Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas

I have heard that I am not politically correct before and here I go again. I find that I love to say Merry Christmas to people. It just rolls off your tongue so nice. I know that I should say Happy Holidays, and I try to, especially in the store. So I am sorry if I offend anyone this season for saying it. Some days it just makes me happy to say Merry Christmas. It is like when you are done saying it, your already smiling and couldn't we all use a little to smile about these days. I know I could.

I am ready to head downstairs to start the day and I put the Cider on already so that it would be warm when I got down there. It is cold and windy today so a good cup of Cider is just what I need to start off with. Come on in and enjoy some with me. I answered the doorbell at the shop early and it was Ron, the Fed-ex delivery person, and what did he have today........... 2 cases of Raven's Mulling Spices, you know the one that I use to make our delicious Cider. Good thing too, cause I think we were down to about 12. That could break a fight out in this store, just among the help let alone the customers. Have a great day and remember " It's Always Worth The Trip @ Silkweeds."
Secret Sale starts on Saturday, December 13th.
I guarantee you don't want to miss this one.
And by the way, Merry Christmas and I hope you all have the best of New Years'. :)

20% off @ Silkweeds

That's right, Silkweeds is 20% off Storewide* ( with a few exceptions) plus we still have our DAILY SPECIALS and to find out what they are you just need to visit www.shopsilkweeds.com and print out the December Calendar. On that you will find that we are doing a SECRET SALE that starts DECEMBER 13th that will be sure to help you finish up that holiday shopping.
At the end of the month on the 27th & 28th we will have our ANNUAL PJ SALE. Definately, you will want to mark the Calendar for that. It starts at 6AM with 30% off storewide and an extra 5% off if you wear your PJ's.
On that note I have to go, It is busy here and I just wanted to take the time to fill you all in on a few things. Have a great day and remember that "It is Always Worth the Trip @ Silkweeds"

Thanksgiving Saturday

Good Morning,
I got to work early this morning so that I could write a few things............ The problem is that my mind is so boggled from Black Friday that I am not sure what to write.
Black Friday Sales were down but not by much. We were real busy and I hope we are again today. This year the season seems to short. I am sure other retailers are feeling the same way.
I can say that I have only bought 3 gifts for Christmas so far. I think I will have to get with the program soon :)

Well as I gear up for another busy day, I hope all of you are finding bargains and don't forget "It's Always Worth the Trip @ Silkweeds"

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving,

I am writing this early because I will be home tomorrow enjoying my family. This time of year the shop is always so busy that I don't get alot of time home with my family. So I will be here, at the store for a few more hours finishing up a basket giveaway, free gifts, and printing the December Sale Calendar. I would much rather do it tonight than do it tomorrow on my one day off.

So I want to tell you some of the things that I am thankful for. I am thankful that I have my health, my husband, my son, my mom, my brother, and our whole family, my in-laws, my wonderful friends, my dog. I am thankful that we are managing through this tough economic time. I am thankful for my life as a whole. I know that not everyone has had the opportunity to do, see or believe in the things I have. I look forward to being a better person, a better friend, a better mom and daughter. I will strive to be better in all those catagories.

I am thankful for all my loyal customers, who come in every so often to just see how things are. I am thankful for the other shop owners that have befriended me and don't mind the phone calls for reassurance on both ends.

But tonight, since I am tired and worn out I am going to be thankful for the day off tomorrow.

Here is to a busy, busy black friday for all shop owners.

Happy Turkey Day everyone.

Black Friday Sale

This week I have spent my time getting all of our Christmas Items out on the floor. We already have sold alot of Christmas Items but the rest could fly off the shelves on Black Friday.
Our sale is as follows
Friday November 28th - 30% off Christmas Items
Saturday November 29th - 25% off Christmas Items
Sunday November 30th - 20% off Christmas Items
So all the trees are loaded, the shelves are stocked, and we are ready for some serious shopping. We will have fudge to sample and mulled cider to taste. We hope you all will be stopping in for some Christmas cheer. Even if you already have your shopping done, stop by for some fun. There will be giveaways, and maybe even a drawing ( if I get it toghether). :)
Been a busy day and this elf still has a few things to get done so have a great day and remember "It's Always Worth The Trip" @ Silkweeds.

WOW

Wow................ Well, It has been awhile since I have been able to blog. You see, I usually blog downstairs at the store in between cutomers. There has been something wrong with my internet, then my wireless connection and then we had to decorate for christmas. We are completely decorated for Christmas, and I have alot of friends and family to thank for that. I would never had gotten that all done with out them.

So hopefully you will all get a chance to stop into the store we have several things going on from now until Christmas. Lots of sales and specials and 30% off Christmas Items the day after Thanksgiving ( November 28th). Free gifts that day too, at least while they last.

I always love the way the shop looks after we decorate for the holidays. Sometimes you just turn all the lights on and look around and admire what you have created before you let the customers in.

Have a great day and hopefully I will be blogging more often.
Remember "It's Always Worth The Trip" @ Silkweeds.

Thrilling Thursdays

Good Morning,

I am about 40 or so days outside of Christmas Open House...........O My Goodness........... Where has the time gone. This weekend I turn 41...... I still feel 25 or so. Next weekend I am going away to market with my good friend Carol (http://www.bittersweetgiftshop.com/) Hoping we will find some wicked good buys there. I am looking for some different things for the shop. You know, new and exciting. I want you all to have new things to browse through. Just recently I have discovered about 4 new companies that no one else around me has. I think you will enjoy them as much as I do. You will have to wait until November 7th to see them though, because I like to have enough new things to wow the pants off of ya. hahaha

I would like to take a moment to thank Rebecca for getting me started on this blog. I do enjoy it and I wouldn't have done it if she hadn't been persisitent. Rebecca has her own business, www.berrymarketingsolutions.com and her own blog www.berrymarketingsolutions.blogspot.com
She is a very talented and clever person and I am thankful that she helps design all of my business, stationery, emails, brochures, paper ads, and so much more. If you ever need anything like this done she is the person. She really always comes thru with something new and fresh. Thanks again to her for helping to make Silkweeds a success.

As you can see I still haven't figured out the picture thing. Sometimes it isn't easy to teach a older dog new tricks. Is it Rebecca? :) Here is hoping you have a great day and remember "It's Always Worth The Trip" @ Silkweeds

Fudge Galore

Wow, I think you could take me out and suck the chocolate off of me....................... I know that doesn't sound quite right but for those of you that know me...........you know I make our fudge right here in the store. It is the most delicious fudge I have ever had, if I do say so myself. I know, I know, I seem to be showing partiality. haha

Now really, today I have made about 140 lbs. of fudge. I am sure you would like to know what that looks like, well it is 27 - 13X9 pans of fudge in all different flavors and yes, of course we made pumpkin today. This was the week everyone wanted it and I am sorry that it took until today to get it done. We have pumpkin plain and pumpkin chocolate chip. So hurry in because I have to wonder if there will be any left on Sunday when I get back to work.

We are bombarded with even more christmas freight this week. Yuck. It is a good thing it all looks good when we get it together because your so tired of it by that time that if it didn't look good I would just sit down and cry.

Well, I am going to spend the day with my son tomorrow so I will see you on Sunday.
By the way, I ordered some really nice jewelry today, should be here in about 3 weeks.

Hope you all have a great weekend and remember "It''s Always Worth the Trip @Silkweeds"

Monday Again

Wow............. Where did the week go. This time of year I get so caught up in keeping up with the store that there isn't a whole lot of time for all of these other things. Please be patient with me while I try to find a system to incorporate this blog into some sort of a daily routine. :)
Today I have had a couple of boxes of Boyds come in and the new Pilgrim Melon Jar Candles (Soy of course). We are having so many positive comments about the Kristen Candles. Once people try them they are sold on them. They are so much more fragrant than Yankee. I am glad we are getting so many new Candle companies in.

It's that time of year when we start making Pumpkin Fudge, I always love the smell of Pumpkin Fudge. So many people look forward to that. We only make it for about 6-8 weeks in the fall. So it gives everyone something to look forward to. Hopefully by next week.

Looking forward to the yard sale on October 11-12 (Sat. & Sun.) It is loaded with Hot Christmas Buys. Great Gifts at 50 - 75% off retail prices. Hope to see you all there.

Have a great day and remember "It's Always Worth the Trip @ Silkweeds"

Mondays...................

Mondays...........uugh
That is kind of how I feel this morning. I thought I would take a few minutes to let you know that I know that I am not the only one to feel that way about Mondays every now and then.
This morning I have a zillion things to get done. I have a new curtain display to get filled. I can now hang 15 more curtain designs on top of the 15 that we now have displayed. I am looking forward to getting that filled before I open today. I also have a new order of Boyds bears to get out and I am going to get that done today too. I made a little fudge yesterday but we were busy so it looks like I will be trying to get another batch made today. Sounds busy doesn't it. Now you see why I feel the way I do about Mondays. It is typical though because Monday is payroll day and the day I make out bills in the morning. So I may find some time to write later but lets hope that I get all my work done and maybe I will even get a picture or two up on the blog to show you. I hope you all get outside and enjoy the wonderful fall day. It really is starting to feel like fall.......... and remember " It's Always Worth the Trip" @ Silkweeds.

Fall, Christmas, Candles, Stockroom and more

I think the teenagers say OMG............................. That is how I feel this week. I think alot of you know that I have been working alone some to cut back on bills. Well this week I have had to finish the fall displays, check in some christmas items, clean the storage area where we keep the christmas until we need it, price and put out a new candle order plus wait on customers. Tomorrow I will make fudge to get through the weekend. It is nice to be busy but this kind of busy will drive you nuts.

So the fall is done, christmas is well under way and the new candles smell so good. I walked in here this morning at 8 am, with the lights off, it just seems so peaceful that time of day. I was able to get some things accomplished so that makes me feel better about not being so overwhelmed.

I hope you all can find the time to come down and take a stroll through. I love the way the store looks right now. The colors are perfect, warm and inviting. So if you find some extra time come on down, and take a few minutes to enjoy what I sometimes take for granted. (the smells, the look, the whole experience), and remember "It's Always Worth the Trip" @ Silkweeds

School's In Session

Well Ladies, Tomorrow the kids go back to school. After you have your morning coffee, you might just say to yourself, I am going to take a trip to Silkweeds and enjoy the morning by myself. Well, If it 's not quite that easy, you might get to say that in the next coming weeks. At least the kids going back to school sometimes seems like more of a routine, something we can bank on, something solid. So once we all get back into our routines maybe I will be seeing some of you. I do hope that you welcome fall with thoughts of what you would like to do for yourself. In other words, give yourself a break, pat yourself on the back because you are raising good kids and take some time out to do a couple of feel good things just for you. It has been a good day at the store. I marked some things to go out for the fall yardsale (October 10-11) and I even put together a few Christmas trees. It is hard to believe that I am working on Christmas stuff. It's 4:00 and I really need to wait on some customers so I will chat with you all in the morning after I have dropped my son off for his first day of 8th grade and met some of my girlfriends for breakfast at McDonalds. Enjoy the afternoon and remember that "It's Always Worth the Trip" @ Silkweeds

Labor Day Weekend

Good Morning...............
Well, this is the best weather we have had all summer. As we get all of our fall things out, I realize that this is the season that I enjoy the most. I love that the leaves change, I love the crisp air in the morning and at night. I love the color that comes with fall. That goes for inside too. This is my favorite season to decorate with color. These nice warm, nuetral colors are what make me smile and they bring things together for me. When we have to decorate for spring it is all pastels and such. Christmas is so traditional for color. Instead this is the season for all seasons. I know because when the customers come in the store they say things about the color, the feel of the place, the smells. Oh yes, what would autumn be without the smells of fall. The pumpkin candles, and of course pumpkin fudge ( which we will start making again next week) Well, I am headed down over the stairs to wait on some customers, and make some new friends today, and what I hope for all of you is for you to have a moment to just sit and relax and think of the things that make you happiest. Life is short and way to busy so take a moment and find something to enjoy.

Have a great day and remember "That It's Alway's Worth the Trip" @ Silkweeds

Fall

Well, I do guarantee that we have our fall items out. Maybe not all of them but we do have them out and I will try to get some pictures up of those items soon. Today I have been making fudge (yum yum) and visiting with my good friend Carol from Bittersweet Gift Store in Bucksport. She was nice enough to bring me lunch today. I will be out of the store tomorrow enjoying one of our last weekend's at the campground and we will possibly be going to the Blue Hill Fair. So I will be back online with you all on Sunday. Enjoy your weekend and remember "It's Always Worth the Trip" @ Silkweeds

Christmas

I know that you can't even imagine that I said that word, you know the C word "CHRISTMAS". Well, I drove in the yard at the store this morning to the Fed-ex guy waiting paitiently (or not). He had already unloaded his truck with 30 + packages of Christmas Items. You see we have to get our freight early that gives Avis time to check it all in and get it priced, then we lug it up over the stairs and put it away until it is time to set up for Christmas. So today I am over my head in Christmas. Yuck. We never really look forward to this process. The weather out is so nice and the last thing you want to be doing is checking in Snowmen and Santas. That will all come soon enough. Oh the wonderful life of retail, where you always live at least one season ahead of everyone else. Here's hoping you all have a great day and remember that "It's Always Worth the Trip" @ Silkweeds.
I suppose I better get at it...................

Oh What a Beautiful Day....

Some days you just have to wake up and be thankful for what you have. Today I have wonderful friends, that understand that I own my own business and try to help out with my son whenever they can. I also mentioned my own business, I am thankful for that. It somehow gives me peace of mind to walk into this store every day knowing that my best is showing right here, and I think that most people that come appreciate that I work hard to keep it as nice as possible. When I bought the store it was a bit run down and not taken care of quite like it should have been. I have worked endless hours to get it to this point and I want so much more for it. I will work as hard as it takes and for as long as it takes to make it a success for myself as well as my customers. Speaking of customers, there is something else that I have to be thankful for, every now and then I will have a day and wonder why I work so hard and why I even bother and almost always when I am having one of those days in will walk a customer that tells me how incredible my store is and that they can't imagine how much work it is and that they are so glad I am here. That is when I remember why I do what I do. That is when I am thankful that I have had this opportunity in my life and that is when I know why I bother. Thanks to all of you for giving me so much to be thankful for. Have a great day and remember "It's Always Worth the Trip" @ Silkweeds

Getting Started

Well, Rebecca has talked me into keeping a blog about the store.
I don't know where to start but I do know that there are so many new things here this month. We are busy,busy,busy, trying to keep up with the new things that are coming in.
I hope you all get a chance to stop in and check out the new linens, the new candle lines ( that is a posting all of it's own) all the fall decorations, the new jewelry(made in maine), purses and handbags and so much more.
I will try to add some pictures this week and will try to check this and post to it often. This time of year gets a little crazy around here. I welcome comments on what you all think the store should carry and why. Creativity and imagination is always welcome here.
Have a great day and remember

It's Always Worth the Trip @ Silkweeds.