Treasure Hunting (Concord, Mass)

We just got back from a trip up north see visit my family. I feel so lucky to have grown up an adorable small town outside of Boston. It’s truly a gem.

Right next door is the town of Concord, Massachusetts– home of some of the most famous literary figures in history, and amazing shopping for those looking for something unique.

If you have an extra day to spend in the Boston area, Concord is a wonderful place to visit. It has the Old North Bridge, Walden Pond and the homes of Hawthorne, Emerson, and Louisa May Alcott. Sadly, it’s been twenty five years since I last visited the Orchard House. Sorry Louisa, I adore you, but the shopping down the street is hard to beat!

Of course, I forgot my camera this time around so I’m including some photos from last fall. But this year’s haul photos are totally up-to-date and taken a few days ago. Now put away your wallets because we’re about to go window shopping. Don’t worry, I did enough to stimulate the local economy for both of us. 😉

I probably should have bought this book {and read it} before shopping here last year.

Climb a set of narrow stairs on Main Street to find one of my favorite stores ever.

Nesting on Main is my must-see when I visit Concord each year.

It’s like stepping into a giant cabinet of natural curiosities.

They have vintage pieces collected and displayed in modern ways.

You’ll never know what special treasures you’ll find in these little drawers.

Nooks and crannies hold treasures such as demijohns and antiquities around every corner.

Antique bird cage with glass water holder– weren’t things so beautiful before plastic?

Antlers are in vogue right now; don’t worry, deer shed them naturally.

I loved these succulent candles so much last year, didn’t buy any, and regretted it every time I thought about it! This year I made a beeline to them and made sure to grab a bunch.

The owners must get asked a million times each year where they find all their pieces, but their store really does beg the question. They stock things I’ve never seen before, let alone in larger quantities.

Plus some newer things, with a vintage vibe.

I don’t know what I’d do with any of these things, and yet, why do I feel like I NEED them?!

After walking away from so much last year, I filled my basket this time around. Here’s what I couldn’t resist:

vintage topiary form, which I probably paid too much for, but I’m really trying to buy what I love– and I loved it.

large metal clip, I should have bought 6 and used them for hanging artwork but I restrained myself and bought only one for various projects

Here’s the succulent candles, a little travel worn but still so darn pretty.

a vintage $5 shoe form and a few pieces of rulers for .25 each

I’ve had my eye on this vase in the Crate and Barrel catalog for years; might as well buy local!

I collect vintage honey jars, and this one fits right in.

Down the street is my husband’s favorite store, the Concord Cheese Shop. Go ahead, ask them for a moscato recommendation. I’ve asked them twice, a year apart, got two different answers (because the selection changed), and both bottles were AMAZING. Oh yeah, they also have cheese. Lots of cheese. But also wine. Yum.

Thoreauly Antiques is adorable.

I picked up a few goodies for some jewelry pieces I’m working on. Or… pretending to be working on. I’m actually just hoarding at this point, for future working on things.

And a bunch of these vintage cars (seen displayed on a stenciled craft frame) for $2 each. For crafting. Not for Bee. Though he’s gotten them away from me a few times, sneaky little bugger.

Every time I find pretty vintage ornaments, I snag them. Found these there last year.

Right next door is Upstairs Antiques.

My purchase this year only cost $1. But those scrolls on the spine had me at ‘hello.’ I didn’t really care what the book was about {shhhh… probably not supposed to say that in Concord).

But Noodle didn’t mind. She ‘read’ the book for 20 minutes straight. Poor thing still can’t tell me what year Alaska joined the union. She has a long way to go before getting into Harvard.

This is what I bought there last year. I told you I had this thing for honey jars. Amazingly it was the exact same price as the one I bought from Nesting on Main this year, which was my sign it was priced juuuuuust right.

Things to Do in Concord Massachusetts (vintage honey jar)

Then there’s The Famous Concord Shop.

Like a hardware store– for kitchen stuff.

I got one of these little owl dishes to hold Noodle’s hair elastics. It still makes me happy, a year later.

Things to Do in Concord Massachusetts (owl dish)

Yes, I may have done my part to stimulate the local economy but seriously, there’s no cuter spot to do it. Or so I tell myself, until I visit the Outer Banks. Or Charlotte. And don’t even get me started on Maine.

A few of my Nesting on Main treasures, just waiting to be put somewhere amazing.

Thanks for coming window shopping with me. Do you have a favorite spot to splurge? Is there a store you can’t wait to visit each year, and where? Please share!