Appetizing Mix for Entertaining
Wind & Willow’s Bacon Stuffed Mushroom Cheeseball/Appetizer Mix adds a little pizzazz to home entertaining. The mix can be used to create a tempting cocktail party cheeseball spread for crackers or an easy, yet elegant, stuffed mushroom appetizer to impress guests at an intimate dinner party. Wind & Willow, Mount Vernon, MO. (888) 427-3235.











Bridal Bliss
These bride and bridesmaid tote bags feature two-toned patent leather with a snap closure. The interior has a polka dot nylon lining. 22½”x16½”. $25 each. Mud Pie, Stone Mountain, GA. (800) 998-1633.













Seeing Green
Retailers can encourage shoppers to be more environmentally friendly by promoting the use of reusable bags. The PET bag from Envi Reusable Bags is made from recycled soda bottles. Call for prices. Envi Reusable Bags, New York. (877) 463-2655.










Emergency Preparedness
Ice-Qube Baby is a special emergency kit that parents can keep stashed in a car trunk, storm cellar or hall closet. It contains all the essential baby safety supplies, including first-aid, hygiene and comfort products, to keep baby comfortable in any emergency situation, major or minor. All the essentials come in a compact 8” square handled carton. Ice-Qube, Bethpage, NY.





Home Run!
With baseball season upon us, these silk ties will be a hit with sports fans. Made of 100 percent silk and featuring tiny baseball players, the ties are available in four colors. $15. The Tie Bar, Naperville, IL. (877) 888-TIES.










Cards by Kids
“Touch the Sky” is part of a line of greeting cards handcrafted in Rwanda by young people who have been orphaned by genocide or disease. The Fair Trade cards are crafted from handmade paper created from local Rwandan office waste, using no chemicals in the process. Card designs range from all-occasion to birthday to sympathy to wedding. $4.25. Cards from Africa, San Francisco, CA. (415) 683-6894.












Great Gardens
Even the most experienced gardener will appreciate the tips, know-how and beautiful photographs in The Ultimate Gardener by Charlie Nardozzi. In this compact tome, gardeners share stories and impart advice on many topics including how to grow low-maintenance roses, proper preparation of soil and tips on growing the most delicious, fragrant herbs. Among those experts who share their knowledge are Linda Allen and Jean Fogle who discuss theme gardens and how to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. $14.95. Health Communications, Deerfield Beach, FL. (800) 441-5569.









The Art of the Party
Customers can create fun a lasting memento to mark any occasion with a Party Art kit. A perfect activity for adult and kids parties, the kit is comprised of a 20-piece wooden jigsaw puzzle and frame, assorted paint brushes and water-soluble paints. Each party guest is given a puzzle piece to paint and decorate, after which the puzzle is put together and mounted in the frame. The finished puzzle measures 23¾”x 19¾”. $49.99. Naptime Studio, Maple Valley, WA. (206) 353-4566.





Sizzlin’
Add a little fun to your product mix with the Bacon watch. Features a vinyl strap that looks like bacon. Call for prices. Accoutrements, Seattle. (425) 349-3838.