Orvis "Gifts for Men" Catalogue

Orvis
1711 Blue Hills Drive
Roanoke, VA 24012-8613

http://www.orvis.com

Telephone: 1-800-541-3541

Email: customer_service@orvis.com


It's that time of year again and my mailbox has been graced by a veritable deluge of lovely, glossy, four-color catalogues angling at holiday dollars. Some are even perfumed, though most, thankfully, are not!

One of my annual favorites, the Orvis "Gifts for Men" catalogue arrived shortly. Orvis has, it has been my experience, well made, if rather expensive goods (personally, I am a fan of their online "tent sale" where, much like Loehmann's, you can see the reduction of price over time).

Still, the Orvis "Gifts for Men" is a great (and amusing) read. Where else can you find a Brunswick Windsor Billiard Table ($11,250.00) or a Dundee Panel Tartan Sportcoat ($495.00) (which I think should, by rights, come with either a set of golf clubs or a solid silver martini shaker)?

There's an admirable collection of gadgets: keychains, multi-tools, solar telephone chargers, compass watches, and a rechargable flashlight (if he is allergic to wool!).

If he is not allergic to wool, the choices widen up considerably. In particular, the "Black Sheep" Irish Fisherman Socks in pure merino wool for only (gulp) $49.00 a pair. Still, for the right black sheep, they might be the perfect present!

The other, expected, items for men also appear.....caps, small leather goods, board games, Irish linen handkerchiefs....all very tasteful, but, for my tastes, rather expensive.

Bargain Books -- Edward R. Hamilton Bookseller Company

Bargain Books
Edward R. Hamilton Bookseller Company
P.O. Box 15
Falls Village, CT 06031-0015

Edward R. Hamilton is a great source for publishers' closeouts, overstocks, imports, remainders, and current titles at special prices--some titles are as much as 80% off. They do not accept credit cards (if you want to order Hamilton Books with a credit card you will need to go to http://www.hamiltonbook.com but be aware that there will be extra shipping costs).

When ordering by mail (and paying by check) there is only one low $3.50 fee for shipping and handling (a real bargain). CT residents must add 6% tax on the total, including the shipping and handling fee.

Hamilton carries a wide variety of books in a multiplicity of subject areas---from "American History" to "Your Health" (subjects are listed, in alphabetical order, on the inside of the front page of the catalogue, which is, in total, 147 pages in length). Most readers, I believe, will find some title or other that will be of interest to them. They also carry a smaller selection of DVDs and CDs, also well worth perusing.

Here are some of the titles (catalogue dated: 7/23/2010) that caught my eye:



Zaida Ben-Yusuf: New York Portrait Photographer (240 pp.) $9.95

Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson (322 pp.) $4.95

The Essential Writings of Machiavelli (516 pp.) $12.95

The Dodgers: 120 Years of Dodgers Baseball (445 pp.) $9.95

Cannibalism, Headhunting, and Human Sacrifice in North America (249 pp.) $7.95

Augustine: A New Biography (396 pp.) $5.95

Henry VIII: The King and His Court (642 pp.) $4.95

Hell's Islands: The Untold Story of Guadalcanal (514 pp.) $11.95

Thomas Paine's Rights of Man (Hitchens) ( 158 pp.) $4.95

The Irish-Americans: A History (Dolan) (352 pp.) $7.95

Original Sin: A Cultural History (286 pp.) $5.95

J.C. Leyendecker: American Imagist (256 pp.) $34.95

Headless Body in Topless Bar: The Best Headlines from America's Favorite Newspaper (Staff, New York Post) (191 pp.) $4.95

The Good Rat: A True Story (Breslin) (270 pp.) $5.95

LBJ's Hired Gun: A Marine Corps Helicopter Gunner's War in Vietnam (260 pp.) $7.95

Willie & Joe: The WWII Years (Mauldin) (650 pp.) $24.95

Uneasy Money (Wodehouse) (247 pp.) $11.95

Nordstrom

Nordstrom

August 2010 catalogue

1-800-933-3365


The thing that strikes me most about Nordstrom's August 2010 catalogue is the mixture of Seventies (yes, Seventies) style with that of the late Nineteen-eighties. Here we have wedge sandals, platform heels, flared leg (sequin, no less) trousers, and slouchy hobo bags--but--we also have weirdly hybrid legging-pants, denim mini-skirts and quilted leather handbags. The less said about the animal-print handbags the better, I think (hello Mrs. Robinson.....). There are two perfume inserts in this one--Donna Karan's "Cashmere Mist" and Dior's "Miss Dior Cherie." The Donna Karan scent is the less noxious of the two (see how faithful I am to you, my dear Chanel No. 5?).

As in (almost) every catalogue there is One Perfect Item that speaks to me. In this catalogue it is the dress on page 76--a sleeveless black and navy dress for $158.00, which, amazingly, is available in sizes 2 to 14.

The prize for Silliest Item of clothing has to go to Steve Madden's "Trouser" laceless Oxfords. $69.95 and you don't get laces? I think not, Mr. Madden. I recall, all too well, losing a shoe on the stairwell up from the 14th Street Union Square Subway station and the resulting traffic jam as I hopped about on one foot looking for my lost shoe. No my shoes, especially at that price, must have laces!

So, off I go now, to shop in my closet, and see what vintage looks I can recreate (wait....they're all vintage looks, LOL....).

National Wholesale Liquidators

National Wholesale Liquidators

Locations in: The Bronx, Brookly, Queens, Long Island City, Yonkers, Dorchester, MA, Jersey City, and Lodi, NJ

http://www.nationalwholesaleliquidators.com/

I love the Liquidators. It is true, though, that there are certain things I would never consider purchasing there--electronics, for one, clothing, or furniture (bad bad experience with a computer "work station"). This being said, I have been more than happy with some of our purchases there, particularly in the area of foodstuffs (excepting milk--you may not want to buy Liquidators milk....). A nice selection of teas, jams, preserves, candies, cookies, spices, and ethnic foods (Mexican/Middle Eastern/Italian) as well as mainstream American brands such as Lipton, Heinz, and Tropicana. Cleaning products, small housewares, and paper products (bath tissue and paper towels) are good values. Personal care products (shampoo, soap, shaving cream) seem to be priced comparably with those in any CVS, Duane Reade, or large supermarket (so you may as well wait for a special and use a coupon). Liquidators does not accept coupons, nor do they do rain checks. What you see is what they have....and their merchandise is ever-changing....so....if you see something you want/need and it's the right price....grab a couple, because it might not be there next week. Or tomorrow.

A good source for inexpensive greeting cards ( .99 cents ). Much of their stock--if one checks labels--seems to originate in Canada (yes, I am thinking of you, Nescafe). I am not sure why this is, exactly, though it has been cause--on more than one occasion-- for my husband to opine that there was no way he was going to drink "Canadian" coffee or use "Canadian" toothpaste, though, frankly, I can't tell the difference.

I particularly enjoy the Liquidators prior to Christmastime. They are the only store, in my experience, that play non-secularized Christmas carols (yes, the religious ones) instead of sanitized Santa-songs (which is, I must admit, refreshing). I have heard though, that some have ventured the opinion that they are afraid they are supporting the Jihad whenever they shop there. Of this, I cannot venture an opinion, not having any sure knowledge or certainty considering the political affiliations of the owners. All I know is that they stock the most delicious chocolate biscuits and Walker's shortbread cookies before Christmas and that is sufficient for me!! So...herewith some of their current specials (good through 8/17/2010). Keep in mind, too, that the Liquidators gets very crowded on the weekends. The best time to go is a Tuesday morning at around 11:00 a.m. or so. That is when I would go.....

Black and white composition notebooks .50 cents each

12 pack Papermate pens .88 cents

Brita Slim Pitcher $8.88

20 pack Wood Hangers 9.99

Mr. Clean 40 ounce refill 2.49

Heinz Ketchup 36 ounces 1.49

20 lb. imported Basmati Rice 15.99

McFarland Military History Books

McFarland Military History Books
McFarland & Company Inc.
Box 611 Jefferson, NC 28640-0611

Orders: 1-800-253-2187

http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/

McFarland is continuously making more titles available in an e-book format. Check their website for the latest availability information. In their attractive, four-color catalogue, they list new books for Fall 2010 (several noted below) as well as an extensive backlist. Detailed histories of most every military conflict and war are represented here (though there does seem to be a preponderance of titles dealing with the Civil War), many from a first-person perspective--memoirs, diaries, letters, accounts of particular battles.

Some of their titles:


The Egyptian Expeditionary Force in World War I: A History of the British-Led Campaigns in Egypt, Palestine, and Syria, Mortlock, PB, $38.00

Abner Doubleday: A Civil War Biography, Barthel, PB, $35.00

Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Beyond, Rogal, PB, $29.95

Women Military Pilots of World War II, Merry, PB, $35.00

Mollie's War: Letters of a World War II WAC in Europe, Schaffer & Schaffer, PB, $35.00

New York's Fighting Sixty-Ninth, Mahon, PB, $35.00

The Jewish Revolts Against Rome, Bloom, PB, $45.00

Guerrilla Warfare in the Irish War for Independence, 1919-1921, McKenna, PB, $65.00

Gulf War Nurses: Personal Accounts of 14 Americans, Rushton, ed., PB, $35.00

Battle History of the United States Marine Corps. 1775-1945, Clark, HC, $75.00

Lullabies for Lieutenants: Memoir of a Marine Forward Observer in Vietnam, 1965-1966, Cox, PB, $29.95

The War of 1812 in Person: Fifteen Accounts by United States Army Regulars, Volunteers, and Militiamen, Fredriksen, ed., PB, $45.00

Out of the Mouth of Hell: Civil War Prisons and Escapes, Casstevens, PB, $39.95

Lens of an Infantryman, Leff, PB, $45.00 (backlist, published in 2007)

Hanes.com - More than Socks......

One Hanes Place. com
One Hanes Place
P.O. Box 748
Rural Hall, NC 27098

Telephone: 1-800-300-2600

http://www.onehanesplace.com/


Hanes.com is more than just socks. They have a great selection of bras and panties by Bali, Playtex, Barely There, Wonderbra, and Champion. Their current catalogue features a "bra sale" with prices as low as $13.99. They also carry "shapewear" (formerly known as girdles!), stockings, swimsuits, men's underwear (some items currently 25% off), women's and men's exercise wear, and casual separates for boys and girls.

Some items:

Wonderbra Uprising Strapless Bra (Frost, Midnight, Soft/Taupe Pink) $22.99

Hanes Tagless ComfortSoft Cotton Stretch Lace Waistband Bikini (3-pack) $6.99

Bali Never Ending Smooth Firm Control Shaping Brief (White, Black, Soft Taupe) $12.99

Hanes Silk Reflections Lace Top Sandalfoot Thigh High Stockings (Black, Barely There, Little Color) (3 pairs) $18.99

Pleated Front Tank Swimsuit (Red, Black, Brown - Sizes 10-18) $26.24

The Tog Shop

The Tog Shop

P.O. Box 176

Jessup, PA 18434-0176

Telephone: 1-800-367-8647

Fax: 1-800-755-7557

http://www.togshop.com/

For all of us, along with death and taxes, comes the inevitable spectre of elastic-waisted trousers. I recently received a catalogue from The Tog Shop and was surprised, indeed, that it was not accompanied by an invitation to join AARP (my husband has already received one of these and it was not a pretty sight). To be perfectly frank, the prospect of aging horrifies me far less than that of wearing elastic-waisted trousers (which I feel should be relegated strictly to maternity wardrobes). This being said, The Tog Shop catalogue carries a number of brands: Leon Levin, Haymaker, Alfred Dunner, Foxcroft, and Koret--whose speciality is clothing for women of a certain age.

It is true that, as one ages, most of us do not want to encounter the horrified glances and averted eyes occasioned by that syndrome known as "mutton dressed as lamb." There is something to be said--at any age--for three-quarter sleeves (covers upper-arm wobble, sometimes cruelly called "bat-wings") and low-heeled loafers. The advantage of these clothing lines is that all the separates will easily mix and match, interchangably, they are, undoubtedly, very practical, and I am sure they wash and pack well. There is, somehow, something about these clothes that depresses the hell out of me. It is probably because I can see most of these outfits coming off of a chartered tour bus, completed by fanny packs stuffed with senior discount coupons.

I would say that they are best for their accessories--handbags, shoes, sandals--and for their bathing suits, which are (unsurprisingly) very modest and offered in a nice range of colors and patterns--but I somehow, just cannot get my mind around those elastic-waisted trousers (shudder). As with any catalogue, check their website before ordering, especially the "clearance" page, to see if there are any good deals not represented in the printed catalogue (it can't hurt to get into the practice, in anticipation of all those "senior" discounts!!).

Dr. Leonard's Discount Healthcare Catalogue

Dr. Leonard's Healthcare Products

100 Nixon Lane

P.O. Box 7821

Edison, NJ 08818-7821

Telephone: 1-800-785-0880

Fax: 1-732-572-2118

http://www.drleonards.com/

Ah, what can one say about the Dr. Leonard's catalogue? It has a wonderful collection of products...not all healthcare-related, even though the name of the catalogue may seem to indicate this. Aside from the miracle hair cream and the copper and magnetic (designer jewellery), there are housewares (slipcovers, curtains, bedspreads, sheets, air purifiers), clothing (dresses, robes, nightgowns, shoes, sandals, non-binding cotton socks, elastic-waisted pants for men and women), weight loss products, including "fat burning patches" and "colon cleansing" products. Sonic pest repellers and solar powered mole repellers. "Detox" foot pads, blood pressure monitors, folding cane that opens into a seat, the "Snuggie", waterproof bed pads and incontinence products, and Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer. Many of the items are "as seen on TV." One surprise is that, amongst the folding canes, walker baskets, and shower chairs, there are a number of intimate personal products for couples.

The Pyramid Collection: Myth, Magick, Fantasy, and Romance

The Pyramid Collection
Altid Park
P.O. Box 3333
Chelmsford, MA 01824-0933


Telephone: 1-800-333-4220
Facsimile: 1-800-866-3235

http://www.pyramidcollection.com/

In MA only there is a 6.25% tax on non-clothing orders.

Gift cards are available in the following increments: $25. / $50. / $75. / $100.

Standard delivery, Rush Service, and Two-Day Express Delivery available.


Jewellery, jackets, dresses, boots and shoes, fingerless gloves, capes, tunics, skirts, some items with a markedly "dress up" feel to them. It seems that they are adding more out-and-out costumes: pirates (male and female), mermaids, Goddesses, and several other tarty outfits suitable, I would think, only for a Halloween fancy dress party or behind a locked bedroom door!! To be sure, there are a number of striking garments here, many of which could safely be worn down a busy city street without provoking a third glance (a first or a second glance can be lovely, but that third glance....I think not!).


A number of items, especially the jewellery items, would be suitable as presents, but, as in all things, you should be very sure as regards her tastes before ordering because many of the pieces of jewellery (to me) seem rather out of the ordinary. The tunics/dresses/pants seem to be cut in a swingy, forgiving fashion, with plenty of fabric, in most cases, to ensure coverage. Their patterned cowboy-style rain boots (skulls and roses) at $49.95 do nothing for me, but the 52" Dashiki (100% cotton, machine washable) at $39.95 is attractive and a good value. They specialize mainly in floaty romantic gear for women of a certain age.


There are several long-sleeved blouses I would advise against cooking in as you would surely set yourself alight. They also, ahem, have a selection of "massagers" for women, and---shades of Peggy on "Mad Men"---massaging lace briefs for ladies, which, I kid you not, can be activated by a remote control. So. Some pretty things--especially the tunics--some tarty things (best for dress-up), cute but impractical handbags, velvet coats and capes (attractive, but bound to attract every bit of lint in a five-mile radius), unique pieces of jewellery, shoes (mainly very high-heeled), and a mixture of ethnic-y, new-agey, wiccan-ish garb in sized XS (2-4) to, in some cases, 3X (22W-24W).

The Catholic Company

The Catholic Company

P.O. Box 7445

Charlotte, NC 28241-7445

Telephone: 1-866-522-8465

Fax: 1-704-940-2249

Standard/Two-Day/Next-Day Shipping

Tax on NC orders only.

http://www.catholiccompany.com/

Their catalogue states that they have "over 18,000" products. Many would be excellent gifts, either for a housewarming, a Christening, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, or for a wedding. There are also publications for children, mothers, and teenagers, as well as classic works of Roman Catholic theology, wall plaques, Bibles, crucifixes, and jewellery.

A sampling of some of their items:

Illustrated Catholic Children's Bible $26.95

4 CD Set / Gospel Rosary of Pope John Paul II $29.99

Sterling Silver Brown Cocoa Bead Rosary $67.95

Douay-Rheims Bible (black leather binding) $54.95

St. Joseph Statue 10" (resin/stone mix) $28.95

Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (pb) $15.95

Handbook for Catholic Moms (pb) $15.95

Italian Alabaster Crucifix (15" high) $84.00

Connemara Marble Rosary (25") $54.95

The Imitation of Christ (Thomas a Kempis) $18.95

Leaflet Missal - Religious and Church Goods

Leaflet Missal

Publisher and Supplier of Religious Goods

976 West Minnehana Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55104-1556

Telephone: 1-800-328-9582

Fax: 1-800-355-0650

http://www.leafletonline.com/

Tax on Minnesota orders only. Ground, Two-Day, and Next-Day Shipping Available

Leaflet Missal has a large selection of religious goods including Christmas ornaments, gifts, and decor, Fontanini Nativities, home incense kits, scapulars, inspirational clothing, car accessories, garden statues, nightlights, holy water fonts, statues, framed art, many rosaries (of widely differing price ranges) and cases, medals, holy cards, quality religious jewellery, crucifixes, pins, Church goods (vestments, chalices, patens, Mass and sick call sets) candles, playsets and toys for children, DVDs, CDs, and books (including Bibles) for children and adults, including a selection of pre-Vatican II prayerbooks.

Daedalus DVDs

http://www.salebooks.com/

Telephone: 1-800-395-2665

Daedalus is best known for their books, of course, but they also carry a great selection of DVDs at discounted prices.....here are some from their Summer 2010 catalogue......

The '70's Experience Collection (3 dvds) $12.98

A Day at the Races (Marx brothers) $7.98

13 Rue Madeleine (Cagney) $6.98

Alexander the Great (Burton) $5.98

Battle of Britian (Caine) $6.98

Flying Down to Rio (Astaire) $6.98

Funny Face (Hepburn) $6.98

The Great Escape (McQueen) $6.98

Guys and Dolls (Brando) $6.98

Kings Row (Reagan) $6.98

A Man for All Seasons (Scofield) $6.98

The Man With the Golden Arm (Sinatra) $6.98

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Taylor) $7.98

Broadway Danny Rose (Allen) $6.98

The Brothers McMullen (Burns) $6.98

The Pink Panther (Sellers) $6.98

American Splendor (Giamatti) $6.98

Charlie Wilson's War (Hanks) $6.98

Cinderella Man (Crowe) $6.98

The Departed (Nicholson) $6.98

Good Night and Good Luck (Clooney) $6.98

The Interpreter (Kidman) $6.98

Road to Perdition (Hanks) $6.98

Serpico (Pacino) $7.98

The Seven-Ups (Scheider) $6.98

The Wind That Shakes the Barley (Murphy) $6.98

Dare Not Walk Alone (Dean) $6.98

Wordplay (Shortz) $6.98

J.R. Watkins Naturals

J.R. Watkins Naturals
Watkins Incorporated
150 Liberty Street
Winona, MN 55987

Order online at:
http://www.jrwatkins.com

Telephone:
1-800-928-5467

J.R. Watkins is a unique company not only for the natural products they offer, but for the wide range of their natural products: gourmet spices and extracts, personal care items, natural home cleaners, as well as naturally-based remedies and supplements.

Some items worth noting:

Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract (6 ounces/$16.99)

Whole Black Peppercorn Grinder (1.7 ounces/ $4.99)

Poultry Seasoning (1.58 ounces/ $6.99)


**********

Aloe & Green Tea Body Lotion (11 ounces/ $9.99)

Lavender Hand & Cuticle Salve (2.1 ounces/ $8.49)

Simply Mauve-lous Lip Tint (0.09 ounces/ $4.99)


**********

Orange Citrus All-Purpose Cleanser (24 ounces/$5.99)

Lemon Liquid Hand Soap (11 ounces/$7.49)

Fragrance Free Laundry Detergent (32 ounces/ $12.99)


**********

Menthol Camphor Vapor Rub (2.1 ounces/$9.99)

Beef Iron & Wine Tonic (12 ounces/ $13.99)

Supercold Cough Medicine (6 ounces/ $4.99)

**********

Eye Care Formula (30-day supply/ $16.99)

Skin, Hair & Nails Formula (30-day supply/ $16.99)

Fruit/Veggie Complex (30-day supply/ $18.99)

Daedalus Books catalogue arrives!!!!

Daedalus Books -- Books, Music, and DVDs

http://www.salebooks.com/

1-800-395-2665

P.O. Box 6000

Columbia, MD 21045

$5.95 postage/handling

6% sales tax -- Maryland shipments only.

Subject index: children's/ compact discs / cooking & healing / crafts / dvds / fiction / gardening / highlights / history / humor / literature & poetry / mysteries / nature & pets / notecards & postcards / performing arts / science / self & society / spirituality / sports / travel / visual arts

Daedalus is one of my favorite sources for remaindered books.......great quality books, great selection, great prices.

Here are some of the titles, from their Early Summer 2010 catalogue, that stand out.....

The A-Z of Modern Design (pap), (Polster, et al.) $9.98

Watchman (pap), (Rankin) $3.98

The Plague of Doves, (Erdrich) $5.98

Diary of a Bad Year, (Coetzee) $5.98

The Memory of Running, (McLarty) $3.98

The Best Day The Worst Day: Life with Jane Kenyon, (Hall) $4.98

The Painted Bed: Poems, (Hall) $3.98

Mr. Personality: Profiles and Talk Pieces from The New Yorker, (Mariner) (pap) $4.98

Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue: The Untold History of English, (McWhorter) $6.98

T.S. Eliot, (Raine) $4.98

Thumbs, Toes, and Tears: And Other Traits That Make Us Human, (Walker) $4.98

God's Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer our Most Important Question...Why We Suffer, (Ehrman) $6.98

NPR Sound Treks: Birds (1 hour Audio CD), (Hamilton) $9.95

Complete Poems, (Dorothy Parker) $10.95

The Not So Big Life: Making Room for What Really Matters, (Susanka) $5.98

The Departed, DVD (DiCaprio, Damon, Nicholson) Full Screen, 2 hrs., 31 min., $6.98

The Painted Veil, DVD (Watts, Norton Schreiber) Letterbox, 2 hrs., 5 min., $7.98

Persuasion, DVD (Root, Hinds) Widescreen, 1 hr., 44 min., $6.98

John Coltrane: The Bethlehem Years, 2 CDs, (Byrd, Green Jones), $7.98

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons for Harp and Orchestra, CD, $5.98

New York State: Gateway to America, An Illustrated History (Ellis & Cash), $6.98

Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore, (Hughes) $6.98

The New York Times: The Complete Front Pages 1851-2008 (Keller, ed.) $29.98

The War Diaries: An Anthology of Daily Wartime Diary Entries (Taylor) $4.98

D.H. Lawrence's Paintings (Lawrence & Sagar) $14.98

Making it New: The Art and Style of Sara and Gerald Murphy (Rothschild) $9.98

Edouard Vuillard (10 notecards) $3.98

Charles Addams: A Book of 30 Postcards $2.98

Classic Baseball: The Photographs of Walter Iooss, Jr. $12.98

French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew (Mayle) $5.98

When Randolph Turned Rotten (Harper) $3.98

The Writer in the Garden: A Literary Anthology of Garden Writing (5 CDs) $9.98

The Vermont Country Store

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/

One of my favorite catalogues--for The Vermont Country Store-- arrived in the mail today. The nostalgia rises thick from it, much as the scent of floor wax in a school auditorium (which never fails to make me feel six again!).

While, to some degree, the products are priced on the high side, it has been my experience that, with VCS you get what you pay for. A case in point is their wooden drying racks--currently available in the 24 inch and 27 inch sizes, for $39.95 and $59.95, but, curiously, not the 50 inch size I purchased a number of years ago (and have found most useful).

Their selection of jams, spreads, jellies, marmalades, pickles, relishes, and chutney are worth persusing, as well as other hard to find provisions such as scrapple and maple butter. VCS is also a great source for maple syrup and cheddar cheese (delicious!). There is an ample selection of candies: chocolates, mints, licorice, jellied candies, and caramels.

Their basic kitchen appliances--the 10 cup stainless steel teakettle with a bakelite handle, for instance--may, at $54.95, seem expensive at first sight, but will give years of service and far surpass fancier models.

Home furnishings are plain, practical, and designed to provide years of use. What they lack in novelty and flash they more than make up for in dependability. They carry a "dry iron" (often hard to find, as most irons, these days, seem to be "steam" irons) which is preferred by quilters and crafters, for $29.95. There is a nice selection of bedding, in pretty pastels and florals, as well as a choice of eight different types of pillow (to meet different needs) and mattress pads made of foam, Australian wool fleece, cotton, or microfiber.

The women's (and men's) clothing tends towards the widely cut and comfortable, in modest and classic styles. Accessories include women's hats and small leather goods, as well as Dr. Scholl's original exercise sandal in bone, red, white, navy, and black, for $49.95. A full selection of women's and men's foundation garments and nightwear (long on practicality and comfort) are featured, as well as a wide range of health and beauty aids--everything from cod liver oil and liquid iron supplements to lavender scented soaps and hard to find colognes (including one of my favorites, "White Shoulders").

Their customer service, in my experience, has been exemplary, unfailingly polite and helpful--a refreshing change from many mail order companies.

The Vermont Country Store

Purveyors of the Practical and Hard to Find

Mail Order Office

P.O. Box 6998

Rutland, VT 05702-6998

Order online 24 hours a day or call them at: 1-802-362-0285

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/

Jewelry by LuShae

http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com/

The website Jewelry by LuShae offers a wide variety of affordable little luxuries---earrings, pendants, and rings.

Since I've started wearing LuShae's "Purple Brilliance" amythest pendant I've received several compliments on the quality of the stone and how the color "brings out the blue" in my eyes.

At $74.00, a beautiful piece like this is within the reach of many....but it looks like it cost oh so much more. The carat weight of this pendant is 9.4 and the chain is sixteen inches with a two inch extender. This is a "white gold Rhodium bonded teardrop pendant with faceted amythest, CZ, and bezel set peridot" -- to quote from their website.

I love that the chain has an adjustable length and that the bale is spacious enough, that, if I wanted to, I could wear the pendant on another chain. The lobster clasp is easy to manage (so I don't have to ask anyone to help me with it!!)

It has a substantial feel when I hold it in my hand. I'm really looking forward to wearing it with light floral dresses in the summer....but, right now, it looks great contrasted against a black turtleneck. I love pendants....and LuShae has so many pretty pendants with strikingly colored gemstones, I had a very hard time deciding which I liked best (since they're all so nice!).

For more pendants, see: http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com/jewelry-jad.asp?p=Pendants

Their range of earrings are available in hoops, princess, and round cut studs, in CZs and gemstones.....as well as dangle earrings of CZs and brightly colored gemstones. They'll add just that little sparkle you need to brighten up your look.....but especially so during these long winter months. One set of earrings I found particularly attractive were the "Sterling Silver Flower Bud" post earrings with marquise cut flower petals (I do so love flowery things!!!). Most all of the earrings are in 14K white gold or gold construction with a Rhodium finish.

For earrings, see: http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com/jewelry-jad.asp?p=Earrings

They have a nice selection of rings as well, including a subsection of "promise" rings. There are a number of beautiful combinations of stones and settings of white gold and gold. The designs range from the very traditional, almost Victorian (which I love, love, love), to very modern and fashion-forward styles. Some of the settings are old fashioned, and almost look "vintage" -- while others are young and fun.....so there is something for every taste here, that much is clear!!! There is a great rainbow of colors available.....including my favorite, the green gemstone, peridot.....as well as rings detailed with brightly colored enamel. It is also very helpful that they provide a sizing guide for the rings.

For rings, see: http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com/jewelry-jad.asp?p=Rings

also: http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com/jewelry-jad.asp?p=Promise-Rings

They also, on their site, provide helpful information on the purchase of jewelry for men and women, how to purchase a diamond, choosing an engagement ring, jewelry basics, jewelry care, as well as how to clean and store your precious acquisitions!

So....the next time you have a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion coming up (the Cross or Star of David pendants would be just perfect for a Confirmation or Bas Mitzvah gift for your daughter, niece, or granddaughter), or you need gifts for your wedding party, or "just because" (which I've always found the very best occasion for a gift of jewelry!) make sure to stop by Jewelry by LuShae, just a click away......the ordering process is super-simple, you get email confirmation of your order and then again upon shipment (which I really appreciate).

All in all, I found this a real "gem" of a website---great merchandise, great service---what more could a girl ask for......except maybe a special gentleman to make her a present of a keepsake she will be sure to treasure forever!!!

Jewelry by LuShae

http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com