{ WaMu Hosts INSIDE OUT Holiday Display }

Nope - not a big tree with lights, but a really cute retro tinsel tree in a burlap base. And, decorations held by vintage clothespins. Simple wood boxes and cloches display great gift ideas for everyone on your [good?] list.

You might want to grab an extra twenty before you leave the bank..

When you drop by the WaMu [on 2nd Street in Snohomish] this week to check out our holiday gifts vignette, be sure to find the box filled with little treat bags (samples of Cosmo's kernel-free caramel corn)! The BEST caramel corn EVER - and you can take that to the bank! (My uber-awesome & brace-faced nephew will be thrilled to know the stuff is generally safe for his orthodontic-ness, too!) http://www.cosmoscaramelcorn.com/faqs/

And, don't worry...we sell the BIG caramel bags in the shop. Bring your empty treat bag, or finish licking the caramel off and by all means keep it, & you'll score your choice of $1.00 off your caramel corn -OR- a free Caroline's Krispette Mmmini (also insanely YUMMY!) from now until the new year. No limits! Well, okay - there's one*.

*Limited to stock on hand, of course. When it's gone, it's gone!

Mmmmerry Christmas!

{ Have a Hip Happy Hour this Holiday! }

I said, a hip-hop the sippy the sippy to the hip hip hop a you don't stop... (Mixologist's Delight...anyone?!)

This is an absolute gotta-have-it for the expert, novice, or wannabe (but, always hip) bartender. Even if you have no idea what you are doing behind the bar (hey, some of us are just better in front of it...), you'll look like a pro.

The Cube Jigger is intriguing to behold; it's also completely functional with each side premeasured to ensure perfect liquor amounts are poured into your delicious concoctions.

It's the season of Cheer! Literally.

Cheers!

{ Only 365 More Shopping Days 'Til this Time Next Year! }

You're totally planning to be more organized in 2009, right?!

Or, was it more eco-conscious??

...Oh, you're buying "made in the USA" and shopping at independent or local shops even more than you already do...Bravo! How about if we get you started on efficiency, too...like two birds, one stone. (Not that we condone throwing rocks at birds, or anyone for that matter.)

Saturday, December 13th save 40% on the freshest, sustainably harvested, gorgeously-designed desk calendars we've ever laid eyes on or made eyes at. (Oh, how we love a great calendar). And, these beauties happen to be made in the USA to boot. Now that rocks.

At this price, load-up the gift closet. You know some hard-to-buy-for person will pop up at the last minute. You'll be ready. Because YOU are organized. And now, your gift recipient will be, too. Happy New Year.

Thank you for supporting INSIDE OUT and our indie friends and neighbors in Historic Downtown Snohomish.

{ Smells Like Christmas Spirit }

Oh geez! Please forgive the Nirvana reference, but a clean house is utter nirvana to me. (A messy, smelly one...nerve-wracking).

If you weren't on INSIDE OUT's VIP mailing list, and missed out on this delish-deal on Holiday Caldrea, do not fret, mon amie. We've got a serious thing for Caldrea products and reward our fellow (okay, tres femme & fab) Caldrea junkies. We even have a special "club."

Drop by INSIDE OUT and get the best deal going on Caldrea. Anytime. For every $50 in Caldrea product purchases (excludes sales), score a $10 credit at INSIDE OUT. *details in store*

Do you have to carry around a club card? No way! We'll keep track for you and let you know if you're close to your extra credit. And, since you're in the shop picking-up the housekeeping goodies, try a dollop of lotion in a fragrance you haven't used before. Go on with your adventurous-self! Much better than trying to sniff things through the internet, right?!

Do you have a favorite Caldrea tip, tool or product? (Our house- I love the stainless-steel cleaner and countertop brush; my daughter digs the laundry-folding board; the hubby is a fan of the soft-copper lint brush...and everyone seems to love the soap & lotion set in the guest bath. Best-seller - The All-Purpose Cleaner! You've told us some great ways to get mileage from this stuff!) Please let us know why you love Caldrea!

Happy Holiday-Housekeeping! -Allison

[ "Are You on Our VIP Mailing List Yet?" ]

DON'T MISS OUT! You could be at INSIDE OUT right now scoring unlimited pairs of glam-o-licious sparkle for your pretty little earlobes. Think of the magic you have when he whispers sweet-nothings in your ear and is unwittingly put into a trance by the swaying glittery gems...hypnotize him into buying you the cute eco-chic bag you might have missed yesterday.

Besides, you have that work-party, and the new dress and jewelry are really what make the whole affair bearable.

Don't you just love a great deal on fabulous stuff found at INSIDE OUT?! Well...dear shopping soul-mate...If you haven't joined already, you'll really want to be on the VIP email list (sign up at einsideout.com), because tomorrow's item of the day will be a whopping 75% off! Sure, odd numbers make the discount math a little trickier, but sale-math is ALWAYS worth it!

{ Daily Secret Sale | Sweet 1-day deals at INSIDE OUT! }

There are how many days left?! Okay, try not to break a sweat here...you can do it. Every day from here 'til Christmas, INSIDE OUT will have a super-sweet 1-day bargain in the Snohomish shop. Can't make it to our cute little town? No problem...give us a call and we'll happily take your order and ship to you at the shipper's rate - no handling fee, nothing extra.

**Please note - items are limited to stock on hand and these deals will fly the coop swiftly!**

We decided to hook you up with Santa-sized savings on all of our eco-friendly bags right off the bat. This way, you'll have something to tote your future bargains in, plus we suspect being more "green" is in your 2009 Resolutions. So, if you are going to procrastinate on Christmas shopping, we can at least help you get a jump on the New Year! (Maybe you're not a procrastinator after all.)

Our very cool eco-bags make a fabulously cute, non-wasteful giftwrap, too. (not to mention - EASY PEASY gift wrap...hello?! No tape, no cutting, no folding odd edges...no one judging your so-so skills with paper, ahem, or plastic. That remionds me, what the heck are those weird little sticky-backed bows made from anyway???)

There you have it. Our first gift to our shopping soul-mates. In return, I only ask one favor of you...pretty please...do save one of the "be green. not mean" totes for me. I absolutely adore it! (oh - and the "popcorn!" book, and the recycled glass and sterling jewelry, and...)

Happy shopping and joyful giving! -Allison

{ Wishes Fulfilled ... at Every Budget }

Down to your last holiday-shopping dollar(s) already, but still have a list?
No problem!

For a whopping 95-cents give a cheeky & collectible Jane Jenni button to your "Social Butterfly Night Owl Happy Camper Tree Hugger..."

Or, a big & delicious handmade, parchment-wrapped, marshmallow dressed in caramel or fudge. (the best thing to happen to a graham cracker in ages!).

Maybe you have a buck-fifty...give a charming pewter pocket token good for a girls' night out, cocktails, breakfast in bed, or a priceless hug. Made in the USA and super sweet.

1.95 scores a gilded invitation to send to a friend you've been meaning to reconnect with.

Got a co-worker you like, but c'mon...you like your cash, too?! Throw 6.95 at us and we'll hand you a stunning 25-hour Voluspa boxed candle with dreamy scents crafted by a French perfumer now in the USA. Just tie a nice ribbon around the box and you are golden, darling!

7.95? How about a unique, industrial-looking music maker to affix to a door frame, desk or cube wall? "Singing in the Rain" seems appropos for a NW Christmas. "Imagine" also suits the season...we've got both!

Rough week, my stylish, savvy, shopping soul mates? Get yourself a copy of "Hip Sips" (12.95), invite your friends and assign everyone a bottle and a mixer to bring and have a pot-luck open bar cocktail party. (You needed that!) Need ambience, too? 18.95 gets you a classic, lounge-y CD. Hoping for a raise?! Pick up the deceptively super-sized wine glass (umm, it holds an entire bottle of vino), and pour the boss a cheery cabernet. No guarantees about the raise, but at least the boss will be better company. (19.95 well spent!)

We've got ridiculously thoughtful gifts (and indulgent keepers!) to cover the toughest cookies on your shopping list. Drop by and just try to stump this band. We are shopping savants and love a good challenge...

{ Black Friday...and Saturday, and Sunday... }

Here it is: a starting point for your shopping list. Everything on it is under $20 (most are WAY under!) And, when you make a purchase at Inside Out THIS WEEKEND (11/28/08-11/30/08), we'll throw in a FREE Stocking-Stuffer Gift Certificate from Inside Out!

Feel free to pick up a little something for yourself as insurance...goodness knows what oddities people might have been inclined to buy for you at 4am!

We've been carefully selecting super-fly gifts and stylish, original accents for your digs for a solid 6-years now. We've been completely lucid and respect that you like to shop that way, too. That said, please feel free to enjoy your beauty-sleep. Roll in around 11am. Great finds will be waiting for you at Inside Out. And, we've bedecked our signature gift bags to save you from fussing with the double-sided tape. Merry Christmas!

-Allison & Jackie

{ "SEATTLE Metropolitan" Says Your Holiday Shopping Tour Starts Here: Inside Out }

We're big fans of Seattle Metropolitan magazine, so you can imagine our joy when a customer dropped in today to show us the "Holiday Shopping Tour" feature in the November issue touting Inside Out as "...one of the most popular stops in Snohomish..." And, as if that wasn't flattering enough...our little shop in charming downtown Snohomish happens to be the starting point of their tour itinerary throughout Puget Sound. THANK YOU, Seattle Metropolitan, for including Inside Out in your road trip.

Every excursion needs the perfect soundtrack; we enthusiastically recommend Holiday music, literally...a little Billie Holiday creates the perfect ambience for a sojourn of sips, spas and shops. If you're in the mood for something with sleighbells, we've got that covered, too. "Sentimental Christmas" offers a 1940s jazz appeal and is zippy enough to match the zest of shop-til-you-drop types. If you're a fan of jazz, or have one on your shopping list, we have the perfect thing for you to take on your trip to grandma's...The NPR Map! This fabulous little resource tunes you into NPR stations all over the continental United States. (And, of course, a portion of proceeds benefits NPR.)

{ Sometimes, Santa has the same effect on kids, that clowns have on grown-ups... }

Don't get me wrong. Santa ROCKS! But, don't you have a pic of yourself from days of yore wailing at the top of your lungs, sitting on the lap of some big stranger-dude with excess facial hair, and dressed like a velvet stop-sign?!

We thought so. (Been there.) (Done that.)

Our friends from Bee Bops & Lollipops and Heather Lynn Photographie will be having a Santa-Free (and by free, we also mean complimentary!) Santa Baby photo shoot at INSIDE OUT on Sunday, November 30, 2008. This group of entreprenuerial ladies understands that the Christmas photo is really about the frock and patent shoes! (Tear-inducing Santa optional.)

Wait. It gets even better.

BB&L will have piles of frilly & festive tutus and fancy-schmancy accessories to get your cheer on, baby. And, when the close-ups are all done...the cheer will go on. Those tres-fabu frillies will be donated to Seattle Children's Hospital and bring the joy of a really big, fluffy tutu to another crew of smiling beauties.

For more details about this super-special event, please drop by Inside Out, or call Angela (BB&L) 425.754.3227.

SMILE!

-Allison

{ a holiday preview SALE! }

Yeah, that's right. Call us crazy, but we'd rather get the good stuff on sale and get the giving going so we have time left over for gift-wrapping & getting our good-cheer on! Speaking of which, I'm reading "Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous." It's a pretty fabulous, hot-pink little guide (secret weapon, really) for the girl who wants to live well while living it up. Author, Esther Blum even answers the Q: "On those nights when I can't get it together to actually make something, what kind of prepared foods (i.e. frozen dinners) are actually good for me?" Sisters - you know that will be us for the next 6-weeks. **Just a few copies left and at 20% off the cover - what are you waiting for?!**

And, if you haven't dropped in lately, you may not have seen our super-sassy, soy-licious, delectible candles by a scent of scandal. If you're a member of our V.I.P. Event Email List (SIGN UP at: http://www.einsideout.com/events.htm) - you will have a special-order opportunity that we have never offered before. It's a great opportunity to load-up on scandalously saucy and eco-friendly faves as:

• BEE-OTCH (honey) The sweet aroma of honey with a fringe of bitters.
• D-CUPS (melons) A fresh combo of ripe cantaloupe and honeydew.
• BACK SEAT OF MY CAR (vanilla) A well-rounded vanilla underscored by tonka bean.
• SUGAR DADDY (brown sugar) A sweet blend of maple sugar and molasses.
• SKINNY B**** (waifer) The scrumptious aroma of a vanilla wafer cookie.
• TIGHTY WHITIES (fresh laundry) A sweet floral of jasmine and violets with a smooth woody background.

And, there's the Snoho fave: A ROLL IN THE HAY (grass), a portion of whose proceeds benefit the non-profit org, Farm Sanctuary. These candles are hot on every level.

Hurry in while the gettin' is good! -Allison O.

{ National Vinegar Day - Sat., November 1st }

OMGawsh! Inside Out now offers O Olive Oil and Vinegars. I love bringing elegant bottles of O Champagne Vinegar to Holiday Parties - who doesn't love to bring an original hostess gift and this one is super affordable, too (WAYunder $20). Their Balsamic is sweet and divine. And, the bottles look amazing in my mid-century, modern kitchen. But, why-O-whyyyy can't they come in gallon jugs?! The stuff is just so very good. Pop into the shop this Saturday and sample some for yourself...

While you're visiting, take a peek at this terraced olive oil dipping dish, or "pinzimonio", featured in InStyle, New York Magazine, Wine Spectator, Gourmet, Elle Decor, Oprah and many more. It's the perfect vessel to highlight the rich color of O Olive Oils. The hand-finished, terracotta, white-glazed dish is a surprising, simple-yet-sophisticated way to start conversation and meals. Happy Vinegar Day!

-Allison

{ Pink for the Cure, Antique & Boutique Warehouse Sale }

WE'RE WEARING PINK - FOR THE CURE!

DATE: SAT., OCTOBER 25th TIME: Noon - 4:00pm PLACE: Carnegie Building 105 Cedar Historic Snohomish WA 98290

You're all invited to learn more about breast cancer prevention, early detection and ask questions & get answers from representatives of Valley General Hospital. Pick up a limited supply of pink goody bags with giveaways from merchants, and score some great deals from local businesses at this special warehouse sale!

{ Snohomish is Dressing Pink for the Cure }

Friday, October 24th, 2008
By Official Proclamation of Snohomish Mayor Randy Hamlin, you are invited to show your support for breast cancer research, and the women in all of our lives. Participate by wearing PINK and making a donation to the non-profit Susan G. Komen, Passionately Pink for the Cure!

SNOHOMISH DONATIONS Link: http://www.komendonations.org/site/TR/PassionatelyPink/PassionatelyPink?px=3112645&pg=personal&fr_id=1080

{ Nancy Pearl's Top Ten Libraries--USA Today }

What better place to introduce your child to a library than one that has received such accolades as the Snohomish Public Library...then again...what better place for a mom to escape sans little ones?! Our favorite spot is beside the fireplace, in the back of the library. The stunning original artwork is even more inviting and warm than the actual flames emitted within it. Sculpture created by Steven Gardner who, if I may say so, is younger and hotter than your average artist. Seriously - visit his website (to which you can credit the attached image). http://www.gardnerart.com/

And, Librarian-extraordinaire, Nancy Pearl, says: “What will immediately strike you when you walk into the Snohomish Library is the abundance of natural light,” Pearl says. “Even during those gray and rainy winter days, it feels as though the windows are catching sunlight and magnifying it.” Built in 2003, the spacious library of contemporary design “has lots of nooks and comfortable seating where you can settle down with a good book.” 877-766-4753; sno-isle.org/page/?ID=1207

Tell us: What's the First Book You Fell in Love With?

{ Fall for Snohomish }

Starting a family tradition is as easy as going to one of the Pumpkin Farms in the Snohomish Valley, with views of Cascade Mountains, and real working farms..this experience is outstanding!

Begin in the Historic District of Snohomish with breakfast, take in a few stores for Halloween decor and fun, then head for the farms when the sun is warm to select fresh gourds, take hay rides, get cornfused in a maze...and pick out that perfect pumpkin...or two, or three....wear sturdy shoes! www.festivalofpumpkins.org

Just on the 25th.......

The Historic District, has many events including a pumpkin race down the river...with Search and Rescue Demo Team...picking out the winning pumpkin. Children's games & contests.

Antique & Boutique Warehouse Sale, Noon to 4pm at Carnegie 105 Cedar in the District, Bargains sale, Free admission when you pledge to donate to Susan G Komen. Make a donation by clicking on this link http://www.komendonations.org/site/TR/PassionatelyPink/PassionatelyPink?px=3112645&pg=personal&fr_id=1080

{ A Story in Your Home }

Each item in a collection has its own story, it's own memory - the search, the day you bought it, who you were with, the vacation... - Tricia Guild and Elizabeth Wilde
It is part of enjoying what you have...stop, take a look and remember.