Tales From The Thrift #tftt

It has been awhile since I blogged about thrifting!  I had no idea it was a favorite until I did a quick survey last week.  I have been checking-in at my favorite thrift stores every week and the shelves have been bare.  I was hoping people were donating because of the Holidays but it seemed like everyone took their Christmas cash and did some shopping!  I blame Macklemore's Thrift Shop song!  I was able to score some fun stuff lately and there have been some some funky stuff I passed on.  It is always an adventure!

I passed on the adorable red suitcase because Chris says I have enough hard bodied suitcases (I only have 2!).  I had one when I was a little girl and my brother had a blue one!  I remember traveling with it to my Grandpa's in The Philippines.  I really loved it.

Looks like someone got rid of their Japanese white ceramic figures.  I wondered what the holes were and my friend Marilla of Cupcake Rehab said her Nana had umbrellas in them!

Scary clown and even scarier couple.  Two bags of vintage plastic nuts for .99!  The two vintage owls were uber cute but not for $7.99 each, pass.  We picked up the monkey mask and its currently hanging right next to our Alphabet Photography piece.  Every time I see a "Made in USA" tag, I immediately think it is probably the only one that survived its era (so basically "OOAK" or One Of A Kind).  The sweater was gorgeous, not my size or color.

There was also the Nate Berkus x Target tortoise shell for $19.99 - I thought maybe it was past season but saw it tonight at my local Target for $39.99!  From what I understand is that Target will unload some of their stuff to Goodwill at a discount - not free!

I also scored a pair of Seychelles in almost new condition for $9.99!  Hoping I lose 10 pounds in my feet so I can wear 'em this Summer!  HAHA
       

I bought this cause its so cute and in my price range $3.99 - Vintage markings and stamped "Made in Japan"

Duke said this bear is practicing for the "club" #facepalm Its a paper towel holder.  We think he's going to be a comedian.  

Liz from Peach on Earth used the hash tag #talesfromthethrift on a picture and I asked if we could share  since it describes exactly how my thrifting life is!  So thank you Liz for birthing an awesome hash tag!  

Have you posted about thrifting, antiquing or shopping at the flea market in the past week?  Link up with #talesfromthethrift and share your finds!  Share the love with this button!  

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Long Beach Antique Market Giveaway

I am so excited about this giveaway because I love the Long Beach Antique Market and know you will too!  November 18th is perfect for you to get your Holiday shopping started or finished!  Check out my tips for antique / flea market shopping!   I hope I see you there!

Long Beach Antique Market happens every 3rd Sunday of the month.
FREE PARKING
Children under 12 FREE
Rain or Shine
No Pets Allowed
Admission $5 6:30am -2pm
Early Admission $10 5:30am-6:30am
The Box Office closes at 2pm but shopping goes till 4pm!

Long Beach Antique Market at Veterans Stadium 
4901 E. Conant Street
Long Beach, CA 90808 

Long Beach Antique Market on Twitter / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  This is not a compensated post.  All thoughts are our own.

California Must-Do: Long Beach Antique Market

Even if you aren't into thrifting or antiquing, the Long Beach Antique Market is a must-do.  There is something for everyone.  My 6 year old Duke is used to being dragged around to thrift stores, antique malls, flea markets and swap meets so he loves checking out all the cool "vintage" stuff.  My teenagers love going too and taking them reminds me of the times I went when I was a teenager.

Over 800 vendors, winner of Los Angeles Times Reader's Choice 2012 Favorite Place to Shop in SoCal, Long Beach Antique Market happens every 3rd Sunday from 6:30am-4pm.  Admission is $5 but you can win passes or get a coupon on the Long Beach Antique Market site.  FREE Parking.  Kids under 12 FREE!

We really should have bought that Black Velvet Bob Marley painting.  It was incredible.

I was walking through the aisles and reversed.  Funny!

I love vintage scraps!  Making ephemera packs make me happy!

OG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and other figures!

This painting gave me a Dr. Seuss vibe.  Love all the frames!

I wanted some!

These pieces were so cheap!  Kinda sad I passed on them!

I like booths like this!  Reminds me of mine at community!


Check out photos of my July 2012 Trip to the Long Beach Antique Market

Antique / Flea Market Tips:

• Get there EARLY!
• Do not pass something up - if you want it, get it right then and there.
• Bring CASH!  
• Haggle with the seller but don't lowball - don't be insulting!
• Go through all the rows and dig through crates!
• Keep an eye out for "specials"!  - There were different vendors that had $1-5 boxes.  I found a vintage Wonder Woman mask for $1!  
• Wear comfy shoes and sunscreen!  Bring snacks and drinks too, you'll be there for at least 2+ hours!
• Ask around.  Most of the time, these vendors sell at the same places and have known each other for years - if you are looking for something they might have it or know someone that does!
• Go there with a budget.  You know how much you want to spend total and you know how much you want to spend on certain things so stick to your budget!  I have heard stories how people start saving for a few months and returning armed with a list.  Be that person.  

What are your tips for tackling antique / flea markets?

Popped My Estate Sale Cherry - Part 2

Last month I went on my first estate sale adventure and I was slightly bummed I got there late because I missed out on some great items.  I watched men load gorgeous pieces of furniture into trucks while I waited for my turn to go in.  When I finally got in, women were running around like crazy with their finds and still continuing the hunt.  I can imagine most (if not all) weren't collectors but flippers.  I guess you can say I'm a little of both, there are certain things I'm looking for and there are things I can't pass up to make a buck or two.

These are some pictures of what I bought
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Popped My Estate Sale Cherry - Part 1

I've always felt intimidated about estate sales so I never made an effort to check 'em out.  A Twitter friend recommended I check out estatesales.net and I came across a listing that was local and the pictures sealed the deal.  I had to go.

I kinda had an idea of what an "estate sale" is by researching on Google.   The 2 best tips were to arrive early and bring bags or boxes.  I made a mental note to shove a reusable bag in my purse but of course I forgot.

The line-up for the estate sale started at 5am but wouldn't officially open until 9am and I got there around 930am - there was a line outside.  I decided to snoop in the garage and it was a disaster.  I had on flip flops which was a bad idea.  There was broken glass, cracked mirrors, nails and a rodent or two could've ran across my feet but all that digging through stuff was worth it.  I found envelopes of negatives (now all I need is a negative scanner).  None are Vivian Maier caliber but a girl can dream.

After a good 10 minutes in the garage, I heard someone calling out names so I decided to see if there was a list - I wrote my name on #87 and decided to head back to the garage.  As I'm walking away, I hear a few ladies get angry that there is a list and complain that they were there since 6am.  Yeah right.  One of them started walking to her car but was yelling back, "You won't be getting my money."

I made a mental note that estate sales can get ugly.  About 5 minutes later, one of the guys running the sale came to the door and announced everyone could go in.  I had no idea where to start.  I saw people in closets, rummaging through piles of books, clothes, moving boxes downstairs - it was a mad house.  I started in the first room right by the stairs.  It looked like the master bedroom, there was a queen size bed, tv and bathroom.  There were piles of old bills, receipts and assorted junk on the bed.  And that's when it hit me - what happened to these people and who were they?  I couldn't help but feel excited to roam free and be completely nosy in someone's home but at the same time, felt sad that all this stuff wasn't being claimed by a family member.  Is this what happens when you have no one left?

My tips:

• Go early
• Take a few reusable bags
• Bring cash
• Wear sneakers or comfy, closed toe shoes
• Bring string or yarn (I witnessed some buyers cordon off their stuff to an area with string so they can run around and continue to shop)   
• Be nice to the estate sale staff (A couple of them were straight up mean but remember, they are the ones that price your stuff!)
• Be nice to other buyers (Everyone I spoke to was super nice - gave compliments on their finds and received compliments on mine.  They might even offer you some of their finds or give you advice on your purchases)
• Be prepared to be there for 2 hours or more (Depends how big the house is and if you are willing to really dig through closets and piles)
• Spread all of your items out so the estate sale staff can price (Don't leave in bags or boxes)

Looks like the house was egged :/


Come back to check out Part 2 - My Haul!