October 17th, 2012
Just like visitors come to our Delaware and Maryland beaches for R & R….we, the residents of the Eastern Shore take off west, over the Bay Bridge, to do our own sightseeing. Annapolis is one of those towns that is gorgeous at any time of the year. It is Maryland’s capital. And, that’s where my friend, Trish, and I went last month. Just for the day. It really does not take long. First of all, the trip served also for us to catch up. It took around 1 1/2 hours, and to tell you the truth that is not much when you are used to driving here or there in our neck of the woods, so to speak.
Our first stop was The Annapolis Towne Centre. You have seen these types of set-ups throughout the U.S. One destination, where you can shop, dine, live and work. Retail on the bottom, residences up on top. Sounds dangerous, don’t you think? The Annapolis Town Centre is very easy to get to. The location is 2505 Riva Rd. If traveling on Rt. 50, the Exit will be 23B Parole.
We came upon As Kindred Spirits, located at 1915 Towne Centre Blvd. Tel. 410-573-9108. Website? http://www.askindredspirits.com.
The term “as kindred spirits” means “an individual with the same beliefs, attitudes or feelings as oneself”. We loved the store from the moment we stepped in. We did not meet the owner, Rukmini Walker, but if you would like to know more about her, then please visit http://www.askindredspirits.com/about-us.aspx. Her first store was opened at the then Stapleton Int’l. Airport in Denver, Colorado…then, moved to Maryland…the rest is history. Other locations are at Congressional Plaza in Rockville, and Reagan National Airport, Terminal B, in Washington, D.C.
We did meet Janet Roessler, who works for As Kindred Spirits as their Events, and Public Relations Representative. She walked us through the store. It is that kind of store where you find a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Gift ideas, accessories, art glass, jewelry and home decor, lamps, mirrors, paper weights, scarves and even ties.
So, let’s go shopping:
 
Jewelry:
The following jewelry was very interesting. The Designer, Ayala Bar, was born, and, at present, resides in Israel. In the 1980’s she surfaced as a prominent Israeli jeweler. Her current designs blend natural elements and glass with assorted metals and fabrics to create a rich mosaic and therefore limited edition pieces. The materials used were glass beads, Swarovski crystals, mineral stones, and fabric. The metal was tarnish-resistant and hypo-allergenic.
There were pieces of jewelry for everyone.
 
These chimers were so neat. They work with the sun or any type of light will do, as well.
Lots of unique gifts and fun things…holidays are around the corner.
 
As Kindred Spirits is taking part in a fundraising event that will take place on Thursday, October 18th from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at The Annapolis Towne Centre. If you are in Annapolis or passing through, you might want to check it out. Here are the details.
It is the 3rd Annual Taste of The Towne Centre & Fashion Show. It will take place at Great Gatherings which is located at right on the Annapolis Towne Centre. Website? http://www.mygreatgatherings.com. This store is dedicated to the art of celebrating, with the following motto:
Take a peak at a couple of their showrooms:
The fundraising event will have tastings from the Town Centre restaurants, fashions by the Towne Centre fashion retailers, and a silent auction, including gift certificates, jewelry and much more!. There will be music, pool and game tables open, plus wine and beer.
Tickets are: $30 in advance or $35 at the door. You can purchase tickets from As Kindred Spirits, Great Gatherings or by visiting http://www.friendslhs.org.
100% of proceeds go to the Light House Homeless Prevention Support Center located at 10 Hudson St. in Annapolis, MD. The mission of this non-profit is “to help rebuild lives with compassion by providing shelter and services to prevent homelessness and empower people as they transition toward self-sufficiency”. The Light House is both a facility and a program. More info? Please visit http://www.annapolislighthouse.org.
Have a great time!! Talk to you later.
 From As Kindred Spirits
December 14th, 2011
I asked Janice; how would you described your store? It’s a woman’s store, definitely. Someone once came in and said; “estrogen infused”. We laughed. Is it? Well, you might have to find for yourselves.
Bella Luna is at 127 Rehoboth Avenue right in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-0267. Website? www.bellalunatic.com. E-mail address? bellalunatic@gmail.com. Janice Elder is the shop owner.
Home, Body, Soul. Those words are on their storefront awning. They truly tell the customer what you will find inside. As you come into the Bella Luna soft music is usually playing. One look at the store and you will see that it is full to capacity.
I like the word whimsical. It is a fun store. Women, girls; they all love it. Guys come in to buy for their significant others.
A tiny corner just for something for young ones.
For the home you will find, art, fun plaques, Christmas Decorations, tea towels, great napkins and unique cards.
For the body, plenty of beautiful scarves, including Pashminas; textures and colors for all tastes. Gloves, hats, lotions, potions and scents.
Lots of necklaces and earrings. These earrings were from Turkey, in vermeil.
As we were talking a guy came in. He was in a slight rush. A present for someone special. He picked it out immediately; I think she might have sent him there. Ideas on how to wrap it were given. Off he went.
The Wine Wraps caught my attention. Turning a bottle of wine into a creative holiday present. Made by a company called Santa Barbara Design Studio. Names like Reindeer Reserve, and Vixen’s Vino to name a few.
Bella Luna makes one feel good. That must be the soul part of it. Janice is always very friendly. And, by the way, the young lady that was also working there is a great addition to the shop; very helpful in her suggestions.
At this time of the year when we are looking for something special for that best friend, hostess gift, or your own personal indulgence….it was the perfect place!!!
Have a good one!!…I will talk to you later….
November 23rd, 2011
If there is a town that can bring the nostalgia of what the holidays should be is the historic town of Berlin, Maryland. It is located west of Ocean City, Maryland, just by a few miles. From Rehoboth Beach, it is a longer drive but only about 40 minutes, if that. It is worth it and at this time of the year Berlin gets all decked out for the holidays, their windows are decorated and on Friday November 25th at 5:30 p.m. the Holiday Season will kick off with the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of of the Atlantic Hotel right on Main Street.
Berlin dates from the 1790s; historically charming with lots of shops and restaurants. Their Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 1st at 7 p.m. is one not to be missed. Out of a Norman Rockwell painting, it is.
The setting of Berlin is great but the people that reside, work and own businesses are making sure that this town offers its visitors a treat; wanting them to keep coming back again and again.
One of those shops that is celebrating the Season is TaDa Home. It opened this year, but it does have a sister store; TaDa, that has been around for years. If you are visiting Berlin on the Fridays in December; the 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd stop by because you will be able to enjoy home-made baked goods while you shop for one of a kind Christmas decor and gift items.
TaDa Home is located at 27 N. Main Street, Berlin, Maryland. Tel. 410-641-4430. Website? http://www.blairelizabeth.com.
When Patty Falck first opened TaDa, the store had her signature all over and it still does; simple and elegant. TaDa Home keeps constantly evolving, though. The combined artistic talents of the Falck family is now shining through. I love it; the two girls, the father and the mother. Yes, TaDa Home is a must stop shop in Berlin, Maryland.
The shop is beautifully appointed. Steve and Brooke have combed the area looking for special pieces; Patty then puts then her artistic touches.
Rugs, paintings by Patty, pillows, coastal touches, epicurian books and delights are the many surprises you will find at TaDa.
 
It is easy shopping for the holidays, as well. And, no, Tada is not opening at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. The store hours will be Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
These pictures reflect what a beautiful store it is. Something will have to catch your interest, I am sure.
     
If you happen to see the November issue of Coastal Style Magazine, www.coastalstylemag.com. you will get to meet the Falck family in depth. A beautiful article on this family that for some years has been facing one of those curves that life throws at you.
TaDa supports The Stephen Falck Foundation for MSA Research. Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is currently without treament and cure. It is their hope that by funding research for this illness, they may help those currently suffering, and provide hope in the future for a cure.
Please note that portions of every sale from TaDa Home are donated to MSA. Websites to learn more about what they are going through? www.wemove.org/msa. and www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/multiple_system_atrophy.
Happy Thanksgiving!!…talk to you later….TaDa is next….
November 14th, 2011
Last March I was walking up and down Atlantic Avenue when a store caught my eye. I had not seen it before so I decided to stop and that’s how I met Michele Ramirez, the proprietor of Varietai. You will find Varietai at 812 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483. Tel. 561-455-2767. Website? www.varietai.com. Find Varietai Delray on Facebook.
Since I started my blog, I have, definitely, met a lot of people. Most of them have been so charming and friendly. But, others, stand out. Michele is one of them. We just hit it off. A friendship is developing; so nice to see her again.
It is almost a year since she opened Varietai. She has a following. But, Michele is not new to this business. Years ago she had a store in Delray called Durango’s Attic. You might have even met her then.
If you have not stop by Varietai, please do so. The shop is full of beautiful items; some are fine consignments. Others, are quirky; many have their own sophistication.
       
I guess is that time of the year to jazz the home. Varietai is full of color, exactly what you would have expected in South Florida.
Michele is also an artist. She loves to paint. Check the floor of the store. All painted by her. The theme? The Japanese Koi.
Ask any questions you want. Michele has an eye for color and design and pays great attention to details. Her shop really is one of those must stop shops in Delray.
Varietai offers jewelry from Bali; wonderful colors and very unique, as well.
 
Deliveries? On week-ends…talk to you later…By the way, Michele; my friend loved his housewarming gift. Thanks for your help!!
September 11th, 2011
“After the design is firmly fixed, the decoration is added. Decorating is the final enhancement.” albert hadley
I finally made it to Rooster’s Nest. Friends had told me again and again to write a post on this really neat shop west of Fenwick Island; just a couple of miles only. It is in the Bayville Shopping Center, 37244 Lighthouse Rd., #108. Tel. 302-436-1848, Fax is 302-436-1868. Website? www.roostersnest.com.
The proprietors are William Shoemaker and Sally Walsh. Rooster’s Nest is celebrating its 5th year in business.
As I came in, the first ladies I met were Dawn and Beth. I introduced myself, like I usually do. Having to get approval for me to take pictures, the owners were called and they agreed. Dawn and Beth told me a little bit about the store.
Everything in it is for sale, including the furniture pieces where merchandise is displayed. Before I forget, they can store furniture within reason and there is free delivery, as well. But, please do check with them.
 
 
At first look the store looked beautiful and fully stocked. A sweeping glance of it told me that it was one of those “must stop” shops, here at the Delaware Beaches. It is centrally located; a very easy drive. It took about 20 minutes from Rehoboth Beach.
 
I asked Dawn how she would describe the store and she did not hesitate to say “French Country”. Just looking at the colors I could see those blues, yellows, reds and blacks that are so prevalent in the region of Provence, on the south east of France. 
French Country has the feel of a warm and sunny place. The store carries classic European and American merchandise.
  
I took so many pictures. Could not help it. Rooster’s Nest has the perfect finishing touches for the home.
Besides being able to find those decorating indispensables, you could find gifts for any occasions, including gifs for him.
Products from Bella Cucina are perfect for a hostess gift.
Something caught my eye. The antique bottles on the armoire. They were so unique. They are made in Southern California by Jamie Dietrich. They are authentic bottles from the 1800’s to early 1900’s. They were decorated with handmade crystals and shell work.
I own a couple of Bossom Buddy bags. They are made in Baltimore, Maryland.
Plenty of gifts for the golf enthusiast; conversation pieces like the ball made out of Bobby Jones vintage clubs. Also available were books, lamps among other items.
 
Candles and soaps always make a nice gift. Lotions and colognes from Rogert & Gallet, Paris.
The coast is a beautiful place to call home and it was well represented at the store.
   
Even though summer is, officially, until the end of September, we can’t forget that Halloween and Thanksgiving are around the corner. Already the store had decorations for that most anticipated times of the year.
Did anything catch your eye? It still amazes me to see all the options we have when it come to shopping, dining, entertainment and activities. So much have changed at the Beaches. Lucky to call it home…..
Talk to you later…Guess what?…I do have extra pictures of Rooster’s Nest and they will be on Facebook on AboutMyBeaches…just in case you have missed something…
Talk to you later….
August 24th, 2011
I met Susan Gladstone last year. She is a potter located right here in Rehoboth Beach. The name of her company is called The Happyrock Pottery. Her studio is in the shops at Celebration Mall on 20 Baltimore Ave. Tel. 410-375-7120. She does not have a website yet but if you see something on this post, please giver her a call, email her at thehappyrock@earthlink.net. Or, better yet, visit her studio.
Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had never seen Susan’s pottery. She told me that she had been a potter for 40 years. Giving it her full attention for about 16 years.
Susan is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. For many years she was a member of Baltimore Clayworks. This is the region’s only cultural institution dedicated solely to the ceramic arts. Now, she is part of the Rehoboth Beach artists’ community. She is a welcomed addition to our area. I think you will love her pieces.
I decided to visit her studio. It is so funny because what is now called Celebration Mall was the original Epworth Church. Many years ago they had a great pre-school. One of my sons attended for several years; great lasting friendships were made then.
There are several artists located in the Celebration Mall. I am glad I stopped by because I had no idea. Different and very impressive.
Her studio is where my son’s classroom was located. It really brought so many memories. But, I was there to see her work with her hands.
I am in awe and amazement to see someone shape a lump of clay into something as beautiful as some of her pieces.
The Raku pottery has small cracks that turn black. These are made by the deposits of carbon in them, turning them black, no matter what color of clay used. The final product is unique.
Susan was working on a “vessel” or bowl when I got there. She made it look so easy. She did a little bit of trimming and then exclaimed: It is not centered. I don’t like it. She picked it up and started kneading it just like bread. She was starting all over again. Here are the pictures from that first start when the term used is “throwing”.
Susan threw that moist lump of clay on a bat. A bat is an accessory. Okay, Susan, if you say so. A lot of people just use the wheel head instead.
Susan found the “center” of the clay by moving a thumb across the lump until no more friction was felt.
Then, the next step was the opening. Susan’s thumbs kept working the clay and stopped very close from the bat.
The sides are pulled up and then the process of “shaping” the vessel or bowl begins. This shaping continues for some time until the desired thickness is obtained.
Susan has Raku pottery, as well as wood fired pottery.
She also has plenty of very affordable pieces that are, obviously, made by hand and no two are alike. Different sizes and colors; the minis were beautiful.
She is also a member of the Rehoboth Art League. That’s where I first saw her pottery.
I learned a few things. I hope I posted them correctly. If not, I will never hear the end of it. She’ll let me know.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later….
August 10th, 2011
I stopped at Joss II the other day. This visit was way past due. I had been told that this shop had opened in the spring. That, I should check it out because there was a connection to a well loved and respected shop many years ago in Rehoboth Beach.
I think when you are writing about Joss II, there is no way you can go around it and not mention the original Joss that was located on the corner of Baltimore Ave. and First Street in Rehoboth Beach. If you were a visitor or a resident of Rehoboth you must have stopped there. Remember Ross Alexander? He was the life of the store. I used to stop even if I was not really looking for anything. He was a true shopkeeper; friendly, caring, knew his products well. Most of all, he was a true gentleman.
Marylin and Dina worked at Joss for years and years. Now, they are putting their own sense of style in Joss II, located at 19470 Coastal Highway, Unit 5, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-227-8373. They are on Facebook and working on their website, as I write this post.
If you are on Rt. 1 or Coastal Highway, you will see the bright yellow and smiling sun, which is the emblem. Stop in and introduce yourself. You will find that this shop is a “one stop shop” if you are looking for something for yourself, your home, a friend or for anyone on your list, including your pet.
Parking!! The exclamation points are because at this time of the year that is so important. So, just pull in and don’t worry about parking meters; plenty of time to shop and enjoy yourself.
Joss II looks good. The beautiful pillows on the floor? Very stylish. Marilyn told me that they are dog pillows. But, a few customers have bought them for their own personal use.
I was looking for a couple of gifts. Marilyn helped me out, including the wrapping. Joss II has cards, wrapping paper, gift bags and paper products.
From dips, chocolates, crackers, lotions and potions to doormats, lamps and accessories to finish a room.
And, if you are a pet owner, then check the collars and treat boxes. They are the cutest.
Joss II is opens 6 days a week. Mondays to Saturdays.
I think you will be very pleased with the store and with its prices. Let me know how you like it. Better yet, let them know how you like it.
Have a great day!!…..Gorgeous!! What a difference a day makes…talk to you later.
June 26th, 2011
The very first time I wrote about TaDa I mentioned that it was the effort of a mother and daughter team, Blair Elizabeth and her mother, Patty. I was so surprised to see that the sister store to TaDa, called TaDa Home it really is a family affair. Father; Steve, mother; Patty, sisters; Blair and Brooke. Their combined artistic talents is what is making TaDa Home a must stop shop in Berlin, Maryland.
Berlin is located 7 miles from Ocean City. This historic town dates back to the 1790’s. I used to be in Berlin every day for so many years. I think my car still knows the route.
And, there I was. Showing my cousin, Rosalyn, a most unique town.
TaDa Home is located at 27 N. Main Street, Berlin, MD. Tel. 410-641-4430. Websites? http://www.blairelizabeth.com and www.shoptada.com.
I was so happy to see Brooke at the store. She immediately started showing us around. So proud that she has had a hand on the development of this shop.
TaDa Home has furniture that is beautifully painted by Patty. Patty is an accomplished artist in her own right and her touches make this furniture come alive. You see, some of this furniture is getting a second chance. Brooke and Steve have been combing the country side; picking just the right piece or the right wood.
Some of the antique woods on the frames could be from an old barn. They have been able to salvage them and frame some of Patty’s artwork. Others are made into frames and are also for sale.
The day I visited an octupus motif was in some of the art, furniture and pillows.
The furniture is beautifully restored. The hardware so pretty.
The store is very open and you can move around easily.
A section for jellies, jams and marinades, along with epicurian books.
So many of the details that make this store are so personal to this family. Brooke showed the glass vases that can add to any room of your house.
The watercolor from Rincon painted by Patty. A favorite town of the family in Puerto Rico.
I took so many pictures. Everything looked so nice and the perfect shop to find gifs for any occasion.
I noticed a frame with the name TaDa on it; just under the table. I think you might be interested to know what it said.
TaDa Home is proud to support The Stephen Falck Foundation for MSA Research. Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is currently without treatment or cure. It is their hope that by funding research for this illness they may help those currently suffering; and provide hope in the future for a cure.
A portion of every sale from TaDa Home will be donated to MSA in honor of Steve Falck, the girls’ father, Patty’s husband, and everyone’s friend.
They thank all of you that shop at TaDa Home for the support.
Note: Two websites that describe MSA well are www.wemove.org/msa/ and www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/multiple_system_atrophy.
Talk to you later….
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