A Fanciful Twist: Bon. An Exquisite place to visit. {Bon

If you found yourself gazing through an 1800's Chinese mirror and were told that it held lovely memories, what would you hope to see? If this mirror lived in a shop, where the most fantastic treasures came alive, would you take a journey through the mirror and peek around at all of those treasures? I did. Today. The visit transformed a normal day, into a fulfilling sensory overload adventure. (click on any image to enlarge)

It is always a magnificent day when I get to visit Bon. A magical shop in Tucson, Arizona belonging to Bonnie & Crystal Flynt. This lovely space is home to many of the finds that I brag about. From Wendy Addison to John Derian, you can get lost for hours attempting to make a decision. It is a place where you never feel guilty giving in to all temptation and taking home all the precious loves that you will undoubtedly find...

Bonnie and Crystal have such a huge grasp on the "being" of the store. They fill it with items that they search the globe for. Items that make up every piece of that puzzle that intrigues even the most skeptical of visitors. Little eyes wander frantically looking at every piece, pieces that are timeless, pieces that do not fit the mold of any fad or trend. Bon is a place where you find lifelong loves. I know this because I am a happy little Bon purchaser. Every item I have ever purchased is one that I adore and enjoy over-and-over, even if I so much as simply brush passed it in a hurry...

More than that, Bon is one of those places that I feel comfortable hanging out at. Bonnie and Crystal have become friends, people you can talk to for hours. They are funny and elegant, all at once, but most of all, they are "real." It is so important in this fast-paced crazy world to have a place that you know you can retreat to for a long while and feel comfortable and welcome. That is why I love visiting Bon so very much. Look at all the delights, from home, to garden, to clothing items...how can a person even begin to choose???

I love hopping in to draw on their chalkboard and seeing what little kids have done...or to watch Crystal do many different types of creating, such as twisting and turning little pieces of paper, to make lovely paper flowers around sparkling lights...

Don't you have a favorite place that wraps your little packages so beautifully that you can not wait to run home and tear off the paper? I wandered the store, trying to be good, but managing to create quite the pile...If you recall, I was there recently and bragged about my old chinese paper basket.

I just lose control. Mr. Lovee says, go ahead and Bon yourself out.

Oops, did I forget to mention that Bon carries my original Art Cards? Each one hand drawn, hand-painted and personally glitterized by moi (below)? They are little original works of art, all packaged up and ready to go! They sit in a rack on the wall, amongst a wide variety of fabulous cards for many occasions...

But, as there is never a dull moment at Bon, a very curious man and his friend appeared for a short visit...Bonnie and Crystal chatted with them, as I poked around...

Both men were very interesting with quite the artistic vibe. The man on the left, chatting with Bonnie is Salvador Duran, artist and musician. You never know what famous little characters you will rub shoulders with at this magical retreat...Just be prepared...

As I reigned myslef in and got ready to make my little purchases, I got that anxiety and excitement in my belly, of wanting to get my treasures home and unwrap them. I even picked a treasure or two for one of you!! Look at those Wondrous Julie Arkell's on the shelf in front of Bonnie.

I had so much fun visiting Bon today! I wish all you girls and I were on a field trip to Bon, and then an espresso after that... Wouldn't that be wonderful???

Fg & Co. Gift Tag (above)

I returned home to open that classic Bon polka dotted paper, and reveal my beloved treasures (John Derian tray, below, and others too) !!! Yay! Stepping out of Wonderland through the 1800's Chinese mirror, just in time to share all of this with you lovelies!! What a fun day this turned out to be after all... I headed out of there just in time for dinner with the Russians... Boy will that be a whole post in itself! Thank you so much for peeking in!

I would love for you to share local shops that only exist in your neck of the woods, with me. The beauty of this world is that we can share places that some of us might otherwise never encounter. Can't wait to hear of some of your favorites!

"Bon Shop, Tucson"

Home, Garden, Clothing. Tucson, Arizona (520) 795-2272

Owners, Bonnie Flynt & Crystal Flynt

Comments

That tray is so beautiful!!!!! The colors are amazing.

I now want to go exploring through this big city of mine...something that has been so totally lacking since I moved here, too much work and far too little play...

I will have to remember to take my camera when I go to the Olde Village Bookstore, a lovely used book store in an old church on the outskirts of the city...I get lost in the old paper.

xoxo

Posted by: stilettoheights | January 25, 2007 at 05:06 AM

Hi Ness, oh what a lovely time you have had of late. I am finally emerging from the accounting haze and will go mental in the shops next week!
Meesh

Posted by: Michelle Parrish | January 25, 2007 at 06:56 AM

oh my my- thanks so much for sharing! i wish i could take photos of my favorite place in the neighborhood- i'll have to go ask the owner if she'll allow photos... i'm sipping my imaginary espresso now!

Posted by: HVM | January 25, 2007 at 07:07 AM

Beautiful store, like a retail version of your home and studio. I just love those chandeliers. Please open your Etsy store so I can buy some of those delicious cards of yours :)

Posted by: cruststation | January 25, 2007 at 07:21 AM

What a lovely idea! I'm afraid all I'm seeing right now(besides my sweet babys faces during the day) is a rehearsal studio! Love yummy,Bon,and love that tag!

Posted by: jungle dream pagoda | January 25, 2007 at 07:56 AM

wow! that store looks amazing! i love your derian tray...you know i saw a giant tray at his store in ny that was similar...it was a huge oval and the backgroud was lavendar and it had all this beautiful victorian looking furniture and it was pricy so i didn´t get it but i´ve regretted it ever since. i went back this summer and they didn´t have anything like it...but yout dish gives me hope! and the papermache basket with roses on it? i have a photo of something similar (possibly the same?) that i cut out of a danish design magazine. that´s the kind of place i dream of owning!

Posted by: risa | January 25, 2007 at 08:32 AM

What a cute place! I hope to finally get a new camera this weekend. I'll add "Cute lil' shops in my neck of the woods" of pictures I'll need to take. :)

Posted by: Marilyn | January 25, 2007 at 08:57 AM

I want to go there! Come get me and take me. I don't eat much and I like to sleep in small spaces, so I won't take up much room!

Posted by: Sarah | January 25, 2007 at 09:06 AM

What a lovely time i had visiting Bon with you!
your cards are so fab!
I'm excited about the idea of doing the same with some of my fave stores!

Posted by: Tricia | January 25, 2007 at 09:19 AM

Bon looks like an absolute smorgasboard of fun fun fun! I wish we had places like that here. But in Germany, especially here in southern Germany, people shop very little, so independent stores have a tough time, it's very sad! But I will see if I can find somethiing...

Posted by: tatjana | January 25, 2007 at 10:06 AM

Oi, oi! I wish I could come visit! I have two little stores in mind to narrate for you on my blog.. what a cute idea. First I need to get my digital camera working, though. Hmm!

Thanks so much for this, I love reading about quirky little places, it charmed my day right up!

P.S. Thank you for such a nice comment on my poem.

Posted by: Meg | January 25, 2007 at 12:21 PM

Oh my goodness - what a DELIGHT!!!!!!!!! thank you for making my afternoon - I have a few places in mind - WILL DO! - what a terrific idea - come visit and stay tuned - xo eb.

Posted by: eb | January 25, 2007 at 12:24 PM

Now that was TOUR in the real sense of the word, I felt like I was there, oh my!! what a dreamy sort of place! Thanks for all the photos and descriptions!! Great fantastic place!!

Posted by: tongue in cheek | January 25, 2007 at 02:03 PM

My my...yet another reason to jet down your way! What a wonderful place...I will have to poke around up here (maybe I should do my shop? lol) Bring on the espresso! (and chocolate)

Posted by: sadira | January 25, 2007 at 04:55 PM

Great of you to post about an independently owned shop - and a lovely one, too!

Posted by: sulu-design | January 25, 2007 at 06:15 PM

Oh, I love the tour! It feels like a mini vacation. I can't get enough of interiors. Homes, apartments, shops...

Posted by: ashley g | January 25, 2007 at 09:55 PM

What a gorgeous store!! Thanks for the tour, such eye candy! I love unique stores that sell a mix of wonderful goodies!! Your cards are great...I love that tag too...
I hope to go somewhere special tommorow so I'll make sure I bring my camera along!

Posted by: Anastasia | January 25, 2007 at 10:57 PM

Wow, I want to go to this store. Thanks for sharing. Looks like you could spend hours in there browsing and admiring the beautiful goodies.

Posted by: Andrea | January 26, 2007 at 10:05 AM

OOOH! What a wonderful place it must be! If only I could visit....perhaps in my dreams. It looks to magical and whimsical....

Posted by: Jill | January 27, 2007 at 05:12 AM

i love bon's logo!
have a nice weekend Vanessa!

Posted by: Tricia | January 27, 2007 at 09:47 AM

I am in Tucson every other month - and I lived there for 5 years. Never once went into Bon (didn't even know it was there!)

I am going to pop in next week and see if your cards are still there!

Great post.

Posted by: Marsha | January 27, 2007 at 11:30 AM

wow!!! gorgeous goods...i wouldnt be able to leave this place!