I just wanted to show you this photo I took mid-November at the Squak Mountain Nursery. They had a few amaryllis blooming in pots for sale and this one was my favorite. It was all I could do not to being her home with me. I did the next best thing and captured her for eternity. That's what I call making the perishable permanent. This scene, featuring a bright red and white striped amaryllis, could be the December photo in a calendar. Don't you think?
My amaryllis bulb is doing fine, but I think her timing will be closer to celebrating Martin Luther King Day.
What luck! While my mom, aunt and I were spending the day in Snohomish, WA, we happened into a cute shop called Lost & Found.
It was lucky because the store had a display of my friends, Josh & Brent's brand Beekman 1802. I took the photo of their mansion that is used on their Honey & Oats Goat Milk scrub bar packaging and it was fun to be able to show my aunt the product in person. It's a little thing, but I was feeling proud.
Have you tried the Beekman 1802 soaps yet? They smell terrific and create lather x10.
So there I was thinking that I'm starting a new life "on the other side of the world" and then I see this display. It's a small world after all.
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.
When I knew that I would be spending 2 weeks in Dallas, I asked my Facebook friends for recommendations of places they thought I would like to visit. A fellow Junior Leaguer suggested I check out the St. Michael's Women's Exchange in the beautiful shopping area called Highland Park Village.
The St. Michael's Women's Exchange is a high end gift shop that is operated by volunteers. The profits from the shop fund charities locally and worldwide. An explanation of their mission and focus can be found online here.
Running a retail shop is not easy. Our chapter of the Junior League operated a resale clothing shop for over 50 years and though near and dear to many hearts, it was a challenge to manage the inventory and volunteer schedules.
The St. Michael's Women's Exchange was well-merchandised and offered a lovely selection of gifts from christening gowns and inscribed silver pieces, to formal servingware and statement necklaces. If I lived in Dallas, I would certainly shop here. I commend these women for their commitment to serving others and the clever synergy between selling beautiful gifts that women want to give (and receive) with a profit-earning model that has been supporting charities since 1958. Bravo!
It was wonderful to be able to admire the spectacular Chihuly glass installation on the ceiling of the lobby of The Bellagio. The display is enormous and you always have to be careful walking through the lobby because almost everyone is looking up, instead of where they are going.
The large glass discs look a lot like melted Lifesavers and are beautiful with the light illuminating them from behind. The artist, Dale Chihuly has a shop selling his books, videos about the art of glass blowing and a few select pieces of tabletop art sculpture.
