It's a wrap!

If you are anything like us, oftentimes the gift wrap is just as important as the gift! We have a stellar selection of wrapping paper, gift tags, ribbon and accoutrements to help you turn a lovely present into a visual masterpiece under the tree!

(photos above courtesy of Rifle Paper Co.)

 (photos above courtesy of Waste Not Paper)

(photos above courtesy of Smock)

Get ready for our annual Black Friday & Small Business Saturday Goodie Boxes!

Mark your calendars for this year's Black Friday & Small Business Saturday Goodie Box Giveaway events!

Shop with us on Friday, November 28 & Saturday, November 29 and enjoy the fabulous festivities including:

• We'll be open extended ours from 9am-9pm and will have coffee and treats as we kick-off the holiday season. You've got to keep our energy up with all that shopping, after all. Haha.

• Receive 10% OFF your entire purchase when you mention this email or any of our Facebook, Twitter or blog posts about the event.*

• The chance to win one of 15 goodie boxes STOCKED with some of our favorite products from around the shop**. Each box is valued at over $100 and (I know it's hard to believe) but this year's box may be our best box yet!

• As a part of their Small Business Saturday initiative, American Express will offer $10 statement credit to any AMEX customer who spends $10 or more at a registered small business! That's free money! Find out more about AMEX Small Business Saturday details here.

We feel so very lucky to have such incredible customers all year round, but especially during the holidays. We hope you will continue to Shop Local and Shop Small - it truly does make a difference in our local economy and in the lives of countless artisans, designers and community members (you! us! our amazing employees! all the incredible people who help keep downtown the vibrant place that it is!).

Every dollar spent at a locally owned, independent business generates 2-3 times more economic activity in our communities than a dollar spent at a national chain. Our friends are Seacoast Local have explained the real benefits of shopping local HERE so please do check it out. We're psyched to be a part of Plaid Friday this year!

We hope to see you on Nov. 28th & 29th and throughout the holiday season!





*Discount applicable on in-store purchases only. Excludes custom/special orders and gift certificates. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Be sure to mention the email/posts as this is only offered to you, our best customers!

**1 chance to win per customer, per day with purchase. 15 boxes will be given away each day for a total of 30 boxes and over $100 in product in each box!!

Homestead Candles

The rustic charm of an old country store, a farmhouse table full of fresh cut flowers, and your linens drying on the clothes line in the warm sun. These Homestead candles are available in 6 wonderful fragrances in two sizes. If you are making out your holiday shopping list,  add the beautiful metal cups wrapped in a cozy cotton bag  are a perfect gift.  

 

sachet: fresh spring jasmin, dried rose and cattleya orchid

sundry: newly bloomed magnolia with a hint of fresh spring linen

 

 ambrosia: an organic mix of orange, shredded coconut and a dash of grapefruit

These hammered copper tins will feel right at home in your kitchen. 

Fern: red ginger and ming fern fused with blue lavender

sprig: flowering basil and garden mint with a splash of lemon

 Mahogany: mahogany wood, white musk and a hint of freshly picked freesia

Falling for Forestbound

Honestly, who doesn't love a great bag? Fashionable and practical, these Forestbound bags are an all time favorite here at the store. Each bag is made by hand with vintage fabric, meaning that these are truly one of a kind! The designer, Alice, really out did herself with our "wishlist" of what we wanted for this order. Speaking of wishlists, we have a feeling more than one of these will be ending up on someone's list. 

One of a kind 1940s print feed sack fabric with 3 front pockets, leather handles and bottom
$210 | Handmade in Boston, MA

 

 One of a kind 1940's printed cotton tote with WW2 navy canvas pocket and 

leather handles.
$170 | Handmade in Boston, MA

 One of a kind 1930's printed feed sack tote with WW2 canvas pocket and leather handles.
$170 | Handmade in Boston, MA

 One of a kind layered 1930's-1950's canvas from feed sacks and duffel bags with leather 

handles and bottom
$210 | Handmade in Boston, MA

One of a kind 1930's chambray tote with WW2 canvas pocket and leather handles.
$170 | Handmade in Boston, MA

BYOB: Meriwether of Montana

As the week winds down and we gear up for the last weekend before Christmas, we wanted to give you a few last retail updates so that you can put your best snow boot forward as you visit us downtown to shop. And of course, if you won't be able to visit on foot, don't hesitate to give a call and order your favorite products over the phone and we'll send them via Santa express (his reindeer are ready and waiting!)

So onto the good stuff!

Today I wanted to share with you the story behind these awesome handmade beer carriers from Meriwether of Montana that have been rocking our beer-lovin'-socks since the start of November. Handcrafted in western Montana from local red cedar, each carrier is one of a kind and offers room for up to 6 bottles of beer. Fill yours up with a variety of local craft brews, or leave it empty and let that special someone fill at will! We love these as a gift for a group (a family of beer-lovers, perhaps), or for someone who you know loves to enjoy and share unique beverages at summer BBQs and wooded campsites. Just throw a big red bow on the handle and you're off!

Taschen Travel: The NY Times 36 Hours Series

Afternoon gang! 

How did everyone fare the week? 

Are you geared up for another fun and cozy holiday weekend? We definitely are here at the store! 

Today I wanted to chat a little about the collection of travel books we are carrying at Gus & Ruby Letterpress this holiday season. These bright and brilliant softcover books are regional compilations of the 36-Hour travel columns written by some of New York Times' finest travel writers. There's even a write-up about our very own Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the 36 Hours Northeast book! The pictures, hand-illustrated maps, and write-ups found amongst these titles outline the best in food, shopping finds, and all the things you have to see in every town and city reviewed! 

Check out some of the beautiful covers and interior pages you can expect from these books below...

 

 

Aren't they great?! 

Gift these books as a set to family friends who are always on the move, or pick a favorite region for that special someone on your holiday shopping list who has "travel more" on their 'To Do' list. They're fun and certainly a hit for anyone with an adventurous spirit!

Hope to see you all this weekend for more festive fun, bobbles and bows and holiday cheer!
xo Lizzy 

For the Bitties: Finkelstein stuffies

Happy Monday gang!

Can you believe that Turkey day is only a few days away? My, how the days are moving right along!

Today I want to share with you one of our FAVORITE new lines in the shop for holiday gift-giving this year. Born and stuffed in the great state of South Carolina, Finkelstein's is a quirky, sweet, and stylish line of stuffed creatures (stuffies, for short!) handmade by the amazingly talented and oober creative Michelle Jewell. Apartment Therapy did a fab write-up of her, and her space that you can read here. Between her inspiring studio, and the quality and coziness of the handi-dandy creatures she sent along for our shop this holiday, you could say I'm a HUGE fan of Michelle's operation. I am sure you will be too once you hold one of the Fink's in your own two hands. They're the sweetest... and a great holiday gift for any little boy or girl this holiday season!

Have a wonderful afternoon, and come in to meet the Fink's soon, k?
xoxo Lizzy

photos by emilie inc. photography