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?