It's only natural...

to love a place at first sight, right? Because I do. You would too if you went here. And where is here, you ask? Paradise, California at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique. You'll have to excuse my crappy pictures - check the Paradise blog for some better ones.



This is where I spent last Saturday with my mom and a ton of other lucky ladies for Karen's annual National Scrapbook Day celebration. Yes, I know NSD was the week before, but in Paradise they do things their own way. And may I just say, it was worth the wait!

When you walk in the shop you are instantly taken aback at just how pretty everything is. The ceiling is strung with twinkle lights, paper is stacked on half-walls perched on pristine white tables laden with all kinds of goodies.



Ribbons and trims are everywhere. Stored on this wall by color, and also tucked into all kinds of places all over the store, letting you see just how well a particular trim goes with a paper that you would never have guessed could be possible.



As you walk through the store, you realize that there is a place for everything. Products are stored in categories - new releases that cycle through the display tables, outdoor, school, love, holidays, travel, baby, etc. The amazing thing about the way this is all done is that there is no obnoxious sign that points out what "department" you are in. You look up and see a fishing pole mounted to the wall, a vintage scooter, a huge pair of scissors, seashells scattered around, and even a vintage refrigerator filled with vintage paper. Your brain takes you exactly where you want to be without having to even think about it. It's brilliant.



The shop is filled to the brim. Everywhere you look you find some amazing thing and think, "well that's just perfect." It's like being inside someone's home. You could go through the store a hundred times and find something new each time. I did.



Just when you think you've seen it all, you find the cutest buttons in the world all packaged up, nesting in an even cuter bowl, tucked away in the tiniest bit of real estate. And well, you have to have them, right? Right.



I think Karen is the only person in the world who is as fond of jars filled with vintage spools of thread as I am. Love it.



And what is this? A chair? Mounted on a wall? Well, yeah - I mean, you have to put your starfish and ribbon somewhere. Isn't that what everyone does with their vintage chairs?



More ribbon being cute.

We had such a blastie together! Lots of shopping, make-n-takes, flower demos, laughing, and, if I may say so, the best chocolate cupcakes I've ever had. Ever.

Okay, so if you're not convinced by all this, take a trip up there, would ya? Cause if you haven't, you're totally missing out. Be sure to visit the blog to see what's new in Paradise!!