As I mentioned on Friday, I went to Illinois this weekend, and although we had every intention of going into the city of Chicago our finds and activities in the suburbs kept us too busy. We ended up spending the majority of our time in Barrington, Bartlett, Wayne, Geneva and St. Charles and frankly that was enough as we were going from morning to night.
Our first stop Saturday morning was Tivoli Garden Antiques and it was fabulous! The store is owned and run by Gwendolyn Whiston and she is a font of knowledge; I could have stayed there all day. The store has a very large selection of transferware including purple, back, brown and red. In addition to the transferware there is a beautiful selection of furniture, silver, hats and so many other fascinating pieces.
Next we headed over to Tattered Tiques, where Susan of the blog Maple&Magnolia has some of her refinished furniture and other vintage finds. The store has everything from old shoe molds which I love, to a chicken coop, to enameled signs and of course Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and many pieces refinished using it. The back room is HUGE and filled to the brim with unusual vintage finds and apparently more on the way as the owners were off to Iowa on a buying trip.
In addition to all of the great things in Tattered Tiques, the building that it is in is filled with little stores, all selling great antiques, and clothes.
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| Get your party dress on! |
As we had been at it for a few hours we needed to stop for a little sustenance and by chance we discovered Ambrosia Euro American Patisserie with delectable croissants, cookies, pastries and many other treats and of course coffee drinks. Everything we tried was delicious! I felt as if I was back in Paris.
Once we had a drink and a break we were back at it and headed to the Pink Geranium, we were met at the door by Rosie the greeter dog, she is a delightful, friendly 14 year old black lab who works 31/3 days a week at the store. I did purchase a few things from their beautiful selection of vintage, antiques and consigned items. The ladies that own the store are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and we enjoyed talking to them about the items in the store and the items they have found and restored.
Our last stop of the day was to SG Too owned and operated by Debra of the blog 5th and State, located in St. Charles in a little house with a charming back garden! There were so many things to see, from the garden ornaments, to the pen and ink drawings of bees, and little animals, to the fabulous ottomans made from old French baskets, to the Annie Sloan chalk painted furniture, a selection of candles and more.
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| Basket of stone mushrooms |
We did visit several other stores and shops but these were my favorite. Unfortunately we did not make it to the store of Allison from the Polohouse, we just ran out of time. The rest of my visit consisted of drives in the country looking at beautiful houses, deer and birds, baking brownies, banana bread and sitting and talking with my sister and mother and niece. A perfect weekend with family.
Then Sunday night of course Downton Abbey! I love this show! I simply cannot get enough and I am having a tough time restraining myself from going on line to see the rest of the episodes. What did you think? Poor William? Poor Mary?
How was your weekend? Did you relax and enjoy yourself? A good book? A few house chores? I hope that whatever you did you enjoyed!
Have a great week!
The HighBoy
Outpost General Store, Wayne Illinois
A Winter Walk on The Illinois Prairie Path
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I CAUGHT YOU BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE!!!!!! Oh dearest, HOW FUN THIS MUST HAVE BEEN! You got great shots of those wonderful antiques and all I can say is that I wish I were there!!! WELCOME HOME, however, and how are you feeling?
GOTTA RUN, but welcome back. Now you are making me want to get out there NOW!!! Anita
Your weekend sounded like so much fun and what wonderful treasures you got to see. I bought something this weekend a new vacuum for the upstairs, exciting huh?….lol. I do have the life. I'm hoping for a wonderful week though I have some exciting things on my plate.
Enjoy your week!
XX
Debra~
What fun! I love all the highlights…that is so my kind of weekend. Hopefully you got a trinket or two to take home? Unpacking, unpacking and unpacking was the theme of my weekend, no complaints though! Hope alls well….
Sounds like a great weekend, in and out of antique stores, how fun! Speaking of "Downton Abbey" I need a box of kleenex at my side when I watch it. William and Matthew…it is so poignant. And when Isobel, Matthew's mother walked in and saw him, I just about lost it! I predict she will heal him. I could be wrong, but I am hoping. They're killing us this season, aren't they! Love, love, love it!
What a fabulous time, dear friend! I am drooling at all of these wonderful shops (and the patisserie) :)))…
Most importantly, this was time spent with cherished family. Love those little deer!
Have a terrific week, sweet Elizabeth,
Hugs,
– Irina
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A big thank you for mentioning us and for stopping by this past weekend! Sounds like you had a good visit to the area, and stopped at some fun shops. You have me intrigued with Downtown Abby. I must check it out. It sounds addicting! Thanks again from the Tattered Tiques girls!
Julie
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