NOFOmation
Late Spring 2018
NOFOmation is our monthly newsletter written to keep NOFOlks up to date on new products and current events at NOFO!
Ma Bell
Used to be, we only had land lines and Southern Bell as a phone company, and Mother's Day was their busiest day of the year. You would hear "all circuits are currently busy" over and over again when trying to reach your mom by phone
If you want to reach out to your mother with more than a phone call, we can help. Choose a pretty gown, blouse, tote, hat, scarf or a special piece of jewelry. Make a food basket full of her favorite products. Select a candle, fine soaps and lotions, or put together a box of chocolates.
We'll ship it for you or deliver it locally. Treat your mom like the belle she is.
What a Joy!
If you're thinking you might celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day and Memorial Day at home this year, but you don't want to be tied down in the kitchen, let us help.
Pick up a copy of the Joy of NOT Cooking, choose your menu and give us a call!
If we do the cooking for you, you'll be able to celebrate along with your guests. Go for the Joy!
Mother, May I
...take you to Brunch? Bring your mom to Mother's Day Brunch @ NOFO on Sunday, May 13.
Reservations are recommended! Ask about flowers and candy for your table when you call!
Teachers Talk
In May, we thank all the teachers and coaches who helped our children get through yet another school year. We are so grateful for all the kind words, encouragement and time spent by these dedicated folks who make such a difference in our lives.
Teachers talk. They tell us that they love getting food, especially meals to enjoy as the school year winds down and they are their busiest.
NOFO does the best food baskets, and we'll be happy to help you put together a basket of goodies that'll be the talk of the town...or at least the teachers' lounge.
Movin' On
Graduation is bittersweet. It marks both an end and a beginning. One thing is for certain, the graduate is moving on to something else.
Mark this occasion with a gift from NOFO. We've jewelry leather journals, key fobs, school tiles, shaving sets, dopp kits, pearls and such.
Come in and see what moves you!
Fairy Hair
The Finklepott Fairy Flare Fairies are returning to NOFO! Choose from two dates (or both!): Friday, April 13 from 4-8pm or Saturday, May 19 from 10am-3pm.
To make your reservations for a little Spring Sparkle, please click here.
Make a STATEment
Handcrafted cutting boards, made from a variety of woods, are a pleasure to use. Ours are crafted by Charlotte woodworker, Graham McGoogan, and make great wedding gifts.
Don't miss seeing Graham's wall piece, the State of North Carolina made from pallet slats. Hang it inside or use it on the porch.
Luscious Linen
Linen fabric, made from flax fibers, dates back 10,000 years. Ancient Egyptians considered linen a symbol of purity and affluence. We, in the South, see linen as the most practical fabric for our climate.
Linen is beautiful, durable, renewable, and biodegradable. It becomes softer with each washing; and most importantly, it breathes.
Two Kirkland, Washington women work with linen mills and seamstresses in Eastern Europe to produce timeless, classic linen pieces that we think you'll enjoy all summer long. Choose from several styles in natural, white, or periwinkle.
A Healthy Concern
A passion for clean eating and sustainable living led Cary mom, Judit Beres, to leave her research job and form Neomega. This 100% women-owned business has set out to provide healthy food and to spread the word about the future of our planet.
Neomega produced all natural, non-GMO, cold-pressed Avocado Oil made from Haas avocados. The oil is loaded with good fats, antioxidants, and vitamins, essential to a heart healthy diet.
You'll find it in our market next to our Sunflower, Pecan, Green Peanut, Georgia Olive Oils, and Naked Pig Lard.
Adams Apple
While growing up on an Illinois farm, Theresa Adams watched her grandmother make apple butter in a huge copper pot and then can it for the family to enjoy later.
Theresa now cooks up apple butter in South Carolina using her grandmother's recipe, cans it and ties a wooden spoon on the jar. We can't help but think how lucky she was to marry an Adams, giving her the ideal name for her Adams Apple Butter.
Pearl P'zazz
Often, the first piece of jewelry a Southern girl receives is a single strand of pearls. This season, pearl necklaces are a popular fashion accessory.
You'll find fireball pearls which are naturally formed inside an oyster and have an irregular shape and captivating luster. Like snowflakes, no two are alike.
Make a fashion statement with a pile of faux pearls in white or ivory, or choose a summery version with pearls strung on natural fibers. These necklaces nicely fill in the neckline of a dress or top, and are comfortably lightweight for summer in the South.
Relax for 30 Minutes
One of the interesting stories from the TV coverage of the Winter Olympics was a segment about the importance of skin care for both men and women in South Korea.
You'll find three full-face masks from Korea at NOFO this spring. Coffee Bean is an antioxidant, Gold Dust is for hydrating, and Pearl is for radiating.
From the USA, we offer three soothing clay masks to hydrate, oxygenate, and refresh your skin. For eyes and lips, we have unique looking gold pads swimming in marine-based collagen gel to hydrate and reduce fine lines.
One thing that all these products have in common, besides the promise of renewed skin, is they all instruct you to lie down and relax for 30 minutes Who wouldn't comply with that?
Salt of the Earth
Jens Sandring, a Swedish designer, discovered a new way of adding salt to your food while traveling in Japan. He was intrigued and designed Rivsalt for grating salt at the dining table. Each Rivsalt contains a natural Himalayan salt rock, an 1818 steel grater, and a beechwood stand.
We also carry salt and pepper grinders from Charleston's Bulls Bay on the East Coast and the Left Coast's Jacobsen & Company.
Mom Will Fix It
One things moms do is take care of the repair and maintenance of their children's stuff.
So, when one of her babies goes off to school, they sometimes are ill equipped to deal with these issues.
Our three repair kits make a great graduation gift. Choose the eyeglass, the bicycle, or the jewelry repair kit; and send the graduate away prepared for life without their "fix it" moms.
Fun and Function
Terry beach towels can be heavy and bulky and they seem to hold on to the sand. Our new 5'x 5' beach sheets are made from heavy cotton, are sand resistant, amply sized, and machine washable. That's the functional side of their story.
The fun comes from the bright sunny colors and cool designs that'll have you stylin' at the shore.
From Hay Farmers to Hipsters
Before there was Gatorade, there were Switchels (also called Haymaker's Punch). These vinegar-based drinks were served to field workers to cool them off, and provide hydration and a boost of energy.
Today, fermented drinks are the rage, and according to many health-trend watchers, Switchels are the new kombucha. We carry Summer Water Switchels made in Hillsboro, NC. They're available in three flavors: Pomegranate, Cinnamon, and Original.
The benefits of drinking Summer Water include balancing the body's PH levels and blood sugar, boosting the immune system, aiding digestion, and promoting overall well-being.
Haul it ALL
These fun, functional, and colorful croc bags are our most favorite find for spring. We love that they stand up by themselves, have air holes, can be hosed off, and have water-proof bottoms.
Perfect for the pool or beach, for transporting sports equipment, muddy cleats, or containing all those grocery bags in the back of the car. They're available in two sizes and come with two clear (zippered) inserts for small items. We also have an insert that turns the bag into a cooler.
As Pretty Does
One of our cocktail napkins says "I'm going to drink until I feel pretty." There's absolutely no need for that!
Why not surround yourself with pretty things like Tokyo Milk's beautifully packaged perfumes, lotions, lip balms, and soaps. Choose your favorite scent from perfumes packed in keepsake book boxes. Keep your lips and skin soft and silky with their balms and lotions.
Keep a bowl of pretty wrapped soap at the sink to make you smile. Do it. Pretty is as pretty does.
Fresh, Quick, Handmade
There is no need to drag out the blender, mixer, or food processor to make whipped cream, mayonnaise, milkshakes, or pancakes. Make them by hand using fresh ingredients and Cookut's simple, practical lidded jars. No mixing bowls or whisks to wash and leftovers can be stored in the jar.
Recipes are printed on the jar, so you add the ingredients, put in the Turbo balls or pump and shake or pump. You'll have the delicious, ready-to-eat product in a minute!
Set for Summer
The French designers at Cookut have made guacamole-making a very simple task. Their set includes a ceramic bowl, a bamboo pestle, a metal grid, lid, and recipes. You make it, serve it, and store it in the bowl.
These same designers make a mojito kit that contains 4 glasses and a mojito tool that, in their words, is "the best in the world." This tool serves as an ice breaker, pestle, measuring cup, and citrus reamer. We admit that we have not tried every mojito tool in existence, but we do think it's the best all-in-one mojito maker we've ever used. Try it out May 6.
Boozey Brats
Joe McGowen of Greenville, NC loves to grill bratwurst. He also loves booze. One day it occurred to him that the two flavors might meld perfectly, and Booze Dogs was born.
Joe's Brats are infused with liquor as they cook and are packed five fully cooked links to a package. Choose Bourbon Bluetick, Prime-Ginister, or Jolly Rover Rum.
They'll make a great Father's Day gift and are perfect for your Memorial Day cookout.
April Showers
...bring May flowers and a good chance of being caught without a jacket in the rain. Our Rain Raps are the ideal solution. Packed in a travel pouch, RainRaps are colorful, lightweight, reversible, hooded, and fast-drying. A cross between a pashmina and a wrap, they're a practical alternative to bulky raingear.
Everything Old is New Again
We've noticed that many folks are tired of searching their phones for just about everything. Customers are asking us for address books, desk calendars and planners, and even note cards and picture frames.
Just in case it may be trending true, we've brought these items back to NOFO. Frame a photo, hand write a thank you note, pencil in an appointment. Everything old is new again!
Nuts or Not
The bakers of Chocolate Heaven, who make our delicious chocolate tortes, also make a 6" caramel glazed cake that is equally delectable. We brought it in for Easter, and folks haver been raving about it.
We've recently added their moist and marvelous sweet banana breads to the market. We love how they are presented, hand wrapped in wax paper and tucked into a Kraft coffee bag. Choose the original (a little rum and no nuts), or their bourbon walnut.
Come See
Donna Gorman is the talented artist behind See Designs. Trained as a photojournalist, she now creates designs for the fashion and lifestyle industries.
Donna hand paints her fresh, innovative designs and custom prints them on natural fabrics. Mix and match our See Design dresses, bags, scarves, and totes to create interesting combinations and color stories. Come see See Designs for yourself!