Hometown Girl

An Autumn Afternoon

“But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees”.

-   C. S. Lewis

 

 

 

 

~Susan

a day trip

Being a holiday weekend we took a road trip, probably more like a day trip but none the less a wonderful afternoon. We spent the day walking the streets of this quaint historic little town nestled next to the Niagara River. One thing that really stands out to me here is pride. It is clear that the people that live here really love this place and take great care in preserving it's small town feel. There are flowers everywhere you turn. In pots, flower boxes, hanging from the lamp posts, in the alley ways, on buildings, it's just beautiful. I'm telling you even the gas station is darling with it's flower boxes & days gone by feel. It's a place that beckons to a simpler time, where people know your name, say hello and smile. A  place to raise a family. This is not our first visit here, nor our last I'm sure. Each time we leave we say, "wouldn't that be a great place to live?"

Just a few of the lovely buildings.

 

 

The gazebo at the park.

 

Did I mention the ice cream shop? I think it might have been the BEST ice cream I've ever had, Caramel Sponge candy. There was an entire piece of sponge candy in it, heavenly!

 

I loved this pretty little walkway that led to tables to eat your ice cream. It had a fountain too!

 

There are lots of fun shops. A toy store, book store, gift shops and one of my favorite this darling house turned antique shop. Filled to the brim with all kinds of treasures. There is a barn and a basement too! I bought five pair of vintage earrings for my cuffs. I gasped when I found two boxes of  old letterpress letters & numbers. I wanted to buy them all but showed restraint. Looking back I should have at least bought a few to put in an old jar, even if just to look at, they are so fantastic. The lady that owns the shop didn't mind my drooling a bit and even let me take a few photos.

 

 

Kind of beyond repair but still charming.

 

A gorgeous home across the river.

 

I hope your weekend was as lovely as ours. Thanks for stopping by.

finds, frames & a dream

A week for me is just not complete without at least one estate sale. Usually, I have a look at the paper and on-line to map out my destinations for the sales each week. I had an order I was working on along with keeping up with the house, shop & the rest of my life so it wasn't really on the radar at all. I've been trying to use what I have & sell some of my vintage treasures. Mid-week I received an e-mail from my friend, Kriss about a sale. I took one look at the pictures, tons of sewing items. The only problem would be convincing everyone to take a ride out to the country!  We ended up having a really great time, despite the fact that the entire town smelled of manure. Yes, you read that correctly :) The rolling hills, the farms with the old barns, it was a really beautiful ride.

My finds (I'm trying to be more selective in my purchases only buying what I love and will use). I cannot wait to use these beautiful laces, trims & mother of pearl buttons. I probably left behind another two dozen of the spools with trims!

 

I was lucky enough to get some new papers from my friend Donna yesterday and I could not wait to use them.  I've got some new things in mind for my other papers so be sure to check in on the shop.

 

Seeing all those beautiful barns I got to dreaming about a studio in one. All fixed up with a place for everything. I actually went looking at the new ones. I'm thinking maybe I'll start saving up for one I could put in our yard, so it may take a few years!  Picture this painted a rich taupe color with black accents, french doors, flower boxes, shutters, a little stone walkway, topiaries flanking the doors, a vintage chandelier & all my goodies in one place....... a girl's gotta have a dream, right?

 

Hope this finds you well, dreaming & enjoying your long weekend. Happy Memorial Day!

Thanks for visiting.

~Susan

My dream trip to NYC

I'm so wanting to take a trip to NY.  I make plans in my head of places I want to go. I thought maybe if I write it all down it'll seem more real and maybe, just maybe, I'll get there one day.  If I go with my hubby he'll probably spend his time in a pub while I peruse my dream list of creative places.

So for those who know me, you probably know by now I have a weakness for fabric. Since I have a few hundred bolts hanging around the house. And that I'm a huge Project Runway fan, so no surprise that Mood Fabrics is at the top of my list. Three floors filled with every imaginable fabric, all I have to say is WOW!

My next stop would be Tinsel Trading, I've heard lots about this place & it looks amazing! They actually have a quote on their site by Martha "....my favorite store in all of the world...." It's filled with ribbons, trims, buttons & a whole lot more.

Oh, Purl Soho and Patchwork! I was so sad that the last time I was in NY they were not open and I was never able to go back. I think I might have drooled on the front window while I was there.

No secret that I love old wallpaper. I consider any estate sale that has vintage wallpaper a really great one! Secondhand Rose in NY is filled to the brim with old wallpapers. I go to their site on a regular basis and try to imagine myslef standing in the middle of their store inhaling the smell of old wallpaper.  Sick, isn't it?

How I wish we had an Anthropologie here! I've been there once and that was on my last trip to NY. Talk about drool, if this place doesn't do it, nothing will. It is filled with inspiration at every turn.

And I'd stay at the Stanhope, that's if it were still there. Peter & I stayed there once when we were dating, a swanky boutique hotel, perfect in every way. Cozy yet elegant. Unfortunately, it's been turned into apartments. No worries, I think we'll be able to find something suitable :)

Sorry no pictures but I promise you if you click on the links you won't be disappointed! Maybe I'll have a few of my own pics to share with you one day! I'm up for company if any of you want to come with me.

Have a nice week. See you soon! xo