If you know me, you know I can't go to Southern California without making a stop at the Long Beach Antique Market. It's basically a non-negotiable at this point. I was in California for the opening of our Laguna Beach store, but I had already blocked off a morning for my favorite kind of treasure hunt.
This flea market has my heart. It's one of my favorite places in the world to source, and somehow it always delivers. I never leave empty-handed, but more importantly, I always leave inspired. So many of the little details that make our stores feel like us start right here, wandering the aisles with a coffee in hand, digging through piles, chatting with vendors, and waiting for that "OMG" moment.
This trip definitely did not disappoint.
One of my biggest scores was an incredible stash of vintage Levi's shorts. Finding authentic vintage Levi's in great condition gets harder every single year, so when I spotted these, my heart started racing. It honestly felt like hitting the jackpot. They're the kind of pieces that never go out of style and somehow only get better with age. I already know they're going to become staples in so many closets...and yes, I absolutely kept a pair for myself.
I also found the best collection of vintage bolo ties and western belt buckles that immediately had my wheels turning. I could already picture them on custom hats, styled with denim, or adding the perfect finishing touch to an outfit. Those little details are what make vintage so fun—they have personality, history and they're always conversation starters.
Then came the brooches...hundreds of them. Every single one felt like its own tiny piece of art. Sparkly florals, quirky little motifs, timeless classics—you name it. I can't wait to watch these find new life, whether they're pinned onto jackets or turned into one-of-a-kind embellishments at our hat bars. Seeing customers take something vintage and make it completely their own will never get old.
And I actually squealed when I stumbled across a huge stash of vintage Americana patches. Think bald eagles, American flags, and all the perfectly worn patriotic goodness. They're going to be incredible on trucker hats, denim jackets, and so many custom pieces. You just can't fake that kind of character.
But then...I found the find.
Tucked away among everything else was a 12-foot vintage western saloon sign, and I completely stopped in my tracks. It was one of those moments where you don't even have to think—you just know it's coming home with you. It's weathered, authentic, and full of stories, and I already have the perfect spot for it in our Fort Worth store. I honestly think it's one of my favorite flea market finds ever. I even danced down the aisle after paying the sweet guys who sold it to me.
Days like this are exactly why I'll always love flea markets. Every buckle, brooch, patch, pair of Levi's, and old matchbook has already lived an entire life before it finds me. Then it gets to become part of someone else's story. I also love knowing we're supporting the vendors and small businesses who spend their weekends preserving and sharing these incredible pieces of history.
That's really the heartbeat of what we do. Handmade, vintage, and one-of-a-kind pieces have always been our thing. We love filling our stores with treasures you can't just reorder or find a dozen more of. Every piece is unique, and that's what makes it special.
The best part? These finds have already started making their way into our stores and hat bars. There is nothing better than watching someone spot a piece I found at a flea market, light up, and make it their own. That's the full-circle moment that makes all the early mornings, broken nails and digging worthwhile.
I've always said flea markets are my happy place. They're where the magic happens, where the best stories begin, and where patience almost always pays off. Every trip is different, every vendor has something new to uncover, and you truly never know what's waiting around the next corner. This Long Beach haul was one for the books, and I have a feeling these treasures are going to become some of your favorites, too. I can't wait to see how you style them this season and beyond.
