Camping, Cottaging, Camper-Van’ing – A Mount Pleasant Village Shopping Guide for Stocking Up

Collected Joy is a beautiful shop filled with functional, delightful things for your life, your home and your cottage. We spoke to Sharon Smyl of Collected Joy about her top recommendations when it comes to summer. She suggests a best-seller: this beautiful Turkish towel, with a twisted tassel fringed design. It’s durable, elegant and made to last. Just perfect for drying off after a dip in the lake, or as a blanket by the campfire at night AND its sand and grass repellent.

For those cozy cottage days when it rains, Sharon recommends a puzzle. Collected Joy has an incredible selection, including puzzles inspired by the natural world, the literary world, the mythical world and beyond. Have a look here!

When it’s time to unwind after a big day of corn hole or water sports, Mabel’s Fables down the street has a wonderful selection of children’s books. This bookstore has been serving Mount Pleasant Village since 1988, so if you’re not sure what to get, rest assured they’ll have some perfect recommendations for your kids and the whole family.

Story time, family time, campfire time; none of it is complete without great summer snacks. We know just the place. Kenpik Fine Bulk Food has what you need, from gummy worms and chocolate to salty nuts to everything in between. You’ll also find beans, flour, rice, pasta and tea here. And it’s great place to pick up s’more supplies!

If you’re entertaining at the cottage, trailer, or even at your campsite picnic table, our friends at Jacaranda Tree can help you make your tablescape beautiful.

Check out their summery floral tablecloths, gorgeous wooden charcuterie boards, or Le Rocher Bee Tumbler, just perfect for cocktails on the dock. What’s your go-to summer cocktail?!

When it comes to making the cottage beautiful, florist Jess McEwen – owner of Periwinkle Flowers – has some excellent tips with regard to plants and flowers:

• Cut the flowers from your cottage garden in the morning or evening, not in the full heat of midday.
• Take a bucket or jar of cool water with you and place stems directly in after cutting to keep hydrated.
• Use whatever you have on hand as vases- mason jars, vintage tea cups, milk jugs all work just fine.
• Embrace the wildflower look and mix colours and shapes together- if they make you happy then absolutely, you can mix them together!
• Keep the water topped up, it might need to be done daily if it’s hot.
• Recut the stem ends every few days and remove any finished blooms to keep enjoying your bouquets longer.

Thanks Jess!