March 10th, 2015
I am not sure if you are ready for shopping or not, but stores are open. Historic Charleston offers great shopping for everyone. If your husband decides that shopping is not his cup of tea on this trip, there are a few places you can park him.
Or if you are traveling with your pooch….have your husband or significant other take him to the dog park and meet other Charleston dogs, while you engage in something a little more interesting.
C’est La Vie of Charleston we found on 108 N. Market St. Tel. 843-212-5744. The owner opened the store last year and is ready for the prime months that Historic Charleston offers its visitors. Good weather, plenty of restaurants, history, shopping….the town, I hear is starting to bloom. You can find C’est La Vie of Charleston on Facebook. Check it out because you can get 10% off purchases until 3/17.
 
The shopkeepers of Historic Charleston deserve a shout; so friendly!!….Shopping in local boutiques is what I usually like to do. Individual attention is what we want. No rush, please.
The store is eclectic in the sense that you can find gifts for someone special, or just something to thank a friend. Having a party? Cards, napkins, place cards, cups for an event, or just because.
We fell in love with these beads. They are called Chew Beads. They are perfect for the summer. We just did not realize that they are also chewing beads for your little ones. Mothers, grandmothers you can be in style with these ones.
 
It’s springtime and time to refresh, or update.
 
If you think about it all boutiques are shops, but not all shops are boutiques. C’est La Vie of Charleston is unique and local!! Stop by and say hello.
Have a good one.
September 7th, 2014
My friend, Cindi, and I have never met strangers. It ended up being that the owners of Best Nest in Downtown Cape Charles were originally from the Bethany Beach and Selbyville…Delaware area. Small world. We arrived at the store because we wanted to say hi to someone from back home. Best Nest is located at 7 Strawberry Street, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tel. 757-331-4437. Website? http://www.bestnest.net. You can find them on Facebook as Best Nest Home Furnishings.
This is a fairly new location for them….but the store already looked so pretty and it felt like it had been there forever. They open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Sundays by appointment.
John and Nikki are the owners and they offer many years of experience to their customers. Their projects can be large or small, and both are very comfortable working with a variety of budgets, tastes and personalities.
The store offers furniture, art, accessories, linens and rugs. At times just an accessory here or there can really define a room.
If you are in need of home staging, or might want to rearrange what you already have to give you a better flow, please give them a call or stop by.
Please visit http://www.bestnest.net if you would like to read some of the testimonials and also to see photos of many of their projects.
The weather felt better today….don’t you think? Have a good one.
February 15th, 2014
A Black Box Theater or experimental theater contains a simple, unadorned performance space. It is new in theater; just a large room with black walls and a flat floor. It uses limited sets, simple lighting effects, and a cozy focus on the story, writing, and performances. The venues are considered by many where more “pure” theatre can be enjoyed and explored.
All of the above is true, except that on Friday, February 14th, when Brown Box Theatre Project opened its 2014 Season, the venue was the modern and beautiful Ocean City Center for the Arts, located at 502 94th St. in Ocean City, Maryland. This is the home of the Art League of Ocean City. Website? http://www.artleagueofoceancity.org.
 
John, Susan, Shelley and I were looking forward to seeing once again its Director, Kyler Taustin, who founded Brown Box Theatre Project in 2009. Congratulations to him and his actors and staff for a beautiful evening. The audience was thrilled and you could see it and feel it, as well.
Brown Box Theatre Project is a non-profit theatre collaborative dedicated to bringing live theatre to schools and communities that ordinarily lack easy access to the performing arts. Previous performances have been A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Nina Variations, Romeo & Juliet, and a Feeble Mind. Not only does Kyle bring threatre to Ocean City, Maryland, but he is also bringing it to the Delaware Beaches. He will be back in September. Please check out their website by visiting http://www.brownboxtheatre.org. On Facebook as Brown Box Theatre Project, as well.
“Two Wrongs” was written by Scott Caan of Hawaii Five-O. It is a contemporary comedy and presents the story of Shelly, played by Chelsea Schmidt, and Terry played by Alex Marz, a pair of neurotics whose love lives become entangled due to the unethical meddling of their therapist, Julian, played by Brooks Reeves. It has a sharp dialogue, humor, love and deception. It was an hour long without intermission and the audience, laughed, clapped, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It will be playing at the Ocean City Center for the Arts through February 17th. For tickets, please visit http://www.brownboxtheatre.org.
The Ocean Center for the Arts is offering a wide range of classes and events, including, pottery classes, pasta and pottery, painting, drawing, photography, kids classes, workshops and a few that caught my attention were: Cookies and Canvas, and Brushes and Bubbly. To know more, please visit http://www.artleagueofoceancity.org, or call 410-524-9433.
A stop at the Skye Bar located at Galaxy 66 in Ocean City for some small plates. The Galaxy 66 is located at 66th St. in Ocean City. Website? http://www.galaxy66barandgrille.com.
On the table…
Tenderloin tips…Italian marinade with truffle parmesan cheese fries. Tender and delicious “fries”.
Seared Rare Tuna with fresh Wasabi.
Tempura Chicken Bites…they were tempura battered and tossed in a choice of sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, or curry mustard sauce….all of them were served. I really like them; crispy and well seasoned.
Have a Good One!!
May 9th, 2013
Only a few miles from Ocean City, Maryland, Berlin is a town full of history, with eateries that are making it a dining destination. So, are all the quaint shops that surround Historic Berlin. Free parking!!
On Friday, May 10th, Berlin celebrates its 2nd Friday Art Stroll….every month this is a day when stores stay open late; music, food and fun!! Stroll the art galeries, the artists have their own receptions. You can shop early, then stay for dinner.
NEST is a must stop shop, located at 11 South Main St. Tel. 410-629-1030. You can find NEST of Facebook, as well.
The shopkeeper is Dee and with her is assistant shopkeeper, Mr. Petey. Mr. Petey is always at your service from the moment customers enter NEST. He does not miss a thing. He is a fixture in Historic Berlin. A good worker, he puts full hours. But, don’t get me wrong….he can chill too!!
I have known Dee for a long time. So has Cindi, who was my partner in crime during that day when we ate at The Globe and then walked over to say hi to Dee. There is always something new; something for everyone. And every piece has a story. It is great to see how she has taken the time to get merchandise that has a meaning.
Dee is also an artist herself. There is nothing she can’t do. She is an accomplished seamstress; her aprons are gorgeous and her Boppyowl handmade bags are full of color and interesting contrasting materials.
Her merchandise changes frequently…Take a peek at her store!!
You do remember that Sunday is Mother’s Day!! I thought so.
 
This pillow caught my attention. Take a closer look….real feathers!!
Mr. Petey got comfortable again….”Thank God they are finally gone”. Talk to you later.
April 9th, 2012
Art…making a statement in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. The Grand Opening of what used to be a dream, became a reality for Anita Peghini-Raber. As we came in, you could feel her enthusiasm; her smile was wide and her eyes were sparkling. She was so happy. And, so were we all. She had a full house!!
 Anita Peghini-Raber The Gallery is located at 49 Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-2888. Website? http://www.rehobothart.com.
The Manager of the Gallery is Denise Del Vitto. She is originally from Virginia.
 Denise Del Vitto
Due to the Holiday Week-End it was a joyous occasion; those Easter Eggs, definitely, made an appearance.
 Outside steps decorated for the festivities.
As you came in, there were brushes available in case you wanted to express yourself on the prepared plastic canvasses. Kids were having a ball!!
In Anita Peghini-Raber Gallery you will find paint, wood, silver, paper, bronze, ceramic, porcelain and photography. The Gallery represents local and visiting artists. In the website, http://www.rehobothart.com you will be able to see the bios of the artists presently exhibiting at the Gallery.
Anita, herself, is a Naturalistic Expressionist and to see her work and what she has been up to until now, you may visit her website http://www.anitapeghini-raber.com.
The hours of operation are:
Mondays – 10 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Thursdays through Sundays – 1:00 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a couple of Easter Egg Bars complemented the evening.
The Gallery is so charming, being that is located in an old Rehoboth home. I could not get over at the success of the opening. People were chatting and having a great time.
Art is such a personal thing. At Anita Peghini’s Gallery you will find so many diversed artists working in their own mediums that something will catch your attention.
   
An then the bongos started….A very fun evening on trendy Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach.
Have a Great Day!! Talk to you later…
March 8th, 2012
Symmetry – “An imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing, proportionately and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection.”
Part of the fun of visiting the Delaware Beaches is shopping. Downtown Rehoboth Beach is known for unique shops. Don’t get me wrong, we do have some t-shirt shops; all beach towns have them. That’s part of the charm, hmmm.
Anyway, my friend Jody and I were strolling around Rehoboth. We visited Dogfish Head, Heidi Lowe, and then we came upon Symmetry. I have to hand it to Jody. She knew this store well. The shopkeeper? Lee, was a friend. We did not think it was open yet, but Lee came out and invited us in.
Symmetry has been in Downtown Rehoboth Beach for years. It was originally located on Baltimore Ave. This is a new location for them. Just a few weeks ago they opened for business at 403 Rehoboth Avenue. Tel. 302-260-9741. E-mail symmetrydesigns@aol.com.
You cannot miss it. A shingled house with striped awning. Symmetry is a very stylish shop that carries primitive to contemporary home elements.
 
 
Lee was very excited to show us around. Floors refinished; plenty of merchandise and I thought they were ready for the season.
 Lee is behind the counter. Symmetry has accents for the modern house, and accessories to enhance one’s way of life. You will find furniture, decorative bowls, vases, lamps, art, and even jewelry.
 
 
We found that it was an affordable store, whether you were buying for yourself or for a friend.
Lee was very easy to talk to. And, so friendly. I always mention that friendliness is a characteristic of practically all shopkeepers in Downtown Rehoboth Beach.
I asked Lee if Symmetry offered interior design services. He said, yes. If you are interested, please visit the store or call him up.
He pointed out that the shop tries to engage local artists and artisans. They do have pieces from Delaware, Pennsylvania and even from Florida. Some of the textiles on the pillows are made by one of the oldest mills in the country, in Pennsylvania.
 
So here are more than a few pictures….let’s go shopping!!
 
 
 
 
Rehoboth Beach is a destination….why don’t you come and visit and stay awhile…talk to you later….Love Tax Free Shopping!!
February 19th, 2012
I remember when a friend mentioned that she had a friend that was not sure about the pillows chosen for his home. Well, I thought, that’s easy!! Get new ones.
Granted, pillows can get expensive, but, they are still more economical than having to buy a new piece of furniture.
I am not a decorator, but I know that the use of pillows is a fresh and cretive approach to decorating.
Decorative pillows come in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, fabrics, textures and patterns. They can immediately pick up a room; creating a new look, of finishing the look, for that matter.
I just came back from Florida and while there I stopped at a fine consignment shop called Varietai. Varietai offers all kinds of home accessories, gifts, art, and jewelry. Michele Ramirez is the proprietor. I always stop to say hello. Taking a picture here or there does not mean that I will write a post, but Varietai really does have a great assortment of decorative pillows. I figure you might want to know; word of mouth, you know how it is.
If you are in Delray, stop and say hello to Michele. Varietai is located at 812 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483. Tel. 561-455-2767. Website? www.varietai.com. You can also find it on Facebook.
   
Talk to you later….
January 25th, 2012
“Once loved treasures can be true joy to someone else.” Consignment shops sell second-hand items. Sometimes the profit is split 50/50 between the owner and the person that brought the merchandise in; others might have a different arrangement. One thing for sure is that consignment shops will only accept items that look like new.
There are many reasons to go to a consignment shop. If you are taking your own merchandise in, then you might be turning a cluttered house into cash. These shops are a business, not thrift shops; they do want to make a profit. The idea is to sell at the highest possible price with the customer still getting a good deal.
 
These shops are popular. Everyone wins and everybody likes a bargain.
 
Seaquels is a furniture consignment shop located at 4 Town Rd. (between the 2 World Gym buildings) in the town of Ocean View, Delaware. Ocean View is west of Bethany Beach, about 2 miles. This is their new address. They just moved last week. If you have visited the shop before, go in that same entrance but go towards the back of the buildings. There is plenty of parking.
 
Seaquels is owned by Cindy and Kathy. Tel. 302-829-8636. E-mail is seaquels@gmail.com. You can find Seaquels on Facebook like everyone else.
 
The first thing you will see is that Cindy and Kathy are so friendly. I feel like I have known them forever. Very easy to talk to and just as helpful.
Seaquels has great merchandise and it turns over quickly. The pictures of the merchandise you will see on this blog, might not be there next week. You can also ask Cindy and Kathy to be on the look-out for a specific piece. One thing for sure is that they do have very affordable prices.
This new building has great lighting and they can spread out. They just moved here so they are still placing furniture, art, plants, wall decor and basically, getting used to this much space.
So check out the store!! Seaquels opens, at this time of the year, from 10 to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday. On Sundays it opens from 11 to 2 p.m.
Beautiful day in the Delmarva Peninsula!! Enjoy and talk to you later…
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