Green Holiday Shopping

I completed a large portion of my holiday shopping yesterday at one of my favorite stores in the Chicago area. The Antique and Resale Shoppe at 7214 N. Harlem on the corner of Harlem and Touhy in Chicago is an amazing little shop filled with treasures. From floor to ceiling, literally there is stuff EVERYWHERE, this wonderful store sells an assortment of beautiful costume jewelry, small antiques and beautiful vintage clothing and other accessories. When I visit I try and schedule about 2 hours to shop because there is just so much to find. Jewelry is arranged on every surface of the store and organized by color or metal, style or stone. In large cases built like old map drawers you can pull out drawer after drawer of necklaces, bracelets, pins, broaches, earrings, buttons, shoe buckles, sweater clips and more. To me it's like finding a pirate's chest.

If you make it through the front of this small store don't miss the back. Here you will find vintage clothes including dresses, wraps, cardigans, leather kid gloves, hats, scarves, shoes, and purses. There are also vintage aprons, tablecloths, cloth napkins, glassware, eyeglasses, watches, political memorabilia, figurines, plates, and photographs. Owners Suzanne and Jules always great you with a smile and are happy to point you in the right direction if you are looking for something specific. Their displays are so creative and fun you will find something new everywhere you look. Oh and you'll love the old movies they always have playing on their TV and the sweet little dog who sits on the counter.

During my many visits to the store I have found beautiful jewelry all of it more stylish than the mass produced junk you can buy in chain stores and online. I've bought some wonderful small antiques, vintage clothes and fun gifts like antique picture frames and quirky salt and pepper shakers. All the ladies accessories that are currently seen in catalogs and department stores are original and in excellent condition with prices cheaper than the knockoffs.

If you are looking for an alternative to cookie cutter big store gifts and don't have a problem with buying pre-owned items than consider going green this holiday season and give gifts with a history.

Check out the shoppe's website here.