It's Been a Year!!

I cannot believe it has been a year since Charlie and I were married. It's been a wonderful year, and full of big changes!! We have lived in 3 different towns since Dec. 1, 2008...Changed careers twice, each!! We are starting to feel settled and really love being in Hernando. The store is a blast! And, Charlie still really loves woodworking. Please come see us if you are driving up or down I55. We are just right off of the exit!

Updates on Charlie - This is his favorite time of the year..I wish I could say because its our anniversary, but no...its hunting season. He spends as much of his time as he can out in the woods...well, as much as I will let him :)

Update on Jamie - I spend all of my time at the store. It's so much fun during the Christmas season. I love watching people find the perfect gift for their loved ones. It's fun hearing, "ooh, I am giving this for my dirty santa gift...and I am going to win it back!!" It's such a huge compliment and our shoppers are so sweet to us!! On my day off, after church, I am usually sitting on the couch resting...That is what you are supposed to do on that day, right?!?!

PS - Charlie will be shaving that beard tonight...

Open House

The front window
Karen Didion Santas


Fun Christmas Serving Pieces!!

Our MS Christmas Tree - Every ornament is made in MS.

Copper MS by Copperworx, Etta B 2008 Ornament, Sprit Song Pottery Ornaments, North River Studio Stained Glass Ornaments, and Brushfire Designs Handpainted Ornaments.

Dressing up china and Annieglass with snowflake garland!

Sweet Friends Come to Visit!!

Molly and Mary Emerson drove from Meridian to come see the Square Cupboard's Open House. It was so much fun having them there!! Mary Emerson looked so cute in her Christmas dress, and I cannot wait to see the pictures with Santa!!

Mary Emerson, Molly, and Me

Jenn drove from Southaven to visit!! It was so fun being together again. (even though I only got to enjoy it for a few minutes..before the fun Christmas OH rush!!)
I love y'all! It meant so much that y'all were there!!!!

My Favorite Holiday Collection

I love to decorate the house for Christmas. Christmas trees, ornaments, wreaths, stockings, Santas, jingle bells, Christmas china, etc. You name it, I LOVE it!! One of my favorite Christmas presents every year is the Limited Edition Annieglass Snowflake plate. She makes a different one every year and they are gorgeous! I use them as platters for holiday parties and display them around our dining room the rest of the time. I love that they can be used throughout January, too!!

I have decided that when you are not around kids, Halloween is not really that big of a deal. I did not even eat one piece of candy today. And, since working at the store has gotten me in the Christmas spirit early, I thought I would start sharing about some of our Christmas items that are my favorites.

Etta B. Pottery

If you know me at all, you know that I LOVE Mississippi pottery. It really does not matter who makes it - it's all so unique, different, and gorgeous. The Square Cupboard just got in several new pieces of Etta B Pottery, and I LOVE IT!! Her prices are great, the look is different, her colors are bright, and her Christmas pieces are fabulous. She is from Etta, MS, and is relatively a new potter to the retail world. Her patina line (blue) would be perfect for any occasion. I especially think the serving pieces would be cute to serve with for a baby shower, springtime, or on Easter Sunday. I love how she has taken the non-traditional Christmas color and made it wintery so it will work for all seasons!

The pear line is my favorite. Of course, because green is my favorite color! This collection is perfect for every season also! Another great thing about Etta B. is that it is functional and pretty. So when you are not using it, you can decorate with it!
Hollyberry - The first Christmas line of Etta B. pottery. How cute is that?!?! I love the colors and I love the cute snowman. Perfect for carrying over through Christmas into January. I really love the plaid pieces that mix with her snowmen pieces. I am not one really for plaid, but I think her's is adorable. Who would have thought to put plaid on pottery?? But, it's cute!

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood came to Southaven last night! Let me just tell you, it was GREAT! She was awesome. That girl has some talent! I mean obviously, she won American Idol, but still - she can do everything!!

Jill, Erin, and I had a great time!

Yes, that microphone is pink! She rocked it at the end!!

Little Big Town opened for her. They were good, too!

Labor Day Weekend

David and Anna, Laurel, Bryan, and Knox Taylor, Lee, Joy, Rivers and Taylor Beth Knight, Jamie and Charlie Smith, Wally and Annie Whitley (notice how the puppies are smiling, too!)

Charlie and I had the chance to visit my Maw Maw and Paw Paw for the long weekend. We were so excited to hear that most of all of the cousins were able to come Sunday afternoon. We had so much fun catching up, visiting, eating, and playing with the kids. (We missed you Drew, Christina, Julia, and Sophia!!! Can't wait to see yall!!) It's crazy how much things have changed in the past 5 years. We have all gotten married and 3 out of the 5 of us have small kids... They were so much fun! I am no longer the baby in the family!


Paw Paw and Charlie worked in the woodshop Monday building furniture and Mom, Maw Maw, and I went to Hobby Lobby for some much needed shopping. I sure miss that place!

Welcome Carter Remington Bell!!

August 27, 2008 is a day that the Bell's will never forget! It's the day when their sweet little baby boy was born! The 8lb. 11 oz. bundle of joy came that afternoon. Charlie and I are so excited for Jill and Joel. We know they will be wonderful parents and Carter will be blessed greatly by them. Enjoy the pictures!!

Sleeping in Joel's arms

And I must say, Jill looks amazing - you would never know she just had that big boy!!How cute!

Traditions

Each time I visited Sweet Water, my grandmother and I used to sit in front of her china cabinet and talk about traditions. She would tell me stories about the friends and family members that gave her each piece. They were not just dishes to her; they were fond memories of her wedding, sweet meaningful people in her life, and important events for which she served with them...Christmases, Easter Dinners, Birthdays, and Family Gatherings. They began to mean the same to me as well. She always told me I could have her set when I "grew up." I could not wait for the day that I would be grown up enough to have her treasured pattern. When I bought my first house, my dad gave me her china. Seeing it in my china cabinet was a constant beautiful reminder of her love for her family and friends.

I have had so many people ask me why I wanted to open a china shop. And this is why; I want to be a part of and see people start their very own traditions and pick out patterns that reflect their personality. I love seeing people find that perfect set and knowing it will be a part of their homes for years to come.

New Things Arriving Daily!!

We have boxes coming in by the truck load...seriously, just ask the FedEx and UPS men!!

We hope you will be able to find the perfect wedding gift, baby gift, birthday gift, or gift for you!

We have tons of tailgating things to kick off Football Season. Our Baby Section has grown! We have more handpainted picture frames, fun wall clocks, and lots of new books!
Gifts for ANYONE!
Everyday Dinnerware

Casafina

Juliska

Vietri - Made in Italy

Earth Born - Leeds, ALThe Good Earth Pottery - Starkville, MS

More of the Store

We have loved being on the square in Hernando! It's such a historic area with gorgeous buildings surrounding us. Here are some pictures of the entire space. (Notice the brown boxes in front of the cash register..We get new things in DAILY!!!)

Didn't Charlie do a great job on the counter?!?!? I love it!!

the Grand Opening

Here are some pictures from the Grand Opening. We had a blast and were welcomed so well by the town. Thank you so much to everyone who helped us get to this day and have such an amazing Grand Opening.

China Section

The Good Earth Pottery - Thank you Richie and Carlos for coming and signing!
our tailgate area

our baby section

We have gifts for everyone!

Thank you Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Fred for the beautiful plant!Thank you Mr. Harry, Mrs. Doris, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Sue, and Seth for this plant. It made the area smell so good!

Sweet Jenn, thank you for the chocolate chip cookies!!

I will post more pictures soon.

The Square Cupboard Ribbon Cutting

Our Ribbon Cutting - July 25, 2008 - 12:00

The mayor of Hernando, Chip Johnson, is to my left.

(I was a little disappointed that the scissors did not actually cut)

We are so excited to be in Hernando and on the square!!