I've been back in Philadelphia for just over a week now and already I feel nostalgic for our trip to Puerto Rico. I had no idea just how much I needed a break from it all, but I really truly did. As I look through the photos it occurs to me just how impossible it is to sum up a trip like this in just a few concise sentences. I suppose the easiest place to start is sometimes the most obvious, so we'll start with our visit to Old San Juan.

San Juan was all at once exactly what we expected, and not at all as it seemed. The pastel buildings and swaying palm trees did the Pinterest photos justice, but the overwhelming number of souvenir shops and touristy restaurants left us wandering the streets a bit perplexed and a little disappointed. We decided to embrace our touristy side and with a camera firmly planted in our hand we made our way from one end of Old San Juan to the other where we looked out over the San Juan Gate into the turquoise waters and realized just how beautiful this little island is.

Before we made the slow trek back to our Puerto Rican abode we stopped into what looked like the only authentic restaurant in the whole old city. I watched in amazement as the young bartender made us the freshest (most delicious) mojitos of our lives and made note to only drink homemade mojitos from now on. It wasn't what I had hoped, but in the end it was exactly what we needed to propel us into the rest of our Puerto Rican vacation. -b.

In mid-May I had the chance to travel north to the sleepy town of Brimfield, Massachusetts with our buying team to attend my very first Brimfield Flea Market. I've wanted to experience this world famous market for years and to say it was a dream come true would be an understatement. I was there to catalog their experiences and collect inspiration for a series of posts on BHLDN's blog B-Inspired. What I ended up with was a new appreciation for the creativity of our buyers, and memories of great times with a team I love more each day.

Days started early, with Dunkin Donut coffee in hand and layers of clothes to shield us from the pre-dawn chill. We'd hit the fields by 6AM, and visit tent after tent of chotskies and treasures. The buyers were a well oiled machine; scanning tables and quickly flitting through booths like the pros they are. Each group had their own mission: Accessories was after vintage jewelry and exquisitely detailed handbags, while Decor was after embroideries, unique metalwork or woodwork, and paper ephemera. In some cases their field finds are a perfectly curated capsule for our stores' vintage assortment; while for others the journey has just begun as they'll inspire products in the months to come.

I did manage to squeeze in a few tents for myself this trip, bringing home a stuffed Indian elephant (random I know) and a hand embroidered shaw from the Victorian Era. They're both helping finish up that living room project I started months ago. I think I'll need to go back to Brimfield, and next time bring a small fortune and a Uhaul. - b. 

I think pretty much everyone has heard of the Rose Bowl Flea Market, and Brimfield, but did you know there's an antiques fair in Texas that dwarfs them both? It's called the Round Top Antiques Fair, and last week I had the unique opportunity to see it for myself! 

The fair started over 40 years ago as an excuse for Houston socialites to escape the city in the spring for some good old country living. Even today the town of Round Top only has 90 citizens, minus the two times a year 100,000 people flock to the surrounding fields to rummage the wares these vendors are hocking. Covering 20+ miles along highway 237, and its connecting routes, this antiques weekend is no joke. Just about anything and everything is for sale and whatever your budget there's a venue filled to the brim waiting for you. 

But why did I go you might ask? I was sent for work, to assist in buying pieces for display in our upcoming shop-in-shops. We have new locations opening in Seattle and Georgetown at the end of this week and we were in desperate need of antique trays, frames, and chandeliers to merchandise our products on. I was beyond excited when they asked me.

I've always had an intense love for anything vintage, and treasure hunting is one of my absolute favorite past-times. Not to mention: I've never been to Texas, or at least that I can remember (I was born in Fort Hood, TX). It was 80 degrees and beautiful the entire time we were there. The blue bonnets were in full bloom, and as pretty as a picture. Mexican food and bbq are not only plentiful but indescribably delicious. And finally, I got out from behind my desk for 4 glorious days.

That's not to say it wasn't difficult at times. You're on your feet for 12-16 hours a day, sweating, bargaining, hauling, organizing, and shipping. There's no exhaustion quite likes it, but I'd do it again in a heart beat. To help find the one-of-a-kind treasures that make our store experience so unique, was a once in a lifetime experience I wouldn't trade for anything! My one regret is that I didn't get a little time to look for something for our new house. I guess that means I'll have to go back (shucks).

I just never know what my job will have me doing next, a thrill I'll never tire of. - b.