Monday, May 23, 2016
Friday, May 20, 2016
MOVING TO CHESTER!!!!
Yes, it is true, I am relocating the shop to Chester. It has been a tough decision and one that took a long time to make. I knew it was time for a new space and I looked around for quite a while...even considering Glastonbury. But as a resident and huge fan of Chester...the choice was made. I hope my "regulars" will make the trip to shop in Chester...it's only about 8 minutes away. Meanwhile everything in the store is discounted...some more than others. I"m just lightening the load for the big move. At the end of June some of the larger fixtures will be offered for sale.
I will miss the village of Essex and all of the wonderful people that live and work there. But, like I've always said, to me Tri-town is actually one town...and a small one at that! I love Chester, Deep River and Essex.
I will miss the village of Essex and all of the wonderful people that live and work there. But, like I've always said, to me Tri-town is actually one town...and a small one at that! I love Chester, Deep River and Essex.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
The best gift I ever received
What's the best gift you've ever gotten? I can tell you mine. It was from my husband on the Christmas right before I opened The French Hen. I think in Rob's mind it was a "stocking stuffer" level gift. It was a book titled "A Shop of One's Own" and it meant so much to me. The expensive sapphire earrings were meant to be the star, but in my heart it was all about that little book. I cried when I opened it and just typing this got a little misty thinking back . I felt understood and acknowledged and that meant everything.
As you can imagine, I think about gifts a lot. Not so much about receiving them, but giving them and what makes a great gift great. I help people pick out presents for their loved ones everyday and have witnessed some very interesting gift-buying styles over the years. While there are the confident and decisive gift givers, I would say that the indecisive and uncertain ones make up the majority of shoppers. When someone comes in with that obvious, "on a mission" posture, I jump in to assist. A good starting point is price because everyone knows how much they can afford to spend and I respect that. And price is just the first filter. And then- what are the recipient's interests? Gardening, yoga, preppy stuff, cooking, TV, nature, music, dragonflies, big earrings, apple pie, pink, entertaining, family? Just a little nugget, anything at all. What is their age? I could never suggest the fabulous peony-scented candle in mercury glass for an elderly lady or a teenager for that matter (danger Will Robinson). I would never suggest a figurine for someone that is described as a "hoarder" (actually happened today-no lie!) but instead a "consumable" like organic french soap or shea butter hand cream. My advice, whether you are shopping at The French Hen or any other gift boutique, is to allow the shop keepers to help you...we have the intel on every product on the shelves. We know the trends and can make great suggestions...it is after all, what we do. It's very satisfying to hear about a gift that hits the mark from my store.
So anyway...its graduation time and we have some really nice selections for those who are about to launch into the future. Come on in and I will help you find something wonderful.
As you can imagine, I think about gifts a lot. Not so much about receiving them, but giving them and what makes a great gift great. I help people pick out presents for their loved ones everyday and have witnessed some very interesting gift-buying styles over the years. While there are the confident and decisive gift givers, I would say that the indecisive and uncertain ones make up the majority of shoppers. When someone comes in with that obvious, "on a mission" posture, I jump in to assist. A good starting point is price because everyone knows how much they can afford to spend and I respect that. And price is just the first filter. And then- what are the recipient's interests? Gardening, yoga, preppy stuff, cooking, TV, nature, music, dragonflies, big earrings, apple pie, pink, entertaining, family? Just a little nugget, anything at all. What is their age? I could never suggest the fabulous peony-scented candle in mercury glass for an elderly lady or a teenager for that matter (danger Will Robinson). I would never suggest a figurine for someone that is described as a "hoarder" (actually happened today-no lie!) but instead a "consumable" like organic french soap or shea butter hand cream. My advice, whether you are shopping at The French Hen or any other gift boutique, is to allow the shop keepers to help you...we have the intel on every product on the shelves. We know the trends and can make great suggestions...it is after all, what we do. It's very satisfying to hear about a gift that hits the mark from my store.
So anyway...its graduation time and we have some really nice selections for those who are about to launch into the future. Come on in and I will help you find something wonderful.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
give her what she wants, what she really really wants
Mother's day is Sunday people. It's the day Mom gets her performance appraisal...from you. This is a cumulative review from the moment you were born (or delivered by stork) to now. Consider the sleepless nights, countless bedtime stories, the fevers, parent teacher conferences, rides to swim lessons and all the LOVE. It's the day to say thanks for it all, the day to lay it on thick. Sappy, sweet and sentimental. She deserves it, but you already know that.
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