Hunting for Treasure!

Monday I shared some Michigan beach fun…but I did mention that we spent some time searching for treasure didn’t I?  So whenever we head up north it’s always on the agenda to make a pitstop in Grand Rapids!  Not just because I love to pass by my old apartment, drive by my very first home, or reminisce about my old stomping grounds…but because this city has so much to offer including some wonderfully unique shops!  Even though the town has changed a lot since I lived within its limits, my parents shop here regularly so they’re up to speed on all the best off-the-beaten-path places that really shouldn’t be missed!  Let me share with you some of my old and new favorites…

Grand Rapids treasure trove!

we started off at a sweet little garden shop that boards up its windows to prepare for fall inventory in late July so normally when we visit it’s already closed…but not this time!  Everlasting Blooms has plenty of wonderful treasures within its walls, but since i’m a sucker for a cute fairy garden, i have to say that my favorite sight was the miniature garden goodies…

something whimsical!

check out this over-sized fairy garden…oh, if i only had the space!

i’m not sure why i’m so infatuated with these mini landscapes…perhaps because it reminds me of my past doll house days and my love for anything in miniature form!

no matter the reason, they’re just fun to look at!

something for the foodie!

i had to pay another visit to a favorite place that i’ve featured before…The Local Epicurean!  this wonderful handcrafted pasta shop is filled with such deliciousness…and this time they’re in a new location!  the happy, red cafe tables on the street were a welcoming sight!

and once inside the doors…a wonderful treat!

stacks of tomato cans along side artisan pasta…

our favorite, squash blossom, wasn’t quite in season yet…but we’ve not yet tried one we didn’t like!

it’s just such a wonderful place to browse…whether you’re a foodie or not!

the cases below the dried pastas were filled with fresh pasta, meats & cheeses…yum!

the entire shop is just so quaint…check out the ceiling tiles covered in b&w photos!

one of my favorites!  make sure you check out the link!

something vintage!

i now have another new favorite place that i won’t miss any time i visit…Blue Door is FILLED with vintage, unique, and handcrafted treasure!

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what a place to soak in some inspiration!

something for everyone…

need crystals?

i found all kinds of goodies…and fell in love with some of the display ideas like these wonderful door units!

and wouldn’t you know it?  the basement was filled with furniture, pieces & parts, knobs, springs, hinges, moldings, interesting things…i could go on and on!  it was a dream for anyone who likes to craft, create, and re-purpose…it made my knees tingle!

something soft!

though i only have a couple photos of Michigan Fibre Studio, i really wanted to share them because it was the color through the window that drew me inside!  i LOVE the dressers minus the drawers to house the colorful yarns!  it was so fun to nose around in here…and i don’t knit!  but i did share the pics with a friend who does!!

let’s end with something sweet!

i’m going to share a secret with you…before this trip i had never eaten a macaron!  shocking, i know!  well, i remedied the situation when we paid a visit to this cafe recommended by a friend… and believe me, those delicious treats didn’t disappoint!  check out the colorful selection at le bon Macaron…

a pretty place to sit, eat, and people watch!

our goodies included some tasty flavors such as honey lavender, cake batter, nutella, lemon raspberry, chocolate raspberry, and orange creme…we wished we could have tried them ALL!

while we were drooling over the sugar in the cases, my boys were watching a movie.  the idea was that we would take these as a treat to sample when we picked them up from the theater.  but unfortunately for them we couldn’t make it that far…we had to pop open the box in the car!

don’t worry, we managed to save some for the boys!

if you’re ever in GR, i hope you can find the time to check out some of these favorites…

but until then, i hope you found plenty of inspiration!

Grand Rapids…filled with treasures!

please check out all the links to these fabulous places!