wise OWL cookie jar

Phew!!! Shop Girl made it through another Christmas. For me, that means keeping the shop looking really sparkly and inviting.

OKAY! So what is new in the shop and what are my new inspirations? Well, I can tell you that turquoise is my favorite color. Aqua, powder blue and what I like to call "old truck blue". The best thing about turquoise is that it is opposite on the color wheel to orange so they're "complementary" colors. To prove it, check out this wise OWL cookie Jar and matching salt and peppers. Are they not stunning and cheerful?! When you drag yourself from bed for that first cup o joe wouldn't his face start your day with a giggle? There are several items in the display that are fun, functional and the perfect shades of blue and turquoise with hits of orange and yellow!

This week the "WOW table" gets a re-do.(that's our display just as you walk in the front door). Since it's the New Year we need to celebrate! I'm not sure how it will end up but I'm aiming for CONTRAST!!!

Come by and say hi and see the new displays I've been working on!

No work is as IMPORTANT as the work you do to give back!

Every year Memorial's Auxiliary holds it's annual Gift Shop allocations meeting...and today was the day :) Gathered together were representatives from every hospital Guild. Guilds who have been in existence since the beginning of Memorial Hospital (1950) Yakima's only community hospital.

These wonderfully devoted community members gather together and discuss important and vital health care programs. They carefully allocate Hospital Gift Shop proceeds to support meaningful programs that enhance Yakima's healthcare environment.

Allocations were made to the following programs:

• Children's Village Capital Campaign
• Cottage in the Meadow Capital Campaign
• Friends of Seniors
• Tiny Tim
• Nursing Scholarships
• Healthcare Scholarships

No work is as important as the work you do to give back!!

Thank you to our Guild members who are devoted to supporting quality healthcare in Yakima!!

And lastly...Thank you to our loyal Memorial Gift Shop customers who shop, enjoy and truly delight in the treasures that they find. You make doing good work fun and easy :)

Happy Holidays

think pink!

There is something about the color pink at this time of year...I can't put my finger on it, but it calms me yet has an energizing quality to it.

Maybe it's because we are inundated with Christmas, Thanksgiving, travel arrangements over the holidays and stressing about adding a holiday party to our already over packed days.

Whatever your to do list has on it add this...Killian Korn Peppermint popcorn. It is the perfect combination of salt and sweet and popcorn rolled in the softest pink powdered sugar ever!

You might be tempted to create a whole theme around it like I did in the Gift Shop yesterday..."Party Girl". Party girl will probably have some nice french champagne to go along with it! No plastic cups for her either.. Ugh!

One bag will only set you back $5.95! And it is the perfect gift for your "girlie girl" friends. You know, the ones who wear too many accessories like me "Shop Girl"!

Shop Girl gets published in Nov/Dec issue of Yakima Magazine! Her great husband, Stephen created this poster !

Several items in the article are from the Gift Shop! We have the product now but not for long...

"Shop for a cause"!

Yakima Magazine meets Memorial's Shop Girl

Yakima Magazine hits the newsstands Friday Nov 5th. Our very own and lovely "Shop Girl" will be featured in this months holiday entertaining edition.

Highlighted are several of Pam's trendy but yet value driven decorating tips and tricks that will delight and inspire you!

SPECIAL OFFER: Pick up a copy on Friday (11/5) and bring it into The Gift Shop at Memorial. Mention this post and receive 40% off of one gift shop item.

Well, Christmas will be here before you know it. I was shopping last weekend to complete a visual story for Yakima Magazine due out in November and came across some great items. Most stores have dedicated areas nowadays for Halloween/Harvest & the beginnings of Christmas displays. Since most women work full time and are responsible for the bulk of the Christmas shopping and decorating it makes sense to get started earlier than the "GOOD OL' DAYS". (which weren't any easier for women either).

So, to give everyone a break at Memorial, take a look in classroom C on Thurs. the 7th. There is a "holiday preview" from 2-4pm. It will be FESTIVE!! You will be surprised and delighted by the fun offerings the Gift Shop has this year. A lot of thought and planning go into the themes and decorations! There will also be some yummy food treats, holiday music and your hosts Shopgirl and Donna! And a drawing for a very cool gift basket!!!

Here's a snap shot I took last weekend to send to Yakima Magazine. Your very own Shopgirl is working with the Herald again, this time for a Nov. issue.

See you Thursday!!!!!

Here is Millie, one of the many wonderful volunteers at the Gift Shop modelling some of our fab new items. She, like all the volunteers submit to my fantasy that we are a boutique in a very posh neighborhood.
Thank you Millie! You rock! FYI, Millie keeps her fabulous shape by walking A LOT and has a personal trainer too.

Here is Jessica modelling some of the fabulous new items in the Gift Shop! She is a fresh young take on style. It is so much fun working with her and learning what her interests are and especially how she puts together her wardrobe. She is always dressed so perfectly!

I have been absent from this page since the herald photo shoot and then the visiting of many friends and relatives. Summers are always a little crazy since we moved to Yakima. Who wouldn't want to escape the grey and rainy Seattle summer? ick! I am so glad I'm here now!

Tomorrow, Friday the 10th, the article in the Yakima Herald is coming out about my cottage. I can hardly wait. It is in a section of the paper that they create 2 times a year called "House and Garden". Anyway, "yours truly" will be autographing the article and sitting in the cafe courtyard at Memorial Hospital 10am to 2 pm. I promise not to get a big head even though Stephen says it is too late...

Basket on Bike handlebars

There is something about a bicycle with a basket strapped to the handlebars... It conjures up so many images for me. Does it harken to time with childhood lack of responsibility or do I envision a small town farmers market trip? I want to fill that basket with flowers, french bread, local cheese and wine!!!

Shopgirl took this photo at the fabulous antique show in Gleed last weekend. I had to make 2 trips and Stephen was pleasant the whole day! We needed a nap in-between trips and as usual we didn't have the truck on the first round.

Watch the Gift Shop at Memorial as I add new one of a kind display fixtures that will be for sale. I found great pieces that will tie in with our themes for Harvest and Holiday.

... new treasures ...

Finding new treasures for The Gift Shop at Memorial is an exciting adventure. I love coming across merchandise that I know will delight our patients, visitors and staff :-)

In my recent excursion, I was impressed at the selection and value that was offered for the retail industry... artful mercury glass, deep deep red farmhouse pottery, vintage tin wind-up toys, girly rose pillows in organza and felt and simply divine scarves that will enhance any wardrobe!

Pam has created some wonderful upcoming vignettes for you to enjoy for Fall and the fast approaching Holiday Season :

Cabin in the Woods

Noel's Garden

Miracles

Party Girl!

Peppermint Twist

I know you will be delighted by her ideas and decorating suggestions. Pam - Shop Girl - has the skill and talent that will assist you in creating a holiday atmosphere that will delight and dazzle your family and friends!!!

- marci

PS - Congratulations to Pam and Stephen!!! Their Urban Cottage will be featured in the September 10th Yakima Herald's House and Garden magazine. What marvelous talent !!!

salsa country style

Isn't this a cool color combination? I call it "salsa country". Turquoise and red have a real south of the border vibe and I think it's vibrant and energetic! I actually was going to get rid of this piece because it didn't have a back, but Stephen hid it in his man cave until I found it with new inspiration!

Plywood back upholstered w/ red and white pillow ticking. I added the upholstery strapping for a little depth and there you have it...

Turquise chair is mid-century and the pillow was made by my friend, Peg Cates!

PS: Stephen has been teaching me the tricks to easy upholstery!

memorial Gift Shop accessory sale

Shopgirl wants to let everyone know that this is the last day of our accessory sale...20% off! BTW all the clothes sold first!!!

Barn House Antique Show

Well, we're back from our exciting travels and I promised these pics of the Barn House and I like to deliver on my promises!

Before you say it; this is not a tutu! It is actually a petticoat! All these vendors either sew, paint, weld, build and one vendor even creates Norwegion queen and princess crowns. There were several items I wanted to purchase. I have been controlling my appetite since I'm saving up for building materials of my own...

I wish I had a close-up of thebelt buckle. This look is so hip with suede, soft leather, cowboy boots and of course loads of pearls and turquoise!

Yvette in the sun...

Sweet little Yvette Marie sunbathing in the living room whilst we run around getting ready to go to Battle Ground, WA to an antique show.

More to follow when we get home and I upload photos of the show. It was held on 5 magical acres on the farm of the Barn House.

The women all wore concoctions of white flowing ruffles with cowboy boots. They had re-purposed old doors into fabulous tables and created the most tasteful chic farmhouse vignettes.

Ran into all my old antique friends from when I owned an antique store in Seattle. Was about to hit the "over stimulation" button when Stephen whisked me to a happy hour in Portland. Yeah!!!