on a trip to the flea market...

I have a confession. Until last weekend, I'd never been to a flea market. Well, not the sort of flea market with rows and rows of antique treasures. (I once went to the sort of flea market where you get totally excited over a box of Sharpies that are only $2, but then you get home and take a closer look at the box and feel strangely taken advantage of when you notice that you actually just bought a box of "Skerples". FOR SHAME.) Anyway, when my lovely coworker suggested we meet up at one of our local flea markets, I jumped at the chance.

And to be completely honest? I have a new obsession. It's official. I've already cleared my schedule (as if I have a busy schedule that far in advance) for every Sunday that my local flea market is open. Now that I know what sorts of things I can find, I have my eye out for some specific items: wooden crates (especially the sort you can hang on the wall to display bottles and nicknacks), old picture frames, vintage postcards, vintage cameras (for decorating!) and quirky old suitcases. I'm actually quite excited at the thought of adding more repurposed, vintage and charming items to the decor of the duplex. I'm so full of ideas!

In any case, here are the goods I scooped up last weekend:

You are not even going to believe how much I paid for this. When we walked past it and saw it laying on a blanket with a few other dingy things, I figured that someone must have mistakenly put it there. We inspected the case and saw that it was complete - minus film. But it was glorious, no matter what. After double-checking with the seller, we discovered that it was actually marked correctly! I paid - wait for it...

...five dollars for this lovely camera! The lady selling it said she was simply tired of carrying it around, and she was glad it was going to a good home. I couldn't wait to take my treasure to it's new home (and to take a peek inside the case to really see what I'd purchased).

The case alone is adorable, and until I can really figure out how to use this camera, it's serving as a cute addition to one of my side tables. Has anyone had any experience with a Polaroid 250 Land Camera? I have no idea where to even pick up film or anything, but I'll definitely be on the search.

I also picked up these two books and a full book of vintage postcards (I adore vintage postcards - and usually they're pricey beyond all reason when they are a full set). The books cost $4.00 total and the postcards came to only $1.50. Hurrah!

And now I don't know if I'll be able to tear out any of these postcards. They're all too pretty.

I was picking through a box of vintage photographs and came across this needle book. I pretty much fell in love with the kitschy design - and it has so many needles still inside! It makes me wonder who else used these needles before me. (And I mean that in a non-Intervention type of way. Obviously.)

I've been eager to do more stitching/embroidery/etc. and this is just the perfect find. It cost only $2.

This caught my eye right away! I haven't quite figured out where to hang this little shelf/cabinet/widget. I love how it has the perfect vintage quality about it; the color is absolutely perfect for my decorating, and I can't wait to find the perfect little trinket to tuck inside.

In these photos it looks dusty beyond all reason, but I've cleaned it up just enough to make it not look like it's been sitting in an old shed for the last six decades. It cost $20. I think that I may have been able to get the seller to lower the price a bit more, but I'm awful when it comes to negotiating. I feel bad when I tell people to lower their prices, like I'm questioning their integrity or something. (I'm pretty sure that on our Jamaican honeymoon I paid five dollars for a necklace made completely out of what may have been watermelon seeds.) Must work on this.

What is the greatest deal you've ever found at a flea or antique market? Any advice on how to not be the most awkward person in all humanity when trying to haggle with sellers? Do share!