Blog Parties

Monday, September 14, 2009

I'm in love!!!

Don't tell my hubby, but I have a new love in my life. Wait...he already knows. And how does he know? I took him to meet my new love. He wasn't as impressed as me. But I don't care. I am truly in love, with a store. And I'm not talking about Home Goods (my old love).

If not Home Goods, what store would that be? Why it would be, Tai Pan Trading. I originally heard about this store from some Utah bloggers. But the stores were in Utah & I'm in California.

Well, last week my sister's SIL wrote on their family blog how she went with some girlfriends to a fabulous store called Tai Pan Trading in Rancho Cucamonga. That's in California, in the Inland Empire, where I happen to live. I did the happy dance, at my desk, at work no less. I had to go. Rancho Cucamonga is only a 40 minute drive from my house. Dee Dee drove all the way from San Diego to go to this store. Which is more like 2 hours away. She said it was definitely worth the drive. I didn't need anymore convincing. I was on my way. But wait, I still had to work for a few days before I could go. I'd have to wait for the weekend. Drats!!! Work can put such a damper on my plans.

So Saturday I put my plan in motion. I was so excited. Hubby & stepson #2 wanted to come along for the ride. I was in such a good mood, I wasn't going to let them tagging along dampen my spirits. Just don't ask me about my mood by the end of the day. Let's just say, I wasn't a happy camper. Eighteen year olds can be such a pain in the butt.

I don't know how long this California store has been open. But it seemed pretty new. I was told this is their smallest store. Yikes!!! I could have spent all day in this store. (Only hubby & stepson #2 stopped me from doing so. Note to self, next time leave hubby & stepson #2 home and come alone or bring girlfriends.) I can imagine if the Utah stores are bigger you could spend a week.

There was so much to see in this store. Right now I am into seasonal decorating, so the majority of my time was spent browsing in this section. Don't you just love these roosters? And the florals!!!

Look at this harvest tree. Great idea and beautiful too.
They have a whole section of dishes, etc. I really loved this tablescape because it had roosters. I almost bought the rooster, but I couldn't make up my mind if I wanted the white or the red one. It was only $10 bucks. I should have got both. But alas, I got neither. I forget how much the cloche was, but pretty reasonable. The prices here at pretty reasonable. Oh and I just now noticed the rooster jars. How did I miss them when I was in the store. I've been looking for some like that. Good, I have a reason to go back.
And I know where all the Target S&P shakers have all gone to. They were having a birdy convention at the store. These were $1.98 a piece. I think the ones from Target were $5.00 for the pair. These are the exact same birdies. At least they look the same to me. What do you think?
Pewter seems to be big this year. There was a lot of pewter in the store. I liked this turkey. Forgot to see how much though. Sorry.
And soup tureens. These were the ones with the lion face (I guess that is what is is) on the sides. $10 bucks each. Great deal. I think I also saw the soup bowls that matched. I want one of these. But didn't buy one.
I loved all the fall displays. There is so much eye candy in this store, I really missed seeing most of it. I know this as when I'm looking at the photos I took I think, "I don't remember seeing that". I get sensory overload when I go into these type of stores, or most stores for that fact. I miss a lot of great things. I hate when that happens at the thrift store.
And we can't forget Halloween. They had lots of Halloween decor as well. I was just so busy oohing and ahhing that I forgot to take photos.
I loved these Halloween blocks. But I'm going to make my own. Hubby said to me "I know I will be cutting some more blocks". Hubby knows me too well.
And while you're at it honey, can you cut three more blocks as I loved this "BOO" one as well. Love the font.
See how easy it is to miss seeing things? There is so much to see.
I would love my arbor outdoors to look like this.
I loved these turkeys.
I wanted this pineapple finial. It was only $13 bucks. But I'm too cheap. I already have a concrete finial from spring/summer. I may just paint it up to look like this for fall. I love the metallic finish on the top portion. I'm so into metallics right now.
Here is a close up of my favorite turkey. I have a terracotta turkey I bought about 10 years ago. I think I'm going to whitewash it this year to look like this. But you'll have to wait for Thanksgiving time to see if I actually followed through.
Well there you have a small taste of what Tai Pan Trading has to offer. They have decor, dishes, floral, wedding, candles, seasonal, mirrors, planters, shelves, furniture. Everything you would need for Home Decor. Except I don't remember seeing lamps. I was more focused on the seasonal decor right now. Updated: I just went on their website & they do carry lamps. I just didn't notice any when I was there.

They did have an area for Christmas, but that is still 3 months away. I'm not big on the future, I tend to live in the present. So right now, harvest and Halloween have my attention with a little Thanksgiving. I'd love to go back when they are full blown Christmas. I'll bet it will be fabulous.

So, if you live in southern California or in Utah, or plan on visiting either place. Be sure to make time to visit Tai Pan Trading. You will thank me.

And what did I buy? Only a "trick or treat" sign and some acorns (I'll show you later when I decorate with them). I didn't have much money. If I did, I would have needed to rent a truck to take home everything I wanted.

But it was still fun just getting to window shop and get decorating ideas. Have you been to Tai Pan Trading? Or do you have a store that you are in love with?

Kim

18 comments:

  1. I want to go back to Palm Desert and take a drive to Tai Pan1 Looks like a place I could go bananas in! Wowie... Too bad they don't sell online. oh well. just have to go to Cali. See ya later, Kim. hugs, Sue

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  2. Oh Kim I am going to check and see if they have one in N.calif...oh I could have some great fun there...Lovely things...thanks for the infro my friend...Hope you have a great day...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  3. Hey Girlfriend...

    Ohhh yea...Tai Pan Trading is definitely my kind of store!!! I'll have to check and see if there are any in Colorado...but I bet not! Girl, wished you could have heard me ooohing and aaahing during my window shopping! Hehe! I love, love, LOVE those pretty red dishes with the bright yellow sunflowers on them!

    Yep...you're gonna have to go back when you can really spend some time shopping...men free! Hehe! Can't wait to see your new goodies that you got! Thanks for taking us along on your shopping trip...loved it!!!

    Love ya,
    Chari

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  4. Kim, this looks (and the prices sound) like a place I'd fall in love with also! What great deals on such pretty things. Thanks for making me envious of you who live close to one!! laurie

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  5. What a wonderful excuse to come to California, would be a long shopping trip but a good excuse. My mouth is still hanging open from the prices, they are great. Thanks for the tour I really enjoyed it. I bet you got ton of ideals for the Holidays.
    Sandy

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  6. Wow what a fun looking store Kim! I could of spent hours there too, and I know just what ya mean. Having hubby along on shopping trips are NO fun! lol.

    I would have never thought about doing a tree like that but WOW is it gorgeous!!! I want one!

    Gosh, I wonder why don't they have one of these stores in Sac town??We NEED one!

    Oh well thanks for taking us along for a peek!

    Hugs,
    Sherri:)

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  7. Thanks for visiting me! I love your post ... I've been looking for a pewter turkey ... maybe online??

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  8. Wow, what fun! I'm loving the red and yellow sunflower dishes behind the red and white tablescape!

    When the "boys" want to tag along and I KNOW I want to really SHOP I'll say something like. "I'd love for you to come with me, you can help me pick some new throw pillows for the living room and I want to go by that antiques store I told you about. Then we'll stop at.... By then they are backing out of the room mumbling something about forgeting to wash out the garbage can or something. Works like a charm and they think it was their idea!

    Hope you get back there soon!
    Dawn

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  9. I forgot, I wanted to say that I'd love to see the praying mantis costume! You need to post a picture of that on your blog! laurie

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  10. Wow..what an awesome store! I wonder if they are in Texas??

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  11. Kim what fabulous store, I would have emptied my bank account in there for sure...Mmmmm I wonder, do they sell online at all???
    That would be my only chance to indulge myself, they don't have any in OZ.
    Warmest hugs,
    Sandi

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  12. Hi, I wanted to thank you for visiting my blog. I have a tye pan
    5 minutes from my house. They have sooooo much. The only way I can go is to already have in mind what I'm looking for. It's a fun place.

    cindy@stitches

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  13. What a wonderful store!! Hopefully they will open one up in Northern Alabama. At least we will be getting another Kirkland's soon. The other one closed. WHERE DO I LIVE?!?!??

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  14. Wow, what a place! I wish we had one here in MA ... or anywhere in New England, for that matter. I would definitely drive a couple of hours to go there.

    Jane

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  15. I'm so glad you enjoyed it...not that I had any doubts. I can't wait to go back. I'm meeting a friend that lives in Simi Valley there for lunch one day soon. That's a great excuse to get together, right?!! It is too bad that you can't shop online. Or maybe it's safer that way:)

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  16. I love this store and I live only five minutes away from the 100,000 sq ft store in Utah. This is oh so bad for the wallet, but oh how I love this store. I spend way too much time just wandering and dreaming.

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  17. Yes indeed that would be a store to get lost in for hours!!! Sigh, if only they were here in Tx....

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