Elisir d'Olivo Skin Products by Vietri

A new line has arrived that we just love...produced by the company Vietri. Each time I use the wonderful hand cream I am reminded of Italy and Europe and the wonderful olive oil products they have to offer...

Olive Complex (Elisir d'Olivo) - Erbario Toscano

Personal Skincare Line with Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Tuscany, Italy

The entire Olive Complex skin care products features the beneficial properties of using real 

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – strong nourishment, moisturizing, and healing properties. It is 

suitable for both women and men, especially for those with skin needing extra care.

Suitable for dry to normal skin. The facial skin care line contain
 OLEA-TECH the exclusive 

multifunction complex 100% derived from active molecules from the Olive tree that provides: 

compactness, rejuvenation, luminosity. Made in Tuscany, ITALY

No Parabens, No Colorants, No Silicons, No Mineral Oils

Makes a great pick me up gift...or for you to treat yourself!

Right now I am trying the Elisar D' Olivo Foot Cream...it has been wonderful for my tired and dry feet and feels great at the end of the day. It has a touch of mint which is so soothing for swollen feet I highly recommend!

Formulated for a refreshing, nourishing and softening 

effect. The active complex derived from Organic 


Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil, extracts of olive leaf and 

vegetable lipoproteins prevents the formation of 


callosities and dry skin; also has a beneficial 

vasoactive effect and a softening and smoothing 

action on the driest or swollen part of the feet. 

Contains menthol crystals to promote lymphatic 

circulation and give an immediate feeling of relief and 

comfort. 
An ideal treatment for those who perform 

extended activities on feet, also in case of swelling 

and heaviness in the lower limbs. Made in Italy

Pretty In Pink Arrangement

This antiqued mercury glass hurricane is so gorgeous stuffed with white blossom branches, large cream berries, queen anne's lace, and pink tulips for Spring. Certainly pretty in pink! We have in so many pretty florals for the season come see what is new!

Bright Spring Home for the Season!

 We are loving all the bright pops of Spring colors in this home! This customer loves the transition of each season in her home and wanted a touch of Spring. She loves blue & white, likes entertaining family and friends, and is enjoying her new home. As always it was fun to help change the season with bright florals and to mix in with her beautiful and vibrant blue and white pieces...

Mongolian Lamb Pillows

Few things are more inviting than our Mongolian Lamb Pillow. Their softness and warmth offer pure comfort. Arrange a few together to create the most sought-after seating in the house. The oversized white Mongolian pillow is luxurious and the soft aqua blue Mongolian pillow is one of our favorite pops of color for Spring!

Brown Sugar Strawberry Sour Cream Cake

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
5 large eggs, room temperature
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream, room temperature
1 cup Strawberry Jam (Pick Your Jar Up At Bonnes Amies)

Filling:8 ounces mascarpone cheese (I have used whipped cream cheese for substitute)1 cup whipping cream
2 Tablespoons confectioner's sugar
1 Tablespoon orange liqueur or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 pounds fresh strawberries
Fresh mint to garnish
Confectioner's sugar for dusting

DirectionsPreheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Line the bottom of two 9-inch cake pans with wax paper. Butter the bottom and sides of the pans.
In a large bowl cream together butter, brown sugar and white sugar.
Beat together the five eggs and add to the butter mixture. Mix well.
In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Alternate adding 1/3 of the dry mix and 1/3 of the sour cream into the butter mixture blending just until incorporated.
Once dry mix and sour cream have been added, stir in Strawberry Jam.
Bake for 40 minutes or until done. Cake will spring back when touched in the center. Cool cakes in the pan on a wire rack approximately 15-20 minutes then remove cakes from pans and allow to cool completely.
For the filling, combine whipping cream, confectioner's sugar and orange liqueur in a cold bowl. Beat until cream forms soft peaks.
Soften the mascarpone cheese then stir in 1/2-3/4 cups of the whipped cream. Chill.
Set aside three strawberries of similar shape and size. Slice remainder of strawberries. Chill strawberries until ready to use.
To assemble, slice each cooled cake in half horizontally. Place first slice onto a platter.
Spread 1/4 of the whipped cream filling onto the top of the cake then top with 1/3 of the sliced strawberries. Repeat with the next two layers.
Place the last layer on the cake and dust with confectioner's sugar. Spread remaining 1/4 of the whipped cream filling onto the top layer and garnish with the three reserved strawberries and fresh mint.

Made with big chunks of sweet, sun-ripened strawberries, our classic Strawberry Jam turns a traditional PB&J into a delectable treat. Spoon it over ice cream, pound cake, shortbread or scones. Try our Strawberry Jam mixed in with hot cereal. With so many uses, it's no wonder that our Strawberry Jam is always in demand.

Domed Crystal Light Fixture

One of our best sellers...this lovely metal domed light fixture with dripping crystals is pretty just about anywhere! Great in a utility room, above a large bathtub, over a kitchen sink...a perfect size to place just about anywhere to enjoy! $148.95

Apricot Jam, Wild Maine Blueberry Jam, Strawberry Jam

 Just in is a new shipment of our absolute favorite jams, lemon curd, and waffle and syrup duo. Great as a simple and sweet gift...let us wrap it up for you! Delicious and wonderful haven't found anything that taste better!

New Art In

 Lots of pretty and diverse art has arrived for your home. Sometimes an empty wall space or a room in a home that is lacking interest just needs some unusual art! Come check out what is new!

Loving botanicals this time of the year these red zinnias are colorful and fun! $68.00 each

These contemporary horse prints fit almost in any style of home...love the simplicity of them!

Large Canvas Horse $108.00 Smaller Canvas Horses $64.96

Extra Large Metal Wall Clock $188.00

Happy Valentine's Day!

L is for 'laughter' along the way.

O is for 'optimism' for each day.

V is for 'value' of a good friend.

E is for 'eternity,' for love has no end.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Sweet Revenge "Pure" Cupcake Recipe

Marlo Scott's Sweet Revenge "Pure" Cupcakes
This recipe for delicious “Pure” cupcakes is courtesy of our friend Marlo Scott, of Sweet Revenge Cupcakes in NYC, as seen on Martha Stewart.

Cupcake IngredientsMakes 24 cupcakes
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs
3 cups self-rising cake flour**
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons Blue Truck “Traditional” Mexican vanilla(Pick Up Your Bottle @ Bonnes Amies)

Sweet Revenge “Pure” Buttercream
Turbinado or demerara sugar, for sprinkling

Directions1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut out twenty-four 5 1/2-by-5 1/2-inch squares of parchment paper. Fit each square of parchment into a standard muffin cup so the edges stick out from the muffin cup; set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until softened. With the mixer on medium, add eggs and sugar; beat until well combined. With mixer on low speed, add flour in three parts, alternating with buttermilk and beginning and ending with flour. Stir in vanilla.
3. Fill prepared muffin cups three-quarters full with batter. Transfer muffin tins to oven and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in muffin cups.
4. When cupcakes are cool, frost the top of each cupcake with a thin layer of buttercream. Fill a disposable pastry bag fitted with a 3/4-inch St.-Honore decorating tip with remaining buttercream. Pipe three waves on top of each cupcake, each slightly smaller than the next. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar and serve.

Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
Makes enough for 24 cupcakes
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
6 tablespoons vegetable shortening
10 cups (from about two and a half 1-pound boxes) confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons Blue Truck “Traditional” Mexican vanilla

Directions
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and shortening. Add sugar, and beat to combine. Add milk and vanilla, and beat until well combined.


**For self-rising cake flour
1. Measure out the desired amount of flour and place in a large bowl.
2. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder for every cup of flour used. For example, if you have 2 cups of flour, add 3 teaspoons of baking powder.
3. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt for every cup of flour used.
4. Stir the ingredients thoroughly.
5. Pour the flour mixture into the flour sifter and sift into the bowl for immediate use or store in an airtight container.

Our special ingredient....pick up your bottle today at the shop!

"This is the very best vanilla, I absolutely love it! The flavor is perfect! My first purchase came after I was offered to smell the fragrance of Blue Truck, I’m hooked! I cannot use another vanilla! Did I say that I love it! I do!"

"I purchased the “traditional” vanilla many years ago at a local chocolate store in Bloomington IN. I will never use any other vanilla. I am buying a bottle as a gift for a friend along with a copy of Marlo’s cupcake recipe!"

"I first purchased a bottle of traditional vanilla a year or so ago in a gift shop out of state. I adore it, but it is finally gone. Last week bought a bottle of the PURE vanilla and was so disappointed at the aroma when I opened the bottle. Compared the labels and noticed the difference in the alcohol content. I had put it in frosting, so the difference was very pronounced. Will only buy the traditional from now on, you have a raving fan in me!"

A Spring & Cheerful Home...

 A home always tells a story...of what someone loves and collects to what kind of life they live and who they are. What fun it is to spruce this home up for the upcoming season for a longtime friend and admired and wonderful teacher. She specializes in the education of children, loves traveling and collecting wonderful items, loves her family and yo yo, can make a wicked cup of cocoa.

The brightness of Spring makes us more than ready for sunny days ahead!

Homecoming Chocolate Chip Cookies

Homecoming Chocolate Chip Cookies
Many a homecoming at our house has been celebrated with our favorite recipe of chocolate chip cookies. For nearly 200 years it has been an American tradition to have a delicious plate of warm chocolate chip cookies when loved ones gather.

Ingredients
2 cups butter (softened)
2 cups white sugar
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
3 tsp. Gold Medal Mexican vanilla (Pick up your bottle @ Bonnes Amies)
1 large package (24 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips & Valentine M&M's
4 cups flour
5 cups quick cooking oats
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
3 cups chopped nuts (optional)
2 cups raisins (optional)

Directions
1. Cream together softened butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla.
2. Mix flour, oats, salt, soda, and baking powder together. Blend into butter mixture.
3. Mix in remaining ingredients 4. Bake on un-greased cookie sheet. 350 degrees. 8-10 minutes.

4. For a Valentine theme push m&m's in the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

The secret ingredient???

Our Traditional line of Mexican vanilla extract is the best of what you can find in Mexico. The Canosa family, who produces our vanilla exclusively, has been winning the Gold Medal of Honor award in Mexico for 30 years running. Both the Traditional & Pure Mexican Vanillas are all natural, produced in Mexico using only the highest grade, single sourced, Mexican vanilla beans. Our Mexican vanilla is never blended with another grade or type of bean – it is the absolute best vanilla available in Mexico.

NEW Authentic American Jewelry for Valentines...

Drop by and see our case of our new authentic American jewelry for your Valentine! Made with American turquoise, buffalo horn, freshwater pearls, blue agate, peacock druzy, and multi colored jade with detailed leather work and beading to create beautiful pieces for Spring! Pendants are large and very stunning! Growing up in the small, south-Texas town of Beeville fostered an early love of all things natural for this Texas based jewelry designer.

Also shown is are our silver Navajo-style boxes that look like they could have passed thru a trading post at some point in their past. Turquoise stones are all natural and are individually selected for their unique character and beauty. These products are all crafted from German silver: an alloy containing nickel and copper. Each piece is hand made and hand finished. I can see one of beautiful necklaces in one of these pieces as a special gift. Or setting on a night stand for your eye glasses and jewelry....love them all!

Crabtree & Evelyn for Valentine's Day

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever.” - Alfred Tennyson

Drench your skin with our Pear and Pink Magnolia Body Lotion. An intoxicating blend of fresh fruity-floral fragrance and moisturising glycerine,

this lightweight lotion helps leave skin soft, deliciously scented and ready to face the day.

Get head-to-toe refreshment with our Pear and Pink Magnolia Body Wash. Enriched with moisturising glycerine, this enticing fruity-floral Body Wash offers gentle cleansing and nourishment your whole body can enjoy.