Stop into the store for all your cold weather clothes!

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Into 2022!

I’m sitting at the kitchen table up at the cottage, looking out over the frozen lake as the sun’s rays begin to climb over the trees. The trees are blanketed with a fresh coating of snow. It’s so beautiful! 3-4 inches of snow fell after we got here last night around 5 p.m. That’s on top of the 8 inches that has fallen in the past few days. So, it's truly a winter wonderland. I’m going to be heading up to Giant’s Ridge Ski Resort soon to get some turns in!Each time I get up here, I’m filled with gratitude. I feel so blessed. Not only for this cottage, but for all that is my world — my girls, Deb,...

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Bill's Gift List

Hi All,It’s hard to believe Christmas will be here in a week! What happened to December? Brightwater has been (as you might imagine) a busy place! There has been a steady stream of new merchandise arriving daily, and a regular stream of customers and friends stopping in the shop. I'm so pleased and grateful for all the visits and purchases that all of you have made. It’s been pretty terrific! I ordered a lot more product this season and from the feedback and the numbers, it's been a success.Every Christmas season there seems to be a few products that percolate to the top of my gift-giving list. I’d like to share a few of them here with you, just in case...

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Look Book 2021

Hi All! How are you? Doing well I hope? I’m pretty darn good, too. I am probably one of the few folks who's been excited and happy that the temps have fallen and the snow has arrived! It could be said that I have a vested interest in the temps dropping, with all of my cold weather offerings in the shop, but I do like the cold and snow! Later today I’m headed up for the third and hopefully final attempt at getting pine boughs and greens for the holidays. We had to cut the last trip short and didn’t get a chance to gather them. It will be more fun now that the weather’s colder!What’s really got me excited is the new...

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Time for Good-Clothes-Wearing Weather

How are you? I hope you’re doing well as we finally shift into weather that feels like fall! As I sit at my desk in the loft at home, I can hear the wind through the trees outside. I do love that sound. Remember last year?  We already had 7 inches of snow by now! As you know, I love this season in Minnesota. Cool frosty mornings and crisp sunny afternoons. Good clothes-wearing weather! I happen to have a vested interest in the cooler temps, as Brightwater is stocked and ready for sweater weather! I think I’ve got one on the best inventories of sweaters for fall and winter that I’ve had in years. From cozy cashmere pieces from White + Warren, Kokun, and Kinross, to classics from Dale of...

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New York + Ely Lake

      How are you? How’d it get to be October already? I want it to feel more like fall than it seems to be at the moment. I’m waiting for that morning when I can reach for the favorite sweater, but I’m afraid I’m still reaching for that favorite t-shirt. But, it not all bad. We snuck up to the Cottage last Sunday night, and had two glorious days. Warm and sunny and the colors were just wonderful. Even the evenings were warm and calm. Perfect for late night pontoon boat cruises. The stars were so amazing! That was a short but sweet getaway after the week before, which was quite hectic. It was Art and Apples on the Lake the 18th and...

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