10/07/2013
If you are like me, and like to watch HGTV for inspiration, one of the latest new shows that started airing last Spring in Canada on Friday nights was "FLEA MARKET FLIP", hosted by Lara Spencer, (she's also a co-anchor for Good Morning America). She also wrote a book called "I Brake for Yard Sales and Flea Markets, Thrift Shops, Auctions, and the Occasional Dumpster" which became a huge seller for her. On her show, she tapes some episodes from one of the largest and longest running Flea Markets in the US, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.
For all of you that know me well, I have been an avid "treasure hunter" at Flea Markets, Antique Markets, Thrift Shops and the like, for over 30 years... thinking of how to 'refresh' an old piece into something new (I guess, that's what also inspired my company name "Refreshing Rooms" - updating what you already have). Anyways, this past June, 2013, I planned my vacation dates to be in California the same time the flea market was going to be held... With my sister, we planned a road trip to the sunny California coast and hit the Rose Bowl Flea Market for a day "treasure hunting"... It started off overcast, but then turned hot and sunny!! We were melting by the end of the day...ready to leave, with sore feet.
What an event it is that happens once a month, year round, rain or shine. There are 2500 vendors that cover the parking lots surrounding the Rose Bowl Stadium. From antiques, vintage clothing, books, you name it -- it's there. It's the place where you can see LA Interior Decorators and Hollywood Stars wandering around shopping! Unfortunately the crowds are so large, I didn't see one famous person wandering around, that I could "bump" into.
Here are some of my pictures from that day... Oh yah.. if you are wandering what I bought?... I did buy a few things, only small items that I could pack in my suitcase. I would need a truck to take anything bigger back home.