Should've brought a steamer trunk or a cargo container

to pack all the stuff I wanted to go home with from the Rose Bowl Flea Market! In 2 words, it was, indeed, junker's mecca. I so want to go again and with friends to share the experience.
















Many booths were a bargain. One of the first stops I made was to a vendor who dumped out linens on sheets or piled in boxes. Not folded or organized in any fashion. Her prices were jaw-droppingly cheap. Let's just say that according to her price scale, I could've bought every single vintage tablecloth she had and it would've fallen well into my acceptable price range. Since it was my first stop, I held back because I had no idea of what might be in store.

Other booths were merchanised very well; their displays worthy of a top-notch home store. Sometimes the prices were great. Others weren't. Never be afraid to haggle and move on when they don't care to. Unless you will be bereft if you can't live without the item.

A vintage culture shock to me was the pricing on jadite. I didn't bring any of it home because I couldn't bring myself to pay those prices! Hubby is probably adding up how much of our children's education we could clear if I sold my jadite at the flea market. Egg cups, of which I have many, were $32 each and I'm not saying that to trump the value of my 'collection', but to stand aghast at the pricing I saw in many booths. The one booth that had a nice Jane Ray platter for a decent price I made the mistake of thinking about it for 2 more booths. By the time I got back, the platter had sold.

My favorite purchase was a pair of Italian tole sconces. They've been painted white which isn't exactly the soft pastel colors I had in mind for the flowers, but they are still lovely and suitable for electrical wiring. Finally, I will be able to place them in the holes that have been waiting for the right set for over 6 years in the living room! Yes, I did a happy dance right there at the booth while holding my prizes. If I were a size 2, which I'll never be, I would've come home with piles of cashmere sweaters. The side of the market that had vintage clothing had jeans worn in all the right places, pumps, heels, boots, belts, fun jackets and coats galore. The next time my girls groan when I come home from a consignment shop, I'll remind them of all the hippy chic people I saw filling totebags at this market. What made me really swoon were the tables piled high with buttery soft cashmere sweaters. Many had holes or stains, but they still felt of heaven. As it was, I came home sweaterless since none was perfect and I refused to buy the one aqua blue size 2 confection which would just live alone in the far reaches of my closet.

Some of my finds~2 vintage tableclothes (I really was so good), an apron, several hand towels, a few hankies, 2 large yardages of barkcloth; one a fab floral and the other a soft green vaguely island feel (great for pillows), a pair of Italian tole sconces, a Japanese Putz house, a sparkly tiara, a tole brooch and several vintage Valentines. All packed away just right in my empty suitcase I brought for the trip.

And yes, I did wear that tiara on the plane home. Oh, I took it off through security, but I sure was cute for a few hours there!