my daily temptation…

i actually have more than one! but the one i’m writing about today is the tempation i face every day when i go to the loft. i’m on a block surrounded by antique stores. which is awesome, but at the same time, costly. last week, i finished up with a secret photoshoot (i’m doing lots of sessions lately for Christmas surprises) and as i walked by the antique store next door, this caught my eye-

the coolest dining set with well designed tulip chairs. i’m not even normally a fan of this era of design and yet it really caught my eye. so unique. it made me think about all of the great one-of-a-kind pieces that are available right here in my little town. i love my town. i love that i have a relationship with the shop owners on and around my block. we know each other by name and trust each other. i know that they watch out for me and i watch out for them. i like that if i find a piece i like in one of the shops, they’ll let me take it next door or even home with me to see if it will work.

and even though i love to go antiquing wherever i travel and take daytrips to antique shops around this area, i always try to buy from my local shops first. if they have what i’m looking for, i would much rather support my locals. since our family has a few members who work on commission and we’ve had experience in food service/waiting tables, we are pretty aware of the difference our choices make as we buy/shop/dine. i don’t feel confined to this, just aware. it’s a matter of people’s livlihoods. anyway, the *b* list today is based on my daily temptation of walking past the storefronts around my block….and particularly dining sets. i just think it’s interesting that there are such unique and cool options locally. i would be happy, more than happy with any of these sets. i’m not a cookie cutter kinda furniture shopper : )

*b* list of my local shops dining sets

yankee peddler west. the store across the alley to the east of the loft. i worked for vince and kerstin years ago when they first opened this unique shop. i can always find something really unique here. they have an unbelievable inventory of quality books. plus their collection of art blows me away. not to mention the mid-century furniture and collectibles. they have quite a vast collection of tasteful one of a kind treasures. if you have an interest in this amazing dining set, let me know and i’ll put you in touch with vince and kerstin.

i love this set so much! if i had a lot of time and money, i would buy this for my cousin erika and load it up in the trailer and take it to her! i can’t believe no one has snatched it up yet! here’s the thing about antiquing here too…it’s so affordable. i met a woman on friday who lives in san francisco and travels to the midwest twice a year to buy vintage clothing for her business there. she said that even with shipping and travel costs, she still comes out way ahead. i’ve met lots of different people from all over the country, who travel here to buy for their own shops.

back to the set above. it’s in the shop right below the loft, called uncle sam’s. kurt and connie have been awesome not only to lease space from, but also just getting to know them. they have a knack for finding really unique pieces across the board. AND they always have a KILLER window. last year, i know i shared photos of their “Christmas Story” window….complete with the manniquin leg lamp. good stuff!

dimestore days. lynn and her sister have had a great thing going for many years! the things they find and bring in to their shop are probably the most like my personal style. i can walk in to dimestore days any day and find more than one or two pieces that i would love to have and that would work in my house. their inventory seems to change quite consistently too. i know that when tom’s sister comes to town from the northwest, dimestore days is a must every trip.

park avenue antiques. this shop is around the corner from the loft, but i stop in quite often….especially if i’ve been out walking during a photo session and spot something outside or in the window. i wish i had a space for this painted farm table! i love it. park ave carries a huge inventory of large custom furniture. the owner and his staff are genius in their woodworking skills. they carry many many original antiques, but they also rework pieces and actually build reproduction pieces like none i’ve ever seen anywhere else. lots of times when i’ve stopped in over the years, they will have literally stacks of furniture halfway to the ceiling that are waiting to be picked up by dealers or shipping companies from all over the world.

so, the interesting thing about the local shops, is to my knowledge, they do not have an online presence. i’m not sure why? it’s not like they are supported totally by locals, so word of mouth for them may be key? regardless, we have quality shops here. i always tell people who come in from out of town for a photo session, to plan to take some time while they’re here to check out the shops. plus, we have a couple of awesome restaurants within blocks too. tom and i could easily make a day of a downtown area like fremont. there are other shops that i haven’t even mentioned. oh and we have a harley shop too, to keep your man happy : )

i met emily and her family at jess and russ’ wedding this summer. we set up a photo session quite a while ago, but the weather kept us from getting it done until last week. the day we got together was really chilly, but they braved it and i think we got some really fun shots!

so much personality in such a little person.

black dogs can be hard to photograph, but with the contrast of the leaves and the lighting, this worked out perfectly!~

i love when families are spontaneous enough around me to do what they do naturally.

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this was the last shot of the session…dad walked up and squeezed his girls from behind and the dog walked into the frame…how perfect! thanks for having me take your family photos joel and emily!

totally unrelated to anything i’ve posted today, but something i read this morning and i think it’s brilliant.

“the question i must ask myself: would others say that i lift them up or take them down?” john maxwell

God bless your day!