Rusted: A Vintage Market in Jacksonville, FL

I’ve kind of got a thing for the rustic look. It’s just so warm and inviting – I love that vibe. I learned about Rusted, a new vintage store here in Jacksonville, when some of my friends posted about it on Facebook. Pablo has been wanting to go antiquing for a while now, so we decided that was exactly how we were going to spend our Saturday.

We didn’t even walk in the door before we fell in love with it. There were gorgeous tables and oversized chests strewn about the front lawn. I really wish we were in the market for a coffee table – they had some that were only $25! Their prices were affordable and fair, which I find to be an admirable quality in an antique store.

We ran into my aunt when we were there, who we learned has a room full of goodies at Rusted. (There are two rooms in the back right of Rusted – her room is on the left.) My aunt’s taste is shabby chic – light pink, shades of green, white, and gold. This room was SO her! Every picture in this post comes from her room. Cute stuff, right?

Ultimately, we left with three finds: a set of 8 amber glasses, an amber cake stand to match those glasses, and a vintage projector. I like amber – it’s a welcoming color and is neutral enough to match just about anything. Pablo is still on cloud nine about the projector. It actually works, which makes it an even more awesome find.

If you like what you see, stop by and check Rusted out! They also have an awesome Pinterest account if you’re looking for some inspiration.

Five on Friday: 5 Things to Do on a Saturday in Jacksonville

It’s the weekend – time for some fun! If you’re plumb out of ideas, here are some things to do in Jacksonville, FL.

Go to the zoo. Seriously, have you been to the zoo lately? It’s awesome! You can spend the whole day there. And here’s a tip – pack a picnic lunch to make the day more affordable.
Riverside Arts Market. This is seasonal, but it’s SO much fun! Grab some lunch, watch the performers, peruse the wares and then take a walk along the river.
Hike at Ft. Caroline. There are a lot of different trails over there. Take a peek at the Ribault Monument while you’re there – it’s the highest point in Jacksonville.
Mosey around Five Points. I love this area! Bring some cash and eat at Pizza Italian, one of my favorite local restaurants. Then head down to Fans & Stoves Antique Mall for some shopping. You’re bound to leave with a few hidden gems.
Visit Ft. Matanzas. This place is so cool! You ride on a boat to get to the fort. There’s also a hiking trail you can go on and a beautiful area to eat a picnic lunch. Check out my recent blog entry about visiting Ft. Matanzas.

Fort Matanzas: The “Other” Fort

Before I go any further with this blog, I need to confess something: I’m in love with St. Augustine. Pablo lived there for the first year and a half of our relationship. We really got to know the city well during that time.

When most people think of St. Augustine, they think of “the fort” – Castillo de San Marcos. I love that fort. I have many happy childhood memories picnicking on its lawn and then rolling down the grass hills. (It’s also a favorite spot for ghost tours, which I highly recommend if you’re in the area!)

And now I’m about to blow your mind: there’s another fort in St. Augustine – Fort Matanzas.

Pablo and I checked Ft. Matanzas out last fall. There’s an adorable picnic area covered by trees, which is the first thing you see when you arrive. There’s also a nice little hiking trail. We were on a time crunch and didn’t get to enjoy these things, but we’ll definitely include them in our plans on our next visit.

You take a ferry to reach the fort, which is located on an island. Once you arrive, you’re greeted by someone in period clothing who will explain the fort’s history. (It’s pretty bloody and disgusting, not gonna lie.)

If you want the full experience, climb up to the upper level. I think the hole to get up there is maybe 2 feet wide, give or take. It’s really small. (If you won’t fit, please don’t climb it – we had the pleasure of seeing a large man’s shirt get stuck in the hole. You can’t unsee that.)

I really liked Ft. Matanzas. It’s different from “the fort” in downtown St. Augustine and provides a refreshingly new perspective on the area’s history as the beach/swamp near the fort is more typical of what things used to be like.

A few tips if you go: bring a water bottle with you over to the fort and go to the bathroom before you get on the ferry to go to the fort.

US Men’s National Soccer Team in Jacksonville: A Patriotic Fashion Show

As soon as I found out the US Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) was going to have a match in Jacksonville, I knew I was buying tickets. While my soccer knowledge is limited (you kick a ball around a field), Pablo is a soccer fan. Or a “futbol” fan, I guess. He even made a poster.

To make a long story short, the US kicked Scotland’s butt – we beat them 5-1.

Now on to the important details: fan fashion. Kilts were kind of expected. I mean, we played Scotland – duh, there will be kilts. What was pretty sweet though was running into a guy playing the bagpipes. You just don’t see that every day.

There was also the “ripped shirt” look. Highly patriotic.

Flag mullet? Yes, please. It’s the South.

I thought the red, white and blue feather boa was a classy touch. I dub her “Classy Patriot”.

As for the stars of the game, the USMNT, their jerseys look like Where’s Waldo shirts. I loved them. They were whimsical and fun.

On another note, I fell in love with Everbank Field at this game! The food was delicious. (We split a basket of chicken fingers and fries – yum.) I realized at this game that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. If you haven’t been to a game or even there yet, I strongly encourage you to check it out!

And for the grand finale, the national anthem from the game. If you haven’t seen this yet, I’ll caution you to keep the volume low. It’s pretty awful. I’m pretty sure all of us at the game were trying to sing loud enough to drown her out, but, as you can see/hear, that didn’t happen.

5 Tips to Enjoy Moonlight Movies in Jacksonville Beach

I love movies. I also love the beach. Combine the two and you get… Moonlight Movies!

Okay, okay – cheesiness aside, I absolutely adored Moonlight Movies. When Pablo and I found out they were showing Men In Black, we put it on our calendars. I’m glad we did!

We stopped at Larry’s Giant Subs on the way to the movie so we could eat a picnic dinner. We arrived an hour early and staked out our spot. It’s a good thing we got there so early – it got packed! We did fun things while we waited, like play a trivia game and challenge each other at Cut the Rope. Pablo won, but I’m pretty sure he cheats. (Jk, I’m just a sore loser.)

And then it was movie time! I loved Men In Black. It was the perfect combination of funny and cheesy with a pretty interesting storyline. We brought a few drinks to enjoy during the movie. I also brought a gigantic bag of peanut M&Ms.

I encourage you to check out the next (and last) one of the season this Friday, June 1! Be mindful of the tips below and you’ll have a fantastic experience.

Get there early! You want to find a decent parking spot, not to mention a good view of the movie.
Bring something to entertain you while you wait. We just played apps on our iPhones, but it would be fun to bring a game like Catchphrase if you go with a group.
Bring blankets AND chairs. We laid out a blanket to sit on before the movie and sat in the chairs during the movie. There are chairs available to rent if you don’t want to bring your own. I also suggest another blanket for you to use during the movie since it gets a little chilly down by the beach.
Food is a must. I think it’s fun to bring a picnic dinner – just kind of ties the whole experience together. They did have concessions available if you would prefer to buy your food rather than bring it.
Don’t rush home. Everyone rushes home. We opted to stop at Yobe afterwards to wait for the crowd to pass. Take your time – you’re at the beach!

The next and last movie of the Moonlight Movies series this summer is Babe: The Gallant Pig. It’s showing at 9PM on June 1 at the Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach. Click here for more info.

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