Moleskine Trip Day3...

Sunday was our day for exploring the town of Kensington where there are over 80 antique shops all in within strolling distance of each other. We were very excited to see what treasures we'd uncover. We arrived at 11am only to discover that NONE of the shops opened till Noon. Well we are a group that is not deterred in the least by a little thing like an hour wait. That just means more time to sit, grab an iced tea, contemplate, sketch, take photos and plan our attack on the as yet unsuspecting shops!

Time enough to notice nice patterns in the shadows.

Think this group would have gotten their fill of books the day before at The Book Thing? Oh, think again my dear readers, think again!

How cute are some of these shops? Just adorable I tell you. Good enough to sit for a moment and sketch.

I fell head over heals in love with these tiles. If only I had an actual house instead of an apartment where I could display some of these next to my house number on the wrap around porch of my oh so cute little home. Can you tell I'm sooo ready for house hunting?

After an afternoon of treasure hunting I drove the group to Silver Spring where our company's office is located and showed them around a bit. Apparently the town was preparing for some kind of summer concert. They closed the street, a stage was being put up and there was just a general feeling of celebrating the end of summer. Children playing in the water, people laughing and having a wonderful time.

Sadly the next morning the Moleskiners had to pack up and head back home to Ohio. I couldn't resist snapping this shot of Barb as she photographed her coffee at Le Madelaine. Look familiar to anyone? I seem to be collecting photos like this as well!

I had a wonderfully fabulous time with these wonderful people despite throwing my back out during their visit. I wasn't going to let a little thing like stabbing back pain ruin a great creative trip like this one!

Thank you Moleskiners for coming all this way to hang with me. I really needed this visit. You guys are one in a million.

I FOUND JESUS...and other antique mall finds...

Yes dear readers you read me correctly, I indeed Found Jesus! As it turns out he's actually painted on Velvet believe it or not and he too can be yours for 4 easy payment of $6! It's just that easy my friends! How cool is that? I really really regret now not picking it up when I was there. For any of you who know me even slightly well, you are well aware of my addiction to wandering around antique malls, and flea markets. They are essentially huge life size still life set ups that you can wander around in like a rat in a photo reference maze! I always take a camera and snap tons of pictures. I am continually amazed at what you can find there. Have you ever noticed that EVERY antique mall has a traffic light hanging inside that's for sale? What up with that? Anyways, I digress.

I don't truely fall in love with much of anything in antique malls. Not things that I feel I can't live with out but this Armoire I fell head over heels in love with. I adore it's shape and lines. I tell you if we had a house and I had a truck this baby would have been mine in a heartbeat. Don't worry, The Bear saw it first and he fell in love as well. Thankfully we have the exact same taste.

Now, this little beauty was a real inspiration. It was hanging from the ceiling and I could just picture my future little monster munchkins sitting in it while I told them stories of far off lands filled with court jesters and talking cats.

I don't know why but this chair really spoke to me. I'm not sure if it was a scarey voice or not but it was speaking none the less.

This table and chair set was spotted by The Bear and he fell deeply in love. I was wandering else where and heard behind me "Bean, I found our dining set my dearest"! Well it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to all those wonderful colors, but once they did I actually saw the beauty in them. I was coaxed into sitting and boy are these chairs actually really comfy, honest! I know that when we buy our house that these beauties will still be there and we'll be going back to pick them up. Really, trust me, they totally grow on ya.

Have I mentioned that Antique Malls have EVERYTHING? See the popcorn maker behind it?

Okay, I have saved the absolute best for last. It was so very hard to get a picture of this but I did my very best. Yes, this is a Toilet in a Phone Booth! Let me repeat that, a Toilet IN a Phone Booth! I mean you just don't see that every day do you?

So the next time you have a day off, go to an Antique Mall, you never know where that adventure will lead you. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.