Tuesday, March 10, 2009

You see one silver and turquoise shop, you've seen them all.

Once we left the Farmer's Market and headed over to the Plaza, I remembered why I stopped shopping in Santa Fe in the first place: I o.d. on silver and turquoise after 10 minutes, and everything is expensive.

But I do appreciate the jewelry that is sold under the portal at the Palace of the Governors. The artisans must belong to New Mexico tribes or pueblos, and their jewelry is the real deal. I'll bring in Smooch to model the one bauble I bought there, since it's hard to take pictures of the back of my head.


It's a ponytail holder, which I put to immediate use. It was a very windy day.

Next stop, my favorite store, Simply Santa Fe. This three-level emporium of all things western is the kind of place that makes you want to burn your house down and start all over again with stuff purchased exclusively from here.


If I were willing to take out a second mortgage, here are a few things I would have bought. Come on, all you cowgirls, let's drool together, shall we?

A colorful platter with running horses ...


A colorful rug with running horses ...


A painted canvas of a colorful cowgirl on a running horse...


A colorful ottoman with running horses ... ok, ok, I'm a one-trick pony.


This hide-on chair was very comfy, but it tried to get fresh with my lamb pelt.


As for this suede duster...

It was on the 25% off rack, and I was SO tempted ... until I realized I've bought cars that cost less. Just couldn't do it. I left the store empty handed, except for my cumbersome, getting-heavier-by-the-minute lamb pelt.

We took a break for lunch. Table for three, please - two adults and one lamb pelt.

Then we walked over to the Santa Fe Boot Company.

But by now, I was too tired to try on boots. All I wanted to do was curl up in my lamb pelt on my own couch. Gone from the ranch for eight hours and she's already homesick.

On the way to the train station, we passed Burro Alley and this little guy.

In days gone by, Burro Alley was the gambling and red light district of Santa Fe. It was named for the burros who carried the firewood down from the mountains to heat the brothels and pool halls.

The history of Santa Fe is far more interesting to me than anything I would ever find in the stores. Well, maybe with the exception of that suede duster. So next trip, I'll skip the shopping and do one of the historic walking tours. Without the lamb pelt.

26 comments:

  1. reading your blog transports me to places i've never been. i love your descriptions. thank you for sharing your life. it makes me want to sell my house & cars, buy a horse and ride out to NM to live somewhere south of nowhere!

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  2. Oh thanks for the tour. I love the handles on the platter, and the duster might look really fancy with your rattlesnake hat.

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  3. Tell you what. Your big sis would really love an historic walking tour of Santa Fe. And the train trip sounds like a hoot - if we can't ride Hank and Lyle up there. I think a day trip is in order when I visit. Who knows? Maybe a something with running horses might find its way back to 7MSN as a hostess gift! (I'm sure the gorgeous duster will be gone by then.)

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  4. I love the ponytail holder ... so simple, yet so smart. I love silver and turquoise but find so many pieces overwhelming. Too bad Smooch couldn't take a picture of you wearing it ... I mean she is very capable, being your co-pilot and all! LOL

    Simply Santa Fe looks like a beautiful store ... very much like the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC. I fun place to visit, but rarely am I able to afford anything there.

    Sounds like you had a fun day!

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  5. I'm not a big fan of silver & turquoise. I think I'd o.d. pretty quickly on the stuff too. I think you did an outstanding job resisting temptation though and, like you, I long for my own couch/bed, as much as I do love exploring. I like the grill work on the window in burro alley. Great archival photo, too.

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  6. Beautiful city. I know what you mean about turquoise and silver jewelery I have quite a collection of it myself. It's so expensive nowadays, when I got most of my stuff it was nearly 25 yrs. ago when it wasn't so popular and you could get it for a song. Most of it I got in Arizona and Mexico. Love the ponytail holder, will Smooch give it back though.

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  7. Thanks for the peak inside Santa Fe!! I was just complaining this morning how we don't have any stores in this area for cowboy boots (my daughter could use a new pair for showing). I am totally jealous! I am in the land of the English rider.

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  8. What a great trip! I'll take one of each of everything...including the boots....wowzer!!!

    I have a sheep skin that my late mother had. It too is supposed to be machine washable...but I've never done it...it needs it...guess I'll have to get brave and do it.

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  9. Oh I'm so jealous! What a beautiful trip. I had to tell Wade all about it, your train ride and the flea market. Oh I envy your life so much. Look for me to buy land near you... oh how I wish...

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  10. Oh, I really want to go to there! What a fun place to visit, it's now on my "list" of places to go. :-)

    And the ponytail holder looks great as a bracelet on Smooches pretty paw. I think dog feet are so cute, heehee!

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  11. Oh my. How I adore Santa Fe. I've been to all those places many times. I miss it there!! And your pictures made feel like I was shopping too. I love that ottoman. I would have had to get that sucker. Great photos as always!

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  12. Wonderful. Thanks for the tour.

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  13. Anything silver and tourquoise is worth the look, at least. And I love the pony tail holder and would snatch it myself....if I were there and had long enough hair.

    Love all the shopping pics!

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  14. My favourite would be the chair, except that I can just imagine how much cat and dog hair would be stuck to the thing! (if I owned it)

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  15. Life is too short. Go for the suede duster.

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  16. I'll have that chair and the pair of red boots with the Longhorn. Wrap 'em up!

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  17. I've never been to New Mexico but you are so making me want to visit. I have a sister on the border of Arizona and New Mexico so I'm thinking it's doable.

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  18. Oh goodness, that cowboy boot store...to die for! I love your "cuff model", by the way! ;)

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  19. Ohhh I like the hairband!!! Very noice! But those boots look way too tempting!!! ;D

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  20. I loved all the running horse stuff! neat store. cool bit of history.

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  21. One place I've always wanted to go is Santa Fe. I almost feel like I was there! Nice stuff. I guess I'd better save up some moolah first- things look too good to pass up!

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  22. I am so ready to come visit you and see these sights! LOL! I agree, love the shopping and the western stuff galore! Especially those boots. In love.

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  23. Santa Fe is always fun for a getaway trip. There are so many neat stores there, but yes, sooooooo expensive!!

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  24. I am away from New Mexico going to school and am soooo homesick. Your blog give me a touch of home. Thanks.

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  25. Thanks for the trip to Sante Fe. I have always wanted to go. Beautiful items in your favorite store. I love how colorful everything is in New Mexico decor. Gorgeous! And those boots OMG. Looks like your pup will be enjoying the lamb pelt as much as you.

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  26. I die for the suede duster. It looks like beads on the collar? Daring to ask, now seven years later, the price? Surely the Miss Manners version of the statute of limitations would nullify this question being rude by this point??? Thinking about where it might be by now...hope it found a good home. Things like this make my regrets list long...

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