Flea Market Friday. Oceanside. Never. Again.

Last Saturday I made plans for my family to shop the Oceanside Flea Market. We weren't really sure what to expect because neither my husband or I had ever been. It is in a giant lot that used to be occupied by a drive in theater. The large movie screens are still in place, which makes it look a little creepy but as we all know, we should never judge a book by it's cover. When we arrived to the market mid morning we were surprised by the lack of vehicles we were seeing in the parking lot. Usually flea markets stay pretty busy, especially on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
We paid the $1 entry fee and immediately started checking out the booths. What we found was a surprise to both my husband and myself. There were very few vendors. Many of the booths were vacant and for some odd reason vendors were setting there booths up every 20-30 feet, which made it look even more empty. The lot looked like it was ready to house hundreds of vendors and maybe in the past it had, but it was completely lacking vendors and business last Saturday.
As we walked the grounds, from booth to booth we noticed that the quality of the items being sold was very poor. The vendors didn't seem as if they were there to sell, they never greeted us or acknowledged that we were interested in their items. When we stopped at a fruit stand, we gathered several different items while the vendor continued to have a conversation with a family member, not acknowledging us until we asked where we could pay. The entire experience was very odd.
We did find a few items: fruit, veggies and a house plant. They had great deals on plants and the man that was selling them was very friendly and informative. I am very happy that we weren't entirely skunked but I guarantee we will not return to that flea market.
I took a few pictures of our experience.

A few lessons that I learned last Saturday. 

1. Always look up reviews on the flea market that you are interested in visiting. 

2. It's worth a longer drive to get to a better flea market.

3. I can find something to buy anywhere items are for sale. 

Saturday Style Spotlight. Choosing a style.

There are several different options when it comes to decorating your home. Hundreds of different styles and thousands of ways to make the style unique.

I can imagine myself with a country home in a small town, a chicken coop out back, a giant garden, several acres, an old white barn with chipped paint, three gorgeous horses, vaulted ceilings, thick wood plank floors, antlers on the wall, blush pink, grey, white and natural hues, and a wrap around deck lined with upholstered swings and sturdy chairs.

I can imagine myself with a penthouse downtown in a big city, three levels, large windows with a grand view of the city's skyline, several balconies adorned with the few plants that the small space will allow, large furnishings, open floor plan, oversized bedrooms, clean lines and metallic accents.

I can imagine myself in a shingled cottage near the shore, a small grass lawn in the front, an outdoor shower for rinsing after a swim in the Pacific, coral, white and turquoise, large rustic beams, shells, grass rugs, bamboo, a patio table, fire pit and outdoor bar.

It is difficult to pick a style and stick with it, especially if your attention span is as short as mine. I could constantly be redecorating. In my opinion the style has to be fitting to where you are located. The house decor should enhance the natural beauty of it's surroundings. When choosing a style for your home decor you should take several things into consideration, here are a few.

1. Location, location, location. The location of your home needs to be considered. Your home decor should reflect your location. i.e. coastal decor when you live by the beach. 

2. The structure. Whether you live in a condo building, stucco home or stained redwood house, your decor needs to harmonize well with the architecture of the building. Nobody wants a modern design with rustic interior.

3.Your lifestyle. It is important for the homes furnishings to be practical and fitting to your lifestyle. A home should bring you peace and be fit to your personality. Decorate with items that you like, things that make you happy and furniture that you are comfortable in. 

4. Stick to a color palette. You should choose a color palette and stick with it. Homes look better when there is a common theme. When you choose a palette of a few colors that compliment each other the house will have a great flow and navigating through your home will be easy on the eyes. 

5. Budget. You don't want to have caviar taste on a tuna fish budget. Your home will never be completed if you can't afford any of the items that you like. Set a realistic budget and seek out stores that are fitting for you. The internet makes it so easy, you can find everything you need online on any budget. 

6. Theme. Finally you need to pick a common theme for the house. Country, Bohemian, Shabby Chic, Rustic, Modern, Coastal, Eclectic, etc. The home will come together completely if you stick to a common theme throughout. Study the theme you chose, get inspired and start shopping. 

Flea Market Friday. Thrift store success.

Nothing beats strolling the 101, sipping a great cup of coffee and shopping the boutiques, consignment stores and thrift shops. I have never had trouble shopping. I have yet to walk into a store that doesn't have a single item that I'd like to see in my home. 

I find thrift stores to be especially fun. Everybody loves a good treasure hunt. You never know what you're going to leave with. Once you find a piece that you can't live without, it is so much fun to imagine the story behind it. The prices are impossible to beat. Where can you find a lovely $3.00 tea cup and saucer set or a beautiful matted and framed picture of the ocean for the bargain price of 6.00? 

Just two of the treasures that I came home with today. Here are a couple more...

I love the colors on these matching canvases. They are perfect for our beach pad. I am not sure where I will find a home for them but I know I can free up some wall space to showcase these little stunners. $4.00 for both. 

I have been looking for decorating, design and home organizing books everywhere. I came across three at a thrift store today and couldn't pass up the deal. For $10 I went home with 3 books, what a steal. Now I must read them. 

The best Flea Markets in San Diego run Saturday- Sunday. I will be attending this weekend and documenting my experience. I am looking forward to the adventure, it has been too long since I last shopped the market.