Why is it always the day when a shuttle bus is running (instead of my train) and the brilliant spring weather has gone rogue (windy and 40′s), that I attempt to actually leave Brooklyn on a weekend? Such was the case the day of my trek up to Connecticut to the Elephant Flea. I met up with my friend Michelle in White Plains and together we somehow managed to navigate her Garmin to the site.
Elephant Flea is a straight up flea market, ya’ll. We’re talking vendors parked in little marked slots on a field. They set up their “booths” beside their cars. No tents, not even tables many times. It reminded me of flea markets in NC that I would visit with my mom.
Because my Mary Poppins bag broke down, I unfortunately couldn’t lug home many of the items I saw and love. That said, I made out like a bandit – for $70, I purchased 18 items! Many finds for $3 or $1. AMAZING.
OK, this may be my favorite purchase. Mom, I know you are squinting your eyes and asking yourself what kind of daughter you raised, but hear me out. Yes, this is a semi naked lady. Yes, she’s suggestively posed. This is a reproduction (’50′s) of a piece which first came out in the 1890′s. Do you know what she’s used for? You step on her head and use her feet to pull off your boots. It’s rather shocking, but, as is the case in every Mad Men episode, it’s a nice reminder of how far we’ve come.
Oh, this framed vintage advertising poster that would look amazing above my bed, is one of the ones that got away. Again, it’s so ridiculous and amazingly offensive, yet… people really thought this way!?
I purchased all these bottles for $12. Yep, that’s right. The blue ones are for a party tablescape I’m working on and the clear ones will be used in an upcoming project. The bottle guy had a huge selection; three tables of blue, green, and clear bottles, most in fantastic condition.
This would be a galvanized bucket from 1904. That’s right – nineteen oh four!!
These are a little girls clogs, made in Holland, already affixed for hanging. I plan to hang them right beside the door on the wall, just above the floorboard. Kinda like “make yourself at home” which hopefully won’t be misunderstood to be “leave your shoes at the door.”
BC and I were discussing decorating his apartment the other day. He informed me that he was not really into taxidermy and didn’t see the appeal of dead things. Basically, I was like a magnet to every dead animals skull at the Elephant Flea. But I settled for this set of antlers which I purchased for a whopping $6.50. I so wish I’d gotten the other pair now.
Another one that got away. Isn’t this daybed simply dreamy? I can see it on a porch with one of those shabby chic style mattresses and about a decade of pillows. The fourth side also comes up and it could be used as a child’s bed! (The tin man to the left is pretty rad too!)
I was quite taken by this bench as well (read: Erin needs a garden.)
This is Michelle. She was my flea market date for the day. And, like me, was head over heels for these old trunks.
My friend Steph, over at Da Eads, mentioned her search for a little red wagon for Lil’ E. It seems these are hard to find. Were I in the market for a little red wagon I would have snapped this one up!
OK, total inside story. My friend Jenna’s husband Dave told people at our 10 year high school reunion that his profession was… lactation consulting. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, but it’s always fun to ask Dave about his “experiences” as a lactation consultant. I couldn’t help thinking that Dave needs this vintage signage for a wall in his home office.
As you can see, we found lots of curiosities, all at unreasonably good prices. And I haven’t even shown you everything yet! Late this week, I’m posting Michelle’s Sentimental Salvage from the trip.
