Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Small towns

I love living in a small town.  You can go just about anywhere here and see someone you know, have a little chat and/or a laugh. 

The great thing about where I live is that you can get those same small town connections in surrounding communities as well as your own hometown. 

Today we took a little road trip to Parrsboro, a tiny little town (population 1401) on the Bay of Fundy.   I love to visit Joan, the owner of the Sweet Briar Boutique.  (the picture above is a Joy Laking watercolor print of the front of the boutique).   It is worth the hour drive to this little store.   It is just a tiny 5 room boutique but Joan fills it with the greatest things.   I don't think I have ever worn a piece of jewellry from there without receiving a compliment on it.  And when I tell people I got it in Parrsboro, they all have the same shocked expression. Really??? 

We have been making this a regular stop for several years and have developed a relationship.  Walking through the door is like visiting an old friend.   This is the type of store I call a "breakable store" which means that I have to watch Mom extra careful.  As soon as we enter, Joan knows that I spend more money if I don't have to watch Mom (lol) so she has a special chair by the cash register and keeps Mom amused so I can focus on what I do best ------ retail therapy. 

This is a sample of todays goodies.  A cute little beaded change purse and a funky scarf with metal embellishments.  They had every color and it was a tough decision but black goes with everything.


And I couldn't leave without another necklace.  This photo does not do it justice.  It is much cuter in person and it has so many different colors I can wear it with anything.

And before I left Joan whispered a little secret in my ear.......She is going to Toronto on a buying trip next week.  Sooooooo that means if I go back in a couple of weeks there will be tons of new stuff.  Hmmmm, new fall leather purses !   

I'll keep you posted.  :)
Posted by at
Labels: ,

16 comments:

  1. weaverpatAugust 3, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Ooooooh! Love that scarf with the butterfly embellishment!
    Looks like you are making good use of your vacation time!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sassafras and WinterberryAugust 3, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    My kind of store...knowing exactly what you need...in every way. She sounds like a gem. I love all of your stuff! Especially that necklace!
    Courtney

    ReplyDelete
  3. Grandma Yellow HairAugust 3, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Kim honey I am so excited that I am your latest winner. I love love your pieces.
    Can't wait to enjoy it.
    This is so funny that you did this post today when I was looking for ideas for something out here to maybe make some extra money.
    Would love to have a shop where my customers talked about it like you did this shop
    Love your beautiful pieces tooo
    Have a great evening
    love to you
    Maggie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dog Trot FarmAugust 3, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Kim, fabulous finds, I love them all but there is something about that sweet little beaded purse, I would not be able to leave that behind! Hope you, mom and auntie are all well and enjoying your summer. Hugs from Maine, Julie.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Barn DoorAugust 3, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Oh how fun! I love your finds, am jealous!
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rugs and PugsAugust 3, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Kim ~
    What sweet finds. It's always fun to come home with new goodies.
    Pug hugs ;)
    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  7. Farm GirlAugust 3, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    It sounds like a winner to me. So glad you got out and went and did something fun. I love the necklace.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Larkrise garden girlAugust 3, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    Hi Kim, Great finds. I bet you look nice with your new finds. I almost went on a cruise to the bay of Fundy.I had heard how the tide does something strange. I was going with my daughter with the country loft and Megan got sick with MS and had to cancel.I was so close to seeing New England and Canada,Cheri

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cathy G.August 3, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Kim,
    What fabulous finds! Love them all esp. the scarf! I'm going to give you a hard time and say why didn't you model it? LOL!
    It's great to give the small shop owners in small towns business. They work hard to keep their merch. unique!
    The outside of her shop looks very inviting! Our little downtown has one unique shop and I used to work there part time so I know what goes into finding the great stuff and keeping the shop fresh!
    Great job!
    Cathy G

    ReplyDelete
  10. TheCrankyCrowAugust 4, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    Ahhh..the Bay of Fundy...that sounds so exotic and foreign to me. See how secluded I am??? Your small town trip sounds fun...love, love, that necklace...but I agree...we need some modeling shots...Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

    ReplyDelete
  11. moosecraftAugust 4, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    That's a great watercolor of the store front! I thought it was a photograph. You found some beautiful pieces at the store... but my favorite is the scarf! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownAugust 4, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Love the jewelry, sound like a great place.
    Hope you get to go back when the new merchandise arrives.

    ReplyDelete
  13. From Beyond My Kitchen WindowAugust 4, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    I love the multi-stoned necklace. It is a four season necklace for sure. There aren't to many lovely shops like that around my town. I have to travel about forty minutes to Newburyport MA. and then I can shop the little boutiques.

    ReplyDelete
  14. WoolenSailsAugust 4, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    You live in a wonderful area, have always wanted to go to Nova Scotia and spend a few weeks in the area. Enjoyed looking at your postings and lucky you to be able to hook with Deanne.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  15. acorn hollowAugust 6, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    you always find such fun things I am sure you will get a lot of compliments on these.
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  16. JuliaAugust 10, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    I love that butterfly and the scarf. Very classy. I'd love to see you wearing it. Hugs, JB

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)