Once again, I met up with my friend, Kat (of JustabeachKat blog), for a day of shopping and lunch. And we hit the usual spots, some antique stores that are in the area: Bienvenue, Smith’s, and Holiday Antiques. All great places to browse. The fun thing about antique stores is you never know what you’ll see.
I walked around and snapped pics as I went, so I hope you’ll feel like you’ve been right there with us.
An old mirror
A cutie-pie dog in one shop we went in. He is a Maltipoo, we were told. Totally adorable.
This is outside Bienvenue. Lots of neat old European things.
And of course, in Florida, you will always find plenty of shells for the taking (or rather buying).
Love these glass floats, I think I must get some of them. Love that lamp too.
Framed sea fan.
Love this idea for a candle holder.
Pretty old aqua shabby piece.
This pic doesn’t show it, but this is about the biggest birdcage we had ever seen. HUGE, with a huge pricetag too. 
Aqua and toile chair. Sweet!
Kat made me pose in this rooster chair. No, I wasn’t tempted to bring it home. Check out his feet. 
Love this big ole’ armoire, with just enough shabbiness.
How about license plate art? Have you ever? He is cute.
Shells and bottles.
More glass floats.
Dovecote, I think this is called. Neat old piece.
Isn’t she adorable?
Don’t need another fan, but loved this one.
Globes.
Pretty aqua door.
Loved how this all looked together.
Kat spotted these pretty mother of pearl bracelets, so I bought one for only $6. And I already have necklace and earrings to go with it.
After a bit of shopping, we hit The Back Porch for lunch. I haven’t been here in ages, so it was fun to go back. Great food, right on the beach, very casual.
This was our view.
And we pigged out on this. Got our fill of seafood for the week. Love it!
Then Kat drove me by a really pretty B&B, Henderson Park Inn, right on the beach. It has a Nantucket feel to it. I’ve never been to New England, but this is what I’m picturing.
Gorgeous entrance.
And how about all these white rockers on the porch, looking out to the beach? Nice huh?
Their beach. Can’t ever get enough of this view. 
Love it.
Love the shingles.
And one last stop at the Restoration Hardware outlet in Silver Sands outlet mall. 
Lots of pretty lamps. We had fun looking, but I didn’t buy a thing. Some of these lamps were good prices.
Mirrors.
And some candlesticks.
A fun day with Kat! We had a blast and it’s always great to meet up with her. Thanks Kat, for taking time to hang out with me again this year.
I even got to see Miss Daisy again. We had fun snuggling and I think she remembers us staying with her last year.
Check out the post below about a conference I’m involved with next month. Go over and read all about it!
Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yardsales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me? 
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
This looks like so much fun, Rhoda! Wish I could’ve been there with you, but this post is the next best thing. I love Destin and am dying to get back there sometime soon.
Rhoda, you take me back… I lived in FWB for a few years and loved hitting up the shops in Destin and dining on Amberjack at the Back Porch. Yum! (with a little Donut Hole thrown in the mix). Didn’t know that there was a Restoration Hardware Outlet! Glad I left before that came or i would have spent a pretty penny there. have you ever been to Potagers? It’s in San Destin on the beach side of the road and is filled with loverly items like you pictured. Definitely worth a visit on your next round. My most fave nursery is off of 30A in Santa Rosa Beach beyond Seaside & Watercolor, Eastern Lake Nursery. Check that out if you haven’t either. Well, thank you for sharing. I loved seeing it all again!
Rhoda, you girls look like sisters! We are getting ready to go to the beach (the Atlantic) and can’t wait – tired of the RAIN, RAIN, RAIN! Thanks for the shopping tour! Linda
Hi, Jennifer, Oh you know all the good spots! Unfortunately, Potagers has gone out of business. They were there last year & this year, gone. Kat mentioned them too, she like that place.
Really like the larger furniture pieces. If I could only get them home……..
I miss our Winter Park home, our Destin vacations, and, well, civilization! Thanks for sharing such gorgeous pics and wonderful places which hold the most precious of memories for me.
I lived in Destin for years and miss it so much! Thanks for taking me back:) Henderson Park Inn has a great brunch. Next time you are down there you’ll have to make your way out to Seaside. There is a beautiful store there call Pizitz Home & Cottage….it fits you wonderfully! Love your blog.
How fun! My parents have a home in Destin that they are currently redoing, so my mom has been sending me lots of iPhone pics from the antique shops there. There is a beautiful white chunky dining table I think they are going to take from Smith’s. I LOVE that dovecote – Do you remember where you saw that? I think she needs to go take a look!
I need to get her to run over to Restoration Hardware and get some of those lamps, too! Or better yet, I need to go for a visit so I can get some of my own.
Oh, and the Back Porch…my very favorite. As a child, my parents had a condo on the beach and we’d visit Destin once a month. Every single day for lunch we’d walk down the beach and eat at the Back Porch. It brings back such memories every time I go there. Grilled Amberjack Sandwich. Sigh…
Hey Rhoda! Great photos! I think I’ll go down to Destin and check out those European things for my courtyard! Also the RH outlet! Love your new profile pic!
Carol
It looks like you had a great vacation, Rhoda! I saw a lot of items I liked, but I think my favorite pictures are those of the beach view.
Looks like you had a great day and saw lots of great things! I saw several things I need you to go back and get for me!!! You and your friend look like sisters. Thanks for sharing.
Pam
Thanks for taking us to Florida with you today and to the antique shops. Loved seeing all of it. Looks like a great place for a vacation!
Oh what a fun day you must have had strolling through all those stores. And that meal on the beach? YUM!
I can’t believe summer is over.
I just want to say that you look GORGEOUS in the photos. Especially that one of the rooster chair!
(Can’t believe you didn’t want to take that home with you)
Layla
How much fun, Rhoda! I’ll be going in November and will hit the Back Porch, also! Love it! Isn’t that just the most beautiful beach in the world? Thanks for sharing!…Debbie
you do look like sisters… such fun strolling and lunching at the beach
Lots of fun things you saw! Sounds like a perfect day with a friend!
Nancy
Rhoda: It looks like you had a wonderful time!!! Beautiful blue skies, great seafood, fantastic shops and that view of the Gulf!! I am so envious!!
I just saw your message regarding meeting up when I come to Home Goods! I would LOVE that! This past weekend we ended up going to Auburn in the rain!! I am going to come to B’ham in the next couple of weeks and will come to the Home Goods over on 280!! I will let you know when!!!
Have a great day and thanks for sharing!!
Lou Cinda
Rhoda, if you’ve never been to New England you absolutely must go! My husband is from Massachusetts and when I go to the New England area I drool over all the houses. His aunt used to own the most beautiful bed and breakfast that was loaded with antiques. Every Christmas Eve she hosted a Norman Rockwell type Christmas party. We were able to attend once before she passed away and it’s by and far one of my best Christmas memories. Anyway, girl, you need to make a special trip to New England! You might never come back!
What a fun trip! I love seeing all of the sites via your eyes. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Rhoda,
The antique store was unbelievable!! Please tell me you bought something!! I saw so many things that I’d be piling up at the counter!!
What a beautiful place to visit. Love the beach scenery.
xoxox
Jane
That was fun Rhoda! I am so happy I took time out from “fallifying” for your party, to tag along, while you shopped.
I see lots of things I would love to have!
I love the B&B, too!
Beautiful, beautiful blog…could sit here all day and browse! Thank you for sharing so many wonderful, inspiring photos!
Hi there! Shabby is my middle name … and aqua my favorite shabby color! So, needless to say I was in heaven as I lingered in your post today. There were so many goodies I lost count. Makes me realize I didn’t travel far enough during those eight years I spent in Orlando!!!!!
Hi Rhoda,
It is always fun to go ‘antiquing’ with you through your blog!
Destin is beautiful isn’t it?
Your pictures are awesome!
Looks like you had a great time in Destin! I wish I was closer to Destin, you just made me want to go!! It’s about 9-10 hours from me.
That little maltipoo is so sweet.
I love all the great treasures you have shown. What a fun trip!
Love the trip, Rhoda. These are all my favorite haunts as well. We have a house on 30-A and love to spend time there. Thanks for the trip and I hope to see you at the beach sometime.
I love how you post tons of pictures to keep us occupied and to feel like we were there with you. I also love the pictures of the beach. Very relaxing from my Illinois home.
My goodness, it looks like such a good time!
I love going out shopping with my camera. That’s almost as much fun as buying!
So sad about Potagers! Thanks for the update.
Love this post and your blog! We go to Destin every year to visit with my hubby’s family. I am going to make it a point to stop by these great stores. Love the gorgeous case goods.
xo,
cristin
I want to go there !!! Looks like so much fun. And those shops? Love them ! You have a great eye for goodies. Thanks so much for sharing !
Kate
Luv your pics from the antique shops…Smith’s is my fav…almost put in a booth there a few years ago, but deceived to stay on our beautiful Alabama coast! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Linda
Gorgeous! I needed that shopping break and those wonderful blue beach shots on this rainy, rainy day. Thanks so much, Rhoda, for sharing.
That was great, Rhoda…
You must go to New England..so many beautiful places..
And when you are there take the ferry from New London, CT to Long Island. Very beautiful here too, especially the East End..
I am putting your Fall Party in my sidebar..I saw it over at Pat’s.
I love all the photos, wish I could wander around places like that. You girls look like you had a ton of fun
I always love your tours through the most interesting stores. Your beach pics were almost like we could touch the sand.
Oh I am jealous! I will have to remember these places when I am down there next spring. Enjoy the beach.
Rhoda, thank you for taking us along on the shopping trips. I shopped Smith’s Antique Mall in Destin this summer. Fabulous place. Wish we had a resource like that here at home. You can see some of the roosters I left behind at Smith’s on a previous post I did entitled: Three or More Roosters I Left Behind.
Wish I had had a way to get them back to TX without the cost of shipping. Did send a small table and a few other things back from that shopping trip. Great place! Loved my visit to your site. I’ll be back. ~ Sarah
Oh wow, it looks like you spent the day in a very delightful way! Thanks for taking us all along with you. I loved seeing all of the goodies you spied!
What a fun day! I love every single one of the treasures you posted. I live near the beach and don’t go there often enough. You have inspired me to take the time this weekend to go
I want to go there SO badly!!!! wow. so many great finds!!! glass bobbers are one of my favorites..
and you look beautiful in all the pics!!!
xoxo
Oh Rhoda I am practically crying at this wonderful post. I miss my hometown of PC, FL sooo much. Of course I’ve eaten at the “The Back Porch” and shopped at “Silver Sands” many many times. Love it! You look beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
~Blessings, ~Melissa
Great items! So are the prices worth it? I have been meaning to check out that Antique shop for some time now but have been hesitant. Waiting for the tourists to leave the area so it doesn’t take me an hour to get there lol.
As always, it was fun getting to spend some time with you. Can’t wait until next time…we must make the trip to Duh’s in Pensacola.
Hugs!
Kat
Rhoda, you and Kat look like you could be sisters..how wonderful that you met each other..good friends are far and few between, and should be treasured. I would love to meet you someday, if I ever get to your neck of the woods..or if you ever make it out to SoCal…
ooh looks so wonderful Rhoda, I’m late but had to comment on those glass balls, I want them!
Rhoda,
I am just now catching up on all your beach posts, looks like y’all had a wonderful time. I love the Destin area. In fact, we spent our honeymoon at the Henderson Park Inn back in 2004. That was before Hurricane Ivan (?), I think it has been re-done and under new ownership since then. It is the only adults-only accomodation in that area, which made it perfect for a honeymoon!
I have shopped the Silver Sands outlet mall several times, most recently this past April, how did I miss that Restoration Hardware?! On my next trip to Destin I’ll be sure and visit some of the places you went, thanks for sharing your vacation with us!
Rhoda,
I just had to let you know that I fell in love with the “old mirror” on this post and decided to make one. Well, actually, with my help, my husband has made the mirror frame and I am going to finish it. I want it to look just like the one in the picture. Thanks for the post and the inspiration.
Marie
Saw a necklace on someone that she said that she bought in Destin….She remembers that the designers are sisters that design after jewelry that they found in their mothers old jewelry box. A beautiful beaded cross…multi-colored. Very delicate. Any ideas where I might find this line. Thanks.
Hi, trying to build a sea fan like yours. How did you mount the sea fan to the back of the box frame?? glue?? Thanks…