Celebrating all the Seasons of your life!

Zippies ... pals that hang around.

2010-07-27T12:10:00.001-07:00

I often get asked why or how we pick items for our stores. We are always looking for the newest and cutest items. Sometimes we come across an item that we know the kids will love and the parents will love as well. At the last market we found just one of those items ... "Zippies". They are cute and collectible which the kids will love as well as child I.D. and security which the parents will love. Zippies received the 2010 product of the year award from Creative Child Magazine. We just received our first order of these and they are the very first series. You can visit www.zippiesfun.com to find out more information on all the charachters in the first series and all the benefits of these cute pals that hang around.

A letter from Steve Gross, the Executive Director of the LIG Children’s Foundation, on his recent trip to Haiti

2010-03-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

This Friday’s Fuel is an unforgettable reflection and set of pictures from Steve Gross, the Executive Director of our Kids Foundation, on his visit last week to Haiti. The main purpose of Steve’s trip was to form a bond with a Haitian relief partner and assess what our Foundation can do for Haiti’s traumatized children with money raised from our Haiti fundraising t-shirt. But as you’ll read, Steve was also able to conduct a training for youth workers and bring much-needed joy by playing with children who have lost everything.

I will provide updates in the weeks to come on our Foundation’s plans for helping the children of Haiti. Every one of our teams have helped with the success of the Haiti fundraising tee. I hope this Fuel helps them understand more vividly the fruits of their work.

Jim

Dear Team,

I feel compelled to write. Although I can barely keep my eyes open, I'm afraid that if I don't write about today's experiences they will get lost. I know that I won't ever forget the "big picture" stuff, but I'm afraid I"ll lose the details. It's the little details that make life beautiful and, at times, heartbreaking.

I arrived at Amurt Haiti (the base camp for our operation) at 7:30am today and was asked to accompany the medical team to a small tent city in Port-au-Prince. The main medic and my buddy and colleague from Boston, Dr. Jose Hidalgo - along with an amazing team of Haitian nurses, translators and assistants - set up a make shift clinic to attend to the overwhelming medical needs of the hundreds of people who call this barren pile of broken glass, mud and rubble home. The reason that I was asked to accompany this team was that the day before had brought out lines of sick children who had to wait quietly for hours to be seen by the doctors. The team felt that a little "joy" might make the time go by easier for them. I brought along a parachute, two Life is good discs, a LIG paddle ball set, and a little red ball. I actually thought about leaving these toys behind as we obviously did not have enough to accommodate the masses of children.

I was not prepared to see how horribly these beautiful people were living. I'm not a good enough writer to adequately describe the squalor. While we set up shop, the children of the camp curiously peeked out of their "homes" to see what we were up to. We set up an examination table out of two old chairs and created a pharmacy and an intake room with some rope, a huge suitcase of medicines, and an old table. Slowly the line started to form. I noticed eight children sitting and waiting silently and decided to take out the parachute. Without words they walked over. I laid on my belly and invited them to join. They did. We looked at each other, smiled, waved and kept quietly singing "bonjour" to a universally familiar nursery rhyme tune. We drummed on the ground together, laughed and continued singing. Within minutes, twenty new children joined us. WIthin a few more minutes, twenty more. Before I knew it, well over seventy children, ages two to thirteen, had come to play.

Then we joined hands. We moved together as a group up a small hill of rubble (some of the children had no shoes so we had to walk really slowly) and began singing together, moving our arms together and making up little games that did not involve them having to run. One big hit was having the children sit in a circle and pass around the hat from my head until everyone touched it and it made its way back to me. Then, through our interpreter (a young Haitian boy from the village), I asked if they thought that my hat could beat me in a race? As they passed it around quickly, I ran around the circle trying to get back to my spot before the hat did. You should have heard the place erupt with laughter when I "accidentally fell" and the hat beat me home! By this time, parents, grandparents and others had gathered round to see what was happening. We played together for what seemed like hours (maybe I'm just getting old) taking make believe safaris in Africa, imagining stomping through the snow in Canada, building castles with little pieces of rubble, and just hanging out. David Elkind once said that the best toy a child could ever have is a loving, caring, attentive adult. Never have truer words been spoken.

After a while, some teens approached me. They wanted to know who I was, shake my hand, and thank me for "loving the childrens". I told them that I would be leaving tomorrow and asked them if they would "love the children" while I was gone. I explained to them that all they had to do was look at them, smile at them, ask them how they were doing, and hug them when they needed a hug. I also left them with the few toys we brought. (The rest of the toys we brought were being used in a different center in Port-au-Prince) and asked them to play with the children a little bit too when they had the energy. They promised that they would.

As I was getting ready to leave for the day, I needed to get something out of our truck. It was parked about half a mile from the site on a steep hill. As I walked up the hill, a 10 year old boy quietly grabbed my hand. We walked together in silence for five minutes and then another boy, probably around 7, grabbed my other hand. We walked up the hill silently - occasionally looking at each other and smiling. Once we made it to the truck, we shared a small bag of water (yes bag) and sat together silently just holding hands. I noticed that one of the boys had no shoe laces. I found a rope in the back of the truck, cut it with Ismael's knife and the three of us unwound the strands until we had a thin enough piece of string to use as a shoe lace. Together, silently, we laced up the little boy’s shoes. After we finished, he looked at his "new shoes", smiled and kept repeating "merci, merci, merci". He was so happy - like I had given him the world. I've never seen such appreciation in all my life - never. This is one detail that I never want to forget.

My heart aches for these children. They have been forgotten. But my spirit is lifted by them too. I did not know that it was possible to feel such intense joy and sorrow at the same time until today. It's one thing to see the glass as "half full" when it's indeed half full. It's another to see it as half full when it only has one drop inside. This is what the children of Haiti are all about. They are surviving, with unimaginable grace, love and joy, with only one drop in their cup. I can't imagine what they could grow to be if we filled their glass just a little bit more.

Anyway, we then went to a much larger tent city where I was asked to run a training for Haitian youth workers there. Again - once the parachute came out and we started playing, the whole camp gathered. Hungry, tired, sick and thirsty - nobody could resist the desire to play. I had to see it to believe it. I wish you were all here to see it with me.

We'll be back!

Love to you all...

Steve

Another reason we LOVE Life is Good!

2010-03-12T10:06:00.001-08:00

A letter to Life is Good:

A Simple Gift for My Father

I just wanted to thank you for spreading positivity. Your T-Shirt was one of the last gifts I got to give my father. His birthday was last April, and I got him a shirt he loved. Simple. That big smile and the words "Life is good." And on the inside the logo "Do what you like, like what you do."

My dad had been sick most of last year, complaining of being in pain with his back and general old age. But this genuinely brought a smile to his face and was worth it. He really loved the shirt. He passed away in May, but giving him a gift that would make him smile on his last birthday was very, very worth it. And I think it made him know that despite the pain and the fact that he was in the last stretch of his life, there was still happiness to be found and that this world still had things worth caring about.

After my father passed I started wearing the shirt because it always reminds me of someone I love but also that while life has many hard moments it also has much to be thankful for and much to stay hopeful for.

Thank you for what you do for others, inspiring us to see the good in a life that isn't always fair, and bringing a smile to our faces. Thank you for being humanitarian and genuine. You don't know how refreshing it is to know I'm doing business with a company that genuinely loves people back. :)

Your friend,
Hayley

Stonewall Golf Club Bridal Show

2010-02-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of attending Stonewall Golf Club's Bridal Show today. As usual Jeanna Hilton from Stonewall put on a first class event.

The other day I had blogged about Turquoise and the use of peacock feathers in floral arangements. One of my favorite florist, Shelley Campbell had a great example of this at the show.

For more information on Shelley's work visit www.shelleysfloral.com

This cake by Celebration Cakes was amazing in person. I have a bride that we are doing custom pink and chocolate invitations for and this cake would match perfectly. We are always happy to work with your cake vendor so they can decorate the cake in the matching motif of your invitations. This is a great way to tie in all aspects of your wedding. For more information on this cake visit www.fabulousweddingcakes.com

We had a great show and enjoyed meeting all the new brides!!

Why We Love "Life is Good"

2010-02-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

Life is good receives letters weekly from friends of the line.

The letter below that was sent to LIG explains why we love to sell this line.

Dear Life is good,

Our family has suffered numerous tragedies in the relatively recent past, starting with the loss of an 18-year old son (Cliff) in February 2005 in an auto accident, the loss of both of my wife’s generous loving parents, her only sibling (her sister Janet), and several other family members within a very short period of time. Going to the hospital and funeral home became much too familiar and tiresome to us.

Coming to grips with all this grief has not been easy for my wife or for our family, and only through remaining family and extended family members, close friends, support groups, counseling, faith, our loving pets, and other such avenues, has my wife, myself, and the rest of our blended family been able to cope and go on with our lives.

We saw the Life is good logo one day some time ago and there was Rocket, the happy Life is good dog, on the items we were looking at – we have a Pug/Chihuahua mixed breed dog (Pasquale) that looks very much like Rocket, and Pasquale’s biggest gift to our family is that he makes my wife smile each and every day, which is something that the rest of us cannot accomplish as easily. Seeing Rocket made us think of Pasquale and the joy and love he brings us in his own special way. And it made us think harder about what we had been going through – the Life is good motto has become a way for us to reconnect with life and to enjoy things even though some of those we love are no longer with us.

We have purchased many items of clothing, stickers, and coffee mugs with the Life is good logo on them because they help us to remember that although life isn’t always easy, it IS good. We hope to never lose sight of that again, and we want others to know too.

It isn’t always easy, we still hurt, and life is still throwing us “curveballs” now and then, but with a more positive attitude and Life is good and Jake and Rocket (and Pasquale) to help us along, we feel we might just be okay after all. Every time we see a Life Is Good store in our travels, we have to go inside and look around and soak up the atmosphere. J

Thank you for helping to remind us that Life IS good!

Mike

Turquoise is the "IT" color of 2010

2010-02-07T10:09:00.000-08:00

Whether it's fashion or wedding invitations we are seeing Turquoise everywhere. According to the runways in Paris and all the Fashion magazines Turquoise is going to be the "Hot" color this year. We already are seeing this trend in the store. Vera Bradley has brought in this color in the new "Totally Turq" pattern. You will also see hints of it in their "Sittin in a Tree" pattern.

We are also seeing Turquoise trend coming into wedding invtiations as well. People are using the peacock feather theme in weddings as a way to bring in Turquoise. We've seen these used not only on invitations but in floral arrangements as well. How will you use Turquoise this year?

Making Gingerbread

2009-11-20T13:16:00.000-08:00

Something special from our friends at Byers Choice

A bowl of molasses, a dipper of milk, a dash of buter, and the flour like silk, ginger and the hen's fattest egg, vanilla extract, sprinkled nutmeg ...

THE DOUGH:

Ingredients:
6 cups all purpose flower
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (12Tbsp) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup dark molasses
1 Tbsp water

Directions:

1. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl, set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed the butter and brown sugar until fluffy and well blended. Beat in the eggs, molasses and water until well combined.
3. Beat half of the flour mixture into the molasses mixture until well blended and smooth. Stir in the remaining flour. Knead (or use your mixer's dough hook) unitl well blended. If dough is too soft, add a little more flour.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least two hours, preferably overnight. You can make it up to 3 days ahead of time. Let sita at room temperature for a least 10 minutes before rolling out.

As far as decorations go, think creatively! In addition to candies, also consider using chewing gum, nuts, dried fruits, pretzels, chips and breakfast cereals.
Candy Suggestions:
Christmas Hard Candies
Tootsie Rolls - make a log pile
Chuckles Jelly Candies
Red and Green Gumdrops
Pretzels-make a good fence
Cinnamon Candies
Starlight Mints
Candy Canes
M&M's
Necco Wafers
Chocolate Nonpareils
Large Marshmallows
Ice Cream Cones for Trees
Cereal for the Roof

Thanks Byers Choice for this great receipe and ides. Visit www.byerschoice.com

We are proud to be a partner with companies like Vera Bradley!

2009-11-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2009

VERA BRADLEY FOUNDATION FOR BREAST CANCER
PLEDGES $10 MILLION TO IU SIMON CANCER CENTER

INDIANAPOLIS -- Not only does Vera Bradley make popular handbags, but it also fights against breast cancer.

The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer today (Nov. 12) announced that it is committing $10 million to breast cancer research at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center.

“The decision of our foundation board was unanimous,” Patricia R. Miller, co-founder of Vera Bradley, said of the gift.

“Generosity and commitment like that from the Vera Bradley Foundation are what will make the difference in this disease,” D. Craig Brater, dean of the IU School of Medicine, said. “These gifts touch women every day, not just in Indiana, but all over the world.”

“When we made our first pledge of $1.2 million in 1998, we had no idea so much lifesaving research would come from our partnership with IU,” Barbara Baekgaard, Miller’s business partner, said. “We just knew we had to do something about a disease that took the life of a very good friend.”

In addition to the 1998 pledge, Vera Bradley Foundation made pledges to the cancer center’s breast cancer research program of $2 million in 2003 and $6.8 million in 2006.

Those gifts represent the single-largest philanthropic resource for IU’s program. The foundation’s generosity is spurring the development of new treatments for women with advanced forms of this disease.

“Vera Bradley Foundation funding has allowed us to be a leader in understanding breast cancer and to be at the forefront of critical discoveries,” George W. Sledge, M.D., co-director of the IU Simon Cancer Center breast cancer program, said. “We now know that breast cancer is not a single disease, but many unique diseases. We also know that we are unlikely to find one magic bullet that cures all cases. Instead, we are working to develop an arsenal of successful treatment options and then learn how to determine the best approach for each individual woman.”

Dr. Sledge and co-director Linda Malkas, Ph.D., point to multiple advancements made possible in the last 10 years as a result of Vera Bradley Foundation funding:

* IU is now the only site in the world testing the only potential new therapy to force breast cancer cells to grow old and die. The IU researcher who played a pivotal role in developing the drug trained under one of the scientists who shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Medicine for pioneering this groundbreaking area of science.
* Patients at the IU Simon Cancer Center have been the first in the world to receive new life-extending therapies such as Avastin. As a direct result of IU research, the drug recently received FDA approval for the treatment of advanced breast cancer.
* Indiana University’s breast cancer program has grown to 34 members, up from six in 1999. Vera Bradley funding was directly used to recruit 10 of these faculty members, including Dr. Malkas, who is the Vera Bradley Chair in Oncology.
* In 2008, the breast cancer research program was reviewed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The program received the NCI’s highest ranking.
* Annual research grant funding for the 34-member team now exceeds $10 million.

In recognition of the foundation’s past gifts, IU recently established the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Laboratories, located in Joseph E. Walther Hall, the school of medicine’s newest and largest research building.

“The women and volunteers who work so hard in Fort Wayne to raise this money inspire us. We love our partnership with the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. We are committed to them and to our patients who count on us,” Dr. Malkas said.

About the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer

The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer is celebrating its 11 years of funding breast cancer research at the IU School of Medicine. With the endowment of the Vera Bradley Chair in Oncology, currently held by Dr. Malkas, and other gifts totaling $10 million, the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer is doing its part to eradicate breast cancer. The Foundation receives funding through the sale of Vera Bradley breast cancer awareness designs, special events across the nation and through donations on verabradley.org.

A beautiful day at Regency at Dominion Valley Country Club

2009-11-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

The sun was shinning and the mood was set for a beautiful event. Jennifer Bodnar, events manager at Regency, held a great day for brides to come out and see this fantastic facility and meet with some of her preferred vendors. Of course Seasons Cards and Gifts was there!!
Other special participants were:

Heaven on Earth
Shelley's Floral Enterprise
Wedding sBy Amelia
Horizon Entertainment
Bobby G Disc Jockey's
Bialek's Music
Brides & Wedding's of Northern Virginia
Classic Creations Photography
Reed's Photography
Cakes by Happy Eatery
Capitol Chocolate Fountains
Gala Cloths
CLM Makeup
Marrtiott International
Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club

I must give special credit to Heavon on Earth for the "AMAZING" floral arrangements and Gala Cloths for some of the most beautiful table linen's I've seen!

We had a BLAST at BLOOMIES!!!

2009-11-16T08:53:00.000-08:00

We were a special guest of Bloomingdale's in Tysons Corner for their "Pre-Wedding Wedding Party". The special guest speaker was Jorge Perez of Waterford, Wedgewood and Royal Doulton. He gave a wonderful and informative talk to the brides on picking items for their bridal registry.
Jorge says "Red is going to be a HOT color for 2010" we are already seeing this in our bridal invitations for 2010 weddings. Jorge also states "Mismatched will be the new match. At the table, I see the rules being thrown out and individuality and a keen sense of style will be taking over. But there's no missing manners! While not the same as the Past Posted ones, I see them coming back on new terms. It's about time!" My favorite tip of Jorge's was to take a Waterford crystal frame and take the back off. You can then use it as a serving tray or a table piece. What a great idea!!

"Kerry Millhiser owner of Seasons Cards and Gifts & Jorge Perez"

"Cindie Reinhold with Brides & Weddings of Northern Virginia Magazine talking with Michael Corrado of Devers Designs"

"Having fun with some Bloomies Brides"

"Jorge Perez speaking on bridal registry"

"Miles of MSE playes the bridal march as brides sat to hear Jorge speak"

"Jorge Perez talking with a bride"

"Blush Bridal Boutique was also a participant"

"The Ritz Carlton Tysons had some FANtastic cakes"

"Myrna Grossman was the Wedding Planner choosen by Blommingdales to particiapte"

"Seasons Cards and Gifts booth"

Washington Bridal Showcase

2009-09-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

What a great show this past Sunday at the Dulles Expo Center. We really enjoyed meeting all the brides that came out for the show. It was fun seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Our booth was right next to a great event location "Harbour View". I think everyone on our team put on a few pounds since we were only two booths away from one of our favorite cake makers "Cakes by Happy Eatery". If you are a new bride and missed this show, you can check it our again in January 2010.

" Favor samples in our booth"

"Before the show opened"

Our top team ... "Elaine" Gainesville store manager, "Kelly" Ashburn store manager and "Tawnia" South Riding store manager. If you need invitaions these are your go to gals!

The brides have arrived.

... and kept arriving!

We look foward to taking care of the invitation & favor needs of all the fabulous brides we met!!!

Christmas in July at Piedmont

2009-07-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun this past Sunday at Piedmont Country Club's Christmas in July event. Piedmont Country Club is a lovely venue in Haymarket, Virginia.

We showed some fun Christmas items like Jim Shore ...

We also showed some holiday card options. It's not to early to start working on your holiday cards. If you order before October you can get better pricing and your order isn't caught up in the holiday rush.

We also featured some of our Wedding Invitations ...

More of our Christmas cards and holiday items...

Our Booth

We provided the place cards for the laua themed party. Many different styles were shown from fun and wild party designs to traditional and Christmas designs.

Fun luau design

Christmas wreath design

The luau centerpieces

Our luau themed place cards went perfect with the luau centerpiece.

A great Christmas ornament!!!

Don't forget whatever you occasion whether it be fun and funky or very traditional we can provide placecard designs to fit your needs.

Hello Kitty is having a Birthday Party at Seasons!

2009-06-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

Don't miss these 3 fun packed events. Parents bring your cameras to have your kids photo taken with Hello Kitty.

Life is Good at Seasons

2009-06-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Seasons Cards and Gifts is proud to feature products from the Life is Good Company. Life is good has some of the softest t-shirts in the industry, with a variety of designs for men, women, kids and babies. Stop by today to check out all Life is Good has to offer.

It's time to Celebrate Dads and Grads!!

2009-06-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Seasons always has something special for any occasion.

Don't forget Father's Day and Grad's this month.

We have lots of great gifts for both!

American Expeditions' travel mugs, water bottles and mugs.

Something special for Grads.

Great commemrative baseballs by TDC Games, featuring opening days at

Wrigley Field and other stadiums.

A special frame to remember that once in a lifetime moment.

On another note ... special thanks to

The Shoppes at Madison Crescent for a GREAT

event this past Saturday!!! A good time was had by all.

The face painter was a hit ...

by mid afternoon the wait was an hour and a half to get faces painted.

"Milkshake" performs.

Spring has Sprung just in time for Mother's Day

2009-04-30T18:50:00.001-07:00

The stores look bright and joyful. Mother's Day is just around the corner, Sunday, May 10th. Come by and check out all the great items for MOM. We are sure to have something for everyone on your list. Check out some of these great finds ...

Vera Bradley in Bali Gold and Raspberry Fizz.

Notecards and Mugs

Vera Bradley

Arthur Court Designs

Frames & Candy (YUMMY!)

The Thymes

You can't go wrong with any one of those great items!! Let Seasons help you find the perfect gift for your mom his Mother's Day.

It was a great day at Stonewall Golf Club!

2009-04-26T17:04:00.001-07:00

We specialize in wedding invtiations, and really enjoy helping brides find the invitation that matches the event perfectly. Today we met several brides at the Stonewall Golf Club Bridal Show.

Our booth had lots of fans, as brides looked through some of our invitation sample books. We look foward to helping these brides complete their journey for the perfect wedding.

It was great to see lots of friends from the bridal industry, like Jassy from the Residence Inn in Manassas, VA.

It was all Fun & Funky this week at Seasons ...

2009-04-25T10:41:00.001-07:00

we had a great time this week checking in lots of new cute products! Check out these new reading glasses by Itrends. They come in lots of different colors and strengths.

Another Favorite item we received this week was the "Glam" line of Key Finders and Purse holders. Anyone can be cute and stylish with these great purse accessories!!!

Thanks to Piedmont Country Club ...

2009-04-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday we had the pleasure of being invited to Piedmont Country Club's Bridal Event. If you are looking for a great place to have your wedding or special event be sure to contact Michele at Piedmont.

We were thrilled when they asked us to design placecards for all their table settings for the event. My favorite was a saphire blue table with decorative peacock feathers.

Congratulations to all the brides we met that day!