Monday, March 15, 2010

Sunday at the Rose Bowl with Eddie


Look! There I am! On a beautiful blue-sky Sunday at the Rose Bowl with Eddie Ross.

For just over two hours, Eddie led a happy group of 20 or so through the maze that is this world-famous flea market. Along the way, we stopped to listen and watch as he explained why he would choose a particular piece and what he might do with it once he got it home. These small chairs he liked for their paint potential—a glossy black, perhaps?—and the ease with which the seats could be removed and recovered. While Eddie was talking, I was totally distracted by those rush-seated, coral-red arm chairs behind him. They would be fantastic around a breakfast table and might have been mine if I had such a thing as a room just for breakfast.


This beautiful little chandelier was only $47. Click on the pic to see the details better. The combination of jade green and creamy white china was so pretty and look at the leafy accents on the arms. The fluting on the white areas gave it extra charm too. At that price, even if it had to be rewired, this light would be perfect for a bathroom, as the centerpiece in a feminine bedroom, or over a small dining table.


Eddie paused at this display of lavender glass to explain to us that it once was clear. An article I found that explains how that happens also warns of the possibility of fraud in this area of collectibles. Click on the pic if you're interested in buying only authentically sun-colored pieces. Or collect it anyway just because it's pretty. Beauty and even "antiques" are in the eye of the beholder so long as you're just decorating and not investing.


These gorgeous lamps were carved wood and quite large. Their patinaed white and gold finish was perfectly aged. A woman in our group snapped them up before Eddie was even done talking about them. Here's a good tip about lampshades Eddie gave us that I'll pass along: take a look at the Better Homes & Gardens line of shades available at WalMart. He said the shapes and fabrication are nice and that they're just as easy to customize or embellish with your own trims as more expensive shades so why not check them out?


What did I find for myself? Well, besides all the chairs that I coveted but haven't the space for, there were only a few things that caught my eye today. Two tablecloths (the bottom two of the foursome above) that I'll cut up and add to a pieced and patched table runner I'm thinking about making. And, below, an English J&G Meakin platter that will either become part of a wall display or a receptacle for jewelry on my dresser top, and an assortment of starfish and coral branches from the "shell lady" who is always there and has great items for what I think are really fair prices. (She sells her seashells at the Pasadena City College Flea Market too if you're in this area. First Sunday of every month.) With those small coral branches, I think I'll try my hand at making my own bottle toppers. You know what I'm talking about, right?


My treasures don't compare at all though to the fun of meeting Eddie and Jaithan and the opportunity to spend time with other blogger friends. My only regret is that I somehow did not get one decent pic of Jaithan as he was busy buzzing around herding the group and keeping Eddie on track. They're a pretty great team. ((Note to Jaithan: thanks for taking the perfectly-posed pic of Eddie and me!)) I was very happy to finally meet Janet of the Gardeners Cottage! She was there with her friend Melissa (visiting Janet all the way from Kauai) and they were both just as fun and genuine as I knew Janet would be. I also met another Traci (with an "i") who happens to live right here in Upland. Traci is a photographer who has recently begun a style and inspiration blog called muse margaret. Go pay her a visit. And while you're there, jump over to her professional blog and check out her gorgeous photography. So nice to meet you, Traci!

All in all, it was a very fun day! Gorgeous, perfect weather, charming hosts, loads of information and helpful hints, and new friends. Everything I expected and more. If you have the chance to attend one of Eddie's events, I say "do!".


Click here to go to Eddie's blog for his event schedule and more inspiration than you'll know what to do with. And I'm linking this post to Rhoda's Thrifty Treasure's Party over at her blog, Southern Hospitality. Click on the pic below to see what everyone else found over the weekend!

21 comments:

TheVirginiaHouse said...

Man, it sounds like so much fun! I would love to go bargain hunting like that.

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Thanks so much for passing along so much information here...I just recently discovered the BGH shades too!

Looks like a perfect day!!!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, I know how much fun you had, since I did the shopping trip last year with Eddie in ATL. Fun day! Loved those lamps that someone got. There's so much to look at when shopping like this.

Love, love your shells, those will be perfect for the bottle project & I do know what you mean. Thanks for joining the party!

for the love of a house said...

OhMy!! How much fun!
And then to meet sweet Janet- lucky, lucky you!!
joan

Anonymous said...

How cool! To spend a day with Eddie, and the great things you found.

Janet said...

Oh my! What fun!

I wanted to be there so badly, I could cry.

I had to attend a birthday party with my 10 yr old son instead. Yay!>;/

Laura said...

I lived in LA for all those years and never went to the Rose Bowl flea market. Now I moved away and missed the opportunity entirely! Kicking myself!

La Dolfina said...

Hi Tracy,

I'm so happy you had a fabulous time at The Rose Bowl with E+J!!
It was so hard for me to cancel but in the long run, it all worked out as I was home to get the news about our son getting accepted into UCLA... a priceless moment I will never forget!
The best part is maybe I will be spending a lot of time down your way over the next 4 years!!! I look forward to meeting you one day soon.
It looked like an absolutely gorgeous day in Pasadena and E+J looked right at home in the California sunshine :)

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Lovely photo of you two!
Does he really have as much energy as he seems?

Traci Giles said...

HI Tracy! It was so great to meet you as well! I love your blog, I spent some time reading it at 4 am (after the earthquake--my first one since moving back so I couldn't sleep!) You have such beautiful images and ideas, I think I may have been here before, actually, hmmm. We should have coffee--Le Pan? :) Maybe you can tell me how to make a bottle stopper out of coral! That's a great platter you found, too. Did your husband find any goodies?

Pauline Wiles said...

Fun! Great to go in a group, even if you don't buy much.
Can you believe, I've never been inside a Walmart? I need to correct that omission from my life!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

How fun!! I loved seeing your photos of the day and hearing all about it.

Melanie said...

You lucky devil you!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Sounds like lots of FUN...love those lamps! Hope you have a FUN day:)

Blessings,
Linda

Lauren said...

what fun Traci!!! Aren't they awesome?!!

xoxo

Lauren said...

ok i don't know why I gave you an "i" instead of a "y" other than it's late & I got mixed up with the other Traci- sorry!! :)
nighty night

annechovie said...

Looks like fun, Tracy! Have a great week.

Kathysue said...

Oh Tracy you got to meet E & J. ARe they not the two most endearing young men. Oh to have the talent and the energy they have. I was sad to miss the Rose bowl but this winter I was able to meet them in Alameda. Oh it was such a highlight to finally meet Eddie and jaithan. So glad you had a great time and I love what you found, great treasures. Kathysue

Anonymous said...

Sounds like so much fun! I'm glad the weather cooperated too. Always more fun to do those types of things in the sunshine, isn't it?

Kifus said...

Flea market and Eddie Ross!!! What an awesome combination! That would certainly be top of my wish list. I've never heard of this Rose Bowl flea market but I see by the pics it's so full of wonderful stuff, I hope I can go someday.Thanks for sharing these pics!

Slideharga said...

Nice Article, keep sharing :)