An Annual Event -- Greens and Gardenviews!

The annual start to my personal Christmas season is the holiday greens market in the charming town of Northville, MI. (Cue the music!)

For at least ten years, and probably a number more, my friend Jan and I have ventured to the market on the weekend before Thanksgiving, select our wreaths and then enjoy shopping in our favorite shop, Gardenviews, before lunching at Guernsey, a local restaurant, and stocking up for Thanksgiving at Trader Joe's.

The market is always packed with a terrific selection of wreaths and arrangements, along with greens for decking the halls. On this day, the weather was reasonable -- that is, not too cold, definitely not damp but not so unseasonably warm it doesn't feel like Christmas!

This booth looked almost empty by the time we left!

Santa is there and the town square is festively decorated with a huge tree and lovely arrangements.

Across the street, the theatre had a live children's show playing. Honestly, this town looks like something that fell out of a Hallmark movie!

Once we had our greens safely tucked away, we hit Gardenviews and if we weren't in the holiday mood, we would have instantly discovered it right here in this magical world of tinsel and lights!

I always love seeing what's new this year. I always think I've seen it all, and then something will pop up that is just so darned cute, I smile. Big smile. Lots of teeth and happy eyes!

I was pretty good about buying this year, but I did capture a few felted creatures to inspire me with my own. Even though the style is different, you can always learn!

These super-sized ornaments wouldn't work for my tree, but I loved them!

And there's something about the word "Believe" that always captures my imagination.

I came really close to getting this -- I love chickadees! But again, too big!

Our shopping trip came to a close and soon it home where Thanksgiving would await.

These little Campbell kids have been in the family since I was a child. They used to have hats but I gave them to the cats a long time ago and they seem to have disappeared. Good thing that was before Lizzie's time!

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you had a lovely holiday! We did!

Now, on to the next!

Ho! Ho! Ho!


Sharing with:    Let's Keep in Touch     /     Pink Saturday     

London: Notting Hill and Portobello Road -- Whew!

Long before I saw the film "Notting Hill" I knew about Portobello Road and its market. I'd read about it in any number of books (because my favorite books are set in England!) and I knew about antiques and secondhand things. I knew I had to go.

But I wasn't sure how Rick would take to it! After all, shopping isn't always his thing and I wasn't sure that this was his shopping. But what the heck? We're in London!

So, on a very warm, 70-degree-plus, mid-October day, we took the bus outside to Notting Hill Gate and were on our way. It was one of my favorite days!

Why? Well, first of all, it was gorgeous. And second, there was all that wonderful shopping!

Plus, it was a mass of people. Now, I'm not great in crowds and yet this didn't bother me. Not a bit.

Everyone was having a good time, moving along at whatever pace they chose.

When we first got off the bus, most of what we saw was trash and trinkets and I was a little worried! But as we went deeper into what seemed like a mile-long market area, it really developed! There were shops with sidewalk bins. Linens, antiques, china, silver.

You name it, it was there. I bought a small spoon at this vendor who had some lovely miniatures.

Rick spent some time looking at vintage maps.

Personally, I think Rick was a little bummed about the haggling at this booth. He loves to haggle.

I didn't get this. But wish I had.

I could have spent a bit here too -- I'm not sure how much was sterling, plate or just shiny but it all looked pretty!

I loved the modern day version of the costermonger carts.

This one had every olive, garlic and pepper known to humankind, I think!

People were buying all sorts of things -- fruits, veggies and herbs...

...fresh fish...

...hats...

...and antique toys.

I think we heard every language under the sun, the least of which was English!

And the food! Well, the market had the food court to end all food courts. Food from Afghanistan? Sure! Poland? Of course! Crepes? Oui! Tacos? Si!

There was Indian, Italian, Middle Eastern. We enjoyed a delicious paella.

Then on to more looking.

Even the streets and buildings were lovely and their bright colors added to the ambience.

But always present was the ghost of Grenfell Towers, the apartment building not far that had suffered terrible loss in a fire on June 14, 2017.

It was clear that this was a neighborhood that supported its community.

Of course, if you're a "Notting Hill" movie fan, you can't be in this neighborhood and not recall the famous "Blue Door" of William's house. It was quite the photo op. (Rick actually spotted it because of people taking photos by it!)

For me, too!

And this building was his pal's restaurant in the film. It's now a gift shop.

There's loads of street entertainment too. Musicians, of course, but I liked these marionettes.

We even saw the Queen! OK, not quite. But close!

All in all, I'd recommend Portobello Road if this is your thing and crowds don't totally freak you out. It was one of my favorite times in England and I'd go back in a heartbeat!

 

Travel Tips

• It's easy to access Portobello Road market from the bus or tube. Be prepared to walk.
• Wear comfy shoes. If you do the whole thing, it's a long haul.
• Bring cash. This is not a credit card venue, although the shops along the road do accept cards.
• Make a plan to know where your travel partner is -- either a meeting spot or at least clothing recognition so if you are separated you can find each other in the crowd.
• Be adventurous! The food court was great. Try something new. (I sort of wish I'd tried this fruit drink!)

Next time? I'll take you somewhere a tad more cerebral!

Sharing this week with:  Let's Add Sprinkles    /       Pink Saturday  /     Take Me Away Blog Party   

London: Wandering Around Piccadilly/St. James

Now, I love music! But I wasn't about to spend the afternoon in St. James Piccadilly when there was a world out there to explore! So, while Rick was listening to a few hours of back-to-back recitals, I decided to check out the Jermyn Street area.

Jermyn Street is right behind St. James, one block south of Piccadilly, and it comes with quite a price tag. If you are looking for the Ritz or Christies, this is the neighborhood.

Trendy pubs mix with high end fashion boutiques and private clubs like Tramp. It was here that Ringo Starr, Liza Minnelli, Joan Collins and Peter Sellers held their wedding receptions and its current guests include Drake, Rihanna, Kate Moss and David Beckham. Princes William and Harry have been known to show up as well. Unfortunately, not on this particular Friday afternoon.

Apparently these shoes must be the fashion. Their price tag was in the 400 pound zone. But it appears you get a free gift. (Or, as Rick might say, "There is nothing more expensive than free.")

Across from Tramp was one of my favorite shops in all of London. Floris is not just London's oldest fragrance boutique, but England's as well. It is currently run by the eighth and ninth generations of the Floris family and has been in the same St. James' Jermyn Street location since founded shortly after Juan Floris' arrival in 1730.

It received its first Royal Warrant in 1820 to King George IV and now has 19 more, including that of Perfumers to HM the Queen Elizabeth II (1971) as well as Manufacturers of Toilet Preparations to HRH The Prince of Wales. (1984) How's that for a title?!

(And lest you should think it's only for royals, the store holds letters from Florence Nightingale, Mary Shelley and Beau Brummell as well.

A few doors away from Floris is the Cavendish Hotel. I'd always wanted to see it, simply because the Cavendish was the original hotel of Rosa Lewis, who was immortalized in one of my all-time favorite PBS series, "The Duchess of Duke Street." It was based on a biography of the chef called "The Duchess of Jermyn Street." I couldn't talk Rick into taking me to afternoon tea here.  Pity.

As you approach the corner and take a right, you head back to Piccadilly. A right turn and you are near three of my favorites. I've always liked Cath Kidston's modern vintage look.

And an entire store with her things? Could be trouble.

And it was a little. I did find a few things (OK, one was a gift). Much as I wanted a mug, I passed it up. Too early in the trip to risk something breakable!

Rick joined me after the recital and we continued our shopping-looking walk. A few stores away was London's oldest bookstore, Hatchards, which was established in 1797. I remember coming here with my mother in 1973 and again, I felt her by my side.

In a few years, some of the children's books I found there will find a new home! Hatchard's holds royal warrants from the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles.  It might be one of London's best staircases!

And then there was Fortnum and Mason. By this time, Rick and I had regrouped and we hit this spot together. This was another I'd visited with my mom, enjoying a lovely lunch there with one of her friends. It looked a bit busy for dinner or afternoon tea (expensive afternoon tea) so we passed on that.

Instead, we wandered. The food halls are magnificent, beautifully designed. The men and women wore tails, frock coats. All very dressy. Fortnums also holds warrants to the queen and is called "the Queen's Grocer."

She eats better than we do.

And we found a rather handsome vendor offering samplings of four different sherrys. Well, it was five o'clock (not that four thirty would have stopped us!)

And as for staircases?

Yes, they have a good one, too!

Not scoring dinner at Fortnums, we crossed the street and walked through the Burlington Arcade, another spot I visited with mom.

No, we couldn't afford to shop here, either. And really, it wasn't our style.

Although these were very pretty!

Now we were getting a little desperate, dinner and foot-wise. So after admiring a few trendy things on the way back to Piccadilly, we waited for the bus.

And when we got off, ate at one of the first restaurants near our hotel we saw! Prezzo is a chain of Italian restaurants. It was quite lovely (we didn't know it was a chain until we saw them elsewhere)!

And the two block walk back home was easy and our room a welcome sight!

Sharing today with:    Let's Add Sprinkles    /      Pink Saturday