogrammed bags in 3 great fabrics. Our new monogrammed jewelry is already one of our best sellers this season. We have added new hammered monogrammed sterling silver pendants, new copper jewelry, and new additions to our popular natural stone jewelry. But, because there is such a demand for these new monogrammed items, our deadline to order is December 10. Please order early so you will not be disappointed!
We all hope to see you in the shop soon. And bring your shopping lists and let us help you solve all your shopping dilemmas! Merry Christmas!!!

Fall Is Here!

2008-10-05T18:24:00.003-04:00

Fall is here! It is hard to believe that October is here and we have less than 3 months before Christmas! While most people are thinking Halloween and maybe Thanksgiving, we are working in full force for Christmas. Our Christmas open house will be Sunday, November 9th, and there are a lot of things to get done before we preview our wonderful Christmas collections. Last week we took many pictures for our Open House postcard (some people actually collect these). This year Christmas is full of glitter and bright fun things! At a time when the economy is not the best, we hope that all the glitter will bring about nostalgia of past good times and hope for a bright future. We have a wonderful collection of seasonal decor, fabulous jewels, and delicious gourmet treats that you are going to love! Be sure to mark November 9th on your calendar for this very special day.

We are also very excited to begin featuring our shop on YouTube. See our 1st video by going to http://www.youtube.com/ and type in "fall has arrived at Evelyn's." We sure hope you like this new feature and stay tuned for more great videos!!

DESIGNING A MEMORABLE OPEN HOUSE EVENT

2008-09-07T14:21:00.003-04:00

Many people ask me what goes in to making an open house event successful. We start planning for our fall and Christmas open houses in January when we go to market in Atlanta. We buy the majority of our Halloween, Fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas seasonal merchandise in January after many months of research on upcoming trends. Most of the seasonal merchandise arrives in June and we mark and sort all of these treasures in to our themes of the seasons. Out come the floor plan grids and each item is determined where its home will be. We close the shop the day before the open house event and work long hours rearranging the fixtures, unpacking all our treasures, and placing these special pieces in their pre-planned homes. It gets frustrating at times trying to get it all pulled together, but some how it does finally works out to our plans. Our greatest pleasure is seeing all the smiles and excitement our customers have when the come in the shop on open house day. We hope you love our new changes as much as we do! Many of you want to know what it looks like behind our papered shop windows on set up day, so I am showing you some pictures of before, during, and after we have changed the shop. Enjoy and come see us at the shop soon!

GETTING OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONES

2008-08-15T19:02:00.003-04:00

Recently I was watering my hanging baskets and out flew a baby bird who definitely was out of its comfort zone. Still with fuzz on top of its head, this baby bird flew a couple of feet and found safe haven in my sago palm. It definitely seemed out of its comfort zone. The entire time I watched, this little bird kept its mouth open and constantly looked all over for its mother. I think we all get caught up in our own comfort zones and have a hard time changing. With the challenging economy, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone with the shop and have decided to make some much needed changes. I have tended to hang on to slow performing product lines just because they did well in the past. So, with much trepidation, I have decided to make some large and not-s0-large changes with the shop. Slowly you will start to see new products and new product categories arrive in our shop. We will sadly saw farewell to some of our past favorites, but are excited for the new. Our most noticeable changes will occur with our Fall/Halloween open house on September 6. I hope you will come out and have fun with us as we introduce you to the New Evelyn's!

Summer Market

2008-07-20T16:40:00.003-04:00

Every July we pack up our bags and head to Atlanta for the International Home and Gift Market. Everyone tells us it must be so much fun to buy for the shop. I will admit that we do have a good time, but it is also a lot of work. Our schedule is to meet our bus every morning at 8:30am and stay at market until 6:00pm everyday for 4 days. We are on our feet shopping for great new products to bring back to the shop for an exciting fall and winter season. We meet many retailers and share our stories with them. We are able to learn from each other and come back to the shop refreshed and ready for a new season. We met a couple of women from Texas who operated a Christmas shop from September through January that do over 1 million in business. Now that is impressive! They shared with us many wonderful ideas. We also met with editors from O Home, Instyle, and Country Living magazines. They shared with us the process they go through to choose items for their magazines. Like us, they do a lot of leg work and research before they feature a product in their magazines. We did a lot of research before market and have added many new vendors we are sure you will love! We are bringing in a lot of seasonal merchandise that will bring a big smile to your face. This year we will be having our first ever HALLOWEEN AND FALL OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, September 6, 9:00-5:00. We hope you will join us for the fun!

SUMMER FUN

2008-07-03T21:40:00.004-04:00

Summer is here! Everyone knows I love summer. I used to love the cold weather, but as I have gotten older, I love the warm summer weather. It's a fun few months that families gather together for a well deserved vacation. My family recently went to the beach and I loved every minute of it! We did the usual "touristy" things, but I really loved the times I did nothing but watch the waves and thought about nothing. Reality soon set in as I returned home refreshed from vacation. I returned fresh and energized for the new season at the shop. I am now working on our first ever Halloween/Fall Open House. We will have so many exciting new Halloween and fall items that I know you will have to have! And, believe it or not, I am also finalizing all our Christmas plans. We are planning our Halloween/Fall Open House September 5 & 6, and our Christmas Open House November 2. We hope to see you at both of these exciting events! In the meantime, enjoy your summer and come see all the fun summer items we now have in stock!

CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY

2008-06-28T21:11:00.004-04:00

I love holidays and the Fourth of July is one of my favorites. It is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends and enjoy the great outdoors! I love all the foods of summer that we all enjoy during our Fourth of July celebration. We have many delicious gourmet foods at Evelyn's that will help you enjoy your celebration. Some our favorite recipes are as follows:

RASPBERRY SALSA LAYERED DIP

1 Can Black Beans, Drained

8oz. Cream Cheese, Cut Thin

1 Red Onion, Small, Chopped

1 Jar ROBERT ROTHSCHILD RASPBERRY SALSA

8oz. Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F, in an oven safe casserole or quiche dish, layer ingredients as listed above starting with the black beans. Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips.

BUFFALO BLEU CHEESE MINI BURGERS

8oz Hamburger formed into mini patties

Favorite Mini Buns

1/2 Cup Carrot, Celery and Onion, julienne

Cook mini burgers to liking. Spread buns with ROBERT ROTHSCHILD BUFFALO BLEU CHEESE DIP. Top with mini burgers and julienne vegetables.

I hope you all have a fun and safe 4th of July!!

FATHER'S DAY REMEMBERED

2008-06-10T19:04:00.003-04:00

Father's Day will be here soon and it is a time to honor our fathers for all the love and support they gives us. I always think of fathers as a source of strength and wisdom. I am sure you have all have had a father or grandfather that you would go to for advice or to just share your thoughts. We all want their approval, and they want ours as well. Let's all take time to spend with our fathers and let them know how much we love them.

Hope you all have a wonderful and happy Father's Day!

IT'S GRADUATION TIME

2008-05-18T08:04:00.002-04:00

Can you believe that it is already time for graduation? I don't know about you, but the older I get, the faster time goes by. I have had several graduates come by and register at the shop that I remember as babies. Now that can make you feel old! It's good to see these children grow up to be such nice young adults. I know they are as excited about their future as their family and friends are. We should encourage our youth everyday. They should know they can be anything they want to be with a hard work and dedication. I know you share the same enthusiasm and congratulations to all graduates. Their life is just beginning. I see them as our future nurses, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, political leaders, shop owners and more!

Congratulations to all graduates!

FESTIVAL FUN

2008-05-07T20:29:00.004-04:00

It's always inspiring to have a change of scenery. We recently moved our shop outside for the day at our annual Festival On The Round. Thanks to all our friends who stopped by to see us under our beautiful tent. Festivals are starting to diminish nationally, and unfortunately our annual festival is no exception. People are so busy these days, and have so many options to spend their valuable time. I hate to see the decline of the festival. This is the perfect time to meet up with friends we haven't seen for a long time and catch up on all the latest "news." It is a time to relax and enjoy wonderful entertainment and shop the many artisans and local businesses. The people who were at our festival had a wonderful time. We met many new friends and were able to showcase the Evelyn's experience to them. We had alot of fun and hope you did too!

THE GIFT OF MOTHERS

2008-04-26T15:47:00.002-04:00

The other day I had to have a large branch removed from a tree in my front yard. As the branch came down, I noticed a wonderful bird's nest tucked in the corner of the branch. It is amazing how complex this nest was made out of just twigs and straw. I thought of the hard working birds who made this nest for their young babies. I have a couple of robins that follow me around the yard when I am working outside. They love for me to dig around in the ground in hopes I will dig up a delicious dinner of worms for them. I know that they give their first tastings to their young ones waiting patiently for them. You know they love to see their mom come back with this special treat. This is the time of year we honor our mother's for all they do for us everyday. Let us help you honor your mother with a gift as unique as your mother. Hope to see you soon! (Don't forget to visit us at our beautiful tent at the Festival On The Round this Saturday, May 3rd.)

Bright Ideas

2008-04-12T17:16:00.003-04:00

The sun has finally come out and I am loving it! I love seeing the bright sun come through my kitchen windows. It always cheers me up. Now is the perfect time to add bright colors to your interiors. Our new sunny table linens are sure to brighten up your table. I love all the bright yellows, reds, blues, and greens that are in these new linens. You can't help but smile when you see them. Stop by the shop soon and let us help you brighten up your table!

FRESH PICKED FLORALS

2008-04-05T17:46:00.003-04:00

Some people have a bad impression of artificial florals. I can see their point when I remember all the plastic flowers of the past! And, there are some really bad "silk" florals with strange colors that scream "I am fake!". At Evelyn's, we pride ourself on our beautiful collection of silk florals. We have some of the most realistic and unique florals you will ever find. Flowers and greenery always brighten up a room. Florals are one of the best ways to soften up a hard space, such as bookcases, coffee tables, and mantles. Let's face it, we don't all have a green thumb. Now you will just look like you have gardening in your blood. Only you will know that our florals are silk. Just be sure to tell your spouse not to water them!

Declare Your Independence

2008-03-30T13:17:00.002-04:00

Every time I listen to the news I hear about the dismal state of our economy. All reports show that retail sales are down, or at best, break-even to previous year's sales. What the news does not tell you is that they base this information on the top "big box" businesses. While big box businesses are having a tough time, the independent businesses are actually having increases in business. Many shoppers are "re-discovering" the independent shops in their neighborhoods. The independent businesses can offer you something that big box businesses and chain stores can't, unique products at fair prices coupled with outstanding customer service. When was the last time you got a sales person at a big mart store to help you pick out the perfect gift for your grandmother and wrap it for no charge? Independent business owners are in business because they love it and their customers. I encourage you, during these trying economic times, to support your locally owned businesses and let them show you how much they care for you and your community! We always appreciate our customers at Evelyn's and look forward seeing you soon.

Achieving The "Evelyn's" Look

2008-03-25T08:56:00.004-04:00

Many of our wonderful customers come in the shop and comment that they wish their homes could look like our shop. Most say that the accessories they purchase don't look quite the same in their homes as they do in our shop. One of the best ways to solve this decorating dilemma is to take a look at your placement of your accessories. Most people place the tall objects towards the back and the small items to the front. This gives a "flat" presentation of your treasures. The eye likes to wonder through your setting. Mix up the tall, medium, and small objects on your table or book shelves. Place some small items towards the middle, some medium items to the front, and the tall objects in the middle and back. This will give a eye-pleasing display. The eye will wonder throughout your entire display to see all the treasures you have collected. Have fun and remember to come and see us at the shop for all the NEW treasures you must have!

The Reason For The Season

2008-03-16T16:55:00.002-04:00

It's hard to believe that Easter is almost here. It will be over 100 years before Easter will be this Early again. I love all the trappings of Easter. I love the bunnies, Easter Eggs, and of course all the delicious chocolate! But, at times we times we tend to forget the real reason for the season. This is a time to reflect on our faith and all the blessings we have received. Spend the day with your family and friends, and share your love and appreciation with them. Take time to walk around outside and see all the beauty that God has given us. I hope you will have a truly blessed Easter!

Easter Has Arrived At Evelyn's

2008-03-02T07:47:00.007-05:00

Everyone knows by now that I love Spring and Easter. I have had a great time setting up all the beautiful new Spring and Easter treasures at the shop! There is a lot of great product that we have brought in from the recent Atlanta market. The plush Easter bunnies, garden rabbits, and nesting bunny serveware are some of my favorites. I am excited about the new companies that make up our unique style. I am sure you will love them too! I invite you to come into the shop soon and let us inspire you this season.

Spring Will Soon Be Here!

2008-02-17T08:14:00.003-05:00

Spring will soon be here, and I can't wait. I have seen early signs of Spring with the daffodils and lenten roses blooming. I am sure you are like me and can't wait to take those weekend trips to the beach for some warm sunshine! We have added a new travel luggage in a black and white zebra print that will have you traveling in high style. This wonderful new design is available in a garment cover, rolling duffle bag, overnight bag/purse, and insulated bag. I know you will love it! Our new spring collection of Quilted Keepers will also be arriving very soon.
I have also gotten the spring fever inside. I am painting the two store front windows a wonderful new spring fresh color. Stop by the shop and tell me what you think.
Happy Spring!

Super Bowl Entertaining

2008-02-02T17:30:00.000-05:00

Super Bowl Sunday is the perfect time to entertain family and friends. Although football is the reason for the event, everyone comes for the delicious food! Make it simple and enjoy the evening. Choose your favorite team and incorporate the team colors in your entertaining. There are a lot of brightly colored linens you could use, or consider all the festive paper plates and napkins that are available. At Evelyn's, we have some wonderful gourmet sauces that make GREAT snack foods during the game! Our Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel dip is DELICIOUS with pretzels! One of our customers introduced us to a wonderful recipe she discovered on the bottle of our Raspberry Salsa. This has become a huge hit in Barnwell. You will be the most popular person at the party when you take this dip.

RASPBERRY SALSA LAYERED DIP

In an oblong casserole, layer 1 can of black beans (drained), add 8oz. cream cheese (cut thin) on top, add 1 small red onion (chopped) on top, add 1 jar Robert Rothschild Raspberry Salsa on top, add 8oz. shredded cheese on top. Bake at 325 for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Eat some fast because it will not last long! Enjoy your evening!!

Please leave any comments on this or other topics you would like for me to cover.

Thanks!

Valentine's Entertaining

2008-01-26T16:12:00.001-05:00

Valentine's Day will soon be here, and what day is more perfect to prepare a romantic dinner? Pull out your fine china, crystal, and silver and make this a very special day. Most people tell me their china is old and outdated. This can be easily brought "up to date" with special accent plates and wonderful table linens. Try mixing your fine china with a modern accent plate. I love the new square plates that are so popular now! Who says you can't put a modern square plate with your traditional china? Your table is the expression of who you are. Don't let etiquette and style gurus dictate how to set your table. Have fun with it and enjoy experimenting with mixing styles to make your unique table!
Question: How many of you (1)love to entertain with your china
(2) only use your china during the holidays
(3) still have it boxed up since your wedding?
Let me know your comments. I will have more entertaing ideas coming soon!

Great Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day

2008-01-20T16:00:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day will soon be here and Evelyn's has all the ways to say " I love you!" Our unique monogrammed jewelry is the perfect gift. You will love all our monogrammed heart pendants in crystal, natural shell, and sterling silver. We also have a wonderful collection of monogrammed candles, bath wraps, and bags that make a truly personalized gift to be remembered forever. Visit our website for more great Valentine's Day gift ideas!

http://evelynsjewelry.com/

Welcome to Evelyn's New Blog

2008-01-20T15:31:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Evelyn's first blog. This is your forum to discuss gift or entertaining thoughts you may have or want answered. Each month I will offer great entertaining ideas for the season, and great gift ideas. I will also keep you updated on all the great new products that arrive daily. Let me know if you have any special topics you would like for me to address. This blog is here to give you fun and easy solutions to all your gift and entertaining dilemas. Let Evelyn's help you make all life's celebrations simply outstanding!

evelyns entertaining blog

PINTEREST

WE'RE BACK FROM MARKET

WE'RE OFF TO MARKET

A NEW YEAR AT EVELYN'S

GIFTS AND DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES INTERVIEW

A GIFTED RETAILER

CHRISTMAS DECORATING

2011 CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

SHOP LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS

2011 WITCHES NIGHT OUT

Fall Decorating

FALL DECORATING

EVELYN'S HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN 2011

RECIPES FROM OUR HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN

IN STYLE?

EVELYN'S HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN

EVELYN'S GOES BACK TO SCHOOL

ATLANTA MARKET TRIP

OFF TO MARKET

MADE IN USA

GREAT DADS

CELEBRATING LIFE'S MILESTONES

Recipes from Spring Evening of Design

EVELYN'S SPRING EVENING OF DESIGN

Spring & Easter Video of Evelyn's

VINTAGE EASTER

SPRING ARRIVALS

THE MAKING OF AN OPEN HOUSE

SNEEK A QUICK GLANCE

SIGNS OF SPRING

MORE GREAT VALENTINE'S GIFT IDEAS

DROP A HINT FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

QUICK LOOK FROM MARKET

DREAMING OF SPRING

CHRISTMAS JEWELS

CHRISTMAS DECORATING

FALL HOME DESIGN

WITCHS' NIGHT OUT

HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN

Celebrations

HOT COLOR

ATLANTA SUMMER MARKET

We're Off To Market

EVELYN'S IS ONE OF HOME ACCENTS TODAY 50 RETAIL STARS

CELEBRATING MOMS

EVELYN'S SPRING EVENING OF DESIGN

SPRING BLOOMS

HIPPITY, HOPPITY, EASTER'S ON ITS WAY

I'm Loving Turquoise

OUR JANUARY ATLANTA MARKET TRIP

IT'S MARKET TIME

The Great Christmas Clearance Sale Has Begun!

Great Hostess & Teacher Gifts

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

OUR MOST ANTICIPATED EVENT

WITCHES' NIGHT OUT

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

HOLIDAY EVENING OF DESIGN

NOTES FROM THE MARKET

IT'S MARKET TIME!

Buy Smart, Buy American Made

GRADUATING TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

EVELYN'S EVENING OF DESIGN

BE JEWELED THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT

IT'S A GREAT NEW YEAR AT EVELYN'S

READY, SET, IT'S CHRISTMAS!

Fall Is Here!

DESIGNING A MEMORABLE OPEN HOUSE EVENT

GETTING OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONES

Summer Market

SUMMER FUN

CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY

FATHER'S DAY REMEMBERED

IT'S GRADUATION TIME

FESTIVAL FUN

THE GIFT OF MOTHERS

Bright Ideas

FRESH PICKED FLORALS