Old Town Orange

Hello dear Bloggers! It's time for Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer. Make sure to stop by to see more outdoor fun. Have I got a great tour for you today, so sit back, relax, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy the ride.

If you're an antique shop junkie like me, you'll love Old Town Orange, AKA Orange Circle. It's the motherload of antique malls in Southern California. Blocks and blocks of antique shops, eateries, boutiques, and an assortment of small businesses all with old time charm.




Here's a quaint tea room with a Parisien flair called Paris in a Cup. I've got to come back some day and try it.
Ooh la la, isn't it charming?


A park in the middle of the intersection, creates a rotunda or circle, thus the name Orange Circle.



Here stands the first bank of Orange. It's now a Wells Fargo. The interior is stunning with intricate woodwork on the ceiling. Sorry, I have no pictures. I've gotten in trouble a few times taking pictures in stores and didn't want to risk alarming security by taking pictures inside a bank. No one ever told me blogging would be such risky business!


Now, I just had to show you this store. At first glance, you'd think it was an upscale clothing boutique, but upon closer inspection, it's a store filled with designer aprons!



I don't know about you, but I'm not typically dressed in a frou-frou apron when slaving over a hot stove. If my DH saw me in this, I'm sure he'd think I've lost my marbles. Then again, maybe he'd think I'm adding a little spice to more than just my cooking. Heehee.



I'm attracted to a sale like bees are to honey!


Isn't this storefront just delish! C'mon, let's go inside...

My friend, Candy, was drawn to vintage purses. I've got to keep an eye out for those at estate sales.


And me? The tea accoutrements of course! Look at these decorated sugar cubes. I've got to make that for my next tea party.


This town really loves aprons! This is not the apron store, but a fancy cupcake shop. Again, no pictures allowed inside.

For lunch, Candy suggested a tea house called the Victorian Manor.

This Victorian gem flaunts lots of gingerbread and lilac paint.


Stepping inside, you can see the proprietors went over the top with their embellishments.

But that's what makes a tea house fun.

Here I am with my buddies, Candy and Sharon. If you're reading this Michelle, I promised you I'd keep you posted as to the adventures your mom and I have. ;)

Poor, dear Sharon, all this pink and purple gaudiness was just too much sensory overload!





Let's tour the upstairs of the tea house. Only in a Victorian Lady can you get away with all these colors!






This is the second group of Red Hatters I saw today. Aren't they cute?
Okay, time to walk off all those carbs and head back into the antique shops.

Can you tell how much fun we were having?


Mirror, mirror on the wall...Candy you ARE the fairest of them all!
Hope you enjoyed your virtual tour of the Orange Circle. Thanks for visiting the Lace and Ivy Cottage, and as always, your comments make my day!


Till next time,