Let's Go Shopping!

Autumn!  It's here!  Do you know what I like best about autumn? If you guessed the cooler temperatures, the crispness in the air, the changing leaves, the frost on the pumpkin, well, you're close. Yes, I do love all of these things, but what I really like is the shopping.  Not to confuse shopping with actually buying (although I did pick up an item or two), I just love seeing how the shops are transformed into fall both inside and out. Today I visited a number of my favorite places: Oma's Barn, The White Hare, and Pier One. 

I found something inviting at each place. Photography was a bit of a challenge considering how dark and atmospheric some of the rooms were, but I did my best to get a usable shot or two.  So, come along and join me.

First stop, Oma’s Barn.

Isn’t this a lovely display?  There are a number of ways in which to turn upon entering Oma’s; this is what you see if you head to the left.

Pumpkins and holiday décor were both inside and out. This whimsical little guy really got to me.  Too cute!

I saw this Western-style, half Christmas tree hanging on the wall as soon as I walked in the door.  It has little spurs and saddles, and sheriff stars all over it.  I’m not a western person, per se, but I am still smarting from the cancellation of Longmire, and thought it might be fun to have a Longmire tree this year.

Next stop, Pier One.

I thought it was time to put the wreath of white dogwood flowers away, so bought this one.  I wasn’t sure how it would look against the brown paint, but it has lots of sparkle and I really like it.

This chest of drawers that looks like a stack of suitcases really blew me away.  You know my penchant for suitcases, right?  And you know the trouble I have been having working on the coastal guest room.  The chest in that room would lend itself quite nicely to this type of treatment, and the whole suitcase thing would be fitting for a guest room.  Now to decide what colors to use considering the room is in sea tones. 

Here’s a close-up view of the hardware.

Last stop, The White Hare. 

Lots of darling Halloween displays, and some beautifully decorated rooms, some I could move right into.

 See the curved key napkin rings in this picture?  I fell in love with them and bought a set to go with some pumpkin colored napkins from Pier One.  I think I’ll be able to use these in a lot of table settings.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many beautiful lamps in one place as I have here.

I love the old world map look.

Speaking of which, I have no idea what these are, but I love them.  I can only imagine what Mr. O-P would say if I came home with this set and mounted them on the wall. 

Aside from the wreath, I ended up with these placemats and napkin rings from White Hare, and the napkins from Pier One.  Can’t wait to show you how I use them.  Happy shopping!

This post is linked to: 

Mosaic Monday

Tabletop Tuesday

Inspiration Gallery Thursday
Wow Us Wednesdays

Show and Tell Friday 

Friday Unfolded
Fridays Flash Blog

Simple and Sweet Fridays

What To Do Weekend 
The Weekend re-Treat

Return to Oma's Barn

It's not often that I become obsessed with something. Well, okay, it IS, but it's not often that it follows me around quite as much as did this stack of suitcases that I saw on my first visit to Oma's barn, mentioned here. I'm not quite sure what my decorating style is in the entry hall and living room, but I guess you could call it “seasoned traveler, ” and these just seemed to fit right in. 

For some time I have been struggling with the drabness of the entry hall, but I didn't really know what it needed. Once I saw these, I knew immediately what it needed, these suitcases! So, yesterday I was enjoying our beautifully cool, unseasonable weather, and back at Oma's wandering both in and out of the Barn. It's not air conditioned, and the last time I visited it was in the 90s, so not particularly conducive to browsing. This week, in the 70s, it was perfect for browsing, and boy did I; I could have come home with a lot more than just suitcases!

What you don't see here (and what I didn't notice the first time) is that these are on a table, so not nearly as high as I thought. The second one was gone, but a small one was underneath the table, so I got it, and the top one, and third and fourth ones in this picture. The great news is, they are NEW, they just look vintage (Read: not stinky, and don't you honest-to-goodness vintage people get after me here. I have had no end of trouble trying to get the mildew-y stink out of a bird cage that I bought, and I just do not have time to re-line and de-funkify a stack of suitcases, so this was a relief.).  Also, I spent about $50 less than I was expecting, also a relief. Mr. O-P loved the place and bought a pillow that featured a frontispiece from an18th-century book, perfect for him as professor emeritus of 18th century British literature. 

It was a great day and I have to admit that I am pretty excited. See that basket-y looking thing on top of the suitcases? It is a lantern. Very cool! It has a glass insert and when you burn a candle you get the look of a basket lit, and sort of glowing, from the inside. That's next on my wish list.

Here's a look at the exterior of Oma's where you can also buy live plants and fresh eggs!

Shopping was followed lunch at McGurk's Irish Pub, dining in the patio garden and enjoying bacon wrapped shrimp on cheese grits. Grits were a first for me, and I loved them. If you've not tried them before, give them a whirl. 

Cheese Grits

Slightly adapted from Alton Brown

2 cups whole milk
2 cups homemade chicken stock
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup coarse ground cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded
4 ounces smoked Gouda, shredded

Place the milk, stock, and salt into a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once the milk mixture comes to a boil, gradually add the cornmeal while continually whisking. Once all of the cornmeal has been incorporated, decrease the heat to low and cover. Remove lid and whisk frequently, every 3 to 4 minutes, to prevent grits from sticking or forming lumps; make sure to get into corners of pot when whisking. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is creamy.

Remove from the heat, add the pepper and butter, and whisk to combine. Once the butter is melted, gradually whisk in the cheese a little at a time. Serve immediately.

This post is linked to:

Show and Tell Friday 

Friday Unfolded
Fabulously Creative Friday
Fridays Flash Blog

Foodie Friday

Simple and Sweet Fridays

Linda’s at What To Do Weekend 
Shauna’s at The Weekend re-Treat

Girls' Day Out

Every girl deserves a day out, right?  Well, yesterday was my day.  Joined by a like-minded friend, we first hit Miss Aimee B’s Tea Room in Midtown Saint Charles, MO for a delicious meal (lunch for her, breakfast for me), and then headed to Oma’s Barn in neighboring community, St. Peters, for an investigation.  Miss Aimee B’s is a fun place, and one that I have mentioned here before.  Quaint shops and yummy food make this a must see if you are passing through the area.  Two of their recipes I have shared in the past, one for Old Fashioned Buttermilk Coconut Pie and the other for the sensational Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler, the reason alone why I now love rhubarb.  We shared one after our meal today and it is always remarkably good. 

I had read about Oma’s about a year ago, and had wanted to go, but somehow just never got around to it. 

I’m sorry now that I hadn’t because it is a delightful place, filled to the rafters with wonderful home decor and gift items, linens and jewelry, quirky collectibles, and surrounded by flowers and garden supplies. 

As the name indicates, it is really an old, converted barn.  It’s also not air conditioned, so was a bit warm on this 94 degree day.  

That still did not deter us from examining every item, and making plans to return. 

It is open from March 1^st until December 30^th, and the décor changes with each season.  I know this is going to become one of my regular haunts and I can hardly wait to go back.

Miss Aimee B’s

837 First Capitol Drive
St. Charles, MO 63301

(636) 946-4202

Oma’s Barn

1057 Missouri Highway 79

 St Peters, MO 63376
(636) 442-2246

This post is linked to:

Amaze Me Monday

Mosaic Monday

Metamorphosis Monday

Tuesday Garden Party

Tuesdays At Our Home
Inspire Me Tuesday

The Scoop

Wow Us Wednesday
Work It Wednesday

What’s It Wednesday

Inspiration Gallery Thursday

Home and Garden Thursday

The Weekend re-Treat

Clever Chicks Blog Hop