Flea Market Finds

There were so many great finds at the flea market yesterday that I just had to show you guys. There were a lot of great industrial chic items like lights, stools, and storage bins. I don't know what I would do with them but there were two ediphone dictation machines. They'd probably make a good conversation piece if you had the room. The Elvis needlepoint pillow made me laugh. I could just imagine my husband's face if I brought that home. And I love the color of jadeite. Sometimes it's hit or miss, but yesterday there was lots of good, fairly priced jadeite. Lastly, there was a hand carved glove box with red gerberas on it- it was beautiful. I hope these items all found happy homes!

GIVEAWAY: Elkhorn Flea Market passes

images: Keith Scott Morton, Country Time

So, you've probably heard me talk about flea markets a lot of this blog. And I'm really excited to be giving away passes to my favorite flea market. Here's your chance to win a pair of SEASON PASSES to the Elkhorn Flea Market in Elkhorn, Wisconsin (45 minutes from Milwaukee, 90 minutes from Chicago). These two passes are good for all four 2012 Elkhorn Flea Markets. The first show is this weekend. And just from experience, the May show is one of the best. Dealers have been stocking up merch all winter and are ready to unload.

To enter, visit the NL Promotions website and check out their Elkhorn Flea Market and West Bend Flea Market shows, and enter a comment below. One winner will be announced Thursday and will be mailed ASAP or can be arranged for pick up. Two passes are each good for May 20, June 24, August 12, and September 30 dates, 7am - 3pm.

Good Luck!

UPDATE: The winner is commentor #17 Kathy Maurer from Madison!

Local Style: Flea Market Chic

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Along with finding great deals, flea markets are great for people watching. Granted, the majority of flea market go-ers dress in a mixture of overalls, gym shoes, and baseball caps, there are some pretty well-dressed peeps in the crowd. Being well-dressed also means dressing practically. You'll be walking through some gravel, some mud, and puddles, so shoes work the best. An extra layer for the chilly mornings, some sunscreen, and a nice big bag should be worked into the wardrobe. I really don't get why people wear platform wedges or short skirts to these things. But, I love seeing people incoporate vintage jewlery or a hat into their style. I hope I find some of those pieces like that this weekend.

The Elkhorn Flea Market is this Sunday and just a 45 minute drive from Milwaukee and 90 minute ride from Chicago. And since the weather looks beautiful this weekend, their over 500 dealers will be wheelin' and dealin' left and right. As always, I'll be there bright and early with travel mug in hand. See you there!



The Details:
What: Elkhorn Antique and Flea Market
Website: www.nlpromotionsllc.com"
When: General Admission, $5: Sunday 7am - midafternoon (no official close), Early Buyers, $25: Saturday 1pm - 7pm, Sunday 5am-7am
Where: Walworth County Fairgrounds: 411 East Court Steet, Elkhorn, WI

Flea Market Finds: May 2010

Here's a photo recap of what I saw at Elkhorn Flea Market last weekend.



do you see those lunch trays? am I crazy to have almost bought those?

And here is what I came home with:




aren't you glad I didn't buy the Elk head?
that tool bag was waaaayyy cheaper than the other one I was eyeing up.

Weekend: Flea market this Sunday

Country Living,
The first Elkhorn Antique Flea Market of the season is this Sunday, May 16th. I have been crossing off the days dreaming of what I could find. I have learned that I can never go with a shopping list in hand. Every flea market is completely different and you never know what you'll find. I do collect some things but mostly I am looking for decorating. So, I look for 3 things when it comes to flea market decorating: 1.) Function 2.) Aesthetic and 3.) Quality. A lot of stuff you see at flea markets is neat but if you're not going to use it in your home, why get it? However, I think a lot of people are after the same stuff I am so always: get there early, carry cash, and bring a large bag.

Here are some great flea market finds to always keep an eye out for:


- Milk glass: it's making a comeback. White milky glass works well with a lot of different decors from eclectic to modern. Check out this candlestick grouping

- Metal bins: I own dozens of metal baskets, bins, and desk trays. They always come in handy and usually cost under $20.

- Fun Glass sets: Cheap sets of glass are nice for parties or when company is over. And if they break, who cares. Beer glasses work nice for watching the game or when the dudes have poker night.

- Letters and Numbers: As random as they seem, when they're put on a shelf with books and other collectibles they make perfect decorating sense. Try to choose letters or numbers that have a personal meaning.

- Odd Furniture: You would be extremley lucky to find a full set, but there are plenty of "orphan" pieces to be found at a flea market. These fit perfectly (after some paint and rehab) into hallways, corners, and small rooms.


I'll be back Monday to let you know what I bought!

Daily Fix: vintage Dior scarves

I don't think I'll ever be able to afford real couture like the people pictured in The Sartorialist, but sometimes I can afford vintage pieces. Thank god vintage couture is uber-chic, otherwise people would know that I'm cheap. 70's and 80's Dior is really reasonable. Here are some great scarves from Etsy. I like to wear them as headbands, neck scarfs, or if long enough, belts. And pair them with a neutral colored outfit so they really pop.



from top to bottom: Vintagous, Vintage Style 101, , Babouches, VJones1

Time for Tea: collecting cheese boxes

I love looking through all my different teas and trying picking one out (Cold days like today call for Darjeeling). I keep my single tea bag packets in old wooden cheese boxes that I find at Antique stores or Flea Markets. They are the PERFECT width. My favorite boxes are the old Pabst boxes, although they're harder to find. The breweries in Milwaukee used farms west of the city to grow the hops, barley, wheat, etc. When prohibition hit, Pabst switched gears and used their land for dairy-farming harvesting malt for malt-syrup instead. Back then, cheese was sold in 5lb boxes--who eats that much cheese? But now, I use them for tea bag packets and organizing desk supplies.