May 31st, 2012
An iconic shop; that’s what I call The Wooden Indian. Since 1977 in our community, this shop is a representation of what shopping in Downtown Rehoboth Beach has become. First class, sophisticated, charming, exquisitively appointed, accessible to all.
I remember when my children were young, they would look at me like I was from another world, as I would come into The Wooden Indian and the first thing I would say was: Touch only with your eyes. You know that look, don’t you? It worked because they never broke anything, thank God.
 
 
The Wooden Indian is located at 25 Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Tels. 302-227-8331, 800-225-8331. The website is www.woodenindianltd.com. On Facebook, it can be found as Woodenindian Rehoboth. That might be your best best as you will be able to follow updates and what’s coming new into the store.
This is the second season for Paul and Joseph, the proprietors. Under their creative strengths, The Wooden Indian has acquired a modern simplicity that I noticed as I came in. You can move through the store with ease; every item is beautifully displayed.
One person that is key in this shop is Frances. I think she has seen the beginnings, the ups and downs of the store and the resurgence of what The Wooden Indian represents at the Delaware Beaches.
Rehoboth Beach is a very walkable town and The Wooden Indian is one street north of Rehoboth Avenue.
The Wooden Indian is still there as you come into the store; to the left.
 
Well known brands are Lynn Chase, Waterford, Herend, Godiva, Royal Copenhagen, Beatriz Ball, Vietri, Nambe, and Vera Wang, among others.
 
The shop will wrap and ship. Baskets can be made for presents. A variety of preserves, peanuts, sauces, and dressings.
A new line of jewelry by designer Esther-Ann Ingram, an independent shell artist arranging shells into beautiful works of art. One of a kind pieces; the shells come from all over the world.
The Bridal Registry is an integral part of the traditional wedding preparation. The Wooden Indian has china, crystal, silverware, and plenty of gifts in a wide variety of prices.
It is a special time of the year. Plenty of weddings during the summer months. The beaches are an attraction for that special day.
   
And, for the new addition to the family, they also have presents, as well.
The Wooden Indian is part of Rehoboth Beach….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 29th, 2012
My neighbor in Rehoboth mentioned that if I was going to Annapolis, I should check out the Annapolis Towne Centre where shops and restaurants where right next to each other. Sounded interesting and, definitely, worth checking.
I dragged my friend, Paula, to Annapolis with me for the day. I don’t think she minded too much. I needed to drop my car off for its first service and one more errand to the Annaplis Mall. You probably don’t care about all this info. but this is why I went to Annapolis. It wasn’t just to shop and dine until I dropped. No way, never.
The Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole is located at 2505 Riva Rd. There are different ways to get there from Rt. 50. It is a complex of shops, apartment living, Whole Foods, and restaurants. By visiting http://www.visitatc.com, you can find directions and what they offer. Residences are above the retail spaces with anchor stores and restaurants around. Plenty of parking and the valet service is only $2.
We were hungry and right in front of the valet service was a restaurant called Brio. We went right in.
I had never been to any of the Brio restaurants. Did not even know it was a chain of restaurants found nationwide. Their website is http://www.brioitalian.com. They consider themselves “upscale affordable”; appealing to a broad base of customers.
We were served bread accompanied by a flat bread that was very good.
Paula decided on the Grilled Salmon Salad, with Roma tomatoes, asparagus, feta, crispy shoestring potatoes and balsamic vinaigrette. The presentation was pretty and she thought it was good.
Mine was the Pasta Brio, Rigatoni (cooked al dente), grilled chicken, tomatoes, pine nuts and a cilantro pesto drizzle. Well seasoned. In my household we eat gluten free and as I was eating “real” pasta, I thought it was good but I find the gluten pata products just as good.
No dessert, just coffee for us. It was such a beautiful day that a stroll through the Towne Centre is what we wanted to do.
By the way, our service at Brio was very good; our server was attentive and knew his menu well.
We stopped at a really cute store called Poppy and Stella. They are located at 1910 Towne Centre Blvd., Suite 123. Website is http://www.poppyandstella.com. I want to come back and write a post on them. On this particular visit, all I can tell you is that it had great shoes and accessories; no clothing, though. They also have a store at 728 S. Broadway in Fells Point, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Continuing our stightseeing we stopped at Arhaus (pronounced “our house”), located at 1905 Towne Centre. Tel. 410-266-0555. Website? http://www.arhaus.com. They told us that while many stores around the country are closing shop, Arhaus is continuing to open more stores nationwide.
Arhaus has a “global approach to designing all of their products; providing customers with a selection of unique, one of a kind pieces”.
The store had beautiful furniture, upholstering choices. Gorgeous tables and home accessories. Definitely unique, the following chandeliers caught our attention.
 
Another store we found very interesting was Great Gatherings. With a motto of “Play Up Your Home”, you will find pool tables, stools, bars and game room accessories and furniture. Let’s say you will be impressed with their entertaining essentials, as well as with all their outdoor fun furniture.
Great Gatherings can be found at 1905 Towne Center Blvd., Suite 120. Tel. 410-266-1111. Website? http://www.mygreatgatherings.com/find/annapolis.
Those were just a few of the stores. Target was there, Sur La Table from California, tapas and sports bars/restaurants, men’s shops, women’s shops….too tempting to live under such harsh conditions…haha…talk to you later.
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…
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 8th, 2011
“The best color in the world, is the one that looks good on you.” coco chanel
It was the beginning of the summer season when I was told that there was a fashion designer amongst us, located on trendy Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach. That I should really visit him.
The summer was hectic, Rehoboth got crowded and I probably got lazy. So, there I was yesterday, just a few days after Labor Day, with plenty of parking in a very quiet Rehoboth Beach.
Spahr is located at 43 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-226-3804. Website? www.scottspahr.com. Please note that you cannot order from the website, but check it out so you can see what to expect when you actually visit his atelier. He opens year-round.
By the way he does have a first name; Scott. At times people can be intimidated by designers, but Scott is so friendly and unasuming. I came unannounced and immediately a friendly chat ensued.
I introduced myself and asked if I could take pictures and could he tell me a little bit about himself.
He opened Spahr 11 years ago in Rehoboth Beach. He is, originally, from Pennsylvania. The atelier is small, comfortable and so quaint. It is also Scott’s home.
He told me that I caught him at a time where his inventory was low. Scott is the whole package; designer; sews every piece himself in-house. You can actually watch him work as you talk to him. He learned his trade himself but it helped that his grandmother was a seamstress.
His specialty and what sets him apart? It is the ability to find and mix fabric prints and patterns together. You can see his details in his own tags on every design, as well as in the pocket of pants, and in the trim of a t-shirt or the borders of a skirt.
For women, his designs come in Small (4-6), Medium (8-10) and Large (10-12) He usually makes 3 for each size. He will be the first to tell you that his designs run small. You can also be confident that you will not find a twin when you buy one of his pieces, at least not in your size.
For men, the sizes for pants are 32, 34, and 36. A size 38 might be in the works at some point. Just like he does for women, he only makes about 3 for each size. He had just finished a pair of cordless corduroys in blue.
 
His inventory is one that changes rapidly. Therefore, check often for updated designs.
Spahr has women’s jewelry, as well, with original works by Susan Davis Terry. Her designs are bold and contemporary.
 
Scott does not stop at only fashion designs. He also make bags out of cotton rugs and quilts and pairs them with unique fabrics.
He also designs his pillows and just as the clothing they change frequently as he finds the right print or design.
Spahr has also accessories for the home; candles, soaps and books.
It was so nice meeting him. One of the advantages of writing my blog is that I get to meet the wonderful people that make Rehoboth Beach my home.
Oh, I almost forgot. He was looking at me wondering how much longer I would be staying. Will he be able to go on his walk, afterall? His name? Morgan.
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.
 
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