Alison White


The idea of a career hit them in a restaurant in London, as they saw on the wine list the description of a “hangover-free alternative” type of wine. Shelley Breckenridge and Lynsey Watson who were at that time involved in careers of the field of customer services and financial management, decided to create their own website, Vine Organic.

Based in Glasgow, the site is dedicated only to the selling chemical-free and biodynamic wines. Breckenridge and Lynsey Watson who are both fascinated by wines, share the idea that “Organic wines have an earthy natural quality that you don’t find in conventional wine. The aromas are superior, the palates have better fruit intensity and purer flavours”.

In a mission in Scotland, at the present, Breckenridge and Watson want to prove that organic wines have the same quality as the natural wines do. They plan to back up their theory by analysing the characteristics of 91 wines from 11 different countries.

The two passionate wine persons have chosen to set up a trading deal with English-based Vintage Roots company, in order to not waste their time on negotiating contracts with wineries, directly. Therefore, they picked only a couple of wines to be the Vine Organic exclusive, such as Vin de Pays d’Oc Sauvignon Blanc and some other wines, sold to restaurants in Glasgow and Aberdeen.

The minuses of the website are that there is no actual definition about what an organic wine is and the creation of Breckenridge and Watson seems to be a little cluttered since they provide no information about the founders-aspect which might be considered important by the customers.

Some tips from the taste test made by Breckenridge and Watson

At the category of fizz wines, the Cava Brut 21 Albet y Noya, at the price of £12.49 has a yeasty biscuity aroma, chalky creamy texture, but finishes very bitter.

Among the white category, there is Rheinhessen Kabinett Riesling Trocken 2005 Weingut Klaus Knobloch, at the price of £6.99. This starts well, with light floral bouquet, fleshy lush fruit palate, but this German white falls well short on the finish.

Other white wine is Domaine St Paul Sauvignon sur Lie and it costs £6.49. It is clean, refreshing southern French Vin de Pays, lacking Loire’s minerality. Also it has a light creamy body, being a very easy French quaffing aperitif.

At the red category, there is Thistle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 which costs £17.49. This wine it is unbalanced, old, tired and past its sell-by date - an over-priced Aussie red.

Buenas Ondas Malbec 2005 is another red wine, and it will cost you £6.99. You will buy therefore, a rich damson fruits wine, very young tight- knit fruits, some depth to palate, earthy notes; a good value quaffing red from Argentina.

Also a red wine is Coyam 2003 which can be found at the price of £11.99. This is very spicy, tight austere Chilean Bordelais blend and rich concentrated fruits, spoilt by an astringent finish.

As an argument for why did the Breckenridge and Watson have chosen to made this study, Breckenridge said that more and more high quality vineyards are becoming certified. However, among the wine producers there are many who are choosing the organically method but in the same time, they just do not bother to certify and label them as such. On this kind of actual situation, Breckenridge and Watson are willing to sell only certified wines, even if that means that the choice of quality wines available for them to list is still rather limited.



Lorrie

Scott Lindsay


A couple in Colorado discovered a game they enjoyed. The game was not available in any of the box stores they visited so they conducted an online search one Christmas.

They had first observed the game a year before. They loved the fact that while the game was fun it also provided a perfect tabletop feature for their home adding a unique aesthetic to their home.

As they had remarked positively to their hosts about the game the year before so had many others as the one-of-a-kind game eventually graced their own table. As a family gift to themselves they conducted an online search hoping to find and purchase this unique game.

Their online search led them to a couple in Utah who handcrafted this game. The husband made the board out of the specific wood type of the customers choosing and supplied game pieces that fit their décor or preference.

The wife utilized a toll free number to access the company and was surprised to reach a grandmotherly voice that was profoundly interested in the specific needs of the family. It seems she and her husband make these games and travel to craft shows and other events to sell them. The online store was a relatively new idea for them.

The personal attention this couple received has allowed them to pass along the wonderful experience they had in making the purchase while visitors enjoy the game and the craftsmanship behind it.

I love hearing stories like these because it serves to prove what I have advocated all along - a pronounced dedication to customer service will make it possible for individuals to…

1) Have a positive purchase experience.

2) Enjoy the seed of trust in their dealings with a company.

3) Feel a better connection with the business.

4) Tell others about a wonderful product and the people who produced it.

This couple will say that this game was one of the best gifts they purchased although they had more expensive gifts under the tree.

They may forget the new laptop, dishes or shirts, but they will remember the story tied to the purchase of a game that will remain the center of conversations for holidays to come.

Why? Because the proactive approach to customer service along with a story that can be passed along will make this ‘game’ a potential family heirloom. And it won’t even be because the game is inherently valuable, but the emotional attachment will be strong enough to cause the game to remain cherished for a very long time.

If this all sounds a bit like hogwash think about something you may have in your own possession that contains a story you can easily and readily share with someone else. It could be a gift from your grandfather that contains an emotional attachment that can be shared in the form of a story. It could be a dresser that has been passed down from one generation to the next with one or more stories to share with family.

We all have personal stories we are inclined to share with those who will really listen. As a business owner a personal approach to customer service could provide a story that will make your product cherished and your company trusted.



Paddy

Angela Trent


There’s no doubt that bridal shower traditions have changed greatly over the years, but some aspects will always be the same.  Whether you’re planning a traditional shower or something a little more creative, Her Bridal Favors can help you create the perfect event.

Traditional Bridal Showers

Just because you’re throwing a traditional bridal shower doesn’t mean it has to be generic.  Unique invitations, centerpieces, and bridal shower favors can turn an ordinary shower into something your guests will be talking about long after the day has passed.  One of the best ways to make in impression is to choose a theme.  Thanks to Her Bridal Favors, finding themed wedding accessories for your shower has never been easier.

There are many possibilities for traditional shower themes.  Classic themes include the kitchen, the wedding dress and tuxedo, black and white, pink, seasons, fairytales, and gardens.  You can find a wide variety of party favors, decorations, and even bridal favors that go with these themes.

The garden theme is one of the most common bridal shower themes because it is so classic and versatile.  You can’t go wrong with flowers.  Floral centerpieces can be elaborate or simple, and they still look lovely.  Calla lilies are more popular than ever, and Her Bridal Favors has a wide selection of Calla Lily Theme Favors.  You can fill our Calla Lily Mini Pails with small candies, or you can go with something already beautifully packaged, like the Calla Lily Bouquet Candle Favor.

Flower seeds are traditional wedding favors. Seeds have always represented the ideas of marriage and family.  One of the oldest wedding traditions we know of is the passing of the family’s garden seeds to the new couple.  You may not have heirloom seeds to pass on to the bride and groom, but you can still carry on this tradition with our Seed Favor Kits or Plantable Wildflower Favors.   Guests will be delighted to receive bridal favors they can take home and plant in their gardens.

Not-So-Traditional Showers

From couples showers to bridal gatherings at the spa, there are countless modern-day twists on the age-old tradition of throwing a party to shower the bride with gifts.  These events are usually less formal than classic showers.  The whole point of breaking from tradition is to be creative and have a little fun.

Spa showers are a great way to get everyone together for a little pampering before the wedding.  You can host a spa shower at a salon or at a home.  Either way, the central theme should be rest and relaxation.  For the ultimate girls’ night out spa party, invite guests to bring their pajamas or robes.  Spa bridal shower favors can be as simple as scented soaps or as elaborate as a complete bath set in a pretty basket.  Our “Showers and Flowers” 3-Piece Bath Gift Sets make great shower favors for a spa party.

If you’re going to honor both the bride and the groom at the shower, prepare to add a few masculine touches to a typically girly event.  Leave the flowers and ribbons out and add in some tools to make the groom and groomsmen feel more welcome.  Be sure the invitation is gender neutral and clearly states that men and women are invited.  When you’re looking for couples shower favors, choose something that both guys and girls will appreciate.  Our Personalized Glass Coasters or Etched Drinking Glasses are simple and classic enough for anyone.  And if pizza is on the shower menu, the “Slice of Love” Pizza Cutters in miniature pizza boxes would be the perfect touch.

Whatever the theme, traditional or modern, Her Bridal Favors can help you put together a spectacular bridal shower.  We’re here to make your job fun and easy.



Patricia