Landfall at Last – The 700 Experience Boutique

I imagine while landfall of The 700 Experience Boutique at the Hope Town Lodge may dim in comparison to that which was felt by Christopher Columbus when he made first landfall on the island of San Salvador in The Bahamas in 1492, the feeling now being felt – however surreal – is not that far off. The days following the opening – compared to the days which led – are being met with a new found excitement and a constant need to whisper “be still my heart.” Whether the reason be because of a sailor’s compliment, a seafaring man who intuitively recognized each item was carefully hand selected and many one of a kind – further inspiring me to continue my quest to discover island artisans and Coastal Covet worthy items along my way – or because of appreciative glances at the boutique’s interiors; a tribute to the lifestyle where island rustic meets barefoot elegance, so aptly captured with clothing hung from the branches of washed ashore Casuarina, suspended in the air by stainless steel chain, the same used by boaters out at sea. Whatever the reason may be, to have officially opened the doors to the first 700 Experience Boutique is the realization of a dream, a career move that was destined. As I wrote in a post days before the 700 Experience Trunk Show, when the boutique seemed like such a distant venture…

It’s that pit of the stomach excitement, the unknown holding of one’s breath. The waiting and anticipating, the planning and preparing and the few seconds of stillness when I catch my breathe, all outside noise subsiding and the realization that it’s all coming together too quickly, and yet can not come soon enough. It’s the feeling that enormous change is about to take place. It’s the visualizing of a changing room dressed in Bahama Hand Print fabric and bay windows that bring the ocean to meet the boutique floor. It’s the sight of bringing the outdoors in, with just-cut palms spilling over a clear vase and display cases crafted out of local wood – a long hunt coming to an end. It’s the pride in creating a platform for local artisans – members of the creative class here in The Bahamas. It the sweeping of my fingers over gold hand-painted starfish and intricate beading inspired by our colourful surroundings. It’s the candy-striped lighthouse that is serving as my constant compass, lighting the path for the direction The 700 Experience is heading…

And now, a sneak peek of The 700 Experience Boutique at the Hope Town Lodge.

Thank you for all for the love + support and of course, for being a part of The Experience.

P.S. We ask that pirates please use the back door when entering the boutique. x