Discovering Treasures: A Thrift Store Journey

Welcome to the blog today, Friends.

I want to share with you a recent thrift store find… well, actually two. Sometimes it isn’t the big things you find that make the greatest impact, but rather the small, quiet pieces that speak to you and linger in your thoughts long after you’ve brought them home. Those are often the treasures that weave themselves most naturally into our lives.

While thrifting this week, I came across two individual items that I immediately knew belonged together. They weren’t packaged as a set, and they weren’t particularly grand on their own, but together they tell a story—and you know how I love a good story.

The first is the lovely original photograph you see above. It’s an image of an old, timeworn door standing open, inviting the viewer to step inside and discover what lies beyond. Don’t you just love photographs like this? The color palette alone drew me in—soft browns and muted greens, so earthy and comforting. The stone walls feel solid and grounding, anchoring the house not just to the street it sits on, but to history itself.

I find myself wondering how many hands have touched that door over the years. How many people passed through it carrying baskets, letters, hopes, or worries? What could this home tell us about the past if its walls could speak?

An open door is such a powerful symbol. It hints at mysteries waiting to be solved and rooms waiting to be explored. It suggests welcome, possibility, and perhaps even a little bit of bravery—the courage it takes to step inside something unknown.

They say that pictures convey many words to the observer—some we can articulate, and others that reach a quieter place within us, a place that can only be felt. This photograph does exactly that for me. It stirs memories of places I’ve visited, homes I’ve loved, and moments long past that still feel close to my heart.

And maybe that’s why I was drawn to it. Thrifted pieces often come with lives already lived, stories already begun. When we bring them into our homes, we aren’t just decorating—we’re continuing a story.

The second item I found was a simple black frame with a picture mat that perfectly complemented the photograph. It felt like such a gift to discover it already waiting, as though it had been set aside for just this moment. There’s something deeply satisfying about being able to frame a photograph almost as soon as you find it—no searching, no compromise, just a perfect fit.

The black frame and matting set off the photograph beautifully, allowing the earthy browns and greens to truly pop. The simplicity of the frame doesn’t compete with the image but instead gives it a quiet confidence, drawing your eye inward and inviting you to linger.

I decided to create a small grouping of three simple pieces, each one enhancing the others in a subtle and thoughtful way. Together, they form a little vignette that feels timeless and reflective. Let’s take a look at the other pieces.

The second piece in the grouping is a small crystal vase filled with dried grasses and flowers. Their soft, faded tones echo the colors in the photograph, picking up the greens and warm neutrals in a way that feels natural and unforced. Dried florals have such a gentle beauty about them—they speak of seasons passing, of moments preserved, and of nature held just a little longer than expected.

The third piece is an antique wooden desk clock, a humble but meaningful object that suggests the passing of time in the best possible way. Its worn surface and steady presence remind us that time moves on, yet leaves behind traces of all that has come before.

Memories abound within this small arrangement. The photograph invites reflection and curiosity. The dried flowers call to mind summer days spent in sun-drenched gardens, with the warmth of the sun on your skin and the hum of life all around you. And the clock quietly keeps watch over it all, reminding us that while time passes, memories have a way of staying.

It amazes me that the simple purchase of a photograph and a frame could lead to such a rich exploration of travel, history, and personal recollections. That’s one of the things I love most about thrifting—how the smallest finds can open the door to memories long tucked away, while at the same time helping us create new ones to share with family and friends.

Thrift stores are wonderful places to jog our reminiscences of times past. They invite us to slow down, to notice, and to imagine the lives these pieces once belonged to. Each visit holds the promise of discovery—not just of objects, but of stories waiting to be continued.

Thank you so much for joining me here today and sharing in these simple finds from the thrift store. It’s always a joy when you visit, and I so appreciate the time you spend here with me. I hope you’ll take a moment to share your thoughts or memories in the comments—I always love hearing from you.