Fortunately, when I watch the show now I'm a bit more sympathetic to people's reactions. There was one episode where a man started choking up when he found out how much his antique mug was worth. It was almost as if he was in a tough situation and needed the money. This made me tear up.
And speaking of emotional reactions on this show, there's a stark difference between the American version and the British one. The people on the British version of the Roadshow are far more restrained and controlled in their reactions whereas you've got Americans hugging the appraisers once they find out that great-grandma's old painting is worth thousands. It's very entertaining.
I enjoy the history and uniqueness of antiques but find that thrifting and flea markets fit my budget a bit better than hardcore antique shopping. It's just exciting for me to look through piles of junk to find unique treasures and objects that I can give a second life to. I seriously get an adrenaline rush hunting for those hidden gems. There are all these junk shops and thrift stores in my new neighborhood so I can't wait to explore soon.
I found these pictures that I took over the summer during my visit to the Orange Circle Antique Mall in Old Towne Orange. I took a trip with some of the college students I used to work with. I love this area of Orange County because it feels like a quaint, small town. They hold an International Street fair each summer so I took pictures of some of the banners lining the different blocks.
Are you an antiquing/thrift store fan? What treasures have you found recently?
