Shopsicle

2011-03-22T04:20:00.000-07:00

Want to share a few thoughts, a few ideas with you about ergonomics and bean bag chairs. Bean bag chairs have ergonomic qualities and are the cost effective way of supporting your body during times when you are away from your desk, "off hours". You can take your laptop and plop down on a soft cushy bean bag chair and work or play for hours without hurting your back or shoulders. You know what, this can be the next great idea for Starbucks. Can you just see all of those computer geeks sitting in bean bag chairs and drinking lattes?

If you enjoy TV and watching movies, a bean bag chair is kindlier to your back than a sofa. It's as if you're packed in soft styrofoam. Nothing is stressed. Well, I really enjoy sitting in these chairs, and use one to brainstorm. I write articles, make notes, make drawings, and meditate. Yes, they're perfect for meditating.

Just my thought for the day. Now off to have coffee with my sister. Have a great day everybody!

Cheers, Joan

2010-09-10T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody,

My pet subject these days is ergonomic everything.

What exactly is ergonomics? Simply put, it is the study of how our bodies interact with everyday objects. It's way more involved than I'm making it sound. It is a form of human engineering, whereby ergonomic experts help to determine a good method to perform certain repetitive tasks in order to avoid fatigue and stress to muscles and tendons. If ignored, this repetitive stress could eventually lead to serious and permanent physical damage. And who needs that?

I used to take my body totally for granted. I piled abuse upon more abuse. I am a designer, who spent years slumped over a drawing table. It put terrible strain on my lower back. I was always hurting... always at my chiropractor's office. For some reason, it just didn't dawn on me that what I was doing was physically stressful. Heck, I was mostly standing still. My work, according to my own thoughts about it, was sedentary. Well, it was sort've sedentary. But when you perform an action repetitively, and without giving your body any relief, then your body is going to rebel and talk back to you. You may as well hurdle fences, and that's probably better for you.

One of the ways I handled my dilemma was I purchased a kneeler (kneeling chair). If you are familiar with these chairs, they are great at taking the strain away from your lower back. Even your knees are in good stead, because your weight is distributed in such a way, that nothing gets the stress. You're "leaning" against the seat instead of sitting on it. The kneeling chair is an example of an ergonomically designed piece of furniture. It was worth every penny. It kept me out of pain and kept me working and out of traction too.

Ergonomic furniture, such as chairs, desks, tables, and computer equipment have been designed to ensure that a person who is sitting or standing constantly, is in proper alignment. No undue stress on any part of your body. The chair would offer adjustable armrests, and an adjustable backrest, upper and lower. The idea is that the chair can be adjusted to accommodate the individual's size and height, and will help to maintain proper posture.

Now we come to the stress of working long hours at a computer, something else that I have personally experienced. I have been non-stop working at Internet Marketing, mostly reading and writing, which keeps me glued to that little screen for hours on end. I woke up one morning in such pain, that I was convinced I had a rare disease. See if this sounds familiar to you: PAINFUL burning sensation across my collar bone and upper chest, going into the neck and shoulders, front and back. One shoulder was higher than the other. I was in spasm. I couldn't even raise my body out of bed without moaning. Anyone who has experienced muscle spasms and pinched nerves knows how painful it is. It's horrible! I own a chair that I thought was pretty good, although it doesn't claim to be ergonomically engineered. It's just plain cozy. Well, big deal. I need to purchase a really great ergonomically designed chair, such as the Aeron chair. If I'm going to work so hard, so many long hours, don't I deserve a piece of furniture that will preserve my health? I thought you would agree.

Folks, this is so important to become aware of because so many of us are working from home now, and probably at a computer. People who work in any kind of office need to protect their bodies and health. Because of all the pain I have experienced, I am making a study of ergonomics and will bring the fruits of my labor to you in the form of articles, and the fruits of my research in the form of actual ergonomic furniture that will be offered at Shopsicle. As a matter of fact, we are doing a Shopsicle "spin-off" that is totally devoted to everything ergonomic. Feel free to offer your advice and any aspects of ergonomics that you would like me to research for you. I know you're all pretty smart, and probably have thoughts you'd like to share with me.

Meanwhile, you can help yourself by eating well, getting plenty of rest, ha ha, getting plenty of the B vitamins, especially B12, and taking breaks often. Do shoulder rolls, do the executive stretch ( clasp your hands behind your head and carefully stretch your elbows back while taking a deep breath). Don't forget to protect your eyes. Blink, yawn, rub your hands together briskly to get some friction that will warm your hands, then gently place your palms one over each eye. It's very soothing.

Watch for my articles. Check out our ergonomic offerings at Shopsicle under "Home Accents/ Home Office". Homepage. www.shopsicle.com.

Have a pain free day!

Cheers, Joan

2010-05-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

It's a holiday weekend, and I hope you are all at a picnic eating hot dogs and potato salad. I am an 80% vegetarian, so I'd be happy to join you in a potato salad fest, plus ice tea and maybe a brownie or two. You can have my hot dog though. Happy Memorial Day and weekend to all of you!

I'm spending the day writing about the things I feel passionate about, such as my family, home and the good life, the world economy healing, my fellow humans feeling safe and fulfilled, beautiful objects, flowers, painting, Haiku, my favorite books, and oh yes, Father's Day. Well, that's an ambitious list. No, I'm not going to write about all of that. Maybe I'll just write about two of the things on the list.

You didn't forget Father's Day, did you? Don't forget Dad on June 20th. It's rapidly approaching.

I think I want to talk a little bit about fathers right now. Dads are so often neglected, even more so than moms sometimes.

I don't care how old you are, every little girl's secret hero is her dad. My dad passed away when I was very little, but my memory of him is as clear as if he were present today.

My dad was the strong, silent type. He was tall and lanky and he played the piano like a dream. He and my mom were an elegant couple. I remember the parties at our house. My talented Mom prepared a buffet fit for royalty. She was a serious cook, who approached entertaining in a way that has become a lost art in recent years. Mom's presentation would rival Martha Stewart. And Dad was a reliable fixture, stationed at his piano, taking requests from all the guests. I remember my parent's friends, accompanied by my father at the piano, would sing their favorite oldies from the 40's and some show tunes and this went on for hours, well after midnight. I remember thinking it was so cool that they were allowed to stay up that late. They all seemed very grown up to me, old even. I thought they were ancient. I have to laugh because many of them were much younger than I am now. Is that the way I appear to my nieces and nephews? Hmmmm, probably. Back to my dad. Dad always knew how to fix everything. If anything went wrong, Dad knew how to fix it. He was a builder, so he could take down walls and windows and reconstruct rooms in our house with seemingly little effort. Although he relinquished kitchen duty to Mom most of the time, there are a few things Dad was famous for inventing. One was pancakes that would float off the plate. Another was a secret steak sauce that was so darn good, it became a generational staple in our family's cooking repertoire. It is so good, in fact, that K and I use it on fresh tuna. We don't eat meat, but I would use Dad's steak sauce on cardboard and love every bit of it. Dad was good at improvising everything: food, music, and more. Dad came to life in a hurricane. When we lost our power source, Dad had his own power source. The boy scout in him came out. Mom loved telling the story of Dad baking the best cake she ever had in an old coal stove, during a hurricane. He did it only once though. Dad could hear a piece of music just once, and go to the piano and play it. Is that even normal, I wonder? My quiet, hard working Dad was very strict about our speech and insisted that we always be polite. My sisters and I became accustomed to Dad correcting our English whenever we made a grammatical error. And we were constantly reminded to say "please" and "thank you". As I am telling you these stories, so many remembrances of my dad are flooding in.

Dad may not be here right now, but he is indelible in my memory and forever embedded deep in my heart.

Thanks for indulging my thoughts of my father.

If you're a dad, I wish you a Happy Father's Day. If you have a dad, I wish him a Happy Father's Day.

Cheers, Joan

http://www.shopsicle.com

2010-03-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

Where shall I begin? There are so many new things to talk about at Shopsicle.

We've taken on some fantastic new resources. Very exciting. I can't wait to get your reactions. Check us out. You don't have to buy a thing. We just want to make sure you are enjoying Shopsicle. We want to hear your feedback. Email us, or comment in this blog. We are genuinely interested in your thoughts. Tell us how we are doing, and how we can do it better. We have wonderful plans for the near future, but can implement only a few things at a time. So stick with us as we grow. And growing for us, includes helping to make your lives better.

Do you mind if I spend some time ranting? Yes, I need to vent.

One of the reasons Karen and I invented Shopsicle, is to prove that life still exists for the aesthetically deprived consumer. You and I are deprived. Have you walked through a department store lately? There was a time when I had to be disciplined to walk through our major department stores. I wanted everything! It was a thrill. Now, I don't bother going into a store, unless I have to. Sorry, but that's the truth. Ugh! Too basic, too gray. Feels disinterested and uninteresting. You've gotta feel it too.

Here's the good news. Well designed utilitarian objects still exist. As usual, some of the best is coming from Milan, Italy. And some is coming from Scandinavia. Art lives! Forward thinking, cutting edge design is yours for the taking. A can opener can be a can opener, or it can be art. A toaster can be art. The designer version functions better than the mass market version. Will you have to pay more for it. In most cases, yes. But in most cases, the beautiful object is made with a high quality standard and it will last for years and years.

At Shopsicle, we ascribe to million-dollar thinking for a $20. object.

We are representing great design and quality at every price level. You will see an object for $40,000 and a gift for $10. What is always constant however is: uniqueness, beauty, and quality. Our emphasis is good design, at all price levels.

We have shopped the market and are showing you the accessories, furnishings, and gifts that we would want to own, ourselves. Designers' choice.

Don't miss our collection of authentic Persian rugs. Prices are astounding! We also represent some gorgeous modern designer rugs.

Visit our articles library for answers to many of your decorating questions.

Have a good time inside.

Karen and I wish all of you a happy spring and a wonderful holiday. Cheers! Joan

2010-01-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody,

Hanging my head in shame for not blogging in a while. Hope you have all been well.

As for myself, I have been in school learning marketing and technical Internet things, talk about going opposite one's type. I assure you that I am no geek, and this has been a fascinating adventure for me. Don't tell anyone, but I confess that it is fun. Uh oh, it's out. Maybe I'm becoming a geek. What an idea! There is so much to learn. After all is said and done, I hope this education will give me the tools to be even more effective in bringing you all the latest, cutting edge home accessories, and valuable home design information. It is our purpose at Shopsicle to educate and inspire people, and assist in bringing more beauty into everyone's life. Write to us with your requests. We want to serve you better. That's what we are all about. Don't be shy.

We just introduced a new resouce at Shopsicle. I think you're going to love it. It is a find!... A resource for gorgeous Persian rugs: new, vintage, and antique, authentic unique Persian rugs, at such a tremendous savings that buying one is something you almost have an obligation to do. We can't believe the prices. Wait till you see. You have been writing to us, asking us for cost effective, high quality, "high taste" products for your home, and we have been listening.

Those of you who have gotten to know me a little, know that I am passionate about oriental rugs. Crazy, Wild, Gaga passionate. What other feature in your home can provide comparable, exqusite beauty, warmth, durablity, livability, and can be passed on to the generations that follow? Yes, maybe some furniture, or jewelry, but nothing equals the impact of a beautiful rug in your room.

Now we all have the opportunity to own one of a kind, hand knotted rugs for the price of a machine made broadloom. Come on in and take a look for yourselves. our rug collection

We are also introducing other spectacular resources for home accessories. I will keep you well informed as it happens.

Meanwhile, all my best to you for a magical year!

Warm regards,

Joan

2009-07-04T05:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody! Happy Fourth of July!

It's been a while since we've visited via blog. Want to share with you what's going on.

We have been so busy that we haven't had time to write more articles, blogs, and newsletters. Want to let you know that Shopsicle is getting a B12 shot as we speak. Newsletters are starting up again, as are informative, (and I hope) amusing articles. We have just included many new "designers choice" products that satisfy both a creative and practical need. We're still adding products. We will be adding new resources, too.

Take a look at "Housewares", "Home Office", Leisure Games", and "Patio and Garden". Check out everything because we are putting new things in every day.

Here in New England, it feels as if summer has finally arrived. Hot for someone who enjoys temperatures no higher than 60 degrees. Well, that's why I live in New England. It's going to be in the 80's today. Can you imagine the crowds at the beach?

We represent a product called C2-Climate Control. It is ingenius in that it delivers both heating and cooling from a single compact unit. For those of us who suffer from allergies, this unit also interceps particles of dust, pollen and dander. And it is also energy efficient. I'm putting a link here for you to check it out. http://www.shopsicle.com/item_detail.php?item_id=1326.

So, friends, keep watching for new developments at Shopsicle.

I wish you a jolly and patriotic Fourth!

Sincerely,

Joan

2008-10-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys,

Haven't visited for a while. Been so busy! I discovered Twitter. Feel if the kids can "tweet" on Twitter, so can I. It's part of my online education. It's silly and fun.

We are busy getting ready for Christmas at http://www.shopsicle.com/ and http://www.hothothandbagsandtotes.com/. We'll be putting in some great accessories and Christmas ornaments too, so you can all shop from the luxury of your own homes. Check out Shopsicle "resources" page. Many of our merchant accounts are running sales and are offering free shipping for a limited time. Design Within Reach, Sur La Table and Red Envelope have some really outstanding promotions, as well as the Artful Home and Hammacher Schlemmer. By clicking the links in "Resources", you'll be able to efficiently click through the list and read about the specials directly from the retailers' home pages.

If you are like K and me, and have a lusty uncontrollable passion for handbags, go into http://www.hothothandbagsandtotes.com/ and see our new lines. This fall, we introduced a new collection of man made "look alike" synthetic leather handbags. They are very chic and look just like leather. Hard to tell the difference. They are great for very busy people who want to protect their designer leather handbags from the elements and still look great. These bags are soft and supple and the prices are fantastic. I think you're going to like them. And we also have a line of beautiful Italian leather bags that are actually manufactured in New York...Made in America!!! So good to see it again. Check them out.

Hope you're all enjoying the cooler weather. I sure am.

Pray the right guy gets in in November. Stay cool.

All my best,

Joan

2008-08-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks,

Have you all been watching the Olympics? I am not what you'd call a passionate sports enthusiast, with one exception: The Olympics! I love the games! The athletes from every nation inspire me. It's human beings at their best. I learn so much from them about being the best you can possibly be at the moment, and performing with a cool head under pressure. Also, there seems to be an unspoken respect that the athletes have for one another. It's clear, they are celebrating and challenging one another. Great sportsmanship. It transcends nationalities. Of course, I root hard for my own American teams. Whenever our national anthem is played, my eyes well up with pride. If I were on the podium, I know I would have tears streaming down my cheeks. After all, isn't that the fun of competion? That being said, it's thrilling to see the brilliance of all great athletes, whether they are home grown or not. The Olympic games are a stage for human excellence.

It strikes me with interest and curiosity how we humans are so alike, yet unique in our expressions. With the world getting smaller and smaller, due to the internet and global economy, I fervently hope that individuality is never lost. I love the difference between nationalities. I love that we all speak a different language, have a different culture and the freedom to determine what that language and that culture is. What seems to be happening all over the world is troubling to me. The US and Europe and Australia too, seem to be flooded with foreigners who want to impose their ways and beliefs on their host countries. Intolerable. Illegal. Immoral. Disgusting hubris. How did it get started? Have we all been asleep? I am not wanting to get political in my blog, but it is a problem of mega proportions that has me mega concerned and angry. In my view, if you want to become a citizen of my country, do it legally, and assimilate our culture. We have no intention or desire to assimilate yours. If you prefer your native culture and religion, then stay in your native country. It's a voluntary process. No one extended an invitation. Respect who we are, or get out.

Other than that folks, I feel friendly and welcoming to everyone. May the spirit of the Olympics prevail where there are different nationalities, sharing cultures with respect for other people and their customs.

As always, though maybe a bit angrier,

Joan

2008-04-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It's amazing to me how much fuss we make about being environmentally responsible, and yet our lives are so full of useless clutter, more so than ever before.

We co-operate with the marketing people and the big box stores who encourage us to spend our money without really thinking about it, and to buy anything and everything that is thrown our way. Because so many things are now made in third world countries, they are still cheap, attainable, therefore perceived to be affordable. And, guess what? They are throw-away, that means garbage that clutters the environment and clutters our lives. We feel we have to buy, buy, buy. And yet, so much of this "stuff" is scarily inferior to the products we are used to buying and producing right here at home. I really miss "made in the USA", and the confidence, competence, and the quality of life it afforded. We have to demand that quality once again. Now I feel like my own grandmother. I remember a time when things had value. You could just trust it. We just assumed the product was O.K. What a unique idea! What a luxury! Now I read labels, warnings, where things were made or grown, and end up putting the thing back on the shelf.

I would rather own one great outfit, one great pair of shoes, one quality handbag, or one well made sofa, or chair, than 10 poorly made things that I'd have to dispose of within a few months because it either fell apart, or looked shabby, or was just not comfortable. Get wise to it folks! It's waste! It's too expensive to throw things out because they are "crap".There's much we can learn from the Europeans and their standards, as far as material consumption is concerned. They buy fewer things, but they buy quality, for the most part. I say "most" because there is an exception to every generalization, and I am sure there are many Europeans in the same consumer frenzy that we are in. Yes, we are a consumer society, and yes, our economy is dependent on people buying things, and yes I love "things" as much as the next guy, and I do my share of buying. And I love capitalism too, so don't get the idea that I spin my own loincloth and live in a tree. Here's my take: I like "quality" things and I like to live with what I purchase. I don't like waste. Guess that's the New England Yankee in me. And while we are conserving paper and plastic bags, and oil and gasoline, and while we are buying organically grown fruits and vegetables, and recycling like mad, don't forget the pollution created by all of this "stuff" we are importing that is flooding our marketplace.

Now, you may ask why we at Shopsicle, are in the retail home furnishings products business if I am so critical of profligate spending? We're all for spending money and having a good time doing it. But, we want you to receive value for your money. We deal in real value: quality materials, design and craftmanship, mostly at affordable prices. We believe in extravagance too, if you can handle it. Abundance is good for the soul.The key is, you receive what you are paying for. We believe that beautiful things are part of the quality of life. Poor workmanship is a rip off at any price.

Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts. If you are like me, you're probably feeling a little depressed about our slipped values, our lower standards. We can protest the infusion of "junk" in our stores by simply not buying it. Guess what? That would probably contribute to the health of our environment as well and to the health of our economy. If we are to remain a consumer society, and I certainly hope we are, let's insist on high standards. Hey, it wouldn't hurt to make some things at home in the USA for a change, for our own consumption and to export to other countries.

Visit Shopsicle, and see the great "green" products we feature to help clean our environment. Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter. For May, we're doing a piece on non-toxic wall paint. http://www.shopsicle.com/

To your well-being,

As ever, Joan

2008-04-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hi there friends,

Dropping by to say that my New Years resolutions are (Big Surprise!!!) moving along nicely. How are yours doing? I'm being very analytical about losing weight. Discovered some major food allergies that are requiring attention. Did you know that sensitivity to certain foods can cause you to hold on to excess weight? You have to stop eating those foods for a while and get some treatment from an allergist. My doctor uses sub-lingual drops to de-sensitize his patients to those troublesome substances. No big deal. Good news for me is that I am not allergic to coffee. Bad news is that I am allergic to cow's milk, therefore, no ICE CREAM!!! Is this divine justice or what? Maybe it's just a bad joke. At any rate, I'm not going near the stuff. We're often allergic to our addictions. I'm also exercising, and tackling projects one by one. Focus is the challenge.

Want to share something with you that is not directly connected to the design of your home. This time, it's the design of your over all well being. Are you familiar with EFT? EFT is a fascinating new discovery. Basically it is an emotional version of acupuncture, but no needles. You just tap with your fingertips on certain meridians to relieve pain, overcome phoebias, lose weight, feel happier, and some claim that it can even cure serious disease such as cancer. I'm not sticking my neck out to claim that, but hey, why not? There is a fellow on TV, a Paul McKenna, ( I think that's his name) who has been helping people to overcome addictions and lose weight and keep it off once and for all. He's using EFT, but he doesn't call it that. One of the women he's helped, due to a miserable divorce, was compulsively eating five pounds of chocolate a day. Can anyone really eat that much chocolate? Anyway, in a few minutes, he helped relieve her of her chocolate addiction. My allergist and holistic physician are both very familiar with EFT. They are in the process of learning how to use it to the benefit of their patients. I believe you can treat yourself though. To learn about EFT, go into www.emofree.com/newcomer.html. Let me know what you already know about EFT and what you think.

To your health and happiness,

As ever,

Joan

2008-01-20T14:31:00.000-08:00

Dear HH,

The answer is yes, if you don't count the ice cream, the lemon cake, the hot chocolate with whipped cream. Should I go on? I discovered a charming little tea room nearby that is very Victorian with chandeliers and roses. I had to experience the tea cakes, didn't I? What is high tea without some cake? So now I've been found out. Well, other than that, I've been pretty good. Tonight, it's salmon and broccoli. Grapefruit for dessert. Good food combining. I have one big vice and it is an ice cream addiction. But I'm getting better. Haven't touched the stuff in a week. Sometimes that's the way it goes, one week, then two, then a month, then two months. You really shouldn't completely cut out the things you love. If you do, then where's the fun? My mom used to say "everything in moderation". Yeah, right. HH, how are you doing? What are your resolutions? Gotcha!

2008-01-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

Hello once again dear friends,

It's a new year, and I am so optimistic. Don't know why. Just have a good feeling about 2008. I feel something positive and constructive in the air, good things will be happening as a result of what we do this year. This just might be the year we all get it together as a nation, as a world, and in our personal lives. I'm pretty intuitive most of the time. Usually "feel" it right and I sure hope I'm right this year. It's the first time in years I have been awake for the ball dropping. I start my days early, sometimes 4:00 A.M., so by midnight, I'm sawing wood. New Year's Eve to me has been traditionally boring, a time to eat a good dinner and fall asleep early, grateful that I am not part of the crowd at Times Square. Sounds dull? Of course and it's delicious! My sister and I participated in a world meditation that was initiated by our good friend Becky, who distributed a prayer that was coordinated to be read by people all over the world at the same time for the purpose of peace and health throughout the planet. Powerful! It's a great thing to do every year.

This is a year of new beginnings, the year of the rat. I'm sure you all have made New Year's resolutions. I sure have. The usual stuff like dropping weight, exercising more, eating healthy food, being more disciplined, spending more quality time with family and friends, clearing out the cobwebs in your brains, getting rid of the clutter in the attic and garage, filing those papers, and shredding the obsolete files, painting the den. Also learning something new, and carrying through on someting you already started but put aside because you are too busy. Sound familiar? Ambitious too. I usually screw up on January 2nd. My commitment lasts 24 hours. Decided the reason I don't succeed is because I try to take it all on at once. Most people make the same mistake. It's overwhelming to do that. You have to pace yourself. After all, you have a full year to accomplish your goals. Start by giving up dessert and cleaning a closet. The sense of accomplishment will inspire you to take on the next task and so on and so forth. I'll let you know every month how I am doing. Please write me too and let me know how you are doing with your plans for 2008. If you have tips that will help me to accomplish my goals, please help me out. I love to hear from you. Happy New Year! Wish you all your heart's desire. As ever, Joan

2007-11-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

The holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving is over and we hope you all had a great time. Our day was quiet, with family, good food, good conversation, and much needed calm. Sometimes, when whole families get together, sadly, there isn't much peace because of all the personalities and egos in one room wanting to be heard. Grateful that we are all very compatible in my family except when we talk politics, so we avoid that topic whenever possible.

Christmas and Channukah are just around the corner. I was shopping for groceries today and did my usual nosey observation of fellow shoppers. I try not to be rude, though as a marketer and retailer, this is one way I do my homework. I need to know what folks like to buy. Really wish people would forego most of the junk food. I am an eager student of nutrition and a label reader, spending time over each item, evaluating if it is healthy or not. I usually end up putting things back on the shelf and heading for the produce section. But then, one wonders about that too. Promise you, I'm no saint. Can't walk by the ice cream freezer without picking up at least three different flavors, half gallon of each as long as one of them is coffee. I love to cook, am a "quasi" vegetarian (eat fish), and my shopping cart looks like I live with a family of rabbits who also likes olive oil and good bread.

Why am I talking about food when my websites are all about home design, art, and handbags? It's because it is all one thing. You can learn quite a bit about people by watching them shop for groceries. By their groceries you will know them. You can imagine their life styles and what gadgets and appliances they may need in their kitchens. If a person buys lots of nibbles, then they may watch sports or movies on TV. They may entertain their friends. They'll need a comfortable sofa, some pillows, comfortable chairs, and maybe even a popcorn machine. You can spot a cook too, just by the combinations of things in his/her shopping cart. That person probably buys professional cookware, dinnerware, good chocolate, wine and art.

Now don't be self conscious if you spot me in the grocery store. I'm harmless and have only the best of intentions: to cater to your shopping needs better and better. Now, if you don't want me to watch you shop, then email us about what you would like to see in our websites. We love to communicate with you and hear your thoughts.

Shopsicle and I wish you a beautiful holiday season. P.S. Don't forget to visit hothothandbagsandtotes.com and see our fantastic fashion forward handbags. They make the best gifts. As ever, Joan

2007-09-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody,

It's me again. The news is hot, no it's hot hot! We just opened www.hothothandbagsandtotes.com. Come in and take a look. We are so excited and happy to be doing this. We are carrying some really beautiful bags of high quality and style, but very fairly (reasonably) priced. Our collection is well thought out and we are providing a lot of fashion along with some classics, styles that are important in the workplace. Our bags are hand made of fine leather, some are made of high tech materials that are designed for people on the go, travelers, and people who must have their laptops with them at all times and want to keep them safe and secure. Along with leisure bags, we have included some handsome carrying cases for laptops and notebooks, and some egonomically designed backpacks for both men and women. Take a look at our briefcases and messenger bags too. We are offering gorgeous leather bags from Argentina. Argentinian leather is considered by many to be the best leather in the world. Are we including outrageous fashion? You'd better believe it, but certainly not with price tags of $48,000. We'd rather you spend that amount on your new BMW. So come on in and visit us. Contact us with your thoughts and suggestions. Remember, we are dedicated to our customers. Our customers' comfort and joy doing business with us is of major importance. We love TLC ourselves and we love to have fun. We want to include you in that. So, here's to your pleasure, and to all our fellow fashionistas. Welcome to handbag heaven!

As always, Joan

2007-07-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

I just cannot believe that it is almost the Fourth of July. Where has the time gone?

Karen and I are developing another website. We'll tell you all about it in the next couple weeks. I think you are going to like this one a lot. Sharpen your pencils. You are going to want to buy many things. I certainly do.

What are your plans for the Fourth? Oh, we saw fire works last night. It was magic! Usually, we don't get a chance to see fireworks on the Fourth because we are either at a picnic or giving one. Our brother had a boat years ago, and we would go out into the Sound around Thimble Islands in Branford and picnic and watch the fireworks. Fireworks are particularly good when you are on a boat. No obstructions to your view, and it's always fun to hear people cheering when there is a really impressive flashy display.

I'm dropping by to let to know about all the great sales our merchants are having. Go into Shopsicle and into the Resouces page and click: Sur La Table, Design Within Reach, Illuminations, and Art Gazebo. ALL having major sales!
Sur La Table: 25 - 50% Clearance
Design Within Reach: 50% off
Illuminations: 75% off and candles for $1.00, $3.00, $5.00, and $8.00

Don't miss it! It's a perfect time to do your Christmas shopping and save a ton of money! I'm doing it myself to save money and I am usually a last minute Charlie, squeeking just under the line of every holiday.

I wish you all a Happy Fourth of July! Be sure to eat a lot, but do not drink and drive. All my best, Joan

2007-06-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

Like you, I have been invited to many weddings in my lifetime and have actually been part of the wedding ceremony itself many many times, but not as the bride, of course. The maid of honor, a few times, bridesmaid, a few times too, even flower girl, but that goes back a few years, ahem. Folks, I am a confirmed bachelor and an unrelenting, dyed in the wool, born romantic. Therefore, because of my "romantic" nature, I am the ideal person to take a critical, but friendly look at the marriage ceremony and marriage itself. I'm only writing about weddings because it's June, and we at Shopsicle have been acutely focused on finding and presenting unusual wedding gifts for your gifting pleasure and convenience.

Back to marriage. Some of us get it right, but not everyone. You want to know what bothers me? Some people think that marriage means they have to give up their identity, who they are. How sad. I'm a idealist. Do it the right way and for the right reasons.

Getting married should be a time when two people graduate from "two" to another kind of "two". With marriage, two people who are very fond of one another suddenly become "family". The possibilities here are endless in that "family" represents an amazingly powerful social structure. Unity is good design. Unity is a good word. You stand together and grow, shoulder to shoulder with complete respect for each other's individuality. As a matter of fact, you should support one another's uniqueness and objectives in life.

Marriage is not the end of "freedom" for the bride or for the groom. Just dating has to be confined to your wife or husband please. I'm not that permissive.

The parties: showers, bachelor's party, etc. that precede the wedding ceremony seem to be "off the mark" to my mind. The poor groom has to endure the indignity of a raucous pagan ceremony, packed with things he never did anyways, to symbolize the end of his carefree, devil may care existence, as if life is ending that very night.

At the bridal shower, the bride is gifted utensils for the kitchen, honeymoon style lacy lingerie from Victoria's Secret, whether she's the "lacy" type or not, joke gifts, tupperware. Soap is good. I guess some of these things will come in handy eventually, but I ask you, where is the glamour? Soap can be glamorous. If these gifts are not the bride's own taste, will she give them away? Your hard earned money will have been wasted.

Think about the people you are gifting. In this case, your bride and groom. What is their taste? Are they registered somewhere? You can veer away from that, but you should consider their taste nonetheless. Are they contemporary? Very traditional?, eclectic? Give them what you know they will enjoy and use for years to come.

When in doubt, I always opt for classics. Click "wedding" in shopsicle.com and go into "housewares". You will see some real classics, such as the Alessi teapot. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't enjoy owning that. Also, look at "silver" under "wedding" in the navigation bar. There are some beautiful very simple pieces that can be engraved. What an elegant gift!

If this is the month you yourself are getting married, Congratulations to you and my wishes for great happiness. If you are going to a wedding, have fun and shop Shopsicle.

Greetings and best always, Joan

2007-05-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Welcome to May!

Are you either starting a home business or growing a going one? If so, then have you designed the office space in your home to be both functional and healthy for you: your back, your eyes, your hands and legs, and your spirit? In other words, is your office/work area ergonomically thought out?

A good orthopedically correct desk chair will benefit you in ways you haven't even considered, especially if your back is in decent condition right now. The years to come will either reward you with a healthy strong back if you take good care of your back now, or may result in an unnecessarily painful outcome due to improper body alignment by not being attentive to what you sit on.

It is the stresses we place on our bodies that cause "breakdowns" such as: chronic lower back pain, shoulder and neck aches, headaches, and carpal tunnel problems.

I have been a designer for many years and suffered from constant lower back pain from sitting on any old chair, slumped over a drawing table, and not taking frequent breaks to move around. My chiropractor will tell you that I have been good for his business. Would have been much easier, less painful, and less expensive to invest in an ergonomically correct "good" chair for my desk and drawing table.

You will be spending long hours at your desk. Be kind to yourself. Get a good chair, provide proper lighting, put your file in a place where you don't have to contort your body to reach it: better to stand up and walk to the file than to twist. Put a flower on your desk and go for it.

Invest in one of our spectacular ergonomically correct designer chairs. In my opinion, if you can manage it, one of these chairs is a necessity, not a luxury

Visit www.Shopsicle.com to see the great things that we are featuring for the office. Give particular attention to the chairs. Click "home accents" in the left column on the home page, then click "home office".

Here's to your prosperity and to your health! As always, Joan

2007-02-26T10:25:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I just returned from an Internet Marketing seminar in Boston. My head is reeling.

Our intention at Shopsicle is to be "state of the art", not only as design consultants and your very own "informed" personal shoppers, but also as "marketers" so that we can always bring you the best there is, the very best the market has to offer. Simply and easily.

These two days were exhilarating and soooooo inspiring. I came home with all kinds of ideas for services and products that will make your life more fun, better designed, and better informed.

I did manage to fit in some terrific dining. When it comes to seafood, Boston is the place. What a beautiful city too!

I am back at my desk today, preparing your March newsletter.

Friends, subscribe to our newsletters now, if you haven't already done it. You don't want to miss any issues, but especially the March issue if you have a home office, or are intending to make one.

To run a business efficiently, you need to be as organized as possible, and you need to have a plan that will save you time and money. A well designed plan complete with some labor saving tips will contribute largely to your success as an "at home" entrepreneur. So sign up now!

Have a great day. Joan

2007-01-26T12:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone, It's Joan again. Just want you to know that our stores/resources are having some spectacular end of season sales. Too good to pass up. In some cases, they are offering 75% off the original price. Click "Resources" in the upper left of Shopsicle's home page, and go into "Sur La Table", "Red Envelope", "Hammacher Schlemmer", and "Bose". As a matter of fact, all of our resources are having great sales. You can save money by shopping now for next Christmas, or birthdays that are coming up. Happy hunting! J

2007-01-16T10:12:00.000-08:00

Hello again everyone. Want to make sure that all of our Shopsicle customers are aware of the fact that Shopsicle is a directory and information web site. We represent an assortment of fantastic retail merchants whose products we endorse. We represent only well known and highly reputable companies. When you click "to purchase" any item that we have profiled, you are taken to the merchant's website and you provide that merchant, (for example, Hammacher Schlemmer or Red Envelope or Design Within Reach) with your credit card information. Shopsicle does not take credit card information. Best regards, Joan

2007-01-16T09:30:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, It's Joan again. New beginnings abound. We're getting Shopsicle ready for February. We're in the process of changing our home page, and introducing some great new accessories. We appreciate your patience.

By the way, it makes us very happy to hear from you, so please email us your suggestions and thoughts. If you have a design query, feel free to ask for our opinions as well. We want to be as informative as possible answering your home design questions. If there is a subject you would like for us to address in our articles and newsletters, just let us know. Email us at saloomey@shopsicle.com or simply add a comment to this blog. Have a wonderful day. Joan

2007-01-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

What a whirlwind holiday it has been for us. First of all, our computer crashed, thus setting us back in our work and causing us to lose a few files. Ugh! What a nuissance! Never happened to us before. Back up all your files, folks. We keep excellent hard copy files, so we really didn't lose anything but our own time. That's a blessing.

Because of the interruption, we are late with our January newsletter. Please forgive. The good news is that you will have the January 2007 newsletter very soon, hopefully in the next week. Thanks for your patience.

Hope you all had a jolly Christmas and Channukah. Despite the computer problem, we had a great time with friends and family. Christmas Eve is the big event in our household. We get together in a large group, sing and carry on and eat a lot. The kids open gifts from family members on Christmas Eve, and Santa comes when the kids go to sleep.

Dear old Santa leaves even more gifts from Mom and Dad. Wouldn't it be great to be a kid again? I'll never forgive my friend Gail Morris for telling me there is no Santa Claus. Didn't have any affect on me. I'm a grown up who believes in Santa.

We spent a quiet Christmas day with our New Hampshire nieces. We stayed in our nightgowns, ate comfort food and made glittery ornaments. We have a collection of beads, rhinestones, ribbons, feathers, cords, sequins, appliques. You name it, we have it, and we get very creative together every year. My nieces are extraordinarily prolific and inventive. I recommend ornament making parties with friends and family. Everybody just loves it.

We have big plans for Shopsicle this year. We'll probably have some spin off websites and some other surprises. So stay tuned.

Karen and I wish you all a healthy and prosperous new year.

Meanwhile my best to all of you, As ever, Joan

2006-10-31T05:04:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

We are on a constant watch for exciting products, and this holiday season is no exception. Take a look at our great Christmas ornaments and our fantastic new items from Italy. Go into collectible ornaments, housewares, kitchen, ceramics, and art glass in Shopsicle for a real treat!

FYI, a friend of ours was in Shopsicle, looking for a gift and she didn't realize that we showcase a wide range of price levels. She thought we were very "pricey". I had to explain to her that we make selections based on quality and style, and yes, we are upscale in our taste level. However, we make a point of including great items at every price level. Go to the left hand column of our home page, at the very bottom, and items are listed according to price ranges. We have some terrific finds for items up to 25.00. Check us out. Great area to do Christmas shopping. We also have wonderful gifts that range in price up to 50.00.

Also, don't forget to sign up for our newsletters. We pack them with very useful information that is intended to benefit you. Whenever we make a discovery we like to share it with you. And yes, please give us your feed back. We love to hear from you and hear your suggestions to make us even better.

Happy Halloween! Happy Thanksgiving! We'll be back before Christmas. Joan

2006-03-22T08:58:00.000-08:00

It has come to our attention that some SHOPSICLE customers believe that clicking on the "Purchase" button will result in an actual purchase of the item. Not so!

In fact, the "Purchase" button will merely take you to the item on its "Mother-Website", where you will be able to gather more information about the item: a detailed description, news of any sales or promotions, delivery time, and other pertinent information.

If you ultimately wish to purchase the item, just follow the commands provided there.

Since there is usually more information available (and often some great related-product ideas), don't hesitate to click the "Purchase" button or the link beneath, to explore options.

We have noted on each item, at the bottom, the key word or item number to enter in the search box once on the "Mother-Website", i.e. Red Envelope, Hammacher Schlemmer, etc. Once entered, click "go", and it will bring you straight to the product. If we mention no number or keyword, just clicking "Purchase" will take you to the item.

If you have any other questions, please contact us. It is our mission to make your shopping experience fast and easy!

2006-03-16T15:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Where does the time go? Seems as if we go from one holiday to the next. Very happy to see spring arrive. Our crocus is blooming and the daffodils are in bud.

Happy St Patrick's Day to all of you! Don't forget to wear green tomorrow.

Karen and I have been busy making spring/summer product selections for Shopsicle. Hope you like what we picked out. We found some really beautiful accessories, and wonderful color. Great color! I'm still looking around for really good printed soft goods accessories such as placemats and napkins. I'm very tired of the "fire sale" look. Aren't you? We have some gorgeous needlepoint pillows . Click on Home Accents in Shopsicle, and go into livingroom and bed and bath.

If you haven't yet signed up for our newsletters, what are you waiting for? The next letter is going to be about "hot trends" and choosing furniture. The newsletters are full of good useful information and they are our gift to you. So join in, sign up and enjoy.

I want to thank all of you for your much appreciated patronage and good wishes. Keep sending us those letters and be sure to keep us on our toes.

My best wishes always. J.

2005-12-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

Hello there Everybody,

I am sure you are in the throws of shopping, cooking, cleaning, going to parties, giving parties, and tending to your business while all the hoopla is going on. I sincerely hope you are having a good time and are not too stressed. Holiday time can be tiring and stressful. Pop on over to Starbuck's and have a latte, all alone, in peace and in a festive environment. That's what I do when things close in on me.

Have you put up your tree yet? Yes, you must. No copping out. You will be so glad you did. Just stay up all night and do it. You'll look a little bleary eyed in the morning, but so does everyone else this time of year.

I personally can't think of anything but fun and eating during the holidays. Yes, I count my blessings ( not calories) and give thanks for having food to eat, great friends and family, work I love, and a place to hang my hat. Obviously, I wish that for everyone. I think about our soldiers in Iraq and wonder how their Christmas is going to be. Two of my young male cousins are in the military in Iraq right now.

Karen and I have been having fun "shopping" for all of you. Check out our work in shopsicle.com. In our line up, we have included items that we, ourselves like from the merchants that we represent. Remember, when you make a purchase, you are buying from the merchant ( Hammacher Schlemmer, Red Envelope, White Flower Farm, igourmet, Swarovski, etc), not from us. But please go through our website so that we get credit. When you make a purchase through us from Red Envelope, only Red Envelope has your Visa or Mastercard, not us. We represent only highly reputable and well established companies. I say this in case you are concerned about the safety of purchasing over the internet. I used to be timid about it myself until I learned that using a credit card over the internet (purchasing from a reputable company) is safer than handing your card to a waiter in a restaurant. That being said, if you are not familiar with a particular website, and the site seems kind of questionable, then it's best to avoid it.

Our merchants are offering all kinds of great deals for Christmas and the holidays, from free shipping to big discounts. We can't possibly publish all the bargains in Shopsicle.

Click "resources" in the top left menu bar of Shopsicle home page. Click directly into our merchants' websites to view their whole collections and find out about sales and discounts.

Karen and I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Channukah, Happy Kwaanza, and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

As ever, Joan

2005-11-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

When you peruse through Shopsicle, we like to provide you with the price of each item, for your convenience. These prices are determined by our resources, not by us. We do our best to stay on top of changing prices, but once in a while a price will change before we are aware of the change and can communicate the new price to our customers. Our resources are likely to put items on sale, (excellent news for you), or sometimes, for whatever reason, a price will go up slightly.

I suggest that you click the link, as if you are making a purchase, and double check the price. And contact us if you have any problems. All my best. Joan

2005-11-06T06:07:00.000-08:00

Shopsicle has been working overtime, shopping for Christmas. We just re-designed our website to make it very shopper friendly and easy to navigate. Hope you find it to be just that.

Karen and I have found some spectacular accessories and collectibles of every description: Christmas ornaments, hand blown glass, crystal, silver, decoupage, gourmet foods, sound systems. You name it. We are providing a cornucopia for the holidays.

Shopsicle is all about opportunity for great imaginative design and gifting. We are "of today", but we do not strictly adhere to contemporary design. Our philosophy is that good design is timeless. A contemporary object can be used in a traditional setting to puntuate and add interest to a room, and vice versa. As designers ourselves, we don't like limitations, and would never impose them on you. Also, you will find a wide range of prices at Shopsicle. We are strict about quality, style and value, and provide those pre-requisites at many price points.

Basically, what you will find at Shopsicle is great style and "our take" on what we ourselves enjoy. Including delicious food: cheeses, chocolate, caviar, oils, food baskets.

Have fun with us. And please let us know how we are doing.

Happy Thanksgiving. We send all of you our thanks and appreciation. Joan

2005-10-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Connecticut is being deluged with rain. After weeks of drought, 11" fell, seemingly overnight, and the forecast is "rain all week". Perhaps the straw mat we used to call grass will green up a bit before the first frost hits.

Suddenly Autumn is feeling "right". Cinnamon and ginger. The local apple orchard. Steaming hot cups of tea and cider. Pumpkin fields and Halloween. Holiday time.

We are psyched and preoccupied with the re-design of SHOPSICLE. It's so exciting. Every day we discover something new. We are searching for and selecting gifts for the Holiday Collection. You are in for a treat. Save your feet. Save your gas. Save your wits. Put on your jammies and shop in comfort at SHOPSICLE.

We are organizing the new site for ease in finding gifts by price range, by category, and by room. SHOPSICLE is all about the home. And do we love HOME!

I'm going to go make myself a bowl of soup and relax with a good book. Hope you are all safe and away from storms. Have a cozy night! K

2005-09-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

I'll be brief today. Going to an art exhibit in New Haven, and I'm late meeting my friends.

Just want to share with all of you that we are re-organizing our web site to make it a "cinch" for finding just what you are searching for. Shopping for anything at Shopsicle is going to be glam and much easier.

We're also introducing some great new finds. They'll be ready just in time for holiday shopping whether your needs are for your own home or for giving. Keep your eye on us! J.

2005-09-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

We are devastated by the thought of all the suffering taking place in "Katrina Country".

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people who have had their lives turned upside down by this horror.

Life has taught me to look for the good which can come out of any situation. I am having a difficult time figuring out what it could be this time. If love is good, then there is plenty of love and caring being exchanged on location, and lots more being sent from the hearts of Americans and the world population. It can't compensate, though, for the trauma being experienced, by people of all ages. There will be a lifetime of sorting it all out for these individuals ... those caught in the disaster, and those loving souls who are there to be of help.

Let's hope that our city, state, and federal officials have heeded this "wake-up" call, and will become precise and pro-active in preparedness. Hopefully there will be no more storms the magnitude of "Katrina". But what guarantee do we have of that? We have to put systems into place which can turn "on a dime" at short notice.

A very high price to pay for a very important lesson learned. Karen

2005-08-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

I recently had a conversation with a very intelligent colleague on the subject of what constitutes a "romantic" gift. This conversation helped me to understand that the same word can mean different things to different people.

My friend seems to think that "romantic" has a more boy/girl or sexual implication. In her opinion, most people would agree with her. That's O.K. with me. I actually even think she's right. We used the word "romantic" as a category heading in Shopsicle to include not only the courtship aspect of the gift, but also the "poetry" contained in the object, as in "romanticism" as an artistic expression or a state of mind, a "sentimental" statement. My friend said that I am indeed an artist. Guess so. I'm also indeed a "romantic".

One doesn't "court" family members (mother, father, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews), but one can attempt to give them "romantic" gifts, such as a star in the universe that is their very own, named after them, or a gorgeous blown glass perfume bottle from Guild, or a book of poetry, or a china teapot, or a great scent in the form of a candle or room spray, or a Segovia CD, or a great wine, or a box of extraordinary chocolates flown in from France. These gifts are very romantic and packed with TLC. They are appropriate, sentimental and carry a message of universal love. Hey folks, nothing wrong with Platonic love once in a while. I even buy myself romantic gifts. You can be nice to yourself too.

We are busy scouting the marketplace for new finds. Shopsicle is constantly being organized and re-organized. Our objective is to make Shopsicle the most exciting and user friendly site on the internet. We have much to do on that subject, so please bear with us. You can help us get better and better with your input. We want to hear from you.

Respond to this question of "romantic". Tell us what you think. I'm curious.

Thank you. Joan

2005-08-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

Every year about this time I start to feel the "not-much-summer-left-blues".

How can it be August already? Cliche or no cliche, where the heck is time going, anyway? The changing of seasons is fun. Refreshing. Just wish they'd SLOW DOWN a little.

Reality hit the other day as we began our Christmas Gifts and Collectibles selections for SHOPSICLE (www.shopsicle.com). If it was May just "yesterday", does it follow that December is "tomorrow"? Scary.

Ah yes, Christmas...as one who loves the holiday (I can muster up some Christmas spirit any day of the year), I am one happy dude while researching ornaments. We found some incredibly lovely hand-made blown glass ornaments, which have been created by individual artists...divinely collectible and at the same time very reasonably priced. Perfect.

Anyone who shares my pixilated passion can view these ornaments by going into www.shopsicle.com and clicking on "Holiday" and/or "Collectibles". It's important to remember that these are artist-created, limited editions (just making them all the more valuable as collectibles), so don't delay ordering them. They sell out fast - once they're gone, they're GONE.

There's a serenity about discussing Christmas in August. From this vantage point, it's just an idea-construct. No pressure. A nice thought. Sugar Plum Fairies and flying reindeer. Somewhere in the future.

I've been slowly stashing a gift here and there, as the perfect ones pop up...have been attempting for years to de-commercialize the holidays by shopping slowly, over a long period of time, really thinking out gift choices, no last minute decisions. The objective is to have something terrific for each person on my list before December arrives.

For once I'd like to have time to enjoy the "good will" part: making merry with friends and family. I haven't aced this goal yet. Always end up with late selections - but am getting closer and closer...maybe this year!

2005-08-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

It's Joan again. .

Designing your home and picking out some nifty gifts may not be as challenging as being an astronaut in the space shuttle, but when pursued with heart and thought, it can make a big impact in your lives. It's called "the quality of living". What a mood enhancer! Nothing like it!

I love it when things are done well. Don't you? Think about visiting your friend for dinner. How does it feel when your friend takes the time to co-ordinate a table setting, in great colors, candles, and flowers, and prepares delicious food and something good to drink. It can be simple. But you always know when it's done with heart. You feel special and loved.

I want everyone to feel special and loved. Even eating dinner alone should be a celebration. No bachelor stlye for me, you know, right out of the pan. You and I deserve better.

"Gifting" is an art form that speaks volumes to the recipient. You don't have to re-mortgage the house to give a good gift. Think about the person you are "giving to". What would give them a thrill? Tailor your gift to that person so that they know you were thinking of them and of making them "happy". Nothing worse than a perfunctory gift. Don't do it. It sends a bad message, and it's boring. Better not to give a gift at all.

What would happen if you applied for a job, not knowing anything about the company that was interviewing you? Sincerely doubt you would be hired. Why, because you were showing a potential employer that any old company would suit you. And you were too lazy to do your homework.

My friend gave me a beautiful book of shells. He really tuned in to me. Figured out that I love shells. So, he came over with this huge book with great photographs of shells. Excellent gift. To wit, it's on my coffee table and I look at it often. I even read it.

Shopsicle is all about gifts that people want. We choose gifts and accessories that we ourselves would love to receive and would be proud to give. It's not about price.

No perfunctory gifts for us!

Have a great day.

I'll be back later. Joan

2005-07-19T16:26:00.000-07:00

Connecticut is hot. Nobody should have to work in this soupy, sloppy heat. We should all close down and take a 2-month long siesta, napping in a hammock and sipping something cool and quenching. Like they do in Europe. Tempting.

With all this humidity the garden is starting to resemble a Rousseau painting. Bigger than life. The fastidious grooming done in May and June has been replaced by Jungle-rama. Fancy perennials are slumming with weedy vines. Beautiful from a distance, but more than a little chaotic at close range.

In the south bed, partially shaded by a Beech tree, the Joe Pyeweed and Cimicifugas are conducting a race to see who can reach the sky first. So far the Cimi's are winning - their feathery white plumes must be 7 feet high by now. But the Joe Pye's will win. They always do, becoming obnoxiously huge, despite hard pruning,by the end of August.

The Casablanca lilies are coming up as well...they are towering this year, probably in desperation to survive...they are heavily budded, ready to explode with that pungent, mood-enhancing lily perfume of theirs. What a spectacle this is going to be. We like to cut braces of them for friends, and to put around the house. I can get drunk on their fragrance.

Work continues at SHOPSICLE.com. We are very excited about the enthusiastic response. Thank you. We are encouraged, and will continue to make the site better and better. SHOPSICLE is intended to be a service website. We, ourselves, have been feeling the need for some time-saving help in the search for the "great gift"... we love to give gifts, and want them to be the perfect choice for their recipients. Within our price range, but imaginative and thrilling for the person ripping open the box. Problem is, who has the time it usually takes to zero-in on the perfect gift? Enter SHOPSICLE. It's the website we've always wanted to find. Gifts centered around HOME, for others and for ourselves. After all, who deserves a gift more?

We are doing tons of research to find and update a glorious collection of ideas in every price range.

Talk about FUN.

And while we are at it, we are providing lots of free home decorating advice and tips, tapping our many, many years of experience as designers.

We have replaced our Discussion Board with this blog...much more user-friendly. You can chat with us, run decorating questions by us, and we'll make every attempt to answer them.

In addition, there is the FREE SHOPSICLE NEWSLETTER, containing tips and articles pertinent to home design, gift ideas, sometimes even recipes. The August newsletter is underway. You can sign up for it at: www.shopsicle.com.

We are jazzed about beginning our Holiday search for super hot gifts. Right now our resources are running incredible Summer Sales. It would be nice to have nothing to do during the holidays but give parties and go to parties, to have all the shopping done, and purchased at sale prices... I've already picked up a few things and stashed them in the closet...

Who knows if there will be time for a vacation this summer...so far the hammock is un-occupied...

Think I'll run my VHS of the 1935 "Midsummer Night's Dream", directed by Max Reinhart.
A summer tradition, and a gorgeous flick. Black and white, yet more colorful than full color. Are any of you out there familiar with it?

Be back with more in a few days - Karen

2005-07-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends!

Never done this before, but I'm really excited about being able to communicate with all of you.

As soon as I get comfortable with this format, I will write you all about some great new design finds and ideas. We think a blog is more fun than a forum, and certainly a lot easier.

I'm actually testing this "brand new blog".

Might even share with you some of what's going on in my studio. Yes, I'm a painter.

Hey, maybe, you'd even enjoy having a recipe or two. Karen and I are pretty good cooks. Learned from a master, our mom. She was a genius in the kitchen! I mean that.

Shopsicle has been occupying "center stage" and every free moment of our lives lately. We're trying to develop a great website and make it as much fun as we can.

A friend just invited me to dinner and a movie tonight. Wow, it's just what the doctor ordered.

The website has been a real hoot for Karen and me. As you probably already know, we are product designers. We love all things having to do with home and family. We want Shopsicle to reflect our passion.

Send us any requests or any questions you may have or ideas you would like to share with us, and we will be happy to respond. Looking forward to our next chat.

Best regards, Joan