Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Going to Georgia anytime soon? Atlanta has a hip, funky, affordable, fashionable boutique called SAGE that any of us girls will love. You'll love what you see, but even more you'll love that nothing, well almost nothing, is over $100! Try the Midtown location at Brookwood Place, 1745 Peachtree St. N.E., 404-815-0555 or Buckhead Market Place, 37 West Paces Ferry Rd., 404-233-8280. The newest location, in Cumming (410 Peachtree Parkway, Suite130), should be opening this month. If you get there before me let me know what you think. All stores have weekly shipments of skirts, tops, dresses, accessories, etc. You gotta love it!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I spent the day with my girls hiking around the beautiful Sugarite Canyon State Park a couple of weeks ago. The weather was cool, the colors glorious. If you haven't been to the park, you should check it out. It has a ton of history from dinosaurs to coal mining, species after species of birds, all kind of animals, great fishing, and miles of hiking trails.
Canton, Texas - Part II
Where: Canton is located in East Texas, about an hour from Dallas on Flea Market Rd, Canton, TX 75103
What: First Monday started in the 1850’s as a way to trade goods and services and has grown into a world famous mega flea market shopping experience with hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and thousands every month.
When: Thursday through Sunday prior to the first Monday of every month from 8AM till dark– Thursdays and Fridays are the least crowded.
How: Parking lots are scattered around all sides of the Canton First Monday Trade Days grounds. The rates may vary a bit by location but generally not much at all. Parking fees run around $5.00 per vehicle, ask about a weekend pass
More to do: Check out the local lakes, Canton’s boutiques and outlet stores. In August you’ll want to make time for The Van Zandt County Fair and Rodeo and the Annual Bluegrass Festival. Stop by Granny’s Pie Shop, “Crazy ‘bout’ Cookin” for a slice o’ pie (or the whole kit and kaboodle) Friday-Sunday till the pie’s gone.
Amy's Bed & Breakfast, 107 Rolling Hills, Canton, TX, 75103, (903) 567-2718, cell: (512) 922-5689.
Where: Canton is located in East Texas, about an hour from Dallas on Flea Market Rd, Canton, TX 75103
What: First Monday started in the 1850’s as a way to trade goods and services and has grown into a world famous mega flea market shopping experience with hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and thousands every month.
When: Thursday through Sunday prior to the first Monday of every month from 8AM till dark– Thursdays and Fridays are the least crowded.
How: Parking lots are scattered around all sides of the Canton First Monday Trade Days grounds. The rates may vary a bit by location but generally not much at all. Parking fees run around $5.00 per vehicle, ask about a weekend pass
More to do: Check out the local lakes, Canton’s boutiques and outlet stores. In August you’ll want to make time for The Van Zandt County Fair and Rodeo and the Annual Bluegrass Festival. Stop by Granny’s Pie Shop, “Crazy ‘bout’ Cookin” for a slice o’ pie (or the whole kit and kaboodle) Friday-Sunday till the pie’s gone.
Amy's Bed & Breakfast, 107 Rolling Hills, Canton, TX, 75103, (903) 567-2718, cell: (512) 922-5689.
Canton, Texas - Part I
This trip offers East Texas-friendliness, down-home creature comforts, and some of the greatest flea market shopping on the continent. 100 acres. 6,000 vendors.
Most women I know would give anything to shop with their friends instead of their spouses or male counterparts especially at a venue such as a flea market where one can wander, bargain and browse hour after hour. Have you ever watched women shop? We pick up and touch everything, feeling textures and fabrics even if we have no intention of buying the item.
Get it all at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, a girlfriend’s shopping and treasure hunting paradise. You’ll be able to buy everything from home furnishings to vintage clothing, from antique jewelry to produce and everything in between.
First Monday is open year-round, but spring and fall are the most favorable times to visit because the temperatures are most reasonable. Summer in East Texas is hot, but plenty of water will keep you shopping till dusk. You’ll find plenty of good eats at Canton so you won’t starve. When your heels are achin’, take your loot back to one of the cozy bed and breakfasts around the market. I recommend the all-girls’ lodge, Amy’s Bed and Breakfast, just a mile and a half away.
The market is huge so wear your best walking shoes. This is not the place for flip-flops, trust me. Once in the park, look for a free map of the grounds to plan your shopping day. Even if you don’t want to plan your path, you’ll want to be able to get back to your car.
Some vendors take checks or credit cards, but cash works best especially when bargaining (First Monday Strategy Number One: always ask for the vendor’s best price.] Bring a tote bag, rolling tote, or even a wagon for all your finds. Look for rentable wagons and carts in the market. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone leave the grounds empty-handed. Since First Monday is said to have anything you can think of you’re bound to find plenty you want, need, or just can’t pass up. It is a shopping mecca after all.
This trip offers East Texas-friendliness, down-home creature comforts, and some of the greatest flea market shopping on the continent. 100 acres. 6,000 vendors.
Most women I know would give anything to shop with their friends instead of their spouses or male counterparts especially at a venue such as a flea market where one can wander, bargain and browse hour after hour. Have you ever watched women shop? We pick up and touch everything, feeling textures and fabrics even if we have no intention of buying the item.
Get it all at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, a girlfriend’s shopping and treasure hunting paradise. You’ll be able to buy everything from home furnishings to vintage clothing, from antique jewelry to produce and everything in between.
First Monday is open year-round, but spring and fall are the most favorable times to visit because the temperatures are most reasonable. Summer in East Texas is hot, but plenty of water will keep you shopping till dusk. You’ll find plenty of good eats at Canton so you won’t starve. When your heels are achin’, take your loot back to one of the cozy bed and breakfasts around the market. I recommend the all-girls’ lodge, Amy’s Bed and Breakfast, just a mile and a half away.
The market is huge so wear your best walking shoes. This is not the place for flip-flops, trust me. Once in the park, look for a free map of the grounds to plan your shopping day. Even if you don’t want to plan your path, you’ll want to be able to get back to your car.
Some vendors take checks or credit cards, but cash works best especially when bargaining (First Monday Strategy Number One: always ask for the vendor’s best price.] Bring a tote bag, rolling tote, or even a wagon for all your finds. Look for rentable wagons and carts in the market. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone leave the grounds empty-handed. Since First Monday is said to have anything you can think of you’re bound to find plenty you want, need, or just can’t pass up. It is a shopping mecca after all.
Fall is the perfect time of year for one of my favorite pieces of shopping paradise, First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX. My Texas buddies all know about this place and love searching out for the fun, unusual, and bargain goodies. I've even visited First Monday as a vendor selling baseball cards of all things. It's all about the bargaining, no matter which side of the First Monday table you're on. From my experiences, my girlfriends are much better at this than my dear hubby. Girls love a good deal, love bragging about it and showing it off.
Here's a way to recreate the trip:
Thursday, October 9, 2008
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