Georgia Junkin'

One thing I wanted to do on my trip back home was go junkin' with my mom in the sticks. We thought about driving to Opelika, AL since my mom knows of some junk stops along the way and some in Opelika, but she had also heard that Monroe, GA was a great place for junkin'. A quick Google search led to Sassytrash, a cute blog where we saw some pictures of the great antique malls in Monroe. Monroe isn't exactly the sticks, but the photos were all we needed to see to make a decision. And off to Monroe we went! Our first stop was The Cotton Depot. It's a great antique mall, with booths that are very nicely merchandised and with prices on everything. I swear I did not look at one thing that didn't have a price. And the grounds outside are so pretty too, with beautiful plants and garden furniture. The prices were very reasonable too--downright cheap compared to London prices! Here's a peek into The Cotton Depot, our favorite junk spot in Monroe. 

So many beautiful linens here!

A lot of creative walls in the booths, like using old doors to hang pictures. 

Cute bike up high on a table with an umbrella lamp. 

 A lot of creative ways to display merchandise.

 Old tins and trays. I just love old tins and trays all mixed up.

 More displays on doors.

 Lots of cute vintage toys and dolls. Looks like Raggedy Ann got pooped from all that ironing. But still happy.

 My mom and I loved this rattan sofa, and I liked the globe too.

 Lots of great, old chairs. I wanted these two to bring home.

 Lots of great, chippy painted furniture too.

 I loved this plant stand.

And this wee iron bed. It's hard to tell the size, but this bed was child sized and thought it would be great on a porch.

 I saw so many great quilts, also at very reasonable prices.

 And more chippy furniture. This table was pink. Cute.

We were buzzing with excitement when we left to hunt for more junk. We went to three other pretty good places before stopping at the Monroe Cotton Mills Antiques. This antique mall is HUGE with a mix of everything. In general it's not as cute or well merchandised as the Cotton Depot, but there are still lots of treasures to be found here. I'm going to let these last pictures speak for themselves because my sister is here and we gotta go take all these kids someplace before we go nutso!! But Monroe is definitely great for antiques and junk, and if you get hungry, head to The Butcher Block for some country cookin'. Enjoy your junk eye candy! 

Head to Sassytrash to see some wider shots. 

Boxwoods

More London updates and adventures coming soon, but we're back in Atlanta for this post. Whenever we go home to Atlanta, there are so many places I want to visit and tell you about. Usually we're so busy with family, though, that I don't get around to showing you some of the great things Atlanta has to offer. Great shops is one thing Atlanta is not lacking, and Boxwoods Gardens and Gifts is a long-time, top favorite shop of mine. I like it so much I even went twice this trip--it's hard to take it all in at once!

You know I always love a good mix of the old and new, and Boxwoods combines the two seamlessly and beautifully, which is only complimented by their amazing garden section.  They have so many unique vintage and antique pieces, scoured from the best antique markets in Europe (mostly from France, oh la la!). Those treasures are accented with the most current and modern home accessories and gifts for everyone on your list. A number of the pieces they have are architectural and used and displayed in most interesting ways, like a pair of metal French drains that adorn an entry way, and great lamps made from industrial and architectural salvaged materials. (Remember my friend Paula?  Well, those lamps are her creation!)  Here's a peek from Boxwoods! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Boxwoods Gardens and Gifts

100 East Andrews Drive

Atlanta, GA 30305

PH: 404-233-3400

Mon-Sat 10-6

The Pickled Hutch is Back!!

You may have noticed it's been a while since I posted about The Pickled Hutch. You might remember that Lisa closed up shop to start a new venture for a while, but Lisa has re-opened The Pickled Hutch! And she even re-opened in her old Pacifica location. The shop has a whole new look, though.  Everything is airy and bright and filled with the colors of the sea and sunset--perfect for its beachside location--cool shades of blue, whites, yellows, reds, pinks. You can practically feel the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair when you're in there. And of course, everything is time-worn and loved, just like we like them, right? Here's a peek of the NEW Pickled Hutch. Lisa, I'm so excited for you!! Click here to see a lot more pictures of The Pickled Hutch in its previous location.

PS. That's not my big news, by the way, though it is big news.  Mine is coming soon! Maybe the day it happens--eek!

The Big Flea

Today's the big Alameda flea market. As I type this I'm sure the hardcore market-goers are scoring some great treasures by flashlight. I'd love to go, but we need to get a lot of other things done, and I know if I go, I won't get any of those other things done. Going to the big flea wipes me out, in part because it's so good and so big and in part because it always takes forever to get home across the bridge. But it's a great flea market and totally worth the traffic hassle. I wasn't surprised to see it in an article on the best flea markets in the world in the last issue of Budget Travel. Next month I'll be there. I want to find some vintage Christmas wrapping paper and ornaments for our Christmas tree to be. Here are a few pictures from a few months back.