Big Style in a Small Town: Patina Home

Rob and I took a brief stroll in a fairly new store in Cranbury called Patina Home. It replaced the hometown hardware store, which I will gladly admit that I have shopped in a few times. Anyway...I fell in love with this place from the outside stoop! When you walk in, it is as if you have entered a Hampton's or New England design studio. The home goods in this store are bright, cheerful, full of brilliant color and design, and simply divine.

You can find anything from table linens, to stationary, to coasters, to rugs and bedding. And products from top-notch companies as well. When I get some more time, I will browse more and take pictures, but here is a sampling of the companies you'll find at Patina Home:

• Caspari
• Williamsburg Marketplace Collectibles
• Pine Cone Hill Bedding
• Preppy Cards
• Discoll Design Stationary
• Dash & Albert Rugs
• What's the Occasion Stationary & Gifts
• A. Tierney
• Maude Asbury

Make a stop at Patina Home and marvel at the cuteness that Cranbury is. Stay awhile if you can. Stop in to Hannah & Mason's or Cranbury Pizza for lunch. You will be happy you did. It really is like a movie town.

Happy Graduation!

Today is the Commencement ceremony for the senior class at Morristown-Beard School (where I work). I went through the ceremony myself, 10 years ago in the same spot! Those of you with kids in public high school have to wait a few more weeks to wish your kids well, but you should already be thinking what to give them! And please...no new cars! Most kids can't take them to college anyway! Here are some good gifts to give your graduate:

1. Personalized Grad Throws: These are a great gift that your child can take to college. Either shop from gift.com or see if your school has their own donning the school colors and buildings. I have one.
   
   
2. 1 Share of a Blue-Chip Stock: It's a good idea that your child learns how the stock market works and it's more fun to be personally invested, especially in some top companies. Examples of Stocks: GE, Adobe, Amazon.com, AT&T, Barnes & Noble, eBay, Exxon, Coca-Cola, Gap, and many more.
   
   
3. Oh The Places You Will Go: What is graduation without some wisdom from Dr. Seuss! This is a cute memorabilia piece to send off with your child. Not only is it full of advice and well wishes, it reminds them of the simpler and more joyful times in their childhood...keeping them close to home.
   
   
4. Laptop: Some schools give students laptops, but if not, it is a good idea to send your child to school with one. They will be on-the-go a lot and not necessarily working in their dorm room. Take from someone who found that working in the school snack bar area was more productive than staying on my floor.
   
   
5. Digital Camera: If they don't have one now, they will miss a lot without one in college. There is something memorable happening everyday. Those first few weeks of freshman year are the most photo-worthy. New buildings, new people, orientation activities, everything. And with the laptop, they can upload pictures online and share them with family! My personal recommendation is a Canon SD1000 camera. I took it to the Derby and got excellent pics out of it.
   
   
6. For girls: Pandora Charm Bracelet: Start her off with the bracelet and 1 or 2 charms to represent her and her graduation. As the years move on, you can add to it with birthdays, holidays, etc. Pandora is one of the hottest new bracelet trends.
   
   
7. For boys: Gifts for guys that I find online could really be for either gender (electronics, etc), but here are 2 that I find are favorites with the boys: Video Game Consoles or Collegiate Gear (fleece blanket, hat, sweatshirt, etc), or if they have a car on campus, a custom detailing or new stereo for the car.
   

Well, that's it for now. I have to go and get ready to head up to school. Have fun shopping! And Congrats Graduates!

Instead of Flowers for Mother's Day...

Here are some fun gift ideas for all categories of moms out there:

**For all moms: My favorite gift to give is a magazine subscription. My mom recently told me about this recipe that she saw on "Everyday Italian" on the Food Network. So...I got her a subscription to "la Cucina Italiana" magazine. Magazines are easy to order online at Amazon.com

For the fit mom:

Lulemon: Velocity Gym Bag
Retail available in Bernardsville, Englewood and Scotch Plains

Nike + iPod Sports Kit


For the Chefess:
Wrapables.com:
Dancing Martini Apron
Kimono Linen Collection
Stainless Steel and Silicone Tongs




For the Garden Mom:

Garden Planner

Outdoor Garden Tote (personalize it!)





Mom the Movie Buff:
Personalized Popcorn Bowl

Fandango Movie Tickets



Pet Lover Moms:
Stylish Pet Carrier

Pet Picture Frames



Quirky/Trendy Moms:
Recycled Rubber Purse
Record Cuff Bracelet

Betsy Johnson Laptop Sleeve

Victoria Secret Satin Pajamas

Be organized and trendy...

...with these fabulous office gifts and more at SeeJaneWork.com

What to buy for your trendy friend or chic mom?

Take a stroll through lovely Pennington and stop in at the Front Porch.

If you like to sample Crabtree & Evelyn, try on trendy and handcrafted jewelry, find colorful prints for the kitchen, or simply meander, then this is your place.

While you're in town, stop over at the Pennington Quality Market for some yummy Bucks County Coffee. My favorite!

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Speaking of favorites and speaking of trendy gifts, check out Charmed By Claire's on Main St. in Cranbury.

I am on Claire's gift wish list and my husband knows to look there for ideas. She carries many female designer items. Here are some of designers that Claire carries:
Sylvia Jewelry, Seaglass Collection (FABULOUS HANDBAGS), PUTU bags, Blosson Crown, and OF COURSE...VERA BRADLEY!

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Happy Birthday Bridie!!

This week is our cat Bridie's 2nd Birthday!

Though I don't spoil her with cutesy pet toys and things, I do like looking at them! She is very happy with her leopard print tunnel and cloth mice.

Here are some New Jersey spots to hit for your precious baby or babies:

In Red Bank, Paw Palace, 19 W. Front St., 877-747-9744

In Princeton, Pawtisserie, 53 Palmer Square West, 609-921-7387

In Cranford, Just 4 Pooches, 8 North Union Ave., 908-709-4364

In Flemington, Fifi Pet Boutique, at the Liberty Village Outlets, One Church Street, 908-782-8550

Online: Cat Gifts and Dog Giftshop.com