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| Happy Holidays |
As we celebrate this magical time of the year, all of us at Casual Living would like to say thank you for being our customer. We wish you a very happy holiday filled with peace, love, and joy.
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Throw and Sow Seed Balls
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Here's an inexpensive and green gift idea that will delight the gardener on your list. By combining seeds, compost and powdered clay, you can make seed balls which can be tossed into the landscape to grow on their own. It's a great little gift for the gardener or nature enthusiast on your list and it's easy.
Combine two parts flower seeds with three parts compost. Stir in five parts powdered clay (available at arts and crafts stores), and lightly water so that the mixture is moist. Form one inch diameter balls. Dry for 24 to 48 hours (an empty egg carton is perfect for this step).
Gather the seed balls in tissue and tie with a ribbon. Include an easy how-to tag for the recipient and you have a great little "thinking of you" gift or stocking stuffer. Click Here for more detailed instructions
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| Holiday Gift Ideas |
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Raindrops on Roses and cushions on benches, Porches that welcome and candles in lanterns... These are a few of our favorite things.
Between our holiday décor and our outdoor lifestyle accessories, Casual Living has lots of gift ideas for the outdoor living enthusiast on your list this year. People who love their pools, patios, and porches, are always looking for something to enhance their outdoor living experience. Really, we get excited over the simplest things!
A few of this season's favorites are lanterns with battery operated candles on timers, a stainless steel and acrylic dip bowl (perfectly personalized when you add your favorite dip recipe), beautifully decoupaged trays in all shapes and sizes, and our newest addition, Wild Woolies, the cutest birdhouse ever.
With nearly year-round outdoor living weather in South Carolina, outdoor furniture makes a great gift. The outdoor room has become a must on everyone's wish list. If you want to make a statement, or are considering pooling your gift with others, there are many new styles available at our Two Notch store to select from.
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| After Christmas Sale |
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In the midst of preparing for this Christmas, it's not too early to start thinking of next year. December 26th starts our After-Christmas Sale. Holiday décor, including ornaments, picks, trees, and greenery, will be %50 Off. Sale starts at 10:00am.
Holiday Hours
(Forest Drive and Two Notch)
Sunday, December 23: 1-5 (Last Sunday Open)
Christmas Eve: 10-2
Chistmas Day - Closed
New Year's Eve: 10-4
New Year's Day - Closed
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| Outdoorlicious! Holiday Decorating |
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To move or not to move? That is a big question. Sometimes we recognize the fact that we love our house but it's lacking something that we desire and we start to think about moving. For Kelly and Drew, one of the issues was their desire for an outdoor living room where they could enjoy family time together.
Ultimately, the decision was made to stay put and simply add on. The result is a cozy and comfortable covered porch, complete with a stone fireplace-a smart feature that allows them to use their new outdoor room nearly all year.
By the time the builder was packing up his tools, however, Kelly was on to her next plans for the porch-holiday decorating. With a tree in nearly every room inside, of course the porch had to have one of its own, as well.
Drawing on the fun colors and patterns in the throw pillows and chair fabric, Kelly selected a blue tree. Adding brightly colored, fun ornaments, picks, and ribbons, the completed tree captures the holiday mood as well as the youthful and casual atmosphere of this relaxing porch.
Adding holiday décor to your outdoor living area is a nice touch. Whether you use lights, a tree, a wreath, or some natural greens, it helps celebrate this special time of year. Visitors are always impressed and the family will enjoy using this space even more if it feels festive.
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| Put Your State On Your Plate |
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A few years ago, local farmer Emile DeFelice ran for the position of Commissioner of Agriculture with the catchy slogan "Put Your State On Your Plate." While Mr. DeFelice did not win the election, his efforts at promoting local agriculture have had a resounding effect on the people of South Carolina.
From John's Island tomatoes to Caw Caw Creek pork, and from Split Creek Cheese to Firefly Vodka, the local movement has grown and locally produced food is in abundance in our state. You may be familiar with the SC Certified label displayed by producers and sellers of South Carolina locally grown products. This label is your assurance that the product you are purchasing has been grown within our state. At the supermarket level, stores such as Piggly Wiggly, Bi-Lo, IGA, and even Wal-Mart participate in the program.
Restaurants have joined, too, with the "Fresh on the Menu" arm of the SC Certified program. Local chefs link with local farmers to bring locally grown food to the table, sourcing at least 25% of their menu items from SC produce.
Consumers desire fresher food that relies on best practices in production. Consider that the average fresh food item in a grocery store has traveled 1500 miles to get on that shelf. Then compare the taste of a "fresh" peach from California and one from South Carolina. There's just no comparison.
Buying local also keeps more money in the community. Locally owned enterprises spend more on local labor, purchase goods locally for resale, and engage services from local providers. So, the money you spend on local produce stays in our local economy to support other local businesses, jobs and resources.
And here's something most people don't think about-buying food (especially seasonal produce) locally means that your menu will vary more from season to season. Eating foods grown locally provides nutrients that are beneficial in each particular season. It may be a little more work to plan your menu around food that is fresh, but it keeps your diet well-balanced and your recipes varied and interesting.
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| Casual Living Newsletters |
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Mid-Spring Newsletter 5/2012
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June Newsletter 6/2012
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August Newsletter 8/2012
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October Newsletter 10/2012
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4708 Forest Drive • Columbia, SC 29206 • 803.790.5066
6006 Two Notch Road • Columbia, SC 29223 • 803.754.5022
casuallivingsc.com
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