I think this is genius. If you are not familiar with etsy, prepare yourself for a whole new world to explore. It's "ebay for all things handmade." Anyhow, I was just browsing and found this clever jewelry... hanger/ holder/ keeper... whatever, its brilliant and beautiful. Click on the picture for a link to bluebirdheaven's etsy store. 

Antiques and Other Cool Stuff has by far the best prices anywhere on the Outer Banks. I had doubts when I walked into what I thought would a 100-booth store, and found a room and a half packed to the brim. But I was proven wrong. 10 out of 10, if you vacation in the Outer Banks, you need to stop at mile post 4.5 and check the store out. 

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Apartment Therapy had short article on how to decide whether or not to refinish an antique. I like the two rules to live by in the article... 

Ok. So I've been feeding my "decornography" addiction by following the blog, Design*Sponge for over a year now.... And I think you should too. Because when you need a fix, Design*Sponge will give you the good stuff. 

Anne's Tiques in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is the birthplace of my love for junk antique stores. Anne, a retired teacher, can be found reading on a sofa in the first room of the house  while shoppers peruse the shelves hoping to find some gem. The selection of... stuff... outside the house is heavenly. Windows, doors, shelves, iron, chairs, stuff never seen before by man, can be found all over the yard. Her prices can't be beat on the architectural pieces outside. I was in Virginia looking for a vintage door to turn into a chalkboard about a year ago. I found one I loved at an antique store in Mechanicsville. When I asked about the price, the owner quoted my $40 and wouldn't budge. At Anne's, they go for $10 a piece. So I waited until I took my next road-trip south and hauled one back home with me from Anne's. It's the perfect antique store for a college town-- plenty of pieces to choose from for under $30. I'm biased about Anne's because it evokes feelings of nostalgia, but I give it a 10 out of 10. 

If you're ever driving through Woodbury, Georgia (and I can't imagine why you ever would be, except that maybe you are hopelessly lost) and you're looking for something to do-- go explore High Cotton Antique Mall. They had a large selection of items-- some valuable, some not. If you like to shop, it's the only mall within an hour so you may as well wonder around. My two favorite pieces were the gauge (pic 4) and the camera (all the way at the end). All in all, I'd rate High Cotton a 9. 

Hanna Antiques is AMAZING... a little expensive, but amazing nevertheless. Hundreds of vendors rent booths where I found hundreds of things I hadn't ever seen or heard of before. Even though I knew I wouldn't be buying, I loved walking through the store feeling like an explorer of all things antique. 

Located in Oxford, AL, Apple Barrel Antiques is an easy drive East on I-20 from  Birmingham, AL. When an antique store has rusted, paint-chipped items on it's porch, you know it's going to be good. Apple Barrel Antiques is no exception. Its 100+ booths spill over with reasonably priced items. The cotton quilt (see pics 1&2) is so cute and only $69! If you are within 45 minutes of Oxford, it's definitely worth the drive. My GPS said there were a few other stores nearby, if you wanted to make a day of antiquing, but I didn't have time to check them out. :( On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate Apple Barrel an 8. 

Blue House Antiques is owned by the same owner as Cahaba Heights Antiques. The sign on the vintage blue glider made me smile as I walked up the path from Cahaba Heights Antiques. The small house had a much smaller selection than Cahaba Heights Antiques did, but it was still fun to walk around. My favorite item is the bark bag (and of course the blue glider! Who wouldn't fall in love?!)