Autumn is in the Air!

These lovely home fragrance products from Greenleaf are currently in stock and making the shop smell GREAT! There are scented envelope sachets, potpourri, soy candles and room spray. It's a spicy, citrusy, Fall fragrance--not too food-like, just nice.

Send your little spooks out trick or treating with a special LED keyring light that makes a scary noise and lights up when you push the button.

Older kids (5+) will love making up their own monster scenes with this self-contained magnetic monster set--choose different heads, torsos, legs and backgrounds. With some creative photography, you could make a cool flip movie!

For the mini Iron Chefs out there, we have the Melissa and Doug apple pie set--slice your apple, put it in the pie and bake. Be sure to use the oven mitt when you take it out of your "oven"! Then slice and serve it up with the included pie server. Nothing says Fall is here like the smell of fresh baked apple pie, even if it is a pretend one.

Every day is kid's day!

Now that Mother's Day is over, and you inevitably heard the question, you can prove it's true by stopping by and picking up a little (or big) something for the kids!

This fold and go wooden treehouse is about the cutest toy I've ever seen! It comes with a bear and a bunny, two chairs, a table, a ladder and two beds. It opens up for easy treehouse access, and has a handle to easily take it elsewhere. The front door opens and everything!

For all those little royalty-obsessed kids we now have the Prince and Princess dressup magnetic dolls. They come with stands so you can really play with them (but I think that changing the clothes is the most fun part)!

Gear up for your Summer road trips with this flip to win license plate game--the plates and map will help you and your little ones find the state that has the plate! Great for ages 8 to adult!

Who doesn't enjoy a rousing game of travel bingo? There are different cards to slide in behind the tiles so you can switch from country to city to vehicles to keep it relative to your immediate location.

This kickball is just like the red playground balls you had as a kid--they even smell the same (yes, I smelled them)! The only difference is that this one has the cutest little ladybug on it. Ages 2+. Who wants to play kickball?

We're fully stocked on all the food toys as well. The newest ones are the brownies and the apple pie. Oh! And there's a special occasion cake that's two layers with lots of add ons.

New Toys and Treats for the Holidays

I have been playing around with can tab crafts lately and came up with this cute little wreath ornament. If any of you drink canned beverages and could save the tabs for me, I'd appreciate it. I've also got some bracelets in the works with various colored accents.

I just got done unpacking a big order from Melissa and Doug. I'm pleased that I am one of the first retailers to carry two new toys from them: the cupcake set and the Prince and Princess dress up wooden dolls! The cupcakes combine the baking action of the cookie set (still a favorite) and the candles/decorations of the birthday cake.

EVENT NOTICE

Deck the Depot Festival of Lights Saturday December 12th 5 - 9pm.

Come on down to the Depot District (Windsor/Stanley and Grove Ave.) to enjoy a host of holiday treats--carolers, a petting zoo with reindeer, pictures with Santa Claus, heated trolley rides, sleigh rides and hay rides. Every participating business will have treats and specials for the evening! Here at Fly Right we'll give you 10% off one item and candy and pretzels. This is in conjunction with the Berwyn Park District's Polar Express Ride (which unfortunately sold out in October). Please stop by!

Vacation or Staycation--we've got you covered!

This Summer, it seems people are sticking a little closer to home for their family vacations. We have just what you need to get out of town and possibly see an endangered species--the roadside attraction, weird water tower, or kooky museum. Berwyn author Jerome Pohlen has written a great series of travel guides, and we sell some of the ones closest to home: Oddball Illinois, Oddball Wisconsin, Oddball Iowa, and Oddball Indiana. I made him sign all the copies, so you not only get the book, you get the autograph at no extra charge! The books are divided into territories, so it's easy to look up the areas you'll be driving through. (the author warns us to call ahead and confirm that the attractions are still there--a good example is the Spindle here in Berwyn which is on the cover of Oddball Illinois).

While you're driving around out of town, why not let the locals know where you're from with one of the "Ich Bin Ein Berwyner" shirts--the newest batch is heather gray and comes in S-XXL.

Big fat wallets make driving a pain in the butt for the purseless among us. Come check out the ultra thin/light and super cool Mighty Wallets. They're made from Tyvek--a recyclable paper-thin material that's sturdy, waterproof, and recycled. They come in a variety of prints from tattoo images to shredded paper. Just looking for a small wallet to hold your ID and some cash? We have recycled plastic coin purses with cute images--waterproof and perfect for the pool or a small evening bag. For carrying your pool and beach gear, we have large totes made from recycled plastic as well.

We have some car-friendly toys and games for the young kids, and road trip journals for the older ones. Don't be like me and lose a small Barbie shoe in the seats of the car--it really ticks Dad off. . .

New Games for Older Kids (and one for little ones)

I just got in a shipment from Gamewright. These award-winning card games were recommended to me by a customer (hello, Geralyn!) and her two boys (ages 7 & 9). She said the games are great because adults as well as kids enjoy playing them, and some of them can be played in 12 minutes or less. All but one of them are made in the USA.

Pets love Spring too!

Spring is here, and I've been seeing a lot more dogs out and about lately! Today I got shipments of pet supplies from two different vendors, so the pet shelf is full once more.

Back by pupular (sorry) demand are the Hurley bones from West Paw. They're super-tough, they float, are flexible, and they bounce at crazy angles.They're made of Zogoflex (a word they most likely made up) and are made partially from post-industrial waste. They offer a one time replacement if your dog destroys it, and they are happy to take back and recycle the Hurley when your pet is done with it. Zogoflex is FDA approved for use by pets, and they are made in the USA.

When I opened the shipping box, I could smell this organic catnip. It's strong! It's all leaves, finely crushed--no stems or seeds. If your cat likes regular catnip, he'll never go back after trying organic. Even cats who seemed indifferent to catnip before love this stuff.

For all pet owners, these window stickers are vital. Every fireman who has come into my store says that these are noticed immediately and are very helpful to them for knowing to look for your pets in case the unthinkable happens. This is the one product that I sell that I hope never gets used.

We also have a new batch of all natural dog and cat treats from Zuke's, and we still have some of that great-smelling Dog Poo (natural shampoo for dogs) and Flea Flee spray from Sunfeather natural soap company. And of course we still have the Gulpy water bottles. Feel free stop in with your dog--I'll give him or her a treat if you'll let me!

Valentine Gifts for Kids

This is a bead set with three cords and over 70 beads--for ages 4+. The cords have aglets, so no needle necessary!

I have one of these fold and go doll houses left--this particular one has been discontinued by Melissa and Doug, so if you want it, come and get it! Comes complete with dolls and furniture as shown. Child not included.

This racing ramp is super cool. Unlike other similar ones, this one has two seperate starting gates to make the race fair to both players. Can also be used by one kid, as shown in the picture.

For young ladies (at least 18 months old) this Pretty Purse Fill and Spill comes with everything a gal on the go needs--cell phone, wallet full of money, keys, and a compact with powder puff and mirror. As the name implies, it's fun to fill it and spill it over and over and over again. I also have Fill and Spills in sports and tools, but they don't have hearts on them, so I didn't include them in the pictures--still appropriate for a Valentine's gift, though.

Gifting Success!

Those of you who have come in and looked at the Lauri Toys Mosaic sets may have heard me say that I gave one to my cousin Gus for his 5th birthday. Well, here's a picture of Gus with one of his completed projects. He looks so proud. . .

We're going to Iowa (if we can get out of here--the basement has been "leaking" a bit) today and will be back to be open on Wednesday from 12-5 for all your host/hostess gift needs for the big New Years Eve parties you're going to. If the weather gets bad, you might want to call the store before venturing out. 708-484-7899.

HUGE thanks to all of you who helped make December our best month ever! I will be posting the raffle winners on New Years Day--good luck to all who entered!

More toys than you can shake a stick at!

We have a variety of cute Christmas/Winter themed toys for kids, including an adorable Advent calendar that you can use year after year. It's like the sticker play scenes, only you add a new sticker to the North Pole scene every day until Dec. 24th, then you add Santa in his sleigh. I remember how excited I used to get when it was time to do the next thing on the Advent Calendar, but unlike the paper ones, this one can be used over again every year. The "stickers" are actually like Colorforms, repositionable vinyl figures of sledders, skaters, snowmen, etc.

Check out this City Ramp racing Set! It's one of those things you can do over and over again and never get bored watching those little cars zooming down the ramps!

This has been on backorder (along with the cookies and grill set) for months! The Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Parlor set with magnetic scoops of ice cream and cones. They have one you can play with down at Over the Rainbow, so if your kids would like to take if for a test drive, see Tom.

The Slice and Bake Cookie Set from Melissa and Doug is brand new, and it looks fun. Slice 'em, bake 'em, and top 'em--just don't eat 'em. Even comes with a cute spatula and oven mitt. The grill set allows you to make kabobs and even comes with wooden barbeque tongs. The box looks like a grill, so you can pretend it's a little kiddie hibachi! The veggies and steak-like things are velcro-able, so you get to slice them apart with the included wooden knife. Just don't use real fire, and you're set!

We're gearing up for the Deck the Depot Festival of Lights on December 13th. Santa's coming, and some real reindeer too (you can pet them and everything!). Strolling carolers, and a fun contest sponsored by all of us merchants (you should see the prizes we've put together!). The contest is a punch card--just visit all the participating stores, get your card punched, and then fill out your information and drop it in the raffle box--we have 2 prize baskets with gift certificates, books, wine, Christmas decorations and more for the lucky winners. You have to have all your punches, though, or we'll recycle your entry like last week's newspaper. You have to be 21, also.

Christmas Merchandise for All!

Just the sweetest little gift cards ever--vintage repro in a paper envelope--20 for $5.50!

Time to think about sending out Christmas cards! We have a small selection of singles (some new, some vintage, and some local artist-made), as well as boxed sets.

Great new stuff from Pacifica--gift sets with a small body butter, a candle, matches, and a solid perfume--for only $15! Available in Avalon Juniper (shown) or Mediterranean Fig scents. Also some great new candles for the holidays!

Who doesn't love Rudolph? Cute Rudy puzzles and Christmas cards are here! We've also got Christmas themed lace up cards and sticker play scenes. There are lots of great Christmas linens to check out, too! We'll be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but Friday and Saturday we're open our regular hours--I'll be serving refreshments and playing Christmas muzak all day both days.

Back to School (window)

I have recently redone the front window of the store. It's almost time for kids to go back to school, so that's the theme for August. Since I don't really sell school supplies, I had to get creative with the theme. . . I found some old school lunch trays at the thrift store, so I made each of them into a little showcase of products that I sell, with a corresponding school name added to highlight them. Here are the trays/themes/products:

Nursery School: things for babies--toys, bibs, clothing
Obedience School: dog and cat toys and treats
Cooking School: foodstuffs and kitchen things
Beauty School: bath and body products
Art School: handmade jewelry, hair bows, coasters, candles

I only had 5 trays, so on the side I did a little "Correspondence Course" with note cards and office supplies, and "Play School" with some toys and puzzles scattered around.

Some of the items fit on the trays better than others, but I think it's a cute idea. I also put the little school desk in the window and the dress form is the "teacher" wearing my new T shirt. It says, "Ich Bin Ein Berwyner" and has JFK on it (yes, that's definitely a local product)! I just got a delivery from Sheriff Peanut which consisted of handmade bibs and screen printed onesies for babies, and the aforementioned T shirts for adults. It's all really cute stuff--thanks, Norah!

Other new things that have come in are MORE TOYS from Melissa and Doug (check out their wooden sushi slicing set) and Lauri toys (made in the USA from non-toxic rubber). I remember the Lauri toys from when I was a kid. I still kinda wanna put 'em in my mouth. . .

Hopefully next week. . .

I will be open for business! It seems my paperwork at City Hall isn't where it should be to schedule the inspections yet. Rats! I've left some messages and I'm hoping it will all be tidily resolved soon.

Jon has been working out of town again, and he needs the camera and the ladder for his job. I'm sorry I don't have any more "after" pictures yet. Maybe tomorrow. I'm luckily to the point of not needing the good ladder so much. The flimsy one is fine now that the painting is done.

Many of the products are on the shelves now. I have a much larger toy/kid/baby section than I thought I would, so hopefully the breeders of Berwyn will continue with their breeding. And hopefully the dog and cat owners will feel the need to buy their little babies a nice treat or toy.

I'm starting to get some of my artists' work together--the aprons that my friend Erika made are spectacular!!! We've got some made from vintage dresses that died, and one that she made from a man's oxford shirt that is really cute. Tomorrow my cousin Alexis is coming by with some samples of her crocheted wash/dish cloths and a few other things. I hope I can make us all rich!