mattersmagazine.com 21 F For ten years Maplewood’s Perch Home has been an inspiring lo- cal shop brimming with decorating accessories, vintage style, jew- elry, housewares and the perfect gift. Owner Michele Bessey has a critical curator’s eye for what is pretty and practical, and her loyal clients enjoy all the items that fill her shelves and adorn the walls. So why would a proprietor of such a popular store share some of her secrets? Because she knows her clients will continue to count on Perch Home for inspiration.  Once a year Bessey offers a truly remarkable experience: the quick-to-fill Find & Go Seek adventure. It begins early. Devo- tees arrive at the Highland Place shop at 5:45 a.m. A luxury bus takes over much of the tiny street and all guests are ushered a few steps to Palmer’s Sweetery, where we are given a breakfast box with sweet muffins and a cup of coffee. The bakery is buzzing with ex- citement, but there is no time to talk. The Perch Home staff waves us onto the bus and hand each of us an adorable custom tote bag and a bottle of water. It is just the beginning of a treat-filled day.   Dawn is breaking and  we  are off. Bessey greets  and relaxes us all – a full bus of anxious shoppers, many of whom have never goneantiquing.Shegoesoverthe day’s itineraryandofferstips for bargains and negotiating. “Be fair,” she advises, “and scope the back of the fields first and work your way forward.”  Anticipation MAGGIE AXELROD-CALISTER 461 Vose Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07052 Visit socds.com · Email learn@socds.com SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR 973.762.6451 · Full and Half Day Sessions · Extended Day Hours Available · School Year and Summer Camp Session · Largest Outdoor Play Space South Orange Montessori Education Since 1964 Country Day School Preschool · Pre-K Kindergarten