Elves Hard at Work!

I have had a few angry phone calls regarding the lack of posting this week.  Okay, it was just my mother ...

Dear Mom,

The Zazu crew is extremely busy and focused on preparing for our annual Holiday Party, which is on Thursday.  So, we will return to posting on Friday.

Cheers!

Window of Opportunity

It really is the most wonderful time of the year for us at Zazu!  Our creativity is at its peak and the Starbucks doth flow!

Next week, we completely demolish the joint and resurrect our sweet shop with all the tinsel and trappings we can get our hands on.  The first spot we tackle is our front window, which is always spectacular!

We are channeling our inner Simon Doonan, the celebrated creative director of Barneys this year.  Hoping for something even {dare we say} grander than previous years, we are pulling out all the stops.

Simon Doonan and some of his fabulous installations. Mr. Doonan is also the author of several novels, a columnist for The New York Observer, and a contributor to many other publications. On the shelves at Zazu, we have his Wacky Chicks - classic Doonan!

Stay tuned for sneeky peeks along the way...

Please Be Seated ...

Your two aunts have been feuding since the 80s, you have out of town friends
flying in that know no one, and your last single girlfriend is ULTRA
sensitive about where she will sit because the last wedding she went to she
was intentionally seated next to Mr No-Way-In-Hell.

And quite honestly, you may feel you're simply not up to the task.
"If there's enough chairs for everyone, can't we all just get along?" you
ask. You have obviously never been to a wedding with no seating plan and it's a good thing because you might not have survived the mass trampling as people were jockeying for position.

What to do?

Enter Bridal Tapestry seating charts now available at Zazu.

Table assignments are slightly less work for you (lets face it, you have

enough to take care of) and your guest will still have some say in where
they sit!

Beautifully presented, your guests will immediately be assured that you have
thoughtfully placed them. These also make beautiful mementos of your special day.

Taking the time for a table plan will be well worth it and - with these charts -
beautiful to boot. 

Extra, Extra, Blog All About It!

We are spreading the Blog news! See today's article in the Loudoun Times Mirror chronicling Zazu's experience with this new media format.

Totally cool...

For the whole story, click here.

I Thee Wed (nesday)

They call me mellow yellow, quite rightly!

It may be nearly November, but around these parts it feels as if spring will be resprung. I just feel a little yellow today (in a good way) and wondered if I could take this light and springy color and sexy it up a little by combining it with black and pewter ...



How do you like this color combination? Feel free to comment below.

Center Photo: Zazu Invitation using Envelopments Paper Stocks
Photos 1,2,12: Ballard Designs
Photos 3,6,7: Ann Taylor Loft

Photo 5: Amy Atlas and Hostess with the Mostess

Photo 9: Neiman Marcus
Photo 10: Dolce and Gabbana

The Great Sock Monkey Debate

I am on the fence on this one, folks ...

I just got an email from a manufacturer's representative with great news! When the economy is sagging, you need a hot product to get everyone excited and back on track. She has that hot product, the ultimate solution, our salvation ... sock monkeys!

I'll repeat that.

Sock Monkeys.

Now, here's my situation. In case you have not heard, (while you were under that medically induced coma) small businesses have been taking quite a punch lately. We at Zazu have had to face some very difficult questions lately; (a) can we pay the rent? (b) can we make payroll? (c) will it be 80 degrees at our holiday party next Thursday (OCT 23rd - come on over)?

So, you know, I am going to leave this one up to the people to decide.

If we bring in the Sock Monkeys, something else will have to go. I'm thinking Webkinz.

So this is the part where you choose sides - Sock Monkeys or Webkinz? Webkinz or Sock Monkeys? To be fair, I have included video of both candidates below. A coin toss determined which was presented first. This is democracy at its absolute best, don't you think?

Please consider all sides of this great dilemma. Cast your vote by posting a comment below.

Enjoy the videos.

So, which is it? Please cast your vote for either candidate by posting a comment below by clicking on the tiny "comments" in light blue. We will post the voting results daily.  And ...

There will absolutely be some kind of big giant prize at the end!

*Note: No sock monkeys or Webkinz were harmed during the making of these videos.  I am pretty sure of that.

Keep in the Pink!

Unfortunately, we all know many women who have been faced with the diagnosis of breast cancer. Don't we all want to conquer this beast? Continued medical research and care for these women (and men) will eventually lead to a cure. Believe it!

Here's where we can start. Avon hosts sponsored walks in several large cities across the country. You may form a group to participate in one of these walks. You may help sponsor one of these groups. Or, Avon absolutely needs volunteers at points along the routes to support the teams.

Our friend (and printer) Amy Pruden, is part of a team participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Charlotte, NC on October 25 - 26. The "Booby Bunch" will walk a total of 40 miles in two days!!! The training is very difficult, and a big commitment.

Closer to home, my twin cousins, Samantha and Heather and their team, Twin Power will commit themselves for the fifth year . They will pound the pavement again this year in Washington, D.C. on the weekend of May 2-3, 2009. YOU GO, GIRLS!!!


About the Avon Foundation and the
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

The Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families, and Avon philanthropic programs worldwide have raised and awarded more than $500 million. Now past the half century milestone, the Avon Foundation brings this mission to life through two key areas: breast cancer and domestic violence. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon breast cancer programs in some 50 countries support advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Funding is awarded to beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based breast health programs for awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Fundraising is through a variety of “pink ribbon” products, events, races and walks. The largest is the U.S. Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, which began in 2003.

For more information on the Avon Foundation visit http://www.avonfoundation.org/.

Give These Girls a Shout Out!

This week we are having a very special giveaway for these breast friends!

Please comment with your cheers of support to the Booby Bunch and Twin Power. Among those commenting, a winner will be randomly chosen to receive two terrific and relaxing offerings from The Thymes.


One of our favorite people from the Thymes family is a breast cancer survivor herself, so it is only fitting that we chose one of her (and our) favorite products. Kimono Rose has a girly (but not over-flowery) fresh scent and has always been one of our most popular items. The lucky winner will receive an aromatic candle and foaming bath . Femininity refined! I can feel a good soak coming on...

Please click on the tiny "comments" at the bottom of this post. The winner will be posted on Friday, October 17th, 2009.

This giveaway is now over ... Ashley was the big winnner! Thanks to all for your comments, every positive step is a step in the right direction. See us next week for our next giveaway.