Sunday, October 12, 2008

Show and Tell - A Day at the Flea

Happy Monday All! This weekend we spent our Sunday at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. I have to say, I only live about 15 min. away and I haven't been since I was a kid. It was a beautiful day, cool for us, upper 60's with a slight breeze. I wasn't sure what to expect. I have been to antique malls and such but this was such a mixed bag. Unfortunately I was only able to get a few shots then my camera battery died. However here are my musing on the trip.

I have to say, hands down the best deals were on furniture. Amazing pieces. . . we found a huge shabby dining room table and chairs that would seat 8-10 people for only $300. We wanted it sooo bad, even my DH loved it. We did not however have the truck with us. We didn't go planning to buy anything big but in the future we know where to go for furnishings. I also spotted an amazing over sized bench with a beautiful cushion that was white and could easily seat 6. It was under $100. I saw this same bench at an antique store down the street a month ago for over $500.


This is where it gets interesting. Now I am a bargain shopper by nature. However if there is something that is truly worth it I will pay the price. There were many booths with shabby style items/furniture. The prices were crazy! The smallest home accent or trinket averaged $40 and up. I kept telling my DH, I would rather do my shopping from Make Mine Pink get pretty packaging and extras to boot! I picked up a mini pink wire dress form (6 inches maybe) for jewelry and it was $65! I don't know why all the cottage style items were so high. It made me wonder what prices were like at flea markets around the U.S. Are the high prices just a so. cal thing?

I did snag a few deals. I got a bag of cigar boxes for pennies and some l
ace and costume jewelry. I also found some great Christmas ornaments for a steal. I got a few other yummy things I will keep to myself for now! I went looking for vintage papers, unique trinkets and holiday items and there just weren't many to find, or the few they had were outrageous. Am I being unrealistic with my pricing? I don't expect something for nothing but over $30 for a little bag of regular ol' buttons seems a bit crazy to me.



All in all it was a fun day, the kids had a great time and I did find out about some other great flea markets around so cal that I am planning to hit up in the coming months. Thanks so much for visiting and have a wonderful week!

24 comments:

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Ohhh my I know how much walking that entails !

I think it's just California truthfully....at least down here prices aren't too bad still.

(())

Susan - InHerOwnWords said...

Looks like a fun day. I sure do miss the markets in Florida. I love hunting for treasures!

Miniature Patisserie Chef said...

Hi Carrie,

Sounds like you had a fun time at the flea markets! I love the christmas ornaments you got.

Pei Li

Anonymous said...

wow, that looks like so much fun!
If anyone knows of someathing similar in NYC area, do tell!

The photos you posted look devine!

gail said...

Hi Carrie, I am glad the weather was nice for your outing. Its too bad that prices were so high on the cottage and vintage style. Your right shopping MMP is the way to go. But what you did get was really nice. I would love to snag some cigar boxes! Vintage jewelry, even broken or mismatched is really getting hard to find now a days! Great score. Have a great week...luv, gail

Anonymous said...

Come east, girlfriend! Our prices followed Wall Street...I LOVE it ~ but I am up to my eyeballs in stuff!!!! I can't stop buying!
Susan *dutchrose*

Deb said...

Hi Carrie.....those Christmas ornaments are beautiful! I agree that the prices sound pretty high at the flea market....I think they are much less here in Arkansas.

xo,
Debbie

Susie said...

Hi Carrie! Looks like you all had a fun day exploring for treasures. I'm with you. I would much rather shop at MMP.
Susie of The Polka Dot Rose

Georgia said...

Hi Carrie!
I love the Rose Bowl Flea Mkt!! Haven't been in a while but I plan to go to Long Beach next weekend....have you ever been there? Not as big as RB but their prices are a little better!
Maybe we can meet there some time?!!

Looks like you went home with some great items in spite of the cost!!
Hugs!
Georgia

Marie said...

Hi Carrie,

Love the ornaments, but I agree. Once you've shopped at MMP, everything else is downhill.
Marie

Carol at Clutter Bug Studio said...

Carrie, that sounds like so much fun. Ah, I wish I could have been there.

Lisa McDonald said...

Carrie

That looked like tons of fun. My legs would have fallen off from all the walking but I would have loved it. The prices are not that bad here even in the specialty stores. Thank goodness.

Lisa
www.palepinkandroses.com
www.palepinkandroses.typepad.com

Cottage Flair said...

Sounds like a fun day Carrie. I love flea markets. Prices in Ct are high for shabby chic stuff too. It's getting harder and harder to find a bargain. Even my favorite junk shop where I buy most of my furniture has gone up. Glad you found a few things.
jennifer

Carolee Crafts said...

Love the bottles, thank you for sharing your day. shame about the prices, same over here, my networking group has tripled the attendance price!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Wow Carrie! I would love to go to something like that. I think a lot of people (especially in CA) are into mixed media projects right now and are scooping up all those little goodies like buttons etc. Prices here in bo-hick NC are high for those kinds of items too. Years ago, people would just throw them away.
Hugs,
Shell

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Looks like fun Carrie - too bad they were overpriced though!

Patricia said...

Well, at least you got a few good finds. Thanks for blogging about it.

Pat

Inka Smith said...

Hi Carrie,
Love those pics. The mountains are so beautiful. Looks like you had a great day and love those ornaments! Thanks so much for sharing.
Inka

kath@retromantic antiques said...

How fun. I have always wanted to go to this flea. I have heard they were pricey but I find LA is always high in everything...k

Silena said...

Hi Carrie,
I went flea marketing, too, last weekend. But I have always, always wanted to go to the Rose Bowl Market...just haven't been able to talk DH in driving that far, even though we have family in the area, we are never there on Market day! We went to the Alameda Market....I think the prices are not bad at all. BTW, I love your slide show...it is awesome!!

Carolyn Kocman said...

wow...looks like fun! i LOVE those ornies!

Shabby Shan said...

Carrie,
It sounds like you had a very nice day. I love the Christmas ornaments!

Thanks for sharing!
Shannon

Unknown said...

Hi Carrie,

Take me to a flea market anytime! I loove to shop! Love the Christmas ornaments. I have some that needs some TLC. Maybe I will post that for next Monday. Loved your Show and Tell Carrie as always.
See you next week1
xoxo
Janet
Janet's Creative Pillows

Sandra Evertson said...

Looks like a Wonderful Trip! Great ornaments!
Sandra