A shopping day

Linda, Duane and I decided to check out the new West Elm store that finally opened in our area.  Before this, the closest one was in Orlando.  West Elm opened a store in a section of town called Hyde Park where there are stores like Anthropologie, Restoration Hardware, etc.  We've all ordered items from West Elm via their catalog and/or website but it's always fun to check stuff out in person.  Linda and I both made purchases there.  I bought an adorable carved wood rocking bird.  It's probably going to go into the guest room.  Linda bought a beautiful silk pillow and a candle in a ceramic holder.  Then we decided to head over to Anthropologie.  I've also bought a number of items from them over the years but usually via their website.   It's a great store to browse.  Linda found a really pretty pale blue long sleeve tee that she bought. 

After we finished up with a walk through Restoration Hardware (their furniture makes me feel like a toddler due to the size of the pieces), we headed back to Duane's neighborhood for lunch.  We ate at one of our favorite places, Mikey's, which is a sandwich shop and a full bakery.  Then we headed to a couple of shops we can never resist, beginning with A Modern Line.  You never know what you'll find and there had been a big turnover in merchandise since our last visit.  It's always beautifully curated which makes it a pleasure to shop there.  Linda found a small piece of burgundy pottery for her living room.  We also visited D & D Antiques -- another store with a frequent turnover in their merchandise.  After that we were all ready to call it a day.  It was a nice way to spend some time.  Nice shops, good food and good friends.

Our purchases.

Antiquing sales

Duane and Linda and I hit a parking lot sale and a tent sale yesterday being held by two of our favorite vintage stores.  Kaleidoscope was having the tent sale.  Duane found a couple of antique oval wood frames (one still had the original art work in it) and I bought a cool handmade pillow featuring a palm tree print and plastic fringe.  The pillow is for my futon in my home office.  Linda bought a set of two lovely metal and glass tables.  The glass is a beautiful shade of green.  She plans to use them in her redecoration of her guest room.  There were some great deals on so many little tables (I have a weakness for those) but I would have to get rid of something else in order to make room and not crowd any areas.   Too bad.  I usually have to think about something like that for awhile.

Parking lot sale at Yesterdaze.

 

My pillow and Duane's loot from Kaleidoscope and Yesterdaze.

 
We headed to Yesterdaze after that for a parking lot sale.  Duane found a book and a set of kitchen vegetable prints.  There's always a lot to see at Yesterdaze so we went into the store, too, as usual.  From antique to vintage, this store has it all -- packed to the rafters.  Not just home decor but vintage/antique clothing including wedding dresses, fur, hats, gloves and tons of jewelry.  Linda spotted a couple of turntables and left a phone message for our buddy, Danny, who has been looking for a turntable.  He doesn't want one in a cabinet, just the turntable, and these were in good working condition with new styluses/needles.  Apparently, the owner has to keep the styluses behind the counter because they have a way of disappearing.  Tsk.

 We stopped by D&D Antiques to look around.  This was the first time we'd visited since the owner moved her store to a larger building.  A really nice store -- well curated and fairly priced.  This is the store where Duane bought her aqua kitchen table.  (See blog entry for July 17, 2011.)  She's still looking for a pair of chairs that are 'just right' for her table.   


After taking a break at Starbucks for some caffeine, Linda had to leave to meet our friend, Barbara, for a football game.  Duane and I went on to another antique store nearby.  (I always forget the name of this place but I'll add it when it comes back to me.)  Beautiful garden statuary at this one. Linda bought her buddha there -- see blog post for Feb. 20th, 2011.  I saw a free-standing turquoise birdbath that was hard to pass up.  Right now, we have one that hangs from an oak tree in our backyard.  George refreshes it each day.  I'd love to replace it with the turquoise one.  Something else I need to think about. Sigh.

By this time, Duane and I were ready for lunch so we headed to Mikey's and we both had my favorite tuna melt with pasta salad.  Yum.  Too bad we're always too full to buy anything from their bakery when we're finished eating.  We made one more stop after this to shop for yarn.  I haven't knitted or crocheted in years but I had been thinking about making something for the project my friend Kate is involved in -- The Humble Stitch Project.  I've already shipped yarn to Kate that I picked up cheaply at estate and yard sales but I hadn't thought of making something myself until I came across a free pattern for a scarf on the 'net last week.  I'll post a pic here if it turns out well enough to send to The Humble Stitch as part of their distribution of warm clothing items for the homeless in South Florida.