Welcome to Spring and for some of us, what seems like an endless string of weddings that have plenty of parties attached to them – engagement, shower, his & hers, stock the bar, bachelorette, and a lot of other creative type of gatherings to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of good friends.  What to get them….always a hard one.  Getting a registered gift, of course, is always the easiest and thoughtful.  But, when you want to go a little deeper and make an impact, we have some goodies for you at Lolli’s. Sure, the China is nice – but it’s only used for major holidays and events and then eventually passed on to the children.  Furthermore, those gifts are usually opened in the quiet of their home before or after the wedding.  When you want to bring about big smiles at the parties that lead up to the day, we’ve got you covered.  Gifts with meaning. One that might be a part of everyday life and remind the couple of the happy and fun time leading up to the big day – that we all know goes by way too fast.

Nora Fleming Platters and Minis. Quite possibly one of the most innovative things to come along to the china, flatware and giftware party.  Each time you entertain; celebrate! Plain white platter or plate can be transformed into the flavor of the night immediately by putting in one of the many minis – from holiday icons to high heeled shoes for women or a grill, a football, even a NASCAR flag for men…the list is endless and makes the perfect gift that the happy couple will use continually.

Catstudio at Lolli’s! Glasses, (that house the PERFECT Tom Collins and Mint Julep) Towels and Pillows. Where did the couple meet?  We have the item with the City and all the important stomping grounds on it. Their first vacation? Are they from different cities?  Any city, or vacation destination, national park, college town, beach town, island getaway and more is painted safely on the glasses or sewn by hand into the pillows and towels, each takes weeks to sew.  Give the gift of memories to the bride and groom to be!

Faceplant Pillows will remind the newlyweds of the famous quote to “Kiss me every night” and ensure marital bliss by inspiring them with these “Sweet Dream”  pillowcases.  Some for men, some for women. Remind them to “Live, Laugh, Love” and more. This is a gift that will be used for many years to come..

How about a fun gift, something to stock the newlyweds’ bar? Refresh Glasses – made from used wine bottles and carefully sculpted into the coolest set of glasses you will find. Feel good about this gift, too, as 70% of wine bottles usually go straight to landfills. This company saves thousands of bottles a week with the goal of “rescuing” 1 million per year.  The bottles have their own story, where they were filled, what was in them and an occasion for their use. Their shape, color and thickness make fantastic vessels, in fun colors, for a favorite drink.

Add some “soul to the home” by giving the gift of a Sugarboo Frame! Vintage, reclaimed wood, hand crafted with wonderful messages painted on them.  Give the couple a piece of happiness to look at each day hanging on their wall.  Find a quote that reminds you of them – that will inspire them to remember the days before the wedding.

The bottom line – make it fun. Everyone wants to give the best wedding gift possible. Bypass the registry and give them something they had NO IDEA they needed and wanted. Something to use during the fun times – once they are past the whirlwind of parties leading up to the wedding, and then past the day itself. Coming home from a honeymoon is always a bit sad – wouldn’t it be fun to shake up a cocktail and throw it in a Catstudio glass and remember all that just went on? I think so.  Surely they won’t be setting out a China Place Setting until the first holiday.

In cities, towns, neighborhoods and villages across America, conversations are happening about what it means to be a man, an athlete and a winner. Some conversations are taking place concerning what role girls and women have in this society, and on college and high school campuses. In light of the events, trial, media storm and verdict that is the Steubenville rape case, there is certainly no shortage of things to talk about.

The courts have their place; so do school administrators and coaches. Each party involved has their own part to play, including the community of Steubenville, which is really just a name now for “Anytown, USA.” Steubenville could be anywhere because we can all see ourselves in this community of people who devote their time and energy to their children and athletes. But we now know it takes every person in a community to watch out for one another. We can’t let each other down as our children lose a grasp of who they are, and who they are yet to become, before their paths really even start.

No matter what else you may feel about this particular case, the community at large shares in the responsibility. Model citizens are raised by model citizens in every village and city across this nation. While the details play themselves out, it’s important to remember how many lives have been devastated by this event; from the students themselves and their families, to the entire community now marred with an infamous name.

“The Steubenville Rape Case.” That’s going to mean something specific for a very long time.

If anything good can come from such a tragedy, maybe it’s that we all commit to helping each other; to knitting the fabric of our neighborhoods so tightly that no child slips through a hole. Perhaps we have a call to action, as adults, to put away our distractions in order to really see who these young citizens are that we’re sending out to the world. Have we equipped them with the strength of proper convictions? Is their confidence in their own physical agility matched by the confidence in their kindness and respect towards others? Will they use their strengths to protect others around them, and not exploit the weaknesses they see? And most of all: will we help one another to protect the children we work so hard to raise up into adulthood?

Steubenville never wanted to be “Steubenville.” It’s up to each of us to prevent it from being our town, too.

Photo credit: By schm1t via Flickr 

One look inside Lolli’s on Madisonville Road tells you volumes about owner Leah Osgood’s sense of style and imagination. The beautifully decorated shop invites you to browse through an eclectic assortment of home and fashion resources. Yet the sparkling smile of the owner tells a deeper story of following a dream and a passion for design and service excellence.

A mother of four, Leah grew up in Fort Thomas and went to high school at Highlands. Her career in retail management included stints at The Limited and the cosmetics department of Saks. That all changed in 2002 when Leah was introduced to Chad Osgood by a friend from Terrace Park. Chad grew up in Mariemont, graduating from High School here in 1989. After a very successful blind date, Leah and Chad married and moved to Mariemont, where Chad owns a property company operated with his brother Steve, including many rental units in the Village. Leah’s son Braxton is now off studying at Ohio University, while twins Ryder and Delaney (8) and Bentley (4) are growing up in Mariemont, just like their Dad.

A busy family put Leah’s retail career on hold for about 8 years. During this time, the family first lived on Pleasant Street and then moved to their current home on Center Street. Leah and Chad love the “walkability” of the neighborhood and love bike riding together as well as exploring the trails on the Lower 80. They also love antiquing together and summer vacations at the beach.

Chad has built his property business by meeting the needs of his tenants well – his current longest residing tenant is 27 years, although he had one client who rented for 42 years! He often gets calls from the Marielders or the Mayor, looking for homes for people who need to move. He made several units available to house those displaced by the Jordan Park project. I am reminded how well-respected Chad is from a previous story about Joyce Schmidt – one of his many satisfied clients.

With the property management business and the family in good shape, Leah returned to dreaming of owning her own retail store. As she developed the ideas, Chad was there to scope out and prepare the space, leveraging his property know-how. He was also there to juggle sports activities, meals, and whatever else the kids needed to give Leah the time and space to work out her vision. Bit by bit, things came together and last February, Lolli’s was born.

It’s been a year and much has happened. Leah has exceeded her goals and her dream is a reality. She has been able to get behind many worthwhile community activities in this first year. Lolli’s has supported the Warrior Run with custom belt buckles, the Collin Barton Shelter, and the environment by offering a selection of recycled and repurposed products. And her store has attracted visitors to the Village from all over Cincinnati. As she tells it, Chad beams.  Her web site features a number of wonderfully practical selections, and the many other community causes she supports are highlighted. Lolli’s is a great asset to the Village and one more example how a family working together can truly enrich our community.

I asked where the name of the store came from. Leah ventures that Lolli is someone she aspires to be…someone who has classic style with just a bit of an edge. A woman who takes comfort in the traditional, but is not afraid to twist it into something that is uniquely her own. Leah envisions “Lolli” to be a woman who embraces the joys that define who she is – children, grandchildren, her “significant other,” family and friends, and feels blessed by the simple things in life. Well it sounds like Lolli may be closer than Leah ever imagined … hey Braxton: no pressure on the grandchildren part of mom’s vision!

-By Denis Beausejour, Town Crier

One year ago today, on February 14^th, 2012,  Lolli’s opened for business, thus opening a new chapter in our lives.  New ventures such as this rarely succeed in the marketplace, or on the home front.  However, I have to admit, I had little doubt in her ability to succeed.  Through the space preparation, staging and merchandising, I began to realize this was something Leah could do, and more importantly loved to do.  Running a business singlehandedly, and making it thrive in the community is a very special achievement.

Despite the fact that we see each other less frequently, we are able to bond and communicate on a different level.  Sharing experiences of our respective workplaces has enabled us to advise each other with fresh perspective.  Being able to support Leah “behind the scenes” has been a role I have welcomed without hesitation, because there is no chance I would go to market and offer my two cents on what she should buy for Lolli’s.  In turn, this has brought us closer as a couple and as a family.  We are “all in”.

To say that I am proud of Leah would be an understatement.  Her hard work and dedication to detail are a benefit to me and to all of you, her customers.  I would like to congratulate Leah and Lollis on a great 1^st year, and may there be many more.  Happy Valentine’s Day.

-Chad

WOW!……What a year!

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I opened Lolli’s doors to all of you. Although there are moments when I thought the days would not end, the year has flown by.  Many of you have asked me; “Is it what you expected?”….” How is the family adjusting?” …..”Do you love it?”  So, here it goes…….

Is it what I expected?

Better than! I had always dreamed of wanting my own store, but never did I imagine that dream would become a reality. For years, I had been toying with the idea of going back to work, but nothing seemed “right”. I did not want to go back to the retail mall environment, but I knew that retail was my passion, it’s what I love and enjoy doing. I started researching and collecting ideas of what my “store” would look and feel like.  There were countless nights that I brainstormed out loud to Chad, hoping he would see my vision. I guess I wore him down because one night he nicely said, “Why don’t you stop talking about it and just do it?”  That was all I needed……my go ahead! So, on February 10, 2012,  I held a Preview Party at Lolli’s and it was better than I ever could have dreamed. I left that night (actually 1:30a.m.!) and I was on a complete high……I was living my dream and it was better than I expected!

How is the family adjusting?

I knew, as with any big change, there would be sacrifices, lessons to learn, and things to adjust to.  I would miss sporting events, family dinners and fun Saturday activities. My exercise would cease and the thought of running another marathon would become my new dream.  Did I think this would all be easy? No.  Did I expect it to be this hard? No.  However, I will say, it has me become easier.  I am learning how to juggle and balance.  Now, when I do a floor set up, I stop to meet the family for dinner at Mio’s or have ice cream at Graeter’s.  Updates and pictures of sporting events and activities are constantly being texted and emailed to me and dinner is made before I leave for work.  Yes, the family is adjusting. No, we are not there yet, but it isn’t far away. In fact, I may just see another marathon in my future J

Do you love it?

What is there not to love?! Everyday I get to do several of my favorite things….shop, design, help others, meet new people, merchandise, plan events and entertain.  Plus, I get to do them in an environment that I created to feel like my home, where I am surrounded by pieces, products and accessories that I have hand picked, that tell a story and that I love. So, to say I love Loll’s is an understatement. It has become my new baby, my passion and my future.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported and helped with this adventure…..Lolli’s journey has just begun.

The one-year anniversary of Lolli’s…. I’m having trouble putting my thoughts into words.  When my mom told me in August of 2011 that she wanted to open a store in Mariemont, I laughed in her face.  The thought was both laughable and surprising, an idea I had trouble wrapping my head around. I listed off several reasons it wouldn’t work. Throughout the process, I remained skeptical.

Most mother-son relationships seek support. My relationship with my mom is a little bit different. Although support is welcome, our relationship thrives on criticism.  From a young age, my mother molded me into a fashion critic. I was taught to be brutally honest. When asked about outfits, I was taught to answer not only whether they matched, but also whether they looked good on her… or made her look fat.  At times I’ve had my mom on the verge of tears, but the criticism has saved her from some rough outfits (as hard as it may be to believe).

Throughout my life thus far, my mom has been hard on me.  I’ve made a few mistakes that I admit deserved punishment, and I’ve done my fair share of back talking, but many of our arguments stemmed from grades.  An honor-roll student throughout my life, I was often called out for spending too much time on my phone and the couch.  When my grades slipped from an A to a B+, my mom knew before I did.  Being above the test average, or the class just being plain hard was never an excuse with her.  As much as I tried to tell her everyone else was struggling, she curtly reminded me that they weren’t her kids.

Last spring I was accepted into the College of Business at Ohio University with full tuition.  The reason being, my mom was on my back throughout my time at Mariemont High School. Her criticism gave me the drive I needed to bolster late-semester “grade saves” to get her out of my ear.

The criticism in our relationship brings out the best in both of us.  I won’t take credit for Lolli’s… but I am convinced my skepticism partially fueled my mom into making the best store possible.

When I look back on it now, I’ve always known my mom had the drive and passion to achieve what she has.  Every path in her life thus far has prepared her for Lolli’s. Countless shifts at the Limited and Saks Fifth Avenue, her stint at Sara Benjamin’s, four marathons, and three kids in between, have made her into a successful business owner and the woman I’m proud to call my mother.

As I mentioned earlier, Lolli’s success has come as a surprise to me… a pleasant surprise. And I can’t wait to see how it will grow in the coming years.

My economics professor stated earlier this semester that 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years. With the persistence and dedication my mom exhibits, I firmly believed that Mariemont Square has another occupant for years to come.

-Braxton

Leah asked me to go to the Atlanta Gift Market with her in the beginning of January. I jumped at the chance! It sounded so fun, even decadent, to be shopping with my dear friend for five days. What I didn’t know was the magnitude of the shopping we were in store for! Three convention center sized buildings are filled with vendors and designers from top to bottom and a mass of buyers are buzzing around all looking for those special items for their stores.

What I know now (I knew it before, but had not seen it in action in this kind of environment!) is that Leah has a keen eye for what she likes, what is new and fresh and how to mix the everyday pieces with the extraordinary ones. We shopped vendors she already loved, picked out new pieces from fresh collections she sought out, and purchased wares from up and comers we just happened upon! Exciting and exhausting would sum it up.  Her boots are made for walking! Mine were just happy to keep up!

-Shannon

Happy New Year!!!  2012 was a fantastic year for Lolli’s and all of YOU helped with the success of it.  Thank you. I hope when you walk through those doors you have as much fun looking around as I did choosing what is in here.  2013 promises to be another wonderful year – I will be going to the Atlanta Market in a couple of weeks and will have you in mind as I walk through the endless goods.  Anything you would love to see at Lolli’s?

What is your resolution this year? Yes, it is so cliché – but New Year’s is the perfect time to start with a clean slate, when we all attempt to change things in our lives. Sometimes, though, resolutions are entirely too ambitious.

Sadly, 2012 was filled with a lot of sadness, turmoil and questionable behavior – we are all still shaking our heads about the tragedy in Newtown.  Makes a lot of us feel helpless and overwhelmed; wanting to do SOMETHING, but not sure what.

We can make a change in 2013.  Make the resolution to do something positive and concrete to change the energy in this world. Ancient Chinese philosophy dating back 3000 years, advises that we change the world by beginning with ourselves. It’s obvious this works: every time you change your own behavior, people around you respond differently – haven’t you seen that a million times? SO, start a trend for 2013 within your own home. How you make your family feel as they leave your home each day can change their energy – and it will catch from person to person.

Let’s all try it. Let’s spread this idea. Even if you think it is impossible, repeat it like gossip to everyone you know – then tell me on my facebook page, twitter or here, on my blog, how you changed the energy of someone, if only for an hour.  You just never know who that person came into contact with, what they are going through,  or whose life you will touch during that hour!

“Glowing Pumpkin” – Give a jack-o-lantern extra glow with some vegetable oil or petroleum jelly.  Apply a small amount to the outer skin with a paper towel after you are finished carving.

“Pumpkin Cooler” For a hit at your next party, trade fire for ice as your pumpkin filling of choice.  Cut the top from a large, wide pumpkin with a serrated knife, and scoop out the seeds and pulp.  Line the bottom and sides of the pumpkin with a 2 gallon zip top plastic bag.  Fill the bag with ice and assorted beverages.

“Pumpkin Topiary” Create a new twist on tradition with a pumpkin topiary on your porch.

It has been said that decorating your home with an eclectic edge exudes self confidence. – it is defined by a freedom of expression and individuality; there are no set rules or any particular “style”.  A careful gathering of objects and creating relationships by mixing family treasures with found items and pieces from boutiques and shops while travelling or from a store down the street is what creates an eclectic style home.  The mood is made by what is placed on tables, how the furniture is arranged, what’s on your walls and the colors used.

Eclectic design is neither haphazard or a mishmash of elements. It is a thoughtful collection of many textures and elements – all from different periods of your life or the family before yours.  A weathered leather chair that your grandfather sat on for years reading the paper next to a modern table you picked up in an art deco store could be visually amazing.

Eclectic design might be the hardest style to do well.  It’s all about breaking rules – something we learned NOT to do.  It’s about collecting what we love even if it’s different and has no connection to anything else in our home.  It takes a bold person and a strong sense of personality to pull it off.

The bottom line; be confident, be daring.  Experiment, push boudaries. Mix it up, throw something unexpected in.  Love your home and what you created. It is in this eclectic mix where a room comes alive and makes you content to be right where you are.