55 WESTAND COMPANY

QUITE POSSIBLY... THE COOLEST STORE ON THE PLANET!!!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Hot Cocoa & All the Fixins!!!

Girls' Night Out might have been a frosty evening, but who could complain with free hot cocoa and other yummy treats being served throughout Historic Downtown Millersburg! It was a fun night for all who attended, with incredible shopping deals, giveaways, spa treatments and more!





Stef thought of it all when it came to the ultimate hot cocoa bar. Set atop one of 55's signature buffets, this spread included white chocolate mints, colorful sprinkles, cinnamon sticks, cookie crumbles and everyone's favorite - mini marshmallows!





Guests had more time to browse and shop this year, making it easier to check out all of the incredible treasures tucked throughout the store.




This fun set of painted antiques was a welcome greeting at the entrance of the shop. I love the funky little stand with the retro phone!



Pat and Joanne had a chance to catch up with one another shortly before the party started on Saturday afternoon.


Stef brought the pieces above together to create my favorite display in the shop. The light blues and greens and whites are a great complement to our wintry weather, but there's a hint of spring there too. I love the new window paintings with words of wisdom and inspiration. (The one in this photo says, "Happiness consists in realizing it is all a great, strange dream.")



Stef spruced up our tiny washroom with a fun yet classy new floor painting and painted black and white fabrics.

Stef shared some memories of many hours spent in the roller rink when she was a kid, but unfortunately, these skates are too small for her to show us her moves. Someday, though, the perfect pair will come through her shop, and then we want to see what she's really made of!!!

Girls' Night Out is a great time to let loose with your best girlfriends (and sisters!) and have a little fun. These five sisters were a real highlight of our night, with their boldly emblazened T-shirts proclaiming that each was Mom's favorite daughter. Mom wasn't there to give us the real scoop, but we have a feeling she'd never be able to choose between her gorgeous girls!


Stef's good friend Fern stopped in for the festivities and found a beautiful necklace that was perfect for her! Thanks to everyone who joined us for a fun night! If you weren't able to be there, be sure to stop in soon to see all the new antiques, handmade jewelry and one-of-a-kind window paintings! ~Jamie




Thursday, February 21, 2008

Gettin' ready for the big tadoo...


We're almost ready for the insane onslaught of crazed women who invade our store once a year during Girl's Night Out in Millersburg. If you have the chance, be sure to check it out! This year it's from 4 - 9 pm on Saturday, Feb 23. There are more free services and sales than I have time to list, but you can go to www.historicdowntownmillersburg.com for the complete list! Of course the most fun will be had at 55 where girls will find incredible sales (20-70% off) and a deluxe hot cocoa bar complete with Baileys!

We have the store simply rockin' in preparation for the big event. Even Cybil (above-who has a striking resemblance to Mick Jaeger...could be his sister...) got all dolled-up!

Get your friends together and come party with us!
stefanie

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Contemporary Art


Sixteen original paintings were a fun find at an auction in Fredricktown. Very mod!
stefanie

CAUTION!!!


This is one of many freaky mannequins who inhabit the second floor of 55 West. Some people think they're a little creepy, but I think it makes the store memorable! Check out the warning sign in the picture...hee hee!

stefanie

paintin' away

i love it when the workshop is just piled-up with works in progress... i get more creative and pumped-up as each piece comes together! this is the view from the second story stairway.
stef

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Right On!

The name of my store is 55 West & Co... I decided on this after many months of brainstorming with my mom and friends. I figured it was simple and catchy, it was the address, and it didn't limit me to any particular inventory, etc. In the last 9 years, I've heard more variations of the name than I can possibly count! Today, however, I heard the best one yet...

Out-of-towners Dan and Crystal Heiser explained that they had made a return visit to amish country, and Crystal really wanted to come here. When she couldn't remember the name of the store, she told Dan "I want to go to the Right On Store!" Let me explain... I get teased a lot for using the expression "Right on!"--sometimes I don't even realize it's coming out of my mouth! I have a few other catch phrases like "no worries!" but "right on" gets the most dramatic reactions.

I also love the word "funky". Not far into a one hour live radio spot, my friend Heather noticed that I had used it many times...so she began counting. Seventeen "funkies" later, the remote ended. I am such a goober!

-stefanie
p.s. pictured above are Dan and Crystal (right) with their giggling friends

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Go out on an" Artist Date" with yourself!

Several years ago, I worked through the book: The Artist Way by Julia Cameron. I especially loved the Artists Dates she encouraged us to take once a week...

I've been away from the store for a few days and I could feel the creativity oozing back into my veins as I took in the fresh rearrange and all the new "stuff" everywhere. It took me a while to get back to" playing" on the job because I was taking it all in.

Come in and give yourself a gift of an "Artist Date". Something you do for yourself to feed your soul. There is a gold mine of ways to be inspired! Pat

Express yourself... even if you make a mistake you are learning in the process.


I added a little color to this cute little cupboard. It's so fun to watch the little girls expressions when they see it! Pat

Newest Window Paintings




Let the creativity begin!!! Stef and I had a ball coming up with all the new window paintings and we just got in some art that might need to be on your walls. Pat

Monday, February 4, 2008

Naughty Poster


This original 50's movie poster is one of four that were brought to me by local couple Wayne and Cindy McDowell. Wayne, who's quite the storyteller by the way, explained that "back in the day" he would pull them out for occasional stag parties at the local golf course--how risque?!!!
-stefanie

Beating the winter blahs


HELLO, COLOR!!!
-stefanie

my new favorite thing


I just recently began working on these quote window paintings. I love the fact that these windows are finding a new use!--but more fun is finding quotes that mean something to me and just letting the patterns "grow"... stefanie

Sometimes I don't know when to say when... I stopped painting just in the knick of time on these coordinating pieces! - stefanie

You're only young once...