Day two...the journey continues...

I am not sure how many of you are familiar with Mary Carol Garrity. She is the owner of Nell Hills and Garritys in Atchison Kansas and the new Nell Hills in Kansas City, MO. She has a syndicated column in many of your local papers and has penned some fantastic style books.

The reason for our trip to Kansas City area every year started out as an expedition to see what Mary Carol was all about. We had read in Midwest Living all about her and followed her column on a regular basis.





What we found in Atchison was a second home for us. We love the town and the people there. It has become a pilgrimage for us and you will see through these pictures why we love it so!


Enjoy and take it all in. We can not do it justice with a few photos we have but you will get the idea. There will be not words...just look and look deeply.






































Now those are just the pictures from her historic home in Atchison. I have more pictures tomorrow from her stores. They will not disappoint.

The Journey...still day one

Once we finished drooling and shopping at Curious Sofa, we were off to Mission Road Antiques Mall.

The outside picture is deceiving because once you walk through the front doors it just spreads in every direction. These are just a few of the things we saw...




Ok just a few more pics of other finds...


Next stop we headed toward Kansas City proper.
Along the way we found this store...it caught our eye because of the large orange "flames" surrounding the building. They cut the fake flames out of corrogated plastic board...the shop is an ecclectic mix of all things entertaining. They also specialized in floral arrangments. I was in heaven.


I did get to look in their work room but I did not take any pictures. Kind of sad but they were working on a wedding and I didn't want them to think I was stealing ideas. Trust me they were creating works of art with some of the most beautiful flowers.
We stopped at a very, very, very upscale shopping area.. I believe the area was called Crest Wood. The address was 303 East 55th St...
I loved the Pear Tree and the kindness of Carol Dickey. She travels to France and brings back lots of lovely and unique finds.





Trend Alert: Bird Cages are all the rage and we found them in every shop.
Next stop after refreshments...STUFF...an artist emorium.



Finally our last stop for the day was RIVER MARKET ANTIQUES. Three floors of junk...or what ever you want to call it. I have never seen so much "stuff" spread over three floors of a very old building.





As you might imagine...I was done. Waking up at 4:00am and ending the shopping experience at 6:00pm...and Frances could have kept going. We had a nice dinner and fell fast asleep when my head hit the pillow. Day two coming soon to a theater near you.

Things you learn along the way ... part one

This past weekends trip to Kansas City has been an amazing journey and yes I am still on that journey.

I learned so much from everyone that I met and talked with and I even learned more about my own personal friendships with the girls that joined me.

Before I get all deep and serious, I have to share some funnies with you. While waiting in the airport on Thursday morning we met some interesting people and observed even more interesting people.

I am not sure about you but I love to people watch. First off Frances notices this good looking man and makes comment about him.

Next she tells me there is someone even better just around the pillar from where we were sitting. I couldn’t get a glimpse of him but then…. he appeared.

Attractive hairdo and since I know all of you will be interested in just how you can get your hair to stay that way I have the secret. His curly locks are held in place by a tightly secured hair net. To complete the look you must have a plaid suit.
Back to the first well built gentleman…sleeping the whole time with his mouth open catching flies.

He is just as normal as any male on the planet…not so special after all.

We also met an interior designer on her way home from Los Angeles with her pup. Now I can not remember her name or the name of her dog but I must say owners and their pets do look alike.

Before I left I had conversations with Nancy from Acorn Cottage. I noticed on her blog that she was from Kansas City, so I decided to ask for some recommendations. She had some places listed in her blog but she sent an email detailing what some other places would be of interest.

Can I just say…where would I be without the blogging community? The openness Nancy had for my inquiry just amazed me. It was as if we had been old friends. Thank you so much Nancy…we almost covered everything.

With the airport behind us and the open road in front of us we headed off The Curious Sofa and the town of Prairie Village, Kansas. As you walk through the gorgeous doors you were greeted by some of the most beautiful and fun displays.





What was even more helpful in our visit was the advice of our two favorite associates…

They shared with us some restaurants and other shopping destinations, all of which we visited and loved. Thanks guys…you made our day.

I will share some more with you tomorrow...I am sure you are tired by now...
Good night

Follow up on Country Living WE

I must apologize for the delay in getting this information out to you but, as you can tell I have been on the run and having fun.

First and foremost, I can’t say enough about the event and the creative team at Country Living Magazine. The organizers of this day were the most open, honest and friendly people you might ever meet. They made you feel right at home amidst a sea of creative women.
Sarah Gray Miller, the new Editor and Chief the Country Living Magazine, has a fresh, approachable personality and I think she will breathe a new sense of life into the magazine.

I had the chance to speak with Sarah personally and I think we are just beginning to see a friendlier Country Living.

I attended the event alone but ended up sharing a dinner with some new friends I had met via my blog or via their blogs, but some of them I had never met before. Either way it was a brilliant way to cap off a full day of creative and thoughtful thinking.



I even saw an old work mate from my days at Anderson Consulting, now Accenture. It seems we were both looking for some inspiration to escape from our every day routines.

I am assured that I found my inspiration and many answers to the questions that I had running through my head for sometime now. Listening to the line up of energetic and creative women brought together by this event, gave me the lift I needed to keep on thinking and searching for what it is I want out of life.

Many of them started from absolutely nothing, the most they had was a creative idea and the tenacity to work towards its development and eventual success. They worked hard enough to experience the success that honored them as a Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by Country Living magazine.

The common theme I extracted from the speakers was this: work hard, know your customer and believe in yourself and your product. Now from the 20 pages of notes I took there are many more details in those three little themes, but for brevity and not loosing you along the way I think I will stick to that.

The event did cause me to ask myself the magical question….”how much are you willing to do to make yourself a success?” Right now with three small children and a husband who works too many hours himself, I don’t have an answer to that question.

That question nags me most often but most times I arrive back at the same thought process. I have waited my entire life for our kids and adore them more than anyone will ever know. I feel my job at this point in time is taking care of them and guiding them the best that I can. God gave me this opportunity to leave my legacy in life, and that legacy is my children.

What ever my business would evolve to be wouldn’t leave as big a mark on this earth as the good things my children could bring to society.

Yes, I want them to see their mom as a strong, creative, self sufficient person but at the same time I want them to know that no matter what they are the reason I work so hard. Finding the balance between “work/development time” and “mom time” has got to be the hardest balance women have to face. Whether it is right or wrong…my “mom time” is more important to me.

I will continue to EVOLVE, but not with that full speed drive. It will be at a slower pace and more deliberate one. The kids will be gone all too soon and I will have plenty of time on my hands. Who says you can’t start a business later on in life….nothing is impossible.

With that said….

Below is just a sampling of some of the people that I met and a small sampling of their creativity. They were so amazing and so open … they asked questions that I have never even thought about and for that I am thankful to have met them. I look forward to keeping in touch with them and watching them EVOLVE.


Kasey Buick
Lola B’s
http://lolabboutique.blogspot.com/
http://www.lolabboutique.com/

Jeanne Oliver
Bushel and a Peck
http://bushelandapeck.typepad.com/

Red Otter Custom Books and Journals
Julia
http://www.redotter580.blogspot.com/

Sanctuary Arts at Home
Jen Rizzo
http://sanctuaryart.blogspot.com/


These folks are new friends I made while attending this event and I have to say I really enjoyed meeting each and everyone. Their creativity, drive and enthusiasm gave me a sense of inspiration and motivation.

Royal Tart
Tricia Blum
http://www.royaltart.com/

Glitter Works Studio
Laurie Davis
http://www.glitterworksstudio.com/
http://www.glitterworksstudio.com/


Seven Smooches
Jennifer List & Stacy Waddington
http://www.sevensmooches.com/

The Repurposed Home
Kathleen Quinn
http://www.therepurposedhome.com/

Two Twigs Childrenswear
708-957-7604

I have to give this girl the award for most outgoing, most passionate about her product, and most willing to put her self out there in order to promote her product. She was everywhere and you couldn’t help but be interested in what she was selling.

Sourvenir Cosmetics
Kate Kristiansen
http://www.souvenircosmetics.com/