RHODY GEM: Find

Blue Moon Farm

Perennial Nursery

We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. Email or tag us on social media using #RhodyGem to suggest yours, and we might just feature it!

What it is:

Blue Moon Farm Perennial Nursery is a predominantly native plant nursery featuring perennials, shrubs, ferns, grasses, and woodland plants.

Where to find it:

Just a quarter mile from the Saugatucket Road, exit o of Route 1 in Wakefield. Look for the “open” flag just past a stone wall.

What makes it a Rhody Gem?

This historic farm, built in 1748, was once a dairy farm, horse farm, turkey farm, and even part of the underground railroad. Native garden guru Jane Case turned it into a perennial nursery in 2000. Besides the greenhouse and potted plant sales areas, the property boasts a series of display gardens designed to stroll through, pause, sit on a bench, and enjoy. There’s a pond with a small waterfall, cutting beds, a large pollinator bed, native foundation garden, and shade beds. New this year is a medicinal garden growing perennials and annuals that help support overall health and wellness. Find Blue Moon’s own honey, as well as eggs, candles, soap, and other local goodies for sale in the shop.

Blue Moon Farm Perennial Nursery

173 Saugatucket Road, Wakefield BlueMoonFarmPerennials.com

To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com

A Garden Party

THERAPY BOUTIQUE

Not just for Breakfast anymore, these Ti any’s in tortoise o er a class and sophistication, and are a lighter shade of brown for daytime events. Embellished with the Ti any “T”, these are truly terrific!

- SHADES & PIER OPTICAL

Therapy Boutique was founded in 2007 by two friends seeking to provide a “cure for the wardrobe blues.” Both with young children at home and looking to work for themselves, Candace Brown and Lauren Wells paired up to make their ideal South County shopping experience a reality. Years later, with countless trips to NYC under their belt, they run two locations, one in Wickford and one in Wakefield.

Therapy Boutique carries a unique inventory of clothing, jewelry, and accessory lines, which are typically found only in specialty shops. Their goal (certainly one we can all get behind) is to make their customers feel great about themselves. “We are not out to put clothing on women that they are not comfortable in or will sit in the closet,” Brown says. “We want our customer to have fun with her clothing, but suit her lifestyle.”

STYLE FORECAST

It’s all about the dress. From casual day frocks to event dresses, Brown predicts a rise in colored and printed dresses as women look forward to a season of celebrations.

THERAPY BOUTIQUE

343B Main Street, South Kingstown 5 West Main Street, Wickford @TherapyBoutiqueRI

DRESS

This shift dress features a bold print and an updated pu sleeve detail.

TIP

Dress up with heels for an event or pair with flip-flops and a jean jacket for a more casual look.

ACCESSORIES

Brown warns not to overdo it when pairing with bold prints, and to find pieces that complement, but don’t compete. For this reason, she chose a yellow clutch to bring out the yellow in the dress, plus a beaded bracelet, hammered gold earrings, and a cashmere wrap – all subtle in color, but rich in texture.

Dinner Date

BINNSY BOUTIQUE

What goes best with your best LBD (little black dress), BIG black designer shades! Making a statement with uncomplicated Gucci sunglasses, complete with traditional hardware.

- SHADES & PIER OPTICAL

TIP

Pair with a jacket for cooler spring nights, or wear as-is all the way into summer.

TOP + SKIRT

A black linen top, knotted in the front, gives more emphasis to the high waist of the trendy satinlike, patterned skirt. While the midi skirt elevates the look from day to night, the black linen top keeps it relaxed. “Good days start with good clothes” is Caitlin Gendreau’s MO and the reason she is committed to providing pieces that are new, fashionable, and affordable, so customers can always feel their best. Having worked in retail for over a decade, Gendreau opened Binnsy Boutique last spring in Wickford Village to share her style and passion with others. Owning a shop of her own was a “backburner day dream,” but when commercial space became available at 7 Main Street, the stars aligned and Binnsy Boutique became a reality. Though the pandemic posed a hurdle, she persevered.

Recently celebrating one year in business, Binnsy Boutique stocks its sun-filled space with a wide variety of clothing and accessories for women and men – from shoes to hats and everything in between.

SHOES

The block heel and pointed toe gives the outfit that chic look while still being comfortable.

STYLE FORECAST

Gendreau looks forward to wearing “all the bright trending colors” this spring and summer, and is excited to see mini ‘90s handbags everywhere and hopes even more ‘90s fashion trends return.

BINNSY BOUTIQUE

7 Main Street, Wickford @BinnsyBoutique

A Day Trip A GRACIOUS SOUL

East Greenwich has its own boho-style boutique with A Gracious Soul. Located in the heart of Main Street, husband-and-wife team Bethany DiPetrillo and Brian Hennessey have created a vibe, evident from your first step in. The couple opened the shop last October with the intention of supporting local, giving back, and creating something meaningful together. Shoppers find only “products with purpose” in their store – carefully selected items that are ethically and consciously sourced, made mostly in the US or locally, and created by artists, makers, and small businesses.

“Out of our love for unique products and gifts, supporting local, and a desire to give back, we created A Gracious Soul,” DiPetrillo explains. “A portion of our proceeds go directly back to causes we care deeply about. The vendors we choose are also putting good into the world and contributing to charitable causes.” In addition to apparel, accessories, gifts, and homegoods, the retail space has been known to host events, like the popular Sip, Script & Shop beginners calligraphy workshops.

STYLE FORECAST

This spring, DiPetrillo is excited about the bustle of Main Street and growing A Gracious Souls’ impact in their community – and fringe details on everything – including earrings.

A GRACIOUS SOUL

110 Main Street, East Greenwich @AGraciousSoulShop

ACCESSORIES

Handmade fringe earrings add flair. A short stack of bracelets enhance the casual vibe and a green, widebrimmed hat adds both bohemian style and sun protection.

FYI

All pieces are high quality, handcrafted, and made by mission-driven companies. The whole outfit was made in the USA with the exception of the hat, which was made by artisans in Ecuador.

THREE ISLANDS

Make all the colors of your outdoor picnic shine while cutting through the glare! Maui makes the best lens for fun in the sun. Lightweight and versatile, with these sunglasses you can play cornhole, frisbee, or just lounge on the blankets with food and bevvies looking fabulous.

- SHADES & PIER OPTICAL

When native Rhode Islander Justin Go moved to Bali in 1999, the food, beaches, and “contagiously happy attitude” immediately had him hooked. He swapped his polos and T-shirts for a new uniform: “A permanent smile and batik shirts made by an amazing local tailor, Pandu.” Years later, after selling his batik shirts up and down the East Coast with cousin Phil Barney, they opened Three Islands in 2012 in Watch Hill. A few years later, Go met his wife, Tika, a Balinese swimwear designer who made the perfect addition to the team.

Today, Three Islands still runs with their original tailor Pandu, who hails from neighboring Java (“Many Javanese go by one name,” explains Go ), and long-time Bali operations manager, Wayan Sudarmini. Their line of colorful cotton clothing for men, women, and children is instantly recognizable with hand-printed designs in singular colorways and simple, easy-to-wear shapes. Pro-tip: their masks are reversible and the comfiest around.

“At Three Islands, we love prints and colors that make you smile and good vibes and happy clothes that put a little sunshine in your closet,” says Go .

STYLE FORECAST

Matching families! Find the same prints across all lines. “We love patterns that can be worn across the entire family – dad and son, mom and kids, etc. Sometimes we get Christmas cards with an entire matching family,” says Go .

THREE ISLANDS

99 Bay Street, Watch Hill @ThreeIslandsLifestyle

ACCESSORIES

The “mango elephant ride” pattern of the dress pairs perfectly with simple tan flip-flops, a white stacked beaded necklace, a sunhat, and a square woven rattan bag with a colorful lining and round handles.

DRESS

The capped sleeve dress, cinched at the waist for extra definition, has a slit V-neckline for a universally flattering fit.

FYI

While he chose animal prints for their popularity and timelessness, Go isn’t solely focused on following trends but also choosing beautiful designs that make his customers feel happy.

WOODEE’S & WOODMANSEE’S

Woodee’s and Woodmansee’s are sister stores located side by side in downtown Westerly. Woodmansee’s, established in 1904, has been women-run for three generations. Currently managed by Maria Lenihan (and previously her mother Joyce), it carries clothing for women of all ages, plus jewelry, accessories, gifts, and a small baby section. In 2012, Maria’s daughter Anna Lenihan opened Woodee’s, which carries a similar range of products, but skews slightly younger for guys, girls, teens, and young professionals. “Together we make a fun little shopping experience for the whole family,” Lenihan says. “We are lucky to have so many awesome regulars who support us year round.

“Fashion should be for everyone,” she continues. “It’s important to always feel good in what you're wearing.” When styling this ensemble and selecting pieces for the shop in general, she seeks items that appeal to a wide age range, fit e ortlessly into a wardrobe, and make the wearer feel confident. Lenihan looks forward to spring and summer in downtown Westerly, which she says is bound to be full of people walking around, shopping, eating, and “finally starting to get out of their rut and back to living their lives, which is so important and nice to see.”

STYLE FORECAST

Lenihan predicts fun, happy colors, and more printed pants. “You're also going to see lots of pastels, some ru es, and some great denim, plus some inspiration from the ‘70s and even some ‘90s-inspired pieces,” she says.

WOODMANSEE'S GIFTS & BOUTIQUE & WOODEES

27 Broad Street, Westerly @Woodmansees_27 & @Woodees_Boutique Make a dramatic statement with these all new Prada’s – on trend with chunkiness, color, and pattern.

- SHADES & PIER OPTICAL

TOPS

A clean and simple knit square neck top and a ‘90s fit white denim jacket easily take the look from day to night.

BOTTOMS

A pair of lightweight, straight-leg pants with a bold print are fun and easy to wear and can be dressed up or down.

ACCESSORIES

Complete the look with gold accessories, including a fun recycled purse, which is a great conversation piece, constructed from 100 percent postconsumer newspaper by a women-owned shop in MA.