All posts filed under: ANTIQUE & VINTAGE

A monogrammed bracelet crafted from silver spoons.

Holiday Sparkle and Spoon Bracelets: A craft fair adventure in Oxford

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There’s something magical about a holiday craft fair — the twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon in the air, and the creative buzz of people showcasing their handmade treasures.

I recently visited one in Oxford, Mississippi, held at the gorgeous event space The Jefferson, where artisans from across the state gathered to show off their wares. Picture tables filled with everything from whimsical paintings to glimmering ornaments and hand-crafted jewelry — it was a festive wonderland of creativity.

A creative vanity created by a crafter.

Yard Sale of the Vanities: Treasure hunting in Coffeeville

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A while back, I was driving through Coffeeville on my way back from Jackson, and I stopped at a little spot that is usually very busy on the weekends with people who set up yard sales. In the past, I lucked-up and found a lot of vintage jewelry for sale. This time, I had a similar experience.

I’ve stopped there a few times in the past and, on more than one occasion, scored some gorgeous vintage jewelry — necklaces and earrings that feel like they have stories of their own. Think rhinestones, costume gems, and clip-ons that would make any retro-lover’s heart skip a beat.

Brent's Drugs in Fondren.

Blast from the Past: A visit to Brent’s Drugs in Fondren

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Sometimes the best way to step back in time is with a burger, a milkshake, and a little retro neon glow. That’s exactly the vibe I felt when I ate at Brent’s Drugs, a timeless diner nestled in the heart of Fondren, Jackson’s beloved arts district.

Brent’s is more than just a drugstore-turned-diner. It’s a piece of Mississippi nostalgia wrapped in turquoise booths, checkered floors, and vintage signage that looks like it stepped off a 1950s postcard. Opened in 1946, Brent’s originally operated as a pharmacy with a soda fountain — back when that was the ultimate hangout spot for milkshakes, malts, and first dates.

Inside Gibbes' Old Counry Store near Raymond, Mississippi.

A Taste of the Past: Gibbes Old Country Store serves up history and hearty Southern fare

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There’s something deeply comforting about dining in a place that feels like it belongs to another time — where the walls tell stories and the food tastes like it came straight out of Grandma’s kitchen. I’ve always been drawn to restaurants with a little character, charm, and history, and two of my favorites are Taylor Grocery and Gibbes Old Country Store in Learned, Mississippi.

If you’ve never been to Gibbes, it’s the kind of place that reminds you why people fall in love with the South. Think old hardwood floors, mismatched tables and chairs, antique signs on the walls, and the kind of genuine Southern hospitality that makes you feel like family the moment you walk in.

An orange ceramic bird.

From Groovy to Gorgeous: How I gave a thrifted ceramic bird a modern makeover

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I love the thrill of a good antique or thrift store treasure hunt. You never know what quirky, charming, or unexpected items you might stumble across — and on one of my recent excursions, I discovered a curious little ceramic bird that looked like it flew straight out of someone’s 1970s den.

With its bold orange glaze and retro vibes, it definitely had personality, but it didn’t quite match my decor. Still, something about its shape and whimsical charm caught my eye. I couldn’t resist. For just a few dollars, I decided to take it home and give it a second life.

A T-shirt at Taylor Grocery.

Mississippi Style On the Road: A visit to Taylor Grocery

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Last week, I stumbled upon a one-of-a-kind Mississippi dining experience, and it inspired me to start something new: a video blog series called “Mississippi Style On the Road.” Whenever I’m out exploring the state and come across something special — whether it’s food, culture, or just good old-fashioned charm — I’ll try to capture it and share it with you. (Check out the first video above!)

Now, let me confess something. At least once a week, I find myself at Cracker Barrel. Like most Southerners, I’ve grown fond of the familiar old-country-store aesthetic, complete with rocking chairs, checkerboards, and shelves of candy sticks and vintage signs.

A poster featuring William Faulkner and some of his most popular books.

Want to hear William Faulkner’s Mississippi drawl? Check out this rare 1952 film.

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‘Early in his life, William Faulkner experienced a moment of clarity that would shape his legacy as one of America’s greatest writers. “I discovered that my own little postage stamp of native soil was worth writing about,” he said, “and that I would never live long enough to exhaust it.”

This quote, shared on the website Open Culture, beautifully captures Faulkner’s lifelong devotion to his Mississippi roots — a devotion that fueled the creation of Yoknapatawpha County and a literary universe unlike any other.

A cross-stitched picture of the state of Mississippi.

How I saved Mississippi

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As I was browsing the aisles, something caught my eye — a hand-stitched piece of art in the shape of Mississippi. Since I collect all things Mississippi-shaped, I knew I had to rescue it from thrift store obscurity. Even better? It was only $1.

As I was browsing the aisles, something caught my eye — a hand-stitched piece of art in the shape of Mississippi. Since I collect all things Mississippi-shaped, I knew I had to rescue it from thrift store obscurity. Even better? It was only $1.

A "Mad Men" party with guests dressed in vintage-style clothing.

Jackson fans go retro for ‘Mad Men’ finale

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The “Mad Men” madness has officially made its way to Mississippi. Jackson residents Michael Busbin and Brian Kendrick are such big fans of AMC’s hit drama that they bought a retro home in northeast Jackson inspired by Don Draper’s mid-century cool.

“It already had grass cloth wallpaper and a living room rock garden — total ‘60s vibes,” Busbin said. “We’ve updated it a little, but kept the vintage charm. We love pieces like Eames and Panton chairs — anything that feels ‘Mad Men.’ It’s how we like to live — cool, relaxed, and a little nostalgic.”

An orange illustration about films.

Rewind and Rethink: A deep dive into vintage films that stir the soul and shake the mind

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Tired of the predictable plots and CGI overload of modern movies, I recently decided to hit rewind and rediscover some cinematic gems from the past — films that hinge on powerful performances, sharp writing, and character-driven storytelling.

What started as a casual dive into the early work of Jack Nicholson quickly turned into a deep, fascinating journey through the psychological, the emotional, and sometimes the downright disturbing.

My handmade shirt featuring Kermit the Frog.

Kermit, collectibles, and a little Mississippi magic

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It’s not easy being green — but it’s very easy being a Kermit the Frog fan, especially this week as the new “Muppets” movie hits theaters. With that in mind, I thought it was the perfect time to celebrate the world’s most lovable amphibian by showing off a few of my favorite Kermit finds — and sharing why this little green guy holds such a special place in my heart.

Like many of you, I grew up in the golden age of “The Muppet Show” and “Sesame Street” — the 1970s and ’80s, when television was a little quirkier, a little fuzzier, and a whole lot more musical. Kermit wasn’t just a puppet. He was a philosopher. A dreamer. The gentle soul trying to hold everything together while Gonzo launched himself from cannons and Miss Piggy karate-chopped her way through love and drama.

A newspaper page featuring local Mississippians who are fans of the vampire trend in books and television.

Mississippi Roots of HBO’s True Blood: How Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Series shaped the hit show

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Did you know that HBO’s hit series “True Blood” has deep ties to Mississippi? The show is based on “The Southern Vampire Mysteries” novels by Mississippi native Charlaine Harris.

Born in Tunica in 1951, Harris grew up in the South, the daughter of a farmer-turned-school principal and a librarian. After graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis, she worked as a journalist in Clarksdale and Greenville before publishing her first novel, “Sweet and Deadly,” in 1981.

A news article about the popularity of bottle trees featuring a multicolored bottle tree.

Why bottle trees are making a colorful comeback in Southern gardens

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Rick Griffin, a Jackson landscape architect, grew up seeing bottle trees on trips between Ocean Springs and Vicksburg. Fascinated by their charm, he built a 10-foot bottle tree in his own yard, calling it a symbol of fun and individuality. “It’s about being a nonconformist,” he says.

Once dismissed as kitschy folk art, bottle trees are now booming in popularity across the South, especially in neighborhoods like Fondren, where urban horticulture expert Felder Rushing has documented a sharp rise in their numbers. Rushing believes this trend reflects a cultural shift toward more relaxed, expressive outdoor spaces. “For a long time, lawns had to be perfect. Now, people feel freer to add personality and history to their yards,” he explains.

An image of a creepy doll.

Creepy dolls, Stephen King, and the artist who brings nightmares to life

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Have you ever locked eyes with a porcelain doll on a shelf and instantly felt a chill crawl up your spine? If so, you’re not alone — and horror icon Stephen King would probably agree with you. Dolls have long been the stuff of nightmares in King’s world, from murderous clowns to animated Army men with a vendetta.

King’s fear of dolls is well-documented across his work. In “Poltergeist,” which he helped write for the screen, a young boy’s fear of a clown doll turns disturbingly real when the toy attacks. In “The X-Files,” King penned an episode centered around a haunted doll, and one of the darkest vignettes in his “Nightmares and Dreamscapes” series features actor William Hurt being hunted by vindictive toys — tiny green Army men that eventually bring about his demise.

The revival of bold wallpaper.

Retro Revival: Bold wallpaper trends bring the ’70s back in style

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Remember the 1980s trend where every other house had wallpaper borders running along the tops of walls? Whether it was apples, country ducks, hunting dogs, or (yes) drunk roller-skating clowns, you couldn’t walk into a home without seeing some kind of whimsical or cheesy print staring back at you.

What you may not know is that wallpaper — and especially those quirky borders — quietly disappeared in the 1990s when sleek, modern decorators declared war on anything that wasn’t a smooth, painted wall. For years, “updated” meant stripping down to neutral colors and bare surfaces. But as with many things in design, what goes out of style always finds a way to come back.