Since my family has bought their retirement/beach home a few years ago, my mom and I have officially built a shopping routine. There are a few stores that I just -have- to stop by before I leave because the merchandise is almost always different and then there are the few that I go for my spiritual supplies.
First up is the Earth House. This is a hippie, vintage metaphysical store. Its a great pitstop to buy basic supplies for your ritual needs. For example, my mom and I made a pitstop yesterday because my co-worker was looking for Frankincense and Myrah incense. They have tarot cards, candles, scents, gemstones and crystals, and many other cool things! Can be a bit pricey though depending on what you’re looking for. Some of their other gifty things can be a bit pricey, but not so much of the ritual tools.
Next up is Buddha Beads. I 
absolutely love this store because their prices are pretty decent! I just picked up a really old address book that I’m going to repurpose into a ritual book or sketch book. It’s a 11×17 and has a marble cover and what I liked about it was that the information can be organized alphabetically by using the letters for the addresses. This place is part metaphysical too. If you need selenite it will be there, or a a hindu statue, or chakra jewelry, incense, buddha heads, rough amethyst slabs, singing bowls, you name it. I like the feel of this store better than Earth House though.
The next store that I always find good things at is a thrift store called Local Colour Boutique. My mom and I went in here to look for an orange clutch for my reception gala in Montreal next week but unfortunately 
came out empty handed. The clothing that is picked out is chic enough and I love how the owner displays the clothing by color (well d’oh!) It’s really eye catching. Haven’t found anything yet at this store, we always seem to go in there looking for something specific and end up not finding, I haven’t actually looking around here! Might try that next time.
Finally, the last thrift store I love is St. Joan of Arc. It run by the catholics of St. Joan of Arc church. The prices here are fantastic and the selection is great. The last time I was here I bought cute purple purse as seen in the picture to below. I have found a few good vintage dresses there too, unfortunately not in my size. There were also a few shoes that I liked.
Well there you have it! There are a few other shops we stop at but they aren’t as likeable in my opinion. They tend to be a bit of a hit or miss in terms of pricing and selection – they are Shop For A Song and Hope Chest in Orleans. I had found an awesome painted moon, sun and planet plate at Hope Chest but it was too expensive. Although I did find a sweater there the first or second time I went that I wear a lot. The weekend after Mother’s Day my mom found a candle shade that matched her hydrangea wine glasses that I gave her for Mother’s Day.
Last week I went around to a few different stores and put together a Housewarming Gift Basket for my brother for his birthday present. He’s at the point in his life where he can buy anything he wants to – and does – so when it comes to birthdays or other holidays, its’ difficult to find him a present. So I combined his birthday celebration and his purchase of his condo into a housewarming gift basket. The thought process behind all of this is that if he doesn’t use it right away but thinks of it later, he will have it already. I bought him the following items:
You can buy anything to suit your needs as the giver. My dad got into it as well and bought some of the items on the list. If you’re in a pinch and can’t think of anything, try combining a life event with a birthday. That always seems to do the trick. And last but not least, it was very well received! My brother loved it! 🙂
