Still stuck for Christmas present ideas?!

We all know that the proverbial shopping clock is ticking away- only FIVE more shopping days this holiday season.. or six, if you are the type to try your luck at some stores on Christmas morning.

With the storm this weekend, my guess is you're probably snowed in, and furiously online searching for those last minute purchases.

Have no fear! She Chester will save the day this coming week for any of those last minute purchases.

We all have that friend or family member who has just about everything. Every year, you put your thinking cap on and as the Christmas ends, you ask yourself how you're supposed to do it all again in a year.

Today I'd like to share a photo of our our more unique presents. This apron is for the gal who serves as hostess with the mostess in your circle- always having friends over, always coming up with new and delicious meals. Someone with spunk.

Imagine her delight when she receives this apron- the epitome of holiday cheer. I promise you she won't be receiving another one this Christmas!

For all those last minute shoppers out there, don't forget to swing by She Chester this final week to check the last gifts off of your list.

See you soon,
Mary

The Choco-holic's Favorite Stocking Stuffer!

I'm happy to say that my holiday shopping is nearly complete but as always, I always wait until the last minute to find the perfect stocking stuffers!

If you have a family member or friend who has a sweet tooth but would prefer to avoid all of the calories that come with it, then our soaps by Delicious Delights, fit the bill.

Shaped like some of your favorite treats, our soaps come in a variety of shapes and sizes- from ice cream cones to popsicles!

If looking for a creative idea for filling those stockings, be sure to stop by!

See you soon,
Mary

www.facebook.com/justthething

Our First Christmas

While each Christmas is special in their own way, I think we can all agree that there is something very memorable about your first holiday with your significant other.

Newlyweds often find themselves with their house brimming with wedding gifts that need putting away- from pots and pans to new sheets and towels. By the time the holidays roll around, we as friends of the young lovebirds have to ask ourselves-

"What in the world is left to get them?"

Well I have your answer right here! Our Recipe for Love Measuring Spoons are the perfect stocking stuffers. They come in a set of four:

A HEAP OF HAPPINESS - 1 Tablespoon (5 1/4 inches)
A SPOON OF SHARING - 1 Teaspoon (4 inches)
A PINCH OF PASSION - 1/2 Teaspoon (3 1/4 inches)
A DASH OF DREAMS - 1/4 Teaspoon (3 inches)

These are the perfect compliment to the many kitchen related gifts they surely received for their wedding.

So stop on by today!

See you soon,

Mary

Happy Everything!

The holidays mean entertaining and I myself love having friends and family over as much as I can during this wonderful time of year. The only issue I run into, however, is constantly pulling out the different themed platters and serving items I've collected over the years.

I start with my fun spring plates which then turns into my summer picnic ware. Before you know it, it's time for Halloween then Thanksgiving and now we're in full blown holiday season. I just can't keep track any more!

You can imagine my delight upon discovering the "Happy Everything" platter. I took a photo of one in our shop as you can see, and what makes is so versatile is that the Christmas Tree on the platter is just one of many attachments you can put on it. When the holidays are over, the platter stands close as I can simply switch out the tree for something for New years, Valentine's Day, Easter and beyond!

Now if that's not efficient, I don't know what is!

So stop in today and pick one up before the holidays soirees get the best of you!

See you soon,
Mary

Tis the Season- for Holiday Parties!

There are many reasons why I love the holiday season but in particular, I always enjoy all the parties! Whether hosted by family, friend or business colleague, one thing reigns true: never come empty handed!

Hostess gifts are a great way to show your thanks for the invitation, as well as the efforts made to create a fabulous soiree. While it's not mandatory, it's always a thoughtful gesture and demonstrates good manners.

This season, hostesses everywhere are surely receiving the standard bottle of wine, flowers and/or candies.

Why not take the creative leap and try something a little different?

At She Chester this holiday season, we have an array of options- from holiday inspired dish towels and monogrammed napkins, to delightful serving dishes to fit every taste and budget.

So this season, instead of reaching for that bottle of wine, come visit us at Just the Thing and treat your hostess with the mostess with a gift they'll appreciate throughout the season.

See you soon,

Mary

Polka Dotted Saturday!

Hello Friends!

Black Friday has come and gone, which means it's time for Polka Dotted Saturday here at She Chester.

Tomorrow, December 4, we are offering a 15% discount (excluding Brighton/Pandora) for all Facebook Fans. If you haven't joined us already, please do so and learn our secret code in order to enjoy the savings.

To get you in the mood for the holidays, I've posted a few photos of our recent decorating efforts at She Chester!

See you tomorrow!
~Mary

The Fine Print

Today we wanted to clear the air after today's FTC regulations came into effect, with regards to blogging. Moving forward, full disclosure is required by bloggers who write about products and services other than their own.

Please know that we here at She Chester hand select every product that comes to our store. When we are particularly excited about a product, we love to blog about it. Please note, however, that at no point do we receive money from the vendors who sell us these products. We simply write about them because we love them.

Now, back to the holiday season!

See you soon,
Mary

It's Beginning to Smell a lot like Christmas...

For me, the holidays begin when the first decorations come out of the boxes from the attic. Before long, my house is filled with decor of holidays past- wreaths, centerpieces and of course, the tree.

This season, I'm taking it a step further with my recent fabulous discovery- Thymes Frasier Fir! Thymes has created a number of products that give off the lovely scent of Siberian Fir needles, sandalwood and cedarwood. Perfect for the holiday season.

The company really puts it best: "With a richly layered scent reminiscent of days gone by, and suggestive of wonderful times to come, the Thymes Frasier Fir sets the mood for those special moments that make up our life stories. Experience a fragrant tradition to share with all those who touch our lives."

At She Chester, we are featuring their candles, votives, room mist and diffuser.

So stop in today before your house fills with guests for the holiday gatherings!

See you soon,
Mary


Photo courtesy of thymes.com

The Elf on a Shelf- A Holiday Tradition

I love Holiday Traditions and always enjoy hearing how other familiers celebrate this magical time of year. We here at She Chester stumbled upon this great book by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, which gave us yet another great tradition for Christmas.

We all know that children like to especially be good during this time of year. After all- a certain you know who is finding out who's naughty or nice. Each year, however, the same question surely came up in many households- how does Santa really know whether one is being naughty or nice?

The answer? The Elf on the Shelf.

As the story goes, the Elf is Santa's helper, keeping an eye on children throughout the world while reporting back to Santa nightly. He often appears at the start of the holiday season and each night, he returns to the North Pole to turn in his report. Every morning, children wake up to find their Elf sitting in different positions throughout the house, resting after the long trip back.

This story stems from author Carol's own holiday traditions:

Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him but talking to him was a different matter all together. My children shared many secrets with the elf, and while he was under strict orders not to talk to them, the elf was under no such orders where grown-ups were concerned.

Unwittingly, the tradition provided an added benefit: it helped the children to better control themselves. All it took was a gentle reminder that the "elf is watching," for errant behavior to be modified.
-elfontheshelf.com

We here at She Chester are thrilled to carry The Elf on the Shelf, and hope you'll consider making it your own holiday tradition.

See you soon,
Mary

Tis the season at She Chester!

The holidays are just around the corner and She Chester is excited to get everyone prepared for them!

This Saturday, November 7, we will be hosting our Holiday Open House from 10am-5pm at the store.

We plan to have all of our holiday merchandise out and ready to fill the stockings of your family and friends.

We will also be providing refreshments, and the opportunity for everyone to sign up for our raffle. Hope to see you there!

Purses- a Lifetime Purchase

Everyone knows that great feeling you get when you find the purse- the one that works with more than just 2 of your outfits. The purse you can grab for a night out, or a run to the grocery store.

Upon discovery of the one, you happily make your purchase and make a habit of keeping the bag busy- taking it here, there and everywhere.

Slowly but surely, the bag begins showing its wear and before you know it, the purse starts the slow demotion process- no longer fit for galas, then holiday parties, then date night.. and before you know it, the purse sits collecting dust in your closet.

We here at She Chester would like to change that by introducing the Brighton collection. Their philosophy, also known as the "Brighton Difference," in which the designer hand sketches the purse and follows it through the entire process, from design to fruition.

Let me share the proverbial icing on the cake: each purse will be registered for Brighton, so that you can bring it back to Just the Thing every year or two, and we will send it to Brighton to be refurbished.

We're happy to share this great news with all, although we send our deepest sympathies to your closets, which will simply have to find something else to store!

See you soon,

Mary

Photos courtesy of brighton.com

For the Bride in your Life

With the holidays just around the corner, I can't help but think of all the gals around Richmond about to become brides. Engagement season is in full swing as soon as the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers are placed in the refrigerator!

Planning a wedding isn't easy- first you set the date, then you book all the vendors, and of course, it's also a matter of deciding your favorite colors, flowers, cake flavors- the list goes on and on.

Then I came across this fun planner from our friends at Mud-Pie. What I love is that it's compact enough to carry around, but still contains plenty of valuable information, as well as space for one to include their very own wedding information.

So if you're a bride, bride-to-be or a friend of either, be sure to come by She Chester and pick up one of these today!

See you soon,
Mary

Perfect on a cold (almost!) winter's night...

There's a nip in the air these days in Richmond, and on days like these in particular, I love to have a cup of something warm nearby.

With that in mind, I'd like to share with you these fun Wrap-a-lattes from our friends at It's a Wrap. We have them in quite a few color combos and monograms- so you can customize them for each friend!

It's a Wrap has a wonderful story and I would encourage you to visit their web site to learn more about their beginnings. Robin and Wendy are just like many of us- friends and moms to both kids and furry ones (Wendy's pug Boxcar apparently likes to model with the products- as it appears on their web site!). They were both longtime sewers who decided to take their creative ideas and run with it. In fact, the Wrap-a-Lattes came into being after their teenagers (from the Starbucks generation!) requested them.

Now I know no one wants to be reminded that holiday shopping is right around the corner, BUT-- wouldn't these make great stocking stuffers?

See you soon,

Mary

Photos courtesy of fineliving.com and kumag cow.com Background info courtesy of itsawrapideas.com.

Can't find your keys?

It can happen to just anyone- you're running late to where you need to be, you're grabbing your coffee off of the kitchen counter and then it hits you.

Your keys, as usual, are nowhere to be found.

Our friends at Handmade by Stacey Baker has found the cure for the common key malady that phases us all from time to time. These hand painted beauties will surely stand out when combing through your purse.

So save yourself the 3 minutes it takes you each morning to locate your keys (which is 18 1/4 hours a year mind you!) and come visit us to pick up your very own.

See you soon,

Mary

Welcome Fall!

October is here which means there is no denying it any longer- Fall is upon us! It's time to trade in those sunglasses and shorts for warm and fuzzy things to keep us cozy during this brisk season.

With that being said, we're excited to share with you one of our latest finds from our friends at Top it Off.

These cable knit wraps have the feel of cashmere without the cashmere price tag. They are versatile enough to wear on a night out with friends, or pumpkin picking with the family.

What She Chester likes especially is that the company is home grown in our very own state of Virginia, with an office in Lorton.

Additionally, these women are an inspiration to any who wants to follow their dream. I recently came across a great article regarding the owners Elizabeth Hoenscheid and Karena Rassar and share their very same sentiments:

"It's so much fun to do what you're passionate about and to grow something that's your own."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

If looking to stay warm this Fall, or would like something a little different than the standard winter wear, come visit us!

~Mary