Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Crowns & Keys...In Our Kingdoms...We All Deserve To Be Queen For A Day!


I see a home decor theme emerging...

HINT...

I feel the urge to give my home the "Royal Treatment".

A peak into a past where pomp & circumstance ruled the day. A romantic time where, a king & queen, ruled a kingdom...a prince & princess fell in love...

Is it any wonder that crowns have captivated us for centuries?

Set of 3 Jeweled Filgree Crown
 

Sold Out
Approximate Measurements:  5" x 5" x 5"
Item #10284
UPC: 054798102842
Tin with Embossed Details


Wrapped in Crowns & Keys

$49.00

Sold Out
Item #ETCBCR
Crown Damask Throw 
Size 50" x 60"



Perfect for your Princess...Gold - Crown Chandelier


 $289.00

Sold Out
Item #72501
Color: Gold
Size: 10" Width x 16½" Height
Wattage: 40 watt
Chain: 3 feet


"Nobility" Tapestry Collage Wall Hanging

$260.00
Item #5272-WH
Measurements: 53" width x 60" length



After all...
We All Deserve To Be QUEEN For A Day!


Waiting for...
Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:

Blogs:
  
  

Saturday, February 5, 2011

How to spot a Fashion Trend ???



Just finished reading Rachel Ashwell's blog post about her personal style...She loves cowboy boots with jeans.

...This Christmas I went shopping with my brother, Stephen, to buy his wife, Denise, a pair of...Frye Cowboy Boots.

...Went to the Accessory Show at the Javits Center 2 weeks ago & purchased... American West Handbags.

Do I see a fashion trend on the horizon?

My prediction Cowboy boots, Jeans & Western-Inspired Leather Handbags are going to be "BIG" this year.

Here are a few of my favorites...

All Access Crossbody Bag


$194.00
Style Number: 6562774
Dimensions: 9.5" x 9.5" x 4"

All Access zip-top crossbody bag with adjustable shoulder strap.

Front pocket under flap, 2 side open pockets, & a back slip pocket with magnetic closure. Inside has zipper compartment & two pouches. Hand-tooled vegetable tanned antique brown leather surrounds leopard printed hair-on cowhide. Features a 3-piece floral buckle set, bold brass spots & antique brass hardware details. Each handbag features a brass signature keepsake & includes a protective storage bag.

This item is backed by the American West Lifetime Guarantee

Each piece is made by hand...one at a time

Free shipping on this item to the lower 48 States
(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).
International customers must contact before purchasing.



Zip-Top Shoulder Bag with Front Pocket


$189.00



Style Number: 6562900
Dimensions: 11" x 7" x 3"

Zip-top shoulder bag with adjustable shoulder strap.

Front open pocket under flap, flap has magnetic closure. Inside has zipper compartment & two pouches. Hand-tooled vegetable tanned antique brown leather surrounds leopard printed hair-on cowhide. Features a 3-piece floral buckle set, bold brass spots & antique brass hardware details. Each handbag features a brass signature keepsake & includes a protective storage bag.

This item is backed by the American West Lifetime Guarantee

Each piece is made by hand...one at a time.

Free shipping on this item to the lower 48 States
(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).
International customers must contact before purchasing.



3 Compartment Shopper



$238.00



Style Number: 8540642
Dimensions: 14" x 10" x 5"

Large 3 Compartment Shopper

Inside has middle zipper compartment & two open compartments on either side. Flap over top snaps shut. Inside has zipper pocket and two pouches. Hand-tooled vegetable tanned antique tan brown leather, cut in a scroll pattern on top of chocolate brown cowhide leather & accented with contrast stitching and antiqued silver spots. Each handbag features a silver signature keepsake and includes a protective storage bag.

This item is backed by the American West Lifetime Guarantee

Each piece is made by hand...one at a time

Free shipping on this item to the lower 48 States
(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).
International customers must contact before purchasing.



Ladies' Zipper Accessory Case




$64.00



Style Number: 8540394
Dimensions: 9" x 4.5" x 3"

Ladies' Zipper Accessory Case

Inside is fully lined with plastic. Hand-tooled vegetable tanned antique tan brown leather, cut in a scroll pattern on top of chocolate brown cowhide leather & accented with contrast stitching & antiqued silver spots.

This item is backed by the American West Lifetime Guarantee

Each piece is made by hand...one at a time.

Free shipping on this item to the lower 48 States
(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).
International customers must contact before purchasing.


And I've saved "My Favorite" for Last...

3 Compartment Traveler




$245.00




Style Number: 1976112
Dimensions: 14" x 12" x 4.5"

Compartment Traveler with multiple organizing pockets.

1 main compartment with zipper closure & 2 outer compartments with magnetic closure. Inside also has a zipper pocket & two open pouches. Back zipper
compartment & 2 side open accessory pockets. Hand tooled vegetable tanned turquoise leather body that is hand-rubbed a second time with dark brown stain to create a two-tone effect & trimmed with dark brown hand tooled leather. Accented with silver signature keepsake and includes a protective storage bag.

This item is backed by the American West Lifetime Guarantee

Each piece is made by hand...one at a time.

Free shipping on this item to the lower 48 States
(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).
International customers must contact before purchasing.


All I can say is that I want to pull out my vintage Cole Haan cowboy boots that I purchased at Neiman Marcus (on sale) about 10 years ago. Loved them so much that when I saw them at a discount store a few years later I bought a second pair.

Do I see a Western theme emerging in home decor as well...

Cowboy Puppy
by
Robert Dawson


$119.99 plus shipping
SKU # - 3352-4741
Width - 31.50 inches
Height - 25.50 inches

SOLD OUT

A puppy vigilantly watches his masters cowboys while catching a nap. Arrives glassed, double matted and in a mahogany finish.

Lovin' my cowboy boots...& bags too !!!
Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/






Friday, January 21, 2011

A New Year to...Live Your Dream...Love Your Life


Today I read a quote & I didn't realize who it was by until I Googled it...

"You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you."  — Maya Angelou

WOW...What a powerful use of words...by
Maya Angelou a "Poetic Genius"

This quote is definitely something I can relate to. My business is a labor of "Love". I have never made money my goal. I totally enjoy what I do...BUT...I do wish that I did not always "Worry" about "Money".

So, at this moment I would like to reflect & be thankful for all that I have & not to worry about all that I don't have. I am sure that out there...somewhere...there is... someone...who would love to trade places with me. To them, it may look like everything is "Perfect"...BUT, each of us has "Crosses to Bear" that are often not visible to others. So, rest assured, that if everyday you strive to do your "Best" your "Life" will be as it should be...& I might add that sometimes a "Good Cry" really does help...& afterwards I.....

Put My Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It...  :)
Kathleen Sforza

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Snapshots of Christmas 2010....

Another Christmas has come & gone...A snapshot of the season at "My Home"...


Gifts under the tree...



My nephew "Louis" loved his present...especially "The Wrapping"

Santa has arrived...OH MY !!!

 City Sidewalks...

Busy Sidewalks...

It's Christmas Time in the City...Department 56
"Christmas in the City"

Here we go a-Caroling...

Byers' Choice Carolers...

Snowmen Shopping...

Homespun Country...



Gingerbread Cookies...
Homemade & Decorated Too !!!

Gingerbread Houses...mmm...
Non-Pareils "My Favorite Candy"

My nephew Stephen...

Liam...busy

Emily & Kayla...


Mark...

Ashley...

And

Last...But...Not Least...

"Jesus"
The Reason for the Season...

Merry Christmas,
Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Faith & Finances...IN GOD WE TRUST


I would be lying...if I said...that as the owner of a small business...
the economy hasn't had an effect on my business.


It has been & continues to be very difficult to run a small business during this "Great Recession".


With that said...


I am going to share with you a story.


One...that many may not believe.


On the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving, I wrote a blog entry about Small Business Saturday...but I also wrote about the true meaning of Christmas. I hadn't posted the blog, but planned to post it on the Friday after Thanksgiving (the day before Small Business Saturday). The next morning (Wednesday, before Thanksgiving), my first customer of the day told me that she just recently moved back to Staten Island. She told me that for many years, in the late 1980's, she had passed by my store, but never came in. She then purchased a gift for her granddaughter & as she was walking out the door she turned to me & said...

 "Jesus told me to come in this store & purchase a gift".

Okay, it is now 5:00 on the same day (Wednesday) & I am getting ready to close for the evening. A woman comes in to purchase a gift for someone for Thanksgiving. As I was ringing up her purchases, she told me that she hadn't been in my store in a long time & that her mother had recently passed away.  She told me that she was passing by the store and...

Jesus told her to come into the store...that she would feel better.

I was stunned!!! Both my first & my last customer on that Wednesday (the day after I wrote the blog post, but hadn't posted it yet) told me that Jesus had told them to come into my store.

The story does not end there...

It's Friday night after Thanksgiving...I am at my sister Lorraine's house eating leftovers & remember that I have to post the blog about Small Business Saturday & the true meaning of Christmas. The time I post the blog is 10:00 pm. Twelve hours later at 11:00 am the next day (Saturday morning), NY1 (Time Warner Cable's NYC's local cable network) walks in the store to film "Our Store"" for Small Business Saturday. I ask the reporter..."How did you find our store?" Her answer...She found us  through our blog!!!  

All I can say..........

With God there are no coincidences !!!




Believing...
Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237


Websites:
www.kathleenrosescollection.com (an eBay Store)
www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com
www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com