Thrifting with Intention: A Cozy Conway Weekend and a French Kitchen Dream
Some weekends feel like a deep breath.
This one started as a birthday gift to myself, but it quickly became something more. Jason and I realized it had been a long time since we’d taken a trip together that wasn’t centered around visiting family or squeezing things into an already full schedule. So we packed up the car, brought Scarlett along, and headed south for a quiet, intentional weekend in Arkansas. No rushing. No packed itinerary. Just time.
Wait until you see what I brought back with me..
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The Drive South
Arkansas surprised me in the best way. As we drove through the Ozarks, there were moments when the road opened up and you could see for miles. Soft mountain views, winding roads, and that peaceful feeling that only comes when you slow down enough to notice where you are. The weather was perfect, the kind that makes you roll the windows down just a bit and breathe it all in.
Our first stop was Harrison, Arkansas. If you love thrifting, you know the kind of town where flea markets seem to pop up everywhere. We intentionally paced ourselves. We only visited a couple, even though there were many more calling our name. I didn’t want to buy everything at once or burn out before we even made it to Conway. That was part of the intention from the beginning. Collect slowly. Choose thoughtfully. Let pieces find you.
A Quaint Stay and a Garden Surprise
Our Airbnb ended up being one of the sweetest surprises of the trip. It sat tucked away in someone’s backyard, something we’d never experienced before. Jason was a little unsure at first, especially since it was his first Airbnb stay, but the moment we arrived, we both relaxed. It was quaint, private, and peaceful.
The backyard was truly something special. Beautiful gardens, architectural salvage, the neatest little rain chain (found it!!), and sculptures tucked into every corner. It felt like a little garden paradise. I couldn’t help but imagine future inspiration pulled straight from those spaces. Scarlett was in heaven, running around and exploring, and she even made a new friend, the owners’ sweet dog, Buddy. Watching them play felt like one of those simple joys you don’t realize how much you need until you’re in it.
Plans Change, Beauty Remains
One of the things we were most excited about was visiting P. Allen Smith’s Moss Mountain farm. Unfortunately, we had our days mixed up and arrived to find it closed. No tours. No visitors. Just a quiet drive through beautiful countryside. It was disappointing for a moment, but it turned into a reminder that not every plan has to work out perfectly to still be meaningful.
So we pivoted.
Instead of the farm, we spent the day antiquing and visiting shops, moving from place to place, collecting pieces along the way. Jason was an absolute champ, carrying items, rearranging the car, and being patient as I found treasure after treasure. By the time we returned to the Airbnb, I couldn’t wait to lay everything out and see it all together.
Seeing the Vision Come Together
There’s something magical about placing thrifted pieces side by side for the first time. Items found in different towns, different shops, different moments, all suddenly speaking the same language.
As I set everything on the counter, I could see it clearly. These pieces belonged together. White ironstone, blue and white accents, warm brass and copper, rustic wood. Every item fit the same French-inspired story I’ve been building for our future kitchen.
Not a finished kitchen. Not even a usable one yet. But a vision.
A Cozy Evening and a Glimpse of the Future
That night, after pizza at a cozy little spot in Conway that reminded me so much of my own homemade crust, we settled in. We turned on the electric fireplace, its soft glow filling the room, and played movies while the sound of crackling fire hummed quietly in the background.
Scarlett curled up and fell asleep on us. The house was still. Cozy. Safe.
In that moment, I could picture the future so clearly. Sitting in our own living room one day, a real fireplace going, movies playing, dogs asleep nearby. It made me excited and a little impatient all at once. But it also reminded me that the best things in life take time. Patience is part of the process, and when we finally get there, it will be worth every bit of waiting.
Thrifting with Intention, Even Before the Space Exists
(also known as collecting antique and vintage pieces with a clear home vision in mind)
I hear it often: “I’ll start collecting once my kitchen is finished.”
But here’s what this trip reminded me. You don’t need the finished space to thrift with intention. You need a clear vision and the willingness to wait for the right pieces.
Every item I brought home was chosen with purpose. I’m drawn to a blend of French country, rustic provincial, and old European elegance. Plaster walls, rustic beams, natural light, brass and copper accents, ironstone stacked on open shelves. A black stove with brass handles tucked into a plaster range alcove. Stone countertops that feel grounded and timeless.
These thrifted pieces are the foundation of that story.
Do you see that little brass pot in the middle? I LOVE candles in the home and I thought that little piece would be perfect to hold these extra long matches I got from Amazon.
A Gentle Note on Gratitude and Grief
There was gratitude woven through every part of this weekend. Gratitude for time away. Gratitude for Jason’s patience and encouragement. Gratitude for moments of rest in the middle of busy seasons.
There was also a quiet ache. My mom was always the person I thrifted with. I know she would have loved every shop, every garden, every little detail. That kind of grief doesn’t disappear, but it softens when joy and beauty are allowed to exist alongside it.
I’m grateful that God’s timing allows moments like this, even in the middle of hard seasons. That He carries us through grief while still giving us days filled with light.
Looking Ahead
These pieces will eventually find their permanent home in our finished kitchen. Until then, they’ll make appearances in photographs, in food I cook, and in quiet moments where I remember why I started collecting them in the first place.
If you’re dreaming of a home you haven’t built yet, or a room you haven’t renovated, let this be your encouragement. Thrift slowly. Thrift intentionally. Let your vision guide you, even if the space doesn’t exist yet.
One day, you’ll look at those collected pieces and realize they were never just things. They were the beginning of a dream coming to life.
Happy thrifting my friend.
XO, Bri
Curated Vintage Finds for a Cozy, Intentional Home
If you love the idea of thrifting with intention but want pieces that are already thoughtfully curated, I share select vintage finds in my little online shop. Each piece is chosen for its character, warmth, and ability to blend beautifully into a lived-in, timeless home.
Building a Home Slowly and with Purpose
Our home is still in the process of becoming what we’ve envisioned, and this season has taught me that slow living often starts long before the walls are finished. Choosing pieces with intention, taking breaks when needed, and allowing dreams to unfold over time has become part of how we build not just a house, but a life that feels grounded and meaningful.
Let’s Stay Connected!
If you enjoy this kind of intentional, cozy living, I’d truly love to connect with you beyond this space. You can follow along on other platforms where I share more of our home, projects, and simple everyday moments.
