Fun new stuff!

Spring items are starting to arrive! We have new bags, terry lounge chair covers and of course the ever popular cutout handle coolers! Just like jellybeans, you can't stop at one and they won't last long!

Happy Holidays!
It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone and Christmas is barely a week away!  Many of you know that we are NOT accepting anymore orders that will be due before Christmas!  Please do not ask or beg or try to bribe us, we are swamped and want to give you the best customer service possible - not to mention that we want to be able to make cookies and do holiday activities with our own kids!  ha ha ha

BUT! with that said we may finish everything early and be able to open up to addition orders - it does happen every year so if you are desperate, pray for a Preppy miracle!  CHECK the blog again for updates and know that we are doing our very best, putting in 12+ hours each day of the week to bring you ALL a personalized holiday!

IF you have any questions don't hesitate to call the shop directly at 239-48-1995.  If you need a simple monogram on items purchased from our store we may be able to do it still, but it will cost you - a $10 rush fee has been implemented!  WHAT!  the outrage!  WELL . . . we have had so many customers beg for items needed RIGHT AWAY, and we have stayed late to do so many orders just to have those same people not come for weeks to pick up those items, that we need to do this for our own sanity.  If you have a problem with this we apologize but it is a common practice and since our prices are already so reasonable we think justified.

See you all in the New Year with new products and perhaps an additional location?  Who knows!  Keep watching the blog, Facebook and website for details!

We love you all!

Leanne and the PIP Elves!

Getting ready for the holidays!!!

We know it was hard for everyone that we closed the shop for that one week, but now we have everything moved around and (we think) ready for the upcoming holiday season!

We finished another very busy backpack season and saw lots of happy little faces as they picked up their backpack and lunch boxes. This year we tried something different and offered a pre-order time for backpacks with discounts and I think it went well.

Now we are busy with tailgate items as people get excited about their favorite college teams! Remember we can do everything fro dresses and bows to coolers!

Next will be Halloween and we have a huge selection of adorable totes - something for every little trick or treated - they look especially great when personalized with glow in the dark thread! We also have shirts, bows, dresses and other decorative items.

For Christmas look for new stockings, aprons and other housewares. Order sibling outfits early so you will have them in time for family photos and events.

Questions? Call the shop at 239-481-1995

Check out our latest press!

Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Graduation, Oh My!

Hello!  There are so many big gift-giving days coming up - and we are fully stocked with fun things for everyone!  Send in the kids (you can even wait in the car if you want to be truly surprised) and we will help them pick something out for Mothers Day, we will personalize and wrap it and bring them back out to you!  Now THAT is full service! 

Watch over the next weeks as we start to gear up for graduation gifts, bridal gifts and Fathers Day as well - if there is something particular you have in mind and you think we might need to order it, let us know ASAP so we can get on it!

We also plan on hosting a 1st Birthday celebration later this month - it will be open to everyone, no mailed invites, just cupcakes and champagne!  So continue to watch Facebook and the blog for further details!

We have 2 contests going on until April 15th - both of them are for $50 gift certificates - one is for people who 'check in' via their Iphones - and the other is for people who 'like' the LOCAL BUSINESS Preppy In Paradise Facebooks page (there is also a COMPANY page, but we are trying to convert to the other one!).  This is the last week so get busy people!

Congrats to Li-Su Javedan who won the wall monogram contest by telling us via Facebook which one of the designs was her favorite! 

See you soon!

Team PIP

Cool new products and news

Hello!  The Fort Myers location is coming up on its one year anniversary, so keep checking the blog, Facebook and the website for info!

The new Scout bag patterns will be arriving later this month so we are clearing out the few remaining discontinued patterns that we have - get them while they last because once they're gone, they're gone forever!

Our cool new product of the day is the illuminated lower case letter - available in a variety of colors, its a great for kids who don't want to sleep in the dark or for those groovy kids who want to dress up their rooms! 

REMINDER!!!  Preppy In Paradise will be Closing early on Wednesday, November 24 - 2 PM folks!  We will also be closed Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We will resume normal business hours on Friday, November 26th. 

HOW many days until Christmas??!!!

Hello everyone!  We are thick in the middle of holiday orders now - so our production time will go from 1-2 days to 1-2 weeks!  Also, we probably wont be working until Christmas Eve this year!  Watch the website, in-store postings and this blog for holiday closing dates as well as the final day to order things!

If you need help deciding on gifts for those hard to buy for people on your list we are always here with some good ideas!  Don't forget about your children's teachers and the other people in your life who help your day go smoothly!

New in the store:  Nam's Bits - those tasty little chocolate chip cookies and festive candies that are packaged adorably and at every price point.  No, we can't monogram them, but we always loved them when Swoozies had them and we know everyone needs stocking stuffers and quick grag and go things, so, here they are!

We have a lot of other new things, but you'll just have to stop in and visit to find out what they are!

Call or email if you have any questions:  (239) 481-1995

Holiday dresses

We are ordering holiday dresses this week - if you think you may want one, now is the time to let us know as they are made to order and take several weeks!

Whats new!

Cute new bags!

I simply cannot believe how the summer has just drifted away from us - and that we are celebrating our 6 month anniversary in the new shop!  So many changes is such a little bit of time - and all of them great.  We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have the greatest customers - and we really appreciate each and every one of you!  These last six months have brought many new customers into our little family and we hope everyone will be happy with the new products we are bringing in. 

This fall watch for a new line of affordable and stylish bags, holiday items, collegiate items, oh, the list goes on!  In fact, we're out of space, so we are pleased to announce that we are expanding!  We looked back at the last few months and thought about what we need to do to serve our customers better and get us ALL through the upcoming holiday season and none of it can be done without some more square footage!  and low and behold, there just happened to be some next door!  What does it mean for you - just that you'll be able to browse in comfort and enjoy our increased efficiency!

Watch for the coolest thing to hit rainboots since, well raindrops! . . .coming this October only to Preppy In Paradise

A couple of other quick items to mention

• we'll be hosting a few 'drop in' backpack monogramming dates to eleviate some of the strain of waiting!
• there will be a Customer Appreciation event later in August - make sure we have your email so you get an Evite!
• the customer rewards cards are in - get yours today!

Okay, who wants to earn cash back???  Hello, everyone!  Watch for details as we host a Customer Appreciation night and hand out these cute cards that will allow customers to accrue cash back and rewards!  It's like our very own frequent flier program - for monograms!  Refer someone - and we'll be putting money on your card!  Card holders will also be invited to member-exclusive events throughout the year as well as be given scheduling priorty on special 'Monogram Mondays' - fun, right!  Let us know what you think of the card design!

From engraved soap to sterling silver jewelry!

We are always looking for unique things for our customers to order as gifts - or for themselves!  In addition to the great engraved silver jewelry we are now offereing cufflinks, money clips and engraved acrylic housewares!  Everything is the highest quality as usual and you will be proud to wear it yourself - or give it as a gift.  Stop in to see all of the exciting new engraved things!

What do you get for the person who has everything?  Monogrammed soap of course!  Featured on Opraph's O-List, tis is the most exquisitely carved fresh soaps in a variety of scents, styles and boxed sets - and this is a luxury gift that everyone can afford!  You can get a name, monogram, initial EVEN a logo!  We can also do collegiate and Greek soaps!  The possibilities are endless and we know you'll be impressed.  This is a family-owned, made in the USA product and we can't wait for you to experience it!

We are planning on opening Saturdays to accomodate those customers who can't make it in during the week, so watch for the change in our business hours.  Thank you, to all of our loyal customers.  We will be starting our customer loyalty program in the coming month which will allow customers to accrue preppy points resulting in cash discounts!  Everyone has been so supportive and we are excited with how well the new shop has been received.  A special thank you to our great customers for being so patient as we have had to figure out how everything works and where everything goes!  It's a work in progress but we're having fun!  Right?!

Watch the blog and Facebook for the next 'event' and coupons!!!

XO

Leanne

Dads, Grads and Other Needful Things!

Get your Father's Day orders in ASAP if you want it personalized!  Its really difficult for us if you wait until the very last minute because y'all know I have a hard time saying 'no' and so we end up working all hours!  We have some very cool things for Dads and if you need help coming up with ideas we have some very unique ones!

What's new?  We have some adorable invitations and personalized notecards made by a very creative mom in California - there is something for everyone and they arrive in 1 week!  Check out some of the cute designs on the left!  We have sample books in the store for you to browse through!

What ELSE?  Can there possibly be more!  Yes, we are bringing in some engraved acrylic housewares, wooden housewares, engraved silver jewelry and some casual handbags.

If there is something you think we should carry, just let us know!

Yours,
Leanne

Father's Day is coming!

We have had so many requests for some 'manly' products and we are so happy to report that we have found the perfect company to fill the void in our product line! 

Picnic At Ascot (http://www.picnicatascot.com/) "combines European elegance with the great American spirit of adventure" and carries a wide selection of suprerior products that "capture the the essence of the traditional picnic while providing the convenience of today's lifestyle."

Please check out their website and let us know of any products you are interested in - we are placing a big Father's Day order for rolling coolers, trunk organizers and other insulated 'manly' totes this week!  Their prices are so reasonable for the quality of their goods and we think our customers are going to be very happy!

Yours,
Leanne Luehrman
preppyinparadise@comcast.net

What a night!

We really had a great time last night at the Grand Opening!  It was hotter than hades inside the shop but that might be due to the 70 plus people we had squished in!  ha ha ha   It was great to see some old friends and make some new ones too!  This last two months have been amazing and we have had such a positive response to the shop - I'm really so thankful for everyone!  We have been in the News Press several times in the last couple of weeks and that publicity has brought us many great new customers.

Our job now is to keep finding great new products that a the perfect combination of useful, affordable and gorgeous!  We're on it people!  Remember, if there's something you think we should (or could) do, please, please tell us! 

If you didn't make it to the party last night don't worry, it will not be the last one we have!  We already have several events in the works for the coming seasons! 

Okay, I have to get back to work now, but I love you guys!

~Leanne

You're Invited to our Grand Opening!

Please join us as we celebrate the Grand Opening of our new location! 

Sunday, April 25th

5 - 9

9541 Cypress Lake Drive

Fort Myers, Florida

Phone (239) 481-1995

It's going to be a party - we'll have drinks and yummy treats provided by Webster's - oh, and did we mention door prizes!

Check out the menu below!

~Mini Shrimp Scallop Ceviche

~Philippine Lumpia Spring Rolls w/ Plum Sauce

~Cajun Seared Sirloin on Baguette

Cajun Rubbed Seared Sirloin w/ Boursin Cheese, Raspberry Onion Confit & Chive on Toasted Baguette

~Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna Cucumber slice

~Chicken Fajita Rounds

Chicken Fajita Garnished w/ Mango Salsa, Sour Cream & Guacamole

~Beef Pepper Steak

~Red Grape Truffles, Red Grapes Rolled in Goat Cheese & Pecans

~ Chicken Salad Crisps, Chicken Salad w/ Grapes and Pecans

~Shanghai Pepper Shrimp

Fresh Shrimp Sautéed in Sambal, Ginger, Garlic & Green Onions

~Bacon Wrapped Scallops with sarachi aioli

~Brie Cups

Baked Brie w/ Raspberry Sauce in Phyllo Cup

~Herb Marinated Mozzarella

Fresh Mozzarella Balls Marinated in Herbs & Crushed Red Pepper

~Coconut Shrimp

Hand Battered Coconut Shrimp w/ Honey Poppy Seed

Dipping Sauce

~Chocolate-dipped strawberries, passed

The new dresses are here!!!

We are SO excited because the new Messy Girl dresses arrived today!  They are a reversible dress that ties at the back with a grosgrain ribbon and is constructed out of two different complimentary fabrics - perfect for little girls of all ages who always like to look crisp and clean - perfect for mommies who know they can simply flip the dress over when their messy girl needs to look crisp and clean again!  Come check them out!

They come in a variety of hip, stylish fabrics and although we can't personalize them, we know you're going to like them!  Alex has already claimed one of them for herself so don't delay!

One month open . . . and counting!

Whew!  It has been a busy month in the new shop - thank you so much to everyone who has stopped by and given us encouragement - it really means a lot to know that people like what we've done!
So far the move seems to have gone very smoothly - of course everyone has been so patient with us as we search for prices on things and occasionally look dazed - and we are hoping things are just going to keep on growing!
Congrats to the winner of the Easter basket drawing - Kelly Beck, a Fort Myers resident and long time PIP customer - she is a fantastic woman who is constantly thinking of others and giving her friends and family gifts - she has a big heart and we were delighted to pull her name out of the box!
Check out the blurb about PIP on another blog:
http://preppydebutante.blogspot.com/2010/04/preppy-in-paradise.html
. . . so cool!
So, what's next - well, the Grand Opening event will be on April 25th, though I'm still ironing out details - if you have any inspired ideas please share!  So far I know that Heather Harris will be on hand doing photography, my dearest pal Angela Brant is (hopefully) going to assist me with making some hand painted one-of-a-kind wine glasses, there will be champagne and cupcakes (of course) and door prizes - did I mention that one of them will be for Stephen Bonanno Sandals???  Yeah, we're generous, but our customers deserve it!
Okay, that's all for this week - I'm dog-tired from our trip to the Sony Ericsson Open and monogramming Easter baskets - I hope everyone has a great holiday and if you're going on a spring break trip be safe and come visit soon!