Grace, Niantic

Maybe it's because too many of my formative years were spent in Fairfield County, but few things make me as happy as a good shopping discovery.

When I walked into Grace in Niantic, I was not expecting much. What I was expecting was a slew of that tacky, touristy junk you find in gift shops in so many coastal towns. Or, worse, the $250 brightly patterned tunic blouses you find in gift shops in so many other coastal towns.

But what I found instead was the kind of store you wander into and instantly feel compelled to buy all the clothing (arranged by color!) and the accessories (so cute; probably meant for girls half my age) and the adorable inexpensive ceramics. I actually stood for a minute with my hand on the cover of a pretty book about juice fasting, wondering if I needed it. (Fasting, I need. A decorative volume explaining it, probably not so much.)

I resisted, mostly. If I'd had more money, it could have gotten out of hand.