Each time I venture around downtown Dripping something new catches my eye. This time it was the not-so-tucked-away shop on Mercer, The Curated Cottage. As I stepped in I thought, I would be content living in this store. A bit extreme, yes. But was it the truth? Also yes. A mix of vintage and new, shop owner Sonia Mussiett hand-picks this dream space.
Mussiett cherishes the incredible community of women surrounding her. She had to put signs on her store furniture because friends kept hanging out, which is wonderful, “but this is still a store!” jokes Mussiett. The women began to meet monthly with the intention to focus on one woman each month and help her grow her business. Maybe it’s helping her paint her store-front door, or as simple as sharing her social media posts, no matter what the need the group will be there.
The mission behind Curated Cottage, opened in 1999, is amazing, but so is the inventory. The merchandise is well priced, charming, and will give you the feeling you purchased something special, not a quick internet find. Custom-designed pieces of art and decor are intermingled with vintage glassware, all in harmony to create a one-of-a-kind vibe. It’s truly the place you go for the person who has everything. I left with a set of teal-blue vintage wine glasses for a friend’s birthday gift and struggled not to keep them for myself.
The table setting displayed was so inviting, if there was food I would have stayed. Instead, I chose to come back the next day with Hill Country Happy Hour to photograph her Momosa, capturing the talent of two amazing women in our town. Find The Curated Cottage at 300 W Mercer, Unit 7, and on Instagram at @curatedcottageds. For drink inspiration, check out @hillcountryhappyhour.
Tropical Momosa
- 2oz pineapple juice
- 1-2oz cream of coconut
- 3oz Island Getaway Rum
Blend together, pour into a flute, and top with champagne or Prosecco.