Bliss

As I sit here listening to Radio 1 live through the apple mac I am using, I thought back to my little excursion to Blackpool that I went on with my best friend. Becky and I had gone with the sole purpose of celebrating her 17th and to see Sex and the City 2. We ended up not going to the cinema because we couldn't find our way and it had started to rain. We started to try and find our way to the bus station but ended up walking through the street near the market. There it was tucked away in Blackpool of all places- The Secret Garden. A little shop, along the row of cafes, with a willow figurine of a faerie outside. We crept inside to the sound of a magical door chime. There was a gorgeous mossy tree in the window, adorned with dream catchers and all things magical. There was a small water feature, bubbling water underneath the tree.

The shop keeper was a mystical lady, balancing bare foot on the window ledge to the shop window. Her hair had been hennaed and was piled on top of her head in russet, autumnal shades. She wore patterned leggings, an anklet, vest tops and a skirt with an old, raggedy scarf tied around her waist.

I circled the shop with my bewildered friend. There were faerie wings, potions, herbs, spell books, outfits, flowers, trinkets, jewelery, faerie dust, dream catchers hanging from the ceiling and crowns of flowers and felt.

It was simply Marvelous and although I did not make any purchases (regrettably we had to run for the bus) it made me so happy just knowing that shops like that had a small place within the town of Blackpool. Almost hidden, but still there on that beautiful stretch with art sculptures and newly paved roads. Totally not Blackpool.