Two weeks ago, I finally did it. I left the house to do something other than buying groceries or picking up books from the library. Yeehaw!
The first fun afternoon happened to be on my release day. My new book, UNITED BY THE TWINS, released on February 20, 2024, and I always take the day off to celebrate. This time I decided to drive out to the country to visit a cute boutique/tea shop that had been on my list of places to check out for over a year. It didn’t disappoint.
The little boutique resides in an outbuilding on a farm miles away from the nearest town. I loved driving past the fallow farm fields to get there. Winter can be dreary, for sure, but I find beauty in the season, too. When I arrived, I entered a warm, cozy, well-lit space. Upbeat music from the 40s played through the speakers, and every step revealed a different display of super cute items. Here’s a snapshot of the interior.
As you can see, the shop had an assortment of lovely items. From purses and decor, to honey and tea, it had all the cute things I tend to adore. I ended up purchasing a precious little lamp with three birds on the base. My husband and I have several bird feeders in our backyard, and I enjoy watching them.
The second fun afternoon was in a vastly different area than the first. My husband and I went downtown Toledo to browse a reclaimed home furnishings store. Basically, a large, old building had been converted into a secondhand store for home items such as old knobs, doors, hinges, chandeliers, even colored toilets/sinks/tubs from decades ago.
We were amazed at how intricate many of the items were. Engraved hinges, wooden bureaus with inlaid designs, elegant lighting. It made us both appreciate the craftsmanship of yesteryear.
Below is just one of the massive sections.
We had a great time wandering through the space, and we even met a friend–the kitty, Amy. I would have gladly taken that little cutie home!
The photos don’t do either place justice. The first shop felt like walking into a warm hug. Very cozy and contained. The second was more like strolling into an adventure–you weren’t sure where the sprawling space would take you.
I’m thankful to have visited both. And now, back to my usual outings. Kroger and the library, here I come!
Have you visited a new place recently? What did you think of it?
Have a wonderful day!
