Hello there! Love your blog and your style! I remember you mentioning that you like to go antiquing and thrifting, and I love it too! I'm new to the Hattiesburg area (so your Sunday Spotlights have been a delight!!), and I was wondering if could could share come of the best antique and thrift stores in town? I've only been to the Calico Mall downtown, and it was great! But I'd love to venture out to more place so I can make a day of it! Thanks :)

hey!! I’m so glad you wrote in! Sorry it has taken me so long to answer…I think I mentioned I’ve accidentally been letting these pile up. Oh, laziness.

There have actually been a few new thrift stores to open up.  I noticed one on the way home the other day, but I can’t remember where! UGH! But here are some that I *can* remember :P

Polly Esther’s Closet (mainly clothes and accessories)

McKenzie’s On Main is an upscale antique store downtown (LOVE IT)

The Antique Mall between West Pine and 49. I took some pictures there a while back (before I started the Sunday Spotlight) This place goes on FOR DAYS!! 

The Salvation Army—used to be a weekly thing for me, but now I never drive out that way. But I have some great finds from there!

Thrifties—I’ve only been once and it was on my way to something else, so I really can’t say much about this one. 

Hudson’s—also use to be a weekly thing for me. I actually just heard that they have some great stuff in right now!! (See also: Dirt Cheap, Treasure Hunt, & BCH)

These are just some of the ones I know about and like. If any of you readers out there know of some great ones, please share!!!

Today’s Adventure: The Antique Mall

12.14.11

We are already half way through the week! Can you believe it? I am babysitting and then have a ton of errands to run! (Including picking up a Dirty Santa gift..shh)  Yesterday I accidentally spent TWO HOURS at The Antique Mall. (it’s right before you turn onto 49 from Lincoln) I always want to call it something else, because The Antique Mall is such a vague name.  The store is HUGE.  It is two stories and every foot is stuffed to the max.  It has always been one of my favorite places to have adventures, but I’d never taken pictures in there until now.

There is a huge book section.  It’s basically its own book store back there.  My favorite section is the entire wall of bottles.  I am a weirdo who collects bottles and it is pure heaven over there!  I also really love old postcards or journals.  Anything like that/  they just feel special, like a gift I’ve been given to be a part of that person’s life.  I know they are dead, but it’s almost like it is my responsibility to keep them alive.  Going through old postcards makes my heart feel heavy, but it’s a sweet sadness. 

I got a lot of great stuff to make Christmas gifts yesterday.  An “antique” store (My dad would die if he went in there.  It’s not an antique store.  It’s a store of old stuff and some of it isn’t even that old) Wait…what was I saying? Oh yeah.  An antique store is a great place to shop for people if you know them really well and love crafting.  I LOVE making thoughtful gifts that fit the person well.  I don’t do it for everyone every year because I think it would lose some of its specialness.  I wouldn’t be able to come up with the same level of magic for each gift.  This year my dad is definitely getting one of those gifts.  I am very excited to finish with it.  I hope he loves it!  After I give it, I may update you guys on the process.

Alright, I have got to go get stuff accomplished now! I hope you guys have a great day!

“May your voyage through life be as happy and free as the damaging waves o’er the dark blue sea.  

Virginia Anderson, may 20, 1926”