Laurel, Mississippi

A little over a year ago I watched the Pilot episode of the new HGTV show called Home Town. Home Town on HGTV is based in the small southern town of Laurel, Mississippi where Ben and Erin Napier live. Ben and Erin Napier love their small town and plan to help it grow and thrive with restoring older homes and even the downtown area. I have been following them via Instagram since the pilot episode aired a year ago. After seeing all the wonderful pictures they have been posting of their quaint downtown I knew I had to go see it for myself. 

Last week I woke up one morning and decided I was going to take a spontaneous two hour road trip down to Laurel from Jackson, Mississippi. I am so very glad that I went because I absolutely loved it! I plan to visit a few more times this year. I would suggest visiting this small homegrown downtown to everyone.

Ben and Erin Napier have recently opened their own store in downtown Laurel called Laurel Mercantile Co. They opened the store in December 2016. I fell head over heels in love with their store and all the lovely old southern goods they sell. I bought a mug, shirt, and some old pieces of serving dinnerware. 

Even if you cannot visit check out their website here, where you can shop what is in the store along with handmade pieces of hardwood furniture that Ben Napier makes in his woodshop entitled Scotsman Co. They have a little bit of everything for everyone in this store, from wooden toys, leather goods, candles, dinnerware, apparel, and Erin's Casserole Tote that she designed. The Casserole Tote would make the best Hostess gift especially for that hostess that seems to already have everything under the sun!

In case you are wondering about Season One of Home Town on HGTV. They have been filming this past year so that Season 1 will air this year! I cannot wait to watch all the different projects that take on in this adorable small town in my home state. If you love Chip and Joanna Gaines show "Fixer Upper" on HGTV then you will quickly fall in love with the Napier's. I have to admit I had the pleasure of talking with Ben Napier himself and some of this crew while I was visiting and he is just a small town, sweet, southern gentleman who was very eager to talk with people coming into the store and listen to any stories they had to tell him. 

Be sure to follow them on Instagram and check out their website (linked above). I honestly fell in love with this small town and all the quaint tree lined streets with classical southern homes ranging from small to large. I could brag about the Napier's and the town of Laurel all day long, but just go see it for yourself and I am sure you will fall in love too!

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Lucky Town Brewery Tour

Over Easter weekend Jay and I got a group of our friends together to go on the Lucky Town Brewery Tour. Lucky Town Brewery is located in downtown Jackson, Mississippi. This brewery is still very new to the area. This brand has a wonderful Blonde and IPA brew. My favorite would have to be their Ballistic Blonde Beer. I highly suggest people visiting the area or that live here need to check out this brewery. This brewery may be small but it packs a lot of local flavor and culture into this little Southern town. Happy Thursday loves!

 

 

Lots of Love, Natalie

Old House Depot

This past weekend I decided I would do a little exploring/rediscovering my hometown of Jackson, Ms. I figured this would be a great idea since I will be moving back there after I graduate from MSU in May! I was thrilled to find Old House Depot hidden across from the fairgrounds in downtown Jackson. It was like finding a diamond in the ruff simply because I didn't know that we had a salvage yard like this in Jackson. There were so many interesting pieces inside that could lend themselves to the renovation of a home or just a weekend DIY project. I know I will be visiting Old House Depot many more times once I move back. With that being said if you are looking for old doors, shutter, mantels, glass doorknobs, or old piece of lumber this is the place for you!   

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Weekend Favorites

- Finishing up the week and starting the weekend with an AMPED class before heading home to Jackson -

 

- Jay's SAE Dodge ball team winning their tournament for charity -

 

- Enjoying a tasty lunch with Jay at The Beagle Bagel Café back home in Jackson, Ms. -

 

- Jay and I spent the day Saturday doing a little shopping and exploring all over our hometown of Jackson! The weather was absolutely perfect for exploring. I always love the bright colors in Fondren.  -

 

- Discovering the amazing Old House Depot in downtown Jackson after hearing about it in DesignSponge article here. It will be the feature in tomorrow's post so be sure to check it out -

 

Lots of Love, Natalie