We mentioned on Monday that we were taking it easy and enjoying family time — and it turned out we were actually at the beach. We escaped to John’s parents’ beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware for a long weekend of rest and relaxation. The guest bedroom didn’t magically clean itself (still as messy when we returned), but we had a lovely time: long walks, plenty of seafood, thrifting, and a surprisingly warm day when we took Clara down to the shore (it hit the mid-60s on Monday).
One of our stops was a favorite secondhand shop in Bethany called Beach Plum Antiques. It’s the kind of place where you can lose track of time rifling through interesting finds and imagining what you might do with them.
Several pieces caught my eye. There were woven lamps priced at $10 each that I pictured spray-painted in bright canary yellow or emerald green to shift them from beachy rustic to something bold and modern. A large woven ottoman was also tempting, the kind of textured piece that anchors a cozy reading corner.
Another small find was a charming bench for $20 that reminded me of a previous thrift-store bench makeover. There was also a simple side table for $5 that I almost grabbed — I would have gladly handed the owner a five-dollar bill if I’d found a matching piece for our bedroom, but there was only one.
What I did bring home was a geometric, eight-sided mirror for just five dollars. I was thrilled and didn’t even haggle it down to four. I’m excited to paint it a glossy, fun color — maybe lime or plum — and use it as a cheerful focal point.
We wandered the Rehoboth boardwalk shops too. One surprising score was an oversized calendar filled with vintage map prints. It looked pricey at first glance, but after flipping through and loving every page, we realized each print came to only $1.60. We plan to frame them and display them together, and yes, there was a small happy dance when we discovered the price.
I also picked up an $18 paper lantern pendant for the playroom. It would have been possible to buy a plain white lantern and attempt a DIY painted-heart project, but this ready-made option felt worth it for the smile it brings. With an inexpensive light kit, it made sense to add a cheerful new fixture to the space without the hassle of attempting something I might not pull off.
Back among the thrift stores and antique shops, we stopped at Millsboro Basaar Antiques where I found two ceramic horse bookends priced at $2.50 each. Their bold orange-and-black glaze probably explains the low price, but I like the idea of spray-painting them — maybe white, navy, or a sunny yellow — to give them a fresh, cohesive look.
We also saw a quirky frog butler and other novelty pieces that made us laugh. A $15 figurine was fun but not the right fit for our home, and a $22 stuffed bear head on a plaque was tempting as a playful wall-mount, but it felt better suited for a woodland-themed nursery than our current plans.
One practical purchase was a small luggage rack for the guest room. I negotiated the price down to ten dollars and plan to replace the woven ribbon that stretches across it; we’re still deciding on the final color, but it’s a useful and inexpensive addition for now.
We popped into Goodwill for a quick look and left with nothing, though we spied plenty of small gems. There was a $2 bowl that would be perfect for holding jewelry or bracelets on a dresser, and a $1 glass container that matched one we’d used previously for a holiday “Thanks” jar craft. Another $2 bowl could hold keys, buttons, or other small bits we inevitably keep around just in case.
Of course the weekend included plenty of beach time. Clara enjoyed the sand and posed with a proud smile showing her two front teeth — a milestone that made us beam. There were relaxing family moments, playful sand exploration, and that easy rhythm that comes from a low-key getaway.
We set a budget of $100 for thrifting and shopping and came home with 12 distinct items — or 23 if you count each map print from the calendar individually. We’ll share a detailed rundown of everything we actually brought home later, but for now it’s safe to say the trip was fun, frugal, and full of inspiration.