so i've spoken before about how nice it was to grow up in an area where there were many art and craft stores and a lot of mom and pop shops. 

another favorite of mine that still exists is this gallery/bookroom listed above, where you can find all sorts of vintage memorbilia, old photographs, postcards and ephemera. stopped in not long ago and found this amazing fan of peacock feathers.

 thought it looked like something from gloria swanson's estate, which was in an area called longue vue farms in an old stone french-normandy mansion, spanning 4,466 square feet, and was built in 1925. it was located at a high elevation in croton and had a fabulous view down the river of the skyline of new york city. here she could easily commute to the film studio out in astoria, queens.

there was a strange 2,000 square-foot castle-like structure that served as her guesthouse/garage, and was reportedly built as an addition, by her lover, joseph p. kennedy. here he stored his bottles of liquor during prohibition, using it as a speakeasy that also included a wine cellar. she was living there with her husband, an empoverished marquis that was once a nobleman and often drunk, but was still kennedy's mistress. the marquis would spend large amounts of time sitting in a chair on the front lawn and would offer local kids $20 to run into town for their mail.

her parties were legendary, and here she also entertained the likes of neighbor isadora duncan, who would dance and perform on the terrace of the guesthouse.