Had a chat with a neighbor today,( she doesn't shop in HiHo). I never really questioned it, I figured she wasn't the shopping type.(although she has been in twice that I'm aware of.) Her little house is spic and span , her gardens wrap around all four sides of her property, she entertains at home a lot and somehow it didn't occur to me that SHE IS our target customer. Hmmmm, why isn't she walking down the street to HiHo once in a while, even if just to get inspiration? As I reflected on the conversation, I came to the conclusion that she perceives HiHo as being out of her price range. Maybe I have displayed my shop so it looks like prices could be high.... but my prices have always been an "honest Joe deal". How did this happen? Have I scared some potential customers away by offering a lovely shopping experience? Do people really think bad service and lack of creative displays mean good prices?
After Christmas a visiting customer commented that Adams was selling a product we sell, however it was now on sale for 60% off. The product was now fifteen dollars at Adams and was always and will always be twelve dollars at HiHo.
I try to be upfront and honest with our customers. I plan on continuing to run my business and write my blog in this spirit. Work hard, work long, push to do my best, offer all who visit the best of me and if people perceive that it is beyond them, what can I say?
"Hope you stop in to see me at the shop... you deserve a deal, in a pleasant setting, that's inspiring and has good service!"
Didn't Heather Locklear do a commercial for a hair product?
..."Because you're worth it!" or was it..."Because I'm worth it!" 
HEATHER LOCKLEAR
I guess that was another commercial...sorry.
She did the Faberge Organic shampoo featuring the line:
"and she'll tell two friends, and so on, and so on"
I guess that's all I can hope for after someone visits the shop....but please, could someone tell my neighbor, she's worth it?
As the winter lingers it is always nice to have guests over to share an evening in your home. Nesting this time of year seems to be easy. Now is the time to be creative and mix up your everyday dishes with pieces from your not so used sets...you know the dishes you love but never use, the ones in the back of the cupboard. Don't worry if a set is not complete. Tables set with pieces pulled together creatively are always more personal.
Like these two sweet saucers. Use them for fruit salad or bread plates, they would spice up the look of the table. 
This traditional pine patterned china would look wonderful with a green charger or even mixed with a 1950's plaid patterned dinner set. Try using a quilted throw for a tablecloth or layer a tablecloth with place mats. Have fun, you can't go wrong. You have kept the dishes in the back of the cupboard because you love them, now use them. Don't have fun pieces to mix them with? Stop by and let us help you pull a look together. So you can serve up a complete look that shows off your personal style.
So it was exciting to see a number of gentlemen in town today surveying for sidewalks. I'm not sure if anything will happen in the near future, but it is nice to think we are getting closer to the project. Humphrey enjoyed the entertainment, it went on for hours. These shots were taken through the front door of the shop.
Humphrey made sure he didn't get too close to the door. After hours of threatening growling, pacing and jumping they packed up and left. Humphrey proceeded to sleep the rest of the day, proud of a job well done.
I Hand Painted Some Special Votive Holders,
