Day tripping with Poppy....

Sorry for not posting more this weekend with new photos, but my hubby and I took a day trip this weekend on Saturday to Williamsburg, Va. I live about 45 minutes from Williamsburg, in King William County, which is centrally located to the Northern Neck , as we call it - or the rivah, if you're a local, near the Kilmarnock- Tappahanock region. It is a beautiful, lovely and historic area. We sometimes like to get away and just go see the sights, have lunch and poke about looking for antique and cool shops.

First we visited the newly re-vamped Williamsburg Pottery. This place had older structures but sadly, has been redesigned to look like Northern Va. nightmare. Prices are higher and you are definitely paying for the ambience/scenery of the Pottery now, the merchandise is not worth it. I miss the quaint charm and the wholesale atmosphere where you could order custom floral arrangements, push a basket over rickety concrete floors, and dig in huge bins. It was a crafter/designer dreamhouse. Now it looks like a cross between Garden Ridge and Bed Bath and Beyond, only with Northern Va. price tags.

But they still had a few oldies from the old store that used to beon display. The Pottery is over 60+ years old, heck, even going on 80 years since it was started in the 30's. One of the items they had on display was this HUGE chinese ivory carved scene in a display case. I'm over 40 and it's been there as long as I have been attending /shopping there with my parents...

In this photo, my hubby Chris stands in front- the display case is huge and they have cleaned it up and repaired it a bit since it is quite old. 

Poppy in front of some of the intricately carved scenes of the display. As a child, I adored looking at this intricate miniature.

Next was lunch and then Yankee Candle factory.

The Christmas village inside is actually like walking in Christmas town- overhead on the dark black ceiling are lights to simulate stars- and occasionally- it snows inside! Christmas music plays and you go in and out each one of the little shops that is devoted to certain Christmas brands- German nutcrackers, Ornament stalls/wagons all over the place, decorated trees, and I somehow controlled myself. I took pics of Poppy next to the Department 56 Downtown Abbey display and mainly to scope out their trees- but the biggest ones are barely high enough. I love this place because of all the miniatures for my dioramas. I could barely contain myself in the Buyer's choice shop- the fencing and that market stall- I so want it! They had three different ones. I was salivating to say the least. 
They also had a Fontanini display and some 1:6 figures, but the ones that caught my eye were the HUGE ones, in 1:3 scale.

They were quite lovely....outside, the decoration mania for Fall went on and on...

We then traveled onto the historical part of Williamsburg-my all time favorite part. There were alot of things going on, and parking couldn't be found, so we by passed getting out and walking around the historical part on Saturday- it was college mayhem, as it appeared games were going on, and fall events such as a craft fair, so we drove thru and went to the Williamsburg Visitor center, which was fun too. 

The fountain above is a Millionaire's memorial of all the people who funded the restoration of Williamsburg and its museums, the buildings, etc. I also couldn't resist taking pics of these t shirts. I thought they were funny and would love to go back and pick them up.

We then headed home, but not before stopping at the little gem of Charlie's Antiques.

First thing you see when you walk in is a cornucupia of hard to find, unique antiques/vintage items. That handmade 1:12 scale dollhouse was a delight to discover and take pics of. I admired the workmanship and use of the veneer throughout the house, it is my guess they were trying to do the palace at Brighton with their own spin, but I could be wrong. Pricey at $2000 there are more photos on my Facebook page. Another unique item was the child's or doll canopy bed and these unusual birdhouses. I would call them vintage rather than antique myself.

There were also child sized replica Chippendale chairs and this lovely French armchair. There were simply some AMAZING statues that are more photo indepth on my Flicker album if you click above on the stream, you can see them. 

Did I buy anything? Of course! At the visitors center I did buy two pictures for my dioramas. I will take photos of them later in a diorama. I may go back before Christmas and snap up some items in the Byer's choice shop- I adore those little market stalls and would love to do a Christmas market place type of diorama, it would be extremely cool. 

After the Party....

After the reception and party, Agnes had her sister, Pepper, her cousin Agatha, and her mother Victoire for a little midnight tea in her bedroom, so Pepper could unwind. It had been a long day, and Pepper had just arrived that morning. 

Pepper was still excited at all of the people who had been invited to meet her and welcome her home.

"I still can't believe how many people came to the party! Agnes, HOW many people did you invite??" Pepper exclaimed.

'There were alot of people, but this was a small soiree," Her cousin Agatha said

"SMALL? What was small about that?" asked Pepper in astonishment
"Really darling, these were just some close friends and people who were visiting for the houseparty" Agnes said breezily. 'Agatha didn't even invite many of her friends- they were all vacationing and just couldn't make it back from Monaco, '
Agatha nodded her head in agreement.

Victoire, their mother speaks up.'Really dearest, you are going to have to get over this astonishment. Of course our friends would love to see you- you are finally home and not out working with that vulgar Stark man', her mother sniffed. 
'Mother! Tony is wonderful! I hope you will be kind to him, you know he's arriving soon!' Pepper exclaimed. Agnes and Agatha diplomatically remain silent.
Meanwhile, while the ladies unwind upstairs, downstairs in the parlor....

Giles and Agnes' friend Pierre, play chess in the parlor. It appears Giles just might win....

"Giles wouldn't do that if I were you,' Pierre cautioned. 

Giles'retriever edges closer to the table. Giles takes a deep puff on his pipe and moves a chess piece. " Your turn, young man. I just might win this one,'

These were a few more photos I took after switching things around a bit after the party/reception pics. I have another scene I wish to do but will take some time to set up, and then hopefully I can begin to assemble the halloween photos and diorama up soon. Enjoy!

The Baroness throws a party....

Remember when the Baroness was sitting in the parlor attending to her correspondence? Turns out she was sending out invitations for a party and a reception to welcome home her sister, Pepper. Pepper is younger than her and just arrived. The reception was held in the ballroom of Maison de la Royale.

The reception was packed. Of course, Agnes had invited the creme de la creme of society to meet her baby sister. 

Pepper was surpised to greet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the heirs to the throne of England. They left Baby George in England to have a holiday. Kate's baby bump does not show yet!

Princess Grace of Monaco flew in with one of her ladies and Audrey Hepburn was seen talking with one of the models from the Baroness' modeling agency. The attendees were a who's who of celebrities and minor royalty.

The food for the reception was a delight in pastrys, fruit and other delicacies prepared by the Baroness' staff in attendance.  Truly a wonderful party!

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I wanted to get these photos out of the way to welcome home my new High Visibility Agnes to the dollhouse. I am hoping to pair her soon with my Tony Stark. I am attempting to get these kinds of photos wrapped up so I can begin to start the halloween diorama as my mistress of the manor is coming soon. 
Enjoy!~Lisa