Girl's Night Out

Wow, our first Girl's Night Out was a success! We got the store ready for 'company', put out the food and wine, and entertained our friends and customers. Erin took the day to make sushi which was beautifully presented (forgot to take photos) and was a great hit, and paired it with Saki. . . Oh yes, sushi, saki, wine, cheese, fruit kabobs, and chocolate mini cupcakes (what's a party for women if there's no chocolate?). It was fun. A portion of each sale was to be donated to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure fund, and there were even some additional personal donations added to it. Thanks for coming.

I think we've decided to do it again sometime during the summer, so stay tuned. . .

Saving our Brick and Mortars!

It's no secret to any of you that times are tough! We've all been listening to the media tell us for months just how bad things are. In fact, some of the words often used are "crisis, bleeding, crash", and others of equal bleakness. This isn't to say that we don't have some big issues in this country, but is this really the way we should be dealing with them, by constantly telling everyone that will listen "just how bleak the outlook really is"? No, I don't think so.

I've just read about The 3/50 Project and am very excited about it. Basically, The 3/50 Project is built on a simple concept - consumer loyalty to independent storefront businesses equals stronger local economies.

Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy:

1. Pick three locally owned stores you'd miss if they disappeared, then return to them. Say hello. Pick up a little something that will make someone smile. Those purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

2. If just half the employed US population committed to spending $50 in locally owned stores each month, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine what would happen if 3/4 of them did that.

3. For every $100 spent in locally owned stores, $68 returns to the local economy through payroll taxes, property taxes, sales tax, payroll, and other business related expendatures. When purchasing from a chain or franchise, that amount drops to $42; if it's spent online, nothing comes home.

I grew up in Bath, and remember when there wasn't much here to choose from for shopping. We've come along way in the past fifteen or so years, and I think we'd all like to keep it that way. If you can, spend a minimum of $50 a month between your favorite three stores...you'll be surprised how far it goes in your community!

Thank you for supporting Bath businesses! We all appreciate it.

Spring Has Arrived

The sun is shining and spring is in the air! The first day of spring brings the anticipation of flowers and hopefully, not too many showers! Although the snow is not completely gone, it's almost time to think about our gardens. In the upcoming weeks we are expecting to have some fun new gardening items and potted flowers as medicine for our spring fever!!

One way to bring the smell of spring into your home is with our fabulous Seda France candles. In addition to our already popular scents we decided to bring in a few more to tantalize your senses! As seen on the "O" list in Oprah's Magazine, these beautifully packaged candles make great gifts for anyone in need of a charming and heaven-scented lift... oooh la la....



Another way to bring the new season into your home is to add some new, brightly colored pillows to your sofa or sun room. What a difference they can make.

As promised, our spring shipments have started to arrive.

The Urge to Nest

I have a tendency to be drawn to beautiful things, and for most of us the urge to nest is strong - especially in times of uncertainty. We may have decided to stay home more of the time, or eat in instead of going out tonight. Whatever the reason, we feel a little better when our homes are more comfortable.

It is very easy to change your "nest" to suit a season or an urge. You can always buy something new, but most of us have pieces both small and large, that have been collected over the years and may be put away for one reason or another. If you are ready for a change, it may be time to go to your stash and be inspired.

This time of year it is easy to be inspired by something that helps you feel like Spring. It's not that far away, less than a month so bring in some color with new pillows or a throw, or a flowering plant like Primrose, and make sure to replace that holiday wreath on the door with a Maine Made Alder Wreath. We just had some delivered by a Maine craftsman.

As we dig out from the last snow storm and the electricity returns I find that I need the feeling of Spring so much we've decided to close for a week so I can visit my Mom in Florida. But when we return, there will be new pillows and other Spring and garden related pieces arriving. We'd love to see you.

Valentine's Day ~ February 14th

Ah, the day of Love. Celebrated in several countries with romantic gifts, flowers or confection, it seems that most of us do have a romantic side and want to give and/or receive something on Valentine's Day. Traditional symbols of this day include hearts, doves, cupid and love notes. Over the years I have collected vintage cards, and framed them. Happily I found some beautiful postcards for the store that were created to look like postcards from the early 1900's - they have glitter highlights. I'm sending one to my mother, and hopefully it will evoke wonderful memories from earlier days. Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages. Send them to anyone, it's sure to make them smile.

We also have pretty teapots, jute pillows with Love or Amour embroidered on them, napkins, dishtowels, and little herb gardens for your windowsill. Check out our accessories and gifts for yourself, and enjoy this special day!

Winter Doldrums

It's almost the end of January and it seems as though we all have the Winter Doldrums! Even though the snow is beautiful, especially when it's fresh, we feel as though we've seen enough. The gardeners among us (me included) are just itching to be outside and get our hands in the dirt, but for now, we will have to settle with bringing plants and flowers inside the house.

If you want to plant something that you can watch for several weeks think about paperwhites. They aren't just for the holiday season. Plant them in dirt, or lay them on top of small stones in water and you will be happy seeing them grow and bloom. I have planted several in a vintage birdbath. Yes, most of us have birdbaths that have been put away for the winter. All you need to do for the look in this photo is bring it inside and put the bulbs in some dirt - voila, in a few weeks you'll have a burst of flowers and fragrance. These are in the store window, and I notice that everyone walking by stops to look and enjoy. If paperwhites aren't your thing, buy some tulips or other cut flowers and delight in their beauty.

Happy winter gardening. . .

Wow, It's Been A Year!

Yes, we've been open over a year now and it's been great! I finally feel like I can say that I have some experience as a shopkeeper. It's been great fun meeting new people that come into the shop, taking buying trips, displaying and merchandising the products that we find. My daughter Erin helps alot, and we've just returned from a trip to America's Mart, the huge Market in Atlanta. I'm not sure that I'll go back to NY after seeing this show. We saw, and bought some really beautiful things for the upcoming season. Can't wait to start getting those deliveries! Stay tuned. . .

A Longtime Dream

Ornament opened in October 2007 and is a feast for the eyes and senses. The shop combines a delectable mix of vintage and new furniture, along with lighting, rugs, and decorative accessories for home, garden and you. Among the items you'll find for yourself are jewelry, Margaret Smith Handbags from Gardiner, and Lepi de Provence French Bath Products, along side beautiful shell mirrors which are made in Maine, Chandler Collection bedding and shower curtains, garden pots and topiary, Currey & Company table lamps and chandeliers, Taylor Scott slipcovered furniture, and Dash & Albert rugs.

Born from years of chasing those fun and quirky finds, I wanted to open a store (a longtime dream) that would include the wide mix of pieces that we all want in our homes. It's all about finding the treasures; those one-of-a-kind vintage pieces to add to the new furniture that we all live with, and then putting it all together for a beautiful, interesting and unique living space.