Going for 200 Fans! Join Us on Facebook!

Our Facebook page for Ivy Ridge Traditions has only been up a few weeks and we already have 194 Fans! I just want to take a moment of yell out a special BIG thank you to our Elkin Manager, Ashley Jones, for all her hard work in creating and maintaining our Facebook page. You can visit Ashley at our Elkin shop on most days.

Click on the Link Below to Jump to Our Page and Join Us as a FAN!http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Ivy-Ridge-Traditions/95930376976

Moving the Party to Elkin! It's a Vera Bradley Premiere!

We had a great time in North Wilkesboro last week and we are moving the party to Elkin! We will be premiering the new fall, 2009 patterns with great food, music, free gift with any Vera purchase and an additional 10% discount off the current sale price on retiring Vera Bradley styles and colors (Premiere Night Only), plus great door prizes.

When: Tuesday, June 30th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Where: Our Elkin Shop at 119 West Main Street, Elkin

What: Join us as we make history with our first party in our new Elkin shop! It's a VERA PREMIERE!

Call us with any questions at (336) 526-4438

Now a Quick Look at Our Elkin Shop

Since we showed our new awnings at our North Wilkesboro location, I thought we would share a visual of our Elkin shop, located on 119 West Main Street in Historic Downtown Elkin! We may actually change our fabric coloring and lettering to match N. Wilkesboro. We tried to get the same fabric for both, however they no longer manufactured it-so now we are all loving the apple green and may have to go with apple green in Elkin as well with our plum lettering.

New Building Awnings in NW!

Our new awnings have arrived at our North Wilkesboro location! Big thanks to CSC Awnings, in Boonville, NC (1-877-823-5309-ask for Marsha)! We will also be adding some additional signage to the windows and door soon. Drive by and take a look!

New Vera Bradley Has Arrived! Let's Party!

The new fall, 2009 Vera Bradley styles and colors are now sitting pretty on our shelves.

You are invited to our Vera Bradley Premiere Nights:

North Wilkesboro Location
Thursday, June 25th from 6 to 8 pm

Elkin Location
Tuesday, June 30th from 6 to 8 pm

Refreshments, Door Prizes and a Free Surprise Gift with any Vera Bradley Purchase!

Baggallini Bags: Easy Access to Everything You Need

We have been amazed at the customer response for Baggallini in our shops! They love those pockets!

Why? Because...

· Sleek lightweight bags with a convenient outside and inside pockets that will organize you even if you are not an organized person.
· Most bags have an attached wallets with 10 credit card slots or a large zippered inside pocket wallet.
· Main compartment of the bags opens wide for easy access. Many have lipstick and pen holders too!
· Lightweight water resistant fabric
· Pictured is the Uptown Bag which allows you to go hands-free!
· Once you carry one...you have to have another...we owe that is true based on people buying them at the shop and coming back again with friends in hand to buy one of their own.

Food On A Stick!

Monday was a very tiring day and it got me thinking about how I can enjoy summer and relax. One of my favorite summer foods came to mind that my mom prepares for us on Sunday afternoons! Skewers-Food on a Stick! The best things about skewers are they can be grilled in a flash, involves little effort and have a big flavor. Everyone can choose their favorite things to design their own unique entree. Pick from meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, even fruit –a side of brown rice and a salad for a meal with more taste than you can shake a stick at! Get it? Shake a stick at! Please be sure to soak wood or bamboo skewers for 30 minutes in water before using, so they do not turn into firewood rather than a cool way to cook!

Simple Marinade:

3/4 c. water, hot

1/3 c. soy sauce

1/4 c. honey

2 tbsp. oil

2 tbsp. lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, crushed

Cut meat into 1 1/2 inch cubes. Prepare marinade. Marinate meat for at least 2 hours or overnight, turning a few times. Cut vegetables into cubes. Alternate vegetables and meat on skewers. 12 inch skewer is enough for one entree. Grill and serve over rice.

Treska Jewelry– A Little Funky and Trendy with a Lifetime Warranty on Hand Beaded Items

Treska Jewelry works hard to design quality handmade products. While many of their items are imported, they are made by hand and the understand and enjoy the slight variations of human processes. The Treska “look” is one of weathered or antiqued pieces and have that “one of a kind handmade” feel, which are not perfect by nature. However, we do strive to make them so. We do go to great lengths to ensure that our jewelry is as unique as its owner. Treska also offers a lifetime warranty on its hand beaded items.

When I wear a piece of my Treska Jewelry, someone always stops me to ask about it. Treska pieces are “attention getters” and small individual pieces of jewelry art! So stop by our mini Treska Museum to see our in-stock items!

Honoring The Special Men In My Life

Photo Note: Above is my dad, June Jordan, Mackenzie, my youngest daughter and my beautiful paternal grandmother, Mrs. Dolly Jordan, with her baby doll, who is her companion in her struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

To My Special Men in My Life:
I lost my grandfather on April 12th, 2009. I would like to honor him, Mr. Bynum "Dick" Jordan. He was a wonderful example of a man who grew a gentle heart. He was a fine grandpa, who left me with wonderful childhood memories for which I will always be grateful.

Here's a hug, a kiss and a thank you to my special dad, June Jordan. He is my friend, my hero and a consistent support...I love you, Dad. When our girls were little, he was always showing the girls all life's new discoveries-trips on the tractor, walks to the barn to see the new baby chicks and the girls loved to go and collect the eggs in the hen house. Now, our girls are teenagers and still love those things with him. He is our gentle farmer, Papa June, with his quirky sayings.

My father-in-law, Jim Day, is a gentle and kind man. He is our supportive guide in our life journeys, whom we can always count on. As a grandfather, he is the joy of the family. He is our joker! He is the funny Papa Jim who is always picking with the children and their sweet giggles and smiles follow his lead.

Finally, all my love to my supportive husband, Alan Day, for all he gives to our family. He is gentle, loving and kind dad and husband. He has lived with a home full of girls and has survived and thrived. He too is always present as a support for us all. Thank you from the girls....with all of our hearts...Angela, Mackenzie and Allison

Pandora Jewelry-Tender Loving Care

First– WE CAN CLEAN IT FOR YOU with our in-store cleaning machine in just minutes! Yes, our in-store cleaning machine (sounds kind of like a name in a Dr. Seuss book) has a special “magic” solution to make your bracelet look like new!

You can also slave away at home and simply use lukewarm soapy water with a soft tooth brush to scrub your jewelry and then rinse it in clean water. To remove caked-on dirt, let it soak for 10 minutes in lukewarm soapy water, gently brush it clean and then rinse it in clean water.WARNING - DO NOT EXPOSE PANDORA TO CHEMICALS. Silver pieces are given detail by oxidation. Exposure to harsh chemicals can alter the appearance of your PANDORA jewelry. These chemicals include, but are not limited to, Liquid Silver Polish, Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas. Please note that Pandora Jewelry is only available at our N. Wilkesboro shop.

Strawberry Shortcake to Chocolate Cupcakes!

Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients:

1 white or yellow cake mix

1- 15 oz can applesauce or crushed pineapple

1/2 cup of water.

Fresh strawberries

Fat-free Cool Whip

Add cake mix, can of applesauce or crushed pineapple and 1/2 cup water into a large bowl and mix with an electric hand mixer for 2 minutes on medium. Bake as cupcakes in muffin pans. I fill 18 muffin cups with the batter and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan. Serve individually with sliced strawberries and fat-free Cool Whip for a terrific low-fat strawberry shortcake. I always take one to work with my lunch each day and will often change my fruit to blueberries or peaches.

Cupcake Storage:
After baking, I put all the cupcakes on a large cookie sheet lined in wax paper and put them into the freezer to freeze overnight. I then place them in a plastic container and return to the freezer to store. The applesauce/pineapple will make them really moist and often difficult to store unfrozen, because they want to stick together.
Different Dessert Options By Changing the Recipe:
Lastly, let me say that I love this recipe and use it with different flavors of cake mix and change the canned fruit...you can do chocolate cupcakes, strawberry shortcake to carrot cake...it is up to your imagination! A can of pumpkin substituted as the fruit pairs well with any chocolate cake mix. Just think about your favorite dessert and you can probably use this recipe idea to make a healither version! One cupcake is 1.5 points for WW without any toppings.

It's A Kelly Rae Day!!

Mornings are fun here, because UPS and FedEx bring us great new stuff! Well today we got some more Kelly Rae Roberts stuff in at North Wilkesboro! We have her prints in stock at both locations and I love them. They make even me feel "artsy" and today we got three new tote bags with her designs as well as a new Believe Box. So I can have Kelly Rae where ever I go, as I sport one of her new canvas totes ($21.99 retail-cheap for a work of art! Huh!) Honestly, before Kelly Rae licensed her art with Demdaco (same company who makes our Willow Tree Angels), her originals were selling at top dollar! Now, we are lucky enough to be able to buy a canvas print for $11.99-$39.99. I have the Elkin Shop's totes and boxes in my car...they will arrive mid-morning on Friday!

Enjoy Father's Day Lunch Buffet at Applewood Bistro

Applewood Bistro is also offering a wonderful Father Day Lunch Buffet on Sunday, June 21st. There are three seatings at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. Honor that special Dad and make a reservation now-just do it! The buffet has ribs and shrimp & grits-MANLY FOOD! The actual menu is attached above-just be sure to get on your reading glasses!

Everyone who celebrated Mother’s Day with their Lunch Buffet could not say enough good things! They loved it.

To reserve your spot call 336-921-4363 or mailto:jaday@applewoodbistro.com

Something Else to do Downtown? Yes, OliverFest!

The 1st Annual OliverFest is taking over the beautiful downtown of North Wilkesboro on Saturday June 20 from 12:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. The namesake of OliverFest is William Oliver Swofford, who was an American pop singer in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and went by the stage name of Oliver. Swofford was a North Wilkesboro native who achieved fame for his songs, "Good Morning Starshine," (from the pop/rock musical Hair), and his ballad "Jean."

OliverFest is a FREE celebration commemorating the 40th anniversary of William Oliver Swofford's achievements, featuring BritishMania (a Beatles cover band) and four other outstanding live musical acts (Crusher Run, Rude Mood, Eddie Sturdivant and OFX, and Sonny Remington), great downtown businesses (especially the great gift shop, Ivy Ridge Traditions-this is our blog ya know-so we can say anything we like), a classic car show with over 250 cars, contests (dance, talent, best-dressed, best rendition of “Good Morning Starshine,” and lip-sync), tasty food vendors, a children's play area, and an art district full of local artists. Check out http://www.oliverfest.com/.

Register to Win a Vera Bradley Tote in the New Colors for Fall, 2009

We have three great totes in each of the new Fall 2009 Vera Bradley colors-Blue Rhapsody, Carnaby and Pirouette-to give away! This is a teaser for the new colors which should arrive within the week!

(I know post number 3 on Vera Bradley, but you really need to know about the FREE stuff-you too could be a winner!!)

Retiring Vera Bradley 50% OFF! Starting When? Monday, June 15

Vera Bradley Spring Clearance Sale is now at 50% off suggested retail and we are talking about Vera Bradley again! However, we have to make an announcement about the 50% off retiring styles and colors. This also includes the Nylon Collection (I love the green and pink) and Vintage Rose!

The following Signature Colors are now 50% off suggested retail;

Frankly Scarlett

Mod Floral Blue

Pinwheel Pink

Mediterrian White

Night Owl

Daisy Daisy

Again don't forget about the Nylon (green pictured above) and Vintage Rose Collections are included also!

Be sure to come in before our newspaper ads run in the local newspapers for the best selection!

To Note or Not to Note?

"Why-write-something-when-I-can-email-it?" Just because we can does not mean we should. Heck, many do not even acknowledge a gift and favor at all– NO NOTE IS BAD! Nothing can replace a handwritten note and keep in mind generous folks need to be thanked for their efforts! Honestly, I gave a baby gift to friends for the birth of their second child. Their oldest daughter was one of Mackenzie’s best friends and we all went to church together. At this time, Mackenzie was probably 7 years old, so this was 8 years ago! Never got a thank you note and every time I see this mom, it comes to mind. Now, I still enjoy these friends, but I always wonder if they enjoyed or appreciated our gift!

Most mailboxes are full of bills and advertisements, so handwritten notes and letters are a breathe of fresh air! Write a note to someone for a gift, a meal or for a favor done and do it fast (within 72 hours)! The main reason people do not send thank-you notes is because they don't own proper stationery. Get yourself a collection of personalized social stationery, such as letter sheets, fold over note cards and envelopes. Consider investing in these items (HINT: You can buy great personalized stationery at Ivy Ridge Traditions); they will serve you well and make a great impression on your friends and family-plus you will come across as the thoughtful person you are!

How to write a thank you note:

Start by expressing your appreciation - "Thank you for the beautiful photo album."

Mention the gift's usefulness - "It is perfect to hold my graduation photos and pictures of my friends at college."

Express the hope for a future meeting - "I hope to see you and Don the next time I am home for a visit."

There is really no excuse for not writing a thank you note. Just Do It! And, please, teach your children to do the same!

Off to note! Angela

All Jazzed Up and No Where to Go-NOT!

The Downtown Concert Series kicks off with Jazz in June presenting the Todd Wright Trio and Jenny Snodgrass. Todd Wright is an Ambassador of Jazz for western North Carolina. He has performed with international jazz greats Benny Golson, Clark Terry, Wycliffe Gordon, Billy Taylor and others. The concert will feature Todd and guitarist, Andy Page and drummer, Rick Dilling. Dr. Jennifer Sterling Snodgrass relocated to the High Country, Snodgrass, however prior to her move, she was an active member of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and featured performed with the Jack Gilfoy Jazz Trio in the Downtown Concert Series in Indianapolis. Snodgrass continues to sing in various venues in western North Carolina, including recitals within the Hayes School of Music and with the Wilkes Chamber Singers.

When: Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 5:30 pm

Where: Brushy Mountain Ruritan Park, 10th and Main

Cost: FREE to the public

What to Bring: Your own chairs to enjoy the show

What to do after: Enjoy a lovely dinner at Applewood Bistro, 3 miles past Wilkes Community College, Hwy 268 towards the lake.

The Return of the Primal Element at Ivy Ridge and No-It Is Not Lust!

Lust? Primal Elements Soap! Get it? Oh, well maybe not, but I am trying to keep this blog interesting, so what can I say?

Primal Elements Soaps are back at Ivy Ridge. This is a company that we first carried when we opened our doors in September, 2000. We sold tons of this soap over probably a 5 year period. What happened to it? Well honestly, the company had two big price increases in a seven month period and of course we were not happy about the fact we had to keep increasing the price, so we moved on to another brand. The "other brand" was never the soap of Primal Elements and did not stay around for long-basically because they never had the cool soap designs of Primal.

Well what about the price now? Each soap slice is $8.99 and the cool designs allow you to pick a gift that fits a friend's personality. Please note the designs pictured are not exact matches to what we have in stock, so be sure to stop by as the designs change from time to time.

A Cool Quote:
"The folks at Primal Elements make their soap from pure vegetable glycerin, creating scents (and looks) that Dial only dreams of." GQ Magazine, December 2002

Our First Special Offer!

Please print this out and bring it in for a special "Thank You" for finding our new blog! You can right click and save it as a picture for easier printing, if you would like.

Quick Low Fat Pizza Bake

Here goes the food part of our blog! First let me say this is not gourmet...it is a recipe I found on the Weight Watchers's message boards that is super quick to make, low fat and feeds the need for pizza, when you are trying to maintain or lose weight-plus kids really love it!

4 oz Hormel Turkey Pepperoni, I like to cut them into small pieces

8 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese

1 1/2 cup reduced fat bottled spaghetti sauce

20 Biscuits (which is two pop'em rolls of biscuits-the small ones that are lower in fat)

You can also add any ingredients you want that you like on your pizza - mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, hamburger or sausage-keep in mind adding some items could change the low-fat part of the dish .

Remove biscuits from cans and cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and place in mixing bowl. Add sauce and coat biscuits, so they do not stick together. Add pepperoni, a handful of cheese and mix. Place in a 9X13 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 450 until cheese melts and biscuits are done - about 10-15 minutes-I like it to be pretty golden on top to be sure the biscuits are done and not doughy in the middle.

Enjoy-

Angela

40% Off Retiring Vera Bradley Colors & Styles!

Vera, Vera, Vera! I promise not to dominate this blog talking about Vera Bradley, all the time. However, 40% off the suggested retail price, plus the biggest retirement sale in Vera Bradley history just has to get a mention. Honestly, we have a lot of product to offer at 40%. Usually, by the time, 40% off rolls around there is not as much to choose from...not this time! We have a LARGE SELECTION, INCLUDING SOME CURRENT COLORS IN RETIRING STYLES at both shop locations! So, if you live close, get in your car right now and drive on over (unless we are closed, i.e. night-time, early morning, or Sunday)! Everyone needs a little Vera in their lives and 40% off makes it even sweeter!

Save the Economy Three Stores at a Time!

A campaign is beginning to take root across the country called The 3/50 Project, which focuses on supporting local businesses.

It began when Rieva Lesonsky (Consulting Editor at BizWomen.com) began to think about the effects of the poor economy on her favorite independent businesses in her local community. She decided to pick three businesses a month and support them with her shopping dollars.

The goal is simple: Decide to frequent three local brick and mortar businesses that you don’t want to see disappear, and spend a very affordable $50 per month doing it. It could be those three or another three. Doesn’t matter. It’s about funneling revenue back into local business. You know-—the folks that pour money back into the community via commercial property taxes, payroll taxes, sales tax, and salaries (not to mention all that good will by way of volunteer time, silent auctions, sponsored softball teams, workshops, book signings, etc.).

This post is not about supporting Ivy Ridge Traditions rather it is about taking care of our community, so we can have a thriving downtown community. The independent business owners in our area are our friends, family and church members. Please watch for our local North Wilkesboro businesses as we band together to place a newspaper ad based on this program.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

I know we have talked about Kameleon Jewelry and Jewel Pops from time to time, maybe on and on, but we have many great ladies sporting this sterling silver jewelry that allows the center to "pop out" and be replaced with another cool pop in a different color or style. One ring with a closet of outfits, you might say. There are also pendants, earrings and bracelets; however the rings have been the favorite for customers by far.

The whole purpose of this post is to basically say....we got a huge shipment of Kameleon Jewelry this past week and have the BEST SELECTION EVER. If you are thinking about adding this line to your jewelry box now is the time! Here are a couple of YouTube links that demo Kameleon Jewel Pops...the first one is 50 seconds and second link is five minutes....a little information (50 seconds) or too much information (5 minutes)! Warning the music is a little odd...it is quiet nice muted!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiwGiyQ4eg4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht4xj8LtIkw

Here I Am...Ready to Put Everyone in the Know! No Snoring Allowed!

Here I am...me and my little crayon body...I am the owner of Ivy Ridge. Welcome to our blog. If you look for me on Facebook, you will find my bobble headed crayon character also. I like her because, 1) She is thinner than my real body (although I am working on that one-more to come later), 2) I like her haircut better than my own right now and 3) Her closet can be full for very little cost...I can draw although without much talent-just joy. I have to give my daughter, Mackenzie, credit for my All-American outfit, I am currently wearing. She is fourteen, however she was probably 8 when she drew this (my head has been updated since then, of course). Mackenzie would hate it if everyone thought this drawing was her teenage artistic ability, although if you asked her she would say she is a terrible artist, but she's not...she just cannot see her own talent like many of us!

You are lucky, because you will not always be reading material from my brain, rather our staff at Ivy Ridge will chime in from time to time with their favorite stuff, happenings and thoughts. Maybe between all of us, we will keep this blog jumping!

I welcome you to join in reading on any day at your leisure. I am only hoping to keep this interesting and a positive reflection of myself, the Ivy Ridge staff, our shops and work.

Angela Jordan Day, Shop Keeper

Need More Ivy Ridge...

Join us on Facebook as a Fan at http://www.facebook.com/ and search for "Ivy Ridge Traditions." Also you are welcome to join our email list for special announcements, discounts and event updates by mailing Ashley, our Elkin manager, at ashley@ivyridge.com

Oh, I hope you can never have too much Ivy Ridge...thank you for being a great customer!

See ya soon,

Angela