Amy and I recently road tripped down to the Alameda Flea Market near San Francisco. I think this is the seventh time I have hit the show and the third or fourth time with Amy. It is my idea of a good vacation. No sandy beaches and frou frou drinks...give me a good junking adventure.
Amy and I junk the whole way down and back (we left on Friday). We hit lots of thrifts and antique shops. We both agreed that the pickings are not what they used to be on the road. We both found fun stuff, but not in the quantity or with the prices that were in the good old days. We did hit some yard sales and estate sales which were good to us with junking finds. I did not take photos of the road trip itself..although I did document it on IG as we travelled and junked.
The Alameda Flea Market if massive. There are usually around 800 vendors. Amy and I arrived at 6:30 a.m. for early buying and it was chilly and cloudy. I always bundle up for the early morning shopping at this event as it always takes awhile to warm up. Amy and I went our different directions and started shopping.
I love the booths that have things in quantity. Hats anyone?
Wallpaper in quantity. I am kicking myself for not buying more of these.
I did not want the rings, only the boxes. They were display only. Drats.
The variety of dealers varies greatly. Some are professionals and have beautiful displays. Other vendors just come and throw it all out on a table or on tarps they toss on the ground. I liked this stack of bed trays.
I am not sure if this fellow sold this hot air balloon basket. You see just about everything for sale.
I am not sure why I didn't grab one of these fellows after revisiting my photos. They are darling. They do need a good cleaning.
This entire booth was full of vintage French hair clips and accessories. It was fun to dig through and she had them all arranged by color...very eye catching.
It was another great shopping day with Amy at Alameda. We shopped for about 7 hours and then hit the road and headed home. I found some fun goodies at the show. I didn't find anything to do a happy dance about, but I did fill my shopping cart.
A good day indeed. Post coming soon on Alameda/road trip finds.
You can find more of my past Alameda Road trip on my sidebar...see Alameda Flea Market link
Always fun to hear about your road trips with Amy. It is so cool to have a friend who loves to junk too. It really is special when you have someone who shops at the same pace, looks for things that are a little different from what you collect and keeps a watchful eye for things you might love.You and Amy are a great team!
Posted by: cherrypit | May 13, 2015 at 10:29 AM
I'm playing catch up on your blog now before heading out the door again! Need more time to look slowly another time :-)
Loving what I see so far.....Ugh, I would've have picked up one of those head vases or planters. I do that all the time where I'll leave something behind and then regret it! I thought you bought all those wallpaper rolls when I saw your post LOL!
Can't wait to see more!
Posted by: Doreen | May 13, 2015 at 10:45 AM
What a fun trip. My blogger friend Betsy often speaks of Alameda!
Linda
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | May 13, 2015 at 01:59 PM
oh what i wouldn't give to dig through those hair clips!
Posted by: rae | May 13, 2015 at 03:23 PM
Sometimes it is about the journey and what a fun trip with a great traveling companion!
Posted by: Kathy | May 13, 2015 at 09:56 PM
I'm excited to make my second trip in August! I wonder if the hot air balloon will still be there? Lets hope not. Brian tends to buy the craziest, quirkiest things.
~Erica
Posted by: Erica | May 14, 2015 at 04:36 AM
I think I would have picked up a bunch of the wallpaper border. Love the colors. Of course, I don't know what I would do with it!!
Posted by: Annette | May 14, 2015 at 08:11 AM
Always a fun trip regardless of the junk (or lack of it). Still lots of great finds and I'd go again any ol' day. :)
Posted by: Into Vintage | May 18, 2015 at 10:15 AM