Around Town... Local Sculpture

Today's post will be short and... well considering the subject of the picture, maybe not so sweet, or sweet in a twisted way. I was going to do a post on the Historic Airlie Gardens in town, but was told by the people there I was not allowed to share photos of their grounds unless I want to pay $200 per picture. Ironically, you can find thousands of pictures posted online if you would like to see what it does look like. It is a shame because it is a beautiful park opened to the public but well, now owned by the city. Ah, politics and bureaucracy, the only institutions, who feel entitled to charge what mother nature provides for free.  

So instead I will share a photo of this sculpture that stands outside our downtown post office. The photo doesn't do it justice. It is amazing in person and when the sunlight hits the glass the makes up the 'jaws of death', it almost appears to come to life. Unfortunately, the artist is not listed but this particular one is titled "Southern Hospitality".

To see more of our pedestrian art, click here.

Around Town... Down Island Traders

Where else can you walk into what appears to be a normal gift store on the outside and be transported into Poseidon’s treasure cove?

Down Island Traders is a lovely import shop where you could spend hours and still not see everything. It truly feels like discovering a pirate’s secret treasure cave.  It is sensory overload at its best. Nearly every inch is covered with something unique and wonderful, from the statues on the floors, to the dragon kites and ships hanging from the ceiling. They have exquisite jewelry, statues, furniture and hundreds of items to look at. They have wonderfully music playing to set just the right mood without being distracting.  You can feel the textures of the hand carved items and smell the wonderful incense wafting through the air.

They have items that will make you smile, ones that will make you ooh and ah, and ones that will have you saying, “wow, where did they find that”.  As you walk through you will find yourself picturing friends and family as you say to yourself, “… would love that.”  It would be hard not to find something in here that anyone on your gift list would love.  I could make a long list and still not cover everything they have to offer, so I’ll let the pictures entice you.

Down Island Traders is located in the historic downtown of Wilmington, NC. Be sure to check out their website if you don’t live locally.

Around Town... Planet

This week we are going to visit a fabulous little novelty store called Planet. If you are looking for something unusual, unique maybe even a touch bohemian, then you definitely want to stop in this shop. In additional to great little novelty items, you will also find jewelry, lunch boxes, belt buckles, cigarette/card cases, bags, cards, bohemian clothing items, t-shirts, scarves, some great Doc Marten footwear, vintage military items & suitcases, items made by local artists and of course my favorite thing… hats. Lots of fabulous hats. Like many of the downtown stores, Planet is long and narrow and packs a lot into a small space. This store is a smorgasbord of eye candy. There is something for just about everyone here. It is a great place to find that unique gift for the person who has everything, is impossible to shop for or just needs something fun & frivolous for a change. I get my nieces and nephews gifts here and have been dubbed the coolest aunt.

So next time your downtown, stop in and say hi to the lovely owner, Patrizia. If you live out of town, check out her website. It’s a work in progress, but you can contact her to order any items you see in the pictures that haven’t made it to the website yet.

The duckies greet you as you walk in the door.

The wall of novelty items

The prints on the brick wall add to the charm

Kurt would have loved this store!

Okay a little blurry, but you get the idea- lots of clothes & hats

The military & memorabilia nook

To read some customer reviews and see more pictures visit Yelp.

Planet is located at 108 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 and is open seven days a week.

Around Town... Down To Earth

Welcome to the wondrous apothecary Down to Earth. If you visit their website you will find their many aromatics, but to really experience what they have to offer you must step inside the store located in The Cotton Exchange (a former cotton mill). The store is a mystical delight of the senses. In addition to a vast array of aromatic items they have beautiful jewelry, statues, jars, kimonos, figurines, pendulums and more.

As you walk through the front door you will be tempted by the Buddha Board and directly to your right perking out from the displays is an enchanting dryad. The owners and staff will greet you with a smile and answer any questions you may have about the multitude of products. Watch out, you will have so much fun chatting with these lovely ladies time will slip right past you. They are also great at helping you pick out and put together gifts.

Let’s take a stroll around the store (and as always if you see anything you like that is not on the website contact them and they will be happy to help you).

Several people have asked on past Around Town Posts if I take the pictures you see and the answer is yes. With my little point and shoot camera I try to capture as much of the stores for you as I can.

Around Town... The Celtic Shop

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the day than to take you on a trip to Ireland. Ok, well, I can’t afford to do that, so the next best thing is to take you on a tour of The Celtic Shop in the old Cotton Mill in downtown Wilmington. No passport required for this journey, just a love of all things Irish.

Walking into The Celtic Shop is truly like teleporting to the olde country. When you walk through the doors you will be greeted by the wonderful Laura Lambert (the store proprietor), Flip (the beautiful and most lovable pit bull you’ll ever meet) and if he’s feeling social, Danny Boy (a huge- must be the Irish food and regal tabby). You will hear soothing Celtic music playing as you stroll down the aisles (if you listen really hard you may even hear a faerie or two singing along). Anything you could want, this shop has. They have t-shirt, pottery, cards, pewter, mugs, jewelry, blankets, figurines, flags, cd’s…… you name it, if it’s Irish, Scottish or Celtic you will find it. If you don’t, you really will have to go to Ireland to get it. This is where the stateside leprechauns come to shop and get in touch with their roots, so if you are in town, stop by for a chat and some wonderful gifts, you may even see one of the wee folk peaking out from behind a plate.

I could go on and on, but I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story:

Flip

Sadly, there isn’t a web site, but if you see anything in the pictures you can’t live without or you’re looking for a particular Celtic inspired item, give Laura a call at 910-763-1990 and she’ll take care you.

Of course you know I have many items from here; my favorites being a Scottish Kilt Purse and a shamrock and ladybug pin. In fact, I think the pin is so fabulous, I picked up an extra one to give away to one lucky commenter. To be in the drawing to win one all you have to do is comment on one of the Irish inspired post this week.

Around Town... Aqua Fedora

Before Aqua Fedora moved into the this small nook in our historic downtown, it was the home of 008, a trendy but over- boutique that mainly catered to the college students and the local TV actresses. Mere mortals like myself, try not to overpay that much for the items we wear, so as much as I liked the previous owner (who were exceptionally nice), I never shopped there. Luckily the new owners realize that the average buyer is looking for something reasonably priced as well as stylish. Aqua Fedora has a trendy feel, but the items they sell aren’t the latest fads even if they are displayed in such a way as to appeal to that type of shopper. (Yes, Virginia, you can look trendy without buying items that will be out of style before you cut the tags off.)

They have a lot of separates, again reasonably priced so that you can mix and match to create an unforgettable look without breaking the bank. Many of the pieces are classically cut which makes them items you can keep in your wardrobe for many years to come. At the same time, they carry unique items that you won’t see anywhere else. Like a fabulous flower ribbon necklace (see display in top picture) that would have sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw ripping it off the mannequin.

The store also has a wonderful relaxed atmosphere that, with the construction down the street, makes it a welcome oasis. If you don’t live in Wilmington be sure to check them out online. You won’t find the fabulous necklace mentioned above but you can order many of their items online.