Blessed are the curious...for they create a better world.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Antiquing in Ocean Beach

Oh how I love to head to the crazy little neighborhood of Ocean Beach in San Diego to browse through the stores and search for vintage treasures. There are a number of stores along the main street of Newport Avenue.  I even love the name "Newport Avenue"!  Many of the east-west streets in Ocean Beach are named for beach resorts around the world such as Brighton, Santa Monica, Santa Cruz and Bermuda to name a few.  These names were chosen by a developer in the late 1800s. Isn't that a cute part of their history? 
My favorite store is called Vignettes. The owner of this amazing shop was inspired by trips to Paris that she made with her mother.  As their website says, "Step inside this exclusive shop and experience the alluring beauty and faded grandeur of Old Paris."  While soft French music is playing, you can peruse the many rooms full of such lovely things; stunning vintage mirrors and chandeliers, beautiful furniture, wall art and trinkets. So much eye candy that you don't know where to look next! At Vignettes their motto is the French saying “Entourez-vous avec ce que vous aimez”… Surround yourself with that which you love, and everyone is bound to find something they love at this beautiful store.

This incredible dress is made from lace, feathers and vintage text!  Many of the items they feature at Vignettes are hand made using vintage supplies, which just makes the experience all the more magical. I'm sure all of my Pink Saturday visitors will just love this dress. 
 In each and every corner of the store you will find exquisite and artistic displays, such as this one.
And don't you think everyone needs a sign directing them to Le Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's beautiful little palace on the grounds of Versaille? 

Well I know that this post sounds a little like it might be from the San Diego tourism board, but can I help it if I love my little corner of the U.S.?  I have lived here about 25 years and love it more every year. It was sunny and 70 degrees yesterday.  If any of you would like to come for a visit I would love to meet you in Ocean Beach and offer you a tour of my favorite places!

32 comments:

JoAnne said...

I'd love to be able to take you up on that offer someday Marti!
I'm drooling over the photos and I see why Vignettes is your favorite shop.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Unknown said...

Oh wow Marti, I think I could LIVE in such a fabulous shop, lol! Fantastic eye candy, thanks for sharing!

Jeanie said...

I can see why you love it so much, Marti -- it's enchanting. Period. You can just go off on an entire imaginary journey looking at the photos, much less being inside! I love them!

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Ohhh the weather, one of the many reasons I miss San Diego ! The high cost of housing the main reason I don't :)
What a lovely shop, thanks for sharing it with us and if I ever make it back to S.D. I will take you up on your sweet offer.

Gabriela Delworth - Instructional Designer said...

HPS!

San Diego is a place I would love to visit!


Gabriela

Connie said...

Marti, thank you for dropping by, sugar. We used to live in San Diego and one of our grandsons goes to UC San Diego. He graduates this year I think. Anyway, I love SD and old town especially. We'll be down in California in a couple of months and I may just try some antique stores if I have time, but actually I'm on a frugal kick at the moment so may I shouldn't!
xoxo,
Connie

Marie Arden said...

I have Vingettes on my to do list this year. I must get there in person. I love the dress. Very pretty blog

DearHelenHartman said...

It just looks magical! The message of surround yourself with things you love is good to remember, especially when you want to buy something at an antique store!

bohemiannie! art said...

Beautiful wonderland. I will look you up when I visit the area. :) You do the same if you come to Barranquilla, Colombia!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Marti,
Oh, yes, I would love to browse that shop and bring a little something home! Lots of eye candy! Happy Pink Saturday and thank you for your visit.

Blessings,
Sandi

Michele said...

gorgeous goodies Marti! happy pink saturday! xo

Chubskulit Rose said...

Sweet and gorgeous pink!

My Pink, have a great weekend.

Olivia said...

Wow! What gorgeousness! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Hugs,
Olivia

Rebecca said...

OMG Yes, I do LOVE that pink dress...GORGEOUS!!

Have a most lovely PINK SATURDAY!
Come by to visit my pink when you get a chance!

Waving from Our Back Porch,
Rebecca

J.Rylie.C said...

Very pretty! Please come and link with me in Color Connection meme at my PINK Collection entry.

Anonymous said...

okay..... I am totally smitten! Happy happy Pink Saturday. xo

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your part of the world with us. I enjoyed your photos and can only imagine how much fun it is to shop there. Here in GA, there is a similar style shop in the 1930's house that my grandparents built...a real blessing that the house remains much the same.
Wishing you a great day, Marti!

Maggie said...

Hi Marti,
I visited San Diego many years ago and always wanted to return.
That wish is even stronger after strolling aground Vignettes in Ocean Beach with you today.
I'm off to book my flight! LOL!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

My goodness what a lovely invitation! My son used to live in San Diego so I visited a shop or two when I had time, but by no means saw that charming little shop! Delightful!

Anonymous said...

Marti - such a beautiful post! Vignettes sounds lovely... you are lucky to have access to it. I'm sure it brings you much inspiration to browse; I know my favorite haunts do the same for me. Happy Pink Saturday :)

Lorraine said...

Lovely pictures, I may have to go to Vignettes some time, LOL! Happy Pink Saturday!! ~Lorraine ♥♥♥

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Wow, how lucky for you to have all that wonderful shopping and a great place to live! I'm loving seeing all the vintage things.

Donna said...

What a beautiful shop!! My husband loves San Diego. He said there is no better climate in the entire USA! He now lives in New England, where I grew up, and said there's no such thing as humidity in San Diego! Thanks for the little tour!... Donna

NanE said...

That looks like such a fun place to spend an afternoon and I love their saying! It sounds like a sweet little town to visit too. Have a great weekend, Nan

Stephanie said...

This is my kind of shop. Why is it so far from me? Not fair. I've been to San Diego and enjoyed every minute of it. It is a beautiful place.

Ann said...

Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog today. I think I would love this store, the dress is heavenly.Thnks for sharing your favorite place to dream.
Ann

Anonymous said...

HPS! Oooh. Lah. Lah!!! That was such an enjoyable "visit" to Vignettes! You are a lucky girl to live so close to such a place...and the other little shops you spoke of, too!

Enjoy your Sunday...it was great meeting your via Beverly's Pink Saturday!

dana

Lisa said...

Oooo Lovely!! I've never been to CA though I have relatives there. But what a fantastic place to visit.

French Beauty Mark said...

What a lovely way to dream the day away...just having fun looking at all the beautiful pictures on your blog. Thank you for sharing.

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi Marti! Oh my...this shop looks HEAVENLY to me!!!! I would so love to poke around inside ~ I love, LOVE visiting new shops and don't get the opportunity very often. Thanks so much for sharing a few photos of the goodness :) and I so appreciate your visit and comment ~ hope you're having a great week, hugs and love, Dawn

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi Marti! Oh my...this shop looks HEAVENLY to me!!!! I would so love to poke around inside ~ I love, LOVE visiting new shops and don't get the opportunity very often. Thanks so much for sharing a few photos of the goodness :) and I so appreciate your visit and comment ~ hope you're having a great week, hugs and love, Dawn

Karin said...

Hi Marti! It was so great to meet you today! I'm so glad you guys came in to visit! Talk to you soon! Karin