MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

A Christmas Quote to Ponder

"Christmas Gift Suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect."

Oren Arnold

Wishing you peace, joy, health and happiness in the new year!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

Thinking of the beautiful music of this holiday season and with only six weeks until Christmas, this blog focuses on seasonal songs so sing along!!

HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING!

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN!

DECK THE HALLS!

JOY TO THE WORLD!

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS…..

…AND WE COUNT YOU AMONG OUR MANY BLESSINGS!

MONOGRAMS!!!

Design Studio is delighted to present our newest lines....fantastic merchandise especially for you and those on your gift list! Exquisite, well priced jewelry...

...available in a variety of materials....acrylics in many color choices, pearls, golds/silvers/bronzes and more...

...bracelets, necklaces, rings, pins, key chains, luggage tags, ice buckets, clip boards, trays, glasses...

Check out the samples in the shop as well as browse through the catalogs to see more choices!

Consider who is on your Christmas list and know that single initials/multiple initials/fraternity or sorority names are wonderful gifts that tell your recipient how much you care.

Delivery is prompt on these made in the USA items.

Another great line is our ceramic treasures...picture frames, wine bottle tags, baby ornaments, wedding ornaments, plates...and more!

Thinking of a shower, wedding or house warming gift? Need something special for your front door?

Consider ordering a single or triple letter wood monogram made in the USA...the perfect accessory!

Available in black, white, grey, lime green, red or hot pink.

Personalized paper products continue to be popular...note cards, stationery, enclosures, memo pads, weekly organizers, guest towels and  napkins are just a few of the Illinois based products available for quick delivery.

Saving one of the newest products for last is the magnetic box frame. Shown here for baby's room and available in a many color/print choices, it is the perfect gift to show off photos and memorabilia with style and flair.

Stop in the shop soon to admire samples and be dazzled with choices!

Harvest Home!!

How exciting! The days are still warm and beautiful, the evenings are cool and yes, school is starting!

Our children and grandchildren are beginning their new year....and as adults, we love to start 

our new year as we refresh our homes and our spirits.

We have been very busy at Design Studio refreshing the shop! We have purchased new display pieces, changed the layout and created an improved floor plan with more room for you to savor the shopping experience!

We are expanding our lines of monogrammed items...new products arriving soon!

Of course we change our look with the changing season...welcome autumn and Halloween surprises!

Watch your email or please stop in the shop to register for our fall program...we will announce the dates soon!

We are delighted with the changes we have made and know you will be too! 

We look forward to serving you!!

Shop hours:

Monday through Friday 10am - 5pm

Saturday 10am - 4pm 

JULY JOY!! PERFECT PESTO!! SIDEWALK SALE!!

Sooooo much is happening at Design Studio this week I don't know where to start!!

Get ready!! Beautiful new merchandise is arriving every day...these fabulous lamps could be the perfect accessory for that special place in your home. Gina has brought in new jewelry, the boxwood topiaries and balls in new sizes are here and speaking of new arrivals, congratulations to Andrea and Ben King on the arrival of Vittoria Ann King...new baby sister to Louie!!

The shop is filled with great bargains for the Sidewalk Sale...just to mention a few items:
floral stems, pillows, clocks, lanterns, beach signs, red/white/blue summer treats, citronella candles, antique accessories for your garden, urns....and more!!

Today the kitchen was a flurry of activity as Tom and I picked the first crop of basil for our summer favorite ---Pesto!

You have asked me to repeat a blog from 2010 for our family pesto recipe so here it is...so easy, fragrant and delicious on pasta, pizza, fresh tomatoes, grilled bread, baked potatoes, corn on the cob...use your imagination!

       4 cups packed fresh basil leaves (no stems...too thick/tough)

       5-7 garlic cloves (depends on size and your taste choice), peeled

       1/2 cup toasted pine nuts ( in a dry skillet heat to fragrant and golden to bring out the flavor ...

                 takes just  a few minutes)

       1 cup grated real Parmesano Reggiano

        3/4 to 1 cup good quality olive oil

        salt/pepper to taste (I only add a dash of salt to bring up the flavor...the cheese is salty enough for 

                our family's taste)

In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, pulse the toasted pine nuts and garlic gloves to a chunky consistency. Add the basil leaves and pulse until finely chopped. Add the Parmesano Reggiano

and pulse several times to blend. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil through the feed tube to form a smooth, thick emulsion.
Use immediately or store in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin layer of olive oil on top to protect it from exposure to air....air will darken pesto.

If you have questions, stop in the shop and I'll be happy to help you!!


We have been pricing the new fall/Halloween merchandise (I know, I know....summer just got here!!) and we leave for Atlanta to shop for spring, 2014 (!!) and to finish filling in for Christmas (!!!)
Michelle will be happy to help you with sidewalk sale finds and cheerfully answer your questions.

Come see us at Design Studio!!

TOTALLY GIFTED!!

At Design Studio we love the opportunity to help you choose gifts for friends and family, especially when you are celebrating a bridal shower, a wedding or a housewarming!

BRIDAL SHOWER!

The bridal shower originated in 16th century Netherlands as an alternative to the dowry. Small gifts were given to strengthen the ties between the bride and her friends, provide moral support and help her prepare for marriage.

Bridal showers became popular in the U.S. in the 1890's when the idea came into fashion between upper middle class women. Because most women had been filling a "hope chest" since childhood, the custom of the shower was adopted to give a gift and to celebrate the camaraderie of friends during the 

exciting engagement period.

THE WEDDING!

Weddings are steeped in tradition. The bridal dress, veil and train, the headpiece, 

something old/new/borrowed/blue,

rings, identically dressed attendants and throwing the garter/bouquet

are just a few of the wedding rituals we celebrate in the modern wedding.

We love the wonderful whimsical cards designed by Mary Ann Johnson! 

These are just a few of our sentimental favorites:

HOUSEWARMING OR ANY OCCASION!!

Made in the USA and available in three styles and six colors, these 

custom monograms are the perfect wedding/shower/housewarming gift!

We suggest you allow three weeks for delivery. Information and samples are at the shop.

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality

is finally better than your dreams!

WE LOVE HAPPY ENDINGS!!