{ 14 Ways to Say "I Love You" }

In honor of 2009's status as "Year of the OX" (Finally - A Year of Hugs & Kisses!), Inside Out would like to offer 14 Ways to say "I Love You" to your special Valentine in this most smooch-worthy sounding year.

We invite you to pick up a little something for the sweeties in your world and enter our contest to win oodles of kisses (the chocolately kind!) before February 13th. We'll put it in a pretty gift bag, too!

1. "Best Places to Kiss" 10th Edition. (Here's why: Validate locations with your own research. Notify Seattle publisher of newly discovered smooching venues for 11th edition. Your pen name: "San Juan Don Juan." Cool.)

2. O & X Pewter Pocket Charms (usa. shown left.). (Here's why: It's the perfectly appropriate way to make a kiss or a hug last longer.)

3. "You're Yummy" Valentine card. (usa. sustainable product.) (Here's why: The sentiment really says it all - love is delicious.)

4. Indulge Caramels (portland, OR). (Here's why: Indulge caramels are Salty, Spicy, Nutty... just like the super silly, sassy & sweet Valentines in our lives)

5. Theo Chocolate (seattle, WA). (Here's Why: This company has a big heart! Fair trade chocolate. Antioxident rich. A treat good for the heart and the soul.)

6. "I Love You" bracelet (sterling silver). (Here's why: This one elecits an "Awwww" from everyone who sees it. Perfect since that's just how you feel about the person you'll give one to.)

7. Collectible Jane Jenni Buttons. (usa.) (Here's why: Need we say it? These are cute as a button, literally. You'll find one for every kind of Valentine: Puppy Love Social Butterfly Stud Muffin...and for 95-cents, you can afford to share the love.)

8. "The Totally Foxy Award" Ribbon. (usa) (Here's why: For First Place in Overall Foxiness. Why deny your Valentine's place in your eyes?! So cheeky.)

9. Breakfast in Bed Cookbook. (area author.) (Here's why: Everyone knows the way to someone's heart is through the stomach. Hmm. I actually thought it was through the doorknob-sized engagement ring. But, breakfast in bed sounds good, too.)

10. Scent of Scandal Candles "A Roll in the Hay." (sustainable product. charitable. usa.) (Here's why: Not only do these candles set the mood, but they are humorous about all topics amorous. Beware of giggles...)

11. Agent Provacateur, Game. (Here's why: It's a game of poker in a cute little box. Ahem, you can guess what variety of poker they are suggesting.)

12. Glass Heart Bauble. (Here's why: It's pretty. It's nice to hold in your hand. And just like a real heart, it should be handled with care. So sweet!)

13. Chai or Kona Coffee Massage Oil (usa). (Here's why: This is some fabulous massage oil! And people - this makes for a decadent hand massage because the stuff smells good enough to eat. And, you'll be pleased to know that it's food grade - so if you can't resist licking it from your fingertips...you're covered.)

14. Inside Out Gift Certificate. (Here's why: Because your Valentine's other love is shopping. But, we swear when any of the Valentines in your world are with us all they talk about is you!) ;-)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! -Allison & Jackie

{ Are we Crazy?! }

Okay - yeah...a little crazy for sure. If you've dropped by Inside Out to sneak a peek at the changes in store while we're closed for some primping...well, you noticed we papered-over the windows. It seems that just as is the case on those home make-over shows, it gets mighty oogly before it gets gorgeous. Yowsa! We couldn't bear to have witnesses just yet. Still...we do see the light. We've got our vision in tact and are working diligently to reopen on Weds. (Does that sound soon to you, too?!) Okay, we know some of you need a fix. Here's what we've been doing...
We went to Market Week! Oh the fabulous finds we've found! Great eco-friendly, socially conscious and absolutely delectible gifts and goodies that are guilt-free. We were inspired by a product that makes brown-bagging your lunch something we'll look forward to during the week (Green. Healthy. Budget-wise. And, especially pretty!). We have sea salt and grey salt chocolate-covered caramels from the fabulous Fran Bigelow (Seattle). Hand-knit cashmere baby hats in custom colors (Local indie designer!). And, you just KNOW that's only the beginning...

We've expanded our circle of friends! We're planning all kinds of events to gather the friends. In fact - when we reopen on Weds, you will see a jaw-droppingly adorable expanded baby & maternity boutique and a photography studio/gallery upstairs. We'll have Trunk Shows, Workshops, Special Events and in 2009 you'll score more gifts with purchase and other surprises. We have beeeeg plan for 2009. (Did you know we turn 6 this year?!)

Be sure to add your email address to our VIP email list (at http://www.einsideout.com/) and be privvy to advance notice of special events, exclusive tips, announcements and special offers. We're excited to help you make 2009 a year of trying new things, getting greener, enjoying the fabulous communities we call home and savoring moments.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support, friendship, and business. Please let us know what else you'd like to see at Inside Out in 2009. -Allison & Jackie

What the World Needs Now: Love. Sweet Love. (Save the Date: 02/06/09)

Happy (hour!) Valentine's Day! Okay, we are a teensy bit early, but we have more love than time...so we're adding a day. Join us in a celebration of love, love, love (it's easy). Here's the deets:

When:

4-6pm and 6pm - onward.

Hosted by:

Inside Out, Heather Lynn Photographie and Bee Bops & Lollipops

Start here:

115 Avenue A Snohomish WA 98290 (Historic District)

Space limited Tickets $10 r.s.v.p. online @ www.beebopsandlollipops.com

Toast little valentines with a bubbly beverage (sparkling cider) from 4-6pm.

And, from 6pm on—the bubbles get more sophisticated...champagne! (21 and over only!)

Throughout the event enjoy:

• Complimentary “photo-booth” film strip by HLP, with your Valentine(s), in our exclusive sassy photo-booth (adorned with girly tulle & feathers, if you choose).
• VIP After-hours shopping 10% - off storewide at BB&L and Inside Out
• Exclusive Discount for Heather Lynn Photographie services
• Complimentary “photo-booth” film strip by HLP, with your Valentine(s), in our exclusive sassy photo-booth (adorned with girly tulle & feathers, if you choose).
• Exclusive discount for Pink Blossom Events Services
• $5 BB&L credit certificate
• Yummies courtesy of Tiers of Delight (cookies and treats!)
• Door Prizes and Drawing for “14 Ways to Say 'I Love You' giveaway!"
• Spa services sampler
  ...And, dare we say...MORE!

Make a Valentine's date with your little ones (4-6pm), or your BFFs (6pm -->) and join us in a celebration of everything we love: friends, fashion, fun and fabulousness. And, while your here, feel free to register for a little something for yourself. We'll guide your main squeeze to the goods on your wishlist in time for February 14th - just send him our way.

{ Who Loves a Great Deal?! }

Whoopee! The Attic Sale is back at INSIDE OUT, and you are so invited...

Our annual uber-clearance sale is a great time to stock-up on gifts for 2009's calendar of special occasions:

Teacher thank you gifts * Hostess gifts * Birthdays * Anniversaries * Next year's stocking stuffers * And, my favorite... National Vinegar Day. (see November blog posts.)

Valentine's Day is just a blink away, too - February 14th. Great gifts for your main squeeze & your "other-kinds-of-Valentines" ... kids, BFF...

Drop everything, and score some sweet deals! See you soon...

{ HAPPY 2009! }

Oh happy joy! It's a New Year! New possibilities - new lists of things we will accomplish this year! I am excited to meet with my friends from Bee Bops & Lollipops (http://www.beebopsandlollipops.com/) to hatch plans for super-special events, workshops and buying excursions. We sure do have a lot of fun and can't wait to share the goodness we have in store.

For starters, Inside Out made a resolution to not only continue our eco-conscious ways, but to be as green as we possibly can be, and help our friends navigate this new greener-consciousness that we are thrilled to see everywhere.

But, hey...anyone else wish someone would just make the whole kitchen composting thing A LOT easier?! (We sure do.) So, we are on it!

Don't you love the look of a rain chain, but the significant other only cares about function? (This year, we'll explain how your rain chain can be a beautiful, functional and a very "green" way, we don't just mean the way the copper turns verdegris..., to harvest water run-off or filter run-off through a rain garden. My, how Pacific Northwest and eco-savvy of you!

And, this February, if you've already responsibly recycled all of your ex-luvahs, dahhhling, we'll share 14-ways to show the love for Valentine's Day. **HINT** We are pretty generous with the love at Inside Out: we love our friends, family, customers and pets, we love our piece of the planet, we love shopping, we love outfitting the perfect kitchen/guest room/gift-closet, we love sharing what we learn and we kinda love to blog, too.

March is literacy month. We are all over a good book! Besides, we gotta represent when we are within mere blocks of The Snohomish Library, named one of the Nations TOP 10 Libraries by Nancy Pearl in USA Today (see our related braggy-blog about our fave book-building!). Plus, this year, when you buy a book at Inside Out, we'll help make sure a tree is planted to make your reading a sustainably harvested habit.

That's certainly not ALL we are working on, so stay-tuned, follow our little bloggity-blog or Twitter page(www.twitter.com/einsideout), and get ready to fill your calendars with fun! That reminds me - our very sustainably produced 2009 calendars are a whopping 1/2-off while they last.

Thanks for a great 2008! Cheers to a spectacular and memorable 2009! See you soon...

-Allison