what a wonderful trip to the cape!  being able to ride bikes with no summer traffic, exploring little paths and seeing behind hedges of some beautiful estates....stopping into some spectacular stores, eating at restaurants we wouldn't attempt to visit in the summer.

we stopped into mashpee commons...
http://www.mashpeecommons.com/ 
a charming little group of stores that we'd normally see in  a mall setting...except at mashpee commons, it feels more like a delightful little village with quaint little shops and fine quality stores.

vineyard vines had such lovely displays.  the colors, the stacks of clothing, the adorable prints, the flip flops, the belts, the bathing suits.....summer fun.  grace is having vineyard vines for her wedding! hopefully, she's just in the dream stage!  i haven't seen that many high school freshman who even have their driver's license, much less a marriage license....or a job.  
dream or not, i love grace's spirit and style!

http://www.vineyardvines.com/home___?gclid=CJG74c6lj6ECFd1n5QodrVJ_M

how much can i go on about the joys of summer? everything about lilly is summer fun.

http://shop.inthepinkonline.com/

outstanding windows...and playful!

http://www.gap.com/browse/home.do?tid=gogobue8t&kwid=1&ap=7&sem=true&mkwid=225yPoD9&adid=tnc%3C.pbz&creative=5087238195

crucial coffee!

http://www.starbucks.com/

http://www.mackenzie-childs.com/

we stopped in the claire murray store....oh! i'm always so moved down to my soul....when i'm surrounded by such color, beauty and style created by a woman who started her own business....because of a passion for her craft....her art...her joy!

 

 

and the beautiful coffee table book has just come out!  these are the books that i love....all bout color and beauty and passion for what we love.
*****

Claire's New Coffee Table Book
LIMITED EDITION
For a limited timeSigned by Claire Murray

Gift the gift they'll cherish forever, Women and the Sea.
NOW ON SALEfor a limited time only

Order yours here

Each page is graced with breathtaking photography and illustrations. This is a gift that will remind them of you the whole year through. And now, for a limited time, it will be signed by Claire Murray.

Truly a classic gift
Flip through the pages

At right: from the chapter on Bev Sanders, founder of Las Olas Surf Safaris.

Women and the Sea, celebrates the Passion of Bev Sanders, founder of Las Olas Surf Safaris.

************************

http://www.clairemurray.com/
one of my favorite magazines ever...ever.....ever! only four issues a year...but so inspiring.  it's filled with fabulous stories of women artists, writers, collectors and "small business" women....not small or petite women in business!
http://www.clairemurray.com/Magazine.cfm

and we popped in to see williams-sonoma....wow! i love that store...if only to buy some great bottles of marinade.  the first time i bought one of their wonderful marinade....i made a delicious dinner and biff thought i had been slaving all day....i had to show him my magic bottle.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/

really, i'm not such a fan of the big malls and the giant chain stores....but when i do stop in, i love to see the way they've displayed their colors, textures and new styles...even if it's a new pepper mill...i can dream about being a fine chef!

 as grace and i strolled through the stores....speed shopping stroll actually.....we enjoyed so many stores, the window displays, friendly salespeople.....it was dream like to be there in off season...with no tourists...fun for grace and i!


grace and i were merrily skipping through the stores and t.j. let out a howl...."you said you'd only be a minute or 2....it's been 13 minutes already!"  that's when biff directed him to the wi-fi at starbucks! 


biff loved having a quiet moment in the car!

here are some pics of my sweet pleasure ....grace too!