My 12-day trip to my hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas was the first time I'd been out of Chicago in a year. It was definitely relaxing to leave the bustle of the city behind for a little while and enjoy everything that I like best-- tasty food (BBQ!), vintage shopping and enjoying warmer weather and sunshine, though it did snow towards the end of my trip. Thankfully my mom shares my love of vintage and indulged me in trips to all the thrift stores, antique shops and flea markets (antique malls) we could find in the Northwest Arkansas region.

I didn't do any "planned" photo shoots this year, I covered most of my favorite places on my trip home last year and I also needed a break. Instead I hope you enjoy glimpses of my day-to-day activities through this set of Instagram photos. Surprisingly I've been able to keep up with taking at least 2 photos a day, so feel free to follow me over there, my handle is of course @thriftaholic

In the above picture I'm posing with a rusty 1950s Buick found in a Goodwill parking lot on my first day back in Fayetteville. It was actually for sale though I'm not sure if it was through Goodwill or by an individual.Coffee beans being roasted at Mama Carmen's Cafe in Fayetteville.I'd always wanted a vintage ice tongs/ice cube pin so was happy to find this necklace version at the Cheap Thrills vintage store. Later the same day I came across a pair of antique ice tongs at an antique mall. When I was a little girl, my grandma used to tell me stories about the ice men who used to deliver ice in large blocks for the original refrigerators (ice boxes).Somehow resisted buying this "Kitty the Kitten" craft kit at the Flying Dog Vintage Mall.Odd 1960s era board game spotted at the Flying Dog Vintage Mall, notice the woman in the cage on the far left.I brought home the vintage 1960s picture of a cat from Flying Dog Vintage Mall and the two vintage Made in Japan spotted cat creamers from Cheap Thrills.Handmade vintage Snow White rag doll spotted at 410 Vintage.Santa was at a thrift store in Bentonville, Arkansas so I had to get my picture with him! This was also the day I finally got a haircut (it had been a 1 1/2 years since I'd gone to the salon).Wearing pink striped pajamas and snuggling with Sammy the kitty. Isn't she pretty? I think she's a dilute calico (blue and cream patches rather than black and orange).My first ever Christmas ornament, from 1985, my parents bought it at Sears. A kitten in a stocking, quite fitting for me!Apparently vintage designer handbags grow from the trees in Arkansas! A 1980s Dooney & Bourke on the left and a 1970s Coach on the purse.  I actually bought another Dooney the last day of my trip.Trying on a vintage 1970s turban hat that I thrifted, I still haven't found one that truly suits me.Wearing my vintage black and white oxford shoes I got from Leah at the Vintage Garage Chicago flea market, they're my version of saddle shoes.My mom made fresh curly fries for dinner! We also made avocado bacon burgers.Polaroid photo that my grandma took of me when I was 6 years old in front of my Barbie Town House.We exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve with our family friend, Kelsey. She gifted me a box full of vintage jewelry, my favorite was this teeny top hat rhinestone pin.Have a Meowy Christmas!1950s recipe, we made pigs in a blanket out of crescent rolls, sausage and cheese for breakfast.Opening presents under the tree in my 1960s dress from Lost & Find.Vintage Annalee deer hanging out in my Harry Potter stocking (the stocking pre-dates the movies!).I loved the colors of these antique thread spools/bobbins at The Rose Antique Mall.Vintage smaller sized accordion at The Rose Antique Mall, I like the girl swooning over the boy on the box.Drinking Thai iced tea out of a goblet and wearing a 1940s dress I bought at Cheap Thrills. Sadly my favorite Thai restaurant closed so my mom and I went on a quest to find a replacement.I loved these vintage 1970s handmade cloth lions with yarn manes but they were in bad shape.I bought this vintage sweater clip featuring Masonic symbols at a Springdale antique store.I rescued this pair of vintage Daniel Green bridal slippers from the Salvation Army. I can imagine a sassy 1950s lady wearing them on her honeymoon!Friendly shop kitty at a rural indoor flea market.Lusted after this vintage tin toy rotary phone at the flea market.Vintage glass Coca-Cola bottles outside the flea market.A light dusting of snow and a tiny door outside the Briar Rose bakery and cafe. The cafe was decorated like the "Sleeping Beauty" fairy tale.Sleeping Beauty painted on the bathroom door at Briar Rose.Adorable vintage snail salt & pepper shakers my mom added to her collection (they were from 410 Vintage). They had their original price tag of 29 cents on the bottom.I loved how excited this 1930s woman was about her cake decorator (spotted at In Retrospect).Vintage Valentine's Day hugger elf at In Retrospect. He went home with me as a belated Christmas gift from my friend Jade.Sunshine "salad" in a 1950s cookbook.I bought these two vintage 1940s WWII sweetheart brooches at In Retrospect, "Irene" and "Roland", I loved their names.Trying on a vintage tiger Halloween mask on at In Retrospect.Bicycle rack outside Arsaga's Coffee Shop."Hawaiian Magic", I loved this album cover but it was sadly missing the record.Giant chess board at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.

Later this week I'll be posting a Fayetteville store profile/interview with the owner and then I'll be back to Chicago posts. Hope you had a good weekend!