I woke up feeling bright and blessed, and a bit buzzed, from the connections I felt yesterday, on July 13th, 2024.
My 13-year-old daughter and I had a rare duo day, just the two of us.
We fit in as much as time, and our bellies, would allow in our fabulous Festus-area community.
Regardless if you solo or with another, of any age, there are so many places to explore to experience that bright and blessed feeling from the terrific, treasured moments you create in time.
Our 13 stops on the 13th:
- Beauty first at Vivian James American Beauty. We each had a pampering hair mask, cut, and style from the amazing Manda. She helped us feel bright and beautiful, and always mesmerizes me with her energy and chakra knowledge and education.
2. Breakfast at Pine Mountain Coffee for healthy and refreshing açai bowls with cold sorbet, fresh fruit, crunchy granola and coconut flakes, and a sweet peanut butter and honey drizzle on top.
- Shopping at Tree of Life Home Decor. We loved talking with the always delightful owner, Michelle Hohmeier. She and Audrey practiced their best Boston accident saying “Coffee Toffee” as Audrey crunched on a delicious “Coffee Toffee” candy bar.
At Tree of Life, I got the cutest Festus mug and Towel.
Michelle, and many other Main Street stores, are preparing for “Christmas in July on Main Street” on Saturday, July 20 from 10 AM – 5 PM. Stores will be decorating for Christmas and many will have specials, discounts, giveaways, snacks, and drinks. 
- Shopping at Creations on Main. Audrey and I wanted to buy everything in this store! We admired all the local artisans and vendors.
We each got some clothes and Audrey did a wardrobe change into her new camouflage shirt before we walked into The Corner Cup Micro Bakery.
- Indulgence with Iced latte flights from around the world at The Corner Cup Micro Bakery. This was SOOOO fun for each of us to taste and savor decadent flavors with their sweet creations from France, Mexico, Germany, and Italy. My favorite was Tiramisu. Audrey’s favorite was the German Chocolate. Yumm!
While there, we ran into the owner of Daily Flavors, Ashlee Mattingly.
Then, I met Mellissia Kelton, the owner of Sunshine Custom Designs, who has her amusing and hilarious custom creations at Creations on Main. She and her husband raved about their love for the Festus area, Creme Brulee lattes, as well as their excitement for the holiday season when The Corner Cup serves their festive eggnog lattes. I am equally excited for that.
While Audrey and I were sipping on our latte flight, and chatting, our conversations always seem to revolve around her excitement and love of performing. While she has been dancing and singing her whole life, she is newer to acting and performing in theater on stage.
Audrey was a little starstruck when she saw the owners of The Corner Cup Micro Bakery, Amanda and Keith Boyer in real life! These two have an impressive, extensive real life professional musical and performing background. Amanda graced us with sharing how she and Keith met, and told us some stories of living in, and performing, in New York. Audrey and I were in awe, and inspired by their incredible passions and achievements.
- We continued this in-awe feeling when Amanda invited us to take a sneak peek at the progress of the renovations for the expanded space at The Corner Cup! Oh my goodness, folks, the aesthetics of historic, rustic charm mixed with the sweet, itty-bitty, ornate details will entice you in and invite you to stay for a while. When this renovation is complete, this space will create additional seating and retail areas. So exciting! We ordered a second round of drinks: Iced Matcha lattes to go. I had the tropical flavored coconut and pineapple Beach Bum Matcha and Audrey had the refreshing Lemon Poppy Seed Matcha. SO delicious!
- Fresh lunch and shopping at Daily Flavors. In addition to talking to the enthusiastic and knowledgeable owner, Ashlee, we slowly walked around, admiring all the talented local vendors with their creative, homemade products on display. We purchased some fabulous products from Olive Branch Company, and enjoyed a light, fresh lunch: cheesy gluten-free quesadilla, fresh veggies with a homemade red-pepper hummus, fresh fruit, and replenishing coconut water for me, and a watermelon soda for Audrey.
- We continued to walk up the street to pursue the aisles at Juanita’s Mexican Market to check out the unique and cultural Mexican groceries. Audrey got a creamy, bubblegum-flavored Mexican popsicle.
- We walked down Main Street, past The Green Room, when owner Courtney Wisely, saw us and invited us to come in. Much like the sneak peak of the future Corner Cup space, Courtney, who is also the founder of Spotlight Community Theatre, allowed us to see what she and several others were creating: costumes for the upcoming August community musical: Oklahoma. Lara Dane, owner of Hello Again, was one of many friendly, familiar faces helping out.
- We walked down to congratulate Breanna and her two-year-old son, Dewey, on their brand new store, Dewey Morning Boutique, which just opened last week.
Audrey and I had the most fun trying on summer fashions with their cute and cozy dresses, rompers, shirts, and shorts. Audrey and I both did a wardrobe change.
- We stopped by the new entertainment venue: The Contrarian, to see the new lettering outside their doors. Audrey is pumped as she will be performing on this stage in the upcoming Spotlight Community Theatre’s musical performance of Newsies on July 19-21. She is playing Katherine Plumber and is so excited!
More walking around. Sadly, by this time, most of the other Main Street shops that we wanted to go into were closed. More for another day!
- We walked over to the back side of Four Brothers Mead to check out their pirate party and see the festive, fun folks in their viking and pirate costumes.
- Needing to cool off from the 90 degree temps, we had flavorful seafood dinners at Taytro’s Bar and Bistro. Server, Hannah, took good care of us. We were also fortunate to run into the owner of Taytro’s AND The Contrarian, Luke Tetrault. Luke was so engaging as he talked to Audrey about her future on The Contrarian stage. Luke said all the sound, lighting, and decor elements are coming together for the soft opening of The Contrarian, when the Newsies performs on opening night on Friday, July 19. Luke also introduced us to the musicians, Bryan and Mark, who were performing at Taytro’s last night. If we didn’t have a dog who needed to go out, we would have stayed around to listen to them perform. Next time!
It was a memorable, busy, bright day where we both felt blessed and on a continual buzz. Sure, caffeine and sugar can create that, but so can the positive energy of surprise, serendipitous encounters with captivating conversations, and intentional interactions. These are the magical moments in time that keep you buzzing the next day…and for a lifetime.
This is a non-paid endorsement inviting you to explore the people and places around here to experience that bright and blessed feeling from the terrific, treasured moments you create in time.
Thank you for taking the time out to share this link/post to create a buzz about how beautiful it is to connect and support our captivating community.
Oh, and please share in the comments on social media…where do you love to explore? Where should we go next on a future duo day out and about?
A few past stories about a few of these places:
Katy Lewis with Vivian James American Beauty, Admiring the Beauty in the Cracks
Pine Mountain Country Coffee House & Mercantile in Festus, MO
