The Pawhuska Pilgrimage

Since the opening of Ree Drummond's The Mercantile a year ago, Pawhuska, Oklahoma, has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the television personality, bestselling author, and blogger (I know that's not a complete list of her accomplishments, but--come on--she's amazing and it's a short blog). And The Mercantile is amazing and I could 100% spend my paycheck there, if not on the amazing food then on all of the amazing products in the store itself; but the truth is, thousands of people are going to continue to find their way to Pawhuska to visit The Mercantile--and that thrills me--but I know from the way the Drummonds are working to restore the amazing buildings in the town and the way local businesses are promoted on The Pioneer Woman that they are just as interested in seeing the rest of the local businesses in the beautiful town of Pawhuska meet with equal success. That is why I want to share with you some of the amazing places you need to visit when you decide make your pilgrimage (whether it's your first, second, third, fourth...twenty-fourth...).

Country Rogue Boutique

I hope when you go to Pawhuska, you plan to spend the entire day there. Trust me, I had to go back twice and I still didn't make it into all of the shops. The first weekend my daughter and I started on the eastern end of Main Street, working our way down toward Kihekah--in part because that was the closest parking we could find. I was glad we parked a couple of blocks east, though, because if we hadn't we would have missed two really great shops. The first one was actually a salon and boutique combination called Ambition Salon and Country Rogue Boutique. A fan of historical romance, particularly those with the word "rogue" in the title, I had to go in and check it out. When my daughter and I made our initial trip in September, it was one of their first weekends open. We didn't try the salon services, although I had hoped to get back by there later that afternoon for a much needed eyebrow wax, but the little boutique had a number of great gift options from jewelry to clothes to accessories.

Prairie Cottage

Just down the street from Ambition Salon and Country Rogue Boutique was a lovely shop called The Prairie Cottage. I could have looked around in there for an hour. They had beautiful home decor and kitchen ware, a wide array of clothing options and fan gear, Brighton and Rustic Cuff jewelry, children's items, and a variety of great gift options.

After visiting these two boutiques, we made our way to Kihekah and decided to venture our way down that street. Our first stop was at Osage Outfitters, where I had the opportunity to learn more about the store from owner Joey Lee. Now, if you're city folks, you might be tempted to pass Osage Outfitters by, but I am telling you, please, don't. It is well worth the stop in. The ambiance of the interior is worth a walk in the door alone: the warm lighting, the smell of leather--it's a veritable oasis. Once you're in the door, though, you'll see that in addition to beautiful saddles and well-crafted bridles and leads, there is a wall of boots that are pure artistry. They are all custom designed by the owner, guaranteeing that if you want an original pair of boots, that is exactly what you will receive. Callie Lee, Joey's wife, also has the showroom stocked with beautiful clothes for the ladies that will appeal to women of all tastes. I found a beautiful gold lace kimono when I was there in September which I have worn with jeans and with dresses and which has earned me compliments every time I have worn it. When I went back in last week, I could have easily spent half of my paycheck on new fall pieces that she had received. The Lees are highly personable and their service is the same. Not only are they there to answer your questions and help you buy what you need but they also will custom mold hats for you as well, something that is becoming a lost art, making it a truly full-service store.

Osage Outfitters

Next door to Osage Outfitters is the Tallgrass Art Gallery, which is full of pieces of art from sculptures and bronzes to oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings to jewelry to furniture. It boasts a vast selection of Western, wildlife, and Native American art and crafts. There is much to take in and look at as you peruse the aisles of the gallery and you won't be disappointed by the artistry and craftsmanship of the pieces.

Tallgrass Art Gallery

Just down the road from Tallgrass Art Gallery is Salt Creek Gallery and Marketplace, with one side a boutique and the other side a small gallery when Evy and I visited in September. Since we went in September, though, the owner has decided to expand the boutique and move away from the gallery pieces, though they do still have some of the items for sale like their hand-beaded clutches. Salt Creek has a warm, inviting ambiance and offers a variety of items from sauces and mixes to home decor to gift items and clothing. If you don't make it to Pawhuska to visit before January, you can see exactly what I'm talking about as they will be featured in one of the Pioneer Woman episodes that month.

Salt Creek Gallery and Marketplace

Our next stop along the way was Okie Girl. This little boutique owned by Ellen Medlock is full of originals. Ellen used to have a quilting shop in Tulsa where she designed her own fabrics, many of which she still uses in her handmade products. Not only can you buy OkieGirl original t-shirts in the store, but you can find handmade purses, jewelry, scarves, quilts, home accessories, and so much more. What makes the store even more fun is that Ellen is a fan of Big Foot, and she honors that interest by carrying a variety of Big Foot products in her store as well. Her airy little shop is definitely worth a stop in, and while you're there, you'll have to be sure to say hi to her four-legged companion, Bob.

OkieGirl

When I stopped back in Pawhuska last week, I had the opportunity to visit one of the stores Evy and I didn't have time to visit in September, The Gypsy Cowgirl owned by Roslynn Jackson. The front of The Gypsy Cowgirl is a ladies boutique owned by Roslynn, while in the back part of the store are booths rented out by vendors carrying a variety of items including a booth of Oklahoma made food products. One of the booths is owned by Roslynn herself and offers a selection of children's clothes, including some Mommy and Me outfits, and some children's items.

The Gypsy Cowgirl

 Last weekend I also was able to visit The French Nest, which I missed stopping in at in September because I ran out of time. If the name The French Nest sounds familiar to you and you haven't been to Pawhuska that is because they also have a store in Bartlesville and when I visited Bartlesville a couple of years ago, I featured their store there in the blog. I'm a huge fan of both locations. The have a wide array of gift items from jewelry to candles to home decor to gardening...the list just goes on and on. I found an adorable apron for my daughter there last weekend as well as a beautiful monogram hanging for my front door. The store is large, open, and elegant. It's location is down toward the end of Kihekah so you definitely want to not cut your day too short and miss it.

The French Nest

My last stop of the day was at Signtech on Main Street, across the street from The Mercantile. Don't let the name fool you. Yes, they are a graphics company, but they also have a boutique in the shop now as well. In their store you can purchase original t-shirts as well as a variety of gift items from some of their favorite sellers, including some Oklahoma vendors.

Signtech

Two days of visiting and I still did not make it in to every store and will have to go back for another visit. Not that anyone would have to twist my arm. Fortunately, I'm close enough that if I have a free weekend, making the drive to Pawhuska not a problem. I know that's not the case for everyone, so if you're planning a little pilgrimage to The Mercantile why not plan to stay a little longer so that you have time to really take in all that Pawhuska has to offer: gorgeous architecture, lovely stores with friendly owners and employees, and beautiful views. With all of that at hand, why not spend a couple of days there? Enjoy a relaxing weekend staying at one of their several bed and breakfasts such as The Grandview Inn Bed & Breakfast or the Million Dollar Inn Bed & Bath. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Beautiful Herrmann, Missouri

One of my favorite weekend getaways has to be Hermann, Missouri. Now, I have only been there twice, and that ten years apart, but if there is any place I would gladly spend a weekend, it's Hermann.

Hermann is located about forty minutes north of Cuba, Missouri, in the heart of Missouri Wine Country, and whether you're going as a retreat with your girlfriends, with your spouse, or with your family, it is sure to delight. With seven wineries on their wine trail, and a number of other wineries, distilleries, and breweries in the vicinity, what better way to spend a weekend than sipping beverages and relaxing with loved ones.

 And if you think these views from the Röbbler Winery (left, center) and the OakGlenn Winery (right) are beautiful in late summer, imagine what they look like in autumn when the Hermann Welcome Center and Hermann Chamber of Commerce are putting on their Holiday Fare Wine Trail (third weekend in November) and their Say Cheese Wine Trail (second weekend of December).

So where does one stay when visiting Hermann? Well, the town has a number of bed and breakfasts, which my husband and I found to be a fun experience when we were there ten years ago for Hermann's last weekend of July wine trail. Their were two other couples staying at the bed and breakfast we stayed at, and after we had all visited the wineries that day, we met up on the patio outside the bed and breakfast and shared our wine finds with each other that evening and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. But if you're looking for something a little different and perhaps a little more authentic, consider Adam Puchta's Homestead Guesthaus. Or for a close-to-nature experience, consider where my husband and I stayed during the Berries and BBQ Wine Trail this past July, the treehouses of Hermann Cottage. It was gorgeous, and with two treehouses and a cabin in close proximity to one another, it's a great place for a group of people to stay.

 Now, I know what you're thinking. Girl on Main, this is a little different for you. You usually spend your blog promoting small business in downtown districts. Well, one, these are small businesses worthy of recognition, too, and two, just be patient. I'm getting to all the great shops that make spending a full weekend in Hermann an amazing experience.

When my husband and I first visited Hermann ten years ago, there were just a handful of stores in the downtown district. However, returning this past August, I was thrilled to see that quite a few more had opened, making this the perfect town to come shop around. And you don't have to worry about doing all of your shopping on Saturday. Many of the stores are open both Saturday and Sunday.

After visiting five of the wineries on the Wine Trail on Saturday, my husband and I decided to save the last two for Sunday and to visit some of the shops. Well, I visited shops while he went to the Tin Mill Brewery to sample their brews. It was full of fascinating shops ranging from antiques to retro to boutique clothing to toys to gifts and home decor to floral arrangements and gardening tools and decor. I didn't get to visit all of the stores, but that's okay, because that's all the more reason for me to return as soon as I can find a weekend to do so (and by this point I'm already getting low on my wine stash, so sooner as opposed to later would be great).

The first store I went into, I almost walked past, thinking from it's name, Teleflora, that it was just a flower shop. But knowing from experience that local florists often have pretty cool decor and gifts as well as floral arrangements, I went ahead and stopped. I'm so glad I did, because the floral arrangements (which are amazing by the way) are just one small part of the shop. It has all kinds of home decor, gifts, and clothes. In fact, I found an amazing blue and white dress perfect for school and amazingly inexpensive. If I didn't have a number of other stores to still visit, I could have easily spent a good amount of money in the store on decor and plaques as well as clothes.

From there, I went next door to the The Gold Rhino, who proudly boasts that while they do have some antiques, they are not just an antique store. While the store is divided into sections, it is all owned by the owner, not set up as different consignor booths, and offers a wide variety of items from retro to modern. The best             description would be that it's an eclectic blend of the two. Definitely worth the visit if you want to see a wide variety of items.
 

And in keeping with retro items, on Schiller Street I found another store that I just fell in love with. Talley and Company. They have an exquisite blend of the antique and retro in everything from furniture to jewelry to linens and postcards.What I fell in love with at The Gold Rhino may not have been able to come home with me that day (it was that fabulous white sectional), but I found a great retro glass bead necklace for me and a gorgeous head piece for my daughter at Talley and Company.

In addition to Talley and Company and The Gold Rhino, there are several antique shops in Hermann, such as Antiques Unlimited 2 (Antique Mall and Art Gallery) and Type Styles, which have a great selection of antique decor, furniture, and (in the case of Type Styles) signs and type letters. But those are only two of a number of antique stores in the area; the others I didn't have time to visit, but that I am sure would be well worth shopping as well.

Antiques Unlimited 2

Type Styles

And while there are beautiful antiques in Hermann, if that's not your shopping style, there are a number of other boutiques and gifts stores like Terraflora. Seasonal Treasures and Gifts on First Street, while small, has an array of gift items from jewelry to women's clothing to cooking products like Watkins. Meanwhile, if you head back over to Schiller Street, you will find Back Home Again Antiques, a beautiful green house, where every room is filled with a different array of gifts. They have everything from gourmet food products to blown glass Christmas pickles to plaques to clothes to candles to pottery. Pretty much anything you can think of to give as a gift. And if you continue down Schiller to Fourth Street and turn right, you will find Topiaries, full of gifts for the lover of gardens, birds, butterflies, and nature. The store has a beautiful collection of statuaries, garden baubles, art work, and wind chimes. If you can put it in your garden, on your sun porch, or on your deck, you're bound to find it in this lovely store.

Seasonal Treasures and Gifts

Aside from the beautiful antique stores and boutiques, there are also any number of galleries for shopping and perusing. While I am anxious to get back to check out places like Colorful Brushes Studio and Aces of Spades Garden Art, I did get to shop in Time for Memories, where ninety percent of the items in the store are handcrafted, including beautifully crocheted baby blankets like the one I bought for my sister-in-law, and where Karen Steiner alsooffers a variety of art classes from painting and drawing to basket weaving and crocheting.

And as splendid as the shopping is, I would be remiss if I didn't also mention the vast array of restaurants to choose from as well. Of course the majority of the places where you can stay, including The Cottage tree houses, offer delicious breakfasts as part of their package. But for lunch and dinner there are some wonderful dining options available as well. Both times my husband and I went, we were on a wine trail, so, as the wineries were offering a food and wine pairing, we didn't have much need of lunch on Saturday. However, we did have the opportunity to eat at Wings a-Blazin' for lunch on Sunday this past July, and it was amazing. I had a wrap and my husband had the wings, and they were certainly worth the stop in. Saturday night we made reservations for Vintage Restaurant at Stonehill Winery. We had eaten there ten years before, and it continued to impress this time as well. But perhaps our most memorable experience was at Simon's on the Waterfront. We ended up there Friday evening by accident, having gone first to Concert Hall and Barrel, and sadly (because their menu looked good on their website and I was fascinated with the building), leaving because we had been seated for nearly ten minutes without having a server come by and  even ask us what we wanted to drink. I like to give restaurants the benefit of the doubt and think that perhaps they had some people call in that night unexpectedly. Regardless, though, we left and Simon's was close by so we shrugged and went there. We were both actually glad it worked out that way, though, because the restaurant is a bit inconspicuous and, not finding a menu on-line, we probably wouldn't have gone there otherwise, and that would have been a loss because the food was amazing. We got the shrimp boil, which was quite the feast for two. And if a recommendation from me is not enough to get you there, hopefully the picture will be.

 Delicious food, eclectic and beautiful shops, fantastic wines, beautiful scenery, and a pleasing choice of places to stay, not to mention all the things I didn't get to talk about like the Katy Trail and zip lining, are all reasons why I love Hermann, Missouri. Even as I write this I am trying to think of a way I can work around my children's activities and escape back there this fall. I'm not too sure it's going to happen, but I can say one thing for certain: it definitely won't be ten years before I visit again. So now it's your turn. Check out Hermann, Missouri, and see if you don't leave loving it as much as I do.

http://visithermann.com/taste-tour/the-hermann-wine-trail/
http://adampuchtawine.com/homestead-guesthouse/
https://hermanncottage.com/hermann-missouri-tree-house-cabin-lodging-reservations/

Growing Downtown Coweta

This past Saturday, I decided it was time to visit my mom's town of Coweta, Oklahoma. I referenced it before when we visited a couple of shops after spending the day in Wagoner, and I've wanted to come back for a day ever since. The catch was that I wanted to do it on a Saturday when they were doing their monthly street market, which is the second Saturday of the month during the summer and harvest months. Well, this past Saturday was just such a day.

With the company of my mom and step-dad, we headed down to the Saturday Street Market. There were about forty spaces marked off for the market, but it looked like rain earlier that morning had kept some of the vendors away. However, with fifteen or so vendors there, I didn't have a problem finding some items to come home with and one that has made it to my wishlist--in fact I'm probably going back in August to purchase it. The street market was a nice blend of tasty treats (I had a bread pudding from one vendor that was very delicious), home-grown vegetables, homemade preserves, and home-raised honey, independent consultant booths, handcrafted furniture, and handcrafted jewelry (including a booth by a sweet young lady about my daughter's age who makes some of the cutest bracelets and sells them for her business she calls Okie Art from the Heart).

My wishlist bench

 With the street market shopped, we continued down their Main Street to visit the shops Coweta has to offer. One of the shops I had visited when I stopped through on my way back from Wagoner had closed, but there were some others that had opened as well. Our first stop was a quaint little two-story shop called Off the Beaten Path. It was a nice blend of antiques, gifts, and handcrafted items. I found several items that I liked and even came home with a beautiful basket I purchased for five dollars and two individual-sized containers of fudge that were made in Bethany, Oklahoma, and that were delicious. In fact, I'm already plotting time to get back there to buy some more of the fudge.

Another "gift shop" we visited was City Drug. Now, if you don't live in or frequent small towns, I know what you're thinking: How is a drug store a gift shop? Well, anyone who lives in a small town can tell you that our drug stores sell much more than just over the counter medicines and prescriptions. Most carry a vast array of items from toys and stuffed pets to clothing to gifts, and City Drug is no different. They have a great children's section where one can buy shower gifts or little birthday gifts for a child in his or her life, a great selection of boutique-style shirts for ladies and girls, a garden decor section, a unique gift collection (including the most adorable umbrellas that are packaged as wine bottles), and plenty of OU and OSU gear for the fans.

In addition to these gift shops in the heart of the downtown area, there also have opened a couple of gift shops that perform double duty. The first one we visited was 4 Tons of Blessings Craft Boutique. At first glance, walking in, it seemed like simply a cute collection of jewelry, clothing, and wall decor, but just past the racks up front, there was a huge crafting table, and after talking to the employees and customers painting, we discovered what this boutique was all about. Owner, Misty Edwards teaches painting classes in this little boutique, and not just a picture. The tin signs on the walls were all hand-painted and the idea that I've fallen in love with and am dying to try is a class where you first paint a ladder, which has three velcro spots on it, and then you paint three signs or designs that adhere to the velcro. Once you have your ladder completed, you can come back for other classes and paint series of three decorations that can be used interchangeably on the ladder, so you can build an entire collection for every season and/or holiday of the year. Love. It. Sign me up.

The second shop that performs double duty is Completely Random Designs. Owner, Jennifer Collins keeps herself busy reinvigorating furniture and turning what was something old into something new. The front part of the shop is devoted to her craft as well as a sampling of gifts, but at the back of the shop is a haven for children--or for adults with a creative spark. The store has shelves of ceramic figures that people can paint and take home with them, or have the Collins fire for them. So whether you're looking for a gift, a unique piece of furniture, or a place to take your kids to do something creative, you should definitely check this little store out.

Outside of shops, there are several places to eat in downtown Coweta. A staple is the Green Parrot Cafe. I know my mom and step-dad have eaten there numerous times over the years that they have lived in the town. On this particular Saturday we went to Goodfellas, whose Grove restaurant I wrote about last summer, because despite it having been there for quite a few years, my mom and step-dad had never been. It didn't disappoint. The pizza was loaded with toppings and the flavor was equal to that of its Grove counterpart. Another restaurant my mom and step-dad haven't been to, but that I had the privilege of eating at last spring in Dixie's cafe. It is homestyle cooking that is delicious, and what adds to the ambiance of the place is how they serve the food. Your meal comes out in a pie plate and your drink is served in a measuring glass. So if the food doesn't stick in your memory, and it's definitely good enough to, the eating utensils definitely will.

 My last stop of the day was a place I have to visit anytime I'm in Coweta's downtown and that is the Emporium Boutique. The Emporium is located in a house at the end of the Main Street, and is well worth the browsing through the rooms. I never go in there without finding something I love. This past Saturday it was a great pair of jeans and an adorable dress. And while the store has a beautiful collection of clothing for ladies of all sizes, that isn't what it's limited to. There is a vast array of jewelry from the popular caviar beaded bracelets to cuffs to necklaces and earrings, beautiful purses, blingy dog collars, seasonings and cooking mixes, gifts for the home, and some peach salsa when it's in season. No wonder I never have a problem finding something I love there anytime I go.

After our final stop at the Emporium, it was time to head back to my neck of the woods. All in all, it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday, and I look forward to being able to go back. If you are looking for something to do with family or friends, whether it is shop or exercise your creative genius, check Coweta out. You can find these merchants on Facebook and follow what is going on in their stores to help you plan your trip. After all, I've heard the Dallas Housewives were there, so shouldn't you be, too? So, until next time, readers, remember to shop local and support our Main Streets. In the meantime, I know where I'll be:

Off the Beaten Path Boutique