June 6, 2009

Busy day of errands today. We happened upon three new places that I thought I'd share with you.

The first was the Indian River Thrift Store, run by the Union Mission Ministries. We were searching thrift stores for a poker table top for our weekly poker night. We had heard there were three at a thrift store off of Indian River Rd. No such luck, but nice to know there's another thrift store we weren't aware of. It was your basic CHKD-type thrift store - clothes, clothes and more clothes - with the various sections of home goods, furniture, books, etc. Looked like they had a sticker special - where, that day, the pink stickered items were 50% off.

Indian River Thrift Store
4016 E Indian River Rd
Chesapeake VA 23325
(757) 366-0316
Mon 9 am - 5 pm
Tue - Sat 9 am - 5:30 pm
For donation pick-up call (757) 627-8686

As we were pulling out of the thrift store parking lot, I noticed a huge array of flowers across the road. We saw a sign that read "Farm Market" and decided to go check it out. The flowers were gorgeous, generously priced color bowls, and a wonderful assortment of herbs, nicely priced at $1.69 each. Inside there was a produce market with a wall of honeys and preserves, and tables of a variety of produce including onions, potatoes, peaches, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and green beans. We bought a tray of 6 different herbs: tarragon, st. john's wort, lavendar, rue, sandival grey, and marjoram; a bag of tiny little new potatoes and 2 squash and a zucchini. Our total was only $18.30, which was significantly less expensive than our last herb shopping spree at Lowe's and Wal-Mart. For those planning a big trip, be aware that Beasley's is a small operation which doesn't take credit card - checks or cash only. Go support local growers!!!

Beasley's Farm Market
4001 Indian River Rd
Chesapeake, VA
(757) 420-0658
Open 7 days a week
Their motto: "We sell the best and dump the rest!"

Steph had a hair appointment at 3:00 pm at StudioEast, in Norfolk, a place she found through Google. We were offered a beverage of our choice as soon as we walked in, and Stephanie didn't even have to wait a minute before her stylist, a woman named Shaunte Colden, came to take her back. In the waiting area, there was a nice selection of body products by Indigo Wild (Zum Bum), candles by WoodWick, and footwear by YogaSandals. The area was called Ms. Anne's Unique Boutique and also had a few make-up and skin care lines as well. A perk of coming with Steph was that while I was waiting, a woman who worked there came and offered to treat me to a paraffin wax hand treatment. Well of course I took her up on it. My hands definitely needed it and she massaged lotion into my hands before and after they were dipped in wax and wrapped for about 10 minutes. Shaunte spent a great deal of time with Steph, getting her new style just how she wanted it; and it was well worth it - Steph loved her new haircut and she gave Steph a great price, which means we'll definitely be back. Here is a list of some of the services they offer, according to the brochure I picked up: haircuts, coloring, perms, updo's, manicures, pedicures, gel nails, facials, salt scrubs, waxing, makeup application, and recently added massages ($30 for 30 min, $40 for 1 hour, and $55 for 90 minutes). I believe at those prices, I'll be having a massage the next time Steph goes in for a cut.

StudioEast
3841-O East Little Creek Rd
Norfolk VA 23518
(757) 588-5533
Hours Mon 10-6, Tues 10-7, Wed 9-7, Thu 10-7, Fri 9-6, Sat 9-3; closed Sun; walk-ins welcome, appointments recommended