Cape Cod Finds From Our Mother-Daughter Trip
Plus, a little extra. First, just a disclosure: The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, A. Taylor Studio receives a commission (at no cost to you). Thank you for reading and being here. xo, T
It’s been a slow, long winter, with a constant theme: busy. It’s the opposite of how I really want to spend winters, if I am being honest. So, at the end of January, I made a pact with myself: to put a pause on some of the creative endeavors I’d started in 2025. It was one of the hardest things about this season. The idea of slowing down, hibernating, taking a conscious rest...I wasn’t doing it until I made the choice myself. I said “no” to some opportunities (which was hard), and realized that I needed to slow down (and maybe come to a full stop) in order to start up again. Perhaps once all this snow melts, I’ll feel a little more inspiration to create for others.
This February, I really have only begun to slow down and hibernate. Early bedtimes, consistent rituals, and lots of intentional time with my little kids has been good for my soul. There’s not much to do outside for now, so right now it’s a season of envisioning and dreaming (I always tend to do this with the garden). Underneath the several inches of snow out there, the grass will be sprouting and bulbs popping up. I cannot wait for those first few signs of spring.
Cape Cod in the Winter
One of the faster, a little insane things we did was take a winter trip t0 Cape Cod - just mom and I to celebrate her being five years cancer-free. I was so thrilled about this trip, even though it was quite cold (a biting Cape wind didn’t help). We had to cut our time in Chatham, MA short, due to impending snow here at home. We made some memories of a lifetime and found some wonderful thrift shops that I’ll never forget! Here are a few of the shops, restaurants and hidden gems we loved in Cape Cod. If anyone wants any more specific recs, I’d be so happy to discuss on Instagram (send me a DM!)
Changing Tides Consignment Shop | Upscale and elegant selection, with beautifully curated and organized clothing racks for easy browsing. Lots of great designer picks if you’re looking for something fancy. I scored a cropped J. Crew sweater and Lululemon leggings (new with tags). Everything was on trend and the store felt perfectly stocked, like a boutique.
Local Color Resale Boutique | A fantastic gem of a thrift shop, a bit off the beaten path, with lots of wonderful gowns, outerwear, and denim jeans.
Scout Vintage | Not a thrift shop, but a stunning boutique with the most beautiful garden wares, jewelry, house wares, furniture and accessories. It was pricey, but everything was unique and sourced from authentic, high-quality origins.
Gatherings At Home | My absolute favorite home decor spot of the entire trip. We met a lovely shopkeeper, Alice, who gave us so many amazing tips about estate sales in the area. I bought a lot of home finds here, and almost found the table of my dreams…instead, I brought home a large table lamp, a vintage copy of. Call of the Wild and White Fang, a vintage preserver crock, to name a few.
Homeport Restaurant | We stopped for a delicious, memorable diner-style breakfast in Orleans. This restaurant made me feel quite nautical, somehow. I loved the individual little pots of tea - a true hallmark of an old-fashioned eatery.
Friend’s Marketplace | This small grocery store was a quick few steps away from Homeport. Fresh veggies, baked goods, a hot bar, and natural goods made me feel like this was the way every Whole Foods wishes it could be.
Our AirBNB in Chatham, Mass | The hosts made this little seaside cottage truly feel like home…I never wanted to leave. This tiny 1930s cedar home was equipped only with what we needed: a small kitchen, a table, a living room, small bath, and cozy bedroom. The best part? There was no TV. I loved looking out the window and seeing the lighthouse mere steps away!
Estate Sales | Using this website, we did a search to find two wonderful estate sales that were quite different from each other. It is worth checking out this website if you’re into yard sales, antiquing, thrifting, but want to also explore some of people’s stuff in a realistic and authentic way!
It’s hard to believe I am already mentally preparing for March. I’m going to ask myself to pause there again…and really savor this cold, dark month of February while it is still here. Once February is over and the spring starts making her appearance, time really does start to fly. Before we know it, it’ll be 2027 and beyond. I think we can all agree that being present, and enjoying the now is a far better use of our time.
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