Hello from Anna Maria!

Escaped the grayness of Ohio (but I hear it's in the 80's there now) to head south for a while. My family's favorite southern getaway is Anna Maria Island on Florida's gulf coast. For more about this vacation spot visit these blog posts from last year:
first one, our dolphin/Egmont Key trip, my favorite shopping spot on the island.





One of our favorite lunch or snack stops, the Anna Maria City Pier, just a shack on stilts with the best peel and eat shrimp.

Southern Living? How did you miss this shop???

I want to share with you this darling shop called "The Sand Dollar" that my mom discovered. Of all the cute shops on Anna Maria this one appealed to me the most. While on vacation I visited it three times for my retail therapy. It's full of beautiful things that will delight all your senses. Jewelry (with prices you won't believe!), clothing, shoes, candles, furniture, soaps, art, and coastal decor that's not overtly beachy. Want to visit today? Her website is under the darling name of myyellowshovel.com. While I missed meeting the owner (caught a glimpse of her mom busily arranging) the staff was very kind and helpful. They even let me snap a few pictures for all of you.

Brought the sunshine with me...

(photo credit - 15 year old Zach Maughmer)

We are back in beautiful Ohio and it looks like the sun has followed us. I wish these guys could too! They DID follow us through the bay on two of our day trips. If you have the opportunity be sure to hitch a ride out to Egmont Key (a beautiful, uninhabited island) with Captain Frank and Captain Hans.

Janet did a wonderful job holding down the fort and also managed to find time to "hunt & gather". She scored LOADS of ironstone, vintage cottage style lamps, a tall, carved dresser and more. She also tells me she has lots of other goodies she is squirreling away for our 3 day show at Bryn Du in Granville. Be sure to check us and 20+ other collectors out in May, click the logo to the right for details.

I have been through 8 different Ohio counties in the last 24 hours and have a truckful of finds parked in my driveway. Some coming in to the shop and others being revamped and restyled for their May debut. I also have been ordering all kinds of new goods. The laid back charm of old Florida has seeped back into my veins and has inspired several of the orders in addition to a desire to redecorate my whole house! Now where is that husband of mine..."Honey? Do you feel like painting the living room this weekend? Honey? Hello?? Do I smell fresh cut limes? Hmmm..."
(photo collage from "A beach cottage" blog...not Florida but Australia, very inspiring...be sure to visit for some wonderful photos of her beach cottage makeovers and more")