Sting Like a Bee

But remember to float like a butterfly! Erin Herb of RINjuel has created some beautiful jewelry for us all inspired by different kinds of butterfllies! 

These earrings are only $24 a piece and all made with the highest quality materials. They're perfect for Mother's Day or your friend that's graduating. 

We love Erin, and we just can't help ourselves when it comes to her jewelry. Make sure to stop in and see her newest creations before they fly away!

Cases With Baggage

These suitcases have some baggage, let me tell you. If B.B. King wasn't complaining about the thrill being gone, then Deborah Harry would be pleading with you for respect. Let's not even start into Richard Nixon...

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All, Hail! The King and your school books are coming through! 

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Miss Harry is a fox. Don't you wish you could take her with you everywhere? You're welcome.

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Good ol' Dick here is getting tricky. Better watch out!

Artist and Maryville, TN resident Jon Pemberton repurposes all of these vintage suitcases to be a whole load of awesome. They can carry your things AND gather you some respect. WORD.

What You Want to Live In:

These t-shirts are so comfy and cute, you'll want to live in them all summer. Dowdy Studios out of Austin, TX specializes in gorgeous graphics with witty slogans on THE best American Apparel worn in t-shirts.

This racer-back tank shows your support of your community, not to mention, BOOZE.

Meow-za Wow-za!

Whether your heart lies with furry animals or furry men, you can expect the same amazing fit and quality from both of these shirts. Both are a cotton blend and WILL NOT shrink. (I checked)

Folk, yeah!!

If you're good Knoxville folk, you'll know the importance of this slogan. Pick one up, wear it over to WDVX Blue Plate Special, and hoot n' holler along with Red!

Dowdy studios may be a whiles away, but it seems that they have a good feel for Knoxville. Come by a check out all the varieties by Dowdy; they're going fast like Spring!

Hooray for April!

April means spring cleaning, cool showers, hiking, and floral dresses. It also means DOGWOOD ARTS FESTIVAL is back! We love all the pink, white, and green here at Rala, so stop in and see all the festivities we have in store.

This book by Nikki McClure is perfect for recordng all the fun things happening around Knoxville during Dogwood Arts Festival. You can jot down your favorite hiking trails, the prettiest artwork, and your yummiest meal.

We already love Tokyo Milk fragrances, but it seems even more appropriate during April. The scent "Dead Sexy" by Margot Elena of Tokyo Milk is decorated with pink, green, and white to show its Dogwood pride (or so we think).

Wearing these earrings by The Trolley Stop will show all other Knoxvillians how proud you are of our rich heritage. Only $19.95 a pair, too!

Our very own Meghan McCrary has made special cards celebrating the weekend's events. Decorated with dogwood flowers, these make the perfect little something to send your out-of-town friends. Why not brag about how awesome Knoxville is?

We love Dogwood Arts Festival. Come to downtown Knoxville this weekend to celebrate with us and so many other great places.

Happy Dogwood, y'all!

It was a Dark and Rainy Night...

And Mike Berry was walking around, capturing moments in Knoxville through pencil and pastel. Lucky for us, he brought these beautiful moments to US to sell!
We were so pleased to have Mike as our April first Friday Artist. Mike's work has been showcased throughout Knoxvilleand has been featured on WBIR's "Your Stories".

Mike Berry is fascinated by downtown Knoxville. He paints these scenes teamed with life and noise to create an image pulsing with the emotion and energy of the city.

Come check out all of Mike's work through the whole month of April and May, and if you're feeling saucy, take one home for your own viewing pleasure!

Alaina Can Sew

If you shop at Rala, you probably know our manager, Alaina Smith. Well, wouldn't you know it, she's talented! We are so proud to announce that our lovely Alaina has her own fashion show with Knoxville Fashion Week on March 1st, 2012! (That's exactly 2 weeks, btw) It will be held in the underground of Latitude 35 at 6:30.

(Photo cred to Mr. Kurt Weiss)

Check out her bio on the Knoxville fashion week website, and grab up your ticket to the event before they're all gone! Congratulations, Alaina on your fabulous achievement!! May the fashion gods be in your favor!

http://knoxvillefashionweek.com/participants/alaina-smith/

Love to Love

Valentines Day is NEXT TUESDAY! Are you freaking out because I said that? Did you forget altogether? Sorry!! No need to get your panties in a wad. We've got plenty of cards and gifts to fill all of your V-Day needs.

These perfumes are vegan and handmade! They'd make a good treat for your lovie dove.

Of course, we always have your long-time fave, Tokyo Milk. Romantic packaging is just a plus.

If you're more of a jewelry giver, check out Erin Herb's one-of-a-kind jewelry line, RINjuel. We could not be more in love with her top notch, curious materials and her creative way of pairing colors and textures!

For the slightly less expensive jewelry option, check out local designer, Stacy Stewart. She makes her pieces out of scrabble letters!

For the extra "special" person in your life, one of these completely individual, delightfully goofy face mugs by Chad and Meghan Nelson should do the trick.

For a romantic Valentines Day getaway without the vomit-enducing plane ride or the exuberant cost of traveling, we have candles from Paddywax that will PUT YOU THERE. New York is a great choice for a vacation, but we also have travel packages (I mean candles) to Paris, Rome, and London.

Just need a card for your mom/boyfriend/girlfriend/ex/daughter/co-worker? We've got all kinds of cards for the big day of love. This one is naughty and delicious:

These are a bit more tame, but just as cute:

We love Valentines, because it's a holiday about showing the people you care most about that you love them. One big ol' shout out to Rala employees, managers, owners, and customers:

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Happy V-Day, y'all!

Like, Love, and Hate

Valentines day is only a month away. Do you have tokens for those you like, love, and hate? If not, let our newest employee Meghan McCrary help you out. Meghan's cards, magnets, and prints are made locally and clever as can be!

These postcards are perfect for giving and framing. They're also only $2.45 a piece.

Need something for your single friends? Try these sucker cards:

Want to forget Valentines day altogether and skip to the next available holiday? Meghan McCrary makes cards for every occasion. These magnets are so adorable, y'all!

Happy Valentines day / Anti-Valentines day!

Go, Brian, Go!

Local artist Brian Pittman is hard at work making us some new original pieces. Go Brian! Check out these new ones:

Did we mention that these are all free-hand drawings of non-existent cathedrals? Now that we have, feel free to drool. Come see us this January, and check out Brian's unique and impressive artwork. Believe us, they're even better in person!

See you soon!