I have a predilection for bringing home glass, linens and paper when I travel. This trip was no different.
After our morning walk by the river Cheryl took Sara and I to the 5th Street Public market for a little browsing. 5th Street started as a poultry business back in the 1920’s. It’s had several re-incarnations and additions since then and now is a combination of shops and restaurants.
We were more in a browsing mood, not quite warmed up to actual buying just yet but we did find several shops to happily poke around in. Notable was Provisions, an offshoot of Marche’. I didn’t buy anything there but I did knock a stack of books off a display. Twice. Provisions sells specialty foods, books, linens, tableware and the like. One thing I wish I did buy was the little kitty shaped truffle by Over the Moon Chocolates.
We wandered into the the French Quarter linen shop and fondled things. Linen stores always smell so good. Must be the fancy french-milled soap they always seem to sell along side the 600 thread count sheets.
I did actually buy something in Toko Asia – a store full of Balinese furniture and gifts. And a really cute assortment of cards – I just thought these babies looked so happy and frolicky.
It’s actually a copy of a Chinese propaganda poster showing the bright and rosy future in China – fat babies and big giant fruit.
Becca finally caught up with us, after a morning of graduate studies at UO. We had our leisurely lunch at Marche’ then headed over to Broadway and Pewter Rabbit Antiques.
The prices at Pewter Rabbit seemed a little steep to me but I did find a basket of hankies that were all reasonably priced and a box of old photos to poke through so I was happy. I ended up buying a delicate pale yellow hankie, a teeny pillow sham and a few photos.
We decided to end the day’s shopping by stopping in at Savoure’ – a teeny little tea purveyor in Eugene. The shop has a little hanging wall shelf with small glass jars of all the teas they sell. Sara and I parked ourselves in front of it, happily sniffing away. She was much more adventuresome than I was – I settled on Irish Breakfast (because it’s my tea drinking son’s favorite) while Sara purchased more exotic blends like Evening in Paris and Dragon’s Well (actually I have no idea what she bought – I just liked the names of those).
On Saturday after visiting the Lone Pine Farm we headed to a shop called Shamrock’s that Sara has been talking about for years. After stepping inside I knew why – it was like finding my people. I could have happily browsed for hours. This started the glass portion of the day. I finally found my glass cloche.
Of course now I need something to put it on. It’s a tad gloomy today so you can’t quite see the etching on it properly.
Man it’s hard to take a picture of shiny things without getting yourself in the picture. I also bought a mercury glass looking finial thingie. For the mantel, me thinks.
A little sign made it into my shopping basket as well.
And finally just before we made it back to Cheryl’s where we were going to exchange Mike for Cheryl we dashed into the brand new pottery barn. Sales tax-free Oregon and all.
I bought bathroom accessories. I actually had a budget in mind, when I entered Oregon. And I did pretty well. Maybe went over just a teeny bit. But only because we went to Coburg which has a little stretch of adorable antique stores. I had room for one more little purchase.
It’s pink. And it’s pressed glass. Who can resist?
It was a really restful trip, even though it sounds like we were out shopping the entire time. We did have plenty of time to just sit, relax and enjoy each other’s company. The next time I go (Ha! Look I’m inviting myself back) I will do more scenery visiting. I would love to take the coastal route from California and see the Oregon coastline.
