Happy Birthday

TRAVEL ~ Day 16

I returned my zippy little car to the airport and afterwards, Betty & I went on an antiques jaunt.  When I lived here, she & I would go to estate sales, garage sales and antique shops together as often as we could.  We went to a couple places downtown and then over to Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach.

Vignette's

Everyone's favorite.  It is so pretty and fun!

They asked that I not take any pictures of handmade items,

so I limited my photo activities altogether!

 

Pretty pastel display on top of a tall armoire.

No pictures, but dinner out was with Cathy, Betty, Nancy and Renee.  It was a wonderful time.  Although all these ladies know each other (our kids went to elementary, middle & high school together at some time and in some combination), none of us see each other often.  At one point the conversation turned to books (all these friends love to read) and pens & paper were brought out while titles were written down and shared.  It's possible a new book club will grow out of this dinner.  I'm sorry I won't be here to participate, but it thrills me no end that my friends may become better friends with each other.

Antiquing On The Way

TRIP ~ Day 11, part 2

In between all the nostalgia, I found antique shops to visit!  There's probably some nostalgia in that too.  The first antique shop I visited as a kid was in old Calabasas.  At the time there was the Leonis Adobe, a little market where my mom bought meat and my sister & I bought Archie comics and red vines red licorice, a boat yard -- I could never figure that one out, we were miles & miles away from water, a shop with a soda fountain and lurid comics like True Romance, and an antique shop.  It's all gone, except the Adobe, which is now fixed up and posh, but when I was a kid, the adobe was ramshakle!  However, when I saw the Adobe, I knew where I was, and I knew the old Calabasas would have to live on only in my memory.  That's ok, I've got great photos in my head!

Before Calabasas is Agoura.

 

I remember Rachel Ashwell talking about the Agoura Antique Mart in one of her TV shows, so that was my first stop.

 Great Displays!

I got tons of ideas for my shop . . .

And saw so many pretty things for sale!

I met Heather, a dealer there who travels to the East Coast yearly.  I gave her my card & hope she visits next summer.

 One one side, Bungalow.

Wish these curtains were more in my price range!

 Close-up of the smocking.

 On the other side, A Beautiful Mess.

I met Marilyn, one of the proprietors & we had a delightful chat.

I shared about My Birthday Year Celebration.

She told me her shop is featured in the February 2011 issue of Romantic Homes!

 From the front door.

 Wonderful beachy wall hanging.

Something awe inspiring at every turn!

Out of focus, but you get the idea.

I love this shop!

Great shopping & inspiration.  Visit if you can!