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As the mum of a VERY active 4 year old, slowly browsing flower ships and gift shops is a pastime I've put on hold the past few years. But yesterday I was out with friends who wanted to stop in The...
As the mum of a VERY active 4 year old, slowly browsing flower ships and gift shops is a pastime I've put on hold the past few years. But yesterday I was out with friends who wanted to stop in The Flower Lady in Hartland, and it is the rediscovered favorite flower shop of my daughter and I. Aside from the fact that they are one of my favorite florists for their fresh and always beautiful arrangements; (I've been ordering arrangements for friends and family on the west side from them for over a decade) they have wonderful gift items -- particularly at Christmas. Very light-hearted in their approach; both in merchandise and in their treatment of customers. When my daughter wanted to go up and down their stairs their comment "oh, don't worry, every child who comes in here needs to see what's happening downstairs"; they also gave her a carnation in a tube of water to help her get it home safely (and then, another). I did not make a purchase yesterday, although both of the women I was shopping with did; but when I've got the need -- they'll be my first stop!
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I finally wandered into PJ's Frame and Gallery last night. I've lived not far from it for 8 years and have "always meant to stop in." Their window is always full of wonderful looking gift items,...
I finally wandered into PJ's Frame and Gallery last night. I've lived not far from it for 8 years and have "always meant to stop in." Their window is always full of wonderful looking gift items, but I generally assume that galleries charge a premium for such items.
It was a very sweet surprise to find beautiful artist-made ornaments selling for as little as $5 (the most expensive I saw was $12!); hand-carved Santa sculptures as low as $22; and enameled metal tree sculptures started at $30! The gorgeous hand-carved geese were $250 - $550 (far too rich for me, but truly, they are magnificent and worth every penny).
For hand-made items, I'd expected quite a heftier tag and was really delighted to leave with a wonderful gift under my arm.
I will be back to check their framing services.
The only downside was that the pictures on the wall did little to captivate me, and the selection of molding options (which I did not study carefully) seemed very standard -- i.e. good neighborhood shop -- but their customer service was absolutely delightful and it's quite possible that they will absolutely stun me with their capabilities -- I do suspect they'll be fairly priced and that's a delight to find!
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I ship many, many packages for my art business and I must comment the friendly men and women of the UPS store on North Avenue in Brookfield. They have helped me look up address details when they...
I ship many, many packages for my art business and I must comment the friendly men and women of the UPS store on North Avenue in Brookfield. They have helped me look up address details when they suspect something is incomplete, have called me with questions and send lovely e-mails with all tracking details which I can easily forward to clients and look like a hero.
Although I have all the packing for our run-of-the-mill packages; they have also packaged some unusual or very expensive pieces and I've been absolutely flabbergasted by the care they take to make sure the works are well protected.
Recently, a UPS store opened just 5 blocks from my home; so far, I haven't gone in because I keep having that one package which needs special care with each batch. To drive 5 miles instead of 5 blocks is not something I do. Ever. Not Ever? No, Never. Not Ever? Well, Hardly ever! (Kudos to Gilbert and Sullivan for that last line.)
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World of Trade is a retailer dealing exclusively in fair trade merchandise. Aside from helping disadvantaged workers from around the world earn a fair, economically and environmentally sound...
World of Trade is a retailer dealing exclusively in fair trade merchandise. Aside from helping disadvantaged workers from around the world earn a fair, economically and environmentally sound living, this site features particularly wonderful merchandise. My favorites are the glass jewelery from Chile; the hipper zipper pouch from Brazil; and the pearls of wisdom lacquer box from Vietnam -- all of which are being given to friends for Christmas this year. Also found some wonderful and whimsical beaded star ornaments from South Africa. You will find your own favorites -- and at prices that are more then reasonable for customers as well!
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Magellan's Toy Shop is a fantastic toy store if you are interested in exposing your children to other languages and cultures. They specialize in providing language learning tools for young...
Magellan's Toy Shop is a fantastic toy store if you are interested in exposing your children to other languages and cultures. They specialize in providing language learning tools for young learners, as well as toys which foster a world view. Offerings in French, Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin? They don't specify!) seem broadest with Japanese, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Korean etc. also supported. This is a great resource if you've adopted children in international adoption, if you want to share your heritage with your children, or if you just want to foster a love of language and exploring other culture.
Flat rate shipping at $7.95 is reasonable.
Link: www.magellanstoyshop.com
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I've been doing a lot of shopping for Christmas at the Disney store online -- I've been impressed by their offers. I've gotten all our new readers personalized character books with their names in...
I've been doing a lot of shopping for Christmas at the Disney store online -- I've been impressed by their offers. I've gotten all our new readers personalized character books with their names in them! I matched them with pajamas and personalized fleece blankets for a bedtime theme for a few special kids.
Other site favorites -- if you pre-order a movie, they often come with $10 gift cards -- essentially cutting the cost of the video in half (if it comes with a gift card, you'll know it) Will warn that the cards have short turn in dates (a couple of weeks) and are only spendable on line so any way you slice it you'll be paying for shipping unless you order enough merchandise to take advantage of one of their free shipping promotions.
One final note: although their costumes are a bit spendier then others, they have nicely finished edges and hold up better. Very important if dressing up is a BIG part of play at your house.
http://disneyshopping.go.com
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AT&T
Category:
Other Professional Services
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
(800) 228-2020
I've used AT&T's DSL service for several years and it's been very reliable. I did kill a modem about 6 months ago and they had a service tech here within hours (critical because I run an on-line...
I've used AT&T's DSL service for several years and it's been very reliable. I did kill a modem about 6 months ago and they had a service tech here within hours (critical because I run an on-line business). They now have fantastic bundles which brings the price right in line -- the one thing -- and it's kind of a biggie to me -- is that you have to keep track of your contract yourself. If you agree to a term contract instead of behaving like other carriers I've had and continuing service on a month-to-month basis at the same terms, or automatically renewing the service -- they jack prices up to their highest levels! So occasionally there's a horrendously expensive month. I hate companies that treat their loyal customers that way, and yet, the hassle of switching e-mail addresses and the fact that their better plans are constantly competitive after the kick-in-the pants bill keeps me with them.
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Although we keep our Barnes and Noble buying card up to date at all times, and do indeed profit from their buying program, what we truly love most about B&N are the trains in the children's...
Although we keep our Barnes and Noble buying card up to date at all times, and do indeed profit from their buying program, what we truly love most about B&N are the trains in the children's section...they have provided entertainment and a much needed bribe on shopping trips (if you'll be good while mommy shops, we'll go and play with the trains...). Naturally, mommy always gets a Starbucks on the way through the store...but it's okay if the kids think the stop is all about them....then it's fine to sit in the chairs and read stories together. By the time you leave the store (having undoubtedly picked up a magazine and two books you've been wanting to check out...) everyone is happy.
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Oh, how we love our half-price book store. Not just because of the fantastic deals on books but because of an attitude that they bring to book selling. Two illustrations came to mind when I pulled...
Oh, how we love our half-price book store. Not just because of the fantastic deals on books but because of an attitude that they bring to book selling. Two illustrations came to mind when I pulled up their website just now -- the deletesensorship.org button on their home page and the plug for the importance of reading to your child on the children's page. Oh...and if your bookshelves are filled to overflowing and the piles of books on the floor are getting harder to maneuver around...they also buy books. (So you can feed your clear book obsession.) What I find funniest about them...books by the yard for those who just want to look like they read...
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Although I think of them as a local bookseller (they've got 5 locations throughout the Milwaukee area) they have a wonderful on-line presense as well (but I'll warn, if you're a booklover, it might...
Although I think of them as a local bookseller (they've got 5 locations throughout the Milwaukee area) they have a wonderful on-line presense as well (but I'll warn, if you're a booklover, it might make you wish you lived in Wisconsin). Schwartz gets special orders faster then any other bookseller I've worked with! Their frequent live author events are a chance to meet some wonderful writers and to hear them speak first hand (not to mention a chance to have some of your favorite books signed!) I believe strongly in supporting local businesses, so even though I've previously reviewed Harry W. Schwartz at this link: http://www.judysbook.com/members/TeresaS/posts/2006/3/265863/ I wanted to give them a second "plug."
Here's a link to their website: http://www.schwartzbooks.com
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