Pandemic Shopping with Rae

Small businesses appreciate every single sale. I know, because I am one. During the pandemic is is truly important to support those small businesses you love.

Rewind Decor. I love everything about this place and have bought a fabulous 1970s black leather lounge there. It was designed by Ingmar Relling who was a major player in the Scandinavian Mid-Century movement. Also got two of the vintage chairs above. They are a fun addition to the screened porch. If you need a little outing don your mask and go visit Morgan. 1336 Williamson St, Madison. Or if you are staying in check him out on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/rewinddecor/

Equally delightful are Hatch Art House and Hazel General Store at 1248 Williamson St, Madison. This is my go to place for gifts. We need to buy as much local as we can to help places like this stay in business. I recently got 2 birthday gifts there. Hatch is full of art and Hazel is a general store full of fun things. I am sure it will be an easy one-shop-spot for you. While both gifts I bought came from Hazel, Hatch carries my cards. Be sure to say hi to Tammy when you stop by. https://www.instagram.com/hatcharthouse

Jack + Ella Paper has endless cute cards. During the pandemic I think it is more important than ever to send cards, postcards and small gifts as everyone is more housebound. Just a little note that you are thinking about someone can turn a sad day into a good one. I send mail to 90+ year olds in assisted living and those who need a note so they know they are not alone. It is not that hard. But the important thing is to have cards on hand. Jessica has endless cards: pet sympathy cards, graduation, birthday, knitting, sewing, gratitude and lots more.

Her cards are also at Hatch and on her website https://www.jackandellapaper.com

P.S. and the illustrations are mine!

Be safe everyone!

Palm Springs... Part 3.

On the way to Salvation Mountain we passed by the Salten Sea. The Salton Sea is an inland saline lake in the Sonoran Desert of extreme southeastern California. It occupies the Salton Basin, a remnant of prehistoric Lake Cahuilla. It is bordered on the south by the rich agricultural areas of the Imperial Valley and on the west, by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Both the Salton Sea State Recreation Area and the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge are located on its shores.

Read more: https://www.desertusa.com/salton/salton.html#ixzz58ndnhYvs

Leaving Salvation Mountain we drove through Slab City. Very, very interesting. Slab City, or The Slabs, is a free campsite and alternative living community located near an active bombing range in the desert city of Niland, California. Previously an old WWII base, Marine Barracks Camp Dunlap, the campsite earns its name for the concrete slabs that remained long after the military base had been bulldozed and abandoned. More here https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/slab-city-california

The other side of this building welcomes you and this is the message on your way out.

Of course there was golf for John and some shopping for me. As far as I could tell the shopping was all DT. One end the nicer stores and as you continue you get the souvenir shops. If you like the artist Shag's work stop in his store. I always like to get a piece of art when we travel. This time I got this graphic on a pillow and similar coasters. Goes well in the living room with the green couch and loveseat which although new has mid-century lines.

I also shopped at Dazzle which has old 80s plastic or bake light earrings. I am collecting some for Summer.

I can recommend the Eight 4 Nine restaurant for lunch near the Shag store. I am still thinking about the smoked salmon nicoise salad. Ask for the happy hour menu. Even if it is lunch time.

We enjoyed our first visit to this area. I had some preconceived ideas about Palm Springs that were wrong. The house colors were almost always white and sandy earth tones. I was looking for the old Palm Springs. I expected an old area that was pastel stucco, especially soft pink. I hoped to take photos of old signage and didn't find any. I thought there would be an area that would have supper clubs and tiki bars where we would have old fashioned cocktails with Frank singing in the background. Not so.

And that is the end of a lovely week.

Palm Springs... Part 2

Mid week we took a day trip to Salvation Mountain. It is a bit of a trip from Palm Springs. But it was a good way for us to get out in the desert. I love kitsch. Salvation Mountain is visually Grandma Moses gets religion.

Salvation Mountain is Leonard' Knight's tribute to God and his gift to the world with its simple yet powerful message: "God Is Love." Leonard's passion has lovingly created this brilliant "outsider art " masterpiece resplendent with not only biblical and religious scripture such as the Lord's Prayer, John 3:16, and the Sinner's Prayer, but also including flowers, trees, waterfalls, suns, bluebirds, and many other fascinating and colorful objects. - Official Salvation Mountain Site

For some reason I really love this composition.

Thanks for traveling along... one last post next week.