Monday, December 20, 2010

Gather in Ivoryton and Taken For Granite in Stony Creek


One of the things I fell in love with when we went into
 Gather in Ivoryton
 was this sweet and simple little blue and white cup with a paperwhite bulb and a gorgeous blue ribbon tied to the handle.
  That was the first of several  gifts I found at
 Deanna's wonderful shop! 


This "so much fun to go to" shop is filled with new gift items,
 handmade things, children's gifts, books, delicious chocolates, yummy caramels, greeting cards,
 antique consignments and her own flea market finds.
 Truly something for everyone....and a lot for Laura! :)


Do you see those very pale pink...
...very fragile antique ornaments on the second tier of the stand?
They're now mine!
  I will show you what I did with them later on in the week :)


This is just a tease of all the goodness to be found here...
...if you are anywhere in the area you really should get to
Gather.
The inventory is always changing and there is so much to see!

Next, we drove to Stony Creek, a charming  picturesque Connecticut town on the shorefront of the Long Island Sound
We were excited to be on our way to shop and be inspired at


Just look at this!
To get a closer peek, click to enlarge...then zoom in.

Michelle, the owner of this incredible shop has an amazing eye for both selecting and displaying lovely gifts, home goods, jewelry, interesting and beautiful clothing, flowers and eclectic antiques.


...and of course there are always plenty of seashells and beach themed items in this shop by the water.


I offered to tag along with Michelle on her 
European antique buying trips...
...told her I would blog for her from the road...
She laughed and agreed that it sounded fun.
Do you think she knew I was serious?



This unusual and beautiful mirror caught my eye.



This jewelry display was too cool!




Paula and I loved this piece...
...filled with candles and ivy... for indoors or out!

  



Everywhere you look...
...there is something beautiful and inspirational to see.




 Don't you just love the skirt on this table?





Sigh...
Do you see why Taken For Granite
 is a must do when I come to visit the girls?


Of course, I found the perfect gift for a special friend.
Isn't this the most beautiful gift wrap?
Every detail....perfection!

We're not done yet!
Tomorrow, I will share with you our trip to Chester where we visited Dina Varano...
...a longtime favorite boutique filled with Dina's exquisite jewelry,
 art pieces and an eclectic array of unusual gifts.

Are you getting tired yet?
Shop 'til you drop!
or so they say... 
:)

Thank you for all your kind comments on Paula's beautiful home and
 Carole's Christmas shop at Maynard Greenhouse.
I will try to show more pictures as requested after I finish sharing photos
 of the other shops we visited on Friday.
  Golly! We sure did a lot in one day!
:)

31 comments:

north pal said...

laura,what a beautiful array of photos. how can one person love and desire so many things as i do? but.......can't have it all. just appreciate what you have. Bestest,Denise

Suz said...

Laura,That is without a doubt the very best jewelry display I have seen! I KNOW you meant it when you said you want to go on your friends buying trip as her blogger. I totally get it!
Such a wonderful time! Tale us to more cool stores!
xo,
Suz

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

~**~Wow!! so much eye candy!!! LOVE it all~*~Hugs,Rachel~*~*

*French Farmhouse 425*

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

All of this in one day. Sensory overload for sure! But pure bliss! What a wonderful way to spend your time. All of the shops and glimpses of home life have been absolutely inspiring! thanks for sharing and happy holidays to you and yours, Tammy

pamq said...

Oh, my.

I promise you, we don't have ANYTHING like those places out here in South Dakota.......

I would get in there and never come out.

And you got all that looked at in one day!

Whee!!!!!

Thanks so much for sharing.

Andi's English Attic said...

You're keeping me busy, do you realise that? I sit down to read your latest post and you take me on tours like this. Immediately, I get up and try to make the best out of my megre collection of ornaments - inspired beyond belief. Then I come back to read some more and it starts all over again! But I love it! :D xx

@nne said...

wonderful shop. love, @nne

It's me said...

GREAT !!!!!!....love you Ria....xxxx.....

Unknown said...

I would love to be there and I think, I need a big car to go home ;)

Love

Tine

Les Cotrions said...

I've never seen so many beautiful things together!!!!
Merry Christmas to you Laura, Rob and the whole family!
Have a joyful time!
Big hugs
Vale

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Oh my goodness, it is all gorgeous!!! Warmest holiday wishes to you!

trash talk said...

All the shoppes and all the talent you have been showing us is just amazing. Beginning with Carole's beautiful shop to these...the journey with you has been thrilling.
Debbie

Jill said...

Over the top beautiful! So glad you shared!

Carole said...

Do you know I've yet to go to Deanna's and Michelle's. This working everyday sure is cramping my style...ha! These are both ladies that take their displays to a whole other level. We are so lucky to have them here on the shoreline.
That mannequin is beyond words!!! I'm speechless!
Please show all 300 pics...I won't mind!!!

xx
Carole

Olive said...

That mirror is splendid!

Bonjade said...

Jingle bells....jingle bells......
Oh I am really in the mood ;0)
Wishing you fine Christmas days my friend

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

That is a cool shop! I spy some fun vintage ornaments also. I used to go to a bar/club years ago in LA. That would place a couple of the manequin trees in the bar with a ton of lights. Thank You for sharing a fun shop..........Julian

Andy's Attic said...

Those shops are a wonderland! some day I hope I can visit that part of the country and see some of these great places myself!
Annette

Jamie said...

What a gorgeous store!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

So much eye candy!! Someone is very talented in "merchandising"! Thanks for the tour.
Have a great week.

sweetpea said...

just when i thought i had found a favorite thing then you blew me away with another! thanks for your sweet comment on my post! merry christmas laura!

hugs,
shelley

debi lynn mattingly said...

Beautiful my friend! And that mannequin is something right out of Antropologie! Have a beautiful and loving Christmas....xo...deb

LizlovesVintage said...

Ok, Laura!
I want to go shopping with you next time!
Very exciting. Thanks for sharing!
hugs, Liz

Unknown said...

Goodness, Laura...That is a beautiful store and such amazing displays including that wonderful burlap tablecloth...Still can't figure out what is jutting out from the mirror...Very cool.

And, as always, I must tell you that your photos are unbelievable...

Happy Holidays!

manon 21 said...

Mais il y a beaucoup trop de tentations vers chez toi.
Joyeux noël avec ta petite famille.

Kiss of France

Manon

Judy said...

I want one of everything! This shop is just splendiferous! Wish I lived close enough to go shopping there. Love the skirt on the dress form! Thanks for the virtual tour around this lovely shop!

Laurie said...

Wow, perfection -- I could live there!

Vicki Boster said...

Holy cow - I would STILL be there taking pictures. This is such a beautiful shop and your photos are stunning! That skirt made from pine and tree branches is totally amazing!!

Vicki

Anonymous said...

Great photos, great place! I would have bought the mermaid lithograph. The packaging, well, I'm speechless. Thanks for sharing this. I'll never get to Conneticut (or the east coast, or anywhere else, for that matter) so your photos are the next best thing.

naturallyfestive said...

This would absolutely be a dream trip for my daughters and I. Just wonderful.

manon 21 said...

Superbe...

A kiss from FRance

Manon