Holiday Date in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #153

December 17, 2019 / 66 Comments
Shelbee on the Edge
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

During my wonderful Thanksgiving holiday in Pennsylvania, Jeff and I had the opportunity for a date day that Saturday. I was itching to go thrift shopping, on a quest for some skirts to style with my ever growing collection of colorful tights, and we were hankering for a peaceful kid-free lunch somewhere. We were deciding which direction to head for our date day when I remembered that I had a gift certificate that was so generously given to me back in July when I visited Jim Thorpe to see my fave band, Fireside Collective, perform at the Mauch Chunk Opera House.

I spent that sweltering July afternoon visiting the local drinking establishments in Jim Thorpe which included Tony Stella’s Encore. I only had time for a drink at the bar but Tony was so kind and wanted me to return for a dining experience, so he bid me farewell with a $50 gift certificate to ensure that I would return. And so I returned on Small Business Saturday in the company of my dear husband.

Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

We began by perusing the extensive drink menu and both started with cocktails from the bar made by the very talented and heavy handed barkeep, Phil. I had a fig martini which nearly wrecked me half way through it. I spent the rest of the afternoon with a significant buzz. And Jeff had a Corpse Reviver which is an absinthe cocktail that lived up to its name.

Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Fig Martini
Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Corpse Reviver, an Absinthe Cocktail

When it came to choosing our lunch entrees, we had much difficulty as everything on the menu looked so delicious. Jeff went with a mushroom burger and I asked Tony to surprise me. Little did I know that I was about to have an epic experience with the homemade pappardelle and vodka sauce. As I shared bite for bite with Jeff because I simply could not withhold this experience from him, we both were in an ecstasy that rivaled the best sexual experiences of our lives. The homemade pasta possessed a heavenly texture that nearly melted in my mouth and the robust and flavorful vodka sauce was as intoxicating as love at first sight bite.

Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Mushroom Burger
Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Homemade Pappardelle with Vodka Sauce

With full bellies and the sensual sounds of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett filling the air around us, we both kind of needed a cigarette upon finishing our meals (and I don’t even smoke). If it were socially acceptable, I may have possibly licked the remnants of sauce from my empty dish. But I refrained, with much difficulty, from doing so. Instead of licking plates and smoking cigarettes, we opted instead to indulge in dessert. Again, we asked Tony to surprise us and he happily obliged presenting us with a gigantic serving of the most delectable tiramisu that has ever crossed my lips.

Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
The Tiramisu
Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
The Tiramisu…2.5 minutes later

After we basked in the afterglow of this ethereal culinary experience, we visited Annette and company at the outside bar and grabbed two beers for our stroll through the quaint streets of Jim Thorpe.

Tony Stella’s Encore, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
It was chilly, but the beer still warmed our blood.

Next we made our way to Horizons Gift Shop which specializes in tobacco products and lots of fun Grateful Dead memorabilia and hippie apparel. We picked up a few small gifts in there, supporting local small businesses this holiday season.

Horizons Gift Shop, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Once we were done there, we proceeded to look for the consignment shop that was on my radar. On the way there, I spotted the most amazingly colorful and unique footwear on display outside of Mabacol, a eco-friendly shoe and accessory brand handmade right in Jim Thorpe. Owner Maria Lloyd grew up as a child artisan learning to express her emotions through fabric art which eventually led to the founding of Artisanal Gifts by Mabacol International. Maria handcrafts rice sole shoes with recycled mola fabric, natural treated leather bags and wallets, as well as natural recycled seed jewelry. Due the nature of her craft work, no two patterns are ever the same so you are guaranteed to have a unique and very special item when purchasing from Mabacol. If you have a penchant for one of a kind items, you absolutely must check out her products. They are simply breathtaking with a whole ton of wow factor.

Mabacol Shoes, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Mabacol Shoes, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Mabacol Shoes, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Mabacol Shoes, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

As we were starting to run out of time on our date day, we finally made it to my destination, Wear It Again Boutique, a lovely little consignment shop nestled right in the heart of the main avenue in Jim Thorpe. I have shopped here before and was wholly satisfied with their collection of preloved fashions for men, women, and children. Jeff, who is definitely not a shopper like me, even found some things that he liked. Unfortunately none were in his size. Like I said earlier, I was on the hunt for some cute, colorful skirts for this season of tights. And I was not disappointed. I found four that I really loved. Two were from Loft, one was J. Crew, and one was Target. I paid $23 for all four. I have already styled and photographed them all, but have only shared the black and white one on the blog so far. So stay tuned for the other three coming soon.

Wear It Again Boutique, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Wear It Again Boutique, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Wear It Again Boutique, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
My four new preloved skirts.

And then it was time to head home so we wouldn’t miss the Penn State game. While I haven’t been feeling very festive this holiday season, a day spent in beautiful Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, certainly helped to catapult me into the proper mood. If you ever get the opportunity to visit this pretty little Pennsylvania town, I highly recommend it.

Stop by tomorrow if you want to see what I wore for our holiday date in Jim Thorpe.

What have you been doing to get in the holiday spirit?

And now your featured favorites from last week.

Reader Favorites (Most Clicked)

Anna of Mutton Years Style and I shared her post, Match Made in Seven-What to Wear to Host a Holiday Party. If you need inspiration for your party hosting outfits, go check out this post. Anna has shared many different looks, but my favorite is her sequined tiger top!

Anna of Mutton Years Style and I

And Kathrine of Kathrine Eldridge, Wardrobe Stylist, has shared a very cool and edgy holiday look in her post, Moto Jacket Christmas. This is one of my favorite outfits ever on Kathrine!

Kathrine of Kathrine Eldridge, Wardrobe Stylist

My Favorite Fashion Post

Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style caught my eye in this beautiful floral embroidered tulle dress in her post, Lace and Tulle Dress…or a Skirt? Christmas Outfit. Whether Nancy decides to keep this pretty number as a dress or deconstruct it into a skirt, it is still wonderful and fabulous and ever so pretty! I am also dying over her boots!

Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style

My Favorite Non-Fashion Post

Claire of Fashion on a Shoestring made me laugh and gave me a serious earworm with her adorable post, I’m at a Pay Phone Trying to Call Home. And now you will have the earworm as well. You’re welcome.

Claire of Fashion on a Shoestring

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Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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