Walking through town on "Small business Saturday", I was a little dazzled by how many different Christmas trees the shops had decorated.
On the left is a tree in the window of Quick Silver all decked out in silver jewelry. The tree in the center is in Ten Thousand Villages...I love the capiz shell angel on top. The tree to the right is from a store called Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals. They have stuffies that are fair trade endorsed. I love a tree that is bedecked with little toys and the ornaments on their tree also happen to be hand puppets.
The streets were packed with shoppers and the weather could not have been more cooperative. Some of the stores featured gingerbread houses baked, built and sponsored by other local restaurants and bake shops. I found this one in a store called Carter and Cavero Old World Olive Oil Company. Stepping into their store must be a lot like visiting Tuscany.
There was temptation everywhere! I will be going back into town to do some serious shopping in the next few weeks.
The snake charmer basket in the picture above definitely has my name on it. I'm not sure where I will put it, but hopefully it will still be there when I go back.
We walked up and down all of the streets, stopping to admire the tree in front of the Dublin House, an old Victorian mansion turned into a lovely Irish pub. This is where everyone in town gets together for the big night of tree lighting and musical entertainment. A local kick off to the holiday season. Across the street from the pub is one of my favorite stores, The Monmouth Street Emporium. This is where I got my start in the antiques business so many years ago. The vintage red cape and dress in the window along with the red glass and crystal are so eye catching!
If you are looking for adorable ornaments that will double as finger puppets, or if you are looking to go blue this Christmas,
I would like to suggest that you spend a little time wandering around your local town to see what the merchants have. You are bound to find inspiration galore...and if you don't have a cute little town to wander through then by all means come and check out mine. It is in Red Bank, New Jersey, right at the top of the Jersey Shore.
This post is being linked to Little Red House for Mosaic Monday, Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Smiling Sally for Blue Monday and Work of the Poet for Ruby Tuesday.
♥, Susan
Red Bank looks like a fun place to shop, Susan. It's always so pleasing to see stores decorated beautifully for the holidays. I love the gingerbread house and all the Christmas trees :)
Posted by: Pat | November 27, 2011 at 04:36 PM
What a lovely day, the store looks like a great place to find some treats. I lov ethe snake charmer basket too. The Christmas tree is gorgeous, wonderful photos.
Posted by: Eileen | November 27, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Looks like such wonderful places to shop. I prefer the smaller shops! The trees are so pretty!
Posted by: Carol @There's Always Thyme to Cook | November 27, 2011 at 05:50 PM
The Dublin House is beautiful with all the twinkling lights on the tree! It would be hard not to have the Christmas spirit, looks like a lovely place to shop!
Posted by: Mary | November 27, 2011 at 05:59 PM
The stores look like lovely places to shop. Thanks for letting us peek in the windows and on shelves with you.
Judith
Posted by: Lavender Cottage | November 27, 2011 at 06:07 PM
So many pretty and festive sights. The Christmas season is upon us! :)
Posted by: ldh | November 27, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Oh what pretty trees! I love those beautiful Tuscan dishes, too! Hope your Thanksgiving was happy, Sue! xoxo
Posted by: mary | November 27, 2011 at 06:19 PM
Susan, thanks for sharing these lovely shops on your walk.
Posted by: Sarah | November 27, 2011 at 07:07 PM
That is so cool! I choose to put up a tree branch this year since that is the Christmas tree that our family back in the Philippines used to have. Kind of reminiscing the happy days when both my parents are still alive and when me and my siblings are excited to open the stockings ^_^
Boys Showdown
Posted by: Mary, MI | November 27, 2011 at 07:57 PM
How I would love to visit your little town! Your photos are beautiful. I smile when I see a white or silver tree -- flash back to the 50s and early 60s! They were absent for a long time but it's nice to see the variety of having them back!
Posted by: dotsie (aka podso) | November 28, 2011 at 05:01 AM
Thanks for sharing the blues you found.
Happy Blue Monday, Susan!
Posted by: Sally | November 28, 2011 at 06:07 AM
Your town looks like mine. Historic district all down town. New retail shops right next to vintage shops and all the preps for the Christmas season. Hot cider and cookies. Loved your post Susan.
QMM
Posted by: QMM | November 28, 2011 at 07:06 AM
I loce shopping around Christmas just to see so mant different trees and all the bling that goes with them.
Posted by: Elaine | November 28, 2011 at 07:43 AM
How magical! So much to put us in the holiday mood! Isn't that little red owl adorable! ♥♥♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | November 28, 2011 at 12:52 PM
I'll definitely have to explore some of the smaller towns near me. Your town must be a lovely place in which to live.
-Karen
Posted by: My Little Home and Garden | November 28, 2011 at 04:50 PM
Wow Susan, How I would love to wander around your quaint little town. Love all of the trees. And oh, that gingerbread house is so cute! I can see that the basket charmed you. Hope it's still there when you return. We have some fun shops, but I love the uniqueness of this little village. Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Jann Olson | November 28, 2011 at 09:35 PM
beautiful Christmas lights..
Visiting for BM! Hope you can visit me too:)
http://www.heavenly-dreams.com/the-fish-game/
Posted by: Leah H. | November 29, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Susan~
Very nice blog. Enjoyed the pics!
I think we have some sort of Karmic connection.
I am the person who made the gingerbread house for Tiffany in 2009. I saw it on your blog from that year.
Then, I was reading this one, and was surprised to see my house for this year!
What a coincidence!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Jo
P.S.- My backyard is FULL of Black-Eyed Susans!!
Posted by: Jo Mac | December 01, 2011 at 07:14 AM
Hi Joe, I was tickled pink to know that you saw those posts! Did you also make the gingerbread house at the frame shop on the other side of town? I would like so much to write a post about you if you are up for it. Did you go to school for art or culinary? So many questions.
Best Regards, Susan
Posted by: susan ericson | December 04, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Hi Susan~
I did go to culinary school and am working as a pastry chef. I guess I consider myself somewhat of an artist. I always have loved the arts in all its forms. My gardens are my favorite creations. I did not make the other house you are asking about. The house in this blog was made in such a hurry this year, but I really was pleased as to how it came out. I wanted a bit more detail, but I am so busy this time of the year- I was under a strict deadline!
Again, great blog. Loved the photos of your home!
Would love to share some garden pics with you.
How can we correspond?
Jo
Posted by: Jo Mac | December 05, 2011 at 07:53 PM