Toni's Vintage Trips: March 2014

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Treasure Island Flea Rain or Shine (SF, CA)

I've been talking up the Treasure Island Flea Market so much, that I planned a return visit with my friends, Summerlea, Nathan and their little guy, Bram today. This flea market is open during the last weekend of every month. We had it planned for a while, but it just happened that we had a rain storm this morning. Now most people know that California is having a drought. We do welcome rain when ever we can get it. But going to the flea market in the rain was a challenge. They are open rain or shine because they have an inside area that is quite a large building. We decided to take our chances and see it in the rain.

Driving over the bridge, you couldn't see the city due to the rain, but the trees smelled magnificent as we got off the bridge and drove towards Treasure Island. By the time we got to the parking lot, the storm was above us and the rain was pouring down. We waited in the car until it let up a little and then did a fast walk for the building. It is usually $3 to get in, but today it was free because of the rain.

We still had a good time and found a lot of interesting items for sale. I bought a memory foam pillow that I can't wait to try out and Summerlea got some new sheets. I saw some cool vintage jackets from C & M Vintage Pros and some beautiful and artistic jewelry. There was also plenty of food to choose from at the food trucks outside in the rain. I had a great time and am glad that I went to the Treasure Island Flea Market, rain or shine.

Treasure Island Flea Market in the rain

It was free to get in today, but it's usually $3

Lots of activity inside the flea market

My friends - Nathan, Summerlea & Bram

Jewelry vendor

New bags for 75% off

Handmade Designer Chic

Lime jacket dream

Carmen from C & M Vintage Pros

707-646-1557

JAGMAN0007@yahoo.com

Summerlea with a mocha

Vintage aprons

Vintage beaded purses

Scarves, scarves and more scarves

Day of the dead 49'ers baby shirt

Vintage toys - I bought Pluto for $5

Sunday, March 23, 2014

All Things Vintage (Oakland, CA)

When I visited Vintage a la Mode in San Francisco a few weeks ago, I found out about a fabulous vintage store in Oakland called All Things Vintage. I was told that it was the ultimate vintage store. I had to check it out for myself. According to their website, the store is a hobby and a labor of love for 2 long-time friends, Lucy, a middle school teacher and Claudia who owns a design business. They started out shopping at garage sales and flea markets and then, a few years ago, became sellers at the Alameda Antique Fair. At some point, they had so much inventory of clothes, shoes, purses and jewelry, they took it one step further and opened a store at their current location in Oakland. The store is only open every other weekend and is very popular with the locals as well as vintage clothes shoppers in the Bay Area. It is a small house/store crammed full of the most exquisite dresses, hats, shoes ,jewelry, purses and the list goes on an on.

Everything in the store is exclusively vintage and even though they do consignment, you will find very few contemporary clothes there. They get a lot of clothes from estate sales, such as sweet sixteen dresses from the 1950's, lacy gowns, fur coats and even a gown worn by film legend Bette Davis. The store is a clothing museum, but happily, everything is for sale. Prices are very reasonable and they regularly have sales. There is a large clearance area in front of the store. If you want to visit All Things Vintage, go to their website to checkout the weekends they are open. I know, I will be going back to shop!