Meet Lady Mary Beth

Houston's 'Patron Saint of Thrifting' is always hunting for fresh finds

Lady Mary Beth with JFK’s teacup and saucer from Air Force One, thrifted from The Guild Shop.

Courtesy of Lady Mary Beth

There is a rumor that Houston is the number one city in Texas for thrifting. By taking even the most casual inventory of charity resale shops, thrift stores, and antique malls in and around the city, it’s not a difficult claim to believe. It is of little wonder, then, that Houston would produce its own patron saint of thrifting — Lady Mary Beth.

Lifestyle expert Mary Beth Schmitz, most famously known by her trademarked brand “Lady Mary Beth,” and her promise to help “Elevate Your Everyday,” has quickly become the absolute authority on where and what to thrift in Houston. Schmitz’s rapidly-growing empire consists of her annual Houston Resale Guide & Map, a weekly YouTube show that’s 36,000 subscribers strong, successful Instagram and Facebook accounts, an online store selling everything from crystal to tea, plus upcoming ticketed events and retreats. She is absolutely adored by her fans, but who is Lady Mary Beth?

What credentials qualify Schmitz to be a lifestyle expert and luxury thrifting aficionado? It starts with her status as a sixth-generation Texan and a card-carrying member of both the Daughters of the American Revolution and a Dame of the XVII Century. Combined with her illustrious career with Waterford Crystal and a stint as a luxury gift consultant for Fortune 500 companies, she is more than qualified.

CultureMap caught up with Schmitz from her summer home in Saarland, Germany (as one does), to learn more about the origins of “Lady Mary Beth,” her favorite local places to thrift, the best rummage sales, her most-coveted thrifted item, and more.

Lady Mary Beth was born from an epiphany Schmitz had while having her hair done (relatable). A well-placed piece of wall decor with an inspiring message, followed by some encouragement from her family, bolstered Schmitz’s resolve to launch her YouTube channel in January 2020.

“I’ve always been an avid thrifter. I create beautiful tables with thrifted items and table settings, that’s what I’m meant to do,” says Schmitz. “It was kind of scary because I didn’t have the technical ability of editing; I didn’t know what to do. I just knew that I loved thrifting, and I knew a lot about a lot of things, but I didn’t know what I was doing.”

That same week, Schmitz set up a tripod and filmed her first episode. Her show is mostly educational, covering collectible legacy brands, patterns, artisans, and how to identify them. Not to mention her lessons on setting tables and creating tablescapes.

“It’s really neat to see, with this YouTube channel, how people are inspired to have a hobby or to find ways to make themselves happy with collecting,” she says. “I feel like it enriches the whole experience when you’re thrifting, if you can then research [a piece] even further. I’m always learning and that’s what drives me.”

Lady Mary Beth thrift guide Pick up a free thrift guide at participating antique and thrift stores around town.Courtesy of Lady Mary Beth

The success of the show ultimately led to the creation of the popular thrift shop guides. “Lady Mary Beth’s Houston Resale Guide & Map” of antique, consignment, and thrift stores launched in 2024 to great fanfare. Now in its second edition, the guide comes out in May. The 50,000 printed guides contain user-friendly maps that can be broken down by area, contain store information and tips for identifying hallmarks, plus upcoming events like rummage sales. Guides can be found in most shops, plus local hotels and cafes. Schmitz and her map partner Carol Sullivan will soon be launching guides for both Round Top and Dallas as well.

So, with hundreds of Houston shops to choose from, where would Schmitz spend her time if restricted to a single day in the city? Her favorites are charity thrift shops that are linked directly to the local community, which is certainly a lead worth following. The Bluebird Circle, the Charity Guild, and the Guild Shop are Schmitz’s top three.

“There is so much to discover, and they are each different, which I like, because, not only are their missions unique, but you can also get kind of a different vibe from each store,” she says.

A hidden gem that Schmitz admits escaped her notice until somewhat recently is Second Blessings in Montrose. “It’s a totally different shop. You can’t compare it to other stores inside the loop,” says Schmitz. Their annual rummage sale is something she claims is a do-not-miss event: “their sale goes on for miles.” Schmitz notes that the donors to Second Blessings have exceptional taste — don’t be surprised to find Baccarat en masse.

The sale is November 7-8, and, according to Schmitz, “That’s the one you don’t want to miss!” She also recommends the Pink Elephant Sale put on by the River Oaks Garden Club, and any estate sale by Town & Country Estate Sales.

The Lady Mary Beth brand has expanded into a line of products, as well as luncheons and thrifting retreats. William Morris-patterned graphics decorate tea towels, thrift journals, and a line of teas custom-blended by a boutique manufacturer out of Dallas. The love of porcelain tea sets, cups, and saucers shared between Schmitz and her fans is what inspired her line of teas.

“It seems like a common thread as we all enjoy these porcelain teacups and drinking tea, and really taking that time out of your day — whether it’s morning, afternoon, or evening — to just have a moment to appreciate the good things in life,” she says.

Speaking of the good things in life, the crown jewel of Schmitz’s thrift finds is a teacup and saucer from JFK’s Air Force One. Plucked from the shelves of The Guild Shop while on a mission to fill an heirloom tea cabinet, the Franciscan Masterpiece cup and saucer lived amongst its eclectic cabinet mates for years before being properly identified. The cream cup — complete with gilt rim and presidential seal — was assumed to be a somewhat mass produced souvenir — that is, until Schmitz decided to sell it. A deep dive into the provenance led to the discovery that it was, indeed, from JFK’s private set from Air Force One. The teacup is, understandably, no longer for sale.

While most thrifters tend to shop for themselves, Schmitz stresses that the stigma of gifting a thrifted item is unwarranted. “Really, to me, if it brings joy, it doesn’t have to be the most fabulous manufacturer or history,” she says. “I always say ‘thrift the gift!’ We don’t have to have it in the original box just to make it valuable or special.”

Schmitz also credits the notable shift in clientele for aiding the stigmatic erasure of thrifting, especially when so many shops support community programs. The uptick in thrifting has led to local charity shops seeing record sales, which amplify community services, which Schmitz feels is the entire point: “You need the people who are shopping at Saks and Neiman’s to come into your store. Numbers are through the roof, and they [charity shops] are able to give back to the community — and that makes it all worth it.”

Looking to source a piece of history of your own, but not sure where to begin? Antique and thrifting enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that Lady Mary Beth is going on the road! This November, head to the historic Bingham Estate in McKinney, Texas, for a special two-night retreat designed for lovers of timeless style, elevated thrifting, and slow living. This intimate weekend will include fireside tea chats, vintage-inspired workshops, and thoughtfully-gathered moments with like-minded antiquers.

Can’t make the trip? Consider attending Lady Mary Beth’s peacock-themed Savor & Style Luncheon this September at the Junior League of Houston. “Elevate your everyday” at the three-course luncheon with expert table-setting tips, engaging conversation, and exclusive table favors. Attendees will also enjoy a beautifully-curated swag bag and the chance to win exciting giveaways.

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Marburger Farm updated

Round Top's 43-acre antique show unveils renovations for spring 2026

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus believed that the only constant in life is change. Since 1997, the Marburger Farm Antique Show, which typically closes out both the spring and fall editions of the Round Top Antiques & Design Show, has largely remained unchanged. As enthusiastic Marburger tailgaters listen for that opening triangle to ring, everyone has their well-established and particular beeline-paths prepared in advance. But this year, change is a’comin’.

When the fall show closed last October, Marburger began a huge renovation project that included the full restoration of its historic buildings, including the original Marburger Farmhouse, Legler House, Coufal House, Zieger House, Silver Dollar Saloon, Gulf Warehouse, Dance Hall, Bingo Hall, Blacksmith Shop, and the General Store. Notably, the restoration has made it possible to add heating and air conditioning to these structures.

New additions debuting this spring include The Canteen, which is a large food pavilion overlooking the previously-underutilized pond; The Parlor, a design showcase space; a live music stage; enhanced pathways; and a communal green space designed for gathering and celebration. Over the summer, the addition of two large climate-controlled sheds and updated seating and lounge areas throughout the grounds will complete the project.

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“This is a much more intentional undertaking to really breathe life into those buildings,” Marburger CEO John Sughrue tells CultureMap. “It’s going to be very obvious — when on the property — what we’ve done. The vision for what we’re doing was establishing a greater sense of place, and a greater sense of community.”

While fans may worry that these improvements may impact the charming and rustic aesthetic that shoppers have come to expect at Marburger, the overall experience should remain the same. Once randomly strewn across the 43-acre property, the historic structures have been gathered together around a newly-hardscaped central square. New green spaces are intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia, the layout inspired by the Texas Courthouse Square. At one end, the western-facing pavilion will overlook the pond and rolling hills, and adjacent to that, the familiar 90,000-square-feet of tented shopping remain unchanged.

“One thing that is apparent about Marburger is that people have a real sense of connection with it, a sense of history, and take a personal interest in it,” says Sughrue. “You’ll see that in the level of craftsmanship, the placemaking, and how we have, in essence, redeveloped the existing historical buildings.”

One of the things Sughrue is enthusiastic about is the ability to participate in the winter show, as well as inviting exhibitors who left for climate-controlled venues to return home to Marburger. Improved facilities for their local and beloved food and beverage vendors make for expanded offerings and shorter lines — a notion sure to please even the most staunch Marburger purists.

“We are trying very much to maintain the Texas heritage of Marburger,” Sughrue says. “I consider us guardians or stewards of the brand. I consider Marburger a brand like Blue Bell Ice Cream or the State Fair of Texas. There is something very much rooted in the land, very much rooted in how generations now have engaged with Marburger and in Round Top. We are trying to hold tight to being a heritage brand, while positioning for the future — that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Sughrue is all too aware of some of the sentiments that were shared five years ago when Marburger was purchased by “these Dallas guys” [real estate development firm Brook Partners]. In the last four years, they have listened to vendors and guests alike to learn how they can improve the show experience for their core audience: top exhibitors, designers, architects, and vendors. While he finds the relatively-recent glitterati element in Round Top to be amusing, it’s not something he’s interested in attracting or catering to specifically. So, everyone can let out a sigh of relief on that concern.

“These are designers who come into Round Top, and to Marburger in particular, and they are very important to our success. We attract some of the best exhibitors in the country, if not the world,” explains Sughrue. “Day one they meet with designers who have flown in from all over the country. Our focus is being a resource to those designers and architects — that’s what’s driving our business. We are not a lifestyle offering, and we are not trying to be all things to all people.”

At the end of the day, Sughrue’s overall goal is connecting the best exhibitors to the best buyers. “Everything else that happens in Round Top is just noise.” He loves the generational aspect of Marburger, oftentimes noticing three generations shopping together in the tents.

“Y’all make a tough crowd, I’ll tell you that,” Sughrue says with a laugh. “I think we are going to get more of it right than wrong, and what we get wrong — we are going to listen very hard to people — we are going to make that right. I promise you that. Marburger captivates me. It just devours all of my time and attention, but how lucky am I?! All these issues surround purpose-driven lives, and we get to work on Marburger to bring a community of people together to celebrate design, antiques, Texas. It’s like the American Dream is alive and well on the Round Top fields during Marburger. It’s just an incredible collection of people.”

Visit the refreshed Marburger Farms from Tuesday, March 24 to Saturday, March 28. Purchase tickets at marburgerfarm.com.

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

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