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Peace Love and Decorating Samples
1. Ronda Smith Trunk Show Media Kit PR Plan
In your Ronda Smith Trunk Show Media Kit, I have included a news release, feature story, fact
sheet, pitch letter, and radio news release. All of these contain the basics of what the trunk show
is and when and where it will be hosted, but they also have specific suggestions that will help the
public relations process become easier.
• News Release -- The news release that I wrote for you is made to help news outlets know
about the Ronda Smith Trunk Show. For print media, the news release should be sent out
six to eight weeks before the event. For radio, the release should be sent out four weeks
in advance; for broadcast news, a one-week advance notice is fine.
• Feature Story -- The feature story gives a brief history of Peace, Love & Decorating’s
formation and helps readers get to know the store and the owners better. This would work
well in the lifestyle sections of magazines like KNOW Atlanta Magazine or Gwinnett
Magazine.
• Fact Sheet -- When covering a story, reporters like to know the basic facts – who, what,
where, when, and why – and have it presented to them in a simple and straightforward
manner. This fact sheet can be used as a background sheet to help reporters who are
covering the trunk show.
• Pitch Letter -- The pitch letter can be used for when you contact a source at a news outlet,
like Gwinnett Magazine or the Gwinnett Daily Post, regarding the trunk show. It’s a
simple little email about the trunk show that catches the attention of the reporter or editor.
2. • Radio News Release -- I wrote a script that a radio announcer or host could read from
that covers the essentials of the trunk show. It’s roughly 30 seconds long, which is plenty
of time for a radio news release.
I have also found some news outlets that you may want to contact. They are local and have great
feature and lifestyle sections that would fit perfectly for not only the event but also for Peace,
Love & Decorating’s self-promotion!
Gwinnett Daily Post
Meghan Kotowski, Features Desk
770-963-9205
meghan.kotowski@gwinnettdailypost.com
KNOW Atlanta Magazine
Lindsay Field, Editor
lindsay@knowatlanta.com
Gwinnett Magazine
770-236-8703
newsroom@gwinnettmagazine.com
These are a few suggestions on who to contact for the event and how each written piece could be
used. If there is any confusion or corrections need to be made, please don’t hesitate to contact
me.
Best regards,
Mari
(770) 713-1602
marielenazajac@yahoo.com
4. (To: Duluth Daily Post, Features Desk)
Hello, boutique Peace, Love & Decorating will be hosting a trunk show for Atlanta-based
jewelry designer Ronda Smith Dec. 6 in historic downtown Duluth. Please let me know if you
would like to send a crew to cover the event and to interview PLD co-owners Jana Contardi and
Jennifer Cook. Contardi and Cook are aiming to raise awareness not only for their business, but
also for Smith’s designs; PLD desires to support and promote as many Atlanta-area small
businesses as possible. Any advance mention of the trunk show would also be greatly
appreciated.
Saturday, Dec. 6
10 a.m. Peace, Love & Decorating
Address: 3129 Main Street, Duluth, Ga. 30096
(678) 606-5300
Thanks, I look forward to discussing this with you soon!
Marielena Zajac
(770) 713-1602
marielenazajac@yahoo.com
twitter: @MarielenaZajac
5. PEACE LOVE AND DECORATING TO HOST RONDA SMITH DESIGNS TRUNK
SHOW: 30 SECONDS
BOUTIQUE PEACE LOVE AND DECORATING WILL BE HOSTING A TRUNK SHOW
FOR RONDA SMITH DESIGNS ON DECEMBER 6th
AT THE PEACE LOVE AND
DECORATING STORE LOCATION ON HISTORIC MAIN STREET IN DOWNTOWN
DULUTH. THE TRUNK SHOW AIMS TO PREVIEW NEW JEWELRY FROM RONDA
SMITH DESIGNS AND CONTINUE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF PEACE LOVE AND
DECORATING’S PRESENCE IN THE DULUTH AREA. FOR MORE INFORMATION,
PLEASE GO TO PEACE LOVE AND DECORATING -- DOT -- COM.
6. For Immediate Release
Peace, Love & Decorating Hosts Ronda Smith Designs Trunk Show
DULUTH, Ga. -- Peace, Love & Decorating will host a trunk show for Ronda Smith Designs on
Dec. 6, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 8p.m. at 3129 Main St. in Duluth.
The trunk show aims to preview new jewelry from Ronda Smith Designs and to continue
to raise awareness of Peace, Love & Decorating’s presence to the Duluth area.
“We are excited to showcase Ronda Smith’s designs for bracelets, necklaces, and
earrings,” said Jaci Shiendling, store manager for Peace, Love & Decorating. “Her talent is
evident in each of her pieces, and we are thrilled to be able to support another local artist.”
Initially created as a web business, Peace, Love & Decorating opened its first brick and
mortar store in May 2012. The boutique specializes in fine bedding, lighting, furniture,
fragrances, and jewelry, bought from local artists or at market in the Atlanta area.
Customers attending the trunk show will be able to choose from pieces already familiar to
the Ronda Smith brand or create a special order with Ronda Smith herself. The jewelry, which
has a bohemian and vintage flair, reflects the Peace, Love & Decorating store atmosphere.
“What makes Ronda Smith Designs jewelry so special is that each piece is uniquely
designed and can be coordinated to build your own personal ensemble,” said Shiendling.
Peace, Love & Decorating is located on Main Street in historic downtown Duluth. To
view current Rhonda Smith Designs prior to the event, visit peaceloveanddecorating.com/ronda-
smith.html.
# # #
7. ABOUT PEACE, LOVE & DECORATING:
Founded by interior designers Jana Contardi and Jennifer Cook, Peace, Love &
Decorating incorporates vintage-inspired merchandise and fixtures the co-owners would want to
use for their design clients. Peace, Love & Decorating aims to provide excellent customer service
while introducing clients to one-of-a-kind furnishings and novelty items.
Contact:
Jaci Shiendling, Peace, Love & Decorating
store@peaceloveanddecorating.com
(770) 622-8262
8. History:
Peace, Love & Decorating was founded by Jana Contardi and Jennifer Cook in 2006.
Both interior designers, the pair grew up as neighbors and best friends before deciding to bring
their individual design businesses together. In May 2011, Contardi and Cook opened their first
brick and mortar store in historic downtown Duluth, 30 minutes north of Atlanta. What started as
a web business venture has now turned into a three-tiered company, comprising of interior
design, online and in-store retail.
What They Sell:
Bought at market and selected amongst local businesses, the items that are sold at Peace,
Love & Decorating reflect an old-European design with touches of modern flair. Items include:
• Tables
• Chairs
• Paintings
• Decorations
• Jewelry
• Ornaments
9. • Fragrances
• Clothes
• Hair Accessories
• Light Fixtures
About Their Trunk Shows:
Since its opening in 2011, Peace, Love & Decorating has hosted numerous trunk shows for local
jewelry designer Ronda Smith and ornament company Christopher Radco. The trunk shows
present customers with a personal viewing of some of their favorite items. Ronda Smith works
directly with her clients to create their own uniquely designed pieces of jewelry, and Christopher
Radco senior designers sign customers’ favorite Radco ornaments.
About Their Location:
Peace, Love & Decorating is located on Main Street in historic downtown Duluth. Contardi and
Cook envisioned an old-fashioned look for their first brick and mortar store. Historic downtown
Dultuh, with it’s southern charm and timeless setting, proved to be the perfect destination for the
vintage-inspired boutique. Downtown Duluth is home to dozens of local businesses and hosts
numerous events, including the Duluth Fall Festival and Barefoot in the Park.
10. Peace, Love & Decorating: An Unexpected Venture
Upon entering Peace, Love & Decorating, customers are blown away with its warm,
spacious, and one-of-a-kind interior. The light and airy scents from candles and perfumes
instantly draw people deeper in, and soft music encourages patrons to leisurely explore each and
every crevice of the historic space. Peace, Love & Decorating is ethereal, unique, and inviting:
everything co-owners Jana Contardi and Jennifer Cook envisioned for their business.
This vision for the store, however, was not a planned project for the two founders. After
graduating from the University of Georgia, Cook began her dream career of designing and
renovating homes with distinctive and elegant products. She received overwhelming success, so
in 2001, she opened her own interior design firm in Duluth, Ga., called Jennifer Cook Interiors.
Contardi, Cook’s neighbor at the time and best friend, joined the firm that same year when Cook
saw Contardi’s inherent talent for interior design.
“We had a good, natural partnership from the very beginning,” said Cook. “It was
effortless to work together because we just understood each other.”
Jennifer Cook Interiors thrived for many years, but along with the national economy, it
slowed down in 2008. The “Panic of 2008” stock market crash brought with it a change in the
housing and interior design markets. Customers simply were not looking to re-design or stage
their homes for sale. Seeing the potential threat to the firm, Cook and Contardi decided to open a
web business to supplement for the deficit.
“We had been playing with the idea of starting our own web business for a while,” said
Contardi. “The stock market change definitely pushed our decision a little faster, but it was one
of the best decisions we ever made.”
11. The web business, formally created in 2009, originally sold custom bedding for girls
exclusively. The market for this trade, however, was not large enough, so Contardi and Cook
chose to add more to their on-line selection. The co-owners went to markets in the Atlanta area
and selected items that appealed more to home décor and design. Staying true to the original
interior design function of Jennifer Cook Interiors, Peace, Love & Decorating was formed.
Peace, Love & Decorating was an immediate hit for loyal customers of Jennifer Cook
Interiors and for new customers across the country. As demand for product began to increase, so
did inventory. With the increase, though, came a decrease in space.
“We had all of this stuff from the web business that it began to crowd the interior design
business!” said Cook with a laugh. “Online customers also began to request displays of the
products we sold, but we had no room to display anything!”
Contardi and Cook began to look for a brick and mortar space to use as a retail
showroom. A retail showroom would not only fulfill their need for more space to store
inventory, but also provide customers with a physical representation of the designers’ vision for
the products they carried. Since both owners lived in Duluth, and most of their firm’s clients
resided there, the two started searching for a location in the Duluth area that was quiet,
comfortable and welcoming. Historic Main Street in downtown Duluth, with its charm and
friendly aesthetic, proved to be the perfect destination for the Peace, Love & Decorating
showroom.
The retail showroom served as both a display for the beds, tables, light fixtures, and home
décor sold online and an in-store location for direct sales. As business continued to grow more,
Contardi and Cook delved into offering products outside of interior design, such as dining plates
and utensils, fragrances, and jewelry.
12. Peace, Love & Decorating has come a long way since its inception in 2009. It is no
longer just a showroom for interior design clients, but a business, with hardworking employees,
that is forming its own name and clientele outside of Jennifer Cook Interiors, which continues to
thrive. Since the brick and mortar store’s opening, Peace, Love & Decorating has become the
number one retailer in the state of Georgia for Lenny & Eva jewelry, a proud and surprising
accomplishment for what initially began as an interior design enterprise, according to Cook. For
Cook and Contardi, this is only the first of many titles for their unexpected business venture.
In 2010, the online Peace, Love & Decorating created a branch of the business called the
Christopher Radko Gallery, a premier retailer of Christopher Radko ornaments. Every holiday
season, the physical store, which opened in 2011, not only sells these ornaments, but also hosts a
trunk show where customers can have a senior Radko artist sign their favorite pieces. Peace,
Love & Decorating also hosts trunk shows for local jewelry designer Ronda Smith and Donna
Salyer’s Fabulous Faux Furs. Cook and Contardi continue to expand their horizons by adding
clothing, footwear, and accessories to the already impressive selection of items sold at the store.
Although Peace, Love & Decorating continues to expand in its offerings, Contardi’s and
Cook’s vision to provide customers with products that reflect a peaceful yet elegant air still
stands true today. Every product chosen at market is selected with this vision in mind, and the
two partners continue to bring their serene style to Jennifer Cook Interiors. Inadvertently, Cook
and Contardi have created a successful three-tiered business that is harmonious with each branch.
“Our business is so young, but we are definitely continuing to grow fast,” said Cook.
“But we are so excited for what the future has in store for us,” adds Contardi with a
smile.
# # #
13.
14. Peace, Love & Decorating Announces Lenny & Eva Jewelry Introductions for
2015
New Lenny & Eva offerings for 2015 now available from Peace, Love &
Decorating
Duluth, Ga. – Lenny & Eva online retailer Peace, Love & Decorating is pleased to announce the
arrival of new Lenny & Eva collection additions for 2015. Available in-store or online with free
shipping from Peace, Love & Decorating, the Lenny & Eva line of salvaged sentiments gives
customers the freedom to customize their own unique jewelry collection. Highlights of the new
Lenny & Eva offerings include gypsy wraps, interchangeable bangles, and monogram
sentiments.
The new Lenny & Eva gypsy wrap adds a bohemian flair to any jewelry collection. Worn
as a bracelet or necklace, the gypsy wrap is created from stitched leather cording and tied
together with natural gemstones, glass, and metals. Color introductions for the spring 2015 gypsy
wraps include warm shades of sunside and sunset. Mix and match with your favorite sentiment to
create the ultimate look for your wardrobe.
New to the Lenny & Eva collection of sentiments is the monogram sentiment. Detailed in
beautiful scrolling patterns with a signature initial inscribed in the center, the monogram
sentiment is a unique twist on the classic monogram. Available in brass and silver as well as
select letters, the new monogram sentiment from Lenny & Eva is sure to be a must-have
statement piece for 2015.
One of the most anticipated new additions to the Lenny & Eva collection of salvaged
jewelry is the Lenny & Eva bangle. The creators of Lenny & Eva added clasps to the classic
bangle, making a truly one of a kind piece. Worn alone, stacked, or paired with any other classic
Lenny & Eva bracelet, the Lenny & Eva bangle has a signature logo piece and can be built with
your favorite statement piece. The Lenny & Eva bangle is available in two collections, the
mermaid stack and the sacred soul stack.
More new additions to the 2015 collection include new designs and colors of best-selling
thin and wide cuffs, beaded links and bracelets, and small and large sentiments. Customers can
expect new cuff colors including ceramic brown, black and cream as well as metallic blush,
15. along with beaded br acelets and links in canyon, desert rose and moondust. New additions to the
Lenny & Eva small sentiment collection include “Happy”, “Humble”, “Forgive” and “Je
T’aime” available in silver and brass. The classic large sentiments, also in brass and silver,
feature new phrases and quotes to add to your personal collection.
A purveyor of salvaged sentiments, Lenny & Eva focuses on designing women’s jewelry
pieces that reveal one's self expression. By combining quotes and word sentiments as well as
unique pendants with bracelets, leather cuffs, necklaces and charms, you can create a vast
collection of jewelry.
Located 30 minutes north of Atlanta, Georgia in historic downtown Duluth at 3129 Main
Street, Peace, Love and Decorating features designer home accessories and home decor and
boutique women’s clothing and jewelry. The Lenny & Eva 2015 Collection is available in store
or online at peaceloveanddecorating.com.