BALTIMORE'S QUIRKIEST

When you think of Baltimore when someone mentions it you probably think of Inner Harbor? Or the crab cakes? The Wire? The Aquarium? Perhaps Little Italy or fabulous Fells Point. Well, I was taken to yet another fun little charming secret in a little pocket of the city you shouldn't miss should you find yourself in Baltimore: Hampden.  Mistress Maddie's #1 fan was here for the weekend, so he and I along with the Capital Street Duo, who discovered the town...hit the road for a day trip. A very quirky, trendy and hipster neighborhood, an enclave if you will, north of downtown, so a couple exists off 83 before you'd get to Baltimore. The town was originally built around the mills along the Jones Falls, and the millworkers that settled there in 1889. Most of the old mills have been restored into local business and loft apartments. In the 90's it began, from what I read to transform when artist and local artisans started moving in, making it their own, and has since become a very active, foodie, artsy and hipster haven and center of diversity and kitsch. The town is mostly 36th Street or just "The Avenue" as it is known. Hampden is a historic place and has a very strong sense of community. Everywhere we went people and staff in all the places couldn't be more friendly. The main drag has everything, restaurants, pubs, dive bars, all locally owned shops from vintage and thrift, antique shops, art galleries and hemp shops and every kind of cuisine you can think of. We even found a great bookshop, remember those? It was all comics, graphic and art and photography books. Very cool. I can't lie...LOVED this place. I don't get to Baltimore or DC area as often as I should.

Someone's porch trim.

Was absolutely in love with this place, Blue Bird...a literature cocktail lounge. Filled with books to read, cock-a-tails and some vereerry cute boys!

My gin cock-a-tail!

These boots are made for walking honey.

In this shop, Ma Petite Shoe, I met Candy, the shop owners dog. She was just adorable.

This shop had some very odd and medically curious gifts indeed. Creepy things, but I did find some wonderfully scented candles called Coven.

This shop, In Watermelon Juice had some real nice wares for the interior, stationary and a huge selection of bath and body potions and lotions for which I'm a huge sucker. Needless to say, I came out with a little stash.

 These two came from Ma Petite Shoe. I bought the sunglasses; how do you pass up on such fabulous sunnies? They are huge. I couldn't pass up the eye lashes. When the shop owner heard I used to, and still do drag she gifted them to me. How nice was that?!?! I mean, just in time to wear for Gay Pride Festivals! And you damn well know I will wear them.

I also understand once a year the town host the Hon Fest. Where everyone wears beehive wigs, cat eyeglasses, mod fashions, and everybody calls everyone Hon. I need to go to this.