Catch Us in the Massillon Independent

Watch for our ad in the Massillon Independent's Spring Home & Garden section tomorrow, Wednesday, April 29th. Don't miss our special offer!

Spring Tatine & Pyrrha Promotion

This is news: we're running a Spring Promotion on two popular lines.


First of all, the Garden + Forest Infusion candles by Chicago candlemaker extraordinaire Tatine are on sale. Tatine has retired the friendly green packaging {above} we have all come to identify with luscious scents and an extraordinarily long, clean burnlife in favor of new, even more gorgeous, even more eco-friendly packaging. Wait until you see! {The collection will be re-released at THE BLISSFUL in mid- to late-May.} Until then, you can buy up the collection in its current packaging at 20% OFF. Stop into the store or click here to purchase. {Bitter Orange + Lavender is my favorite and Creeping Moss is a close second, especially for this time of year. Hurry! There aren't too many left!}

Then, we're running a fantastic promotion on Pyrrha Jewelry, made in Vancouver, British Columbia. This collection is mythological in scope and nature and heirloom in quality, featuring old wax seals cast in semiprecious metals. See below a sampling of what's on special. Prices shown online are 60% OFF of regular retail price, plus we're offering free shipping. This collection is heavensent for Mother's Day.

Horse Cameo Ring in Antiqued Bronze, size 7.5.


*SOLD* Gaia Necklace in Antiqued Bronze, 22" Chain. * SOLD*


Fleur de Lis Band Ring in Antiqued Silver, size 12.

Hermes Necklace in Antiqued Bronze, 22" Chain.

Also available...an assortment of Silver Initial Necklaces {and one in Antiqued Bronze}. Check here to see if your {or your mom's} initial is available!

Best of Stark County

Calling all friends, customers near and far, and blog fans...

Please vote for THE BLISSFUL for "Best Place to Shop" and "Most Unique Shop" in the 2009 Best of Stark County Awards. The deadline is Thursday, April 30th. Winners in each category will be announced on May 15th in the Canton Repository and broadcast on WHBC 1480 AM/94.1 FM. Remember to support indie shops in each category. {You do not have to vote in each category to have your votes count.}


Merci and we look forward to your next visit!

THE BLISSFUL on Facebook & Twitter

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Two new ops for ultimate insiders...

THE BLISSFUL is now on Facebook, where friends and fans can view photo archives of the shop and go behind the scenes at our special events. {If you've shopped in our brick and mortar store, you may even spy yourself in some of these shots!} Eventually, we may even post our first-ever videos of the shop! Click HERE to become a fan today.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter by clicking HERE. If you're not yet familiar with Twitter, it's like a stream-of-consciousness online log of thoughts, opinions, happenings, and just about anything else that crosses the writer's mind. {Did you see last Friday's Oprah Live in Chicago with Ashton Kutcher on his battle against CNN to be the first Twitterer to reach one million followers? Guess who won?} I'll be "tweeting" about daily goings-on at the shop, behind-the-scenes prep for special events, my private thoughts on shopkeeping, what we're unpacking this very minute {!}, and more.

Hope to see you online with us!

What Flower Are You?

These solid pewter cuffs engraved with a flower have the corresponding month of the year engraved inside the band. Give one to mark a birthday, an anniversary, a special occasion, or even just a favorite flower. We love this idea as a gift for the whole bridal party, or a special token for the girl who's graduating. Moms of all ages love them, too. {Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th.}

January. . . Carnation
February. . . Violet
March. . . Jonquil
April. . . Daisy
May. . . Lily of the Valley
June. . . Rose
July. . . Larkspur
August. . . Poppy
September. . . Aster
October. . . Cosmos
November. . . Chrysanthemum
December. . . Narcissus

Dreaming of Design on a Rainy Day

It's cloudy here. Overcast. A bit rainy. Perfect weather to stay in and dream. If I could, I'd be tucked into the corner of a really comfy sofa right now, in my PJs, drinking something hot {like the Wild Blueberry Tea I enjoyed last night at Caffe Gelato in North Canton}, and skipping from blog to blog on my laptop.

Just in case you're desirous of some quiet inspiration this afternoon, I thought I'd share this design quiz I found on Melissa Michaels' wonderfully fun and totally down to earth blog, The Inspired Room. {If you don't already know Melissa, stop by and say hello and be sure to tell her Abby from THE BLISSFUL sent you.} And to give credit where it's due, I should mention that Melissa came to this quiz by way of the gorgeous design blog {this is glamorous}--how's that for a blog name? Take a look!

But back to the design quiz: all you have to do is click on the photo that represents your answer to each question. At the end, the website generates a thoroughly detailed portrait of your {apparent} design tastes, along with a "label" that could best describe your style.

The quiz tells me I'm a Pot-Luck Pro. Here was my description {and tell me this doesn't sound like the shop}: You love to indulge the senses, to pamper and prettify. Just as feminine iconography ranges from the Junoesque to the gamine, from English apple blossom to vampish vixen, so can feminine interiors be expressed in myriad styles. . .You're a maverick [ooh...I'm maverick-y], blending a melting pot style that's all your own. . .What might end up looking like chaos if other people tried it has harmony and style in your capable hands. . .You revel in the juxtaposition of furnishings and objects that have caught your eye. Who needs rules when you've got great style?

Try it, have fun. . .and let me know your results!

Easter Blessings

Hallelujah to the Risen One!

Shop Indie, Save the Local Economy

Think about which three independently owned stores you'd miss most if they were gone...Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.

This idea is at the heart of a new nationwide movement to save independently, locally owned brick and mortar stores. It's called the 3/50 Project. Brick and mortar stores around the country are rallying their loyal fans and customers to help support the local economy, three stores at a time. Click the graphic at left to enlarge the flyer and read about how YOU can help preserve the citizen-driven economy that America was built on! If you like this idea, I encourage you to print the flyer and pass it on to your friends.

THE BLISSFUL thanks you for supporting this indie establishment.

Last Minute Easter Gifts

Ideas for grown up Easter gifts. . .

By the way, if you're a blog reader from outside of our local area and interested in ordering anything featured here, please scroll down to the bottom of this post for ordering instructions. Merci!

Yum. Each chocolate truffle egg in our Petit Egg Sampler is individually speckled, splattered, or swirled on the outside and filled with ganache on the inside. And the packaging...


is just as sweet. Available in Robin's Egg Blue, Spring Green, or Royal Purple.


Enjoy your Easter feast to the sounds of Stacey Kent's Breakfast on the Morning Tram. This tuneful compilation of jazz standards, French chansons, and original work is sung in Kent's honeyed, lilting soprano. A favorite at THE BLISSFUL. Makes a great gift for the music lover.


A mercury glass chalice votive with one of our Olive Tree, Patchouli, or Rosemary Sage votive candles makes a great Spring hostess gift, especially when paired with...


an Iris Matchbox.


Terracotta Owl for the hostess with the mostest.


Herb Planting Kit all dudded up for Spring. Click here to learn more and purchase.


A peek at our herb sprouts, plus a look at these really cool Zinc Gift Tags {all pre-punched and ready for ribbon or twine} and Placecards. Easy to write on with chalk or, if you're feeling more permanent, a fine-tip Sharpie.


My favorite tablecloth from our new shipment: meet the Lotus, a garden print of happy flowers in Spring-y brights, with crisscrossing pink ruffles. Feminine and cheery. 60" x 60". Also makes a great throw for over the back of a plaincovered sofa or chair. Pairs perfectly with our handpainted Quince Glasses.


100% beeswax Noir Crown Candles by Tatine. Ideal for burning at the table. A reminder of the King of Kings, our reason for celebrating Easter.

A darling small thing, these dyed pink Quail Eggs are uniquely speckled and ready to fill a bowl or nest. Also available in Blue or Green.



Our Mirrored Glass Reflecting Balls have rusty chains and a rusty iron bird hovering above {seen here, flying above our cash wrap}. The small ones, especially, make hot little hostess gifts.


Sid Dickens Memory Blocks to commemorate all of life's moments.


Wonderfully fragrant candles in soothing blue-green-cream packaging. Easy on the eyes and the nose.


Colorful patterns borrowed from William Morris adorn this collection of Gardening Tools. An irresistible gift for those with a green thumb, or for those who want to cultivate one.


These Mercury Glass Finials can go anywhere and look especially great in contrast with live, green things. To view more of our Preserved Boxwood collection, click here.


What is it about pom-poms that makes whatever they're attached to so irresistible? These kelly green poms are attached to our Shilps Table Cover. 60" x 60".


Our rectangular Chicken Wire Baskets are shallow enough to hold paper napkins, guest towels, correspondence, even small planted pots. A multipurpose hostess gift that anybody can use, or use in lieu of a basket for Easter gifts.


Paris-themed goodies to pop into baskets.


Boho-hip Cross Stretch Bracelets.


This canvas seems to make everyone smile.


I love a little Cast Iron Urn as a candle holder.

Saw these Dandelion Metal Tealight Holders {they come flat, then you punch out the design and bend each piece to stand it up} on an episode of Giada at Home on the Food Network, the one where she prepares a spread for a fashion designer friend. I love these outside, as even the gentlest breeze will stir the silver fronds and stem.

NOTE FOR BLOG READERS FROM OUTSIDE OUR LOCAL AREA: Not all of these items are currently sold in our Online Boutique, but everything you see here is for sale while supplies last. Please e-mail us at sales@theblissful.com for pricing and more information. In the event the item you'd like is not featured in our Online Boutique, we'll invoice you via PayPal or take your order over the phone using your credit card. All orders placed before 3 PM Monday-Friday will ship UPS Ground the same day; if expedited shipping is needed, please e-mail us your city, state, and zipcode and let us know how quickly you need it and we'll reply with a shipping quote within just a few hours.

Merci, Happy Easter, and Happy Spring!