Who doesn’t love to shop?! Even if it is window shopping…I know that I do. Now mix that with shopping for my newborn photography business and I’m in heaven. I am always on the hunt for props that a baby will fit into or something that will enhance a set up I am planning…or maybe just something for the house. Some of my favorite places to look for props are old farmhouses, estate sales and antique stores and lucky for me there are a ton around here. I could spend all day walking around.
Heading Out
Deciding where to go is always an adventure. LOL A lot of times the stores listed online are not even there anymore. It seems like these kinds of places are a bit hard to find at times. I’ve been to other cities around me before but there were some new places I had heard about and wanted to try. I had heard that Woodinville and Duval had some great shops. So I did some searching, wrote down a bunch of new shop names and addresses then mapped them to help keep me from driving all over the place. My husband decided to join me (YAY) and we grabbed my mini-me (my daughter) and head out.
Finding that Perfect Shop
There are times when actually finding the shop is like looking for a needle in a haystack, even with a map and directions. So often the store is gone, destroyed by time and lack of business, or they move. Even in Bothell I was told that there was a fire downtown so a lot of the shops were gone. There was one place we saw that looked like it was converted into a tire store. Who knows? Either way, many of the places I had written down were gone and that made me sad.
What to Buy, What to Buy
Often, when I go antique shopping I have something specific I am looking for but there are times when I don’t. I am always on the hunt for cool quilts and a Campfire Marshmallow tin but other than that, today, I was just looking around. Today, I was just looking for something that catches my eye. My daughter always fins some treasure no matter where we go.
Duvall First
A few shops were on my list in the city of Duvall so we head there first. Now I love downtown Duvall. It is just so quaint and has that small town feel which I love. There were two stores right next to each other. I love it when that happens. LOL The thing I love about most antique shops is their charm. I feel like the buildings themselves have as much history and character as the goodies inside. These two shops did not disappoint! I walked out with a quilt, a small stuffed heart and a coffee mug for my mother-in-law.
Bothell for the Win
Woodinville did not produce much so we head up to Bothell and boy did I find a winner. We landed on an actual antique mall. But this place was cool. It was like a collection of old houses all grouped together and turned into a mall. This place was fun and charming with lots of variety all rolled into one. They even had an antique candy store. I think my daughter was most excited about the ducks and chickens walking around….well that and the candy store.
I found another awesome quilt, which I bought, and a crate that a baby would have fit perfectly into…if it was for sale. LOL This quilt though will go perfect with my Farmhouse crate I already have. Can’t wait to use it for the next little boy that comes to see me.
It’s called Photographer’s Child Syndrome. Yes, it’s a thing. It is where they get so sick of me taking pictures they refuse to look at the camera. LOL
It’s never too early to book your newborn session. Contact me HERE to get your date on my calendar.
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