Monday, November 30, 2015

Vintage Holiday Shopping at Treasure Island

 
I visited my favorite Bay Area flea market yesterday at Treasure Island, which is just across the Bay from San Francisco.  I wanted to see the reindeer that would be there, take some photos and do my after Black Friday shopping.  I had a wonderful time.  I met an amazing vintage clothing vendor, Jenn Kuvat of The Vintage Net and also saw friends who were selling out there.  It was a beautiful day on the Island and there were a lot of vendors.  I bought a 1970's suede brownish shirt from London and a beautiful pair of copper/gemstone hoop earrings made by Marisa Villa, who is also a friend from Berkeley.  I strongly believe in supporting local artists, especially if they're friends and Marisa's earrings definitely had to be mine.

The 2 reindeer were very tame.  They were allowed graham crackers and celery and the kids were feeding them.  Such beautiful animals.  I would only suggest that the enclosure be bigger.  After seeing all the stalls, I went to the food truck area and had a homemade tamale and strawberry juice.  What's great about their food area is that there are so many choices.  They also have a bar there and live music.  There could be a few more tables, but people are very nice about sharing.

Hope you all have a fun holiday.  Enjoy my trip to Treasure Island.  Cheers! Toni




 The Vintage Net
Jenn Kubat, Founder
510-604-5494
info@thevintagenet.com
www.thevintagenet.com

 Jenn Kubat, owner of The Vintage Net
 Black velvet evening gown from the 1930's at The Vintage Net
 Stylish leather coat from the 1960's at The Vintage Net

 Suede boots from the 1970's for $15 at The Vintage Net
White mink hat at The Vintage Net
 Vintage shoes at The Vintage Net
 Very adorable reindeer at Treasure Island

 Photo booth
 Marisa Villa, Jewelry Designer
Codacraft Designs
510-219-9058
Codacraft@gmail.com
etsy.com/shop/codacraft
Codacraft.com
 Necklaces by Marisa


 Vintage necklaces








 Fashion creations & vintage clothes by Janey Rose, The Window Lady


 This is a fun section at back of the flea market


 Holiday entertainment

 Fonzie-esque 1950's jacket
Happy shopping!

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Vintage & Designer Resale Shopping in Alameda, CA


Many of you have been to the Alameda Antique Fair or read about it in one of my blogs.  But Alameda has more to offer the vintage shopper than the once a month flea market.  Along Park Street, which is on the other side of the Island, there are shops that worth visiting.  I had been hearing a lot about the Salvation Army Store on the Park Street Bridge side of Park Street for designer finds, such as Prada shoes.   So I had to go there first.  I survived a traffic jam of cars heading for the Bridge and found street parking, walking the extra 3 blocks.  Unfortunately, I visited this store on an off day and saw nothing very interesting.  I may try again as one of my shop owners told me that she bought a jacket there for $10 and sold in her Alameda store for $500.

I walked back the 3 blocks to my car and drove to the center of the downtown district.  I found free street parking another 3 blocks away from Park Street and got my exercise.  The second store I visited, Juniper Tree Vintage, was a true vintage clothing store with beautiful dresses from the 1950's for $50 and under.  They had a great collection of clothes, jewelry (vintage & hand-crafted from vintage materials), wallets and other interesting items.  I bought a pair of vintage rhinestone hoop earrings (from the 1960's-70's) in perfect condition for only $15.

I walked a few blocks to my next stop, Rocket Reuse - an eclectic store selling books, videos, records and vintage clothes.  I loved their phone booth dressing room.  And they had a very good vintage clothing section, including children's clothes.  My next store was found by accident - or was it their neon sign that attracted me.  The store Aphrodite's Closet is a consignment shop that has very quality clothes, including designer resale.  The owner, Rachel, was very friendly and personable with customers and with me.  It reminded my of stores I used to visit with my mom Fran where the sales staff became our friends and always had good buying suggestions.  They had one designer rack at  Aphrodite's Closet where I found a Chanel jacket (that I filmed but could not afford) and a silk, Prada skirt which I got for only $36.  I also want to mention that Aphrodite's Closet has a wide range of sizes from xxs to plus sizes.

My final stop was to Pauline's Antiques, an Alameda icon.  It was incredible and I will definitely be returning when she has her 40% off sale after Thanksgiving.  It is also fun shopping and looking with big band music from the 1940's in the background.  The only way to shop.
Cheers and have a happy Thanksgiving! Toni

 The Salvation Army Store
1918 Park St. (between Clement & Blanding) 
Alameda, CA
 Juniper Tree Vintage
1320 Park St. (near Central)
Alameda, CA
510-865-1577
instagram.com/junipertreevintage

 Joel, the manager of Juniper Tree Vintage
























 Rocket Reuse
1355 Park St. (between Alameda & Central)
Alameda, CA
510-337-0750


 Photo booth dressing room






 Aphrodite's Closet
1419 Park St.
Alameda, CA
510-521-3313




 Resale designer hunting
 Very cool ankle boots

 I love their shoe display

 My Prada skirt - can't wait to wear it!


 Chanel blazer
 Paulines Antiques
1427 Park St.
Alameda, CA
510-502-6571









 
Happy shopping!