Welcome to reality

Yesterday, Drew and I had one of the most frustrating days EVER. We walked out of church to find his brand new tire flat as a pancake. So, we missed lunch. Then our plan to spend a perfect afternoon at my grandparents was post-poned due to rain. Then my car overheated. Needless to say, I woke up this morning in a horrible mood, but quickly decided I needed to put on my big girl panties, shake the horrible day and deal with the fact that the little Stratus was sick. I threw on a hat, my favorite cowboy boots and my worn-out Phi Mu jacket, called the office to let them know I am without transportation and headed out with dad to investigate the symptoms of the Stratus' sudden illness. After poking around under the hood, dad pronounced that the Stratus will be spending some time being pampered by the dealership service center.

All of this leads to now. After finally making my way back home (car-less & Drew-less b/c he headed back to Nashville...boo on school), I just want to curl into a ball and have a major pity party. So, I will be spending my Monday holed-up at my house catching up on homework and laundry without my car or my boyfriend to keep me company. Thus commences the pity party....

hopeLESS chest

The last few weeks I've found so many exciting items for my hopeLESS chest (as my dad and brother LOVE calling it) that my mom has cut off my allowance of storage space until further notice. As most GRITS know, a hope chest is the special place that holds all the treasures you, your mom, your grandmother, your great-aunt, your godmother, insert any other older GRITS here, are saving for that hopeful day when a wonderful prince charming drops to one knee and pops open a velvet box to reveal the perfect diamond ring. Too bad prince charming does not come with your perfect selection of kitchen, bath, bedroom, living room and dining room accessories as well. No Wedgewood or Waterford included.

For me, the collection process started before I was even born. Just thank my great-grandmother for my obsession with vintage dishes/china. Since I inherited a set of seventies green dishes from Grandma Lucal, I've begun collecting all sorts of odd things that can't be zapped with a registry gun. Vintage bakeware, must-have whiteware, an antique orange juicer, pub glasses...the list grows every time I step foot in my favorite shops.

All this may seem odd since my foreseeable future does not hold a wedding. (Yet, I've attended so many in the last year that one can only guess it would be catching...flu season, meet your second cousin - wedding season.) Sometimes I just sigh and realize that I am an old soul born out of my decade. I love thinking that in some small way I'm living out my own scene from the antebellum South.

If you're interested in filling a hope chest with fun vintage pieces or new one-of-a-kinds like I have, check out some of my family's best (okay, worst - we drag everyone along) kept shopping secrets:

1. Hamby Mill - It's right off Highway 69 on your way to Jasper, AL. Most of my favorite vintage pieces were scouted here. DON'T be put off by the fact that the buildings are converted chicken houses. It just adds charm and character, Alabama style. Wear good walking shoes, jeans you don't mind getting a little dusty and bring cash or check.
2. Water Valley - Oh, Water Valley how I once loathed thee. As a child/tween/teen I cringed when my mother and grandmother would pull me through the different booths, but now I pull them through EVERY booth so I can look at every single item in every single booth.
3. Bennets - Highway 31, Cullman It's a dream from an episode of the Andy Griffith Show. Just go. I don't have the words to describe the charm of this jem. Let's just say my mom has spent so much time/resources here that she is on a first name basis with the owners, so mention Janet Brown sent you. :)
4. Deep South - Cullman Nothing in the store in vintage, but if you love china, crystal or silver serving pieces, Deep South is THE place. The owner can help you order anything she doesn't have. I've already scouted a china pattern that makes my young heart pitter-patter. She also stocks Artur Corts and MudPie.

Happy Hoping!!