Who Let the Girls Out

Last Friday the office was closed and since I was off work Mommy wanted to go to Spokane.  As we traveled through the town of Newport, we noticed that several of the businesses were not yet ready for Saturday’s event of Who Let the Girls Out.  Specifically we were looking at Floral Expressions where Mommy occasionally works, because Mommy had worked there earlier in the week (Wednesday) and they were just pulling out the boxes for all of the decorating and a couple of ladies were coming in later that day to help set up the trees.  A few hours later when we were coming back (about 7:30 PM) we drove past again and they still weren’t ready (same with a few other stores where we noticed the ladies decorating and doing last minute prepping).  We felt for them, there were many events when we ran our store that we would stay late into the night arranging, rearranging, pricing, creating, and prepping hoping and praying to be ready in time for the event and it’s a lot of work.

But boy, when the day finally comes and people show up, it’s all worth it.  I’m not sure how each business fared that day but if the amount of ladies out and about going from shop to shop meant anything at all they it was a huge success.

 

After the junior high we went along Highway 2 to our first stop Into the Garden Up to the Lake situated at 1092 Hwy 2.  It’s a nice little seasonal shop that takes in artistic consignments.  There is a lot to look at for inside and outside your home.

Next on our route was Floral Expressions located at 125 N. Washington.  I’m sad that I didn’t get a picture of these really awesome glass lights that were behind the counter.  Floral Expressions is run by Donna and is a floral and gift shop.  While we were there we enjoyed some hot apple cider and looked around at all the new holiday finds.

There were three large trees and a few smaller ones.

 

 

And I love these robins that I first noticed in the spring, adorable.

Since it was a drizzly day we drove down to the next little area that had the next three shops.  The first was the Kitchen Shoppe positioned at 211 S. Washington.  It was packed with people purchasing and looking at various kitchen utensils and cooking supplies as well as those watching and enjoying the cooking demonstrations. 

Just a couple of blocks away at 306 S. Washington is My Sister's Cottage.

It is a wonderful home décor and gift shop.  The front part of the store has more of a lodge/ western motif while the back part is very feminine.  There were mantel places galore and this was one of my favorite vignettes.

 

And this is what welcomes you as you enter the store

the entire store is very warm and inviting.

 

And across the street at 317 S. Washington is Just Because, a charming fashion boutique.  It has fashionable clothing, jewelry, handbags, skin products and luggage.  They were serving wine and champagne to guests along with some delicious brownie bites with a smidge of cream cheese frosting and half a chocolate covered strawberry on top.  What could be better then some great clothes and yummy treats.

The adorable Maggie owns and operates Shanty found at 235 N. Union did an amazing job with her store (well Maggie and her wonderful friends who helped out).  I met Maggie at the WLTGO in May as we talked about her store and the house she and her hubby purchased and refinished to make into this wonderful dream of hers.  This little boutique is a sight to behold.  It is part gift store part clothing shop part café and part hang out.  I love her display pieces the most.  She had this large cleaned up chicken coop and each of the cubbies held merchandise and you all know how much I love cubbies.  You can check out that great piece on Maggie’s blog.

In addition to her everyday merchandise,

she was decked out for Christmas with bright festive colors.

 

And refreshments were abundant as always.  Mimosas sprinkled with pomegranate seeds, espressos, fresh fruit, pumpkin cookies with maple frosting, and much more.   

Can you tell which store I liked the most?  I truly enjoyed them all, and I’m not quite finished…

 

There was one last stop before we headed back home and that was Rivers Edge Treasures at 203 E. 4th Street. 

Lona had brought in her own leaves to COVER the entire outside walkway of the store.

As you can read on the windows above Rivers Edge Treasures is a compilation of vintage, antique, consignment, home décor, furniture and a whole lot more.  I really liked the white section especially this large Father Christmas and white flocked tree.

Then there was the show stopper tree, called the Fairy Tree that is actually being donated to the Newport Hospital Foundation for the second annual Festival of Trees.  This event is a dinner, gala and tree auction with raffle tickets going for $1 a piece.  That event will happen at one of their local schools on December 5^th.

 

Over all it was a delightful event that jump started my holiday cheer.  Many thanks to all the ladies who put in a lot of hours getting everything ready for the community. 

I hope they are all up to doing it again in the spring.

Comments

[Linda Pierce]

WOW! That looks like a truly magical shopping experience! Wish we had events like that here in England. Your photos are just gorgeous, and have really put me in a Christmassy mood! Thanks:):)

[Mama Holli]

Great photos!!! So fun to look at and puts me in a Happy Christmas Spirit!!!
Bookmarking your blog to come back and visit!
Mama Holli

[Sian]

I really enjoyed this virtual shopping trip. Made me feel very Christmassy

[Melissa Burford]

Thanks for the comments! It was a lot of fun and really put me in the Christmas spirit.