I realize this may be a little anti-climatic because many of you have made the pilgrimage to Atchison, Kansas, to see Mary Carole Garity’s beautiful home at Christmas. I would love to do that one day. The closest i got was about six or seven years ago while on a business trip (this was before Drew was born and i was still working in a museum job) SO i had a meeting in TOPEKA, Kansas which is not too far from Atchison but not well, very close. So I get done with the meeting and check out of the hotel and figure i have JUST enough time to DRIVE up to Atchison and then DRIVE to the airport in Kansas City, check the car in and board the plane. Of course this was the first time i had flown much since 9/11 so i knew i needed some extra time but oh well… I WAS GOIN TO NELL HILLS! (and dont worry, i checked and there was unlimited mileage on the rental car, i wasnt going to get fired over a trip to Nell Hills;;)

so after a few wrong turns and a much longer drive than i anticipated, i finally made it to Atchison and YALL, it is a beautiful little town. I am such a dork because i was so excited (i am actually getting excited typing about it)…it was cold and rainy and i am a little “rushed” as I barrelled into the store and who is standing there looking all serene???? MARY CAROLE herself..so sweet and charming, just the ultimate shopkeeper as one of the commenters said on the previous post. I’ve even read she doesnt even have an office at her stores???? anyway, she hugged me and signed my book and i told her “i’ve come all the way from Texas” and she was just super nice. The sad part was i had to rush though the store because of time and there are (or were) THREE stores, the main Nell Hills store, the store with bedding in the old bank (name??) and the “big furniture pieces, not merchandised” store (my fave)..lots of neat old Art Deco buildings..LOVE THIS TOWN..it is on the banks of the Missouri River (right?) and just picturesque..i totally want to go back one day and do the Christmas tour… for those of you have been…i am jealous!;; and if you have been and have pictures to share, please link in the comments.

One last thing, i have to say the things i love the most about the entire Nell Hill “brand” are not just the books or the items for sale in the store but really the way it is all merchandised and the stores themselves..the black awnings, the urns, the logo..just the way it is all pulled together really appeals to me..i think deep down i would love to have a store..just not the responsibility!

and what did i buy? a cute little black tole looking tray (everything is reproduction in her stores pretty much..lots of smalls and qty because she has a massive demand but that is ok), some chunky glass knobs i have on my changing table AND the most genius thing you can buy RIGHT BEFORE YOU BOARD A PLANE…a little knife set..little antler not cheap knife set…brilliant! so on my way to the KC airport it dawns on me “knives, 9/11, they will throw them in the TRASH!” so i swooped in to a TINY post office in small town on the way to the KC airport, Kansas, and MAILED them to my home address! I am sure that little town postmaster thought i was nuts because i was in a rush, have i mentioned i was rushing! ha!

And now Mary Carole has an online store with some great decorator items that give a wonderful traditional and collected look for a great price point. She also has paint now i think! so check out her online store!

check back over the weekend for more Christmas eye candy, my gifts picks/faves list which will all be pretty cheap and will include some baby/children’s items, and more next week on that ‘keeping it simple’ thing!;; It is snowing in Texas (well sort of) yall stay warm!