Who invented Leap Year?

Leap years are years with 366 days, instead of the usual 365. Leap years are necessary because the actual length of a year is 365.242 days, not 365 days, as commonly stated. Basically, leap years occur every 4 years, and years that are evenly divisible by 4 (2004, for example) have 366 days. This extra day is added to the calendar on February 29th.

Julius Caesar was behind the origin of leap year in 45 BC. The early Romans had a 355 day calendar and to keep festivals occurring around the same season each year a 22 or 23 day month was created every second year. Julius Caesar decided to simplify things and added days to different months of the year to create the 365 day calendar, the actual calculations were made by Caesar's astronomer, Sosigenes. Every fourth year following the 28th day of Februarius (February 29th) one day was to be added, making every fourth year a leap year.

What will you do to celebrate this party that's four years in the making? We are running our winter clearance though the end of March. Our products are right now, buy one get one half off, buy two get one free. And we've slashed our warm winter pj's again to give you even more of an incentive to come in and clear out some room for the new products Kim and I found shopping in New York at the beginning of the month.

While in the big city, we met up with the Different Drummer gals for dinner at the Buddha Bar. How swank and fun was that?!?

Amelia, Lori, Devon and Kim (notice the huge black Buddha on the right!)

at last.. a revolution in woman's shaving Girls have always loved lotions and potions, and now the Whish revolution introduces a line of shaving products that promote smooth, healthy, ageless skin. These "magic potions" smell delicious, are wonderfully indulgent, and will transform a woman's skin.

That's quite a statement. But once you swirl on a dollop of Whish, you too will be changed by the experience. Crafted exclusively for women with essential oils and natural ingredients, this is a lusciously soothing, lingeringly moisturizing and surprisingly simple way to shave. What more could a girl wish for?

Stop in to learn all about it and ask one of the girls behind the counter for your free sample (while supplies last)!

Click here to read the story behind our newest women's shaving line.

Do slippery bra straps make you want to buzz off? Are you fed up with gaping peek-a-boo blouses? C l ick here for a demo on how these work.

Always a Girl's Girl

The original conversation cards in a tin for girlfriends who celebrate friendship & life!

"TALKING. LAUGHING. CONNECTING."TM conversation tins are filled with HUNDREDS of fun, talk-about-it questions, and are perfect for birthday celebrations, holiday soirees, spa weekends, bachelorette parties, happy hours, showers, slumber parties, weekend trips or anytime girlfriends gather for memory-making moments. These make clever hostess gifts, novel party favors and fabulous stocking stuffers!

Each tin is designed for girls on the go who love to be spontaneous! Toss it in your handbag or pack it in your suitcase, and discover the laughter in these tiny tins!

Intense Repair Spa Foot Butter This extra-moisturizing treatment soothes and restores over-worked feet. Repairs dry skin on feet, legs and heals. Softens and hydrates skin.

Perfectly Soft Spa Foot Soak Instantly transform tired aching feet to refreshed and revived. Refreshing Spa Foot & Leg Mist Instant relief for tired, aching, fatigued, overheated feet. Defies odor, helps prevent fungus, cools and deodorizes soothes hot, tired legs and feet.

in scents like: Lavender, Narcissus, Ocean Breeze, and White Sands

Mangiacotti Florals has introduced Pomegranate!

Rejuvenate your senses when you invite the fragrance of Pomegranate into your home. Hand poured into a frosted glass, this unique candle is made from a blend of pomegranate and papaya essential oils and soy. Included is a metal cover to keep your candle dust free when it's not being used. They've even included matches to make this gift complete.

Thymes has launched Red Cherie.

Bask In The Blush - Sweet, flirty and a little bit unpredictable, Red Chérie makes you smile from head to toe with a luscious mix of sparkling pomegranate, ripe red cherries, passion flower and jasmine, sparked with Asian lychee and a tease of fruity musk. The juicy, shimmering scent keeps you feeling pretty, playful and positively fabulous all day long.

-Red Cherie Bath Salts Envelope
-Red Cherie Body Lotion
-Red Cherie Sink Set

Dog Poo - A special insect (and flea!) repelling blend of cedar & citronella combine to create an herbal, natural answer to bath time with your best friend! This healthy size bar can easily be cut into bathing wedges.

Worker's Hand Soap-A soap that works as hard as you do - containing pumice, corn meal & spice oils for cleansing and cocoa butter to help keep those hard working hands soft & supple

Chef's Soap-Specially formulated to cleanse soiled kitchen hands & remove unpleasant odors. The ingredients used have antiseptic, antibacterial, and revitalizing properties. This soap is tough enough to cleanse but gentle enough to nurture & moisturize the skin.

Bug Off!-Repel insects naturally! A pleasant smelling 3 oz soap & shampoo bar that works naturally to make your hair and skin not only soft & beautiful, but also disagreeable to biting insects. Great for hunting, camping or any outdoors excursion. Contains NO DEET!

We sold out of these at Christmas and now they're back... Henry The Talking Garden Gnome will make you laugh and smile for hours. Record a silly song, funny message, happy birthday, or whatever you can imagine. Henry will then repeat your message in his silly "gnome" voice. A great mystery gag for around the office.... Record a message & leave Henry on your co- workers chair, they will not be able to tell who recorded the message.

"Go With the Flow" tampon cases!

Pill Boxes

Magnets

New Soaps from Gianna Rose:

-One Dozen Assorted Spa Stones in Apothecary Jar
-Golden Retriever and Black Lab Soaps. Scented with a fresh-linen fragrance, and wrapped in a gorgeous boxes, respectfully fit for man's best friend.

Janelle Fiegley has opened Gossip at 4 Brown Street. Gossip features new and renewed clothing, art and jewels in styles ranging from city chic to country cool.. a denim-lover's paradise.

My friend, Maribeth McNair, does Tarot readings on Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm. Affectionately known as "The Happy Medium", people are continually impressed by her gift of insight and healing. Please call in advance for the schedule or to make an appointment. Readings are $40 per 1/2 hour or $75 for 1 hour. 294-3981, info@grateful heart.com.

The North Kingstown Arts Council is pleased to announce it's Spring 2008 "Take An Arts Break" program. Go to nkartscouncil.org to find a wide variety of class options all offered by accomplished artists. Some of the offerings include writing, watercolors, pen & ink drawing, and stained glass. Background information on each of the artists participating in the "Take An Arts Break" program can be found on their website, as well.

To register for any of these classes, just complete the enrollment form and return it with your payment to the NK Arts Council, c/o NK Town Hall, 80 Boston Neck Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852.