A visit to Brissonte

A few weeks ago, a friend introduced me to Brissonte, a wonderful shop on Route 28 in North Reading, Massachusetts. I stopped in there again today and had a chat with the owner.

We are kindred spirits.  We like all the same things, the same blogs, the same magazines, the same decorating style.  It's no wonder I love her shop!

She was kind enough to let me go wild with my camera. I sure had fun shooting all of the pretty vignettes in her store.  She had a flair for merchandising.  I hope my photos did the store justice.

I am still looking for a chandelier for my dining room so this one caught my eye.  Quite beautiful, don't you think?

Products are displayed in vintage cabinets and cupboards making everything more interesting.

This is very cool, love all the crystal prisms dangling in the afternoon light.

I love the company. Fringe, some of their products were on display at the shop.

Isn't this sign cute? It would go great in my dining room on top of the china cabinet.

Look at this old stove, a little girl's dream.

And here's a big girl's dream.  A crystal chandelier!

A delicate plate amongst other very beautiful dishes. I could have bought one of everything!

I always have a soft spot for teacups with violets on them.  I'm not sure why, maybe because I love the color purple?

Here's the front window of the shop.  The store is in a small strip mall on a busy road. a hidden gem, for sure.

These candlesticks are very elegant and would love lovely in a dining room like mine!

This is one gorgeous china cabinet.  It was sold, sorry!

More pretties on a tiered table.  There were so many interesting things to see.

There were even chippy doors. 

Here's the door displayed with a painting. Doors are fun to decorate with but you need a good sized room.

Lots of merchandise to pick through.  Prints and candles and cards, I was thoroughly enjoying myself as I turned each corner to see wonderful displays of exceptional products.

A dress form all decked out with flowers and a scarf.

Look at these sweet baby bonnets.

Keep calm and eat a cupcake, that's my motto!

This trolley was not for sale but it sure made a nice display piece!

Another great display cabinet with teacup, nests and lace.

I love these carriers with glass bottles in them.  Wouldn't they make great vases?

Here's my chandelier again.  No, I didn't buy it. I probably should measure to see what size I really need first.

A cabinet door with chalkboard. So cute and perfect for a rustic kitchen. Wish I had more wall space in my kitchen. I have mostly windows and cabinets.

Birdcages are one of my favorite items. I have two in my home.  This one is especially nice.

This one is cool too! I like the rounded top on it.

I saw these plates and I almost bought them.  They have green in them and I really liked the pattern.

The holder was nice too. The plates were from the shop owner's collection.  She said she used to use them with her green depression glass.  Nice!

Love this couch.  It kind of reminds of mine but the wood on mine is a dark brown not a light color like this one.

The pillows were lovely too.  I especially liked the red toile one.

Another door. They really are fun to use in home decor.

A closeup of the pillows, aren't they nice?

A fancy umbrella stand and a cool chair.

The other side of couch with more pillows, these were more neutral colors.

A closeup of those prisms on the chandelier.

A wonderful mirror. I could see this hanging in a hallway, bedroom, living room. Very versatile.

Vintage clock parts anyone? Anyone into Steampunk?

 A more detailed look at those clock parts. Fun!

This table was sitting out front the first time I visited Brissonte. I gave it another look today. I like it but not sure where I can use it. It might look nice in our condo common area porch but we need a lot more furniture than one little table.  So for now it will call Brissonte home.

If you are in the North Reading area, visit Brissonte.  I guarantee you will love it!

Wimbledon Breakfast Party

 Last Sunday I hosted my annual Wimbledon Breakfast party. It is always the morning of the gentlemen's final.

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The nice people at Pondview Florist in Winchester accommodated me and did custom floral arrangements for me. I brought them two tea tins and one trophy and asked them to design something wonderful in the Wimbledon colors of purple and green.

I got this tea tin when I was in London in 1998. I bought the tea specifically for the tin since it was a Wimbledon tin.

 My sister made strawberry lemonade. Yum! Here's the recipe.

Here's the trophy I used as a vase. It's actually a loving cup.  And those vintage photos are from an antique store in Concord.

My friend Mary made the scones.  We had lemon curd, strawberry jam and mock devonshire cream.

I used my prettiest tea cups for the occasion. And tea strainers were needed for the Harrod's No. 42 loose tea. That's an Earl Gray tea.

I collect footed lustreware teacups.  This one is from an estate sale.

Here's a closeup of the Wimbledon Tea tin.

I used the table runner I used for my Easter brunch tablescape. I never get tired of those twinkle lights!

 Another view of the floral arrangement in the Wimbledon Tea tin. 

 I took this sign out of storage for the event.  Seemed appropriate.

Molly was a little put out by all the company but she warmed up to them eventually.

Another tea cup from my collection. I used some of my cups with green and purple colors. I have a few violet motif cups and they fit in perfectly with the color scheme.

Before the main course,  the guests munched on grapes, crackers, cranberry cinnamon goat cheese, sharp white cheddar, and an English Wensleydale with cranberries.

The other tin was also purchased in England in 1998.  And this one portrays Kensington Palace.

Here's my overnight baked french toast.  It's so delicious and easy to make.

Here's the fruit and cheese plate again. I used a silver tray underneath a square doily. I bought a package of square doilies for a song from a shop that's going out of business.

The Harrod's teapot always makes an appearance at the Wimbledon Breakfast.

For dessert, a fruit tart on a wire cake stand.

Again the fruit tart.  It was store bought and very good.

This is a lemon zucchini bread.  I had purchased it at the Winchester Farmer's Market the day before the breakfast.

We also had fruit salad of strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. I love my little bluebird bowl.

After all that caffeine, we switched to a Lady Grey decaf tea by Twinings.