Market Friday: Beach Shops!

Okay, no, you can’t go buy a beach in a shop. (I know! Bummer, right?) But you can find all kinds of other fun things.

My posts lately have been rather beach focused since I took two trips to warmer climates in the last two months. And this one is no exception.

It does my heart good to remember the delightful weather, the time outdoors, the meals in open air cafes, and the strolls on the beach. Especially because now I’m back in Minnesota, and we are having a huge snowstorm right this very minute.

Station break! Just have to stop and give a shout out to the magnificent host of Market Friday, @dswigle. I can honestly say that I don’t know how she does it, but she runs this community like a champ, writing really amazing comments on all of the weekly posts, and they all arrive within approximately 24 hours! It’s magic!

Okay back to our program. Let’s take a spin through a few beach shops. Just look at the cute wares in these places.

Don’t you just look at that and think: I need that for my next beach trip! Then my hair can be wild and instead of it being embarrassing, it will be hilarious, because I’ll have an amusing hat.

Okay, maybe not. But you definitely need a rubber ducky. It’s imperative. Everyone should have a collection of them. Because even if you’re just on a quick get-away to the beach, you can go back home with a souvenir rubber ducky that will remind you of the wonderful memories, sun and sand every time you take a bath!

Okay I don’t even know what to say about that one. Are you inspired to be more like a pineapple? Why not, right? Especially if you feel grumpy when you look in the mirror like I do. You can just say out loud: be a pineapple! And you will immediately feel much better. Of course, if it’s a public bathroom where you are interacting with the aforementioned mirror, you may get some funny looks, but soldier on!

Now here’s the funny thing about a jar of shells for sale: YOU DON’T NEED THAT! I can give you several for free.

I’m telling you, it’s a good thing I flew to my destination on this trip because if I had a car, I could have filled the entire trunk with shells. They were everywhere!

Maybe this is a gift for people who don’t have a means to get to the ocean, or would put their back out or pull a hamstring if they tried to pick them up from the beach.

This is one of those displays that reminds me that sales is really all about marketing. I mean, one could certainly have put a cute aloe leaf on the box and written “Aloe socks.” But no, they wanted to create intrigue. So they came up with something clever!

The next few pictures are all about “Location, location, location.”

First, you have to pick a sign that reminds you of where you are in case you forget. Then you pick a postcard to send a reminder to your loved ones about where you went. And finally, you can buy a mug that tells you where you’ve been each time you take a drink!

Ah, one of the most wonderful things about beach shops — the scents and hand creams! And in case you need mermaid décor, you are all set in that department as well.

Now there’s a humorous gift! I hope the people who come up with all the funny sayings on cups and t-shirts and greeting cards get paid for their witticisms!

Don’t miss the culinary section. These shops always have gifts to bring back to the gourmet chef in your life!

But wait. There’s more! Wearables and knick knacks and mugs and potions!

It really is fun to peruse it all. And if you’re looking for gifts, trinkets, mementos and souvenirs, you can definitely find what you’re looking for.