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What's the Buzz?

Ok, you have all heard me talk about my never-ending “company” and how great it is to open your home to visitors; well, maybe I talk too much. I recently welcomed my adult daughter home, along with her significant other, as they just moved back east from California. We are overwhelmed with joy to have her back, after she had been away for several years. Hmmm, but when two adults leave an apartment they are bound to have some “baggage”, and not just the psychological kind. I’m talking STUFF. Here we are trying to reduce what we bring in to our house and pare down all the “stuff” we have accumulated over the years. It’s unbelievable how much a family can acquire.

Lucky me, we’re having new siding put on our house and so I get to take advantage of the big dumpster in our driveway. Everyday I fill it with lots of stuff. I guess I’m getting a little paranoid because I watched that new show on TV called “Hoarders” – man, those people can’t throw anything out. So I’m all about getting rid of anything not tied down! As we are cleaning out our basement it is amazing the things you find in boxes, that you put away so long ago, and you thought for sure you couldn’t live without it. Why on earth did we save so many grammar school papers of my kids? Why would I want all their spelling tests, math homework and history papers, etc? I decided to keep only the ones with perfect scores (ok, so I didn’t keep many). It was fun to read some notes that my daughter doodled on the side of her notebooks. “I have a crush on, can’t name him”. The best - she often wrote “my little brother is a pest”. I’m happy to report that they are very close now and terrific friends, so I’m going to toss those notes.

Once you get on a roll it can be very time consuming because you start looking at everything and then remembering what I used this for, or where we were when we flew those kites. Time has gone by so fast. All these memories come flooding back. But don’t get me wrong, I actually can toss things out in a blink of an eye. My husband, on the other hand, wants to look at everything and insists on keeping boxes and boxes of all those electronic cables, because he may need them one day. Of course I say sure honey and then, whoops, out go the cables. Yesterday I got told to back off from the clean-up, as I was going too fast and throwing too much out. Well, that’s one way of getting out of a chore!

That Time of Year Again

Happy Fall! This is the time of year we're busy lacing up our sneaks and getting ourselves geared up for the 2010 Rodman Ride for Kids. Ok, full disclosure, I did not get on my bike at all once this summer! It was more of a summer of delicious vodka tonics and lobster rolls, if you know what I mean. But rest assured...I started this past weekend and I'll be ready. If you're interested in joining please email me at sarah@circlefurniture.com and I'll be happy to give you the details. To make a donation click here.

Oops...gotta go...time to get to the gym and hit a spinning class...that should help, right?

Get Rid of the Ole' Pull-Out Sofa!!!

How many times have you visited your relatives and had to sleep on the ole' pull-out sofa? I'm willing to wager that we've all heard the phrase "Oh, it's too late to drive, just sleep on the pull-out sofa, it's fine". And yes, immediately we think...how do I get myself out of this predicament? Ever seen the Seinfeld episode when Elaine sleeps on the Seinfeld's pull-out sofa? Then you know what I'm talking about. You know that feeling. You wake up and feel as if you've aged fifty years and you can't seem to actually straighten your body up to it's normal height, so you walk around 6 or 7" inches shorter than you normally are. And the pain, oh, the pain! It's usually a sharp, twisty pain that shoots up your spine dramatically and then levels off to a dull, aching feeling that ruins your entire day, if not week.

So here's a solution...why not suggest to your friends, neighbors and family members to ditch the ole' pull-out sofa and try the Comfort Sleeper® from Circle Furniture? If you've not seen the Comfort Sleeper before, it's the most amazing sleeper you'll ever find. Really. No uncomfortable metal bars to complain about in the morning. Unlike most sleepers, there's lots of room to stretch out because it has a standard-sized mattress (5-8" longer than most sleepers). The Comfort Sleeper comes in King, Queen Plus, Queen, Full, Twin and Cot bed sizes to fit any room in your home and you can choose from more than 80 premium leathers and hundreds of fabrics in a variety of colors and textures. The best part is the 5" of plush, high-density foam that provides ergonomic body support throughout the entire mattress.

Ok, I've gushed enough about this rock-star of a sleeper. Come try one out at your favorite Circle Furniture and save during The Comfort Sleeper sale going on now. Better yet, all American Leather sofas, chairs and recliners are on sale during the month of September.

So even though it's hard to say goodbye to the old...think of how happy you'll be when your house guests wake up and don't have to take a tranquilizer to get through the day! Seinfeld's fans understand.

what's the buzz?

I don’t know about you guys but I’ve noticed lately that we are stressing ourselves out way too much on some things that are just plain unnecessary. I recently spent time away with friends and family, whom I adore, but the obsession with food was totally ridiculous. I know we should all eat from the right food groups and granted I am the most, as my kids call me, “rubenesque” of the group, but do we have to stoop to “I can’t believe it’s not butter” spread? I mean REALLY. You aren’t fooling anyone. I CAN believe it’s not butter and please bring me the real butter while you’re at it! How else am I going to fill all those nooks and crannies?

Low fat cream cheese, UGH. Even worse are the low fat salad dressings; who are they kidding? All these companies playing to our guilt about eating, and in most cases it has worked because there are a lot of people in all sizes and shapes making the diet-food industry a ton of cash $$$. How many times do you see someone loading up at the fast food chains for the dollar menu but adding a diet coke?

Ok, so I suffer from bad eating habits. One of my favorite movie lines comes from the classic Woody Allen movie “Sleeper”. The character, Miles Monroe, who has been frozen cryogenically for 200 years, was a prior manager of a health food store. Upon waking up from his deep sleep the doctors are chatting:
“He requests something called wheat germ, organic honey and tiger’s milk.”
“Oh yes, those were the charmed substances that some years ago were felt to contain life-preserving properties.”
“You mean, there was no deep fat? No steak or cream pies or hot fudge?”
“Those were thought to be unhealthy. Precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.”
I SO wish it was true……..hot fudge at Kimball’s ice cream, you can die happy after that experience!

So I know the new crop of young parents want to be sure that only “organic” foods ever touch the lips of their babes; again way too stressful. I’m all about buying the best food you can afford and fresh and local as much as possible. I suffered the wrath of my sister recently when at a birthday party for her grandchild, I mixed the organic fruit with the Costco fruit, and she went a little crazy. Apparently all the 4-year-olds at that party only eat organic and now I have mixed the fruit bowl, and you would have thought I personally sprayed them with DDT. I get it, but I don’t think one time is going to give them brain damage. Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is LIGHTEN UP! Everything is not always perfect. Yes, some discipline when it comes to eating is great, but isn’t it so much fun to break those rules once in awhile?

As for me, I am now going to have a cold glass of milk and dip myself some Oreos. Cheers!

Just for Fun!

Not that you have a lot of time on your hands, (who does?), but if you happen to find yourself up late some night finishing off the Ben & Jerry's in your pj's, step away from the Chunky Monkey and check out this colorful design site. Talk about inspiring!

Design Sponge - LOVE IT! The mini-trends section of Design Sponge is chock full of fun ideas and a great place to start your Christmas list! The city guide is AWESOME if you're new to Boston or even just looking for great places to hang out, shop or eat. Then, when you book your trip to Seattle, Santa Fe or Sydney you'll know just where to go to find the coolest of the cool.

But...my favorite section is the sneak peeks. The images might even wake you up from your ice cream-induced coma! So if you're looking to re-energize your home, condo, apartment, office or outdoor space, do yourself a favor and spend a little time on this dazzling site...I know you'll enjoy.

Happy Weekend everyone.

Go Team Flames!

This weekend marked the 31st Pan Mass Challenge. The PMC, if you have been living under a rock for the past few years, is a 190 mile bike ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown that raises TONS of money for cancer research. This year Richard (pictured in the middle), his daughter Erica and his niece Amy, all joined "The Flames" team and set about their fund-raising mission. Not to mention the training. Grueling 70 mile bike rides all summer long. Oh, and those bike rides are usually at five in the morning. Because you see, these rides are not typical 1/2 hour rides, they take HOURS!

Then there is the fund-raising. Asking people for money. Fun, right? Not the easiest thing to do. Each rider is expected to raise $4200. We've all been there; walked or ran in a charity road race, had to raise $250. Had to ask our friends and families to pony up $20 here, $25 there. Nope. $4200 is what their goal was...each!

So, did they all make it? You betcha'! "Rich, Erica and Amy all had a great ride," says the Queen Bee herself, who was in Provincetown volunteering for the PMC. She said it was an amazing experience. I'm sure it was, and so much more.

This weekend the weather was beautiful. On both Saturday and Sunday I kept turning on NECN to see coverage of the PMC. They had story after story of individuals and families who have been affected directly by cancer. Yep, the water works were going all weekend long for me. I thought about my own friends who have battled cancer. But mostly I was inspired by what these riders commit themselves to. How their riding helps SO many people now and will in the future. So my hat goes off to all those who rode or volunteered this weekend. You all deserve a big hug. Oh, and a donation!

Walk This Way...

After four years in the making, Cleantech Homes, LLC. is unveiling one of the most energy efficient, sustainable homes in the nation in Beverly, Massachusetts. This showcase home will be used as a prototype to educate the public in sustainable building techniques and design as well as an exhibition site for new products and materials used in the construction of high performance homes. Schools, universities and professionals in the home construction industry will be invited to tour the house.

We're so excited and proud to have furnished the home with eco-conscious furniture from vendors such as Copeland Furniture, C.R. Laine, American Leather and Gat Creek. “We are thrilled to provide furnishings from our wonderful vendors like Vermont-based Copeland Furniture, winners of the 2009 Sage Award for green manufacturing,” says Peggy Burns, Queen Bee of Circle Furniture. “In this day and age there are endless choices for consumers. Our hope is to show our customers that you don’t have to sacrifice style and comfort to buy eco-friendly. We feel strongly that sustainable furniture is not only good for the environment but good for your home and family as well.”

So join the Queen Bee on this fun and informative tour of an eco-friendly, sustainably-built home, furnished with everything your heart desires...and all found at Circle Furniture. Better keep up with the tour guide, she moves quickly!

July Buzz

So late one Friday night, a few weeks ago, I found myself in the Park Street T station (for those confused, this is our public transportation system in Boston). I couldn’t believe how totally immersed I was in Red Sox Nation. Everywhere I looked there were people in all types of Red Sox "gear". I was amazed at the depth and breadth of what people will wear to support their team and designate themselves as a fan. I felt like I was from another country because there were very few of us on the train without the full regalia, and wondered what inspires people to wear logos, themes, teams, schools and in some cases, x-rated clothing.

A few years back I went to my first Patriots football game and when I arrived at my nephews house he couldn't believe I didn't have any gear on so he lent me a Teddy Bruschi shirt (don't think I ever returned it, sorry Nick!) “How could you go to a game without your team colors?” is what I heard. I guess I thought that people would realize that if I was sitting with a pack of decked-out fans screaming and hollering for the Patriots, they would assume I was a fan as well.

It is amazing the things people will adorn their bodies with to get a point across. One of my favorite t-shirts has an arrow on it pointing to the mid-section that says baby on a very pregnant woman - good thing, because I don't know about you but I have learned to never ask when the baby is due because sometimes these people are not pregnant, so I found this one especially helpful. Rock band t-shirts are big as well; you can connect with fellow fans and talk about that fabulous concert tour and reminisce about fun times. I definitely think the college and school logo shirts are a big profit center for the universities, and for the money they charge they should include at least one t-shirt with the tuition! The summer months are busy in the bookstores when the whole family is touring, doesn’t everyone get a t-shirt? Everyone wants a t-shirt from Harvard. If you visit some schools they even put on their t-shirts "The Harvard of the South" North, West etc. – what a money maker!

Once I let my son pick out a t-shirt while in Aspen years ago and it was a picture of a beaver and it said "Save a tree - wipe your ass with an owl" (got a note from school, Never Wear the Shirt to Class Again!). I thought it was funny and don’t we need to laugh at ourselves more and not always be so politically correct? In fact a whole industry of politically incorrect t-shirts is booming and can make for great reading and laughs when bored on a train. I saw last week on the news about a couple of people starting a t-shirt business with area codes, who knew that could be in demand? Oh the influence of 90210, or better yet, who wouldn't want 02138? Of course, I myself am guilty of buying t-shirts whenever I travel for my kids and realized when my son was moving out that I need to stop. He had SO many shirts that he never wore and I thought he would just love. Alas, he loves to shop at dollar a pound in Cambridge for his t-shirts and wear someone else's leftover gear.

Buzz. Go sox!

Rainy Day + Summer Sale = Great Day to Shop!

Well, I told you Thursday was going to be rainy and a great day to shop, so the Queen Bee told us all to mark down many of our floor samples even more than before. Check this out.

The Patterson sectional with Comfort Sleeper was $5199, now $3599. The Maxine chair, which is a favorite of ours, was $1325 and now $899. The Chilton chair in this pretty yellow fabric was $1159 and now $699. Need a sofa table? The Manchester sofa table was $799, now $499. The Lawrence chair was $1089 and now only $679. The Horizon bed was $1169, now $899.

The Summer Sale is in full bloom. Visit your favorite Circle Furniture today and take advantage of all the savings, but don't forget your umbrella!

Swing and a Hit

Doesn't everyone need a place to lay their drink? Of course. Circle Furniture gets it. Ekornes gets it. Yes, Ekornes is the manufacturer of the incredible "Stressless recliners" from Norway but they also are smart enough to know that a good side table is always appreciated. Now through September 6th they are giving away a Free Swing Table with every Stressless recliner purchase. The Swing Table swings out, swings in and is happy to hold your martini, lemonade, juicy novel or remote control. It's 12.5" round and attaches right to most Stressless recliners. You can also get the Swing Table in several different wood stains to match your recliner.

Wait. You don't have a Stressless recliner yet? Well, this is a great time to visit your favorite Circle Furniture to experience the comfort of Stressless...because you can SAVE BIG on the Consul and Ambassador models. Hope to see you soon. I heard Thursday is going to be very rainy...maybe a good day to shop!

What a Summer!

I don't know about you but I am SO BUSY this summer. I feel like that chicken that's running around; you know, and unfortunately has no head. Everyone I know suffers from it...not enough time in the day. I live a pretty care free life. Love my job, family and friends. For some reason, I can't seem to fit all of my life in a 24 hour period. Know what I mean?

Keeping this in mind, all of us at Circle Furniture decided it was a good idea to extend our Summer Sale. We're marking more items on sale and putting them up on our website every week. We don't want anyone to miss out on this sale. At our five different showrooms you can find furniture for every room in your home. There's my favorite, the chair-n-a-half available at our Cambridge showroom that is perfect for cuddling! Looking for a beautiful new bed? Check out the Verdana bed in Danvers - gorgeous! Maybe you're more of a leather recliner kind a guy (or gal) - Acton has this super comfy model on their showroom floor as we speak (or as I type). Looking for a piece of Maine Cottage furniture? Stop by the Pembroke store and check out this lovely buffet that would brighten up any dining area. Here's a sleek coffee table that you can find at our Framingham showroom.

So relax, take your time, enjoy these hot summer days and when you get a breather, stop by your favorite Circle Furniture and enjoy our sale. We'll be there with open arms!

June BUZZZZZ California Style

Recently I was on a vacation in California and since my husband and I hadn’t done the beautiful “coast drive” in years we decided to go for it and visit many places we were nostalgic for. Well, I know I’m getting older, so of course my memory is spotty, but I think I might have filled in those spotty areas with better memories. Anyway, I’ve decided that some memories are just better off as, just that, great memories and you’d be better off if you don’t try to re-live them because you might be disappointed!

It was hilarious. Here we are driving in Big Sur, one of my favorite places on the planet, and we happen to pull into an Inn which we stayed at a few times many years ago and loved. When we first pulled in I said maybe we shouldn't stay the night as we were trying to get to San Francisco, but my husband said let's just stay. Of course he knows me too well… I would have been bitchin for weeks afterwards that we had the opportunity but we were rushed as always and missed it. So we booked a room. We got a “cute” room that was very much like a bunkhouse or a camp (except unlike camping you pay a lot of money for this “rustic” experience). I am telling you the bathroom was so tiny (or maybe we were so much "smaller" 25 years ago)…it was a very tight squeeze. We took a nice, long walk in the woods behind us and waited for the magical experience from years past. Something was missing. I couldn't put my finger on it. Well, the last time we were there was a very long time ago so I guess we were in a different mindset - the only thing we were taking to “alter our state” was cholesterol pills and an occasional martini. I noticed that there seem to be a lot of older "hippies" or people our age but still dressing in tie-dyes and sporting long hair. I asked my husband if it was my imagination or were there a lot more “young people” around this place in the old days and he filled me in that the young people who wanted a camping experience could go down the road to the campground for 25 bucks…remember we pay “big” for this experience.

I really got to thinking about a lot of things that seem so different now that I’m older. When I go home and visit places I played as a kid they seem so much smaller than I remember. The pond we skated on used to seem gigantic and I now I realize it’s the size of a puddle. In the woods we used to play in there was "the big hole", which is more of a little ditch. The town fair they held every year was "huge", it is in fact only a few rides, some lemonade and cotton candy if you’re lucky.

I guess what I’m saying is that some things are best left to our memories and in those certain cases where those memories start to fade, remember, you can always just re-work them to create even better ones. Why not give it a try?

BUZZ

Right Around the Corner

If you count today, which I am, Father's Day is only ten days away. Yikes. What to get Dad. Hmm. Tie? No. Fishing pole he may never use? No. Another pair of plaid pj's? Don't think he needs another pair. Hasn't Dad done enough good deeds in his time to deserve more than the appropriate "Oh no, it's Father's Day and I have to get something for Dad"?

Come on. Think about all the soccer, field hockey, baseball, football, lacrosse, basketball and hockey games he showed up to. Or maybe it was a spelling bee, a swim meet, a tennis match, a music recital, a theater production. Letting you take the car on your first date. Letting you "borrow" money whenever you needed it. Dropping you off at college; picking you up from college; letting you move back in after college! Buying you your first "interview suit". Giving you advice about your first job, and second, and third! Being there when you needed him to be. Dad deserves more than a tie.

Ekornes is the way to go. The "stressless" recliners that we offer from Norway are the closest thing to heaven-on-earth in a chair. Perfect for the Dad who is in great shape to the Dad who suffers from a few aches and pains or more (who doesn't?). These recliners are so amazing they're even backed by the American Chiropractic Association (no pun intended).

So, think about it. Dad invested in you with his time, his patience and a whole lot of his hard-earned cash...why not invest in an Ekornes recliner for Dad this Father's Day? We guarantee he'll be psyched....and you'll be the hero!

Dare I Say, Too Much in May!

Mother's Day came and went by all too quickly. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I had a lovely day, but it just seems like each year we all try to pack in more and more events in May. Is it just me or don’t you find that May is totally over-scheduled, over-loaded and extremely hectic? Here we are at the tail end of the month and I have already lost track of how many work events, birthday celebrations, recitals, graduations and bridal showers I’ve attended this month. Don’t even get me started on the TV season finales that all take place in May. I missed all my favorites!

I have a great idea. I want to launch a campaign and lobby to take some of our totally under-used months (January through April) and stick them with a few of these “May Happenings”.

Ok, we start with January. I don’t know if it’s all the resolutions that are so easy to break on January 2nd, but January can be a total let down after all the holiday hub-bub. I think we all need to kick it up a notch by the end of the month, otherwise we’ll go into complete hibernation. This could be a great month to have "online" events - so people wouldn't have to freeze their tukas's off by venturing out in the dead of winter. Think about it, we could save so much money on wardrobe alone if people would just start to be thoughtful and have their birthday celebrations in their own homes and broadcast live, on-line for us all to enjoy. I’d be happy to raise a glass to a dear friend from the comfort of my own home. No getting dressed up, no driving in bad weather, no boring small talk with the person they would have sat you next to at the dinner table. Win-win.

February. Well, yes we do have that hallmark holiday “Valentines Day” that’s slipped into the most miserable month weather-wise just to make us all feel equally miserable about our lack of relationships, or better yet, a perfect month to realize how un-perfect our “sweethearts” are! Let’s stick all of our recitals into February, and once again, let’s make them all virtual. It’ll be so easy to sit in our cozy pj’s, sipping hot chocolate while we pretend to listen to our friends 4th grade daughter play her clarinet recital via on-line! But, for those adventurous types we could create a “Martini Ground Hogs Day” celebration and, YES, let's make them "dirty martinis". Now that could get me out of the house!

March. If you’re feeling Irish, you have your St. Paddy’s day. Great night, but it’s only a night. Let’s throw all the bridal showers into March. Girls, you should be going away with your friends to Aruba for your shower anyway. Sun, friends, beach, margaritas. Come on, it should be mandatory.

April. Of course in New England we are coming out of our winter thaw so I think this is the perfect month for work events so they won't overlap with graduations in May. But let’s limit our work events to only ones where they have really good food, and really great drinks and offer some really easy parking!

May. Has to be reserved for MOMS and Grads. It’s the end of the school year and the college grads are finally giving their Moms what they really want by hopefully getting off the payroll! (Although I have been told by my adult children that living at home is now considered "cool".)

June-September. My favorite time here in New England, as we may be guaranteed at least a few weeks of beautiful weather. Of course there will always be some weddings filling the calendar. I have no problem with that. I love the Macarena.

October. So beautiful. The time of year we start getting our groove back from the relaxing summer, but before the craziness of holiday planning. Perfect time for those fundraising events. Happy to go.

November. Before you know it, it's Thanksgiving and right through to Christmas and New Years and my gosh, where did the year go?

Buzz.

What's All The Excitement About?

Wow...there has been so much action at our Cambridge store in the past few weeks. No, we're not all sporting crew cuts and wearing the names of Celtics players written on the backs of our shirts. The action is all about "Buzz and Ruby". If you're not an avid bird watcher than you may not be aware that there is a family of Red-Tailed hawks that have built a nest right at the top of the building next door to Circle Furniture on Alewife Brook Parkway. People are lining up DAILY with their fancy cameras and telescopes to check out the scene. Buzz and Ruby, the happy couple, were named by a local bird enthusiast who has been blogging about them since he spotted them back in February. Well, love was in the air because now they have three little baby hawks that people are going ga-ga for! If you get a chance, hop over to Circle Furniture, get out of your car, look up and to your right, and you can't miss them!

Then...I must insist that you come over to our store and check out the ONLY Ekornes E300 sectional - brand new - that is being shown in Boston. So if you haven't heard about Ekornes® Stressless® recliners, sofas and sectionals please come check them out. Ekornes doesn't use the tagline "The Innovators of Comfort" just for show...these products are truly remarkable. And for the time being our Cambridge showroom is the only place you can feast your eyes on the new sectional with chaise lounge. Stressless fans have been waiting anxiously for this day. Come visit. We promise after you're wowed by all things Stressless we'll take you out into the parking lot and let you borrow our binoculars to check out Buzz, Ruby and the kids!

Bag Lady, Who Me?

I was sitting in my co-worker Sarah's office the other day and we were discussing the upcoming "What's in a Bag" event she has been working on. You know, it’s a silent and live auction of gorgeous handbags next Thursday, at our Cambridge store, where all the proceeds go to the Mass Coalition for the Homeless. Anyway, it really got me thinking about bags. Do I have a bag obsession? Maybe. I think my friends do for sure! I have a few good friends who are so obsessed with color-coordinating their bags with their outfits. Little over the top, I think. Who is that awake in the morning? I’m lucky if I put two matching socks on!

You need to understand that buying a new bag is a pretty easy and stressfree sale for me – no trying on in front of a full length mirror! Oh, isn’t that the best! So I’ve been known to go over "budget" on a bag here or there (wow, I hate that word "budget"). Now I don’t consider myself a label-conscious person, I buy for the romance of it all. I actually have fallen in love with certain bags for some reason or another. Maybe it’s the color, maybe it’s the Italian leather, maybe it’s the smell, maybe it’s all the cool and handy pockets you can put everything you own in and you will finally be organized. Yeah, right! You can’t imagine what people walk around with in their bags. The bigger the bag is, the more I tend to throw everything in. Need a hair dryer? No problem, I have one right here in my bag. Looking for a bottle of fish oil? Sarah has a Costco-size bottle in her beautiful T.J. Max bag. Maria has a sippy cup and a plastic bag of Cheerios and Fig Newtons. Judy has 3 brushes, 2 combs and a lipstick from 1994. See what I mean about everything?

One of my all time favorite bags is a fantastic fabric valise with a patch of a martini glass where the olives are sliding down a stripper poll. Now, if you have read any of my previous buzzes you know how much I love to order martinis "dirty" (and of course exercising and watching the food channel) I just enjoy saying “dirty” out loud!

I went out the other night and found myself "bag watching". People sport some pretty incredible bags these days. Gym bags, diaper bags, tote bags, laptop bags, overnight bags, clutches - some very utilitarian, some very chic-chic. Messenger bags are very hip and they cross all genders, where man-purses really didn't make it big in the states, did they? Maybe the iPad will change all that! As mentioned before, some women carry their life in their bags and sizes can be enormous – definitely future back and shoulder problems. I noticed some bags are used as pet carriers, sporting those little critters with them everywhere. Please let’s not forget the recycle bag. Every store in America has their own recycle bag now (just be sure to wash it regularly!) Diaper bags are really cool now, I would have loved those back when I was shoving everything into my martini bag (what was I setting my kids up for?) Point is…everyone could use a new bag in their life…Let’s have fun next week and bid often (and high!) on your favorite bag.

Check out our site for more information about our event.

Buzz.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day everyone! I want to give a shout out to all our eco-conscious vendors and say thanks for all you're doing to create earth-friendly sustainable products for Circle to sell! Copeland, Cherry Pond, CR Laine, Lee Industries, Vermont Tubbs, Vermont Furniture, Gat Creek, American Leather, Company C, Brown Street, Ultrasuede® and many more are all fighting the good fight and we appreciate it. Thanks to all our customers as well who recognize the importance of sustainable furniture!

And...

In reading up about the 40th anniversary of Earth Day I can't help but be excited for the events going on in Boston. For those of us working today and tomorrow, here are some fun ideas for the weekend taken from our friends at boston.com.

1. Celebrate Earth Day at New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, Saturday, April 24, 2010. Enjoy free admission to Garden in the Woods all day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take a guided walking tour and learn the history of the Garden, the design of the various garden areas and habitats, and the conservation elements being addressed. Tour the unique New England Garden of Rare and Endangered Plants. Visit the Invasive Plant Jail to see what these plant scourges look like and how to rid your property of them. Special events take place between noon and 4 p.m., with tours given on the half hour. Families will enjoy searching the Garden for signs of spring with our Scavenger Hunt Sheet. Other family activities include face-painting, seed planting, and making a pine cone bird feeder to take home. Look for mystery creatures in the Garden.

2. Oh, Charles River. You've been our running partner during 5 a.m. marathon training jogs. You've posed for some of our favorite scenic photos of Boston. Now, we all have a chance to give back. Join more than 3,000 volunteers ready to pick up trash along the river and its tributaries from Cambridge to Newton. 9 a.m. to noon. Various locations along the Charles River. See website for a list of drop-in cleanup sites:

3. Are firefly numbers dwindling? The Museum of Science has teamed up with researchers from Tufts University and Fitchburg State College to track these winged nightlights. Chat with scientists, participate in activities, and learn how you can join the museum's Firefly Watch at this daylong event.

4. Or...if you really feel adventurous you can trek up to Burlington, Vermont and attend Earth Weeks Mudfest... "It's mud season in Vermont, and the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is celebrating with "MudFest," a two-week festival where you can really get your hands dirty. Festivities will feature the mud fling (which is just what it sounds like), daily musical performances from a number of Vermont artists, as well as animal feedings and other demonstrations for the kids along the shore of Lake Champlain."

Anyway you slice it - it's Earth Day and we should all be celebrating one way or another! I get to welcome my newest nephew, Owen, into this world. I'm sure Owen will accompany his big brother to many Earth Day activities in the future. Happy Birthday Owen!

As I Was Saying...Sustainability Rocks!

We're getting closer to that big Earth Day celebration next week so we decided to give props to the vendors and manufacturers who make the furniture we so proudly sell.

Today, it's all about "Soy". What? Soy. As in, soybeans. Let me explain. Many of our upholstery vendors, such as American Leather, carry something called BiOH polyols, a soy-based ingredient used in making flexible foam for their seat and back cushions. Why would anyone use soy in making cushions? Good question. You see traditional foam is made from petroleum-based products. BiOH products are made from soybean oil, thus cutting back on the amount of petroleum-based ingredients. As they say on BiOH's website, "Foam cushioning made with BiOH polyols is comparable to existing foam used by the home furnishings and automotive industries while leaving a smaller environmental footprint. Products that incorporate BiOH polyols offer a responsible choice for consumers and businesses that are increasingly interested in sustainability." (There's that word again!)

I know, the $64,000 question is - how does a sofa with BiOH polyols sit? Is it comfortable? When you have guests over will they fall into the sofa and not be able to get up? Drum roll please...I can tell you from experience - these cushions are AMAZING. We should know; we have so many chairs, sofas and sectionals on our 5 showroom floors that get A LOT of use. Cushions made with BiOH polyols will last a long, long time and are just as comfy as anything out there!

Although my word is good...you should come visit any Circle Furniture and test out the cushions made from soybean oil. Hey, come to think of it...what a great school project for your kids, they could write a report about eco-friendly trends! While your kids are doing research at our store you can take advantage of our Spring Upholstery Sale featuring Ultrasuede® - another amazing product you'll hear about next week!

Quick Tip:
alt 0174 - a shortcut to creating a register mark (Thanks to Helen for teaching me that one!)

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Gearing Up!

With Earth Day soon approaching (April 22nd) we're in the mood to talk sustainability. I know, I know...you're used to hearing the word "green" but what does green really mean?

If you go to Google search, type in the word green, I'm happy to say the first thing that comes up is Green Day (such a good band) but if you type in "green products" a plethora of offerings show up. Green products for the home, the kids, the pets, the garden, the car. But what makes it green? Anyone can just slap a sticker on a product and call something green, but, what is it really?

We think, first and foremost, it's all about sustainability. At Circle there are different ways we strive for sustainability. First, we know if a product lasts that translates into less waste, which has less environmental impact than something you would use and throw out in a year. Second, our hardwood products from our vendors like Copeland Furniture in Vermont, are made from sustainably harvested forests. Meaning? The woods used come from forests which are not threatened and do not contain genetically modified trees. What else keeps our environment sustainable to live in? When creating these beautiful wood products our vendors are using water based finishes, reducing the amount of VOC emissions, along with burning less fuel and using more health-conscious packing materials.

So today we celebrate Copeland Furniture and our other wood vendors for their on-going efforts towards creating sustainable furniture. We're proud to be founding members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council and for more information, check out their website to find out whose becoming more and more sustainable everyday.

Rain, Rain Go Away

What a week! All the rain, flooding, traffic. We could use a nice, sunny, relaxing weekend, right? AND...it's actually supposed to be in the 70's/80's this weekend. Can you believe it? Yippee!

If you're looking for fun things to do around the city/suburbs, please come check out our latest art exhibit at our Framingham showroom. This month we're featuring the works of local artist Ellen Ezorsky. Here's a little bit about Ellen:

"Ellen Ezorsky has been printing and painting in several mediums for many years. Having received her MFA in Painting using oils at the San Francisco Art Institute, she turned to acrylics when small children and pets presented a logistical threat to slow-drying oils. These children informed Ms. Ezorsky's work as she moved freely between the worlds of abstraction and realism. Currently painting with oils where she resides in Cambridge, MA, Ms. Ezorsky continues to playfully bridge genres, while color reigns as her motivating passion."

Her pieces look fantastic mixed with Circle's beautiful vignettes...larger than life. So please stop by anytime you're heading out on Rte. 9. If you're not around this weekend stop by on April 17th, from 3-5pm, for an informal wine and cheese reception to celebrate Ellen's work.

Don't forget - Eric Roth's photographs are on display at the Cambridge showroom until the end of the month. If you're passing through Cambridge, please come visit!

Enjoy the weekend. I'm going to soak in every drop of sunshine that's possible (I know, I know, sunscreen is necessary!) Where have the days of sunbathing with baby oil, a tin-foil covered album and a Tab gone? Wow...Tab was gross, wasn't it?

Have fun!

What's the Buzz?

Civility. Ok, can we all agree that there is way too much ranting and raving in our lives today? I don’t know about you but I have had it! There seems to be a lot of yelling going on and anger is seeping into our lives everyday from everywhere. This can’t be good for our well being. I mean, think about it, we make a huge effort to eat right [well some people], exercise [again, some people], and then we end up with our blood pressure going though the roof over something totally insignificant. Like, for instance, when I’m in the coffee shop and the person in front of me gets the wrong order; yikes, the rudeness that follows. It’s only coffee, take a pulse, chill out, rein it in. I know, I know. I myself, have been known to flip out when our lunch order arrives at my office and someone decided I wanted my sandwich with onions when I specifically said “no onions”. It can ruin your day, if you are slightly crazed.

Yes, we all are affected by rude behavior that has almost become acceptable on a daily basis, just going about our daily life - on the subway, in line at the market, picking up at the dry cleaners, waiting for your pizza. Don’t we just want everything to run smoothly? Can’t we all just get along?

Not that long ago, while visiting my daughter in San Francisco, I witnessed something truly amazing. I was on a city bus when a guy ran up to the front of the bus frantically shouting “I missed my stop!” From past experiences, I was thinking “tough luck buddy”. Wow! What a shock… the driver pulled over and HAPPILY explained to the guy how to backtrack. The bus rider thanked the driver so much. After all the pleasantries were exchanged they went on with their day. I was thrilled to see how nice they were to each other as I sat daydreaming about how great the day was going to be for the both of them, and me too!

Here’s a thought. What if we all made a pledge to be more pleasant to everyone we came in contact with everyday? What kind of difference would it make in our lives? I did try and practice this for a short while. I’m going to resurrect the idea starting today! I have been known to be a bit of a “hot-head” sometimes and have been guilty of ranting and raving myself. Of course, the people I work with would find this unbelievable but I think it may have happened a time or two. Today I am going to be Ms. Pleasant and I’ll see if there is any transformation in my world. I hope everyone will give it a shot as well. Why not start today? One thing that might help is to shut off all the noise on the radio and TV. It is so unpleasant, too much ranting and raving, don’t you think? As I always say, If you feel the need to chill out in front of the TV, please stick to the cartoons!

Peggy Burns
Queen Bee

Good Day to be Green!

The word on the street is that we've been busy making our showrooms sparkle with the new spring collections. Color? For sure. Gorgeous new Ultrasuede®? Most definitely. Inspiring new fabrics? Yes indeed. Eco-friendly furniture? You mean, green? Absolutely!

Oh, and if you get a chance this weekend, stop by the Acton store where we're having a "pop-up" sale all weekend long. You'll find floor samples, discontinued styles and gently-used showroom pieces all at super prices!

Being an Irish gal, I cannot pass up the chance to "cut and copy" one of my favorite lines from the famous blessing..."May the sun shine warm upon your face...". Fitting on a sunny day like today. Happy St. Patty's Day!

You Know Spring is Close When...

Spring is in the air, right? As I look out of my office window at the snow coming down in droves it's hard to imagine that spring is near. But, alas, there are signs to convince me to keep the faith.

Last week I got the opportunity to go to Las Vegas and take a sneak peak at the latest collections from Stressless by Ekornes. Never heard of Stressless? They only make the most comfortable recliner in the world. In fact, their tagline is "The Innovators of Comfort" and they live up to it for sure! Ok, enough, you get it. I love Stressless! Anyway...when you get to preview "Spring Collections" of furniture lines, that's a sign.

Another sign? When the good ole' Jazzfest comes to town! Circle Furniture is once again a sponsor of the Jazzfest 2010. All throughout March, April and May legends in jazz and blues play to sell-out crowds at the intimate but lively Regattabar in the Charles Hotel. We love the Charles! Ok, perfect scenario for a blast of a weekend? Dinner reservations at Rialto - yum! Catch a jazzfest show at the Regattabar later in the evening. Sip on a cordial after the show at the cool and low-key Noir bar. Stay over in the inspiring Charles Hotel right in the heart of Harvard Square, so no driving is necessary. Wake up and have the most delicious brunch at Henrietta's Table. Trust me, you cannot miss with a weekend like that!

One more sign spring is near? Circle is having their "Invest in Your Nest" promo starting today. Spring collections are on the showroom floors ready to inspire and delight you. Wait till you see the colorful new leathers from Ekornes, the gorgeous Catalina bedroom collection from Copeland and the fabulous Milford sectional dressed in spring fabrics. Shop around, find something that suits your fancy and get a $200 gift card for a future purchase when you spend $1000!

As for Vegas, there are two kinds of people in this world; those who love Vegas and those who don't. I love. The restaurants are amazing. The gambling is exciting (ok, until you start losing!) The shows are phenomenal. You can even take an airplane tour of the Grand Canyon or the Hoover Dam. Even go hiking at Lake Mead. Unfortunately, it is not always true that what happens in Vegas, stays there. With all the eating and drinking I did last week I'm quite sure I brought home a couple of extra pounds! Oh well. Another sign spring is fast approaching? Bathing suit season is right around the corner! Ugh.

What's the Buzz?

The Dreaded Snow!

Code Red. It’s official – we’re under attack. Everyone knows the drill…run, hide, the snow is coming! Ok, call me crazy, but I believe we’re over-reacting just a little bit. Agree? There is a slight mention that snow may be coming, not totally confirmed, but the TV news stations are warning us that maybe, just maybe, we might get an inch, possibly several, could get nothing or we’ll have a complete white-out. Everyone panics.

Ok, so last week a lot of the country did experience some weather that was clearly unheard of in those parts, so I guess they had something to crow about. Technically, we could drop the alert levels, since DC was closed down for a week none of those bureaucrats could get into the office so our country might have been inflicted with less damage! Isn’t it funny how some people got so delighted because they equate snow as proof that there is no such thing as global warming, not knowing the difference between climate and weather? Not that funny.

I live in New England, where guess what? It snows! Usually fairly regularly, not breaking news. So back in ’78 we had this little blizzard that did bring us to a stand-still for a week or so (I was stuck in the Virgin Islands for an extra week - I know, what a bummer, I missed all the fun). Here it is, 30 years later and that blizzard still sparks panic and fear. People tell their children stories about being trapped, not having cable TV or video games. It was like the big one, WW2, on a scale of storms. I’m sure if you ask, you could find a lot more stories about how great it was having a week snowed in with your family and neighbors and how much fun it was. But because of the media we go into shear panic mode when there is even a mention of snowfall. We run to the grocery stores. We agonize about driving. We‘re not sure when we’ll ever get to Zumba class again!

The threat of the storm last week caused widespread panic. We got a call in the morning that a local concert was cancelled, restaurants actually closed, schools were closed, government offices closed (good thing) and snow emergencies were in place. This, all before one snowflake had appeared. Unbelievable.

I’ve decided the business to be in right now is selling “snow shelters”. I believe back in the 50’s they sold bomb shelters quite successfully, didn’t they? Think about it. How great would it be to have a shelter all set up and ready to go. No last minute runs to the market. Everything right there in your snow shelter just the way you want it. We could offer different packages; “Gourmet”, “30-minute meals”, “PG or R Rated Movies”, whatever the needs are, the important thing is that it’s there and ready for use. The “Exercise-Addicts” shelter would come equipped with free weights, yoga videos and cabinets stocked with Power Bars and Vitamin Water! The “Tech-Geeks” shelter would have a laptop connected to a huge generator, along with an X box, video games, iphone, ipod, blackberry, blueberry and snozberry!

We may offer a “Neighborhood Package” or “Friends and Family Package”, although this could get tricky when it comes to who you want in your shelter. We’d have to have a disclaimer on the side “this shelter could cause some family turmoil”. You might decide to keep your snow shelter a secret, so as not to get people lining up when “storm central” starts hitting the airwaves. I really think I’m on to something here and when I’m done buzzing I’ll be making calls to some venture capital guys to see if I can get some financing. I think I’ll talk to some furniture designers as well about a piece that can be used as a dining table, sofa and bed all in one, for my “custom shelters”.

Here’s my advice. Enjoy the snow. Spring is just around the corner…

P.S. One last thing networks need to know when they call emergency snow days - we don’t want to watch the weather on TV! Just give us Regis and Kelly. The View. Ellen. Rachel. Martha. In fact, give us anyone except a roaming reporter in a snow bank, just not that entertaining!

How Many is Too Many Valentine's?

I know, it's a Hallmark holiday...that has the power of throwing people into a dark depression, or better yet, just a night on the couch with a pint of Haagen-dazs® watching a Lifetime movie about betrayal and revenge. Valentine's Day comes only once a year, but yet it seems to creep up on us slowly and methodically, not to mention, it lasts far longer than it needs to. What's interesting is that it's not just my single friends that are annoyed by all the love in the air, but my married friends complain too. "He didn't get me flowers!", "We had no reservations!", "She didn't book a babysitter!", "Why did he buy me chocolates when he knows I'm on a diet?".You know we've all gone through this. Sometimes we get in a rut where it seems like everyone else is walking on much, much greener grass!

This year I ended up going to the MFA with a very sweet boyfriend* and then hitting our favorite Mexican restaurant, Sol Azteca, in Boston/Brookline. {If you haven't been, please drop everything and head to Beacon Street, order an 1800 Margarita and the steak fajitas - I promise you, the best fajitas you've ever had!} Anywho...So I count myself very lucky to have someone to spend this Valentine's Day with...but that's not where my luck ended.

About 4pm yesterday, I stopped over my sisters house and it was, as they say, like a zoo. The noise alone was astonishing! The kids are on vacation, my brother and his family were visiting, my parents were spending the night. So many people. So much noise. So many little kids. The running. The screaming. The "almost smashing their little heads on the bannister" kind of day. So much chaos. So much love. So many hand-made Valentine's given out. So many heart-shaped cookies eaten. Lots of laughter. Lots of "Will you be mine?". I think, all told, I had, between friends and relatives, probably 20 Valentine's.

Love is everywhere...certainly not just in a bouquet of flowers or a delicious dinner. It is everywhere in our lives, you just have to stop, revel in the "chaos" and enjoy the ride. So I ask you, how many is too many Valentine's? I think it's infinite, don't you?


* Very sweet boyfriend, a.k.a. very talented photographer...note image above!

Last Night...

I admit it. I didn't watch a second of the Superbowl. Don't get me wrong; I had every intention of watching the game. In fact, all throughout Sunday I was day-dreaming of the chips and dip, the guacamole, the chili, the cold beer, and oh, yes, the game. I have relatives in New Orleans...you know, the kind of relatives you really adore? So, of course, I was rooting for those Saints. I was looking forward to a crazy night of eating, drinking and screaming my head off to support the Saints!

About 5pm I got a text reminding me I was invited, and expected, at a friends house for a dinner party. Whoops! There goes the game. Immediately I sadly said goodbye to those visions of warm chili and beer. Well, I thought, maybe my dinner hosts will have the game on in the background. Of course they will, right? Wrong. My friends are from the Netherlands and not that into our football and had no interest in the game what...so...ever.

Not a problem. As soon as I entered their hallway I could smell the home cooking. As I opened the door to the apartment I was greeted with huge bear hugs and kisses and a nice glass of red wine. Some other friends had just gotten back from a month-long road trip throughout the States, so there was much to talk about. We all stayed in the kitchen for at least an hour just catching up on our lives. My Dutch friends had just discovered fluff over the weekend, but did not know that you could mix fluff with peanut butter so I had to set them straight. I created a fluffernutter and cut into 8 tiny triangles...Voila ...appetizers. They were hooked!

As we ate dinner and had some laughs looking at their photo albums I was reminded that this really is what it's all about. We always say at Circle Furniture that our furniture is "made for real life" or that it's all about entertaining in a comfortable atmosphere. We want people to love our furniture, to live in our furniture, but mostly to make memories while sitting at their dining room table or relaxing on one of our sectionals. You house truly becomes a home when you add comfort, warmth, friendship and family.

So although I did not get to watch the Saints momentous victory, I had an awesome night. The food, wine and conversation was just what the doctor ordered on a cold, wintry Boston night. For a girl who does not like to cook (besides the occasional fluffernutter), having someone make you dinner is like feeding a stray cat...you'll have a friend for life! I'm just saying, I'm always open to invitations!

Congrats New Orleans, you deserve it big time!

Shout It From The Rooftops!

Many of you are acquainted with the Queen Bee, right? So tomorrow is the big day for the Queen Bee's niece Amy. She and her beau Mike, are tying the knot in Jamaica and we couldn't be happier for them!

If anyone knows Amy, you know that she can light up a room as soon as she's even in the vicinity of that room! Amy is famous for her huge smile and big heart. Mike is a doll as well so everyone is super excited for the big event.

Of course, they left us here in Boston, a.k.a. Antarctica, to fly South to Jamaica for the big event...I guess we can forgive them for that. I mean, they couldn't really send the entire staff of Circle Furniture out of the country this weekend, what with it being the last weekend of the January sale, right?

So we'll be here, holding down the fort, while Jamaica warms the happy couple. Congrats to Amy and Mike - we can't wait to hear the stories and see the pictures. And, for those of you who really know the Queen Bee, you know they'll be wild stories and crazy pictures!

And if you haven't listened to Bob Marley in awhile, do yourself a favor and throw some on in your car or on your IPod. It's amazing how a little Reggae can warm even the coldest of spirits! "Don't worry, bout' a thing...cuz every little thing, gonna be alright."

Buzzzzzzzzz

Haven't seen the latest Buzz from the Queen Bee? Check it out.

January Buzz

Well, it’s that time of the year, once again, when we all make or break our “New Year’s Resolutions”. I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that most of us could not wait to kick ‘’09” out the door (and give it a good, swift kick in the behind at the same time!) I wonder if there is any significant meaning that it all came down at the end of the first decade of the 21st century. Hmm. Anyway, let’s not go down that path with those nuts who read meaning into apocalyptic proportions; let’s just stick to the facts about New Year’s.

Ok, number one resolution, I’m sure it’s to LOSE WEIGHT. I could be wrong, but judging by the onslaught of Jenny Craig commercials and the spike in gym memberships, I doubt I am. I know this has been my resolution for the past, oh I don’t know, dozen years. I have been SO successful at it that I have actually gained many pounds to prove it! Most people go on a diet, lose some weight and of course gain it all back…with a little extra. So this year I’ve decided to ditch that resolution so at least I would remain at my usual weight and not risk gaining anymore! Genius, I know.

People often say they are going to spend more time with family or connect more with friends, and they probably truly believe it for about a week or two. Then a call comes in from one of your close friends who moved far away and she tells you she will be in town for one night on her way through on a business trip and she wants to meet for dinner. You are so excited and then the bombshell drops; “it’s Tuesday night”, a school night, a work night, you may have to put yourself out and drive 30 minutes into Boston. Ugh. Connecting with friends and family? Not as easy as we think.

Quit smoking or drinking. Yes, this is a common one. I quit smoking over 30 years ago and that was for a boy I was in love with, so no brainer there. The drinking? I don’t want to test the weight loss theory on this one, if you know what I mean!

Exercising more. Well, a girl can dream, right? I actually convinced my wonderful husband to get me a real piece of gym equipment for my Christmas gift and under supreme pressure he did it. This isn’t one of those many different pieces that I have purchased from TV commercials over the years and ended up making for a nice clothing valet in our bedroom or the abs busters that was hidden in many of our closets. This is the real deal, like the machines that are located at my gym that I still pay dues for but never go to! Donna, who works in our Acton showroom, hooked me up with her son Matt at the Gym Source in Newton (that’s right, he just got a plug!), and voila, a few days after Christmas my machine arrived. I am so proud to say, there are no clothes hanging from it! I have a small TV on the wall and “everyday” I go downstairs and do my time while watching the cooking channel. Last week I was so psyched about Tyler’s ultimate chicken legs and pasta dish, I went an extra 10 minutes on that elliptical just to finish the recipe. I was drooling while thinking about making it for dinner that night and thinking what friend or family member I could invite over to connect with again.

Does anyone see how ridiculous this all is? I am running to my elliptical so I can get all whipped up about some delicious dish that I can make as soon as I finish the exercise. Not to worry, like I’ve said in previous buzzes, I love to “watch” the cooking channel but have not quite gotten to the execution part of it. I have to run because I am going to meet me girlfriends, “the dolls”, as I affectionately refer to them. We will probably have a few cocktails. Oh, one noteworthy thing I’m trying this year is to switch from my beloved chardonnay to Vodka. I think it has less calories and I just love saying “Bartender, vodka martini please and make it Dirty…

Peggy Burns
Queen Bee

Party On!

This past Saturday the folks at Circle Furniture brushed off their dancing shoes and partied down! Yes, we were celebrating our annual holiday bash as we do every year, but this one was particularly special. Why? It was so much fun to say goodbye to 2009. Don't get me wrong, really good things happened this past year. Here's a few.

We started 2009 by opening a brand new GORGEOUS store in Pembroke - What's that, you've not been? Why not take a trip South this weekend? Bundle up for a delightful walk through World's End in Hingham - one of the most romantic places to go for a winter stroll! After your inspiring walk hit the Pembroke store for our huge January Sale, then finish off your day with a fabulous dinner at Orta (right next to the store)!

In May we hosted "The Art Of Decorative Placement" at the Danvers showroom. It was a wonderful night where local North Shore artists displayed their works paired with Circle's transitional and contemporary lines of furniture. We celebrated the arts in full force that night!

September brought us the vivacious and talented Libby Langdon who gave a presentation to a packed house of "libby-heads". We laughed, drank chardonnay, and took notes as Libby spoke about the challenges of decorating for small spaces. We learned a lot that night!

There was a sea of Pink at our "Pink Party" in Framingham this past October where we hooted and hollered to raise money for The Ellie Fund. Again...a grand time had by all.

Personally we celebrated as well. Michelle had an adorable baby boy named Boston (yes, he's named Boston, for real)! Moise, one of our most-excellent warehouse team members, also had a little-cutie-baby-boy named Moise Jr. Heather is in love. Margo got engaged. Sonja's husband returned from Iraq. Ann's daughter got married. Max finished another film coming to a theater near you! Rich rode his first Pan Mass. Harold led the Circle Furniture team in The Rodman Ride for Kids. Donna, Richard, Pat and Troy were named "Circle Positive Deviants" for 2009. Jonathan won "Employee of the Year". A lot of good things happened for sure!

Our drink of choice graduated from classic chardonnay to down and dirty vodka martinis. The economy; did it bring us down? Maybe we stumbled here and there, but we came out stronger in the end. We've learned a lot and we're looking forward to smooth sailing in 2010.

Thanks for reading and being a part of our community!

Stop By Today!

We're excited to continue our quest to showcase local artists living and working in the communities around where we work and play. This month stop by the Cambridge Circle Furniture showroom to see the beautiful and inspiring artwork of local artist Diane Novetsky.

"Diane Novetsky is an abstract painter of lyrical landscapes that combine a sensuous, textural surface with striking luminosity and depth. Her work evolves intuitively from dreams, half-forgotten memories, and fleeting glimpses of everyday life.

Dianes paintings are built up in layers–like the strata of the earth–using a variety of acrylic based mediums, which echo the gritty qualities of natural sand and stone. Some of her work employs the motif of an intimate landscape to explore the ephemeral nature of life. The beauty of shifting light, the passage of time and the elusiveness of memory come into play in her recent series of highly textural paintings.

The landscape motif is also a meditation on our quest for the spiritual. “My hope is that the viewer can follow me in my creative/spiritual journey, observing and finding beauty in some of the signs and landmarks I have left along the way.”

Diane is a founding member of the Brickbottom Artists Building in Somerville, MA, one of the oldest living and working artists communities in the country. She works out of the Vernon Street Studios, also in Somerville. Diane is a regular participant in the yearly Brickbottom and Somerville Open Studios events. Her work is included in many corporate and private collections throughout the region."

Now I know what I'm going to do this snowy weekend; break out my watercolors and see what transpires. A little cocoa, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies (ok, store bought I have to admit) and I'm good to go. What are you going to do this weekend?