Antique Shopping in South Florida

As some of you know, I was recently visiting South Florida (Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale to be exact). While I was there spending time with my in-laws and participating in the Hukilau, I also had the opportunity to visit two of my favorite antique malls, Sugar Chest and Hillsboro Antique Mall.  Both malls are located in Pomano, Florida.

http://thesugarchestantiquemall.com/

http://www.hillsboroantiquemall.com/

Of the two malls, I have to admit that I prefer Sugar Chest. The layout is easier to walk and browse through and the bakelite selection is fantastic. Hillsboro has a cool vintage post card section (it's huge!), furniture, a great number of vintage housewares and kitchenware, and loads of costume jewelry. The only drawbacks are the small amounts of bakelite (and what you do find is so overpriced) and the layout is a bit chaotic. If there is such a thing, I feel like there is too much to see. I call it "sensory overload."

Nevertheless, I bought some post cards from Hawaii to frame for my tiki bar, three thin red bakelite spacers, a pumpkin-colored carved bakelite bangle, and a Hobnail dish for my mother-in-law.

(The pumpkin, carved bangle is on the far left. One of the new red spacers is second to the far left and the other new red spacer is second to the far right.)


During my trip to South Florida, I also visited Sugar Chest Antique Mall in Pomano, located on Federal Highway. This mall is about 15 minutes south of my mother-in-law's house. Every time I visit, I always make a stop at Sugar Chest! I call it my "bakelite haven."

On my recent visit, I bought three carved bakelite bangles. Each one was listed as 65 USD and there was a sale going on and as a result, my bangles were 40% off! I also scored a pristine opalescent, glittery lucite bag. I was floored when I spotted it glowing from within its display case! The seller originally wanted 400 USD but I felt that was way too high. Between my mother-in-law and the lovely attendant, Joey, who always helps us when we visit, I managed to get the bag for 200 USD.

One of the many charms of shopping in antique malls is finding hilarious items! You never know what you are going to find!

Let me show you what I discovered:

This reminds me of David Bowie in his "Blue Jean" video!

The King, complete with "sneer detailing."

A very macho cowboy Ken doll!

A sequin nightgown? Dress? Robe? I am not sure. So shiny.

A velvet poker hat. Do you think I should go back and get it?

A Ken Doll from the 80s. Kind of reminds of "Jersey Shore" Ken. GTL!

And as we were leaving, I saw this book. Pose! Werk that camera, honey!

At the end of my Florida visit, I had some great new bakelite scores, a pretty lucite bag, some fabulous vintage post cards, and I got a gift for my MIL. Overall, it was a fun time! I cannot wait to go back when I return to Florida in August!