Sunday, May 22, 2011

To market to market we go we go


Yesterday morning we decided to brave the chill in the air and hit the Green Flea Markets in West End. Snack in hand- check. Pink pram with baby doll - check. Toshi  beanie with ears - check. I will not labour the point but beanies with earflaps are just slight overkill for a Brisbane autumn as I doubt we even hit single figure temperatures but who am I to argue with a toddler fashionista. Especially when she has chosen the beanie to match my scarf.

I love the West End Markets. The atmosphere has a buzzing kind of energy and the canopy of grand old fig trees that cover the stalls as they wind through the park, makes it a little darker and more wintery. All the better for scarves and beanies.


Not to mention the avenue of food stalls which is where we were headed. No time for groceries, there were Hungarian treats to devour. Roboboy had gone to the land of Grammy for a sleepover so we did what we always do if he is otherwise engaged, gorged ourselves on dairy laden goodies. Those Hungarians have a lot to answer for with respect to global obesity as not only did they provide the savoury deep fried cheesy/sour cream doughy thing with the name I can't remember, but also this spiral of crunchy lemony cinnamon deliciousness.


As if the morning wasn't going beautifully enough, we turned the corner and stumbled onto the CUTEST vintage caravan in the whole world.



And have a peek inside - try and look without squealing.





Kris, the owner of this beautiful little van, told me that it was a 1964 Glider and that she had just spent the previous 4 months renovating it herself. She had only recently started doing a few local markets where she is selling vintage clothes, using the little van as a changeroom of sorts.



The van doesn't have a name ( of course I put my two cents in on that one) but is known as The best little vintage van in Vegas and she has a blog with the same name if you want to pop over and share the vintage van love. I was completely spellbound by the sight of this little candy coloured treasure and was adding Kris to the list of people whose jobs I covet. She is now in first place followed closely by Set Designer for Playschool in second and Florist in third. I unfortunately couldn't get a photo of the pink 1967 Holden Special she uses to tow this beauty but they are currently featuring on the cover of Vintage Caravan magazine . Yes there is now a dedicated mag to share the vintage van love around.

After a good 15 mins chatting and dreaming, Liongirl dragged me away in search of pears. They are her favourite and her best (her words) and imagine the joy at stumbling onto this. One of apples, one of pears.




And when you approach the man in such a cute beanie, clutching just one pear, he is kind enough to give it to you for free.



And when you drop half eaten pear in the dirt and go back to buy another one, the man gives you another one for free. Goodness, we could have filled a whole bag if only I had a few more children wearing cute beanies.

19 comments:

  1. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning, I love visiting markets so many yummy things to eat and see. And how could anyone resist your cute little one:) Have a wonderful week. xo

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  2. I am squealing on the inside!!!!!! I want a caravan!!!!!!! Your missy is so cute, and ear flaps are appropriate any time in my opinion xo

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  3. oh my goodness! cuteness overload. what a sweet pea..and that caravan! holy moly with cherries on top. i want. didn't see it last week and was whining about the lack of vintage there...yay! glad you had a lovely weekend. love the pics.

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  4. Love that Toshi beanie hat. Wish my little girl would wear a hat - it takes a lot of bribary in the winter time to get her to wear one x

    Looks like you had a lovely day at the market.

    Have a great week.

    Leah x

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  5. Oh I adore Toshi hats. Sooo cute! That caravan is to die for. I am trying to talk hubby into one for guest at the back of the house.

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  6. Have been meaning to get there, the markets look great. Definately going to check out that caravan now. Liongirl is very very cute (as well as being very stylish)

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  7. Looks like a wonderful day. I do love those old fig trees. Imagine having such a caravan! Your little girl is very cute with her hat and love of pears.

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  8. I saw that caravan on Saturday! She had some great stuff - will have to check out her blog too :) I was disappointed that her plastic flamingo out the front was not for sale...

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  9. What a brilliant marketing tool to set her apart from other stalls. Sorry I squealed like a pig with I saw inside. Never been to west end markets???
    Also my son has one of those beanies, grey with red ears and ties. They look too cute with them on.
    Sarah

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  10. I haven't been to those markets either. It looks fantastic. That beanie was pretty cute too. xx

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  11. I've only been to these markets once, after a visit to Reverse Garbage one time.
    I find it really cold, and I can see where Liongirl is coming from. She's very cute!
    What an amazing caravan!

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  12. Ohhh, my dream home! Lol! looks like a great market and Liongirl is just too cute in that beanie!

    x

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  13. Love the beanie, love the caravan, love the free pear story... what a wonderful day out. gxo

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  14. What a cute little lion, saw a story on the news about that very lady and her caravan even Mr CH had a drool over it and her matching car. Sounds like you had a great time.

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  15. Ive been wondering if using a caravan at market would be good and if there was anyone doing it? Well now I know there is. Its gorgeous and just like you would imagine to want to do one up. It must be like the adult version of a dollhouse or something and we all seem to want one!

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  16. She sure is one cute girl, sounds like a perfect day to me. Oh and that caravan...too cute!

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  17. I did let out a little squeal about that caravan.

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  18. Oh I have to meet Liongirl. Does she like reading Charlie and Lola? Because her sentence construction sounds just like Lola. Any other resemblances?
    Love, M

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  19. Awww darling, thanks so much for your shout out for me & the van!!

    A friend of yours dropped in to see me today @ West End and told me to check it out... !

    Kris & The Best Little Vintage Van in Vegas
    www.facebook.com/thebestlittlevintagevaninvegas
    xxx

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