Just got back from a great buying trip in the US. So many Flea Markets, Estate Sales, Yard Sales, Swap Meets, you name it. I was there over the past three days. Hopefully I will get some new pictures to show everyone what I found.

The Fifties celebration in the downtown brought thousands of people to Bomanville over the three- day festivities. The weather was pretty good….. a little rain on Saturday but that did not seem to bother anyone. We had so many visitors to the store we lost count. Both Jenny and I were pleased with the turnout. We served homemade cookies. The men who come into the store seem to love this idea more than the kids! We were kept pretty busy this weekend helping out customers and joining in the fun.  By late Sunday afternoon we were pretty worn out. I had a nice surprise on Sunday afternoon, my brother and his wife and son came all the way from Georgetown to see the store. They loved it. I am so encouraged by family support.My mom came along with them. Bob and Julie spent quite a bit of time visiting which pleased me no end. My brother is now going to be on the hunt for treasures for me when he is up north at his cottage. The more treasure hunters the better!

I picked up Jen at 7 A.M. Sunday morning and we headed to the Lakefield Flea Market. We both enjoy finding neat and interesting items for our stores.  The truck was packed to the brim with wonderful finds for both stores before we were done. We had a nice breakfast in Peterborough and did a bit more snooping around before we headed down to Port Hope. I wanted Jen to see what a beautiful downtown Port Hope offered. Our dream is now to open a second shop in this pleasing little spot. Port Hope is picture perfect and such a  gorgeous landmark. We both have such vision and the desire to expand and offer our pretty,  timeless  and unique treasures in other towns that we know we would do well in. This little adventure left us both with big ideas and dreams. All this and we were back at the store at 1 P.M to open for business. WOW!

Good News! The weekend of June 18th, June 19th and June 20th should be busy and exciting for both Under the Toadstool and City Cottage. Downtown Bowmanville will be celebrating the 1950′s. The streets will be closed to cars and shoppers will take over the downtown business section during the  Fabulous Fifties Festival.  We are looking  forward to a hectic few days.  Since our instore draw was such a success at  Maple Fest we are doing it again. First Prize will be another huge gift basket. Second and Third Prize will be Gift Certificates for both stores. Sharon,  who provides Physic Readings,  will be offering a 30 minute reading to the 4th place winner. Our cookies were a huge hit last time around we plan to offer more tastey treats. We look forward to seeing at the Festival!

And in other news…I am very pleased that my little dresses are doing so well. I just brought another collection of pretty and unique dresses back from England. I do have help with selecting such nice frocks. My daughter Ali who lives in England is constantly on the hunt for special  little dresses that continue to fly out of the store. I carry dresses for little ladies for all occassions. The ladies hats are also selling well. I find the nicest hats in England and they don’t last long when I put them on display. I do think hats are coming back in style.  So, if you have an occasion coming up, do stop by and see what we’ve got in the shop!

The trip to England is going well. The weather is beautiful. Just got in from another shopping venture.More lovely hats to bring back and some very nice jewellery. Ali has found a new new batch of baby dresses for the store. I will bringing them to the store in the next week or so. I also have new pie birds and funnels. I have found some nice old bits of glass and china so am going to begin packing them tonight. I always manage to find some pretty interesting old bits and pieces for the store.Depression glass is much easier  to find here.

The clothes, handbags, shoes, and hats are something else here. I find the shopping experience overwhelming. When I am in the stores I can’t help but think of my girl’s back home. Jenny l, and Jenny 2, and Lindsey would love this. I would love to give them some pounds and let them go  crazy!

Our first event in downtown Bowmanville was a huge success. Both  City.Cottage and Under the Toadstool had over-the-top sales on Saturday. Maple Fest brought out thousands of folks including pets, babies, kids, and grandparents. Perhaps strangest of all was a camel! An actual camel! While setting up tables outside the store early in the morning, he sauntered right by on the sidewalk. After my double take, I saw that he was with his keeper, and they were heading for the festivities.  Also right outside our doors, the pony rides were set up so we enjoyed watching the wee ones taking their first ride.  Hundreds of people came through our doors yesterday. Jenny and I were thrilled at the numbers. We could not asked for more. People loved our stores and they bought so many of our treasures.  My  pretty little dresses were very popular. We both have to restock after the crowds Saturday. A very good thing indeed! We had fresh homemade cookies on offer for our customers which were a big hit.  Standing with a cookie to munch on gave the men something to do while their wives got to have a good look around. We will definately do the cookie thing again. Also a huge success…… our first prize draw. We thought that we could show our customers our appreciation by having a little draw at the end of the day. First prize was a big gift basket put together by me. I even had people inquire if I would custom make baskets for sale…… something to think about! Second and third prizes were Gift Certificates to each store. Last night we drew the winners and called them to tell them they had won. They yelled with excitement! We will certainly do another prize draw in the future.  We are making quite a name for ourselves in the downtown area which pleases us no end. All in all Mape Fest was a great success and we are so encouraged that both stores are doing well. We look forward to the Fabulous Fifties Event event in June. See you There!

Saturday , May lst is the Maple Festival in Downtown Bomanville. Under the Toadstool and City Cottage are very pleased to be taking part in the festivities. Both stores will be setting up outside on the main street. We will offer lots of nice items both new and old. There will be plenty  of surprises and some great deals. (Everyday, not just on festival day!). And refreshments!.   Come by and say hello at 44 and 48 King St. East and help us celebrate the day!

I was excited to get an inquiry about my store from the US. It pleases me no end when people show enthusiasim and interest in my shop.

My business partner Jenny and I took an early morning drive north to Lakefield this morning. There is a wonderful old real Flea Market up there. We stopped for breakfast along the way. It is not often that we can hunt for treasures together because one of us is manning the store. Although a little nippy this morning, we both managed to find some wonderful new items for our stores. The truck was loaded down with goodies on the journey back. Now we both have to transform our treasures into pleasing items to display for sale in our stores. Do drop by and take a look. Every day we offer more new and exiciting collectables, furniture, artwork and more!

My daughter Ali and grandson Myles arrived last week from England with some more great treasures for the store. I now have a new selction of old pie funnels, new hats, many new little dresses for Spring and some really nice glass and china pieces. I am headed for England in May and am gearing up for some nifty Car Boot Sales, and jaunts to the wonderful Charity Shops. I always come back to Canada with some great and unique finds.

I am also trying out a new line of jewellery. Jenny, owner of City Cottage,  and I attended our first trade show not long ago and we both were quite taken by the lovely jewellery offered.

This weekend I am headed to the States on a buying mission. My sister Marguarite, who is my greatest fan and who came up with the name for my store,  with her husband Dan, will join Joe and I on a jaunt to find treasures for the store. My favourite part of this new endeavour is the hunt for new and special items. I will keep you posted on some of my new offerings! Do check back!

More like 8 minutes, but fame no less.  As a new local business, Under The Toadstool was invited to appear on the community TV station.  It was a great experience. I was able to talk about the store and show off some of our treasures.

And…. Under The Toadstool’s Grand Opening was featured in a local newspaper. It’s wonderful to be welcomed into the community with such open arms.

http://www.snapclarington.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id[]=147972

I am thrilled to announce the opening of my new store in Historic Downtown Bowmanville. Under The Toadstool opened in January 2010. I have combined talents with my Partner Jenny Smith, who owns City Cottage. While we are two seperate businesses, we are joined by an open doorway between each store. We met last fall and clicked immediately so felt this joint venture was a very positive move for both of us. The support and encouragement we offer each other has proven most valuable. We are certainly there for each other in so many ways. It is not nearly as daunting to take on a venture like this when when you have an ear to listen and a hand to help.

My dream has always been to have my own little shop. For one reason or another, owning my own business has been kept on the back burner. I had never given up on the idea that one day the dream would come true and now it has! The business is doing well and we are fourtunate enough to be on the main street of the downtown business area. Traffice is heavy, and our visitors love both stores. We are most grateful for the encouraging response from our customers. Everyone just love our stores and what we offer.