New Bamboo

So, we've got a bunch of new bamboo perfect for the warmer weather. We are updating the section soon, and we thought we'd start with one of our favorite new pieces.

Bamboo Circle Tunic

It has side pockets and would be great over a bathing suit to head to the beach, or also can be dressed up with some nice pants or leggings and cute flats. To see all four of the colors click here.

The Attic and The Basement

We've added two new sections to our catalog. The Basement is based off our take on thrifting. However it's easier, cleaner, and doesn't smell funny. We've put together a bunch of great shoes, clothes, and accessories that just never got used and may find a good home. And better yet, they are at GREAT prices!

The other area is our Attic. This spot in the catalog shows our cool vintage finds.

We are getting things up slowly, but surely, so keep checking for more cool items! We've got tons of it waiting to go live!

We've got new bamboo...

And we're ready to share it with you!

Join us as we have a Fall Fashion Affair with LilyGirl Jewelry. This night will allow you to see and try on, order, or buy from the new collection of Dreamsacks Bamboo! Fallbrook's local LilyGirl will be showing their handmade jewelry too. Get a head start on your gift giving for the season, or treat yourself to something new for the upcoming holidays!

Click on invite to enlarge

Thursday November 5th, from 5p-8p at a beautiful Fallbrook home.  

Please RSVP by November 1st, and we'll give you all the details.  

 It's going to be so much fun and we can't wait to reconnect with all of you!!!

-Tracy and Marie

www.athomeonmainstreet.com 

athomeonmain@gmail.com

Exciting Events on the Way

On a beautiful early autumn day in Southern California, At Home on Main Street and Lilygirl Jewelry joined forces for a photo shoot at the Beck Estate in Fallbrook. What an inspiring environment! The property provided "a dream location" with more places than you could ever use to capture great pictures.

We had professional photographer Joel Navarro,  from Imulsion Imagery Studio,  on hand to take the shots. He was awesome and easy to work with (even though he had several "art directors" on hand with ideas.) 

Our models for the day were Tracy and Paz Kinnaman, my daughter and daughter-in-law. Both are very photogenic and did an amazing job showcasing the bamboo clothing and jewelry.

At Home on Main Street will be showing eco-friendly bamboo clothing and Lilygirl Jewelry will be showing their gorgeous line of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings at several events this fall.

by Marie Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Time Marches On

Wow, it has been almost two months since we left our space in downtown Fallbrook.  I never thought I would be able to say - so soon - that I am enjoying life after shop keeping daily for six years.  

It took a while for me to know how to manage my days...what to do first, what to do next, what to do with all the free time.  Of course, time is never really "free" - as there is always something to do,  there is just not a clock telling me when to do it!  

The days are filled with design consultations, making aprons for Sew-Eco-Chic, and making plans for showing the newest in our best-selling bamboo clothing line,  with our friends at Lilygirl Jewelry.  They put on the most creative home parties and studio events.  I will be joining in on the fun in mid-October with a private party in Rancho Santa Fe, followed by a party at Lilygirl's Cardiff home and a big gathering here in Fallbrook in November.  Stay tuned for more details.

Marie Kinnaman

A New Day

Well the store is finally closed.  Everyone wants to know what my mom Marie is going to do now.  

She is excited to keep working in the redesign field (if you forgot, that's how this all got started... check it out here for a refresher course).  She will also continue the reclaimed clothing line Sew Eco Chic, and those wonderful aprons made from men's shirts!  

Marie is passing the entirety of the website off to me now, so expect a few small changes soon! But for the most part, things will be as per the usual in the virtual At Home!

The store looked so strange as it emptied out over the past couple months.  But I guess it's finally time to move on to the next challenge.  As a person who rarely ever shops online myself, this is going to be quite the job.

Talk to you all soon!

By Tracy Kinnaman

Men's Shirts

My dad never wants to buy new clothes.   My mom has to buy him new clothes before he will get rid of old ones.  Keep in mind when I say old ones, I mean old ones.  What is this fatal attraction to the same worn patterns over and over again?

Of course we are not proponents of a quick cycle through of seasonal impulse buys either, but there is a middle ground we can stand on.  And the cool thing?  We've got a great use for your husband's old tried and true shirts.

Marie has been making aprons from cast away men's clothing.  Sometimes she will use a women's skirt too, I mean really, the garment you choose can be anything at all!

The thing I like best is if you have any clothes you don't want to part with, but know it's time to recycle or that you don't wear, you can still have them in this new way.  I think they're simply awesome. 

Here are some that she's made and sold already.

Everything about these aprons are recycled.  The detailing, the buttons, the ties.  Sweet!

So if you decide you want a great gift or reuse of some of old time favorites, let us know and we'll see what Marie can conjure up!

Dear Customers and Friends...

The time has come to share some news about the store and what we are up to. Today, Tuesday March 24th, we'll start our Store Closing Sale. Of course we are very sad about this news and we know many of you will be disappointed too.

It has been fun and we have really enjoyed getting to know our customers. We hope you enjoyed having us here. We're closing the "Brick and Mortar" store but we will keep our web site going and see if that has any success. I know, I know it is not the same thing at all -- but it means some of your favorites will still be available and we can arrange for local pickup.

We are not going to rush out, and the store closing sales starts with 25% off everything. Some items that were already on clearance are marked down more. If there was something you've had your eye on, come on by and pick it up while you can!

We're selling everything but the kitchen sink (which means the wooden tub is on sale too) -- and the store fixtures will be available as well.

Tracy and Brian will be working more during the sale, so stop in to see what you cannot live without!

Laissez Les Bons Temps

Laissez Les Bons Temps ... Let the Good Times Roll

On Fat Tuesday (February 24th) we'll be having a Mardi Gras sale in the shop.  If you find an item that is predominantly purple, green or gold (the official colors of Mardi Gras) that item will be 25% off.  If you come in wearing predominantly purple, green or gold, you can take an additional 15% off the price, for a total of 40%.

The maximum total price reduction is 40% for any item that is already marked down by 20-30%.  Any item already reduced by 40-50% - or more - is the final reduction.  Sorry, we cannot reduce the price of items that are on consignment.

Stop in for some fun shopping. Our hours on Tuesdays are 10-5.  See you soon!

Marie

West to East and Back Again

I have recently returned from my buying trip to New York City. With Valentine's Day approaching fast, I've brought back some new items to tell you about!

Speaking of hearts and New York, you most likely have seen their campaign, "I (heart) NY"? Well I do love going to NYC, so at the end of this blog I will share some of my favorite places to eat and shop.

In the store now (or arriving soon)

A new shipment of soapstone hearts with new colors & designs

Also new olivewood hearts (great hearts to give a guy)

Silverspoon Jewelry - Earrings, necklaces, and bracelets made from vintage spoons. When two spoons are put together they form a heart. These are already going fast.

Patrick Meyer Pewter - Heart key chains (these flew out the door last time we had them)

BambooDreams Clothing - New styles and colors, including two skirts!! And their new bamboo "pashmina" scarf. They call it the pashbu!

New shipment of Ergo Soy Candles in our signature Kiwi, along with Pink Grapefruit, Monkey Grass...and the oh so yummy Dark Chocolate scent.

There is more stuff on the way as well...so stop in soon to see what's new!

Now about those spots in NYC I love...

My favorite new find is Le Pain Quotidien on 7th Ave (almost to Central Park). It's a mix of a french-style cafe and coffee house. I had a tasty bowl of soup and crusty bread while seated at the 15' long communal table, which was made from recycled wood from the floors of trains! The coffee is served in small bowls which makes it fun to drink. I noticed on their web site (just add .com to their name) that they have several locations in and around LA.

Grand Central Terminal has several interesting spots to eat. Cipriani Dolci is on the balcony over looking the the main floor of the station, with great views of the amazing painted ceiling. The lower level has The Oyster Bar Restaurant, which is great for lunch and a bowl of clam chowder. Grand Central is a must-see even if you are just passing by.

One of my favorites (and a place I have been to so many times, I'm trying to not go for a while) is Balthazar on Spring Street in SoHo. It is worth the wait to get a table here and the possible celebrity sightings (we won't name names).

The Gramercy Tavern on 20th Street was a customer's suggestion many years ago. Tracy and I had an enjoyable meal here -- great art murals and ambience.

For a shopping adventure we like ABC Carpet and Home on Broadway. Many floors of home goods and treats for all. One of the most impressive aspects of this store is their strong movement towards sustainability.

Lastly, if you have not seen the Broadway stage production of Mama Mia, it is fantastic. One of our friends, Pearce Bunting, plays the Aussie dad. A few trips ago he took us for a back stage tour, including a visit to the actors dressing rooms. It was the highlight of that buying trip!

Have a great Valentine's Day -- You are all Sweethearts to us!

By Marie Kinnaman

Recycled Denim Insulation

I have been becoming increasingly interested in green architecture. I could write a long blog about all the things that fascinate me, but this time I just wanted to concentrate on the recycled denim insulation for buildings.
You can google it and find tons of articles, but here is what I've summed it up as..

Benefits

-You are using scraps of leftover denim that would otherwise be sent to the landfills.
-It has a better ability to preserve your air temperature than fiberglass - this is due mainly to the fact that the less dense a material is, the better ability for atoms to move around, thus harder for them to transfer the energy. The more dense a material, the easier it will transfer energy because the atoms are so close together.. this is partly why the denim insulator will help the life of your dollar for heating and cooling -denim is a fairly loose weave.
-It uses much less energy to produce than standard fiber glass
-It has impressive acoustic abilities, and is known to block out much more sound than other methods
-It's not made with formaldehyde, is anti mold growing, and doesn't cause itching when installing.

Disadvantages

-So far the only downside I've discovered is the cost. It's 30% more than fiberglass. However, in 2006 it was 50% more, so with increasing demand, hopefully we will continue to see a lower cost trend!

Now if all else fails in reasoning for why to use recycled denim as insulation, with an endorser like Adrian Grenier...need I say more? ; )

By Tracy Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Sustainable Singapore

I have been in Singapore the past week. Since arriving I have noticed many things that impress me, simple simple things that mean so much in terms of sustainability.

Some things I have noted:

Every store, restaurant, or place you can purchase something, has little tiny plastic bags for your purchase if your item is small. I have seen that in... I don't know one or two stores around in the states. Instead of putting your to- go food or shampoo & soap in a huge bag, allowing it to swim in the surrounding unnecessary plastic, it cuts the plastic down 75% by using a bag relevant to the size of your purchase. This is not rocket science, why don't more of our stores have this system? I wonder how many people actually recycle their plastic bags? I have read that an estimated less than 1% get recycled. Sometimes I re-use mine for trash bags, but I feel bad doing that even because I know the plastic will take so long to decompose in the land fill.

How long you ask? Well the word on the street is 500 years for a plastic bag in a landfill to decompose. This is debatable, but here is a good unbiased source for your reading pleasure:


http://www.slate.com/id/2169287/

On the same note: How many times in the past have you ever stepped in the trash can to squash the trash down and make room for more? I know I've done it many times in my life, and seen my dad do it while I was growing up. Well I've noticed here, guys go around with this squashing device and push the trash in deeper, allowing a longer life span to the trash bag, and using less plastic in the long run. Simple enough. It's funny that we do so much saving in our own homes, but out in public, in our work places, and on the streets, we don't seem to care as much about the processes going on.

I love how there are recycle cans next to trash cans, not only for bottles and aluminum, but for paper as well.

They have wonderful mass transit, but for obvious reasons that is not quite as simple to implement in our home city...

Oh and my favorite move towards sustainable living I've noted? Some restaurants offer a discount if you bring your own Tupperware for to-go orders. Marvelous. I can't tell you how many times we are looked at like we are crazy for asking our food be put in a tupper ware instead of Styrofoam. The worst thing that happens is they use the Styrofoam to measure the food, transfer it into our containter, and then toss the used Styrofoam in the trash. I've heard it takes 50 years for that Styrofoam to break down in a landfill.

So my question is, Why not these easy changes? When will we make the shift to thinking it's not dorky to bring a Tupperware in to a restaurant? When will enough people start using the train so that it adds more times and becomes more affordable? I suppose it starts with me, and you. And I know it's easier said than done.

By: Tracy Kinnaman
http://www.athomeonmainstreet.com/

Happy New Year

And what a year it has been...

We truly hope you and yours are doing well and surviving the economic "crisis" as best as can be. We hope you have your home, your health, your job, a warm coat, and food on the table.

At Home on Main Street is looking forward to 2009, with lots of worried anticipation, curious what may become of the retail landscape in our country and in our own town. Like many, we had a very dismal 2008 holiday season - our worst since being open (our 6th holiday in downtown Fallbrook). We'd like to be around for Holiday 2009, but honestly, it will take some doing. That is why your feedback is so important to us right now.

So much news in the last couple of months has revolved around shopping. I just finished reading the North County Times. The headline in the business section reads: "Post-Holiday fallout begins" and goes on to say that the fallout from the "horrific holiday season for retailers has begun." Experts are predicting that we'll see many, many more store closings -the most in 35 years!

As a retailer wondering what the future will bring, here are our questions for you as we head into 2009.

Do you think a store like At Home on Main Street will be a place you will want to visit for gifts and items for yourself and your home? What needs and wants will be on your shopping list? Gifts? Clothes? Linens for bed and bath? Organic body care? Or, if it's simply too early to tell what 2009 will bring in terms of your needs, let us know down the road...we will be listening.

Also we'd like to know if you feel earth-friendly products will figure more, or less into your plans for purchasing in the years to come. Does it matter to you? We know that our changes, made over the summer and into the fall, surprised many of our customers. Some of you have mentioned that you liked the store better before the change. Many more of you have been very pleased and like it a lot more now. We appreciate all honest responses so we can gauge how we are doing.

It's difficult to know for sure what contributed the most to our low holiday sales figures- the new earth-friendly theme, or the economy. We think that it was a bit of both. The fact is that before our summer clearance sale we had too much inventory and not enough traffic in Fallbrook to sustain the purchasing habits we had developed over five years. Something had to change.

When we reopened in September, we felt really good about our decision and continued interest in knowing as much as possible about our products: Who makes the items we select for you? Where are the products manufactured? Do they pay a fair wage? Are they safe for the consumer and the environment? Stuff like that. We noticed over the years that customers began to really care about these things we had been heading in this direction for several years anyway...so we made it our full commitment. We freshened up the store and began restocking for our September reopening. Ed Begley, Jr. came down from LA to join in the fun, he was a great guest and we had a wonderful day debuting the new look and merchandise. We were off to a great new start!

Then it all began to crumble. The depressing economic news began early in the fall and we could tell something serious was brewing and we had to be cautious with purchasing. We poured over the catalogs we had collected on our summer buying trips, trying to decide what we wanted to purchase for the holiday's. Sales were slumping ... and each day as we looked at the catalogs again and again -- the news just kept on getting worse. Regardless of the countless new products we had found, we decided to play it safe and did not overstock the store. This was upsetting for many of you since we did not have the same selection of gifts that we've had in previous holiday seasons. One good outcome is we are not overstocked with merchandise that didn't sell for the holiday.

Into the future - Did we ever think we'd be selling clothing when we opened At Home on Main Street? Not at all! It happened gradually and soon became our best selling category. So, we have given it more space and built a proper dressing room (a big hit and must see!). We need to stock what sells, so clothing is staying, but don't worry, we're not planning on becoming a clothing only store.

We LOVE to go on buying trips to seek out the beautiful, useful and functional items that you want and expect from us. As the winter buying season begins, we'll be looking at the products with the same eye we are know for and making plans for what we can order when we can spend again. With the economic climate as it stands now we do have to be more careful. We hope that makes sense to you. We are in survival mode now. We will restock your favorite candles and some new bamboo clothing in January, and when we can, we will slowly start restocking with other great merchandise.

So be sure to tell us what you would like to see in the store!

Everyone knows that good customer service is one of the only things a small store can do to compete with the big boxes. Hours of operation are important. We'd really like to be open 7 days a week (as we were for many years) but after giving it a lot of serious consideration (we hope you'll understand) one of our cost cutting measures will be reducing the hours we are open. At Home on Main Street will be closed on Sunday & Monday. We will also close one hour earlier. Our new hours will be from 10 - 5 Tues. - Sat. We hope that it's only temporary. We will make it up to you with great customer service in other areas!

We want to get the workshop area going again for the winter. No better time to learn something new! If you want to take a class let us know your interests and if you've always wanted to teach something, let us know.

And now for the winter blahs...When the holiday decorations come down and the tree is gone, it is a good time to rearrange the furniture for the winter. Create cozy groupings closer to the fireplace if you have one. Pull the furniture away from the walls and into the room. Use throws liberally to create warmth for every seat in the room. If you like curling up with a cup of tea and a good book, be sure you have a table, a reading light and a warm throw! Three lamps in a room should be the minimum -- and don't forget to change out the bulbs with energy saving bulbs when they burn out!

Stop in and say "Hi" no pressure to purchase. Let's just keep in touch!Have a very safe and happy New Year.

Marie, Tracy, Brian & Paz

By Marie Kinnaman

Christmas Time

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. It just never felt like it this year, and boy how fast the time flew. It's almost come and gone, and I guess I am anticipating the new year more than ever.

A lot of people's lives are going to change in 2009. People who have been holding on to things dear to them are going to have to let go. And some other people will prosper. And us? I guess it remains to be seen.

We are open tomorrow and I wonder how many people are putting off their shopping as I am? Tonight I actually need to get some last minute things on my list.

I hope everyone have a wonderful time with friends and family. My dad will be in Connecticut, Brian and Paz up at her family's, and my mom and I are pondering the idea of a movie theater double feature and pizza. An old tradition : )

Merry Christmas!

By: Tracy Kinnaman
www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Happy Hour Tomorrow - 40% off Clothing

Many people come in the store and exclaim "My my you have a lot of clothing now, don't you?"

Well we definitely have expanded on the area. Did you know when we opened we had no clothing at all? It all started with the Dreamsacks line of bamboo apparel. They had scrumptiously soft nightgowns and lounge wear and we added it into the "At Home Wear" mix.

Well years later, clothing outsells everything else in the store 7 to 1. So we just keep supplementing the demand.

We have some really cute organic cotton, some upscale sexy bamboo outfits, and the basic cozy clothing. But honestly, I have the perfect gift for you if you don't know what to get someone. My hands down, default gift of choice to give when the occasion arises, is a bamboo nightgown or robe. IT HAS NEVER FAILED ME!

Anytime I need to recommend a gift now, that's what I recommend. When I've given friends the bamboo they always call me and say "I want to buy some more of that for my mom and my sister" or things of that nature.

Come in tomorrow from 4p-6p for 40% off apparel, or call us on the phone if you can't make it, and we will wrap up some bamboo joy for the perfect gift. I don't care how cheesy I sound, the stuff is brilliant. If bamboo isn't your thing, we have lots of other wonderful clothing lines for men and women.

Sew Eco Chic is our line of clothing that is made from reconstructing cast away apparel into new and different one of a kind pieces. You can read more about it here .

See you soon!

By Tracy Kinnaman

http://www.athomeonmainstreet.com/

Everyone Was Right

It's been great to be out here in Hawaii.  I have been able to clear my mind somewhat, and have had the chance to get a lot of thinking over with.  

Cheers...

 

By Tracy Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Writing on What ?

I have not written in a while because quite frankly, there has been nothing work related on my mind. I am still struggling to define how personal I am to be on this blog and knowing myself, could easily transform this from a shop blog to "Tracy's Inner Thoughts On Love and Life".

Tonight is Customer Appreciation Night. I am anxious to see if there might be that exciting holiday bustle I wish our downtown had! Last year there was a huge storm and the rain had been falling so hard that there was a giant river in front of the store!!! It was exciting, that's for sure.

You know what else is exciting? I am going to Hawaii. Kauai to be exact. Someone broke my heart this week, and everyone else told me to go on a trip. I have friends and family there so why not? They say it's a romantic place, but I'm doubtful I'll run into too many happy honeymooners since I don't have to stay in a hotel. I'm going to rent a car and be able to go exploring if my friends are working.

Anyone have any recommendations on what to do?

See you all when I get home : )

YOUR FAVORITE THING....

I posted all the responses from the question "What is your favorite thing about the holidays?" Unfortunately I can not get them on this blog easily, so if you click on this link here from our website, you can read them all!  It's really great..

Thanks again!

Rain Rain Go Away

Just Kidding!!

I am diggin on this weather today! Some rain will be so appreciated, maybe I'll go stand in it like I'm not so afraid of it.

It's as if I want it to come so bad and then I avoid it all costs, running to and from my car without an umbrella, in true so cal style, shreaking and covering my hair.

Enjoy the clouds while they are here... : )

Fa La La La La, Fall

I need some Holiday Cheer. Today my mom, Marie felt overwhelmed. One of the things on her plate, is Thanksgiving dinner (no pun intended). The other was the pressure to start decorating for the holidays, when she has never in the past, done so before Thanksgiving.

My senses are confused. Part of me wants winter, scarves, chai lattes, and happy toasts to the new year ahead. And part of me yearns for the Summer days when I can lay on the beach, drink iced coffees, and stay out in the water until almost 9 at night. I realize what I don't like about fall in southern ca, is the limbo and the tug of war that the weather plays with the seasons.

But maybe it's deeper than that, after all I already blogged about this...

We're in an interesting economic time. I say interesting because I'm trying to remain optimistic. What if we fail? What if we just aren't good enough to get through? The argument that only the innovative get past recessions does hold some water. But what if all the forward thinking in the world can't do what we simply want to do, which is survive?

The point of this blog, was to collect some cheer. I love everyone I meet who walks through our doors- their personalities & stories, families, fashion sense, advice (for those unfortunate enough to catch me on a slow afternoon of chit chat), and their honesty. I love the same familiar faces of great people like Jerry, the best mailman in the world, who actually even won an award for his gracious personality. I love stepping outside for some fresh air and seeing someone I know across the street whom I can wave to and smile at, often little Bella from Wee Little Sprouts frolicking around the window display of their shop. I love getting my afternoon coffee at Cafe Primo and saying hi to the ladies at Diva's on my way back, which usually results in a much longer visit than I anticipated and a purchase in hand.

So what's going on inside me? Could it be the irking suspicion that the situation our downtown faces is one that may lead me to never see another holiday season from this doorway? Attitude is everything, and as I struggle to find where mine should be, I ask for some of you to slap my hand and remind why this time of year is exciting.
Tell me - what is your FAVORITE thing about the holidays? I'd like to put it on our website, or maybe another blog entry. I think everyone gets to a point where they get frustrated in a time that is supposed to be full of cheer. It's almost predictable, just as much as fall is hotter than summer.

Please email me and tell me why you love this time of year? Reasons come to my mind of course, but I want to hear them from you, and I almost hate to say, I need to hear them from you! How lovely to collect your points of view for all to read if they get frustrated or sad or lonely or angry or impatient in the upcoming months. Or in my case, a little scared. I believe in the power of positivity and strength in numbers, and why not?

Thank you for reading my blog, as I've created this place where the traditional blockades of customer relationships can be broken down, and real feelings can prevail without judgement.

Oh and Ps, if you ARE feeling a little down n out for some reason, I'm about to open a new bar of chocolate we just got in. It's called Habana from Vosges. It's made up of organic milk chocolate and Ecuadorian plantain chips. I was obsessed with trying it, so we added it to our order and I welcome you to come in and share some with me : ) Nothing better, eh?

By: Tracy Kinnaman

http://www.athomeonmainstreet.com/

Holiday Decorating

You will find this event on our home page... I hope to see some familiar faces and some new ones too!  Marie is often sought after for her Christmas tree decorating skills, and so we've decided to have a free demonstration!  Read all about it....

I'm not ready to "Fall Back"

So we've had the time change... the old saying "Spring Forward & Fall Back" is all in the past until the next 2 seasons roll around again.

I went camping this last weekend in Yosemite. The intermittent fall colored leaves among the sturdy oaks and pines gave off a sparkling excitement in me as I rode my bike around the great valley. The wind picked up and sent the autumn leaves billowing in our path, and there was nothing I could do to keep from feeling giddy like a child, putting my hands out trying to catch them as I raced around on a red rent-a-bicycle.

Unfortunately we dropped the camera into lower Yosemite falls on our day of arrival (don't ask me, I didn't do it) and so any photos I took were at the mercy of my lowly cell phone. This one was a big pretty leaf- I couldn't help but hold it up to the waterfall and take a picture of it : )

But the point being... I'm definitely ready for fall weather, even though I was not wanting the inevitable time change. But I'm not quite ready for the holidays. I want to enjoy the transition, and I just heard next week is supposed to be 87 degrees in Fallbrook!

Why am I surprised? It's like this every year. Thanksgiving is always pretty warm, and I've laid out for a suntan during my Christmas break, it's just Southern California living. So what's the rush this year for Christmas? I know big retailers are already putting out their stuff, in fact a long time ago I noted it...the little store in Yosemite was all decorated for Christmas, and I thought to myself, "Didn't I just dress up for Halloween?"

Ah well, soon the term Christmas in July will no longer be a special event, but rather the norm.

I've made a pact with myself to try and slow down and enjoy the seasons, and I reveled in the falling leaves of Yosemite.

Today we opened a box of new Organic Drinking Chocolate. It was red and green and I can't lie, it made me feel cheery : )

Christmas, here we come....

By Tracy Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Halloween Time!

I carved a pumpkin this weekend.  Yes it's supposed to be a peace sign, but as I've mentioned before, I'm not the artist in the family and it may resemble more... a broom or a crow's foot.  HOWEVER, both very Halloween appropriate!

Peace is in the eye of the beholder : )

Written by: Tracy Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Happy happy... hour!

No, not that kind
of happy hour!








Introducing our new
happy hour for shopping!
We're thrilled about it...



Every Wednesday from 4p-6p

A different category of our items will be 40% off. That means each week something like LINENS, CLOTHING, CANDLES, etc will be on special

You have to come in to find out what's on happy hour each week! Starts on Wed November 5th.

Written by: Tracy Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Why is natural so expensive?

The age old question... Why do we have to pay so much more for something if it is all natural? Shouldn't it be cheaper?  First of all it's important to distinguish the difference between something that claims to be natural and something certifiably so.  

I've been thinking about it and it all comes down to economies of scale and the fact that the majority of companies who care about actual recycled products or organic things, happen to be producing on a comparatively tiny scale to supply the tiny amount of consumers who are thinking along with them.  Another general characteristic the eco-friendly producer is that they tend to care a bit more about working conditions, being they either make things themselves, in their close area, or abroad with fair trade principles.  

...All things leading up to a more expensive item vs a less expensive one.  Someone could be making something completely all natural, not using the expensive additives, but still consider the r&d that has to go into creating a product that is high quality and sustainable withOUT all the shortcuts that artificial additives provide?  Not to mention the rigorous and expensive processes of becoming certified organic.

I still agree that there are some things that should be less expensive.. the bottom line?  The more we want it, the more affordable it will become : )

Written by: Tracy Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Sale Sale Sale... And Workshops!

 5   Y E A R S !

We thought and thought about what to offer for our 5th year anniversary.  What do our customers like the best?  What do they buy the most of?  And what would they love to see on sale to get more of if we had to pick one thing?

Well bamboo clothes outsell everything else in the store 3 to 1 so what better to give our loyal customers than HALF OFF any bamboo clothes in stock!

This includes Dreamsacks, Carilyn Vaile, Sworn Virgins, and any other bamboo apparel I'm forgetting.  

If you have not yet tried the clothes, this is a great opportunity to try a few pieces and really see what the fuss is about.  If you already love it, now is a good time to get some more and complete your collection.  

Details:

Monday October 13th

Open extended hours 9a-7p

Sale good for in store stock only

50% off bamboo apparel 

Secondly...  announcing a schedule of our first round 

of classes and workshops... available online here at our website.  Washi eggs, watercolor, redesign, just to name a few... 

Thirdly, we are having a Lily Girl jewelry trunk show on November 8th.  More information soon on that.   

Wohoo NCT!

We made the front page of the business section in today's north county times!

check it out!

click here! NORTH COUNT TIMES STORY

Clothing Designers, Tell Me This Please!?!?

Why do you make pants soooooo long, and who are they for? I'm conflicted on who wants to pay $80.00 for pj's that they need to take to the tailor...

We've started becoming very picky now about pants. I understand that tall people need pants too. And I know models are tall and make the pants look good.

But they sure don't make me look good! Good for a smile though : )

Interesting Organics

Hmmm... I stumbled accross this today.

It's called Organic To Go and it's a cafe featuring certifiable organic foods and such. Now why I say this is interesting, is it hits on a controversial, back of the mind subconscious type of feeling. My very first instinct was how the look of this cafe cheapened what "organic" means to me.

Well, what DOES organic mean to me, I thought. The reason I attribute classy or high quality to it is because generally it is so expensive due to it's less mainstream demand.

What we keep saying, is that eventually organic may become the expected, the norm, or the implied, and as a demand becomes greater for it, the costs will go down, and hopefully everyone can benefit from the differientiating effects of organic vs not.

So it was easy to quickly put myself in check and say "well great, more organic available to the masses, that's a GOOD thing!"

See for yourselves and see what your initial reaction was...

http://www.organictogo.com/

By Tracy Kinnaman
www.athomeonmainstreet.com

O

Once again I sit and stare at an empty blog screen. I FEEL like writing, but I don't feel much else. Let's see where I go...

Where is everybody these days? I am sporting one of our new Organic Cotton Dresses by Haley K and it really feels good. Do you notice that much of a difference in the feel of organic cotton vs regular? I swear I do, but then I wonder if it is all in my head.

It's like I feel as though I can breathe in it and I just feel.... better. And it just feels softer. Probably because I envision a cotton plant all natural in the sunlight, then I envision one covered in pesticide spray and I think it effects me subconsciously. But I really do think it feels lovely.

What have you noticed?

By Tracy Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Fall

I really love this time of year.  Normally I am sad to see summer go, but since this year had such weird weather at the coast (I live in Oceanside) I am more excited than ever for fall.  Cliche I know, but I like when the very few trees with leaves change color, the nights get brisk, and the chances of me seeing a sunrise are a lot greater.

Have you ever seen the Tom Hanks Meg Ryan movie "You've Got Mail"?  It's one of my all time favorites and it shows the seasons so well.  Not in a pushy or even artistic way, but it's always made me want to live somewhere else for a while to experience those seasons in a big city.  Of course, visiting NYC as often as I do, I guess I get it a little.  Let's not talk about how that movie ends though, being the small independent store we are  : /

So although this picture is on our homepage, I just like it so much I'm posting it here too!  When I walk by the front door at work and I peer in, it just says "Fall is arriving!  A new season for a new start..."

By Tracy Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

A Blog About What Exactly?

Well I came to the blog today, with nothing in particular on my mind to say.  I guess that is one of the great things about the blog.  Is it here for me to exclaim my happy moments in the day or share my bad ones?  Is it here for me to complain?  Can I write about a new product we're undecided on?  What about ask you all for your opinions on something?  Would anyone write back?  Let's test it out...

Question for all you blog readers and At Home shoppers - We now have an area in the back of the store called "Workshop".  In our store we have some very creative and talented people.  My mom Marie, the expert interior redesigner  for 20 years, featured on HGTV for 10... good job mom!  We have my brother Brian, fabulous artist, musician, and now aspiring author.  His wife Paz, extremely creative in the graphic design and apparel areas.  And then me, Tracy, the um....QuickBooks specialist! (Exciting I know)  It's been interesting working with three right brainers, as a left brainer myself, and we've decided it's finally time to capitalize on all that creativity.  

The Workshop!

We've devised this area to offer our community classes, workshops, seminars, and the likes on various aspects of the right brain.  But this is where I want your input.  What would YOU like to see?  

Marie can offer a wide array of redesign workshops such as how to set a great holiday table, hanging art, arranging furniture in a new way, even things like creating a fresh flower arrangement, planning a party menu or themed event (she's SO good at that), I mean the things she could show us go on and on.  I'm hoping for a sewing class personally.

Brian and Paz have a ton to offer as well, as both of them studied the arts at many different colleges (Brian even went to France and Ireland art schools).  Would you like to see craft classes?  Art discussions?  Music performances?  

Now as for me, I could offer you....  how to organize a right brainer!  Sounds fun, eh?  

We also are reaching out to the community to say, if YOU have a talent you'd like to show others, let us know!  Maybe there is a place for you in our workshop series!

I'd like your opinions on what kinds of things would interest you, the times to meet, is a 6 week series once a week too much? Or would you want a class once a month?  I need feedback, so let's see if this works : )

Thanks everyone!

If you don't feel comfortable commenting, please drop me an email athomeonmain@gmail.com

By: Tracy Kinnaman

www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Re-Creation Party!

So time has really snuck up on us... it's a little scary! I wanted to write about our upcoming party we're having to celebrate and show off our new look! Guess who's coming?

Ed Begley, Jr!!!!!

He will be here from 12:00-1:30 pm on Saturday September 6th to talk about ways to live more green and save money too!!!

So if you haven't heard what our big change IS, now maybe you know...

We've decided that all of our products will carry one or more of the following traits:

• recycled
• sustainable
• vintage
• reclaimed
• organic
• fair-trade
• locally-made

We have always been into conservation, behind the scenes as a family who recycles, and brought that into our corporate culture here at the shop. We have a complicated system for re-using paper and sytrofoam and other things that normally get tossed out.

But why not in our products as well?

We realized a ton of our inventory already fits this new philosophy, which feels great to know! Ergo soy candles (kiwi our fave!), bamboo clothing, locally made art, etc... and now we just have to raise the bar higher when we go on buying trips to find these great items.

We're going to offer some really good redesign specials from Marie for your home, and start some new redesign series, classes, and other workshops!

I'll write some more soon about this and provide you with more details, as you can imagine things are crazy around here right now! (Did I mention the 75% off sale??)

Yeah, almost everything left in the store is now 75% off except for a few select items. We will be closed from August 27th until the party on September 6th, so come in this next week for your last chance at major savings. That sounds like a horrible radio advertisement! : )

Written by Tracy Kinnaman

athomeonmainstreet.com

Haute Holidays

It's beginning to feel a lot like...Christmas? no... Easter? Halloween and Thanksgiving for sure...

Well how about all of them! The holiday savings have come early this year, as we have our Haute Holidays sale with hot summer deals.

At least 75% off all items for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas!

The sale will start tomorrow, Thursday August 7th, and last until all the items are gone.

Happy Holidays!

By the way, do any of you know Ed Begley Jr?

Sheer Joy and Excitement!

Well well well, another month gone by... and I've got some GREAT news!!!!

As you all know, we are making changes around the place.  And you will have to wait and see... but it's coming soon!!!  And I just got some very exciting news about a guest appearance we will be having at our Re-Creation Party September 6th, 2008.  Save the date!

By the way, have you heard that we are closing for good?  We're not!!!!  We will be closing for about 10 days starting August 27th to finish up our painting and refreshing ideas.  

So stay tuned because TRUST ME, you don't want to miss out on our party coming up!  

written by Tracy Kinnaman

athomeonmainstreet.com

4th of July!!!

As some of you may know, I just got home from Central America. Just in time for the fourth of July!

The rest of the family is going to the 4th of July bash at The Grand Tradition, but a beach dweller myself, I will be on the coast. Just thought I'd post this information I found on the Fallbrook event for anyone who may not have heard about it!

http://www.fallbrookbeautification.org/rubber-ducky-new.htm

I hope everyone has a fun and safe celebration! If you take any good pictures on the holiday, send them my way and I can post them... athomeonmain@gmail.com

Ciao!

By Tracy Kinnaman
www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Hot Summer Nights

Well I was just informed that Hot Summer Nights is starting this Friday... & we have decided to do something new this year.

Outside we will be setting up a SUPER super sale bargain cart with things ridiculously marked down, for your perusing pleasure.

Hot Summer Nights offers something different for you to do in local downtown Fallbrook. Admission is free, there is beer and wine, live music, food, and good times! I see that this particular Friday it is sports car night.

Here is a schedule of the rest of the nights:

Friday June 27 - Western Youth & Family
Friday July 11th - Hot Rods & Relics
Friday July 25 - TASTE of Fallbrook
Friday August 8 - Off Road, Race Car, Military, Classic Boat, and Open Header Event
Friday August 29 - CHILI CONTEST!!! (I'll be here for this one of course)

Does anyone you know make a mean chili? Maybe they should enter!

So I hope to see some familiar faces this Friday night and I hope you can enjoy the event! We will be open until 7:30 pm.

By Tracy Kinnaman
Check out our website www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Good Thing Summer is Here...

...because my head's swimming with new ideas for the shop. It may surprise you to hear that this entire idea for our "big change" came about one recent Sunday morning...and once I shared my new vision with the family (that same morning) we instantly made the decision to do it!

My problem is that while we wait for our current stock of merchandise to sell (so we can begin the transformation) I keep coming up with something new to add to what we have planned.

That's why, even though you're asking, "What are you going to do?" -- we are keeping it under wraps for now to allow for all of my ideas to take shape. We feel really sure about our plans for the new merchandise mix...but the endless options for what to do with the store layout bring new possibilities on a minute by minute basis...so, while I'm "swimming" as fast as I can, thanks for your patience until we're ready to reveal the exciting new At Home on Main Street!

By Marie Kinnaman
check out our website www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Sale Success

Well as most of you know, we had the kick off to our inventory clearance sale yesterday. It was so great to see so many of our good customers and see everyone having fun making their "piles" behind the counter.

The sale will go on until we decide we've cleared out enough stuff, so I still don't know how long that will be. We are so excited to reorder some new and exciting products, and if there is anything you have wanted to see in the store, let us know!

Someone was wearing an adorable purse made from (well now, you'll just have to wait and see) and I told her I had seen those recently and was considering ordering them for the shop. She exclaimed how happy she would be if we did because she has to drive so far to get them. And there it was! A good idea is born into our future purchases.

Keep em coming!

by Tracy Kinnaman
check out our website www.athomeonmainstreet.com

Meet The Family

Welcome to our home! Maybe many of you shop in our Fallbrook store or on our website, and maybe many of you are learning about our shop for the first time. You can read all about it on our website www.athomeonmainstreet.com

We want this blog to involve you, the reader, and issues that you want to hear about! We will talk about events coming up, sales, our favorite products and maybe even our favorite customers ; ) but more than that, we might rant or rave... we could ask you if you've tried a new restaurant in town, or see if you have an opinion on who should have won dancing with the stars.

Listed below are the members of the At Home team, a family affair...

Marie Kinnaman
Owner
Brian Kinnaman


Paz Kinnaman


Tracy Kinnaman


By Tracy Kinnaman

Make Yourself At Home

We are now on the blogging bandwagon