Bright Reflections Indeed

Downtown Paris is magical during the holidays!


Since I failed to take my camera with me last night to the PARIS! magazine gathering (held in the avante-gard penthouse of COMPUTER HELP in downtown Paris) and the concurrent holiday open house of downtown shops, I am relying on Ray Harding's recent photo he entitled "Bright Reflections". Ray (2008 Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year for his work with the Heritage Center and Lee Academy for the Arts) is one of many intriguing associates of PARIS! magazine as well as its online companion, myparismagazine.com. I love reading his "Who Knews" as well.

I was accompanied to the event by my daughter, Kristi, her twins-in-the-oven, and granddaughter Millie. Millie, who is proud of her association with the group, missed "Mr. Rick" and made good with Miss Lisa's pink-frosted cupcakes. Kristi came away glowing, just as my son did after meeting some of the crew recently. His assessment, "Those are some good people," is an accurate accounting of this group of movers and shakers in Henry County.

Henry County must be full of them, if our experience in the shops' open houses are an indication. We only had time to visit four stores in the remaining time of the event, but daresay they were among the best! We first slipped into The Gallery, where we were greeted with aplomb by a gracious hostess, who said the items in her store were created by a variety of (apparently very talented) artisans. With a store full of wonders, we were drawn to a few special items, including some unique silver "spoon" bracelets (the more unique because of their chained clasp - drop by to see these!) and some whimsical zoo animal paintings on stretched canvas.

Next stop - Nirvana! Calling all quilters...you'll be delighted first by the intricate, precise detail of the machine quilting in the fine pieces displayed near the front of the store (and throughout) and then by its delightful purveyor, who may have been Ginger Eichler or Diane Sundstrom (both of whom are listed on the business card for YOUR PLACE Quilting Studio). This lady of charming smiles and interesting conversation deserves to be called by name and I regret that I am unable to do so. It is incumbent upon you to visit this store and make her acquaintance! You'll find all sorts of quilting fabrics and notions and more. This shop was voted "best smelling" (among a plethora of aromatic shops) by Gaines Hedges of WTPR-KF-KQ 105, WENK fame who with his wife, Becky (a local artist, and both PARIS! associates), ventured in while we were there. We learned the odor was created by Japanese cherry blossom oil diffused via a votive candle-heated bowl. (Got to get one!)

Then we visited JuJu's. Just as their slogan proclaims, "It's accessory heaven!" Necklaces, belts, SCARVES (all the rage), earrings, rings, bracelets, a big variety of handbags and shoes... and great prices! If you ever visited Claire's and similar stores at the mall, this is the classy version, with room to move and enjoy the wonderful inventory. Gifts galore could be purchased here!

It was espresso heaven at the next stop - Jack Jones Flowers and Gifts, also home to Jack's Java (the reason for the sensational aromas wafting throughout the shop) and Studio J. My daughter here found her "home" due to all the unique items that appealed to her bohemian nature. I can't tell you all the fabulous finds we discovered here because I have to go pick them up for her Christmas surprises! Just kidding, check out everything from long, appliqued and pom-pommed scarves to jewelery and fashion accessories to baby clothes. In fact most of the shops had some baby items, which reminds me that there was a FIFTH shop included in our adventure...

This one is a must-see -- Paris on the Square! This is a local treasure that embodies all the pride of Paris and Henry County in a collection of everything from wall hangings to handbags to clothing. Have you seen those Abercrombie jackets where the "ABERCROMBIE" is stitched-on appliques? Well, Paris on the Square one-upped them with the more exclusive "LAKE GIRL" ensembles. The pièce de résistance is the handbags made from PARIS! magazine covers. Live in Paris or Henry County or just visiting, this specialty shop is a treat.

And just think... this was just one side of the courthouse square! All the shops we missed! This was Millie's lament as we ended the evening at open house quitting time - 8 p.m. But it's a beautiful day for shopping! Hope to see you in downtown Paris today!