Retail Paradise

Difference Between a Store you Enjoy and a Store you Shop

2011-04-12T14:18:00.000-04:00

There are many things I've learned about retail over the last 12 years, but the most important is designing a store that is easy to shop, appealing to ones senses and relaxed.

I have a few stores that I love to browse because I appreciate the beauty of the design, but I find myself getting frustrated because I can never find anything to buy. Take this design layout below:

I'm sorry, I know many expensive boutiques in LA look like this, but to me it's saying "You are all one size and you will purchase what we tell you to, if we decide you are good enough to shop here". Think about the scene in Pretty Woman when she walks into the snooty store and they won't help her because she doesn't have the "look".

On the other hand, this store nails it:

It's inviting, beautiful and says "We don't take ourselves so seriously, have fun, we're here to help"

A store should have a clear "pathway" that leads you through it. It should also be well organized. When I want a candle, I don't want to have to look through the entire store to find a scent I like. I want them all to be in a general location.

Anthropology has mastered this art as has The Scented Garden. Below is a perfect example of a well balanced, inviting display at both of those stores:

So, the next time you are shopping and feel a bit frustrated, it's not you, it's the store that is causing it. And the next time you walk into a beautiful, well designed inviting store, be sure to tell the owner or manager what a good job they've done!

Home for the Holiday's

2010-11-12T09:47:00.000-05:00

Does the thought of setting a formal table leave you in a panic? Here is a simple diagram that I still find myself referring to when setting my table.

Now, how to layer the table for color. I try to pick a color theme and go from there. For example, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to look in your backyard for some ideas. Think leaves, berries, branches or look in the grocery store for gourds, pumpkins, apples, oranges. But that's not to say an all black and white or pink and green table can't be as festive.

You can mix and match your china, or go with one pattern. If you do decide to mix and match, I wouldn't worry so much about colors as I would texture/weight. If you are going with a heavy Italian pottery then don't bring in a fine thin porcelain china , stick with heavier dinnerware. The table below is a great example of mix & match.

Flowers, if you use them, should either be very high or very low. You don't want your guest ending the evening with a stiff neck. Candles should be unscented (this is the ONLY time I use unscented candles). And if you are burning candles in other parts of the home make sure their scent is food friendly (think pumpkin, pine, orange, cinnamon, grapefruit), avoid any floral scents. That beautiful tuberose candle is going to clash big time with the scent of a roasting turkey.

I love linens, as anyone who has been in my store knows, but only if they are ironed! A crisp ironed tablecloth can make or break that beautiful setting. So, enjoy your Thanksgiving, try not to stress too much and remember, your guest have no idea how anything was suppose to look or turn out, so even if things don't go as planned, a true hostess knows how to fake it. Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to My Front Door

2010-07-14T16:00:00.001-04:00

I'm not a huge believer in Feng Shui, but I don't want to press my luck either. When I visit my clients homes to assist with their decorating needs I do find myself summing up their homes within the first few seconds, mostly by the look of their front entrance. Much like, when I was in the dating pool, a man's smile, but that's another story for another time....

So, it is not surprising to find that their are strict rules in Feng Shui regarding the color of a homes front door, depending on which direction it faces. Here are some examples of great front doors and the color's Feng Shui suggest:

North facing door:

Feng Shui door color: blue, black, white Material: wooden

North East facing door:
Feng Shui door color: orange, purple, yellow, terra cotta

East facing door:
Feng Shui door color: green, blue, turquoise Material: wooden

South East facing door:
Feng Shui door color: green, turquoise, blue Material: wooden

South facing door:
Feng Shui door color: red, pink, purple Material: wooden

South West facing door:
Feng Shui door color: pink, peach, apricot, orange, yellow

West facing door:
Feng Shui door color: yellow, white, gold, magenta, silver

North West facing door:
Feng Shui door color: magenta, gold, silver, white, yellow

Hope you have found the correct color for your front door and are experiencing good Chi!

Beautiful Candles From France

2010-03-23T11:16:00.000-04:00

Leave it to the French to make the most beautiful candles I've ever seen.

For more than 30 years, the name Point a la Ligne has been synonymous with extraordinary quality,creativity,and design--earning a worldwide reputation as the "Rolls Royce" of candles. Situated in Bordeaux, France, the Point a la Ligne candle-making shop first opened its doors in 1968 and has been handcrafting exquisitely beautiful wax shapes ever since.

Artisans create sketches and then carve the molds. When the perfect shape has been achieved, highest-quality paraffin wax is poured. After the wax has hardened, the candles are hand-painted with intricate details. All candles burn clean, dripless and smokeless.

We sold out of the first shipment in 2 days but, not to worry, another huge shipment will be in soon. Meanwhile, I'm off to the Dallas Gift Show, so look for more new lines in the store shortly.

Is Your Bedroom Decor Ruining Your Sex Life?

2010-03-06T10:47:00.010-05:00

One of the services that I offer my customers is interior design consultation. Working with the customers own belongings I can transform most rooms into a clean, inviting living space with the tools of new paint, new accessories and a good eye for balance.

Occasionally, I will sense stress in a relationship while working with couples. I normally will ask to see the master bedroom. Sure enough, it's a mess. Normally, it's too "girly" for an adult bedroom but sometimes it looks more like the storage/junk room then the master bedroom.

Think about the times you are away in hotel rooms. There is just something sexy about being together in a nice hotel room. Sure, you're away from the everyday stresses, but I think good sex in hotels has more to do with the decor!

Coco Chanel once said "just before you leave the house, take one piece of jewelry off", basically, less is more. The same holds true for your bedroom. I like to see a nicely dressed bed, 2 end tables with matching lamps, one nice piece of furniture for storage and a chair or two...that's it. Artwork should be simple and relaxing. Window dressings should have clean lines and matching.

If you are unsure where to start, a great website is www.houzz.com. I've included some pictures of my personal favorites, but you can always contact me for individual consultations.

contemporary bedroom design by 4.bp.blogspot.com

contemporary bedroom design by los angeles interior designer Debbie L Talianko

bedroom design

Spring 2010 Opening

2010-02-28T15:52:00.004-05:00

Thought I'd give you a sneak peek at what is coming in for the spring season.

Ahava is coming back (how could it not, it's our best selling bath & body line) and NEST candles is also returning with a new scent Blue Garden and it's lovely. Hopefully new patterns will arrive soon from France on our French Linens. Pre de Provence has 2 new soaps Gardenia and Lime. Big Buddha's spring collection is fabulous and I'll be looking for 2 new handbag lines in Dallas, later this month.

Also new will be a furniture line and all pieces will be available with custom fabrics and finishes. Very exciting!

Hope everyone has survived this past winter. We've had over 80" of snow in Maryland...a new record. Come on Spring!

Change in Plans

2010-01-16T09:35:00.002-05:00

Change in plans! We are going to reopen the store today, January 16th for a one day only sale. 50% off entire store with 30% of all sales going to BRESMA http://www.thatschurch.com. These 2 young women from Pittsburgh are running an orphanage in Haiti. They are trying to get them out of Haiti and back to the States, where most of the 150 children have already began adoption process. If you can't come to the store you can still donate:

You can make a tax deductible donation to the Bresma Orphanage by making your check payable to "Keystone Church of Hazelwood" and mailing it to the church at:

161 Hazelwood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15207-1566

Please put "BRESMA orphanage" on the memo line.

Best Of The Eastern Shore

2010-01-13T13:44:00.001-05:00

I almost forgot! We are up again for "Best Unique Gifts" and "Best Customer Service" in What's Up Magazines 2010 Eastern Shore. Please vote for us!
http://www.whatsupmag.com/best-of-es-2010.aspx

Endings and Beginnings

2010-01-13T13:28:00.003-05:00

Can you believe it's the end of our 10th season already? Wow. I hope you all enjoyed, or at least survived, the holiday season and are off to an optimistic new year.

I say optimistic because the good thing about having gone through a rough time is you know it will get better. I'm feeling great about 2010. I know, things could get worse, but I don't have that feeling. I think 2010 is going to be the year that small businesses will take their rightful place in the country as the true backbone of our nation. God knows big businesses haven't done so well.

I also think that shoppers will see much better customer service. You've always enjoyed it at our store, we pride ourselves on that, but maybe now big business will see that you can not treat customers the way they have and still run a profitable business. Sometimes the only way to get things changed is to halt everything and start over. So, I'm looking at 2010 as a start over year that will lead to a great decade!

After I return from NY, I'll be posting some of the new lines that The Scented Garden will be bringing in for spring. As always, I welcome your opinion and suggestions so keep them coming.

The Leather Chair

2009-10-13T09:19:00.004-04:00

I've never been a fan of leather furniture, but five years ago I found this great small chocolate brown leather chair that was priced too good to refuse. So I bought it, not really knowing what I was going to do with it. Worse case scenario I'd use it at the store in my front window display.

Well, not only has it never left the house, I have decided that every home needs one small leather chair.

This chair has been in my entry hall, family room, master bedroom and living room and it looks equally as well in all of them.

In the entry hall I placed it against the wall, next to a small piano, added a great rug and lamp...wow, instant warmth plus guest have a place to sit while taking their shoes off (which is a must).

In the bedroom I tucked into a corner, added a floor lamp, small table, a throw and some great prints on the wall behind it and again...was like it was made for the space.

It worked beautifully with soft blues, perfect with mossy greens and even added a pop to all cream/beige room. Whether your style is contemporary, country, coastal cottage, traditional or zen inspired, this chair works. So the next time you have an empty space, think about using a small leather chair (or better yet, two), you'll wonder how you ever lived without it and if you already own one try move it into another room and see how easily it transforms any space.

Summer's Best Sellers

2009-07-29T11:20:00.004-04:00

I haven't posted anything lately, but that's a good thing. It means we have been so busy in the store that I don't have a minute left for anything else! What a summer, and what a nice surprise.

The melamine dinnerware is flying out of the store. I'm placing reorders just about every 2 weeks. The new patterns have been received with great reviews. In addition, our famous acrylic coated French linens look beautiful with the melamine patterns. Both, have been very popular items.

Ahava bath and body has also been a huge seller, and with good reason. The natural minerals from the Dead Sea used in the line are proving to be very healing for our skin. When I introduced the line into the store it was with a limited selection, but we now carry almost the entire line.

STAXX was introduced over a year ago, when the jewelry line first debuted in Dallas. Since then, the response has been overwhelming! Once you start building your rings, the possibilities are endless and with new pieces being added to the collection on a regular basis, there is always something new and exciting.

NEST candles....what can I say that I haven't already said. Laura Slatkin's line is a proven seller and my favorite candle line, which says a lot because of burned almost every candle thats ever been on the market. In just a short period, NEST has become my number one selling candle in the store. The holiday scent will be arriving in September, so be sure to get your order in now so you don't miss out. Even though I've placed a huge order for the holiday line, I am anticipating an even larger need from my customers.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and look forward to seeing you in the store at some point. I will post more after attending the shows for the fall/winter merchandise. As always, if there is a product that you love, feel free to drop us a line telling us about it. Our customers always have the best ideas!

Outdoor Living

2009-06-18T09:54:00.010-04:00

We've been eating a lot of steamed blue crabs here, which means it's officially summer! I love to entertain outdoors and I've stocked the store with many great outdoor living items.

Our blue crab enamel tableware is perfect. Not only is it dishwasher and oven safe but you won't have to worry about breakage or chipping. Add the matching linen napkins and aprons and your on your way to having one great crab feast.

Another great seller is our outdoor rugs. We now have two rug companies that we are working with, both great products with very different looks. Our natural material outdoor rugs give a more casual feel, while our Polypropylene rugs offer a more "true" carpet feel. No matter which line you prefer both can be left outside, totally uncovered, and only need a hose to clean or refresh them.

And what better way to dress your outdoor table then with our acrylic coated French cotton indoor/outdoor tablecloths? We even eat crabs on ours then just hose it off! Did I mention we can have umbrella holes put in them too?

Both the tablecloths and the rugs come in a multitude of sizes. If we don't have the size you need we will custom order it for you, at no additional cost. So grab the mosquito spray, add some candles and enjoy the summer outside!

New Arrivals

2009-05-05T11:14:00.002-04:00

I love spring. I love that the trees are green again, the flowers are blooming, my electric bill is lower and tourist are back on the streets of St. Michaels. But most of all, I love that all our new merchandise is arriving daily and the store looks fresh and new again!

Lollia is one of those new lines. It is a beautifully packaged bath and body line perfect for gift giving or enjoying yourself. With scents like Breathe, Relax, Inspire, Believe, Imagine and Wish how could you not need one of these? My favorite is the bubble bath, but the candles are wonderful too.

I think what drew me to this line in the first place were the names of each collection. As I was placing the order these thoughts came to mind: Take a deep breath, learn to relax, inspire to be your best, believe in the future, imagine a world of peace where wishes do come true. Need I say more?

Belle Fleur Has Arrived

2009-03-30T10:17:00.010-04:00

Over the last 9 years the Scented Garden has evolved into an eclectic mix of gifts, home accessories, personal accessories and bath & body, but the one thing that has remained constant is our love of candles.

Belle Fleur is the newest addition to our candle line. Developed by Meredith Waga-Perez, owner of Belle Fleur, one of Manhattans most sought after floral and event design firms. My favorite scent is white orchid tea. Just the description of this candle is relaxing:

WHITE ORCHID TEA
Orchid, Peony & Asian Bergamot wrapped in Green Tea Leaves
Inspired by spiritual Zen gardens of the Far East, this rare and exotic fragrance invites tranquility and serenity. Enhanced with the delicate essence of bergamot and finished with the soothing aroma of tea, its lightness and purity will reinforce the balance between body and soul.

Other scents include Mayan Tuberose, Orange Blossom Pomegranate and Jasmine Verbena.

No matter which one you try, I promise you will not be disappointed as each candle releases just the right amount of scent to linger through your home without being overpowering. Even unlit, you will catch a scent of the candle as you walk by it.

They say the more things change the more they remain the same. I know that my love for perfectly scented candles will always be the basis for which The Scented Garden was born out of.

Spring!

2009-03-11T09:45:00.005-04:00

Here on the east coast, March has lived up to it's reputation of "in like a lion, out like a lamb". We had 12" of snow and 70 degree weather, all within 5 days! Crazy.

I don't care what the weather does, I've moved right into spring with or without mother natures blessing. Our front window is decorated in pale blue and soft greens, our new lines are arriving daily and the spring handbags, both Melie Bianco and Big Buddha have almost sold out, and they haven't even been in the store for a full 2 weeks! I hope this trend continues because nothing makes my day better then reordering merchandise.

Tea Forte's arrival of cocktail teas has arrived, and I've now reordered on them two times. These are so much fun. Instead of adding hot water to the tea infuser, simply add your favorite alcoholic beverage. With a recipe card included in each box, tea time takes on a new meaning.

Belle Fleur is a new candle line that I just ordered. Meredith Perez is the owner of Belle Fleur Florist in NYC and she has developed a beautiful candle line. Just the box is pretty enough to give as a gift! She sent me a sample candle, jasmine verbena, and I have burned it every night. It reminds me a bit of the old Slatkin bamboo and jasmine, which was always one of my best selling scents. Thank you, Meredith, for introducing me to your line!

The Scented Garden is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, through March and then we go back to 7 days a week.

What's Up "Best Of" Voting

2009-02-02T16:32:00.003-05:00

Can you believe it's been a year since we where voted Best Luxury Gift Store, Eastern Shore? I sure can't. I know that some people shrug such awards off, but for The Scented Garden, we were honored and would be thrilled to win 2 years in a row. We work hard on providing the best unique gifts and the best customer service. So, if you wouldn't mind voting again this year, we'd appreciate it.

Just go to http://www.whatsupmag.com/calendar/hosted-events/best-of/09-01-30/Best_of_Annapolis_Eastern_Shore_2009_Ballot_-_Voting_open.aspx

and click on Eastern Shore Link. I'm not sure why, but Best Luxury Gifts is not a category this year, perhaps because once the best wins, there is no longer a competition (OK, being modest is not one of my best qualities).

But providing "Best Customer Service" and "Best Unique Gifts" is!

2009 Trends

2009-01-13T13:45:00.007-05:00

As I prepare to attend the Dallas Gift Show this week I will be focusing on how this current economy will impact retail trends. This is the hard part about retail. I know my capabilities and strengths when it comes to decorating, visual merchandising and customer service, but none of these qualities will do me any good if I don't focus on how the economy will effect what and how people buy and to do this I must anticipate how people will be living their lives.

My guess (and really, isn't that all any of us can do at this time?) is that people will be staying home more and entertaining at home more too. Therefore, I believe there will be a huge market in home goods, not necessarily big ticket items, but updating with home accessories that work with their existing large pieces. I also think outdoor living will see an increase, due to the fact that people will not be dining out in large groups, but staying in and having more casual get together.

The two buzz words that I keep hearing are "simplify" and getting back to the "basics" in life. The success of our bath and body lines have shown that people are learning to relax and enjoy the simple things in life such as taking a long bath or experiencing a French soap in the shower, even though grocery store soaps will accomplish the same, well, as far as getting you clean, not so much for moisturizing. Splurging on the little things that will make a big impact. Even the hot new colors are calming, simple and basic. Look for shades of pink, from pale blush to coral for both clothing and home. Beige, from metallic champagne to soft taupe will also be in the line up.

The point is, we don't stop living and we don't stop indulging in our wants and needs, we just cut back or simplify them to accommodate the changing ways of our world. I'm looking forward to this buying trip more then normally because I'm excited to see if the manufactures feel the same as I do and hopefully, that they will provide us, the retail sector, with lot's of new and fresh merchandise that will fulfill our customers needs. I'll be sure to report back and let you know as well and give you a sneak peak at the lines I've purchased for the upcoming season.

In the meantime, the new Tea Forte Collection will be arriving soon and, get this, it's all about tea infused cocktails! Goodbye afternoon tea, hello cosmopolitans, moijos and martinis!

Farewell, 2008

2008-12-31T08:47:00.003-05:00

Some people are afraid of endings and new beginnings. Not me. I welcome them. Perhaps this comes from having moved all over the country for so many years. I either had to learn to welcome change or I would be faced with year after year of misery. I hate being miserable, it's so draining, so I learned to embrace change.

For me, the new year represents new beginnings, a chance to look back at what didn't work and make it right. A clean slate. It's exciting, it's refreshing, it's the universes way of cleansing. Ok, that may sound a bit zen like, but think about it? If you can be honest with yourself the start of a new year can be very therapeutic, and the world, especially now, could use some therapy.

We did a lot of things right at The Scented Garden this past year. The way I bought last January paved the road for success. While I never jeopardize the quality of our products, I did keep the price points at a more reasonable dollar amount, focusing on many items at $40 and under. In addition, our blog was started, our monthly newsletter was born, we were able to donate almost $4,000 to local charities, we bought "green" and our bath and body lines are now all natural and we were voted Best Luxury Gifts on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Not bad, considering the retail industry had one of it's worse years in decades.

Mostly, we are successful because of our loyal customers. When I attend the gift shows I'm always aware of my customers needs. It is not uncommon for me to see a line and think "Karen will love this" or "this is the type of gift that Linda is always looking for". So to my customers a big Thank You! The Scented Garden is only as successful as you make us.

2009 will usher in many new changes and hopefully they will all be for the good. A new President and administration will be met with some of the most difficult times our nation has ever seen. Our economy has taken on much stress, mostly due to fear and panic and but also due to greed. If you've ever noticed the pigs I have on the cash register and wondered why, it is to remind me that "pig's get fat and hogs get slaughtered". There is over 4 trillion dollars just sitting on the sidelines. People are afraid to spend, and I understand that, but WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE OUR ECONOMY. We are not helpless. We, everyday people, hold the power to make the changes that we need most. If you go into 2009 with no other goal, please, remember we have the power. Main street will always hold more power then wall street, we simply have to utilize this power.

So with open arms and a blank slate, I welcome 2009!!

Pink Christmas Tree - Breast Cancer Awareness and Wedding Cake!

2008-12-04T09:36:00.009-05:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Black Friday was very successful for us. We had a large turnout in St. Michaels and since I had no expectations on what to expect this year, it was a huge surprise and relief that our customers are still supporting their local retailors....thank you!

We are now preparing for Midnight Madness, Saturday December 6th. If you've never attended, you don't know what you're missing. All the stores stay open until midnight and serve food/drinks and have specials all evening. The town looks like a Norman Rockwell painting, with every storefront decked out in lights and decorations. Don't forget to stop by and see our pink Christmas tree in the store, with a portion of all proceeds benefiting breast cancer awareness.

We had our annual holiday party and, as usual, it was a fabulous night. My new in-laws surprised us with a beautiful wedding cake served with a case of very nice champagne.

And since I have a home full of guest, I'll make this short and write more next week, but for those of you who need special orders or items delivered for Christmas, Friday is our cut off date, so don't delay!

Change

2008-11-19T09:30:00.004-05:00

I don't know about you, but I'm going through withdrawal from the election. It's a love/hate thing. All those commercials and debates bombarding us for months, suddenly coming to an end, but the one thing that both sides kept talking about is change, how it was needed and how it was good for us. I agree on both counts. So, I decided to make some changes to my home.

I wanted to buy new furniture for my family/sun room, but with the "recession" now totally underway and the retail season quickly coming to an end, I decided to make do with furniture and things I already own. First, I emptied out the entire room. Then, I brought in only my favorite pieces, some came from my living room (sofa), some from the bedroom (artwork) some from the office (large chair and half) and slowly the room started to come together. I thought if I could just have one entire room that looked put together it would be a start, instead of several rooms that were half done.

To my surprise, the larger L shaped sofa that was in the family room looks even better in the living room. So, I started working on the living room. Next thing you know, the artwork that I had in the hallway, looks great in the living room above the sofa. It was amazing how it all came together and the only item I had to purchase new was one jute rug, which I just happen to sell in the store.

Change can be scary, but in this case it motivated me to think outside the box. Sometimes when we live day after day looking at the same thing over and over we no longer see what possibilities are available to us. So, before you rush out and buy new furniture for a room, try taking everything out and slowly putting the room back together with items from other rooms. If it doesn't work, you can always put it back, that's the nice thing about change, it's always a work in progress.

NEST - Holiday Candle

2008-11-13T14:21:00.002-05:00

I've been talking about this candle for months. It is, quite simply, the most beautiful winter/holiday scent I've ever burned...and I've burned many candles in my life. If you were a fan of the Slatkin & Co holiday candle from the past, then you will love this scent because it is the creation of Laura Slatkin. When I walked into Laura's home in New York and smelled this candle burning I knew immediately that I had to order double what I normally would.

"The aroma of a sparkling holiday season is created by blending pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber will fill your home". Nest burns clean, long and true to scent right down to the bottom. I know this because I burn one every night in my home. In fact, it is the only candle my husband request.

The Scented Garden stocks all 4 sizes available.

single votive for $12.00, 8.1 oz $32.00, 3 wick $68.00 and the gift set of 6 votives $32.00. Call today to order for both your home and your gift giving, but don't delay because this was a limited pour, meaning once they are gone, I will not be able to get more in this year.

Thanksgiving Table Decor

2008-10-28T14:14:00.013-04:00

Wasn't I just writing about Easter?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love to cook (check out my sisters blog, where I am a guest writer, http://www.homecooksonline.com/) , I love to eat, I love to celebrate where gifts are not involved (yes, even a retail gift shop owner gets overwhelmed with gift giving) and I love setting a beautiful table.

One of the nice things about Thanksgiving is you can find most, if not all, of your table decorations in your own backyard or local farm stand. Think colorful leaves (perfect for name cards), magnolia branches spread down the center of the table mixed with bittersweet, berries, pumpkins, gourds, corn. I even have geraniums that will still be in bloom. I like to mix real and fake too. A large wooden bread bowl filled with oranges, apples, nuts and some decorative fall ornaments will make a beautiful display. Add some candles and you're done!

Don't forget about linens. If you never use real linens, this is one day you want to. I love the new fall colors on my French jacquard linens. One even has pumpkins on it. Our cut off date is approaching fast for guaranteed delivery though.

And lastly, bring out every bit of crystal and dinnerware that you have stuffed in those cabinets. Don't worry if it all matches or not, by the time you finish with the centerpiece, linens, candles and lots of wine, all your guest will notice is how festive your table looks. Enjoy, and remember, no matter how bad you think your life is, there is always someone who is much worse off, so be thankful!

New Merchandise New Husband!

2008-10-14T14:16:00.005-04:00

Well....a lot has been going on since I wrote last. We are receiving all of our new merchandise, daily. From the much anticipated Nest Holiday Candle by Laura Slatkin to gifts from Tea Forte and I GOT MARRIED!!

Most of you know him, Alan Poore. He has been my soul mate and partner for the last 9 years and now he is my husband! We flew to the Bahama's and we were married on the beach. Very romantic.

Ok, back to the store. For those of you interested in new linens for your holiday table, the cut off dates for special orders is 11/05/08 for Thanksgiving and 12/05/08 for Christmas. Of course, you can place your orders now and we won't have to rush about!

Don't forget about PSA Essentials custom stamps. The Christmas cut off for guaranteed delivery is 12/10/08.

October 24-26th is Fall into St. Michaels. Always a great weekend filled with much fun, especially for the kids. Hope to see you all here.

And lastly, this years Christmas Tree theme in the store is PINK! With a portion of all holiday ornaments sales going to breast cancer awareness. I'll post pictures of our pink tree as soon as we get it up.

Handbags

2008-09-25T17:56:00.002-04:00

I love fall! Not only the weather, especially on the east coast when the leaves start to change, there's a nip in the air and you can sleep with the windows open, but also because my colors are fall colors.

Chocolate brown, moss green, mustard and eggplant. And this year, those just happen to be the hot colors for handbags.

We just received two large shipments from Big Buddha and Melie Bianco, my favorite lines. It's so refreshing to see color in the fall line up. In NY for fashion week they were showing all of those colors with a different degree of shading. From plum to purple, cream to mustard yellow, taupe to chocolate and hunter green to army green......and now you can find the hottest shades in handbags at The Scented Garden.

9/11

2008-09-11T08:38:00.003-04:00

Today, I won't write about new products, my store or shopping. Today, as I sit here remembering 7 years ago I can only focus on what was our nations biggest tragedy on our homeland.

There are certain events in our lives that remain so crystal clear that one can simply close their eyes and it's as though a movie begins playing in our mind. For me, September 11th, 2001 is that day.

It began as a normal day. I was getting ready for work, the exterior of our home was being painted and Alan had already been working for several hours. Every morning I call him to say "good morning", since I don't see him when he leaves. As I was reaching for the phone the TV in the background caught my attention. Good Morning America was reporting that there had been some kind of an accident involving a plane and the World Trade Center. At the time, they didn't know it was a jet. I sat down on the ottoman to watch and listen. I don't know how long I sat there that day. I never opened the store. I was frozen in place as the days horrible events unraveled. I remember calling Alan several times with updates, and he would pass the information on to the other waterman on the radio. I remember running outside a few times to tell the painters what was going on, and I remember sitting in total shock as I witnessed the second plane hitting the second tower. I'm not a terribly religious human being, more spiritual, but I know I said "oh my god" a hundred times that day and prayed that people were able to get out.

As the morning went on it would only get worse, with reports of a plane hitting the Pentagon (which is only an hour from St. Michaels), a plane going down in Pennsylvania. Never in my lifetime had I felt so vulnerable in my own country.

Seven years later and the pain is just as strong. I will refrain from any political viewpoints, although I must comment on my disappointment in how some political leaders have continued to use 9/11 to induce fear into our country for purposes other then protection.

I didn't know anyone directly involved with that day, but I grieved along with the families, friends and loved ones who did and my thoughts and prayers are still with them today.

New York New York

2008-08-26T15:14:00.005-04:00

Well, I'm back from the New York International Gift Fair and do I have a ton of stuff to tell you!

Sharon and I left on Saturday. We love to drive to Wilmington DE and catch the train into Penn Station. From there we hop in a taxi and stay at the Sheraton New York Towers. Great location, 53rd and 7th. As usual, Sheraton did not upgrade us....even though we are part of their Preferred Guest program, oh well, I have to remind myself that I'm no longer a hotel princess as I was in my previous life.

Anyhow....rooms weren't ready (big surprise there) so we stored our luggage and off to the show we went. After receiving so many emails from my readers and customers, we focused on gift items under $50.00, as you requested. Sharon said we walked 5 miles that first day (she wears a counter, I prefer not to know why my feet are aching so badly).

We had dinner at a great little place that I can't remember the name of, but the steak au poivre was outstanding.

Now, onto the exciting news. Sunday night we were invited to attend a private cocktail party at Laura Slatkins home to preview her new line of candles called NEST. If you were a fan of the Slatkin line from the past, you are going to love this new line. Holiday is back in the collection and I swear it smells even better then before, if that is possible. The everyday scents will amaze you. Pink Jasmine and Bamboo are my two favorites, but honestly, I love them all. The entire line will begin arriving at The Scented Garden next week, with the Holiday collection shipping October 1st. We are excepting pre-orders on the Holiday line to ensure that everyone who wants it gets it. Place yours today 410-745-4006. For those of you who requested The Scented Garden's private line soy blend candle, it's coming back to, but in limited supply, so be sure to reserve your's today.

As the new merchandise starts to arrive, I'll be sure to post updates here on the blog site, so be sure to check back often for sneak previews of all the new lines we bought.

I need your advice!

2008-08-14T09:30:00.004-04:00

Most of you are enjoying the final weeks of summer, but here, on the retail front, we've been finished with summer for months now. That's the downside of retail, one never gets to truly enjoy the season we're in because we are always buying and planning for the following season.

I'm already into the holiday season.....can you believe it? I did most of my buying for fall and some holiday in Dallas last January, but now I'm off to the New York International Gift Fair. My goal is to find more great holiday gifts so my customers won't have to fight with the huge crowds at the malls. That's where you come in. I figure who better to ask then my customers.

So, if you wouldn't mind taking a few minutes to answer the following questions, I would greatly appreciate it.

How much do you plan on spending, on an average, for gifts this year?

What type items do you find the hardest to find? (hostess, girlfriend, gifts under $25.00, etc)

Will you be purchasing any gift cards or gift certificates?

When do you expect to purchase the majority of your gifts? (by thanksgiving, a week before Christmas/Chanukah, the day before you have to give it:)

I was recently interviewed by a major retail magazine on the subject of gift cards: http://www.giftshopmag.com/2008/summer/gift_retail_management/gift_cards_at_your_gift_shop

I feel since my target is more women buying for women, that gift cards and certificates tend to be to generic. I have found my customers would rather give a gift that shows how well they know the recipient and that they took the time to shop for them. I look forward to hearing what my readers and customers think.

You can leave your comments here or feel free to email me.

Thank you for your feedback, and I'll fill you in on my gift buying when I return!

Parting With Objects That Don't Work

2008-07-29T11:01:00.004-04:00

We have all been there. Whether it's regarding decorating, relationships or clothing. We have something that we keep trying to make work, but it doesn't.

I'm not really qualified to give advice on relationships, and I hate buying clothes so I'll stick to decorating.

Many times a customer will come into the store and I sense that they are torn about a certain item, should they purchase it or not. I usually start the conversation with "tell me about the room you're considering this item for, colors, style etc." and most of the time they begin with "well, I have this rug (or artwork, or sofa) that I really don't like so I'm trying to make it look better". At the risk of losing a sale, but gaining a trusted customer, I tell them, DON'T! Buying more stuff in an attempt to make something you hate look better never works. All you end up doing is dumping more money into a room that will never give you a feeling of satisfaction, so just get rid of it and start new.

I'm guilty of this. I bought a large piece of artwork that I fell in love with. After hanging it in the room I was convinced it was perfect for, I realized that it didn't work with the sofa (which I've always hated). So, I bought new pillows for the sofa...still didn't like it. Maybe it needed a new rug, so I brought in a new rug...nope...still hated it. Ok, perhaps if I hung some other artwork in the room that complimented the new piece it would work...hate it. By the time I finished buying new stuff (right down to new placemats and napkins) I stood back and realized the sofa just had to go. I had already invested enough money trying to make this sofa work that I could have bought a new one (see picture above, my new dream sofa)

So, if you find yourself constantly trying to make a room work, be honest and step back, look at the room, keep the things you love and get rid of anything that is not bringing you pleasure no matter how much sentimental value it holds or even if it's still functional. Hmmm, perhaps I could give relationship advice.......

Snakes & Specials?

2008-07-23T15:42:00.006-04:00

So, you ask, what the heck do snakes and special deals have in common? Well....let me tell you about my morning.

I had planned on taking the day off and relaxing by the pool. No work, no worries, no phones. Everything was going along as planned until my yellow lab, Mushka, started barking. As a dog owner, you learn to understand what each bark means. For example there is the "I have to potty NOW" bark, or the "Hello, is anyone going to feed me today?" bark and of course the one that melts our hearts "Yeah!! Your Home!" bark.

Today, I didn't get any of those, but rather the exclusive "Oh my god, come quick" bark. Startled, I lifted my head from my comfy lounge chair and OH MY GOD, there is a huge (and I mean at least 8 feet) black snake slithering out of the pool, while a frog is swimming around the deep end going crazy!!

I'm going to guess the snake followed the frog into the pool, in hopes of having dinner, because next to the pool was a dead fish which I'm guessing the snake ate but then realized live frogs looked tastier so, up with the fish and into the pool for the frog.......(and you guys thought my life was so glamorous). Being the animal lover I am (snakes aren't animals, though, are they?) I quickly rescued the frog and placed him back into the large pond where he lives. The snake...I have no idea where he went, nor do I care, as long as it was far far away from my house.

Ok..so, what's all this have to do with special offers? Nothing really, except after the above incident took place, I decided I really shouldn't be spending time in the sun (or the yard or anywhere close to where that damn snake might be hiding), so, I came into the house and sent out a new newsletter from The Scented Garden, and in it, we are having email only special deals along with random monthly email giveaways. But, you have to sign up for (see the sign up box below) the newsletter to be a part of all these great savings and deals!

Hope everyone is having a great snake-less summer......

Unclutter Your Life

2008-07-15T17:37:00.004-04:00

We had company over the weekend (loved seeing you Trevy & Bill!) and although it was family I wanted the house to look nice. I decided to tackle my home office first. Since I don't have an office at the store, this is where I run my business from.....and it looks it. Stuff everywhere! Somehow I do manage to find what I need and I even have a pretty good system going, but to an outsider it simply looks like the "junk" room.

Standing in the doorway, feeling totally overwhelmed with my project, I tried to think of a way to make my office look better, and then I remembered I had the perfect solution...a new line of storage bins that I brought into the store last month called Bungalow! These bins are the best...sturdy, cute and boy can they hold a lot. After I brought 3 home, I had the office uncluttered, organized and looking great in less then 2 hours.

Now I'm trying to think of other uses and the possibilities are endless. One in the mudroom for dirty flip flops, one in the laundry room for clothes, be it dirty ones or folded ones. One in my bathroom for my hairdryer, curling iron, flat iron, blow dryer (ok..I know, no one person should have to use all of those devices, but you don't know my hair). I love these bins...so much so that I just placed another huge order for the store, so be sure to stop by soon and get one to help make your life more organized.

Vera Bradley Outdoor Rugs

2008-07-08T09:13:00.002-04:00

Finally!! Someone has come up with an outdoor rug that looks and feels just like the wool indoor ones and leave it to Vera Bradley to be the one to accomplish this.

I have bought so many outdoor rugs in my endless journey to find one that not only looks and feels good but can withstand mother natures elements in addition to Marley and Mushka's elements (my dogs, in case you didn't know) and these new 100% mod acrylic with a latex-reinforced backing fit the bill. I just hose them off and they are good to go.

They are available in 6 of her most recent and popular patterns (think quilted handbags) and I'm in love with all of them. So much so that I now have to buy all new cushions to match my new rug. Thankfully, my Le Cadeaux melamine plates still work.

The Scented Garden stocks the 2 smaller sizes and can drop ship the 2 larger ones. Call for details...but hurry, they won't help much in the snow!

The Art of Tea

2008-06-25T08:29:00.003-04:00

I had always been anti tea drinking. I think this came about after having attended a corporate wives "tea party" in my previous life. I remember sitting there all dressed up in the middle of the afternoon, a cool 100 degrees of pure Dallas heat, a group of women who I had nothing in common with, sipping hot tea and the smallest sandwiches I've ever seen (canapés, if you are serving them, tiny sandwiches if you are eating them).

Driving home that afternoon, I almost had a car accident, and after I stopped shaking, it dawned on me how upset I would have been if this is how I had spent my last day on earth. I made some life changing decisions that day...all of them for the good, including learning to enjoy tea, both for the flavor and the benefits.

Tea Forte is a beautiful line of teas. I personally enjoy the green tea collection. As most of us now know, studies have shown that antioxidant-rich green tea can reduce heart disease, cancer, signs of aging and overall mortality. I figure two cups a day of this miracle drink and I can keep at least 2 bad habits and still be healthy!

For those of you who don't like hot tea, Tea Forte has developed "tea over ice". A beautiful heat resistant double pitcher set. Pour boiling water over the infuser in the top pitcher, steep for 3-5 minutes, pour over ice in the bottom pitcher and enjoy the most perfect ice tea!

What ever your feeling on tea is, I encourage you to try this line. Who knows, maybe it will even bring a life changing experience into your life.

The French Farm

2008-06-18T10:26:00.009-04:00

In my quest to always find the perfect gift, I came across a line of French foods that are perfect!

Two of my favorite items are the French honey and the old fashion citrus hard candies. Both, make the perfect hostess gift.

The honey is unlike anything I've ever tasted before. Creamy with a buttery texture, it comes from the lavender fields in France. I never realized the flower in which the bees pollinate would make such a difference in the taste of the honey.

The hard candies are smooth and soothing, not to tart, not to sweet. They come packaged in an old fashion candy jar with a ribbon.

We also carry Fleur de sel, or sea salts, that come from the salt ponds in France as well as many different whole peppercorns. And don't miss the butter cookies...just the cute tin is worth buying!

When looking for your next hostess gift, think outside the box and try something new from The French Farm. Sometimes I think we get invited to parties just for the hostess gifts we bring, so don't be surprised if your gift guarantees a return invite.

We Won!

2008-06-05T09:20:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to us and thank you to our customers who voted The Scented Garden "Best Luxury Gifts" in What's Up magazines Best of the Eastern Shore.

This is a huge compliment considering all the wonderful stores we have both in St. Michaels and Easton along with the rest of the Shore. We are thrilled that our many years of commitment to our customers has been recognized.

If I had to sum up our success it would be:

Treating our customers as though they are guest in our home.

Researching new merchandise lines for the best quality at the best price point.

Visual merchandising our products.

Commitment to the community.

Best sales staff I've ever had the privilege of working with.

Great Customers!

Thank you again, to all who voted for us. It is truly an honor.

Recession Proof

2008-05-28T11:08:00.014-04:00

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend. Here in St. Michaels the weather was perfect and the tourist were plentiful. I love seeing the town come to life.

This first long weekend of the summer was a little unpredictable, with all the warnings of recession. I was concerned that we would experience a shortage of visitors as well as a shortage of buyers. I was pleasantly surprised on both counts. I'm not denying that we may be headed toward a recession, or as Mr. Buffett announced today, we are already in one, but like many of you I'm a bit tired of this fear factor that the media and even our own government continues to instill upon us daily. Yes, gas prices are climbing, but Europe has dealt with rising gas prices for a long time and the Euro is strong. Maybe I'm being naive, but I think recessions are the result of Cause and Effect.

Cause:Media/Politicians report we're in a recession, even though economically there is no proof.

Effect: People panic and stop buying goods.

Result: We fall into a recession.

It's a bit like "what came first, the chicken or the egg".

We can still support the economy and cut back. Set the thermostat on the A/C a few degrees higher, and close drapes/blinds to keep the sun out. Run your pool a few hours less each day. Make a list of items you need so when you do run errands you can be gas smart about it. Use coupons at the grocery store, but only for items you normally would buy, otherwise they cost you money. The TV is not intended to be background noise, if you aren't watching it, turn it off. Unless you are reading, lights are not necessary during daylight hours. These may be small changes, but overtime they will add up.

As a retailer I anticipated people cutting back...but not to the point that they stop shopping. So, when I bought last January for the summer season I made sure that I bought items that were of high quality, but more affordable for my customers. I did not bring in the $80.00 candle line, but instead I found one that cost $30.00 and I must admit I think it's even better then the more expensive ones. I bought in larger quantities to keep my shipping cost low and took advantage of show specials like a cap on shipping, free shipping or 10% off specials. I'm happy to report that I was able to pass these savings on to my customers. The only price increase has been a slight one on the French linens, due to the Euro exchange.

Have I recession proofed my business? I've tried to do what I can, but life goes on, and I would rather look at these times as a necessary economic adjustment that will result in positive change. Besides, I'm in it for the long run. And as the owner of the business in the above picture has so brilliantly stated "I refuse to participate in a recession".

Le Cadeaux Melamine Dinnerware

2008-05-21T15:23:00.007-04:00

As I sit here writing this my grass is being cut, the pool water is finally blue, my flower boxes are in full bloom and I have sweet white corn on the cob shucked and ready to steam for dinner....all this means one thing, it's SUMMER!! Ok, it's not officially summer, but close enough for me.

We don't entertain that much in the winter months, but come summer our home is filled with good friends, good food (always including steamed blue crabs) and frozen drinks, poolside. I'm not a fan of paper plates, so when I found this line of heavy duty melamine dinnerware I knew if my customers didn't find the practicality in using them for outdoor dining, I would. Not only is it now the only dinnerware I use all summer, but many of my customers are hooked too, especially the boaters.

La Cadeaux has brought us some of the most beautiful Italian inspired patterns that I've seen. Dishwasher safe, heavy duty, and very inexpensive, with pieces ranging from $10.00 to $24.00, not to mention kinder on our environment then paper plates. Our acrylic French coated tablecloths match perfectly and can be used both indoors and out.

The Scented Garden stocks at least 4 patterns, and more can be custom ordered. Be sure to stop by soon and see the latest patterns, Havana (cute blue roosters) and Sunflower.

Cool Pillows from Catstudio

2008-05-13T09:42:00.001-04:00

It's hard to find handmade - made in America - merchandise that doesn't break the bank, but somehow Catstudio has done just that.

These HAND EMBROIDERY pillows from their geography collection offers a pillow for every state in the country, 14 different regions, 19 cities, 7 countries and 4 parks. Each pillow is done by HAND (yes, I said it again, by hand, I'm still blown away by that) being unique in nature, since each embroiderer incorporates a certain flair and signature to their work.

Now, you're most likely thinking...ok, Helen, how much? Well...take into consideration that each one is done entirely by hand (I'm still amazed, especially since I can't even sew a button on) the $148 to $205.00 price is a steal.

I have so many friends who live in other states that these pillows will be at the top of my gift giving list. Dallas for my girlfriend who hates it, but lives there, Palm Springs for my mans brother who has everything one could imagine, Virginia for my sister who left me here in St. Michaels, Texas for all my Ex's :) the list goes on.

Let me know where your favorite person lives and we'll have at least one pillow that will make the perfect gift.

History of the Hat

2008-05-06T09:14:00.000-04:00

There seems to be no grey area when it comes to hat lovers. Either you are, or you're not. Either you look great in one, or you don't. Personally, I've always loved hats and thankfully, I fall into "look great in one" category, if I do say so myself, but my real reason for loving hats is their ability to cover my frizzy big hair on the most humid of days.

Funny how the hat has come full circle. Initially, hats were worn as a protective device, then they became a sign of authority, later, as a form of art and etiquette, followed by a fashion statement, and now, once again, we return to a must have protection against the elements of nature.

My pet peeve is people who don't know how to wear a hat. I have to restrain myself from going up to strangers and fixing the way their hat is sitting. A hat should skim the eyebrows, since you want it to frame your face and accentuate your eyes. A hat should NEVER be worn where the rim is standing on top of your head, unless, of course, you are going for the "don't I look ridicules" statement. And, if you have long hair, please, pull it back so it does not look as though your hair is growing out of the side of your hat. I'm sorry, I know that sounds cruel, but some things are just not acceptable, and improper hat wearing is on the top of my list.

Buying hats for the store is one of the highlights for me at trade shows. I will spend hours trying on every hat before placing an order. From basic straw hats, to one of a kind custom hats, ranging in price from $20.00 to $400.00. I even found a wedding hat once, that was so breathtaking and strikingly beautiful that I considered getting married again, just to wear it!

As if protection from the sun and preventing premature aging isn't a good enough reason to start wearing hats, perhaps the fact that men love women in hats is. There is something mysteriously sexy about a woman who covers her head.

The secret to wearing hats actually has nothing to do with facial features or body type...it's all in the attitude of the person wearing the hat, find that, and every hat will look great on you.

Sensual Products from Jimmyjane

2008-04-30T09:04:00.003-04:00

I love massages, mostly receiving them, but on occasion, giving them too. I've never been a fan of massage oils, finding them to be overpowering in scent (they all smell like medicine or vanilla extract, ick) and greasy. So in the past I've reached for the body butters, but they are cold on contact and you have to apply so much of the product to make the massage last longer then 10 minutes (of course, if I'm the one giving the massage, this is plenty of time:).

When I read about Jimmyjane's massage candles, EMBER, I had to have one. I ordered the Ginger & Date (The crispness of fresh Ginger is warmed by the burnt sugar hint of sun-drenched Date. This pair of aphrodisiac scents entices with its rich notes and warm embrace) and anxiously awaited for my new product to arrive.

Three days later I receive my candle. The first thing I noticed was how soft the wax was, but this turned out to be a good thing. After lighting the candle and letting it burn for about 15 minutes until there was enough of a "puddle", I blew it out and poured the hot wax into the palm of my hand. It was perfectly heated to the most comfortable level for a hot oil massage. I quickly phoned my man and told him about my new purchase and the rest of this story will stay....ummm...private, except for the part where I purchased the entire line for my store.

Jimmyjane's massage candles are made with the highest quality natural cosmetic-grade waxes and other plant extracts. During a massage, EMBER nourishes and hydrates the skin.

The Scented Garden sells all 6 scents available, each offers a unique pairing of aphrodisiac scents - a base note that leads the way, plus a charismatic top note to set the tone. As the company claims "our candles put sexy in the air, where naughty is nice and sexy is smart". No denying that statement, especially if you purchase one of the personal massager's that are offered within the line.

With products like this, every night can be a special occasion (well, maybe 3 nights a week)....

Different Scents for Different Rooms

2008-04-22T13:24:00.000-04:00

Our sense of smell can trigger so many feelings, memories and thoughts, not unlike a song. When ever I smell fresh cut grass it brings me back to my childhood days of playing in the yard while all the neighbors mow their lawns. Watermelon always reminds me of the fourth of July, which just happens to be my birthday weekend (hint hint)!

When we bring scents into our homes it's important to remember that certain scents belong in certain rooms. You don't want that lilac candle competing with the garlic and onions sautéing on the stove, which is why Fruits and Passion developed their Cucina line of kitchen candles, hand-soap, lotion and room sprays.

Signifying ''kitchen'' in Italian, Cucina fills your kitchen with the scent of fresh cut aromatic herbs. Rather than merely masking cooking odors, the fragrant bouquets of Coriander and Olive Tree, Ginger and Sicilian Lemon, Fig and Fresh Herbs, Zucchini Flower and Truffle, Lime Zest and Cypress and Sanguinelli Orange and Fennel blend with the aromas of your favorite dishes.

Save the floral and more delicate scents for powder rooms and bedrooms. Heavier scents such as cedar wood, patchouli and teak do well in living rooms. I never use scented candles in the dining room for fear that my guest will "taste" the candle more so then my food.

Lafco New York has taken the guess work out of this theory with their new collection of candles called House & Home. You guessed it, each candle is named after the room it is best suited for. For example, one of my favorites in the line is the Bathroom Marine: "Reminiscent of a long soothing bath in an over-sized tub overlooking the ocean, this clean marine scent laced with cucumber will make even a hurried shower a relaxing experience." If that statement doesn't sell you, nothing will! But, seriously, it is the perfect scent for the master bathroom. There is a scent for every room, including the foyer and laundry room (not that I ever burn a candle in the laundry room, since I avoid that room at all cost) but, you get the idea.

If I have totally confused you with all this talk of scents and room placement, stop by The Scented Garden and let your nose be the deciding factor.

Staxx Rings - Love Them!

2008-04-16T09:57:00.000-04:00

When I buy for my store, I always try to think of unique gifts for all occasions. Staxx rings fit the bill perfectly for the female graduate. I love these rings.

Start off with the base ring (stainless steel), then build with the addition of several design charms and toppers (sterling silver and semi precious stones). One ring, infinite possibilities! Not feeling creative? Let Staxx do the design for you with one of their kits (shown above) priced from $80.00 to $195.00, or a pre-assembled set offering one ring with 2 extra add on pieces starting at $65.00. Of course, you could let your creative juices flow and design your own with over 175 centerpieces to choose from and 16 different toppers, how can you go wrong?

Did I mention they come in these really cute gift boxes? Add a bow, and you are good to go! Whether for the high school or college graduate Staxx rings will surely give you the reputation of giving the coolest gifts. Oh, and they aren't just for the younger girls, I own several sets and am amazed at how many compliments I receive on my rings.

The Scented Garden carries the entire collection of Staxx rings. Call, email or stop in to start building your Staxx ring today.

Freebies

2008-04-12T08:41:00.000-04:00

One of the benefits of owning a retail store is the free samples vendors send you so you'll fall in love with the product and order from them. Rarely, do I do either.

So, when I received a full size tube of Malibu Secret anti aging body lotion I assumed I'd end up throwing it away. WRONG! One sniff of this yummy lotion and I was hooked. Then, the ultimate test, could I wear it all day and not feel sticky. Sure enough, it passed the test. But what really attracted me to this new line was the following statement "The FIRST anti-aging face cream designed for your body". Just telling a 50 year old woman that something is going to stop the aging process and you've won a customer, but for the product to actually work....wow!

Within 2 weeks of using this cream I noticed a definite improvement to my skin. Rough red patches on the back of my arms...gone. My whole body felt smoother, and, dare I say, younger. This paraben free lotion makes the following claim:

"An innovative body cream designed to repair and replenish using a potent combination of botanicals, anti-oxidants, various butters, and a multitude of vitamins.
Benefits:
• Improves skin suppleness and texture

• Promotes free radical protection

• Intensely hydrates and moisturizes"

So far, after 2 months of using it I can't dispute any of the above.

Malibu Secret is sold in some of the finest spa's and boutiques in the country and now it is available at The Scented Garden. No matter what your age or skin type, you will see improvement over a few weeks. Love, love, love a product that does what it claims!

If you would like a free sample of Malibu Secret, stop by The Scented Garden, but hurry, sample supply is limited and available on a first come first serve basis. Of course, you could just buy a full size tube and be on the road to young, healthier looking skin that much sooner.

Oprah & Me

2008-04-08T20:16:00.000-04:00

Who would have known that this store owner and Oprah would have so much in common? Ok...so we don't have weekly girl lunches together, and we've never even sent emails back and forth, and...well...the truth is I've never met her and she wouldn't have a clue as to who I am. So why do we have so much in common? Every time I find a new line for my store, within months it's on Oprah's favorite things list! I swear, she is following me around the trade shows.

The latest is Kai. I've been carrying this wonderful bath and body line for several years. I think I was one of the first on the East Coast to even pick the line up. Sure enough, there it was on Oprah's top 25 Christmas list must haves. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled when one of my lines makes headlines, but then the demand for that product grows to such magnitude that it becomes difficult to restock it in my store as quickly as it was before Ms. O told the world about it. Not to mention the marketing 101 supply vs demand rule which means a price increase (although I must add I always thought it should be more expensive then it was). Oh well...it's still one of my favorite lines and, thanks to Oprah, it is now one of my best selling lines as well.

philosophy of Kai:

"breathe in the beauty of kai, and experience the light and soothing
scent of today's most sought-after fragrance."
beauty lies in the simplest and purest of things. kai brings this idea to life by using exotic fragrance and natural essences in our light and intoxicating scent. kai captures the irresistible fragrance of the tropics in a full line of perfume oil and body products. breathe in the beauty of kai, and experience today's most sought-after fragrance."

It truly is a beautiful scent and with your choice of lotion, buffers, dry oil, body butter, perfume and candles I'm sure you'll find one that you too will fall in love with.

Lighten Up!

2008-04-03T17:08:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know everyone is a little serious these days, with all the gloom and doom that is being thrown at us....but, I'm talking about your home. Lighten it up for the spring/summer season.

Every year I make the following changes to my house and it always amazes me how I feel after I do. My wool area rugs get changed to simple seagrass rugs. My heavy needlepoint pillows on the sofa, replaced with large fun cotton throw pillows. Toile placemats become beachy jute placemats with shell napkin ring holders. The slipcovers on my large chair and half from Pottery Barn, off with the moss green and on with sand colored twill ones. I even change out the little shades on my kitchen chandelier. From a rich coffee colored tapestry design, to light and airy natural linen with fun sea shells. Don't forget about the bedroom. Take off those heavy comforters and replace them with a light cotton matelasse coverlet.

Go through your home, you'll be surprised at all the fun things you can do. Change out those green and burgundy candle pillars with white or cream colored ones. Empty out the glass bowl of Christmas potpourri (remember, if your potpourri needs to be dusted, it's time to throw it out) and fill it with shells, green apples or lemons. Whatever you do, just think light, airy, crisp and summer.

We change our wardrobe to fit the seasons so why not our homes? It doesn't take much time or money and I promise you...you'll love it.

Email or Postal

2008-03-30T17:56:00.000-04:00

While at the Dallas Gift Show in January I came across a line of stamps that you can have personalized with your name and address then use it on envelopes or stationary. I fell in love with it immediately, retailers will understand, it's a gut feeling you get when you spot an item and just "know" it's going to be a good seller. My only concern was does anyone actually write and mail anything anymore?

I know I'm guilty of being labeled the email queen. Mostly because I absolutely hate talking on the phone (although the other day I did have a very nice one hour conversation with my sister who lives out of state, and neither of us had anything bad happen to us because we used the phone instead of email). My other reason for loving email is the time of day that I actually sit down with nothing to do, which is usually around 10pm. I'm not an expert on telephone etiquette, but I think that's too late to be calling people, at least people in my age bracket.

Ok..back to the Dallas show. I went to lunch and couldn't stop thinking about these great stamps. So, I went with my gut feeling and ordered the line. Not just a few items of the line, I ordered over $1500 worth of it. Normally with a new line, I don't invest more then $1000 until I can get a feel from my customers as to whether it's a thumbs up or not. Well, very long story short, they are selling like crazy. People do write and send letters in the mail! Gives me new faith in mankind.

The moral of this story, go with your gut. Even when you can't logically explain something, your gut instincts never let you down. It's how I buy for my retail store, and how I live my life.

By the way, if your gut is telling you this blog site is really cool...please, follow it and share with your friends :).

Customer Service

2008-03-28T09:37:00.000-04:00

With all this talk of a recession and retail sales being down, customer service plays an even larger part of retail success.

I have only one requirement from my customers....be nice. You don't have to buy anything and you may linger for as long as you want, you can bring your children in, your dogs even your husbands, but you must be nice.

I have many requirements of my sales staff and myself. Greet each customer as they come in the store, don't hard sell but don't ignore the customer, don't talk on the phone while customers are in the store, do know our products and be able to address questions with a knowledgeable answer and always thank them for stopping by. Even our return policy is customer friendly....basically, if you bought it here, you may return it here (I did have one customer try to return an item that we had never carried and she insisted it was ours because the gift arrived in one of our brightly colored yellow gift bags!) and our gift certificates never expire (this one always gets me, a dollar amount is a dollar amount, why should it expire?).

It is difficult for the small retailer to compete with the major stores, but if you offer a service that the "big boys" can't, you can have the advantage and customers will feel that their business is appreciated and wanted. For the most part, I have wonderful customers! I know them, their families and their needs. When I attend gift shows, I buy with them in mind. It is not a coincidence that they can always find something in my store that they just can't live without.

How do I handle the customer who breaks the one requirement of them? Well, I remember this one gentlemen who kept trying to bargain on an item that we had just received. Now, I'm not against someone trying to entice me to offer a lower price (but how come no one does this in Nordstroms?), especially if this item has been in the store for a length of time (although normally anything that doesn't sell within 4 months goes on the sale rack anyhow), but this customer kept pushing...in a rude way. We are talking about a $38 jute rug. It is one of my best sellers and I am able to keep the price low to begin with because I buy them in such large quantities. So...here's how the conversation went:

customer "I'll give you $30."

me "I'm sorry, Sir, I can't come down on the price, it is $38"

customer "Well how much is it if I buy 2?"

me "$80.00"

customer "that doesn't make sense"

me "I know, neither does this bickering over a $38 rug" (big smile)

He sorta laughed and bought 2 rugs at full price. Maybe he'll shop with me again, maybe not, but the other customers in the store saw I could find humor in the situation and I didn't lose my temper...they will come back.

Candle or Diffuser?

2008-03-26T10:24:00.001-04:00

By now, most of you have seen the new craze to hit the "scent" world, diffusers. The oil filled bottles or containers with sticks in them. So, why has this product taken off like crazy over the last few years? Well, there is no fire risk like candles, because they don't burn, the sticks simply absorb the scented oil and release it into the air. When you can no longer smell the oil or need a fast infusion of scent, flip the sticks. Unlike potpourri, there is no risk to children or animals (my dogs will eat anything) and they don't get dusty (remember, I hate to dust).

Now, imagine a romantic evening, fireplace crackling, music in the air, gourmet dinner slowly cooking on the stove and ......sticks in a bottle. Somehow, it's just not the same as a candle flickering on the table, not to mention that soft youthful glow a candle can give you.

I personally have diffusers, candles and potpourri in my home. But then, I have this fetish for scents. The choice is yours. Should you decide to buy a diffusers keep in mind that not all of them are the same. Some oils smell horrible, cheap and sickening sweet. Others, like my favorite, Anthousa, is a rich, true scent that never goes stale on you. You can spend as little or as much as you want. We carry Earth Elements starting at $24.00, Fruits and Passion starting at $28.00, Votivo (new to the line, including the famous Red Currant!) $50.00 and Anthousa starting at $65.00.

I don't think diffusers will replace candles, but I am enjoying the new addition to the market. Try one and see for yourself.

Is there a difference in soap?

2008-03-25T12:29:00.000-04:00

Eight years ago, if you had asked my man this question, he would have laughed. Today, he won't even go on a hunting trip unless he brings his own bar of soap. What turned this manly man into a soap expert? I got him hooked on a line of Italian soaps that leaves his skin feeling soft, not dry and it makes the bathroom smell so yummy!

European soaps, lemon and orange, is his favorite. It is a shea butter base that lathers beautifully, smells wonderful, moisturizes even in the dead of winter and last till the very end, without leaving a mess all over the shower. Add the body butter to your skin after showering and you'll never have itchy, dry flaky skin again!

Shea butter comes from the fruit of the shea nut or the karite tree as it's known. It is know for it's healing, moisturizing effects on the skin as well as absorbing rapidly into the skin and it will never leave you feeling greasy.

Mistral, from France, is another line of shea butter soaps that I love. With over 30 scents to choose from, you'll surely find a favorite. Some of our best sellers are South Seas, Lavender, Milk and Grapefruit Red Currant.

In the European Soaps collection, I carry the olive oil, pure shea butter and the lemon/orange in my store and we sell tons of it! At $6.50 a bar, it's an extravagance you owe yourself on a daily basis.

Favorite Lines

2008-03-20T21:07:00.000-04:00

I don't buy anything for my store that I personally wouldn't or don't use. Hence, I have many favorite lines. One of my best is a line of French linens, treated with an acrylic coating so you don't have to wash them. Simply sponge off, hose off, wipe off and done. You have to love a line that is not only beautiful, functional but also makes your life easier!

While many beautiful French fabrics appear to be from France, the truth is, most are made in China and India. How do you know if you've bought a French linen knock off? The weight of the fabric, the feel of the fabric not to mention that the first time you wash them they will fade and or shrink.

The French do many things to perfection, but this store owner thinks their fabric's are at the top of the list. If you would like to order one of our French tablecloths, you can email us at thescentedgarden@aol.com or call 410-745-4006. We are working on our website, but I can email you photos' of patterns and information on sizes/prices.

The New Season

2008-03-18T22:57:00.000-04:00

Well, it's that time of year again, when I basically open a new store every March. For those of you not familiar with St. Michaels Md, it is a resort/tourist community on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. My store, The Scented Garden, which I've owned for 8 years, is in the center of town.

I am a seasonal store, which means I close for several months out of the year, basically....the dead time. Every year, right after Christmas I hold a huge sale. Everything in the store goes 50% off! I clear it out, attend several gift shows, buy all new merchandise and reopen in March. It's a lot of work, but I have found it keeps the store new and trendy. Even lines that I intend on bringing back go on sale. I hate dusting....merchandise that has sat on the shelves for longer then a few months looks old, even if the product itself is fine. It's been fondled and collects dust. So, I sell it at cost, get my investment back and start over. This is the start of the New Season.

I decided to start this blog so I could share all the tricks of the trade, provide product review information, bitch a bit and offer general design tools to any and all who care to read it.

So...with the start of the new season, I welcome you to The Scented Garden's Blog.