YAPPING CAT STUDIO

For Back to School...

..surely I need a crown?

Are these not the coolest? 

I thought so!  That's why work can sometimes be a "bring home a pay check" challenge!  So much cool stuff there.

And these!  C'mon, say it with me, "It's so Fluffy!".  Yep, that has become the newest saying around this house, since seeing "Despicable Me".  I'm sure the cats are tired of hearing it. 

This told me it wanted to come home with me too!  Shoot!  Oh well, what can I say.  I work to support my habits.  LOL. 

Just thought you might like to see a few of the new things that have been coming in, yes, it makes for a challenge.  But it is fun!

-c

PS - Yes, the cookies looked good.  So good that, while they were cooling on top of the dryer, one of the cats decided to jump up there and help herself.  And looks like she tossed part to her brother.  When I realized what had happened, I had to call the vet, only to find out that chocolate is not good for cats either.  We had to keep an eye on em for 24 hours to see if there were any issues...thankfully none.  And the rest, well, I could not take a chance on sharing cat cookie licky love...so I tossed em.  I'll do another batch today.   Such is life.

Spring is Springing

It is. It is.  Well, here it is beginning to. 

C'mon, I'll drag ya around the store and show ya all the new stuff. 

Don't you just love daisies?  To quote Meg Ryan in "You've got Mail" they are just the happiest of flowers. And this over sized daisy wreath really wants to go home with me in a big way (no pun intended).  

Bunnies are hoping in here and there.  As are nests and eggs (some of our favorite things indeed).

Funky bunnies and great books!

And a new line of farm fresh body goods that will make your skin soft as buttah!  (The Whoopie Cream is aaaa-maze-iinnnggggg and smells like vanilla icing). 
 

Just to the left of the counter, more eggs and nests and some of the cutest stationary and calendars that feature little birds.

Now, coming up the slope just a bit, you are in a magical spot of muted colors and pretty things.  A feminine mix of muted colors that beckons one to step in and take a closer look.

Are those Hydrangea's not gorgeous?  And they look so real.

Beautiful trays and fun little note cards. 

Baskets overflow with florals, greenery and more nests.

And just around the corner in the kitchen area, we are awash in a warm glow of French Country.  From edible goodies, to polka dotted pigs and sweet hens, its an array of goodies perfect for your Cucina.

Would these glass hens not be adorable on your table?  There is a mint green one as well.

Tuscany warm, golds, reds and oranges make you feel cozy, even on the chillest of days.  And I found it totally ironic, that as we were pulling out Spring things, it was snowing like crazy.  LOL. 

Lemony yellow and the new Vintage Tabletop book by Romantic Homes. 

 
More french goodness!  These fabulous peacock trays are flying out the door!  Or should that be strutting out the door?  

We are anxiously awaiting other shipments to arrive, so pop into the Dove's Nest to see all of this, lots of new changes and more!  I'll be waiting to see ya! 

-c

What's new at Work and Wild about Harry

OK, so that's not the most clever title in the book, but it cover's the two topics of this post.  First off, a few pics from work, as least weekend was a grueling, day and a half marathon of furniture, moving, vacuuming and grunting and groaning of the likes that have not been seen in say, oh...six months ago or so.  But well worth the work involved.  Come on it and take a peep.

The store has a more open feel to it and it seems, well, bigger.  And it was a mere matter of moving a handful of basic pieces.  This display in the center catches your eye as you pass the check out counter.
 
Here is a little farther back shot.  See how open?  LOVE those cotton ball stems.  Hard to see that they are fake.  One customer was very disappointed to hear that today....she really thought they were real.

Here is a peep into some of our booth.  Sister's Beach Area is awash in calm blues and a wee bit of warm red. 
 
While "The Conservatory" area pulls in grays, black and sage greens.

LOVE that bird print there.  Very "botanical". 

The numbered and lettered balls have been a big hit. 

And we've got a wee bit of blue thrown in for good measure.

And you can't have blue and not have pink.  I especially love Sis's bird cage display board.  Pretty and functional. 

One of my little nest paintings.

And a paper garland that you've seen before.

As well as a painted frame.  I never get tired of the pink and brown combo, to me its a classic.
Back out to the main part of the floor again.

This bright, fun area is "simply diva-fine". 

And what was once the kids area is now the French Country Bedroom!  Ooh-la-la.  Can't wait for the new bedding to arrive.  The colors are mustard, black and red.  Very french.

And we do love to think "green", as this area shows.

A new gourmet food section is fun.  And looks tasty to boot.  And I can't wait to see how the new dip "chiller's" and "warmers" sell.  No more messy bowls of ice or over sized crocks to deal with. 

And a shameless plug, for our pretty, stitched tea towels.  LOL

Hope you have enjoyed the tour.  If you live in the area, pop in.  You won't believe the changes "in store".  Ha.

And tomorrow, tomorrow, there's Harry, tomorrow...its only a day away.  Yep, HP & the Half-Blood Prince starts tomorrow and I can't wait.  Seems like I've been waiting fur-ever for this one.  The plus side of hubby being home...matinee baby!  LOL.  I can hardly wait. 

Happy (hey, I just looked and yep, its) Wednesday! 

At the "nest"

Someone (named Tina), mentioned that I had not posted on my booth or the store in quite some time.  Since we just got everything "prettied up" for our big home-tour weekend, I thought I would take a few snaps around the store,  and give ya a peek.

This is the front of our booth. 
 
Loved these pretty berries.  I won't be too sad if they don't sell. 

One of my own little paintings.  I'm always stuck on a bird/nest thing. 

See?  Just seems to be a common theme for my Sister and me.  But actually we have some kitchen stuff and beach stuff and other stuff in there as well.  Not all bird stuff. 

This is in the front of the store.  Looking up.  I love the summery, fresh look of the flowers that are entwined into the big, twig chandi.  Such an awesome statement, that chandi.  I wish my entry way was bigger.  And my budget.

It's great huh?

We've got the purple thing going on.  And lavender is such a natural for summer.  Love that scent.

And summer roses too!  Here we have a fun mix of Lollia, Kelly Rae Robetrs canvases and antique Rose Garden books. 

Back at the front of the store, more nests, cages and eggs.  Ha.  Go figure.  We do love our nests here.  Those books are actually boxes.

OK, I just love this.  Quite fun huh?  I think it would be great in a kid's room.  A circus theme with performing lions maybe? 

Pretty jewelry.  Many pieces hand-made by the gals that work here.  Sometimes it does make it hard to have a pay-check at the end of a two week period...that's for sure. 

Well, I hope you enjoyed the little tour.  I did not take as many pics as I hoped to, it got rather busy.  I'll have to show you more next time.  Thanks for looking!

Where Spring has Sprung!

Thought you might like a "tour" of where I work.  New Spring merchandise has arrived and everything looks lighter, brighter, and fresh.  Follow me.

As we step through the door, the morning light falls softly across the entrance table.  Up above, our twig chandi is abloom with white blossoms.  There are chicks and bunnies of course. 

And with chicks, of course, a book about "nesting".  We love to put a touch of humor in our displays.

To our left, is our favorite bed in the store.  Hard to believe that this frame was RED just a few short days ago.  A can of paint is a girls cheapest decor tool.  Doesn't that white bedding look dreamy?  And inviting!

I love the soft blues and white.  Clean and fresh.

While to the right, color and Easter explodes. 

A chair full of Nesties.

Spring blossoms and our fabulous tea towel! 

And...did I mention, "color"?  Yeah.  Lot's of it!

From plates to dish towels, lots of juicy, saturated color.  I love color!

Are these plates not the cutest?  The top ceramic piece is changeable, making it perfect for a permanent, yet changing display piece!  Add a few elements of the season, such as grass and eggs and it creates a charming display that everyone will love.

The center of the store takes us back to soft, romantic colors and thoughts of springtime in Paris.

Wonderful French colognes, decor books and wall canvases provide a feast for the eyes and the nose. 

She agrees.  Oui!

But if you like a bolder French look...we have that too!

As well as Texas honey.  Seems like I have heard that if you eat a local honey, it lessens your allergies.  Dunno how true that is, but it's interesting.

And these dishes.  Gorgeous.  And PLASTIC.  I know, right?  Plastic.  You could have a fight with hubby, throw a dish and serve Lasagna later, after you've kissed and made up.   The best of both worlds.

Our little garden area, full of concrete goodies and (yep, it's fake) greenery.  Perfect for a brown thumb like me! 

Cement frogs, books on being green (get it?), trug baskets, garden aprons and more fill this wonderful little area.

And like a kaleidoscope the store is an ever-changing whirl of color and design and goods.

Elegance and whimsy.

Our lavender area, calms and soothes.

Lip balms with packaging that delights the eyes and balm for kissable, sweet lips.

The "hands of time" maybe?  Or perhaps just time for our tour to end.  Thanks for going around with me.  Hope  you enjoyed your time here at The Doves Nest  gift shop.

Happy Wednesday.