Last week, I had the pleasure of accompanying my mom to a day in Williamsburg. We're relatively close in proximity-- about an hour or so of driving. However, it took us about 2 to get there due to incoherent traffic and roadways: not to mention a road raging lunatic hogging the passing lane.
When we first clamped eyes on those white picket fences and cobblestone roadways, all driving strife was set aside. The sun shone beautifully, the breeze blew slightly, and freshly planted flowers smelled potent and looked aesthetically perfect.
Along merchant's square, resides this darling little bistro, The Blue Talon. There I throughly enjoyed a 'croque madame', accompanied by a summer vinaigrette salad with an orangina Italian soda-- all of which I ate without feeling a shred of guilt. My entree was steaming ham and melted provolone cheese, sandwiched between two pieces of thick bread-- fried to perfection. On the sandwich itself, sat a fried egg, topped with fresh parsley. All the layers of meat, cheese, bread, and eggs, swam in a decadent creamy subtle sauce that I proudly licked off the plate.
When my mom and I finished scraping every last crumb off our plates, we ventured into the colonial district. Despite the stifling 90 degree humidity, strolling the cobblestone sidewalks while passing colonial cladded men and women soothes the senses (and makes me desperately happy for my shorts and lack of petticoats). We visited the gardens, snapped some pictures, smelt some unknown flowers, and continued on. To briefly escape the heat, my mom and I visit the hat store to purchase some colonial made lavender soap, and browse at lovely miscellaneous vintage merchandise.
Our final stop correlates with the phrase 'retail therapy': music to my ears. The Williamsburg Premium Outlet mall contains one of my guilty pleasures... Kate Spade. Yes, couture designer bags are my weakness. However, when you can get a $300 bag for $150, how could anyone resist that temptation? All joking aside, I always leave that store spending over $100, which for me is rare (considering I spend the majority of my money in sephora). I left with a darling pearl pink clutch wallet, with a matching bow key chain, and a darling pair of hot pink studded earrings. My girly side prominates most in that store.
To conclude the day, a quaint little bakery we visited earlier, provided us with mandatory macaroons and palmierres to munch on during the long drive home, accompanied by over sweetened Starbucks iced coffee. Williamsburg truly soothes the soul, and desperately makes me long for a simple life. I often envision myself living in a small white colonial house, with a proud colorful healthy garden to tend to; maybe walking to the Blue Talon everyday to enjoy a gourmet brunch on the outside terrace. If staying in Virginia is an option, Williamsburg has my 5 star review.
