Wrap Dress Glamour

| Fleur Wrap Dress | Sugar Flats | 80s does 60s Cat-eye Sunglasses |

This past Saturday marked the beginning of flea market season here in the Mitten -- truly one of my favorite times of year!  I don't normally take the 2 hour trek to Midland in June (I like that their September show is right after the DIY, so I have some extra spending money), but it was just so beautiful out!  And after one of the worst Michigan winters on record, I've been taking any chance I get to enjoy this pleasant weather we've been having. 

It's been great to be able to wear all my summertime dresses.  I just got this Fleur Wrap Dress and I was itching to wear it out to see how it compares to my original Swirl dresses.  I am happy to report that it was just a easy to wear as my Swirls and I could hardly tell the difference.  My only complaint is that the pockets on this dress are too high up and not nearly enough wide, making it hard to use them.  However, I love having a black wrap dress in my rotation now, since it is my go to color lately.

I didn't score much this trip for myself, but the shop has some real beauties coming soon.  The one small purchase I did made for myself was this 1957 Fredericks of Hollywood catalog.  My vintage catalog collection has been long over due for a Fredericks catalog.  Now I'm hooked!

Midland Flea Market 2013 Haul

| 1970 Miller Studio Chalkware, $8 for the pair |

The fall season is always marked by a few things for me.  The leaves changing colors, brisk temperatures, and the Midland Flea Market.  Although held three times a year, I make the two hour drive but once a year for the September show.  There's something about strolling around a bunch of old stuff when the temps drop.  In the future, I might consider checking out the spring show, but the fall show will always be my favorite.

| three bakelite bracelets, $45 |

Every year my haul seems to get smaller and smaller.  Part of that is because I have really fine tuned what I buy to keep for myself and part of it is because I am out on the hunt more now that I sell vintage full time, so I find more stuff throughout the year. The longer I do this, the less stuff I buy it seems.  This is good for both my pocketbook and my storage.

I couldn't pass up those cute chalkware pieces -- which I collect -- or the bakelite bracelets, a steal at $15 each!  I don't have a ton of carved/decorative pieces, so these were a welcome addition to my collection.  The wedge bracelets seem to somewhat rare and I think they will be fun to wear together or alone.

| vintage bottle brush candy cane, $8 |

I don't buy a lot of vintage Christmas items much anymore.  I have amassed a nice size collection and only add to it when I spot really amazing pieces.  I am a sucker for anything vintage bottle brush and was excited to score this one for less than $10.

The market seemed to be a bit larger than the past two year, which was a welcome sight.  It's good to see it picking back up again, as this is truly one of my most favorite vintage shopping attractions a year.

Midland Flea Market 2011 Haul

Two weekends ago, Jesse and I made the drive to the Midland Flea Market, something I wait for all year long. The Midland Flea Market is the biggest flea market in Michigan and only happens three weekends a year. I always choose to go the last weekend it is held and on the Sunday, as dealers are trying to move their stuff and the prices always seems better. Jesse and I both found some really great stuff. Here are my finds:

1. A "Swanky Swig" pitcher with glass top. I found one like this last year and was delighted to find another one this year. The Midland Flea Market is the only place I have ever seen these before and I use my other one all the time, so this was a great find at $10.

2. A vintage elephant planter -- $3

3. Vintage owl eye glasses holder. I about squealed when I found this!! Your glasses rest on his nose and he is currently residing on my bedside table. For $3, this HAD to come home with me!

4. Vintage birdie vase -- $8 I love birds and this vase fits right in in my new kitchen at Retroville.

5. Plate with vintage transfer -- $1

6. Daguerreotype -- $10

7. Five vintage metal curlers -- $1

8. Vintage chalkware birdies -- $4 for the pair

9. Fireking Peach Glaze pie plate -- $5 I actually have never come across one of these before and am kinda kicking myself for not just buying the other one that was there, but I was trying to be frugal and plus, do I really need two Fireking pie plates?

Not pictured is four vintage dresses, including a Swirl (check back tomorrow for its reveal), a lobby card, and a record of the Grasshoppers singing the Beatles.

All in all, this was a great year and I already can't wait for next year.

Emily

Long Overdue Update: Midland Flea Market Finds

So... Over a month ago I went to the biggest flea market in Michigan, the Midland Flea Market. The show is held over three different dates in the summer and I always like to go to the final date, as the dealers are trying to clean out their stock and normally offer some really stellar deals. This year was no exception.

30s-40s Beaded Handbag. The frame might be bakelite, although I haven't tested it yet. $15

Pictured in this post are some of my favorite finds. Since starting to collect vintage seriously, I now find myself purchasing fewer items, but am willing to pay a little bit more. Mostly this is due to having quite a large collection and having most of my most wanted items, but also because I want to buy less stuff.

Swanky Pitcher with glass lid! I have never seen one with a glass lid before, have you? $7.50

Not pictured is my favorite find of the market, a diamond ring from my absolute favorite estate jewelry dealers. Last year I bought a really pretty diamond solitaire pendent dating from around 1890. I promise I'll post a picture of the ring soon. I took it off while helping with the dishes at my beau's house and forgot it there!

Carved Bakelite Bracelet, $5

I was super stoked to find an affordable piece of bakelite at the market. I am still amazed at how expensive bakelite has gotten. I wish I had a larger collection, but I kinda jumped on the bakelite bandwagon a little late in the game. I get excited anytime I find a piece for $10 or less.

Tin Box, possibly held candy. $2

This was one of the first things I bought at the market. I collect these little tin boxes and when the price is right I indulge myself. I think that I need to curb my habit for buying containers. I don't know what it is about jars or tin boxes or the like that fascinate me.

I also bought the most amazing enamel top kitchen table from the 30s. I forgot to take a picture of it before putting it into storage, but trust me, it is pretty great! Instead of being white on the top it is brown and looks like a woodgrain, something I have never seen before. I got the table for a real steal -- $45. Besides my ring, it was the big purchase of the day.

My beau got a lot of cool things two, including a wood carving of John Wayne and a really awesome orange travel record player. I am already starting to save a little bit of money for next year! :)

Emily