Winter doldrums are easily lifted when you get an eyeful of these beautiful (faux) flowers.  They do look real, don’t they?  Gorgeous “orchids” in a blaze of colors liven the grayest winter day. 

Ann's Amazing Orchids

Two new Lampe Berger Fragrances arrived today at Ann’s! 

Borneo Teak Wood is exotic and spicy; Wild Orchid is a floral that reminds you of the flowers in Hawaii.  Both are 1/2 liter size at Ann’s, $18.95 each. 

Borneo Teak Wood

Wild Orchid

The Lampe Berger “Hummingbirds” just sold out.  (See pictures under “Do you have a Lampe Berger?” post.)  Contact us here through comments, or call us (800) 242-7918, or email anns@annsfinegifts.com if you want a notice when the new shipment arrives.

Here’s another good one:  “Nico & Nicolas”, $149.00

Nico & Nicolas with Poppies

In our previous Lampe Berger post, we mentioned the Lampe Berger Fragrance you burn in your Lampe Berger “lampe” to make your home smell good.  The story continues….

Lampe Berger fragrance lampes need Lampe Berger FRAGRANCE to function.  There are so many fragrances that you’re guaranteed to find at least one that you like.    Fragrance is alcohol based and is released into your rooms when you burn the Lampe Berger.  It’s basically “perfume” for your home, and no one makes better perfume than the French.  Always burn Lampe Berger fragrances in your Lampe Berger lampes, because other brands of fragrances can ruin you wick (Ann’s has wicks if you need a new one, not a serious set back).

Fragrance comes in 1/2 liter size bottles ($18.95) and many also come in liter size ($31.95).   See our fragrance list (here), then come to Ann’s to sample them.  (Ann’s carries 62 Lampe Berger Fragrances, including many of the retired fragrances while supplies last.)   Buy your favorite or try a new one for Spring!

We love Eucalyptus, Sweet Pear, and Creme Brulee.  What are your favorites?

Smells like fresh-baked croissants

Sooths the sinuses

Light, fresh floral scent

If you are a Facebook user, you can follow Ann’s on Facebook now.  Our page is Ann’s Fine Gifts.  Make us a fan from your Facebook Profile and you’ll be linked to our page.

Lampe Berger is one of those marvelous inventions that once you have one, you don’t know how you existed without one.  Really.

Lampe Berger is a fragrance lamp, not for illuminating a room, but for removing odor.  It burns an alcohol-based fuel that comes in many fragrances (more about those in the next post) and makes your house smell good.  Unlike candles, Lampe Berger actually removes the odors, such as the smell of the wet dog or cooking odors.   It was invented in late 1800′s for use in French hospitals (imagine the potential for odor there) and is a patented item.    It is functional as well as decorative, making it one of Ann’s all-time best gifts. 

It comes in many styles, so you’ll find at least one to fit your decor.  We’ve posted a few pictures here, but you can cruise our site at www.annsfinegifts.com to see more.  They start at  $29.50.   You are welcome to visit Ann’s for a demonstration and a lesson.  It’s not hard to operate, and you’ll love what it does for your home. 

We hear all kinds of Lampe Berger stories about how some really bad smell was erradicated with Lampe Berger.  (My favorite is a the one where the skunk lodged under the lakehouse and using the Lampe Berger saved the family’s vacation!)   But most of our customers simply enjoy the daily indulgence of having their home smell nice. 

Please visit Ann’s for a demonstration, and sample all the fragrances that Lampe Berger offers.  If you already have one, give one as a gift!  See you soon at Ann’s.

Lampe Berger Hummingbirds

Lampe Berger Caroline, Black (also comes in red, white, and clear)

Lampe Berger, Athena, Blue

Majorica makes the most wonderful man-made pearls in the world!  Each “pearl” is dipped over and over in a special mix that is made from natural ingredients (crushed mother-of-pearl, or shells, for instance) and then dipped again multiple times in a coating that makes it impervious to fading or chipping.  By their process, Majorica can do fun things, like add color to the pearls, or exaggerate the baroque shape.   All this is a fraction of the cost of real, cultured pearls.  Here are some pictures; for more, please visit Ann’s site at www.annsfinegifts.com, or better yet, come to Ann’s and try some on.   Many necklaces are perfect for more casual wear ($125 to about $200), and we have the big pieces ($295 and up) when you want va-va-voom, too.   Lots and lots of earrings to choose from, well under $100.

This is the question we hear from everyone who sees our beautiful new orchids!  We reply, “No, but aren’t they pretty???”  And they are.  Lovely and very life-like, these beautiful sprays of orchids require no green thumb.  Who do you know that would love to receive one of these as a gift?   Pictured, white, in celadon-style round vase, $195.  More colors available, ranging in price from $195 to $395. 

Ann's Magnificent Orchids

Ann went to market in January and the goodies she bought are arriving daily!  Come see all the new products for Spring!  We’ll post pictures as we get it unpacked. 

We’ve just received this very special Annie Modica butler’s style tray called “Texas, Forever Texas!” Tray, $390.  Size:  21″ x 15″

Annie Modica is an American artist in California.  She produces her decoupage designs in her studio; the wooden foundation of each piece is milled and assembled nearby.  Annie designs all the compositions of her pieces, cutting images from old picture books and anything else that strikes her fancy.  These are reproduced and attached to wooden forms by her company’s workers.  Each one has many layers of glue, paper, and hand painted designs,  then covered with a resin sealant.  Each piece can take about 2 weeks to produce.  The Modica trays and Lazy Susans at Ann’s are a fine example of decoupage with impeccable detail unique to Annie Modica.   All surfaces are resin-sealed, which allows for hand-washing.  These are meant to be used as well as displayed, and can be wiped clean with a soft cloth.

Butler’s style trays are the large serving trays with handles on the sides.  They can be used to carry items to be served or placed on your ottoman or bed to make it a surface for tableware or decorative items.   Ann’s has other Annie Modica pieces.  We continue to enjoy many of the special designs Annie Modica produces; you can, too!  See them at Ann’s Fine Gifts.

Just arrived: Texas Tray from Annie Modica

Update on March 11, 2010:  This tray just sold out.  We re-ordered; leave us a comment if you want an email when the new ones arrive!