Beautiful Bounty

I'm on my way to Laguna Beach, California on Tuesday for some R&R with my sister and my daughter. I plan on taking a trip up the coast to one of my favorite stores in all the world Bountiful.




No doubt you've heard about it or seen photos, but nothing less than a thorough inspection in person does it justice. It is a ramshackle collection of rooms and outdoor spaces that look as if they could fall down at any moment. Tiny, rickety stairways lead upstairs past eye candy galore into small rooms filled with treasure. The whole place is just chock full of shabby chic morsels of delight.




My favorite thing about the store are the dogs. Last time I was there I was greeted by two lovely rescue greyhounds. They follow you throughout your journey - around the store - up the stairs - outside to the beautiful gardens. I wanted to buy them and take them home.



The owner, Sue Balmsforth, whom I was lucky enough to meet a couple of years ago, has a keen eye for unique finds. Almost everything has a crackled, well aged coat of white paint or a gilded finish. She stocks a fantastic line of beeswax candles that come in a huge array of shapes and sizes. The cabinet that houses them is almost as impressive as the candles themselves. I have never seen them anywhere else. I can't remember the brand name but I will post it after I get back hopefully with some new pictures of the shop and of course the dogs.