Road to the Hollywood Flea Market

Today's treasure hunt took me to none other than Hollywood.  I lived not far from this area, years ago and I have never lost my fondness for it, there is alway something great going on. Having been to this flea market many times, it has been several years since I was last there. This decades old market has never disappointed, always a wealth of unique wares, interesting surroundings and the people watching is simply wonderful.

Heading in this morning there is one symbol that tells me I have arrived. That is it, just ahead in the distance... the Hollywood sign.

Continuing on, passing Paramount Studios which is always quiet on Sundays.

Then by one of my favorite spots, the Hotel Roosevelt. Their Library Bar is lovely, a true sleeper in town.

Through the neighborhood brimming with a vast array of lovely homes. Traditional,

classic Spanish and everything in between.

I arrived at the flea market and did my fair share of shopping. I will share the flea market itself and the treasures I brought home next time.And finally on the way home, a quick drive up Mulholland Drive to look over the city. In the distance is the Los Angeles skyline. Coming closer is Hollywood and then the world famous Hollywood Bowl there in the foreground, nestled in the trees. It was a beautiful California winters day.

Watch for the flea follow-up coming soon.

Happy Hunting! 

Our Shop's Annual Team Dinner

It has become an annual event that we all look forward to... our team dinner. At Le Potager we are only successful because we are lucky enough to be surrounded by really wonderful people. Now in our 13th year, we have created a tradition of sharing an evening to celebrate the year ending and the new year ahead. It is our small way of thanking our Le Potager family for all of their hard work.

 For years our dinners was held in local restaurants. They were nice however, the meals seemed rushed, we were unable to move around to talk to everyone and it never felt as special as we wanted it to. With that in mind, a few years ago when we were planning yet another team dinner, we were having a hard time finding a location that was just right. It finally dawned on us- let's have our dinner in the shop. Yes, in the shop... we can take our time, move around to talk with everyone and the ambiance will be just right.

Our decor for the table this year was layers of fresh magnolia branches, cedar, pomegranates and antique statuary. Added china, crystal and candlelight for a rich, beautiful look.

This was the fourth annual team dinner held inside the shop. I cherish the memories of our celebrations and am most thankful to be able to spend time with our special friends- off the clock.

As seen in the first photo, I made the place cards once again. This year I used photos of the Eiffel Tower, I took on our fall trip, made into magnets and held up with wine corks... just fun!

Team Le Potager.

Fabulous friends celebrating our history and our bright future. Thank you one and all.

We enjoy these evenings so much that we decided to have this dinner twice a year from now on.

I will be flea marketing this weekend in Hollywood. Will share my treasures with you next time.

Happy Hunting!

Cold Winter Flea Market & Loot

The weather today was chilly and windy with scattered rain showers, not always the best for treasure hunting. The bad news was that some vendors did not attend the market due to the rain but, the good news was the rain ended early and the crowd remained quite small.

I found many interesting items today. I have alway wanted a Staffordshire lion. This pair was lovely but  they were just a bit above my budget.

Spied this beautiful stove- unfortunately it sold just moments before we saw it. Today I made time to speak with vendors to get some insight into their next shows, wares they buy and what is currently hot in the marketplace. It provided both useful and enjoyable. The seller of this stove was from England. This was his first market here and I look forward to visiting his stall again.

Loved this vendors little table with vintage culinary copper ware. The roaster was spectacular.

This beautiful duck press frame caught my eye.

Don't I wish! Sweet pillows and small rugs from a very nice couple I have met before.

My wee loot-du-jour. Today I did pick up a few little treasures. Since both of our sons have places of their own now I have been picking up some kitchen-wares for them, hence the vintage salt & pepper shakers and the Le Creuset kettle. 

The antique tray shown above is both a table-top tray with small bun feet and a bed-tray as seen here with long folding legs. The simple inlay detail is charming.

A fine set of four Staffordshire Italy pattern plates. Also, in the group is a French zig-zag corkscrew and the interesting little clover shaped item? Appears to be hand painting with a lady on the face. More on this piece coming up- if you have any ideas let me know. I even found a large Le Creuset Dutch oven, a tiny Eiffel tower and a cute enamel coffee pot. All in all, it was a fine hunting day. Hope you had a perfect weekend and wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

Happy hunting!

our last holiday event... disneyland

Now that the dust has settled, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year have come and gone, the girls get together to take in holiday decorations Disney style. 

As the happiest place on earth is just 15 minutes away, it is a wonderful place to take an evening stroll.

We have a wonderful dinner and drinks with a lot of chatting and catching up on holiday travels and family news.

This is the way to enjoy the park- no rides or lines or stress, just wandering to take it all in.

The sounds of Christmas carols, the aroma of freshly made chocolate candies and caramel corn and the sights of holiday decorations abound.

This has become a much anticipated tradition for us... our reward for a holiday season well done

(if we don't say so ourselves!).

Everything was simply beautiful.

It was an all around lovely evening with my dear friends, whom I truly treasure.

Celebrating our official end to the 2012 holiday season with fireworks, of course!

Merry Happy!

Happy Treasure Hunting...  will be flea market shopping this weekend.

A New Year Antique Cards & Quotes

“For last year's words belong to last year's language 

And next year's words await another voice.” 

― T.S. Eliot

"The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.”

– G.K. Chesterton (English Writer)

"New Year's Day is every man's birthday." ~Charles Lamb

"Be Always at War with your Vices, at Peace with your Neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better Man.” 

– Benjamin Franklin 1755

“A new year is unfolding – like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.”

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."

~Hal Borland

"The merry year is born

Like the bright berry from the naked thorn."

~Hartley Coleridge

“Hope Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, 

Whispering 'it will be happier'...” 

― Alfred Tennyson

I am very thankful for a year of wonderful blog experiences.

Thank you for visiting and leaving comments from time to time.

I look forward to a new year of experiences and the opportunity to share treasures and treasure hunting with you. 

Happy New Year and all the best to you and yours!

THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS 2012

Home on Christmas day. 

Generations together.

Full stockings for one and all.

The joy of gift giving.

Phone calls from those near and far.

The door bell finds friends & neighbors bearing gifts & well wishes. 

The glory of a festive home.

Holiday music playing and seasonal scents fill the air.

I hope your Christmas was joyful.

Holiday Flea Market & Copper Lavabo

It was our last flea market treasure hunt of the year. The weather was cold and misty but the heavy rain stayed away just long enough for us to shop. The weather and the wares combined to make a truly festive atmosphere.

There was an abundance of vintage Christmas decor displayed in fun, unique ways. 

I love the vintage lights bunched like flowers in the silver champagne bucket. I may have to try that!

The guys of Atelier de Campagne did a beautiful job creating their splendid holiday display.

The threatening weather and the proximity to Christmas meant a lighter crowd than usual which in turn meant excellent shopping for us.

We spotted this gorgeous antique French copper lavabo and just had to have it for the shop.

It has now been hung by the chimney with care and filled with seasonal greens, pomegranates, pine cones and birch branches... ready for Christmas!

I hope you are taking the time to enjoy the season and that you will be surrounded by those you love and those who love you this holiday.

Merry Christmas and Happy Treasure Hunting!