This. This is The Quarterdeck. A small seaside gift shop selling every sort of nicknack, from rubber finger puppets to mood rings to seashell jewelry to vintage travel books to weathered photographs to incense to postcards to war antiques and so much more. This is my happy place.

And after 45 years in business, it is closing.

Forgive my personal pity party over here, but I feel a sort of duty to honor the harbor-side store in which I learned to shop. My parents would bring me here every summer and give me a couple dollars, to which I could spend HOURS trying to figure out how to spend. The shell ring or the mini turtle figurine or the woven change purse?! The possibilities were endless.

I realize now how much its nautical treasures and motifs shaped my own style, both in fashion and decorating. Twenty-some years later, it’s still my favorite place to shop.

I had to make one more trip down to Scituate… to say goodbye, buy a few a ton of unnecessary but oh-so-special treasures for myself, and load up with photos to reminisce on later.

Dress, J.Crew [similar 1; 2] | Toggle Coat, American Eagle [similar] | Anchor Belt, ASOS | Pashmina Scarf [similar] | Pearls, vintage [similar] | Boots, Talbots [similar]

This vintage multi-strand pearl necklace? Found at the QD years ago.

If anyone lives or will be traveling to the South Shore (Massachusetts) before mid-March, everything in the store is 45% off! It also has a supporting role in the Cher classic The Witches of Eastwick, so you’ll get a little bit of Hollywood out of your trip there as well 🙂

Sappy girl OUT.