It was all my husband's fault. I was strolling along the sidewalk happily in the heart of downtown Fredericksburg when suddenly he darted down a funky little alley draped in twinkle lights, lined with birds nests and flower boxes. There were old bicycles and chandeliers and mattress springs hanging overhead, oddly beautiful objects scattered here and there along the path. I made no argument to follow, of course. I felt like Alice in Wonderland following the white rabbit.
The path ended strangely at an almost hidden side door, and I am not exaggerating when I tell you l literally gasped when I stepped inside. So many pretty things I could barely take it in. Pretty things do that to me. They take my breath a little. Put too many in one space and I start to have heart palpitations. This was one of those moments.
People. There was entire section dedicated to fairy gardens. Come on.
When Josh wasn't looking I added a teeny tiny fairy-sized robin to my pile. After we got home later I proudly showed it to him all like,"Ta-da!" and he was all, "What is that? Where did it come from? What are you going to do with it?" (Don't let his sarcasm fool ya. He secretly loves it. And I think it was 75 cents, just in case you're ever interested in knowing the cost of a fairy-sized robin.)
There were other treasures too, of course! Like lovely hanging flower bottles I promptly filled with dried lavender from one of the wineries we visited, and a darling little shelf (just the corner of it is pictured below) my husband actually pointed out as perfect to mount over our stove. (See, he secretly loves living in a 'doll house' as he so lovingly refers to it.) I fell for the old watering can the moment I laid eyes on it. I could envision it as a centerpiece filled to overflow with gorgeous ranunculus or peonies. I don't know what I'll do with that pretty hanging jar sitting next to it, but Josh actually suggested planting something flowery in it.
There were other odds and ends: fun extra long match sticks, intoxicating Himalayan candles in perfectly patina'd tins, and other tidbits we stocked away as gifts so unfortunately I probably shouldn't display them here...
But here's the other thing, her prices were fantastic! Especially in a town that knowingly draws antique shoppers in hoards. I was so pleasantly surprised. (you guys know how cheap... er, frugal I am)
I shamelessly gushed to the sweet shop owner about her stunning taste. I couldn't help myself. It was dreamy. Her sweetness was the cherry on top. All things considered, it's fair to declare she quite deserved the gushing!
So if ever you're in the neighborhood, pop into Timeless Menagerie. (I know, even the name is stunning!) Even if it's not your taste it's worth a stop in simply to feel like you're walking thru a candle-lit dream... ;-)
Ok seriously, how gorgeous is this place?!