Hi friends! happy Sunday morning! When you read this, the hubs and I will be in the car headed back down to Southern California for another week. Seems like we just got back from San Diego! He's traveling for work again.... And I'm tagging along again! Got my laptop all packed and ready to go so I can write blog posts and do some work at the hotel. I have dinner plans with some friends. It's all good. Hope you're having a nice weekend! I've been taking A LOT of pictures lately and I LOVE to share pictures! (Imagine your crazy fun aunt with the slide projector full of vacation photos - yeah that's me).
Today's post is a photo essay about a visit I made to the amazing new Anthropologie & Co store in Walnut Creek California a couple of weeks ago. CLICK HERE to read more about this new concept from Anthropologie. The store in Walnut Creek is the first store of its kind in the United States. How lucky I am to live only about an hour away from it! When I heard that it was opening I made a mental note to go asap. But, then they announced on their Instagram page that they were having a Calligraphy event. I signed up right then and there...and visited the store on their fifth day open.
Let me just say that the place is MAGIC. Pure magic. The building is an old two story former Barnes & Noble store, so that will give you some sense of scale as to how big it is. Thousands of square feet of furniture, clothes, bridal, plants and flowers, shoes, makeup, jewelry, candles, dishes, paper goods, and home decor items. I thought my head was going to explode from all the wonderful sensory overload. They have created something so special. I went for the Calligraphy event, which was fantastic. CLICK HERE for information about the Calligrapher who taught us. I ended up staying about three hours! Walking around, taking it in, observing the millions of perfect details, taking pictures. I met so many of the lovely employees and talked to almost all of them! Everyone seemed so happy and excited about their new store. And they are also all beautiful and chic!
I get so totally inspired by going to beautiful, creative spaces. I believe that inspiration is everywhere and anywhere. Color, texture, light, design, styling, all of it. It gets into my head and keeps me engaged and ready to create. It's also such a nice mental break to be somewhere that beautiful. Just feels good, ya know? You need to go here. Stat. They are opening more locations too. I'll go ahead and start with the photos....
First up, this is the scene that greets you right when you walk in the door!
These first shots are general photos of the decor and the furniture vignettes... OH... And don't even get me started about all the wallpapers....
This is in the kitchen and dishware department. So lovely!
All these textures and colors!! Oh my.
A pink velvet couch? Yes, please! Don't mind if I do!
I wanted this gorgeous cabinet.... But it was too big to fit in my purse.
These next few photos are of the set up for our Calligraphy class! Beautiful and inspiring and festive all at the same time. It was a quiet time with lovely, happy women. We had a great time and learned a lot too. I definitely want to go back for more events here.
The way the light captures this little bottle and makes a gorgeous green shadow??? SIGH.
The next few photos are of some of the gorgeous clothing.
And bridal....
And shoes! What about this cool, funky, interesting, artsy light fixture?? WOW!!
Paper goods of course!
There is a full service beauty department that feels like a spa.... And the gorgeous 'tree' hanging down over it? Made of hand dyed PAPER! Swoon!
Last, but not least, is the garden and floral department. It's called Terrain. Yes, before you ask, all these flowers and plants are real, and they are all inside the store!!! I've never seen anything like it before. A feast for the senses.
This blue wall!!! ACK. Stunning and inspired.
So there you have it! I wanted you to feel as if you were there with me. As a photographer, I could have taken a lot more pictures here. It is a buffet of beautiful things just waiting to be photographed. They make it easy to imagine your own home decorated with beautiful objects. I cannot wait to see how they decorate for Christmas! I hope you have a great day. I'll be back on Wednesday with a super fun blog hop for one of our favorite companies. Until then, take care. XOXO
Your photography is always so beautiful! I don't suppose you would be willing to share your camera settings for this round of pictures! I am a hobbyist photographer and am always wanting to learn more. Thanks!
Posted by: Chri | 10/10/2016 at 09:14 AM
Oh my goodness! Your photos are so divine and it all looks SO inspiring. Let's make a beeline back there soon! xoxoB
Posted by: Brenda Walton | 10/09/2016 at 09:27 PM
The pictures are so wonderful I feel like I was right there with you. What a cool place. How was your class? Thanks for the tour.
Posted by: Anne Sturgeon | 10/09/2016 at 05:47 PM
That's so nice of you to take me on your trip to this store. I also thought Anthropologie was a frou frou clothing store but now I see it is so much more. I'd love to browse one for real. Now are you a world class calligrapher?
Posted by: Princess Judy | 10/09/2016 at 07:41 AM
Such a beautiful place. You are so lucky to have visited! Thanks for "taking me along..."!
Posted by: Teresa Doyle | 10/09/2016 at 04:47 AM
OH MY sure felt I was there too..what an AMAZING shop!!!
Have a great week..love to see those photo's too!
Hugs Holly.
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 10/09/2016 at 02:11 AM
Thank you Wanda, for taking me along your journey with you. I wish I was with you for reals. I too, love this store, as virtual as it was I got to visit. I saw so many things I too, loved. I think that Zebra looked like something Chaitali Narla would design on a card...don't you? I also am digging those floral boots, want them for sure. The makeup brush holder, awesome. The wedding dress...vintage. I'd loved to see my granddaughter wear it someday. All in all I believe the store needs to open another location here in Nebraska...which is so NOT on their radar. But, it would be on mine. I so thank you for sharing your journey in photos. Don't ever stop. What did you bring home with you?
Posted by: Connie Brooks | 10/09/2016 at 02:04 AM