Thursday's outing inspired by Dining Out for Life was an absolute success of a grownup night out. Ambling through our meal, our wine, conversation, then through a calm but lit-up dowtown as we window-shopped for future inspiration and chatted with our pals is lusted-after bliss for those with young kids. And Thursday did not disappoint. Over the Moon, where I'd been for lunch many times but dinner never, was absolutely divine. Three out of four of us indulged in the giggle-inducing halibut cheeks and those of us who could taste -- poor ill Elle -- were moaning and groaning through half the meal. My gluten-sensitive sweetie enjoyed the scrumptious duck dinner and was pretty pleased as well. After dinner, we gorged ourselves on window shopping. Ok, the girls giddily walked hand-in-hand from window to window, peering into vintage and toy shops drooling like our munchkins drool over lemon drops and lollipops. We peered into Glenna's cache of dare-to-be-different designs, into the soon-to-be-closing Trouve of French goodies and also-closing Beauty & the Beast Antiques (FYI: currently anything left is 50% off), into the never-ending shop of gifts and goodies at Ever After, and drooled as if we were our kids at the bevy of beauty at Learning Sprout. (The guys kindly followed us and held up their end of the banter.) We almost made it into Paddy Coyne's for one last drink but the "baby sitter" called us home. (We love grandparents.) But we appreciated having the dilemma of WHERE we were going to have that one last drink ... as there was also Meconi's, Vin Grotto, Matador and so much more just in that end of town alone. (Sadly, the Link stopped at 8 or we were going to walk along the bridge of glass and meander the other half of downtown as well.) Ahh. I'm still lingering in the dreaminess of it all ...
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Get Your Gifts From the Little Guy ... or Gal
Went shopping at Trouve on Antique Row recently and found a plethora of treasures, including a Rosie the Riveter "We Can Do It" poster for under $12. For the Francophiles out there, the place is a veritable haven of treasures that will soon become Paradise Lost. And even those of us not so obessed with all things French will find plenty to purchase. In addition to my poster finds (I bought more than one), there were wonderful Herbal eye pillows, keychains, stationary, rugs, candles, tablecloths, funny shot glasses and so much more.
Unfortunately, by summer it will likely be a mere memory, a myth that Tacoma's boutique shoppers whisper to each other when reminiscing of once was and what they hope is to come. After about seven years of doing quality gift business on Broadway, the owner has given up battling the masses of chain-crazed shoppers who walk on by or only call her to ask for a donation to the charity of the day's next auction.
She will be missed.
For those who will also miss her and her shop, or who have missed out thus far ... stop by. There's still time to snag a treasure at a reasonable price. Still time to show you care about the little guy.
Some other "little guy" (or gal) shops to check out the next time you're shopping for a birthday, wedding, baby shower, or just because you like to find treasures, include:
