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Ying and Yang

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I had plans to go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market and had a terrible sore throat and since caught a cold so needless to say I stayed home. My Mr. Incredible with the help of the girls cooked me a nice Ahi {my favorite }Fish Dinner on the BBQ, even though  my throat was filling icky it did not stop me from having  a glass of wine with dinner!

Last week on the days I don't do my "other" job {subbing} I take my Critters on walks throughout the neighborhood and I always have my iphone to take pictures of all the beautiful homes with all the springtime flowers blooming in the "hood".  I'm always attracted to the Cape Cod style homes, you know this if you've been reading my blog for a while.  I have a ton of house stalking pictures over there or click here, go check them out.  On the last few walks with the Critt, Crits, I took some pictures of some Mediterranean or Spanish Style Homes which seem to be where Mr. Incredible's Heart lies when it comes to home design.

He would love to have a circular driveway.  In the garden he would plant a lot of palms; Sagos, Rubilini's, King and Queen Palms...

White stucco and red tile roofs....are right up his alley...

Wrought-iron work on doors and on lanterns...

Dang..wish I had Photoshop so I could photoshop that dumb trashcan out..sorry for that eye-sore.  Wrought-iron fences with stone facade columns.

I think the Mediterrenean home is very popular in California right now but my heart....

sings to the classic Cape...with it's dormers, and with wood shingles a nod to the East Coast.  Brick walkways, paned windows with shutters.  I think all dormers need window boxes on them..yep, should be a requirement when you sign the mortgage papers. Well not on the type of dormers on the next house..

The morning we took this walk, this yard was so peaceful...with the shade trees and the birds chirping....I wanted to bring a picnic basket and plop down under the tree and open a bottle of lemonade.

I just had to get a little closer look at the little planters on the wall...

Yep...I see some colorful and happy pansies, I bet the housekeeper {i'm sure they can afford one} was wondering what the lady out front with the spotted dogs was doing taking pictures of the yard! I was hoping she'd invite me in to take more pictures on the backside of the house.  No LUCK!

Here is a Ranch Style which we both like, I do believe they became popular in the 60's and 70's. This beautiful ranch which is next door to my friend Cyndi's House with her fabulous kitchen..I love those birch trees..I likey, me want to planty. 

I think they planted that ivy to keep me off their lawn so I couldn't get too close to the house and get pictures of the inside.  Mental note:  need to buy telefoto lens..sheesh..let's start with a DLR camera.  Don't you love those diamond windows....so pretty.

I don't know what you would call this type of house.  Very traditional, I love the brick and how it meets the two dormers.

Here is a closer image of the front door..I loved those little beveled glass windows in it and I like the black matte paint on the door.

Well this is NOT a full size house..it is a playhouse or once was the kids who live her are much older now but an extra room for misbehaved husbands.  yes..this is the "doghouse"

How adorable?  I love the flower boxes up top.  This is my friend's house and she told me the previous ownders built it and they put a loft up top inside. I'll have to get over there again and take inside pictures.

this little playhouse/doghouse has a heart theme going on.  Remember when hearts where real popular on the decorating radar.  I admit...I was all over that.   I love this little heart shaped swing.  I great place to make up or make out after you've been sent ot the doghouse. 

My friends' neighbors house, one of my favorites in the "hood"with the birch trees, the terracotta potted plants, the climbing roses, the brick walkway and porch, the paned windows and of couse those dormers!!  I would sit every evening out on the wicker couches a drink my wine. 

Picket fences...and arches....

I think this is an interesting color on a house..black...but it somehow works, I think going with a gray roof would be better.  The last two pictures are of home in another neighborhood where I first fell in love with the Cape Cods...

  So which stye of house to you prefer?  Do you go along with Mr. Incredible a like the Med style or do you sway my way and prefer the Cape Cods?  Because Mr. Incredible is "incredible" he would sway my way if we had to choose because as they say a Happy Wife = a happy LIFE!

The Ones that Got Away

Remember "Old Yellow"? Here she is today looking beautiful with lots of flowers planted in all her beds and in pots as you walk up the front steps.

When she was up for sale, I was hesitant about entertaining the thought of becoming her owner for two reasons.  One because Mr. Incredible is a light sleeper....and Old Yellow is on a some-what busy street. Well more busy than the one we live on now and second because of our Jack Russel Terrorist who if gets out is a runner.  That was more true when she was a pup and I was afraid she would get hit by a car being on a busier street, so we were late putting a bid on her and didn't get her {I still have visions of her glass knobs, chunky mouldings, recessed panelled doors, the built-ins, the double fireplaces, the deck, the dormer windows in both of the upstair bedrooms, the ...ahhhhh}. If any of the houses I regret not getting it would be "Old Yellow".  An invester came in and fixed her up and flipped her.  Lots of that going on in our neck of the woods.  I don't know how I feel about that, part of me likes it because they improve the neighborhood and the other part, is that maybe nice families get priced out of owning a home so I don't like that part.

I'm so glad that the person who ended up in the home is adding so much curb appeal.  I love all the flowers she has planted all around her yard,  last year when she was in the garden and I was taking the Critters out on a walk I stopped and told her how we fell in love with her house and if I could see inside.  She obliged but I did not have my camera that day so I did not get to take any pictures for you.  I did wish the "flippers" would of stuck with a more of a cottage style kitchen than going with the tan cabinets and granite counters, I think that would of been a better fit for the style of this house. 

I'm wishing I could see a window box up there in the dormer window......

Here is another one that we looked at but it was a LOT of work...and Mr. Incredible was not up for that. Let me take you back in time...

Yes, there was a lot involved....it had a big hole in one of the ceilings...

Here is a picture of the inclosed, shuttered patio, off where the french doors are now....

Here is the front door during the fall sporting a new wreath and address plaque. I think they have done a great job adding curb appeal with the flowers, plants, new shutters and paint.  Here are some photos of her insides when she was on the market.

This was one of my favorite elements of the house..those big beautiful beams and that fireplace with the bookshelves on each side.  They put in hardwood looking laminate floors.

The kitchen needed a lot of work and now it opens up into the living room area.I'm not a big fan of granite, I'd rather have carrera marble or buthcher block but that is just me.  I like an all white kitchen but this one fits the house.  It is very neutral, it will fit with most peoples tastes.

 Looking from the kitchen you see the gorgeous mantel, to the right is the big windows that overlook the front porch and the french doors that now lead to an enclosed backyard.

Here is the walkway leading to the garage.  They added on a second bedroom, a laundry room and another bathroom, it was a 3 bedroom, 1 bath when we looked at it.

This was the original bathroom with two sinks.  They did a great job fixing it up.  New tile floors, new vanity, new faucets. 

Here is one more image of the home, sporting a new white fence around it for some privacy. 

Now to come full circle with my post...I'm completely in LOVE with my house..Old Yellow is the one that still tugs at my heart strings when I walk by...but I'm so happy the new owner is loving her as much as I would of, so that makes me very happy but I think I need to suggest the addition of a window box up on that dormer. 

My Friend Cyndi's House

My friend Cyndi is an interior designer and I LOVE her home.  I think it would be considered California Casual so a few weeks ago I took some pictures her home.  The pictures I shot of her living room came out quite dark and not really good so I'll post pictures of the kitchen  and bathroom which came out decent.

This is the wide-angle shot I got of her kitchen, it was late afternoon and the sun was streaming in.  She was cooking something so scrumtious on her stove, I was begging her to let me stay for dinner, no I would not do that!? You can see a sneak peek at Cyndi over there to the left on the phone. hi Cyndi...we love your style.

Her kitchen isn't completely done, as you can see she is awaiting the front panel of the dishwasher and frig {which you can't see in this picture} and the floors will eventually be hardwood but for now her ingenious husband used a dark stained plywood on the floor.  I found it to be industrial chic looking.  But I love her kitchen and couldn't wait to get shots of it.

You know I'm a big fan of apron front sinks and hope to have one in my own kitchen one of these days. Her sink area overlooks her deck and beyond that is her pool I wouldn't mine that view as I wash dishes.

I like the look of the bare windows without any window coverings on it. The paint is a pewter gray color which I do belive is called Distant Thunder by Dunn Edwards.  Very pretty, very neutral, great with her the black and white color palette.

Her island is painted in a matte black by Dunn Edwards {we LOVE Dunn Edwards Paint} called Cavernous with a black glaze over it.  The counter top is polished carrera marble. I like the two tone look of her kitchen with the bright white painted cabinets called Cloud Nine by Benjamin Moore. The countertops that surround her kitchen are also marble but looks a lot like quartz. 

 A nice pop of color of the citrus in the wooden bowl on the island with her whitewashed iron candlesticks and a bit of greenery with a potted plant.

To the left of the stovetop is the double ovens, most of the appliances are stainless steel.

Here is the stovetop area, I love the mosaic tile design with the smaller square tiles and the surrounding larger subway carrera tiles.  She put her area code numbers above the stove for a unique look. 

Here is a close up of the glass fronted cabinets flanking the farmhouse sink, she uses a lot of clear glass and some blues and greens, which adds some pops of color. 

To the left of the double ovens is her shelves full of cookbooks, both her and her husband love to cook. To the left is her dutch door, which she says reminds her of Mr. Ed.  I fell in love with it when a I saw it and can't wait until I get mine in, horses always welcome.

To the left and past the laundry room area is a small guest bath.  Let's go take a look. Her color palette flows into this area also with a shot of lavendar in the stripe of the shower curtain.

Beautiful subway tile in the bathtub area with a small ribbon around for some pizazz.

As you can see the subway tile is used as wainscoting and the smaller black tile ribbon runs the perimeter of the room.  I love those lights!!  Those are made of a brushed nickel metal.  The cabinet is painted a glossy black with carrera marble top.  I think she like marble?  Huh?  Hope you enjoyed the tour of my Interior Designer Cyndi's house....I'll have to show you her living room in a future post. 

Wanted: Dutch Door

                                                                source

 I've dreamed about a dutch door here, reminesed about it here and even wished about in a playhouse.  It just says beachy cottage to me when I see one, especially if the top half is open as if waiting for a neighbor to pop on by and say "hello". 

                                                   image from country home

This one out of old barn wood in an old stone building has the perfect patina, aged beautifully by the weather.

 

I think a bright painted  door would be perfect as pop of color, especially if the rest of the home is painted a neutral like white, grey or tan or even the new combo gredge (grey and beige).

                                                                  source

What about a stained wood door, this one would be perfect on a home on the lake or maybe a craftsman house.

                                                                  source

Wow!!  I love the brick in this picture..swoon..and that black painted door, so sharp.

 What about this look with a natural stone floor and a glossy black door?

Loving the rounded shape of this door..perfect on a Tudor home...so storybook cottagish.

Here is another black painted door with raised paneling on the bottom half and window panes on top...

I love this lime green door with the 12 window panes in them and the cottage garden leading up to it.

On a robin's egg blue painted clapboard house, a white door is perfect, especially with a place to sit and a view of a flower garden.

I wish I had a back entry with a mud room to pull this look off!!  I love that bench with brick floor and the white dutch door.  Lots of homes in my neighboorhood have that door but they aren't dutch doors.

I love yellow!!  It is such a happy color!!  This great door with no panes and the used brick....sweet lemonade!

Aren't these leaded glass panes...so beautiful....and that french blue ain't half bad either.  

What about Turqoise and a lemon tree by the front dutch door and a bird bath!!!  See that little shell planter by the lemon tree I used to have one years ago that I got in Mexico when I was in my early twenties...I miss that planter, I think the shells got broken when we moved, so it got thrown out.

I think the geometric panes in this dutch door and the side lights are interesting, very modern looking.

This door was really wide from an antique store is in Carpenteria, our favorite family vacation spot. I asked the owner wanted if she wanted to sell it but I knew her answer would be no, I don't blame her it is a gorgeous door. 

Classic and beautiful!!   That's all I have to say about that..{reminds me of the Forrest Gump line}

This dutch door so very simple...

Off the kitchen would be a perfect place.....Now...where should.... I.....put......

                                       MINE!!!!     FOUND!  Hello Dutch Door....

Yep, I've been combing ebay and craigslist for a few months now.  The stars must of all aligned and lo and behold I was able to nab one for a great price.  It was quite the drive to get it, it was located in Hollywood.  But to me so worth the drive.  Now...I have decisions to make....do I put it at the front door...or the kitchen door?  What color do a paint it?  I have a Jack Russel who is a major jumper....so if I put it in a the front door and leave the top half open, will she scale the door and jump out..of should I put in in the back off the kitchen and hope she doesn't break a leg jumping out it's a long way down...because of the steps or do I fatten her up so she can't jump so high?  Hmmmmmm...lots to think about.  Doing the happy dance!

Note:  all images off Pinterest or otherwise  referenced

First Day of Spring

Looking forward to the Hummingbirds visiting our Cottage with the changing of the season. 

I'm also enjoying my trips to the local nursery and refreshing my planters and replanting some of my pots.

 

It has been YEARS In the Making...seriously

I have always been interested in home decor for as long as I can remember.  My mother always had a knack for Country Style decorating as well as my aunt and cousin...so I guess it is in the genes. 

This big ol' binder with all of my clippings from magazines and catalogs that I created years ago.  Nowadays I use my Pinterest design boards to guide my "design eye".  What I've noticed throughout time my taste as not changed all that much.  I have always loved a romantic-country-beach style.  What also has stayed the course is my LOVE of the color blue...it has vacillated between the shades of blue but blue has held my heart for a long time.  Sometimes I'd pair it with yellow or red and now lots of white.  I see green creeping in as well but always blue weather it be chambray, jean, robins egg or turqouise.

As you can see this is sort of where my blog title came from {the title of my binder}...each room in the house as a it's own tab and section with plastic sleaves in each section so I can just tear out a picture from a magazine or catalog and slip it inside.  I can also keep paint chips and receipts in it.

Here is the bathroom section....

I bought the exact sconce called the Clara Sconce from PB on the top left hand corner, we used it in the bathroom of our other home.  It is too small for our current bathroom so I'll reuse it in another area..I love it too much to get rid of it.  The sconce that came with the house is the one we'll use...I don't LOVE it but I don't dislike it either. It will tie into the carrera marble nicely.  I have always been attracted to small wooden cabinets, I think they are charming.  I'm recycling one I found on the side of the road for our bathroom.

Sea Glass {tiles} are something that I really like but was afraid it might be too trendy, I wanted something that has been time-tested.  I'm sure Sea Glass will make an appearence in the new bathroom but not as a tile backsplash or counter. 

Here is my Binder Bathroom Design section.  As you can see in the picture on the right side, shuttered windows and beadboard wainstcoting...yep..I think it is timeless and perfect in a cottage like ours.  When we looked at our current home, before buying the master bedroom's windows all had shutters on the windows but when the house actually when up for the sale the band had them removed {along with the pergola}, I was bummed about that.  I had shutters in my room as a little girl.  Our nursery for our girls had shutters....so keep a few around on my mantel as a nod to my love of shutters.  I'm planning on using the fabric as a curtain in there instead of shutters.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to paint the wall more of a taupe, a silver gray or griege.   We went with a silvery blue...but I thought it was more of a greenish gray...the light is deceiving.   It may get a redo....but not now.  I do hope to have it all ready for it's FULL reveal by next week.  We still need to hang some things and it's been rainy here in So Cal, not too great for taking pictures.   So what do you think?  What do you do when you hone in your "design eye"  to decide how and what you want to do when you need to give a facelift or a total gut job on a room in your house?  What sources do you use? How do you locate those resources? Do you use a designer?  Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Christmas Highlights

Our Santa Claus themed Tree...

Lots of beautiful lights take shape on this Colonial home...


Inflatables galore at this house...

Loved ALL the White lights on this house....soooo pretty..I love driving around looking at all the lights on the houses...we hit our local Starbucks loaded up on Lattes and drove around one night....enjoying the sights.

Gifts for the neighbors and friends of Chocolate-filled Oat bars and Peppermint Bark.

"Anthropologie-inspired" Gifts for some more friends and hosts of Christmas Parties....

My glittery, sparkly house.....in icy blue.....

Another picture that my Li'l One took of the Mantle...She said, "she really liked how this one came together this year"...I have to agree with her. 

 

 

Crystal Cove {twice in one year} Whoop, Whoop!

We are LUCKY Ducks....it could not of been more perfect, the timing...coinsiding with my BFF's birthday we were able to take advantage of a cancelation at The Crystal Cove Cottages AGAIN. Remember my first post on July 4th and here about the Historical Museums then about the Beaches Movie, that was filmed in this special slice of beachy life....yep my BFF {who reminds me of Claire Dumphy }.. who like Claire doesn't give up ...is very, very persistant, she was able to book us a Crystal Cove Cottage to get away for a girls getaway weekend to Celebrate Mary's 48th Birthday, whoop, whoop!!

This is the check in area....not our cabin, ours was right on the beach not up on the cliff...

We arrived right when the sun was going down over Catalina Island....what a beautiful sunset....

We stayed at the Shell Shack...each of the Cottages have a ceramic plaque with it's name and number on it....

It has a long wide front porch and a back patio for BBQing...

Great looking teak chairs {matches the one on my porch}, well come on in..

to the left we have a small living room with a sofabed to accomodate more guests...above the sofabed is an original shell art picture...

To the right of the door is an antique brass bed....I was the lucky duck getting to sleep on it.....I love me an antique iron bed...

Walking past the brass bed we come into the dining room with a farmhouse table and bench great for dinner or playing board games {there is no TV or computers} which I LOVE about The Cottages, no phone although we did have our iphones...

Pass the dining room table you have another door to the wrap around porch and back patio then the bathroom in the corner of the cottage...Look at all that beautiful wood...but I think I'd paint it all a creamy white leaving some wood beams exposed.

The bathroom with fresh white towels for the guests.

On the other side of the bathroom is the vintage kitchen...complete with Big Chill frig...{I covet this frig }

Taking early morning walks after Coffee on the beach...it was a beautiful day...I saw some kids in swim trunks in the ocean....

It was not as crowded like the 4th...but the weather was better!!   November in California.  That's why we love it here...

This area is phase III,  there are about 15-20 cottages awaiting to be refurbished.  We imagine what it would of been like to be living during this time..the 20's and 30's drinking cocktails {not wine} wearing vintage swimsuits and enjoying unspoiled California and the beaches. 

This is a recreated museum in the time and place the Cottages was in it's heyday..

the museum has an Hawaiiana theme going on, the prints, the bamboo furniture...

An Ice Cream maker in Robins Egg blue {oh I wanted that}......and other odd old items....in a vintage kitchen.

Love that saying....

It was so nice to get away and stroll on the beach and then after we checked out we headed to..........my favorite Garden/Gift store on the coast.....can you guess which one?   

 

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50 Shades of Grey

Oh that title got your interest peeked, huh?  Well I'm not talking about the multi-millionaire from Seattle but of the many, beautiful shades of the color grey.  I've been very attracted lately to Mr. Grey  the neutral color of grey and I do believe we can say..Grey is the new white!  It can be seen in many types of decor from Modern to French Country to Farmhouse and Cottage. Now let's take a look at some inspiring images of this gorgeous, versatile color that is so popular now in the magazines and blogs.  Beware of image overload, possibly 50 Shades....

Oh My Oh me oh my!!! I LOVE this Chesterfield sofa, the tufting is to die for....the chippy white of the fireplace is a perfect backdrop for this gorgeous couch.

                                                        {from BHG}

Love the grey on the shingles of this home...soft, weathered by nature.

                                                    {from Houzz.com}

Love this outdoor fireplace in this sunroom , wouldn't it be so very nice, as the nights get more chilly to eat dinner by fire light, talking about the day's events.

                                                    {from French Grey}

You know I'm a fan of the Tolix chair with it's industrial steal grey...indoors or out, next to a farmhouse table I think they look the best. {I have the Tub chair from World Market}  Great price and comfortable.

                                                     {from Dreamy Whites}

the beautiful patina of this french pitcher....and the gorgeous veins of Carrera marble....

                                                            {becca's pic}

the most natural, beautiful grey occurs in nature.. Mr. Incredible petting Smudge, the cat.

                                                        {mls image}

The grey planked siding with the aged brick walkway is another example..how fabulous this color is.

                                                 {Vosages Paris blog image}

The soft grey of the paint color on the wall and the grey patina on the open back chairs...aged to perfection.

                                                    {stacey ann on etsy}

The darker shade of this Sperm Whale pillow is perfect for a Seaside Cottage or a wanna be Seaside Cottage, like mine.

                                                      {Slim Paley blog}

the washed out grey of this chest is perfect, aged by time....

Grey shingles again......do you know what I'm thinking? Should we go grey on the Cottage on Cullen?

                                                   {Curious Sofa image}

Grey raw edged Pillow with Velvet ribbon...mmmmm

Paint!!  French Grey!!   yes!!!

Grey archway leading to a courtyard.....would love to sit here and drink my coffee....on the Teak table and chairs...{I have that chair on my porch, my turqouise planters is perched on top of it}

                                            {gourds from Wisteria}

the warty, bumpy beauty of a gourd.....makes for a textural interest in decor

                                                    {dear lillie blog}

LOVE this room with the damask grey wallpaper or stencil, the mirrored chest of drawers and the PAINT!!  This blogger has fabulous taste...

                                                {Heather Chadduck}

Concrete counter tops in this kitchen by Heather....is rustic and economical.

                                                {the Holiday movie image}

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bathtub that was in the movie the Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet....

The bride and groom.....going with Shades of Grey color scheme...

One of my favorite colors of nail polish for Fall...which starts tomorrow....

                                      {Calico Corners fabric swatch}

this fresh new color combo of griege and mustard yellow...is very attractive...I have seen at Target just this week...a lamp shade....very similar to this pattern.  go Target!

Kubu Hamper Basket takes the usual white wicker and makes it perfect for todays home...I am fond of the rope detailing, makes it sea cottage chic. 

                                            {henhurst interiors image}

Yep, those are my Kooboo chairs from World Market {on sale now in stores, don't see any on the website, here is similiar}...looks fantastic on a sun porch in a dining room or in a bedroom.  They are soooooo very comfortable and durable..highly recommend them if you are looking for a great chair that is priced very resonable.

Here is another image of a chesterfield couch in a softer shade of grey, not as deep as the first image...

cool Corvette convertible.....great for our California weather...

                                                {simply brooks}

Love black and grey together...dutch door is just about perfect in my eyes..

                                                {from the lettered cottage}

this grey barn door is used as a sliding door to a bathroom..very cool indeed.

now a dutch-barn door combo....yep I'll take one of those please...

I'm loving this dark shade of grey for our house...which is in need of a paint job....let's take a closer look...

Yep...pretty sweet I'd say....so if you haven't been inspired to pick up a paint brush and head to your nearest paint store and pick up a can of grey paint to  paint a chair, or a wall or a picture frame, let's see if the new white {grey}....maybe this last image will seal the deal....

The gorgeous coat of a Weimaraner puppy.....is the most perfect shade!!!Laters Baby!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our annual trip to Carp...

Every year we go to Carpenteria, i dream of retiring to a cute little beach house over looking the pacific ocean..just like this one.

I mean...who wouldn't want to live here right?  If you have never heard of Carpenteria, it is a very quaint, sleepy beach town just a bit south of Santa Barbara.   There are quite a lot of small beach bungalows to feast your eyes on, if you are like me and are content with the small and the cute cottage-style home.

...love her color...so calming...so robin's egg blue..so me!

Now...look at that fish sculpture..."give the neighbors something to talk about"....

this one with the cute picket fence has cute dormers and a brick porch..

tudor style with charming windows...

Last time we were here this was a Bed and Breakfast....now it is some lucky duck home...

this is the Linden House which was a charming store last time we came to Carp ..now it is a Vacation Rental..go here to see the inside.

petite and cute..

charming little shell gift shop...

the girls loved shopping in here, lots of trinkets to take home to remember their trip by...

lots and lots of antique stores....

this one had a cool looking abalone, shell chandelier...great for a beach house

this was the only store i bought anything in....but i did ask the owner to buy..

this Dutch Door too...she politely declined....boo hoo...

it came complete with a shelf attached to the back....

here is the other Whimsy store on the main street....

this was a really cool looking cupcake store...

it was decorated very industial chic with cement floors and lots of galvanized steel stools and pretty cupcakes..I wondered to myself if they have been on Cupcake Wars, do you watch that show?  We do!! 

So i do think if we ending up retiring to Carp {that's what the locals call it} I'll get myself a Vespa like this to tootle around town....

this is really, really small town livin'...this was all the traffic on a Saturday afternoon....Stores close early which my mini shoppers found out.