The table top that I'm sharing with you today, sadly isn't mine. Isn't it a feast for the eyes? A blogger's dream? You are looking at what you first see when you open the door to State Street Market in Alton, IL. Do you see those place card holders? Tiny pots with bird nests and they are packaged in cardboard egg cartons...too cute! I walked in the door and I know that owner Kary Lockwood heard my *sigh* as I looked around. When I told her that my blogging friends would love her shop, she gave me permission to take pictures...you all would like her!
This gives you a better idea of just how many pretty things there are in Kary's shop. The feeling is very "French inspired" with table tops of bottles, jars and various home goods and gifts. She also carries artisan breads, organic free-trade coffee, domestic and imported wines, craft beers and gourmet foods. As bj @ sweet nothings would say..."oh honey"!
I just love it when the owner of a shop is willing to actually talk to me. I felt very welcomed as I came in the door.
We came home from Kary's shop with the most delicicous soft Companion Bavarian Pretzels. They are made in St. Louis and Kary has them fresh on weekends. Yum.
Alton, IL is a river city of very old buildings and homes, steep streets and interesting architecture.
This is the ceiling of an empty room in a building that houses various shops. I had to stick the camera through a gate and point up. I'm not sure if you can tell how pink the trim is and how ornate the ceiling is. If only walls could talk. Alton has several antique shops, from the dirty and junky to the elegant and beautiful.
We also enjoyed a fun, crazy lunch at Fast Eddie's Bon Air. We saw Fast Eddie's on the Food Network. It is a huge bar with delicious, cheap food and a huge crowd. You walk in and place your order (shrimp-29 cents each, half pound burgers-99 cents, steak on a stick-2.99, homemade brats-99 cents, basket of fries-99 cents)...it was a very busy place and well worth the stop.
We left Alton and drove on down the river road past the Piasa Bird on the cliff. You can read about the legend of the Piasa Bird here.
We drove through the village of Elsah. It is a darling village of quaint homes, skinny streets and also the home of Principia College, a small Christian Science College.
How cute is this little house?
We ended our drive at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, IL.
The lodge is rustic and beautiful, the grounds are obviously pretty
now...and simply breathtaking in the fall.
We did stop at an estate sale in Elsah. It was a couple who were selling a lifetime of things for a move to California. They had beautiful antique furniture, vintage baby clothes, tons of Lenox China, crystal and sterling silver pieces. I was drolling over so many things...but, I restrained myself.
I bought 6 heavy silver chargers for $22.50, love them.
I also bought 6 Adams China Wedgewood Cream Empress
dinner plates for $15. I'm in love with them. I also found
out when I got home that I got a very good deal on these.
You still have time to sign up for my GIVEAWAY!
I am linking today with:
Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
Linda @ Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Please stop in to visit our hostesses!
17 comments:
Your day sounds like it was spectacular. The shop sounds and looks fantastic, I would have had a field day there. I love your new chargers, I love estate sales!! I've heard of Alton, but I didn't know it was so picturesque! The skinny houses are SO cute! Thanks for taking us along, Sue!
xoxo
Jane
Sue, what a great day trip you had! I love the ceiling of that building. Sounds like you were able to find some great bargains...we don't have estate sales like that where I am from. Love Fast Eddie's too! Joni
Sue,
Please save a seat in your car for me during your next road trip! Love the little store, the beautiful ceiling and all your great buys!
I can't wait to see them in up coming tablescapes!
Dee dee
Sue, what a great shop. I love the cow prints behind her. Did you buy any chance see the price on them. Just curious of her prices compared to here. I love cow prints. Must be the country French thing. Thanks for sharing your little excursion with us. Looked like a fun day.
Thanks for sharing your trip with us - enjoyed the tour. The food looks good at Fast Eddie's, and great prices. I remember seeing that show with Alton brown. Those charges are so pretty!
My dream is to visit a store like that .It's very charming!The cow print, the bottles, are gorgeous!
Hugs.Fatima-Scrapart.
You caught my eye when you said The Great River Road! It was great to see pictures of places that are so familiar to me. I live just outside of St. Louis and we have taken the river road many times. Now that I am older, I am hoping to go and enjoy the little shops along the way. Growing up, all we did was take a drive and ride on the ferry! Thanks for sharing and bringing back memories!
Sounds like you had a fun-filled and relaxing drive alonf the river. Thank you for taking me along1 La
What a great drive and such quaint and fun little towns. Kary's shop just sounds wonderful and so fabulous eye candy. Lunch was a dream come true, and the prices are just incredible. Wish I had been there. Your chargers and plates are definitely a steal. Such a fun outing. Thanks for sharing. Also, thanks for linking to TTT. Hugs, Marty
What an enjoyable outing you just had. I would have enjoyed that immensely. The dishes you purchased are so pretty, love the chargers too...Christine
What a great day Sue!
Whenever you do posts on Illinois, it brings me back to my childhood and places we visited.
That shop was very neat but the estate sale looked like it was fantastic!
Boy, do I love your silver chargers!
Great pics too.
Cindy
I saw the title of this post and I started jumping up and down. I have been trying to get someone to do the whole of Great River Road with me all summer but no one has the time. Now I want to go even more just from the glimpse of the couple towns you hit here!
Sounds like a fun day adventure! Fast Eddie's seems too good to be true! I love the dinner plates - very classic.
Looks like you had a very nice day! The chargers are beautiful!
Look at all that yummy glass! I can feel a shopping trip coming on.
Those dinner plates are so classic and pretty. I love when you get a good deal on such awesome things. go you!
Oh, Sue, I wish I had been there with you! I so love to browse shops like this. I'm a jealous wreck about those silver chargers! :-)
Absolutely gorgeous ~ and the plates are too. I can only imagine what beautiful tablescapes you will create.
Seems like a beautiful day you had ~ I'm glad!
xoxo
Pat
Post a Comment