Vintage Lover's Paradise: Rose Bowl Flea Market

I play tourist a lot in my own state.  There's just too much to see/do/eat here.  It almost makes me mad that California is just so awesome and the reality (sad sad reality) is that I probably won't get to do it all in this lifetime.  Morbid, I know but it is the fuel that gets me out and doing thangs.  I have too many friends wasting away in their own states not getting cultured and what a damn shame!  One of the places I have wanted to visit since I was a kid is the Rose Bowl Flea Market and I finally made it out this past Sunday!  It was so awesome.  I can't believe I waited 25 years to check it out.  All that missed time!  It only happens once a month and that is a blessing in disguise cause I'd be broke if it was weekly.  

   First off, there is nothing in the actual Rose Bowl.  Let's just put that myth to rest right now.  It is around the Rose Bowl and in the parking lots next to it.  I vaguely remember commercials as a kid making it seem like it was inside but no, not it's not.  I asked.  If you are staring at the Rose Bowl, most of the vendors to the immediate left and right are new merchandise.  You know, like the swap meet.  Most of our swap meets are free so just avoid that area.  You paid $8 for the good stuff and it's to the far left of the Rose Bowl - that area has everything and if you want to venture to the far far left, that's where all the vintage clothing and shoes are.  It is a goldmine.  

Here is just a small portion of what caught my eye during the January 12, 2014 show:

"Vintage Prom Suitcase with Everything" 

It was very cute but I have questions since I do not have a daughter... what parent in their right mind would let their daughter have this?  Is it an old school thing cause really...

Alligators & Antlers and animal skins...  This vendor was super busy.  I actually want antlers but no room on my budget (or wall) yet.  Sigh.

I scored these vintage heads for wigs.  The vendor initially said $1 each so I said cool, I'll buy two and she told me to go ahead and take 4 for $1!  My husband ended up giving her $2 cause she was cool like that.  These ladies are going in my prop closet!

Vintage toys always make me ohhh and ahhh.  Was happy to see our friend Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang!

Far far left of the Rose Bowl.  The vintage clothing mecca.

Styling is everything.  It's what catches your eye.

Again, styling for the win.

This is one of my favorite vendors.  We've actually shopped him at Long Beach Antique Market - he is so organized and has a bit of everything.

Forget boots with the fur... these coats are dreamy.

I wanted these hand painted barber shop signs but my husband said no.  They are works of art!

Things to know:

• Regular admission is $8 at 9am - you can show up earlier and pay more but not all vendors are set up yet.  
• Kids 12 and under are free with an adult.  
• Parking is FREE.
• There is food and lots of it.  There's beer too.  

My tips:

• Get there EARLY!
• Do not pass something up - if you want it, get it right then and there.
• Bring CASH!  Some vendors take debit/credit cards but most do not
• 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! (We were actually there for 4 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.  

I love flea/antique market shopping, see my other vintage finds:
Gifts For The Person That Has Everything at Long Beach Antique Market
California Must-Do: Long Beach Antique Market

#talesfromthethrift What I Didn't Buy

My husband's work schedule has been crazy lately and he's back in school for Spring semester so we haven't been thrifting as much as I'd like.  He had the day off and we decided to take a peek.  These are all the things I didn't buy but caught my attention!

Yes that is a bottle of Dep hair gel from the 90s.  The gel turned brown and was quite disgusting if you ask me.  It was packaged with body pouf and some other bathroom products.  Ew. Do you remember cassette tapes?  I loved 'em --- waiting for hours for a radio station to play a song you wanted to record, those were the days!  Another treasure from the 90s!  

A really good Gucci knock-off.  It was $7.  Had it been $3, it might have come home with me.

These looked like paintings to me but my Fine Arts major husband (totally sassing him there) Chris says they are prints.  I love everything about them except the price.  $7 each is out of my price range.

These Bandai Gundam figures were assembled but the boxes were in great condition with instructions and all parts intact.  Was a steal for $3 and I've been getting so much inquiries about 'em.

I love books!  Call me an advocate for print!  I really wanted these but wayyy out of my thrift shopping budget.  I am tempted to go back and get them though.  Dying to smell and flip through the pages!


What are some things you have passed on at the thrift shop and later regretted?  C'mon share your story! 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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#talesfromthethrift What I Bought

Is it too soon for another thrifting post?  I don't think so!  I haven't been thrifting in a couple weeks... was fighting a cold and lost the battle.  Homebound for a whole week straight and getting a little stir crazy!  I'm hoping to get some fresh air and hit the stores on Tuesday!  What have you scored lately?!  I would love to see your thrifting posts and hear your stories!  Show them hauls!  

Found this Vintage Culinary Institute of America Cookbook with wonderful forgotten recipes and gorgeous black & white pictures for .91!  I actually bought it for a friend but couldn't part with it.
Pigs In 'Taters anyone?  Totally going to try it!

Another Vintage find!  I don't want to call it a safe but its not really a recipe box either.  The key was inside and I couldn't resist the throwback colors and print!  Was only $3!

This was a very fun find for me.  I'm always looking for characters and this was a box of 12 but there was only 8.  One of them is chipped at the bottom but it gives it a little bit of personality!  Was a steal at $2!  They are made heavy, doesn't feel like wood and hand painted!

This thrift store is very hit or miss, most of the time miss... they only take cash and we were driving by saw the 50% off everything sign out front, had some cash on us so we decided to stop by.  The shop was packed and I could not believe no one picked up these Brand New SaltWater sandals!  They fit me perfect, my kind of color and a STEAL at $4!

Snowmen are so cute.  We wanted this sad guy in his cute scarf and not-so-perfect nose to come home with us... I turned him over to look for his price and found out he is a Department 56 piece!  Scored him for $3!

Vintage cherry glass.  I imagine there was a set of 4 but only saw 3.  I like even numbers and bought 2. I think they were .99 each

Vintage Santa glass .99 - Somehow I am building a Santa glass collection.

I know... you are wondering what is this and what the hell is she going to do with it.  Its a Vintage GE home hair dryer system!  The case is awesome.  It looks like a round suitcase.  I honestly don't know if it works, I don't care - it is in excellent condition.  Seriously.  Someone either loved this or never used it.  I'm not going to use it on me, I'm going to add it to my props collection.  It was only $1!!!

My husband and I have been looking for a globe forever.  Came across Vintage ones that were pretty scratched up, some were crazy overpriced and found this baby for $5.99!  We love it!  Duke loves it and always has questions!

DuckTales JELL-O molds still in the package!  Was only $1
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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#talesfromthethrift Vintage Toys!

These are some of my favorite, recent finds!  Over a course of 3 months though... I wish I could just walk into a thrift store and score like this.  

Vintage Fisher-Price Cash Register!  It is in better condition than the one my brother and I shared.  Was only $2.98 - Duke loves it!

I assumed these were Fisher-Price Little People but I can't find any info on them anywhere.  These lovely girls were .49 each!

80s Playskool robot Alphie.  He doesn't have his cards and I don't know if he works but I figured he'd be good for a prop.  And he was a steal for .91!

Vintage Mattel See 'N Say in the box!  We found 2, they were $2.98 each

I can't resist Vintage toys especially from the Strawberry Shortcake line.  She was only $2


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.

What I Found At The .99 Store: #Halloween Edition

Halloween is one of our favorite times of the year.  It kicks off the whole Holiday season.  Dia de los Muertos, Turkey Day, Christmas and New Years.  We've checked out the Halloween sections at Party City, Target and Walmart a few times already.  But if you really want to save money, the .99 Only Store is where it's at.

Obviously I didn't buy all of this, just sharing what I found at my local store!
  

48 piece Barbie party favor pack .99!  (I was tempted to buy this for one of those times I might need it)

Another 48 piece party favor pack!  There was a "boy" one too.

1 lb. of Fingerling potatoes and huge packs of Organic salad mix!

That right there is a TWO pound box of strawberries.  One of the employees pointed it out to me, we bought 2!  Never heard of Revolution Foods but those are organic snack bars.

Vintage looking owls!  And that's our cart - only set us back $22!


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