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Friday, July 31, 2009

Essex Shops

Last week my friend Paula called me to remind me about the free concert on the green in Essex, Ct.
It sounded like the perfect way to break up the week.


Hubby unfortunately didn't want to go ......but that was ok we got enough people together to make a good fun loving group. Essex is only one town away from Old Saybrook where we live/work.


I have to tell you George still tells people we live in Old Saybrook. I've given up correcting him a long time ago. If you tell people we live in Westbrook they sometimes think you mean Westport which is known for being a very affluent town made famous by the one and only Martha Stewart. She sold her home a few years ago. Can't remember what she sold it for.? big$$$$ I'm sure.


Anyways here I was in Essex in the Summer!!!! I'd forgotten how pretty it is here. I'd worked in this town in my 20's. It's better known as a tourist location then some of the towns around. It has quaint shops and the main street is lined with beautiful historic homes. One complaint you hear is that the town has too many real estate offices but with housing down you never know if that'll change. There have been a few shops that have been there for years but there are always old ones going out and new ones eager to replace them. Thank goodness. There so many store vacancies in Old Saybrook that it's getting kind of scary. Many of our gift shops have gone in the last year but then our town has more box stores (Yuck) then others. On my sidebar you'll see a button on the 3/50 project which is all about helping to keep your small businesses in your community from going OUT of business. It's a great concept so please take a look at it. I'd explain it all to you but they do a better job. Communication is not my strong suit....neither are a lot of things but I won't bore you with that now.



I'm more of a visual girl!!!


So on with the pics please!!!!


This is the window of the Seaflower Florist........







Aren't these rusty metal flowers fabulous.... and the best part... they don't need watering!





I could see them in the garden even just to hold up droopy blossoms.
Perfect thing to put in a hot window......succulents. They can take the heat of being in the sun all day. Not a good look to have a wilted plant in your display window so these do well here.


This is "Weekend Kitchen" owned by Nancy Smith. That's not exactly her whole last name .....it has a hyphen in there somewhere with another name but no matter! her shop is lovely and that's all you really care about right?


Just some lovely doorways.....
This is the office of a well known architect and his wife who is a landscape architect. I just love their planters....very sculptural. I had a customer tell me they had her come for a consultation just to give them ideas on their garden and it was $150 an hour. Wow.... but she is a licensed Landscape Architect.....there is big difference.





This is "The French Hen" owned by Laurie.....very cute shop full of pretty girl things and of course french inspired.











Can someone tell me how to eliminate the reflection of the buildings on the opposite side of the street in the window???
please!!!!


"RIVER" owned by Joe and JohnThey moved here last year from their location down the street. It's a much bigger shop








and in the back they have a beautiful display garden to show off their antique planters and accessories. This was just the view from the street. They have a wonderful website that shows off all their talents. The last 3 photos are off their website....so worth taking a look at. They've been featured in many magazines and Joe's done work for Martha Stewart ( boy her name comes up a lot) .
Johns a photographer and hence why his photos are so much better then mine.





( photos from River website )
These were planters that belong to the homeowners who live right along the street. Nice home but I don't think I'd like living that close to the walkway.....plus it's right next to a tavern. Must get pretty noisy at night. They must be very patient people or hard of hearing.

Not sure why they did them differently but their both magificent. They look so good in black wrought iron urns. I took the picture after it had gotten dark out so they came out a bit blurry.

One of the antique shops on the side road with furniture that was not really my style but I really liked the chandelier. I just realized in the 1st pic the lights were on and on the second they're off. You might not have noticed but I couldn't figure out what seemed off about it. I thought it was that awful flash in the window....sorry


I took the 2nd pic on our walk back to the car. The price for the chandelier was $1100. It seemed reasonable by Essex standards.

..........Now I just have to convince my husband!!!

Oh by the way the concert was a blast.....lots of people showed up with their families and friends. We drank wine and eat brownies and watched Paula and Bill dance. I'd shown them dancing before so I thought I'd better not push it and save it for another time but I will show you the children that were running around and dancing to the music.

It was fun watching them have such a good time just running and laughing.

............Don't we wish we all had that much energy!!!!! lol

Hope you all have a fanastic weekend!!!

keep smiling!

Carole

11 comments:

Dawn said...

Carole, That looks like a charming place to shop and stroll the day away. I love the little decorations in the corners of your photos.
Dawn

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Carole
I have no concept in my head of which part of US this [or you are from].. going to have to do a little google search. It is gorgeous... a stroll through 'Happy Land'. You know I am a Gilmore Girls fan.. and the little town 'Star's Hollow' always seems so appealing to me. Unfortunately for me my work is only really available in the big bad city. But today you have taken me on a tour of somewhere lovely and relaxing. Can we just stop here an go into 'The French Hen'? Or 'The Weekend Kitchen', or 'River' and can I have that Blue Front Door!! I'm going to ask my brother about the reflection thingy. Maybe it is just the time of day and the angle of the sun.
Anyhoo... gorgeous.. thanks for the mini vacation! x Julie

Anne Marie said...

very lovely Carole -

use your contrast setting or adjust your midtones somehow....for those non glare shots you want....have a great weekend!

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Carole,
I think I'll just crawl inside my laptop and enjoy all the beauty you've shown here tonight. I love to go on field trips and getting away from it all and I'm a visual person as well. Love the children dancing to the music without a care in the world! Happy weekend.
xo~Tracie

Poppy said...

Hi carol, I'm a visual person too…all I want to do now is going shopping there; I loved the rusty metal flowers. Thanks for that fab post…I loved it all.

Have a lovely weekend…love Lou xxx

Les Cotrions said...

Hi Carol! These shops are wonderful! I'd like to be there! Happy to hear you had a so nice time!
A sunny week end for you!
Vale

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Hello Carole,
Firstly, many thanks for your lovely words ...I will be back soon, annoying you all!!!!!
Now, what a lovely place......so pretty and very New England ( It's funny but the next county to Hertfordshire, where I live, is Essex !! )and I want to buy things in 'The French Hen' oh, and all of the other shops.....love the rusty flowers, but lets hope that they don't catch on too much or you and George won't be selling too many plants!!!!
You need not apologise for photos...they are brilliant...I really got a feel for the place. Julie's brother will sort the reflection problem out for you...it's no good asking me...I just point and shoot!!
Speak to you after my holiday...Take care & love to you and your family XXXX

erin's art and gardens said...

what a beautiful little village...i will put it on my list to visit some day! it reminds me of my little town of franklin. i may have to take ya'll on a tour too! thanks for the inspiring idea!
erin

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Shopping in Essex is always a lovely time! It's been a while...you make me want to hop in the care and drive on over! Shopping in Madison Bouckville at the flea markets will be fun too....and lots cheaper!! Can't wait Carole! Just a few more weeks...

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Oh Carole...what a lovely place,what a way to spend a day!!The shops look soooooo pretty,love that little Fench Hen shop...great post,talk to you soon,Chrissy

G-STYLE said...

Hi Carole ,
how nice of you that you're helping me with placing the translator on my blog .
My oldest daughter is on a holiday now , but when she comes back I will let her read your comment and perhaps she can help me with it .
Again thanks for your help !
Have a nice sunday, warm greetings from Gea