Quinceañera Crowns

Dana and I went down to Railroad Square today to look at a new store she discovered that has a carefully edited collection of beautifully scented candles and diffusers, ceramics, decorative pillows and baskets. It was wonderful to get out, look at pretty things, and even buy some of them. I told Dana that when John saw what I bought he would either say, 'What's this' or, 'don't we already have one of those?'

Railroad Square is an interesting part of town with unique shops and restaurants that has been largely separated from the rest of the town, save for a couple of underpasses, by a freeway and the shopping mall which I dread going into. One of those places that smells of cinnamon buns and contains a lot of cheesy stores that probably appeal most to the teen age crowd. The only exception I can think of is the Apple store which I also dread going into but for different reasons....

As we walked from the car to the shop called Olive + Rose, which was our objective, we passed a store that sells Quinceañera gowns and crowns. The display windows were full of sparkly, huge skirted gowns but it was the two display cases within that caught my eye. I thought the shelves of tiaras and crowns was quite delightful. A  quinceañera is a girl's fifteenth birthday celebrated in many Spanish speaking countries, especially Mexico as a 'coming of age' event. They are something akin to our debutante balls but a whole lot more fun. * Here is a link if you are interested in reading further.... 

After Dana and I got back with our purchases we proceeded to 'zen-ize' various surfaces, primarily the new bathroom and the television room mantle. The large candles resembling birch bark which have been sitting on the TV room mantle surrounded by glittery pine cones since four Christmases ago were pronounced 'old ladyish' and consigned to the trash. The large scallop shell shaped silver bowl in the bathroom went into an empty drawer, followed by soap dispensers and an ancient bottle of lavender oil.

After Dana left, I continued on in the kitchen, editing the crock next to the stove jammed with kitchen utensils, some there because they didn't fit in the drawers but most put there because they were 'more convenient' but they really aren't. Not only that, but the crock was greasy and gross and got a good washing.

I hope the energy to continue what was started today continues....It might require another trip to the Olive + Rose.

*Here is a link to Quniceañera