Sunday 27 May 2018

The thrill of the chase

In stark contrast to the grey bank of clouds of Saturday before last, the weather gods decided to grace us with a sky painted in azure blue and lots of sunshine on Sunday.

We couldn't be happier, as we had an outdoor flea market to go to. Not just any flea market, mind you, but a firm favourite, and one of huge proportions. I've heard it said there were 750 stalls, spread out on a grassy field as well as the surrounding streets, where people set up stalls outside their front steps.



We managed to grab a parking spot about one kilometer away from the market's entrance, and I was glad I was wearing my hat and sunglasses to protect me from the sun's glare when walking up the tarmacked road leading up to the field.

The orange cardigan I started out with was soon packed away!  My Clarks Cloudsteppers, bought in the sales in Aberystwyth last June, had their first outing this year. They really lived up to their name as I walked in them for hours on end without any pinching or rubbing resulting in painful blisters.


You can probably judge from the amount of bags I'm carrying that it was a huge success!

But before I'm getting down to details, there was a sweet end to our flea market trawl, as we suddenly came upon this colourful stall selling .... cuberdons or "neusjes" (little noses), the sweets after which the room in our B&B near Bruges was called!


I asked the lovely lady who was running the stall, which is owned by De Neve JiPi, if I could take a photo, and I promised her I'd give them a mention, which is my pleasure, as the "neusjes" we bought from her were fingerlickingly delicious!

Our car was a sauna when we got back, so we opened all doors in an attempt to cool things down a bit, taking the opportunity to take some outfit photos in the meantime.


I found the blue dress I'm wearing at Think Twice a couple of weeks ago. It was calling me from afar, as I'd immediately recognized the pattern: I already have this dress in mustard yellow as well!

In keeping with the flower pattern, I added a necklace featuring orange, yellow and white beads and  chose a royal blue bracelet and an orange carved plastic bangle. To the dress's collar I pinned a pearly ladybird brooch.



The belt, which is caramel brown with a cream crocheted strip, was a recent charity shop find, and the wicker bag came from the greatly missed Blender Vintage Shop.


Back at home, we unpacked our treasures, and assembled them for a group photo. Needless to say, we were quite pleased with our finds.



Minutes after entering the field full of stalls, I snapped up this powder blue Crimplene jacket. For its state portrait, it seemed blend to organically with a dress which was hanging outside my wardrobe, so I added a scarf and one of the brooches I'd found to further accessorize it.


This pristine pair of shoes, in the palest of yellows, was just € 1, so it would have been foolish to leave them behind.



After reading Elle's post on straw and wicker bags, which I'd read the night before, I kept my eyes peeled and found this delightful specimen which I'm sure will have its first outing soon.


At one of the street stalls I stumbled upon this bamboo sewing basket, which was mine for € 3. 

Now, I do have quite enough sewing baskets already, and surely it's too cute to be sitting at home, so I was thinking of using it as a handbag!



I was very taken by this orchid pendant and it was only after handing over my € 2 that I noticed it doubles as a brooch!


Further jewellery finds were a purple plastic flower ring (it looks bluer here than it actually is!) and three more brooches. I managed to haggle down the price of the gorgeous behatted lady on the bottom left to € 5, which was the highest price I paid for any of them, and surely still a bargain!



Love at first sight for this vintage serving platter with four individual little dishes. Aren't the colours and the rather unusual flower pattern absolutely gorgeous?


They're perfect for serving "neusjes", that's for sure!

We are not certain of the age of this battered old tin, which used to contain chocolate spread made by Kwatta (a household name in Belgium and the Netherlands), as even good old Google let us down!

As Jos remembers similar packaging from his childhood, we'd like to think it's from the 1950s.



Our last find - but not the least! - is this quirky piece of kitchenalia.

Patented by Grimwades in 1911, we'd only ever come across the "Quick-Cooker Bowl" in the kitchens of stately homes in the UK. I remember photographing one in Scolton Manor in Pembrokeshire back in 2012.



An internal funnel allows steam to circulate through the middle of the pudding and cook it from the inside as well as the outside. The cover is grooved to hold string so the cover and bowl can be tied closely together. 

Made of white ceramic, it has green printed pictures and instructions for use on the lid, while the inside is covered with advertising for several of their other products.

Again, we have no idea of its age, but it is very similar to one the V&A has in their collection and which dates from the 1950s.

Who'd have thought that such a piece would turn up at a flea market here in Belgium!

Now, I'm going to head over and join the party at Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!


40 comments:

  1. The flea market sounds absolutely massive!! It is probably impossible to get around all of the stalls. I'd give it a go though. I love that you found the blue partner dress to your existing mustard one, you'll have to find a friend who can wear one, and take them out at the same time! I also like the Gabor shoes, it's a good brand, they're usually quite pricey.

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    1. I have to confess that we skipped a bit of the market, where it was simply too crowded. I know Gabor shoes are usually quite pricey so I was expecting a bit more than € 1! xxx

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  2. You sure have loads of great vintage sales out your way!

    As usual you managed to find some fab pieces.

    That brooch with the woman's head is lovely. You must be quite adept at haggling as you shop vintage so often.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. With flea markets, you always have quite a few stalls you can skip, otherwise it wouldn't be manageable to get around them all. I'm not really a haggler, but if you start walking away, the sellers often reduce their prices ... xxx

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  3. What a lovely day full of treasures! I love your outfit - the colours are all so fabulous. Those shoes are wonderful (I know that brand, and you got a score!), and I love the brooches. That cooker is cool!

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    1. Thank you Sheila! We were lucky with the cooker, as it was already quite late in the day. I presume people had no idea what it was ... xxx

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  4. Wonderful finds! You always, always, find the best brooches. The quick cooker is quite special too.

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    1. Thank you Goody! Well, brooches are my specialty. And the quick cooker ties in with our kitchenalia collection. If I hadn't seen them in English country houses, I'd never have known what it was! xxx

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  5. What a fabulous flea market, Ann! I'm happy to see that it was successful for you too! I love those pretty pale yellow shoes and the brooches and flower ring. I think using that adorable sewing basket as a handbag is a fabulous idea! Definitely too cute to stay at home! ;) XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha! I knew you'd agree on that sewing basket! xxx

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  6. that fast cooker bowl is very interesting!
    your other finds are gorgeous too - very chic shoes in a rare color, and the little jacket is fab and already a combo star - sweet jewelry, esp. the orchid with its beautiful enamel work.... the tray took its inspiration from earlier times - i often see china or household textiles from 30/40s, decorated with muted colors and bright orange accents. if i had´t that much (inherited) coffee sets and plates i would collect and use only this style - like it very much. :-D
    you look chic and sweet in your azure blue dress with the cute hat and wicker bag!
    hug you! xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you my dear! That orchid necklace/brooch was one of my favourite finds and we have already been using the little dishes which came with the orange tray! xxx

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  7. What a flea indeed! I feel envy creeping up : > Love those pale yellow shoes and the wicker bag. Such a fun day! xo

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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  8. I love your wickerbag Ann. And you look gorgeous in this dress with this cute hat! ❤️ You have wonderful findings:)
    A very huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina, I was quite pleased with our finds! xxx

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  9. Oooh what wonderful finds. The serving dish with individual dishes is especially nice. I really like how you cleverly accessorize the floral dress with the pearly lady big. Tres chic!!

    Finger-licking "noses", hee!!

    Happy thrifting ;)

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  10. I mistaked and wrote my comment on your old post ... l am very sorry!

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    1. No problem, Dan! Your comments are always appreciated! xxx

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  11. You totally rock in your blue dress and red and orange accessorizing, and I love those cute red shoes you're wearing (Clarks is used to make some comfy shoes!) and the cute hat! Gorgeous!
    And what a fabulous day, lots of sunshine to enjoy a massive flea market and lots of finds!. Glad that you found those brooches and more cute baskets, and I love that blue jacket!, and I'm amazed by the 'quick cooker' bowl, I do love white ceramic and all the instructions and advertisement make it particularly beautiful!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! You need comfortable shoes to tackle such a huge market, and these Clarks are perfect! xxx

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  12. What a fantastic flea market that must have been, all the better for being outside in the lively weather.
    You found an eclectic mix of things to buy and I love the kitchenalia. I bet those comfy shoes made browsing the stalas a pleasure and you look stylish as ever. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! We have quite a few outdoor flea markets around here, but this is one of the best! xxx

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  13. I have to say I'm rather envious of your collection of straw and wicker baskets. I've been looking for one (or more) on my charity shop jaunts but as yet have not found anything (except for one that I didn't buy that I kick myself for every time I think of it).
    I remember you mentioning the "neusjes" and thinking how delicious they sounded, they do look rather good on your new serving platter!
    It looks like a lovely day, with excellent weather. We've just had a glorious Bank holiday, which is most unlike the British weather, bank holidays normally spell grey skies and rain!
    xx

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    1. I can't resist picking up straw baskets, there's quite a variety to be found too, and they're usually inexpensive. Next time, do not hesitate! xxx

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  14. Oh what an amazing flea market! Such amazing finds too!! I have to say you 2 were probably the best dressed there! Just perfect!

    Rebecca
    www.winnipegstyle.ca/blog

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  15. So many great accessories here Ann. I love the ladybird broach and the basket bag. We are worlds apart in fashion choice, yet the accessories are suited for both me and you xx

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    1. Thank you Laurie! I'm sure most of my accessories would suit your fashion choices equally well! xxx

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  16. Don't you look fab?
    I'm glad you had lovely weather for your favourite flea market. The pudding bowl is lovely and so's the basket. xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix. It was such a perfect day: sunshine and a great flea market! xxx

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  17. My favorite thing to do on a weekend morning is to shop an outdoor flea market. You've got yourself some great finds! Your blue floral print dress is perfect for that kind of outing. Love that little pearl brooch. It's darling. Good to know about the Clark's shoes. I've always wondered how comfortable they were. I will have to give them a try.

    Theresa

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    1. Thank you Theresa! I've got several pairs of Clarks shoes, and they're all very comfortable, and believe me, I've got quite difficult feet! xxx

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  18. What a fun event, yay!!! The lady bug brooch stole my heart! But the new beauties are also very pretty! How wonderful it is that you had another chance to taste sweet neusjes - and those vintage dishes are just so charming, love the floral pattern!
    You look so lovely, my dear, you make me smile!
    Warmest hugs!

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    1. I am so glad I make you smile, but then you make me smile too! xxx

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  19. I, like you, really love a good flea market. Yes, I can tell from the number of shopping bags that it was quite successful. I really love the two green pieces that you bought and of course that fabulous wicker basket. How funny that you bought it on the same day that I posted. Thank you for the shout out about that, by the way.
    That cool kitchen bowl is very nostalgic and A wonderful find as well.
    Enjoy your new treasures!
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com

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    1. Thank you Elle! I was actually thinking of you when I found that wicker basket! xxx

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  20. You do find the best things! That Quick-Cooker bowl is excellent. When we make a steamed meat pudding it can take 2-3 hours so anything that speeds that up has to be handy! The serving dish is lovely too.

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    1. I was quite surprised to find that Quick Cooker here in Belgium. I'm now kicking myself for not asking about its history ... xxx

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