Thrifted Favorites.

As you know, I'm a big fan of thrifted accessories, furniture, art etcetera when decorating my apartment. Perhaps I was just born in the wrong era, because I'm a big fan of vintage cars, clothing and architecture as well. They just don't make 'em like they used to. And finding eclectic treasures I love makes me happy when I look around my home and remember where I found them. And my thrifted finds are usually my favorite finds. I even keep track of them in a little journal; where I found them, what I paid and any other fun tidbit I'd like to remember. Here are just a few of my thrifted favorites and below are some of my best resources for tracking down a good bargain. So splurge on the gorgeous sofa, but remember, thrifting is a girl's best friend.




Rattan Vintage Modern Chair - Alemany Flea Market, $10











Medical Table - Alameda Flea Market, $15




















70's Retro Pillow - Alameda Flea Market, $5






















This is a whole assortment of pottery and paintings I've gathered from many places.






Vintage Modern End Table - craigslist, $10

















And, of course, Rico Suave - Alameda Flea Market, $35









Some of my favorite Thrifting Resources:

craigslist

craigslist's listpic (NEW)

yard sales

omega salvage

alameda flea market

alemany flea market

the apartment

thrift town

Every Sunday...The Alemany Flea Market

If the Alameda is, say, the Marc Jacobs of flea markets, then I guess I think of the Alemany Flea Market as the KMart version. If compared to the much larger and cooler Alameda Flea Market across the Bay Bridge, Alemany is smaller and its inventory not as pricey, nor as fancy.

Not only is it smaller, it also can be a bit chancy. I don't always find something fantastic, but I always have a good time perusing the aisles of the wacky items that often just make me ask, "why?" I really like going to Alemany because if I don't expect too much, I'll usually stumble upon something great. I've found some wonderful things here - super cheap rattan vintage modern chairs, a pink, very 'Doris Day' cashmere coat, a mid-century credenza, dishes, cruiser bikes, lamps, jewelry, and funky old paintings. There's lot of kitschy, eclectic knick-knacks and collectibles, you've just got to keep your eyes out for the good stuff.


If you're handy and can re-upholster or refinish, Alemany is a good place for you. There are lots of pieces in need of recovering, or refinishing, so with a bit of work you can turn someone else's unwanted, yet inexpensive junk into a magical find you'll be proud to have in your home. Just think of the bragging you can do about how you got it for such a steal.



If I'm craving a flea market fix, it's also a quick remedy for me, because Alemany is held every single Sunday, rain or shine. And, maybe best of all, it's a free day of entertainment whether you find treasure or not, because there's no cover charge. Located where the 101 Freeway meets the 280, it's tucked into an old shooting range at the base of Bernal Heights, just off Alemany Boulevard. Get there early for the good stuff; open 8am to 3pm, Sundays.

So Sylvie Makes Alameda So Worth It!

One of my favorite people, the ever charming Sylvie, of So Sylvie, is making her very first appearance at the Alameda Flea Market this Sunday! Sadly, Sylvie closed up her beautiful home furnishings shop, Blossom Home, a while back and she's got loads of wonderful vintage inventory to unload at this weekend's flea market. Look for Sylvie at Booth Space U19 at the April 5th Alameda Flea Market, and if you mention you read about it here on sfgirlbybay, you'll receive a free gift!!

Bring It!

It's the first Sunday of the month, which means it's time for the big 'ol Alameda Flea Market. When I head to the flea market, or am just out shopping for fun new additions to the apartment, I carry my "trusty little designer's helper pouch". Okay, it's not really called that, but the name does kinda fit. When you have your handy, dandy pouch along with it helps take the guessing out of whether a flea market or yard sale purchase (which, do remember, you can't return) will work when you get it home. Or whether that fabric or accessory will compliment your living-room paint. If that pillow will really offset the sofa color the way you've been envisioning.

Amy Butler fabric wristlet from Lula Ballou.

Wristlet Pouch from GlamBaby.

I personalized this interior designers’ kit to suit my own purposes. I found a cute zippered fabric case (clear plastic cases, or even a cosmetic bag work just as well, if you like to be able to see your tools and find them quickly and easily). I'm just a sucker for fabric and pattern. These are a variety of some really cute pouches you'll be proud to carry around.

Leather 'Squirrel Showdown' Bag from bonspiel.

Inside, I carry with me a small tape measure, notebook & pen, my room and furniture measurements or floor plan, fabric samples, swatches and paint colors for the various rooms I'm working on at the moment. For inspiration, I throw in scraps of ideas and my wish list for design projects or objects I might be hunting for. With all of these tools accompanying me, I'm feeling a bit more comfortable about those spur-of-the-moment purchases. It's kinda OCD, which I admit I am, but it does come in quite handy, indeed. Oh, and it's always good to carry your digital camera along too, if you need to take a quick snap should you have the luxury of giving a purchase a bit more consideration.

Pretty in pink from Obscurities Hot Glass.

How about using this pretty vintage beaded clutch fromThe Turnip Truck?

Colts? Bears? Or Alameda!?

Sorry, but I'm just not a big fan of football. I think it's the ubër tight uniforms, grunts and all that slapping each other on the bum. And it hurts me just to see these guys slamming each other onto cold, rock-hard AstroTurf. Seems just too weird to me and way too macho. Give me a civilized game of tennis or a Tour de France, any day. But that's just me. So, if you happen to be of my ilk, and in the bay area here's a reminder. It's the 1st Sunday of the month, so that means the Alameda Flea Market is on this Sunday! Skip the Superbowl and the three-layer bean dip (who was the one that put that combination together, anyhow?) and hit the flea market. I'm hoping every one's home on their couches and Lazyboys with a six-pack in their laps, so there's lots of good bargains left to be had by the rest of 'us'. Go team!

How to Top Off Your Day in Alameda- Tillies, sillies.

For the post-flea market hunger pangs, I strongly suggest Tillie's Diner. Tillies on Webster - the old, main drag in Alameda. And no offense, if you happen to actually live in Alameda, but people, it's a little weird here. I know there's nice spots, the historic Victorian districts - but we couldn't help wondering, where the heck are they? Tillies is a safe haven from the freak show going on out there. Excellent, diner. Excellent home style cookin'. Barney Fife would definitely eat here with Andy. 'Cause that's kinda what Alameda's like - Andy of Mayberry on Sanka. Or downers. While we waited for our table (yeah, it's that good that you gotta wait) a woman said to us "That buzzing sound you're hearing is probably my hearing aid." Huh? Yeah, uh, okay. And then there's the maternity shop Helen pointed out down the street : 'Fashion After Passion'. Wow. Anyway, Tillies is good - in that greasy spoon kind of way. Big old slabs of hash browns, gianormous ice tea's, waffles and pancakes, hot turkey sandwiches with gravy, amazing patty melts. You walk a lot at the flea market, so some of this consumption is justified. But you're gonna need another walk afterwards. Really, you do. They've got gumball machines, and tootsie pops for 25 cents (in case you haven't yet achieved your calorie intact for the day) and they spell the soup of the day 'Clam Showder'. It's special - trust me. Go to Tillies.




































Oh...and somewhere to walk to. Just down the street is the 99 Cent Store. Fabulous. Great stuff. But really ugly place, so here's a nice picture of the pony you can ride outside.

Sunday in the City.

As per my usual first Sunday of the month ritual, I headed out to the Alameda Flea Market this weekend. Along with like a billion other vintage aficionados! I'd never, ever in all my years of going there have seen it this crowded! Lines out to the parking lot, just to get in! Nevertheless, it was a bright and sunny day, and perhaps the reason for the crowd, since the last two flea markets had been rained out. Thanks to all the sfgirlbybay readers who stopped by and said hello to Sylvie for your free gift - she was bustling while I visited, and it was nice to meet a few of you while I was there! I seemed to be focusing mostly on fashion finds this flea market, and here's a bit of what I saw, and snapped.

Haute Couture.

Sunday Best.

French Lingerie.

Dress Form.


Red Letter Day.

A League of Her Own.

Pomp & Circumstance.

Lost, and Then Found.

As promised, here's a little peek at some of the flea market treasures I found this weekend at the Alameda Flea Market. I didn't spend a lot - just a little over $100, but I love what I brought home and was able to give new life to. Flea marketing is just like recycling, but with furniture, clothes and accessories (and maybe a bit more fun than your traditional, average recycling!).

Pretty striped gray pillow, made from vintage French mattress ticking,
from Euro-Linens. You can find many more of Euro-Linens' beautiful
pillows, fabric and products in their eBay store ($50).

Funky cut glass bowl ($7). Not sure what I will do with it - one thought was
planting succulents in it. Or perhaps it will become a candle dish.

Flower-shaped, wrought-iron based wicker chair ($30).

Vintage souvenir Eiffel Tower ($12). Looks quite happy next to Mr. Pig on my desk.

Vintage red Keds ($10). Don't worry, I washed them!

Get Your Tzotchkes On!

Just a quick reminder that it's the first Sunday of the month, so the Alameda Flea Market
is on tomorrow. They're in their new location, so if you haven't been for awhile, be sure and
check for directions - the flea market moved just down the road a few months back.

Yesterday's Flea Market.

My friend Hilary and I went to the giant Alameda Flea Market yesterday and we both scored some great finds. She got an amazing painting (very Anthroplogie-looking) and funky little white metal-frame chair. I got some great vintage fabric and this vintage Chagall print. I really love it. My living room is getting whiter by the minute, so I love this new splash of color. I should have bought the accordian and the gnome, but I restrained myself.


Note: I looked up the Galarie Maeght and it is in the 7ème ARRONDISSEMENT, 42, rue du Bac, Paris, France. This world-famous gallery was founded by Aime Maeght in 1946. I think I may contact them to see if my poster is of any value. (I love it regardless, and, the print looks so much prettier in person!) Here is the Gallerie Maeght, Cannes, 1937. I love the internet when you can find this kind of back-story.

In The News.

sfgirlbybay gets its first bit of real press when it hits the stands tomorrow in the form of the San Francisco Chronicle. Freelance journalist Ahn-Minh interviewed me a few weeks back about decorating as an apartment dweller, keeping tenant restrictions and budget in mind with inexpensive and vintage furnishings. The Chronicle also had a very nice photographer, Brandt Ward, shoot some pics of my apartment, and then tail me around the Alameda Flea Market (which was pretty embarrassing, and yet hilarious, as he kept an almost undercover profile). So, hopefully there will be a nice glimpse of the flea market experience, if you've never made the trek out there. The article should appear in tomorrow's House & Garden section. I hope you'll take a look.

Super What?

Sorry...I am not a big football fan. Nachos, layered bean dip, Lazy Boys and loads of beers, don't entice me (Tom Brady? Well, maybe). Nope, none of it does a thing for me. But, it is my favorite Sunday of the year - to go to the Alameda Flea Market! It's pretty empty of competing shoppers, vendors hungry to make a sale. So, it's the super bowl of bargains! See you Sunday, on the flea market field!