Acacia Home & Garden toasts license with cookbook author

The furniture line will debut at the High Point Market in April

-- Casual Living, 1/7/2009 6:53:00 AM

Acacia Home & Garden announced a licensing partnership with Bonnie Jesseph, author of WINOS (Women In Need Of Sanity) series of cookbooks. The furniture line will debut at the High Point Market in April. 
      
WINOS is all about cooking, eating, laughing, enjoying wine, friends, family and having fun, according to its Blowing Rock, N.C.-based author who spends much of her time in research and development of new recipes and cocktails. “It’s kind of like chemistry but a whole lot more fun,” she said. 
      
“Our goal is to offer furniture in the same recipe that has worked for our success in cookbooks, apparel and accessories,” Jesseph said. “It is product with a sense of humor, casual style and fun.”
      
Alex Te, president of Acacia Home & Garden, expressed excitement about the licensing partnership. “The synergy of talent, casual lifestyle, merchandise and marketing will make a win-win situation,” Te said.
      
The success of Jesseph’s cookbooks led to the WINO’S Buddies Club for fun-loving women (and men) who enjoy food, wine (or other libations), laughter and getting together for a little "sanity" in their lives, all while giving back and leaving a legacy. With the rising cost of restaurant prices in today’s economy, many women are replacing "girls' night out" with a more cost effective but equally entertaining "girls’ night in." These popular gatherings at home offer women a respite from their busy lives and multi-tasking schedules with the opportunity to eat, laugh and connect with one another. 
     
“It all started a few years ago when I was having another WINOS moment,” Jesseph said. “After raising four kids, a few dogs and puppies, 15 moves, working in both the corporate and consulting world, being married to a husband who travels the globe, loss of both my parents and then sending my babies off to college and a few other character-building exercises, I was stuck home alone and very quickly entering the state of sub-mania. I wanted and needed some sanity in my life. I always loved to cook for friends and family, and added wine to many recipes. I visualized sanity as diving into a wine glass at the end of every day and WINOS was born.” 
      
WINOS Buddies Club members are looking for product that works for the way they live and entertain, Jesseph said. Their focus is on casual dining because more people, young and old, are entertaining at home.
      
Serving centers offer flexibility for functional uses in a casual yet stylish way and woven baskets are synonymous with Acacia’s roots in casual furniture. Also look for the practical wine glass and bottle storage, perfect for the wine enthusiast.
      
For more than 18 years, Acacia has produced furniture for indoors and the outdoor room as well. Acacia operates a manufacturing facility in Conover, N.C. along with frame factories in Cebu, Philippines. Acacia uses not only sustainable but non-toxic materials, and will progressively explore developing materials that promote sustainable practices.
      
Acacia’s philosophy fits with the WINO’S Buddies Club commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.   
      
Expect the furniture line also to be influenced by current women’s fashion and color trends. Women are hungry for a bright feeling and want to surround themselves in color. Like spring, it is the hope for new beginning and a breath of fresh air after months of doom and gloom. 
      
For more information, visit www.acaciahomeandgarden.com or www.winoshavefun.com or www.winosbuddies.com.