Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Adventures in Allegan!



Well, I've made you wait long enough to see all the fun that Debbie, Michelle,
and I had at the Allegan Flea Market.
They posted about the trip before I did.
They called me a slacker.

So, I had to get my tookus in gear and get this post up for you all
since I know that you're all dying to hear MY side of the story!



We waited all year to finally give each other an actual hug
instead of virtual ones.

We waited all year to share stories with each other face to face
instead of via the computer.

It was SO worth the wait!


We instantly connected.
We all felt like we were sisters separated at birth.
We felt like we had known each other all our lives.
What a complete and utter blessing!


Now I have an older sister AND a younger sister! 

 We immediately started shopping
while chatting and sharing stories...

(because we're multi-taskers, you know).

Debbie immediately found a sign made just for her.
Great name for a blog, huh?


We all fell in love with these goodies.
Love the dark pulls against the distressed white wood.
Yum.

(Notice the lady on the 2-holer?
She was just taking a break, believe me.)



We adored this darling little pink trailer!
We all pictured ourselves crammed into that thing
traveling from flea to flea together
like junking gypsies.





{I think Deb was trying to hide her purchase from us.....}


This was the prettiest booth in the place -
and the name was so cute!


{Sigh!  Talk about a sweet Frenchy sofa...!}


We found ourselves surrounded by vintage goodness.

See that cute urn Debbie's holding?

She bought it when my back was turned....
drat!




I did find a beautiful vintage grain sack, though.


{I considered trying to stuff that sofa in the back of my SUV....but common sense told me otherwise.}


An awesome front door will be coming home with me next month, too.

Michelle and I actually started to measure the door with a couple dollar bills

(Debbie was obviously off buying things from underneath our noses again....)

after the dealer's wife said that a dollar bill is six inches long.

Did you know that?
I didn't.

(You're going to go measure one now, aren't you?)

But, luckily they scrounged around and found an actual measuring tape.

I didn't know the measurements of our current dorky looking front door at home,
so I two-wayed hubby.


 

He was on the lake fishing with Deb's hubby.


Okaaaay.....so much for that idea.


I stroked my door one more time
before sadly walking away.

BUT.....

I measured our funky front door when I got home that evening
and praise the Lord!

The new one would fit
with a wee bit shaved off one side.

So, I called the dealer and he said he would bring my beautiful vintage door back with him
to July's market!



The vignettes were so creative and colorful wherever we looked.



After furiously working those booths for a couple hours,
it was time for
a pickle break!

Now, if you have never had the chance to eat a
fried pickle,
then let me tell you.....

run to your nearest fried pickle maker!




Hot, crunchy, dilly.....

a complete

guilty

pleasure!


{And yes...we did share a big old lemonade.  Had to save our money for treasures, dontcha know!}

Our stomachs happy once again,
it was time to get back to pounding the dirt for more treasures.





Michelle bought these pale, perfectly weathered, seaside blue vintage bottles for her
beautiful home by Lake Michigan.


{Is she not the cutest thing?}

Then she scored with a pair of these darling little wooden swans.




See that incredibly beautiful vintage birdcage that you can't see
because Deb's standing in front of it so that I can't see it, either?

Yeah, well - she bought that when my back was turned, too.





(Note to self:  Keep a closer eye on Debbie
and make her walk behind you.)


We turned the corner to be greeted by the
Lakehouse Louise.

She needed a lesson in
"too much is never good".





After walking for 7 hours,
stuffing ourselves full of fried pickles, french fries, and lemonade,
and bidding adieu to Louise,
we all piled into my SUV to take Michelle back to her car
-
which she decided to park out in the puckerbrush
for some odd reason.

And since the back of my car was loaded with all of our goodies,
Michelle had to sit on Debbie's lap
while we drove around the parking lot
like a trio of ditzy junksters.


{Nope....THAT'S not it, either......."Where DID I park my car, anyway.....?}

All in all, it was a GREAT day
spent with two of my most favorite  
friends
sisters.


{LUV you two ~ and see you next month!}


I'm working on scrubbing up all of my new treasures
(Debbie didn't nab ALL of them....)
and will be doing some floofing this week
so that I can share them with you soon!

Have you been to any great Fleas this month?


{Hugs}



Linking up with the parties on the lower right of my sidebar.
Click on the buttons and be whisked away to a world of inspiration!

33 comments:

  1. Looks like you all had a great time and found some wonderful treasures. You all look marvelous!!!
    Enjoy your day
    Suzann ~xoxo~

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  2. Hi there Laurie, wow, what a fantastic flea market! I wish we had them here in australia. We do have markets, but they are mostly junk!! nothing like the gorgeous vintage pieces and antiques and the like as you have posted... Love the little swans! and the bottles and doors, and that french seat!! how beautiful! Looks like a fantastic day out! Glad to see you are well and looking amazing too!! Lots of love, Laura xx

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  3. Gah that looks so fun! Can't wait to see all your goodies! XOXO

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  4. Looks like you all had so much fun and found some great goodies!!
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  5. Hahahaha!!! what a fun day! I keep thinking about it, and I smile.
    I have a feeling Diana will be coming to the next market...LOOK OUT! cause she's a crazy woman!!!!
    Hugs to you sweetie.
    Debbie

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  6. That is great !!!!!!!!!!......love Ria....xxx...

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  7. Seriously- I am not even talking to you...or commenting...or saying what brats you all are...because we all KNOW that I was supposed to be there with you...and if I don't get there this Fall...well, something big is gonna happen!

    I can't believe all the treasures you gals found...and that Michelle is just as cute as a new-born speckled pup! Gotta love a girl like that!

    I am glad I know up front to RACE AHEAD of Debbie. She is one sneaky chick! I saw that bird cage on her post..is that cute, or what?

    I can't wait to see your new door all installed on your house..and, to answer your question, yes I knew that a dollar bill was 6" long...I have used that little trick a few times.

    Okay...gotta catch up and get to bed early. I'm working 7 days in a row-right through the 4th of July. UGHGGGH! xo Diana

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  8. I would really like to go . I am from Battle Creek Mi. where is it at.

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  9. YEAH YOUR DOOR WILL FIT!!!!!!!! I am happy dancing for you!!!! This ought to be good to watch you fit that in the car!! LOL!!! I had such a wonderful time, I am just like Debbie, when I think about it I just smile! I am sooooo excited for next month! I have to find those bottles again. We need to come up with a distraction for Debbie so we can get ahead of her this time. :) Love the pickle pick! ahahhahah!!!!!
    Enjoy your floofing my dear and thank you again, you two are the bestest!!!
    XOXO

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  10. Looks like a great place, where is it? Too much fun stuff, not fair.

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  11. How wonderful for you to meet up with some blogging friends. That flea market looks so great...nothing like that here...darn it.

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  12. What a fun day, Laurie! Oooh, I am so envious, looks like you all had a blast! That is awesome that you got to meet Michelle in person! And you had better watch out for Miss Debbie, sounds like she is a dangerous shopping companion:) tee, hee!

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  13. Laurie,

    What a wonderful time! Seems Miss Deb is a seasoned treasure hunter. Next time you will have to drug her and leave her in the back of the van. hehehe
    Love the door and can't wait to see it in its new home.

    Deborah

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  14. Ohhh looks like such a fun time! That Debbie is one sneaky shopper, huh? lol. You better keep an eye on her next time. You found that door though and that's a beauty :)

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  15. Laurie what wonderful photos! You all are gorgeous and can I say...Michelle has missed her calling, I can see her on the runway, stunning!
    Love the Lake House sign, how perfect for Debbie, I have just joined her blog. A great adventure, thanks so much for sharing, tami

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  16. Oh gosh Laurie! Looks like so much fun!! Love seeing you girls! Debbie is such a sweet sweet friend!! Love her to pieces!! Makes me want to fly up & shop with you gals!! :) ♥

    thanks for sharing all of the fun with us!! & I love that little trailer! Adorable!

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  17. I love all to visit all the flea markets, virtually speaking. Non near where I live. Adore that trailer..., want to travel from beach to beach with it!!

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  18. You weren't slacking....just taking your time putting together an awesome post! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and all the great pics!

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  19. Whaa, that makes me miss my old flea market soooo much, my heart was beating with every picture! So many goodies.........my favorite? That pink camper, that is just the cutest thing, i don't even care what it's like on the inside! What a great time was had by all!~devon :)

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  20. what a fun day. love that pink trailer. never had a fried pickle. i'm sure it's awesome. is any fried not good?

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  21. Looks like you had a beautiful day with great weather...and the fried pickles looked delish!

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  22. What a lovely day you all had! And great finds too. Thanks for stopping by BC Good Life Wednesdays and sharing.

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  23. Oh, that looks like SO much fun! I wanna be a sister too!

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  24. Oh what fun! I just love flea markets! I have never had a fried pickle, but it sounds wonderful. Happy Fourth of July!

    Waving from Our Back Porch,
    Rebecca

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  25. What a wonderful time! I did the same type of thing with some new blog friends!! We had a blast! Nothing quite like finally connecting, huh?

    Looking forward to seeing your treasures!!
    Hugs,
    Becky

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  26. Absolutely wonderful Laurie!! Oh looks like such a fantastic fun day!! You girls are all so pretty together and looks like you found lots of great inspirations- looks like Debbie found some great ones for sure!! :) So much fun- and loving that door! Can't wait to see it in your home! Hugs, Courtney

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  27. Sounds like you three had a marvelous time. Lucky girls!

    Can't wait to see all your finds.

    God bless you, my friend.

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  28. That looked to be a lot of fun! The things antique dealers know is impressive, that the dollar measures 6 inches is a very good thing to know. Thanks for linking it up and have a great weekend!
    Sherry

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  29. I am SOOOO jealous of you all! :-) Not only about the shopping but also that you get to be together like that. And how funny is it that Michelle had to sit on Debbie's lap! Thanks so much for sharing your day of adventure with us at Inspiration Friday!
    Vanessa

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  30. What a great place! Plus, I LOVE fried pickles! Mmm....Plus that glow effect on the photos makes everything look even more magical!

    ~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage

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  31. Laurie,
    The only thing that would have made this post better was actual video footage. What a hoot reading all the wonderful things you "ladies" did in one trip! That door you're admiring is similar to one I envision for a coat rack here on the Prairie in my entry! Still haven't been able to find one that is near the shape I feel I need! Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us...and the joys of sisterhood!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  32. Oh I am green with envy! I know, envy is bad, but I've met both Debbie and Michelle and we've talked about the flea market. I've talked to both of them about coming down, but every month I've had something else going on. I'd really love to meet you in person too!

    All envy aside, there were some great scores there. I love that trailer. I'm keeping my eyes open for one to put in our back yard to fix up for a little get-away and guest house. I've seen some adorable ones.

    Have a lovely week Laurie,
    Deborah

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