The space was designed by architect Michael Hsu and if you've been to Cole's first Japanese restaurant, Uchi, you can see the similarities - the dark wood, clean lines, yet very nature-inspired interior.
A little peek at what I find there: John Derian decoupage plates and trays
Loads of art and architecture books
A smattering of greeting cards
Lovely children's books
Silly and unusual things like this Jane Austen puzzle, below, in the upper corner
Of course, there's also The Black Dog which originated here. Not sold anywhere else so when people wear Black Dog togs you know that they've either been to MV - not the easiest place to get to - or they hang with someone who makes the trek here. 
We always pick up a shirt for someone. It's important to buy a shirt with the year emblazoned on the back. The older your shirt - say 1974 - the more dedicated Islander you're considered. When I was pregnant with my kids - once in 2004, once in 2007 - I made sure to buy adult shirts for them with the year of their births on them. Instead cred when they come back up here as teens.
Espresso Love is the place I love to come for a latte. It used to be a restaurant called Savior Faire and a decade ago my husband and I had the best meal of our lives there and the most unbelievable salad called "Salad That The Chefs Eat" a kitchen sink concoction of greens, tomatoes, and chinese noodles topped with mashed potatoes. Sounds disgusting, but I swear it was delicious. 
Like most of the places here, college kids run Espresso Love. When I leave a tip in the plastic tip jar - tip jars are at nearly every little place on the island - I like to read the names of the colleges they're attending which always include Colgate, Boston U, Amherst, Smith, Bennington. I'm still searching for the tip jar with Texas Tech, A&M, or UT scrawled on it.
I met the owner, Noni, during my first visit to MV a dozen years ago. I was on my way to dinner at the Beach Plum in Menemsha and stopped in her little hat shack outside the hotel. We became friends, were pregnant with our first children at the exact same time, and keep in touch with annual Christmas cards.
She's adept at mixing scented oils for custom-scented lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. Just tell her what you're looking for and your personality and she'll whip something up from a few of the hundreds of the oils she has on hand.
This year she has stocked Florabelle with Kerry Cassill robes, Matta dresses and tops, and Sea Bags.
Still trying to decide which one of these Cassill robes I want to bring home.
On days when it's sunny our schedule is simple: Wake up, breakfast outside on the porch, a board game or two. 
Most days I sit outside and watch my kids and their cousins play in the backyard. Then a lunch on the porch with things picked up from the Chilmark Store, where when shopping it's normal to run into Ted Danson or Meg Ryan getting a coffee, pizza, or some such. 
My nephew Jasper comes to the island frequently, as he lives in Boston. He and his girlfriend both work with kids with learning differences so they're extremely patient. The perfect pair to engage in play with a 6 and 3 year.
Then it's down to the beach - our beach is called Stonewall Beach because, as the name implies, is covered in grey and white stones - for a few hours. Then back to the house for nap, some wine, and dinner preparations with everyone. Tonight Mother Joan - my mother-in-law - has 16 people at the house with the Connecticut side of the family on the island.
I think it's time for an afternoon snooze.
Ten years ago I was married on that lawn you're looking at. This is where my family was when my brother-in-law passed away two years ago. The same house that dear friends have come up to for ridiculously fun weekends filled with clambakes and assorted shenanigans. The same little seaside town that this Texas girl thought was so very foreign and strange, but has adored coming to for the past 12 Julys. Something always seems to happen when we're there. Sometimes good (meeting my in-laws for the first time, marriage, my kids), sometimes bad (Mr. H breaking his leg as a kid, Bo, bits of JFK Jrs plane washing up on that beach). Who knows what will come this year. Can't wait to find out. 
