Ashley and Seth Sittin' in a Tree...

Three years ago this evening I went on a first date with a guy that I wasn't sure was "my type".
And, really, he wasn't! We went to Opry Mills to see Memoirs of a Geisha, we ate at the food court Burger King (My idea, not his. He wanted to take me somewhere "fancy".), we held hands for a total of 5 seconds in the parking lot on the way to the car (we both thought the other pulled away and so neither of us tried it again that night!), we talked and talked and talked. But he still wasn't my type!
........................................
We were complete opposites! He was 11 years older than me so we obviously hung out in different circles. We kind of knew of each other...but we had never officially met until a few weeks before. He kind of drove me crazy with his "nice guy act" practically racing me to doors so that he could open them for me (and actually I found that it wasn't an act...he really IS that nice!). I drove him crazy with the fact that I was still a bit hung up on an ex-boyfriend (I get made fun of now for that). He liked sports A LOT...He had a weird work schedule...He had weird eating habits...I had a whole list of reasons that we wouldn't work out!
..........................................
But for some reason I just couldn't seem to make the decision to stop seeing him. We did like the same music...it turned out that I actually liked hockey...He was an MTSU alum so we had school to talk about...We were both artists (me with writing, him with graphics)...He made me LAUGH...something just kind of clicked with us.
.........................................
Well...after several months of "just seeing each other"...we got closer, we became best friends and very soon it was just him. Somehow the guy that wasn't my type became the only guy that I wanted to be with.
.....
So tonight we celebrate the 3rd anniversary of our first date. I ended up getting one of the good ones and I'm just so blessed to have him. Soon we'll have another anniversary to celebrate but I think this one will still be an important one even after getting married.
I love you Seth. Happy 3 years!

Girl's Nadia are HERE!

They're Here! They're Here! They're Here!

Hurry in while supplies last!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

From our family to yours; Buffy Heaton, Greg Gillentine, Helen Gillentine, Garry Gillentine, Ashley Gillentine and Seth Wright

HO. HO. HO. Two Shopping Days Remaining...Really?

So...here I am...posting at 1:21 am because I feel like I've abandoned you last-minute shoppers in your time of need! There are only TWO shopping days until Christmas people!

..............................................................................................................................................

I still have a ton of Christmas gift ideas...but having just gotten done with customers and wrapping and away from the shop at 8:00 pm and not having enough energy to post all of the great ideas. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful....just a little tired too....but I can sleep after Christmas, right?

..............................................................................................................................................

It's gotten to the point where y'all are just gonna have to come into the shop and see us if you're really in need of a cure for that "shoppers block"! Or if you're visiting the blog for the first time ever or for the first time in awhile click here for some more Christmas ideas!

...................................................................................

To break it down for you...because I don't want you to take any unnecessary trips:

• I can definitely take care of the baby to 10-year-old boys and girls...
• I've got the 11 to 14-year-old girls taken care of....
• the grandmothers, aunts and teachers...
• the moms are easy easy easy, especially if their little darlings or wonderful hubby picks it out...
• Older-than-10 boys I can still find stuff for, but it kind of depends on their personality...
• 15 to 17-year-old girls are hard to shop for no matter the personality (I think I just wanted Mario Lopez for Christmas during those years) but I can still find a couple of things that they would like...
• 18 and up girls and women are pretty easy to find stuff for (and gift certificates are ALWAYS appreciated by them, I promise!)...
• a lot of dads, brothers and grandpas LOVE Crocs............................
• and we have got stocking stuffers galore for EVERYONE! Under $10, WAY under $10 and even some above $10!

I guess I'll summarize all of this with my usual tag "We can find something for NEARLY everyone on your list"!

And we have several sales going on (for you lucky last-minuters...in addition to Mom's everyday "special, on-a-whim" deals that she gives randomly!

.................................................................................................................................................

If you have questions, just call us! If you want some more ideas, just call us! If you want us to wrap something up so that you AS WELL AS the person you're gifting is suprised, just give call us and give us a price point! I promise, we'll go out of our way to make sure you're satisfied with your gift and that your loved one will LOVE it!

..................................................................................................................................................

Now for my rant!

I'm right along with you...I've helped everyone else get their Christmas shopping done and gifts ready and have neglected mine! Thank goodness I have a wonderful brother in Knoxville who does a lot of the parent shopping...but what to get the wonderful shopping brother and his fiance?

........................................................................................................................................................

Better yet, what to get my own fiance? I have gotten him a few things that I think are pretty great and I know he'll appreciate but I haven't got "that" gift...you know, the finale gift that really packs the punch...? Our first Christmas together was a really awesome, very hard to find, SIGNED by PAUL STANLEY guitar that I had to call all over Middle Tennessee to find. Last Christmas was a bunch of Milwaukee Admirals (The Preds' minor league team) stuff and an authentic Preds practice jersey. This year...there is one really great thing that I won't mention on here because Seth actually likes the blog and reads it on a regular basis....but no guitar this year....no really awesome jersey...I suck! He's just so good and thoughtful all of the time but especially in his gift giving and hopefully he'll continue to be really great (yeah, I'm kissing up a little...what?)and let me get him something really great after Christmas when I have some time to breathe and maybe even shop!

.......................................................................................................................................................

Whew! I feel better...though not any more energized! I hope your last two days are not too stressful, not too crowded, not too hectic, not too cold and that you find the joy in the season and really get a kick out of your gift-giving this year! I'll post more over the next couple of days...just don't expect anything too spectacular until after the new year has begun!

Thank you thank you thank you!!

.........................................................

p.s. I realize that Christmas is not all about the gift-giving, by the way! There's a whole lot bigger and better "reason for the season"...and HE doesn't really care how "prepared" I might be for the holiday...just that I continue to take the time to LOVE and care for my fellow man despite the hustle and bustle of this week! HE LOVES me unconditionally and has set an example for me and THAT is what keeps me in check and gives me peace despite my recent lack of energy and the craziness of the season!

Christmas Gift Idea #14 - Hello Kitty & Friends

With less than one week...4 days to be exact.... until Christmas I've noticed that there are still a lot of people hunting for "the perfect Christmas gift" for that special someone on their list. So I've decided that from now until the 24th that I'm going to post at least one gift idea every day. Hopefully these ideas will inspire those of you who are having "shoppers block" and will jumpstart your holiday shopping!

For more Christmas Gift Ideas Click Here.

Gift Idea #14 is Hello Kitty and Friends!

You knew that this had to be on my list somewhere! We are the ONLY Sanrio store in Warren County and we have one of the largest selections of Sanrio in the Middle Tennessee area! With Hello Kitty, Keroppi, Pandapple, Chococat, Batz Maru and all the rest of the Sanrio friends...we have plenty of Sanrio for the girls and even for the boys. Everyone from toddler-age up to grown women love Hello Kitty...and we can find something in Hello Kitty for nearly everyone!

Don't forget!

We can hold stuff for you to think about and we gift-wrap for free! We'll be open through Christmas Eve for your convenience and if there's anything else we can do to make your Christmas season easier, just give us a call!

Do you really want to go out of town during this hectic time...traffic, crazed shoppers, stores running out of merchandise, crazy cold/rainy/windy weather,very public restrooms (yuck!), cold loooong walks across huge parking lots at malls, germs on carts and doorknobs, long lines at check-out, long waits for after-shopping eating, having to hop from store to store to find different gifts for different people, grumpy salespeople, having to wrap everything yourself or pay the price, lugging bags and boxes with you while you shop and then on the cold loooong trek across the parking lot to your car, mall Santas (yikes!), having to deal with gift receipts with codes and numbers that you don't recognize.....AND THEN when you get home, the gifts are under the tree and you're sitting there thinking about the whole experience - the fear that some of the stuff won't fit or work and you'll have to make the whole trip over again!

..............................................................................................................

Five-minutes from almost anywhere in town, close-to-the-door parking, service all the way to your car, no gift receipts required (unless you really want one!), within walking distance (or just a short drive) to great restaurants like Gondola, Stewart's Pharmacy Luncheonette, Loafin' Around, Baskin Robbins, Billy's, La Cazona, Captain D's, J's, China Wok, Fiesta Ranchero, Peking...our check-out lines are never too long, we try to keep everything in stock and when we can't we'll find something just as good for you and a wide selection for nearly everyone on your list, etc. etc. ......

Curbside service, gift registries, deliveries, pre-picked out gifts, gift certificates...just don't ask us to come down your chimney (we will eat the cookies, though, if you insist!).

Sweet Rhaelee

Miss Rhaelee came for a visit the other day and I just had to snap a few pictures of her in her cute outfit and coat from the shop!

Check out the cute reindeer bow!

Isn't she just so adorable?

Christmas Gift Ideas # 13 - Chalee's Picks

During her visit today Chalee also filled me in on what I needed to tell Santa to bring her from the shop and I thought who better to give you last minute shoppers hunting for kids gifts some ideas than a real live kid!

She "shopped" for nearly half an hour, filling up our toy shopping cart and then one of our arm chairs, and these are the things that she decided on. Santa, are you reading this?

So, from the mind of a 3 year old, here is your Christmas Gift Idea Post # 13!

A really great stocking stuffer for that little (or big!) princess in your life! Tutu, wand and, of course, a little something for the princess' hair!

I told you these umbrellas were great! Addison Smith, Gracie Brock and Keeper Hendrix (and a bunch of our other kids!) all agree with Chalee on this pick! Chalee chose the one with hearts (not pictured) but we also have polka dots (Gracie's. Pictured above), horses and sports just to name a few!


Chalee found her daddy's old Mr. Potato Head at home and thinks that it is way cool. This magnetic version of the classic toy is a great alternative with a lot less pieces to lose! This is only one of several new magnetic books we have in stock. Great to entertain the kids while on a car ride, a plane trip or at church. It's also just a fun "quiet" toy to play with around the house. I love toys and games like this that let kids be creative...I'm so glad Chalee picked it!

I'm pretty sure Chalee watches Bindi Irwin's show...and what kid doesn't love animals? She chose this talking Bindi doll that CRACKS me up! We also have talking Steve "action figures" for the boys!

Every single kid that comes into the shop LOVES these Penny Pinchers by Stephan Joseph...they're one of our very best sellers! At 25% off this weekend (along with all of our other Stephan Joseph merchandise), these are pretty much a steal! Great stocking stuffers!
This is Chalee when she was suppose to be showing me the cute sayings on them...but, the model that she is, started showing off, smiling and being cutesy as soon as I turned the camera on!

Being the sweet kid and wonderful big sister that she is (when she isn't poking him in the eye, squeezing his head or playing the bongos on his tummy) she picked out this "John Deere green" teddy bear for her 5 month old baby brother Joncollin! He seems interested, don't you think?

She also thought he needed this big teddy bear pillow. She chose it over the monkey one...but I like them both. There is also a pink version of this bear one. Joncollin immediately relaxed when I layed him down on the pillow. I would definitely take one of these if it came big enough...they're soooo soft! This is an awesome idea for "Baby's 1st Christmas".

The very first thing she told me that Santa needed to bring her was a horse. This is one of the Groovy Girl horses but we have a whole bunch of horse stuffed animals in all shapes, colors and sizes! Horses are the hot trend right now and we have a lot of horse stuff...music boxes, wall decorations, diaries, card games, board games, outfits, etc. etc. etc.

Chalee LOVES her Nanny Sharon and, since she lives right down the road, loves to go visit her and spend the night. This will come in handy for those trips! We have lots of items in our "Camp Grandma" collection for boys and for girls! This would be a great gift for any kid who is Grandma's little boy or girl!

In case you haven't heard me tell stories about it...Chalee's current career aspirations all revolve around being a cheerleader. She LOVES cheerleaders and watching them perform at football and basketball games and on television. I even taught her the "Firecracker, Firecracker, Boomboomboom" cheer...but I think she just likes watching me act silly more than she likes the cheer! I showed her this and she decided that she needed it for her room...I think it would be great as a doorknob hanger or just a wall decoration. We also have an adorable princess crown that is similar...that can be personalized!

Chalee thought her Pa Tommy needed this piggy bank because he has tractors. These can be personalized and we have several styles for boys and for girls. Just stick some change in one of these, get a name put on it and you're all set for a great kid gift!

She also said that she needs Hannah Montana stuff...so I showed her these Jibbitz for her Crocs! Well, Chalee loves her Crocs so she loved this idea!

That's all for tonight folks!

For more Christmas Gift Ideas Click Here and

Don't Forget!

We offer layaways and free gift-wrapping! We'll be open through Christmas Eve for your convenience and if there's anything else we can do to make your Christmas season easier, just give us a call!
..........................................................................
Curbside service, gift registries, later store hours, deliveries, pre-picked out gifts, gift certificates...just don't ask us to come down your chimney (we will eat the cookies, though, if you insist!).

A Visit from Chalee

I'm going to borrow an idea from Renee Garcia's and Jessica Higgins' blogs. They both post cute conversations and quotes from their kids and hearing their "kids say the darndest things" moments always makes me laugh and laugh.

So today my Chalee came to visit me at the shop and our conversation went like this...


Me: Chalee, You're getting so tall! You're just growing up too fast...I want you to stay little!

Chalee: Aa (that's what she calls me) I have to grow up soon so that I can go to school!

Me: Where are you going to school at?

Chalee: I'm going to Kimder-garden at Dibrell.

Me: What are you going to do in Kimder-garden? Are you going to learn to read and write?

Chalee: Yup...I know my ABC's already!

Me: Are you going to learn numbers and adding?

Chalee: No Aa...they don't have numbers at Dibrell. But they have cups!


LOL...I love that kid! I hope she'll learn a little bit about numbers when she goes to school though...and I really don't know what the "cups" comment was about!





While she was at the shop she had to "help" me of course! Here she is "helping" to wrap a Christmas order...I was actually kind of impressed at her ability to go through the motions of wrapping.

A Christmas Sale for Teachers

CALLING ALL TEACHERS!

Friday and Saturday you will receive an additional 10% off of your entire order at the shop!

We appreciate all that you do...and we think that you deserve a little extra something!

Just let us know that you are a teacher when you check out to receive your discount.

Tell all the teachers in your life about this sale...it'll be a great time to stock up on stocking stuffers, Christmas gifts, gourmet food items, maybe a little something for yourselves, and anything else you might need!

Take advantage of the sales already in progress and save even more!

You Asked For It...Christmas Sale!

Well, with less than ONE WEEK until Christmas I guess it's time to have a sale...everyone has been begging for it so who am I to say no?

Here we go:

Do a whole lot of good while getting a really great deal with Karito Kids this weekend...

• Buy a regular sized Karito Kid and get a Karito outfit 50% off!


• Buy a small sized Karito Kid and get a Karito Charmer Bracelet 50% off!

I think we can still get some stuff monogrammed...soooo....

• ALL Stephen Joseph bags, lunchboxes and accessories are 25% off!
  
  
• All of the ornaments in stock are 40% off!

Baby Dolls are always a favorite Christmas gift for little ones...

• All original Baby Stella Dolls are $10 off!
  
  
• All Stella Accessories are 10% off!
  

For little and big boys (and the girls too!) with StarWars, Zoo, Dinosaur, Motorcycle and Hot Rod themes...

• All Revell Puzzles and Models are Buy 2 Get 1 Free!

Kid-sized kitchens, kitchen accessories, pretend food, dollhouses, toddler beds, coat racks, toy chests, and more...

• All of our KidKraft wooden furniture and toys are 10% off! (but hurry hurry before the last of them are gone!)

Because they're your favorites...

• Select Crocs are $10 off!


• ALL Jibbitz are $2.50 even licenced ones!

For you Hannah Montanas, High School Musical-ers, and Camp Rock-ers out there...

• Our Smoby Rockstar toys (karaoke sets, microphones, speaker sets) are 50% off!

Because it's Christmas and those "unwrapping the presents" pictures are inevitable....

• Christmas PJ's and Gowns are 1/2 + $1!

And just for good measure...

• All of our Christmas-themed Clothing and Gifts are on Sale...30% off AND MORE!

Enjoy!

Christmas Gift Idea #12 - Adventure Toys

With only ONE week and ONE day until Christmas I've noticed that there are still a lot of people hunting for "the perfect Christmas gift" for that special someone on their list. So I've decided that from now until the 24th that I'm going to post at least one gift idea every day. Hopefully these ideas will inspire those of you who are having "shoppers block" and will jumpstart your holiday shopping!

For more Christmas Gift Ideas Click Here.

Gift Idea #12 is Adventure Toys

Boys and Girls enjoy these fun activities. The kids can bring out their inner archaeologist, explorer, or zoologist with their own personal dig site, action figures, hatching eggs, binoculars, and treasure!

And there's a lot more where these came from. These items make great "under the tree" gifts or stocking stuffers. Many of them are under $5 too so they'll make great school/church/team gifts as well!

Come check them out!

Don't forget!

We offer layaways and free gift-wrapping! We'll be open through Christmas Eve for your convenience and if there's anything else we can do to make your Christmas season easier, just give us a call!
..........................................................................
Curbside service, gift registries, deliveries, pre-picked out gifts, gift certificates...just don't ask us to come down your chimney (we will eat the cookies, though, if you insist!).