Seattle: The Lavender Heart in Madison Valley

I chose this photo of lavender heart-shaped soaps to introduce my post on a delightful shop in the Madison Valley area of Seattle.  The Lavender Heart is a French-inspired gift shop featuring everything from French mustard and truffle salt to gorgeous coffee table cookbooks and lavender sachets.

I love this store and find the owner, Holly, so friendly and interesting that I always talk to her more than I focus on shopping! This last visit I was under strict "weight restrictions" for our luggage, so I soothed myself with a small purchase of LePaludier grey sea salt, for my salt collection.

Holly's shop has beautiful magazine-worthy displays and her inventory is unique and thoughtful. I have seen shop-after-shop in my travels, and the selection of French products and touches at The French Heart is unrivaled. Pick any item in the store and ask Holly about it - it's fun to hear the who/what/when/where and why of the product and why she chose it for the shop.  I plan to work my way around the store, buying some of the beautiful culinary choices that I have never seen before, like drinking balsamic.  I can't wait to try it.

The Lavender Heart also offers French antiques, beautiful cards, artwork and design touches to add interest to your home. I know you are going to love it here.  A shop full of delights on Madison Street.

Seattle: Martha E. Harris Gift Shop in Madison Park: A Visual Gold Mine

I give my highest "must see" rating to Martha E. Harris Flowers and Gifts in Madison Park, Seattle.  If you love what I love (entertaining, color, ribbon, china, flowers, tablescapes), then you must figure out a way to visit this beautiful shop.  In my photograph above you can see the shelves (yes, shelves) of Emma Bridgewater took my breath away.  It is very difficult to find Emma Bridgewater pottery and accessories for sale in the United States. I simply couldn't believe my eyes.  I'm under strict instructions from my mom to return to this store when I get back to Seattle in June and get her some of the "bird mugs." Fun!  Do you remember when I visited the Emma Bridgewater Factory in Stoke-on-Trent, England?   

I have shopped all over the country (Houston, Palm Beach, Chicago, New York) and I can easily tout Martha E. Harris Flowers & Gifts as being one of the prettiest merchandised shops with the best selections of all the things I love. It is a visual gold mine.

When is the last time you saw a selection of ribbon this extensive? I need to make a game plan and return (ribbon for fresh lavender bundles, ribbon for my Honey Dijon rose bouquets, ribbon to create a monogram with on a pillow).  

When I was reflecting on my visit and preparing to write this post, I realized how broad the phrase "gift shop" is.  There are 3 gift shops on every main street in every town in America.  The quality of goods varies greatly and more often than not, they sell whimsy, not beauty.  Martha E. Harris offers beauty through color-based vignettes and colorful displays.  Lovely pieces to buy for your home or give to a friend.  If only I could register for my wedding all over again!

I have been passionate about linens for years.  I have amassed quite a collection of dishtowels, runners and napkins and lately I have been pushing myself to use them around the house.  I love how the usual color combinations can add interest to a clean and classic kitchen.

I also really appreciated the variety of fine gifts at Martha E. Harris.  In the photo above you can see apple-shaped candles, beautiful yarn scarves, pretty gift wrap rolls and paper flowers.  I couldn't wait to show you.

The shopgirl called a new collection of spice jar dolls to my attention. They are a great example of how the store brings in a few art pieces to enhance the mix. 

What surprised me was that Martha E. Harris is also a floral design service. The retail marriage of floral arrangements and fine gifts makes so much sense - purchase beautiful serving pieces, fresh linens and order a bouquet for the table.  Look at the masterpiece they had made up just minutes before I arrived.  And notice the variety of glass vases on the shelves...this florist isn't kidding around!

As I travel around the country, I try to highlight the shops, sweets and treats that I think will bring delight to my readers - I call it a "City Series." In the sidebar of the blog, you can find other cities and when you click the name, you will see a list of all my blog posts from that city.

When you visit Seattle, make your way to Madison Park and I know you will find delight at Martha E. Harris Flowers & Gifts.

Seattle: Madison Park: A Spring Day on Lake Washington

After quick and delicious lunch at Madison Kitchen, I walked down to Madison Park and found a spot to relax on the shores of Lake Washington.  Whenever I travel to a new city, I make myself a map bag of the area.  

It is fun, good-looking and useful! I can't tell you how many times people have pointed me in the right direction by referring to my "map."  No, I don't make and sell them in my Etsy store, but I might someday. I am working on loading new and exciting pieces to my store this week.

I heightened the blue in these pictures so that the mountains would show up a bit more - Mount Rainier is just to the left of the hotel in the photo above. 

Madison Park is a great spot to dip your toes in the water and soak up the vacation-like setting.  This day was one of the first 75 degree days of Spring and the grassy area was full of twenty-somethings catching some sun and eating impromptu picnics on their lunch breaks.  It is a view like this, so close to the bustling downtown, that make people fall in love with Seattle. 

Seattle: Madison Kitchen Made My Day

If only every town could have a Madison Kitchen, I would be one happy traveler.  Fresh delicious flavors, quality ingredients, generous portions served to go or you can do yourself a favor and stay.  Eat slowly and talk to your friends. It's good for you. 

I stopped into Madison Kitchen at my friend's behest.  She is friends with one of the owners (she used to live in Seattle) and knew that he had opened a restaurant in Madison Park.  She knew that his food would be wonderful and she was right, of course.  I ordered a Salad Trio (choosing 3 from the many fresh choices) with Chicken Salad, Potato Salad and Fruit Salad.  Does it seem weird to describe food as honest, because that is what comes to mind.  Big chunks of fresh ingredients.  Green onion so fresh and bright it can hold its own within the potato salad.  Not too much salt; not too many herbs.  Clean flavors with a satisfying heft.  I'm sold.

It was a great lunch. I enjoyed watching customers come in and out like bees to a hive.  The Salad Trio was very popular, but it was interesting that the 3 choices people made varied a lot.  That is a good sign for any restaurateur, that the entire menu could be considered customer favorites.

After my visit to the actual park called Madison Park down the street, I returned for a refreshing drink and snack.  Limonata and a homemade oatmeal studded raspberry bar. Oh me oh my, it was perfect.  The next time I am within reach, I will be back. Can you say: Open for Breakfast!

Seattle: Belle Epicurean in Madison Park

A table on the sidewalk, fresh air, blooming trees and a Pear Almond Brioche from Belle Epicurean in Madison Park. Everything about this was just what the (jet lag) doctor ordered.

I was trying to convince myself that I was raring to go, so I drove over to Madison Park to visit my friend's favorite haunts.  The only thing I hadn't counted on was the fact that it was Monday.  Small shopping streets often keep hours on the weekend and use Monday as their day of rest.  Yep.  Each shop I checked in on was locked up tight.  Except her favorite French pastry shop, Belle Epicurean!  

I admired their gorgeous honey display (I love knowing a place I get can get bottles of Savannah Bee Company honey) and contemplated which pastry I should order.

They warmed up a Pear Almond Brioche and the scent alone was worth the price.  It smelled good enough to dab behind my ears.

When I sat down at a small table on the front walk, I realized just how tired I really was.  A latte and a snack was just what I needed.  I called my friend with the proclamation, "Guess where I'm sitting!"  We talked for a half an hour about her wonderful memories of living in Seattle.  It was the perfect way to spend my first afternoon.