It takes a few days of exploring and experiencing to fall in love with a place. I've lived in this town for over four years, but it wasn't until this past week that I truly fell in love with it. Gosh, I really love where I live.Case in point: on Friday night, there was a art exhibition in an up-and-coming area, and after we'd meandered through the art on display and watched glassblowers work their magic, we boarded an old trolley and drove through the city all lit up with lights. The interior of the trolley creaked with each turn and the music played softly and the buildings were streaks of colored light.
And then there's a new coffee shop that I've visited twice in the past week, quickly becoming my new favorite. One room is dedicated solely to the purpose of a library and there are pillars made of books; the chairs and tables and wood on the walls are reclaimed; chandeliers and lamps hang upside-down from the ceiling; and the whole front and side of the building are floor-to-ceiling windows. Let's be real here: starbucks (or any other chain coffee shop) is good and convenient and all, but it's overrated. Local beats commercial any day; I love supporting the places and the people behind the places that make up this wonderful city.
Christmas break, it was nice knowin' ya. You've been good to me--and thanks for reintroducing me to my town.
---
I'd love to hear a favorite thing about the place where you live!
these are beautiful. seriously i just love this post so much. the first picture & the one of the lanterns are lovely.
ReplyDeletemy town is really (really, really) small. and right now it's covered in a few feet of snow and ice. but it's always a very lovely place. i feel rooted here, and it's very peaceful, and we have fields and abandoned buildings and train tracks and gorgeous sunsets (especially during the winter).
abbie grace
okay. this is beautiful and heartfelt. but the first time I read it, I read it as, " I've lived in this town for over forty years." and I had to do a double take. but basically, I can't wait to come visit you in your town and act like a cute (i. e., dorky) tourist doing all sorts of fun, silly sorts of things. :)
ReplyDeleteAhh, I love this! Your town sounds darling.
ReplyDeleteFavorite thing about my tiny town? Hmm. I really love the old feel of it. And the smallness. It's definitely a small American town. Nothing spectacular or special about it. Just simple and old. :)
love love love this. and totally agree about starbucks vs. little local coffee shops. those are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteALSO I JUST WATCHED THE FIRST EPISODE OF DOWNTON ABBEY!!!
What a beautiful post! Those different coloured lights hanging from that ceiling look amazing! What a great idea. :)
ReplyDeleteA favourite thing about where I live is this: No more then ten minutes from my house, up some green-yellow hills dotted with gum trees and cattle, there lies an old mill. It has recently been renovated inside and is now a sweet little coffee shop. I think that preserving old buildings and making them into something simple yet beautiful is really special!
-Briony
this is beautiful, Carlotta! love your photos, and your writing is so beautiful. :) we live in a little town... about 6,000 people {actually it's two little towns put together. :)} and there are many little cozy nooks and quaint places to discover, and enjoy. i love supporting the local business. ;)
ReplyDeleteArizona isn't particularly beautiful--at least, in my opinion. i'm definitely an Eastern girl {don't know how, since i've lived in Arizona for 13 of my 16 years. but i was born in Ohio.}, but there are quaint and unique little places that are very "western" that i enjoy exploring around the town. for one, the local "Drug Store" that has many, many mounts of different animals... elk, deer, javelina, moose, bear, coyote, and more; and although i'm not a fan of killing things, it is fascinating to look at all the different animals "on the wall". ;)
anyway. i've written a short novel, already, so, au revoir! ;) this is beautiful. truly.
xoxo
I love small local coffee shops. They truly are the best, and so full of character :) I'm glad you are discovering a new found love for your city. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Lani
hope we can go there and have a coffee one day together :) !
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like my kind of coffe shop.
ReplyDeleteAnd something special about where I live...I don't think I've discovered it yet. Or maybe I just haven't lived there long enough yet :)
i just feel i could linger on that coffee shop forever in a winter sunday afternoon! Loved it!
ReplyDeletewhen I was growing up my father took me often to Philbrook , sometimes just to play on the grounds. I thought it was "mine"!..
ReplyDeleteIt is!
gorgeous photos of the cafe! too cute. I started feeling the same way about my city. I've lived here most of my life and didn't start appreciating it until last year :)
ReplyDeleteMhhm, mystical and gorgeous. You never fail to stun me! xo
ReplyDeleteAhh, I love unique little coffe shops! Something I love about our town is how I know where everything is. Not to mention the Starbucks within walking distance is really nice. ;) I've lived in the same place all my life, so the whole area is homey to me. :)
ReplyDeletehugs,
~bree
I'm so happy you've fallen in love with your town. I remember falling in love with mine. You just see things differently after that. Also, you're totally going to take me to that coffee shop sometime, right?
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. I love it.
ReplyDeleteMy town (or 6 miles is what I practically call it) is very busy, but not super busy. We live really close to a big city, so I live in the suburbs, in a house, with a small backyard full of small little memories.
There is no where on earth like home. I love where we live, because it's hour from the mountains but only fifteen minutes away to the city. I love both. Yet if I had to choose, I'm more of a city person. This summer, I didn't just fall in love with my city, I realized I was in love with it.
ReplyDeleteI also love little coffee shops, like that. They remind me of ones I visited in Europe.
Lovely post!
Starbucks is overrated. It's nice and great in the moment, but nothing tops a fresh, steaming mug of hot drink at a cozy local hole-in-the-wall place.
ReplyDeleteOh my, that coffee shop is the epitome of cute. And you're so right-hometown cafes are seriously the best. xx
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that my town is by far the most beautiful place I've ever been to...and I've been all around the world. sandpoint idaho...it's a long ways from anywhere...but it's majestic and small-town...yet upscale. everyone is your best friend whether they know you or not...and you always feel at home. the gorgeous lake can be seen from everywhere...mostly because everyone lives on the surrounding mountains. it's the deepest lake in the USA and in some places...they haven't even found the bottom! my goal and my resolution for this year is to paddleboard all the way across...much over a mile.
ReplyDeletewish me luck!
Emily ruthann
i really love this! and now i totally want to come visit your town. it sounds like such a cute, quaint little town. i have to agree, starbucks is way overrated. i'd choose a local coffee shop over starbucks any day.
ReplyDeleteI love me some Starbucks, but local coffee shops definitely win out, if not for their taste, for their overall feel and look. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE, your jumper its gorgeous! beautiful blog !
ReplyDeleteGirl, I'm moving to your town. That coffee shop is beyond adorable.
ReplyDeletexoxo