Such A Gift

Seems a lot of you, like me, love sharing a slice of our beautiful Central Coast with friends and fam. That's what inspires me to create my handmade peanut butter Joycups: local coastal fruits, local raw honey, locally purchased sea salts and organic peanuts, for starters.

I then follow the all-natural, environmentally friendly philosophy of our lovely place by packaging in recycled boxes or biodegradable bags. No chemicals were used to create the kraft boxes' natural appearance. And their fiber comes from lumber that was collected and reforested following eco-friendly practices. Top with the oh-so-pretty cocoa butter designs (coastal themes in-stock year-round), and you've got your perfect little gift of local flavor.

I create different sizes and four flavors, so figured the decision might be a little tough for some. Enter the new Joycups gift certificate.

I asked Lynn Bates at www.lynnbatesdesigns.etsy.com to custom create a gift certificate to match The Joycup Co.'s look and appeal. She came up with this gorgeously primitive French-inspired motif that says "Enjoy". Perfect. It was also Lynn's idea to make the Joycup gift certificates hang tags, just like the handmade gift tags available for each box from select etsy artisans who favor vintage and recycled materials. Double perf.

Lynn's gift certificate tags are now available at www.thejoycupco.com. I'm so grateful for them and my Joycups' customers, I'll add a free JoyBox 2 with any gift certificate ordered, along with your message handprinted on the tag.

Thank you Lynn. And thank you again Joyfuls for sharing the Joy. Enjoy!

Precisely Pithy

A visitor to Pithy Little Wine Co.'s mission-style tasting room is certain to find something that pleases. That's how husband and wife team Jeff Munsey and Felicia Alvarez envisioned their quality offerings before opening about a year ago.

They cater to all engaged in the local wine tasting group experience, even those who can't or don't drink, like the designated driver or a pregnant spouse. "There's always someone in a group sitting their bored with their water," says Felicia, who majored in crops science at Cal Poly. "So we thought, 'What if we make our own sodas for tasting?'" Pithy Little Soda Works debuted this year with Root Beer, Black Cherry, Orange Cream and now Cola. They're made the old-fashioned way using cane sugar and all-natural ingredients, not high-fructose corn syrup or carbonated water. The sodas are served complimentary in the same Riedel glasses for tasting the rich Pithy merlots, zinfandel and chardonnays. The pairing experience within the historic downtown San Luis Obispo ambiance features locally made cheeses, brown butter cookies and gourmet peanut butter cups.

Local support is important to the owners, who sell the packaged treats in a gorgeous storefront display, along with locally handmade linens and their own line of luxurious soaps and lotions made of grape seeds and organic ingredients. Over the holidays Pithy Wine threw a one-stop shopping party with great wine discounts and gifts, such as their Fortuity aromatic long-burning soy candles, books, wine accessories and our favorite, the delicious mulling spices. The little bag of spices warmed in wine, cider and cinnamon sticks taken from a Pithy Wine Co. recipe creates a velvety blend that "tastes like Christmas," as Felicia so aptly put it. Oh, do we agree!

Chances are, visitors found Pithy Little Wine Co. via social networking venues like Facebook or Twitter. Felicia actively engages with her current and prospective customers, rather than spends on large ad campaigns. "It's more about trying to get to know your customer," says Felicia. "Give them a quality product, and let them know you are listening."