Vintage Hunting On The Big Belgian Retro Fair

by Wendy Claus of Hippo's Dream

On 16th of March it was again the event of the year for me, the big Belgian retro fair.
You have to know that my birthday is on 7th of March and I always visit the market with my mom, who also loves vintage as much as me.
So this market is always a kind of birthday treat for me.

I had big plans this year, only to buy what I truly loved but not too heavy and not too big.
You need to know I sell vintage items in my Etsy shop called “Hippo’s Dream” and I am living in Belgium.
A lot of my customers, or almost all of them, live abroad so shipping big and heavy objects can be very expensive. So that is why I had to set my goal.
Only light and small but gorgeous objects!

So we entered the big hall and immediately my eyes starting scanning all the boots.
Such great objects, I knew this would be hard.

And then I saw them, these 3 little gorgeous and colorful mid century aperitif glasses, YES!
Love at first sight, and not only for me.

The moment I picked those up 2 other candidates were heavily disappointed.
And now the big question: Am I going to keep them for myself or are they going to the shop.
I doubted but then decided they would look so stunning on Hippo’s Dream.

The fist vintage find was a fact.

There were so many stalls; I was like a little kid in a candy store.
I quickly scanned my wish list in my head: some Belgian antique sculptures, fine glass ware, retro toys, quirky objects,…… too much.
Did I brought enough bags to carry everything?.......

I was also searching for some classy Art Deco cups or some vintage French cups.
And what do you think.
I have found them both.

If I was the customer I knew I would have a hard time choosing between them.

Time was progressing and I saw that a lot of people were coming in and they potentially would buy all the great stuff that I wanted.
At that moment I stepped up the pace still keeping my wish list in mind.

What was also important: mother and father day?
Did I see some items that would make a great present?
Things that I would give to my mum or dad?

Now that one is not easy as everybody’s mom and dad is differently so I just bought what I loved.

Then I saw some great presents.
Some delicate pink glassware for mum and super hero champagne glasses for dad.
As mums are sweet and kind and dads are heroes!

In the meanwhile we were already strolling for 3 full hours on the market and you could see the stalls became empty (and it was only 1 PM).
All the visitors who came in now had bad luck, all the great objects were almost gone.

Could I still find some last pieces that would fit my shop?
I had bought a lot of glasses and cups but some other things would also be nice like some antique figurine or some vintage home decoration.

But as a lot of objects were already sold this was not so easy.
I would not just buy anything.
I had to love it myself, that was/is the criteria.

But finally I scored the last pieces.

We were 3PM and our bags were full and I was satisfied.
We had bought so many things, much much more then I have mentioned here and I was happy as a child.

I could not wait to go home, have a good look and start taking pictures.

And then finally: list them on Hippo’s Dream and watch if people loved them as much as me.

Live can be great!

Wendy Claus

My Winter Workout

My Winter Workout

by Amie Stark of 

Here in Connecticut where we have long cold winters, if you are not a skier or winter sports enthusiast — which I am definitely not — the only sport left for us girls is running to estate sales and thrift shops! It might not sound like much exercise, but you can get a pretty good workout. There’s a lot of bending down, lifting and reaching. There’s also finding something so sublime that it makes your heart go pitter-patter, which in turn is good for my physical being. You get where I’m going with this?

So instead of heading north to Vermont or Massachusetts to fly down a freezing cold mountain attached to two tiny little skis, I prefer to spend my weekends on level ground planning out which estate sales and thrift shops to visit. I cannot break my leg doing it, it’s deeply fun, and it’s how I stock my Etsy shop up with so many fabulous vintage finds for everyone!

A few weeks ago I saw an ad for an estate sale near our house. My husband Steven usually goes along, because he likes these kinds of things too. So we get in the car, and even though it was only a mile or so away, he insisted on using the GPS to get there. One thing about Steven is that he absolutely will not go anywhere without using the GPS, because he hates getting lost. Anyway, we drive up to what turns out to be a really shabby, and not shabby chic, apartment building. I mean, I have had nightmares about places that look like this. But we decided to go in and have a quick look around anyway. OMG am I glad we did! This place was obviously an elderly lady’s apartment, and it had mid century treasures stuffed in every nook and cranny! I headed into the tiny kitchen first (my strategy of late) and spotted a set of vintage orange lacquer coasters with painted daisies, then an adorable set of French silver kitty fork rests. In the bedroom I found several vintage Vera silk scarves in perfect condition, stuffed in a dresser full of junk. Then in the living room I discovered a cardboard box filled with beautifully tarnished silver bowls and ancient copper vessels. This was one cool lady who had lived here!

On another afternoon my fellow thrift hunter and I (and the GPS) headed out for a sale at a home that was so enchanting I hardly noticed any of the contents in it that were for sale. The house was built by an architect named Frazier Stevens in the 1920’s, and was this incredibly charming, rambling English Tudor with a real turret. I was way too busy daydreaming about what a great childhood I could have had there playing fabulously exciting games of hide & seek to even shop. I just missed out on a gorgeous and highly coveted orange Cathrineholm casserole dish with a lotus design that another shopper claimed she had found first, as she snatched it out of my hands. All I left with was a glass ashtray, but I was still happy.

Thrift stores often turn up treasures too. They are perfect for the much-needed mid-week workout. Last week I spotted a really cool brown enamel teapot in one that l thought might have a been something good, and I was right! It was an authentic Arabia of Finland, designed by Kaj Franck, an iconic mid century modern vintage piece. I left feeling extremely satisfied with this little treasure.

So that’s my winter workout. Another weekend is just beginning so I need to run so that I can lay out my plans for another fun-filled adventure. After all, a girl has to keep up her exercise routine to stay happy and healthy!

Thank you so much Amie, it sounds like you have got your winter workout down pat.

If you would like to write an article for Chantal Loves Vintage please get in contact.

Violet from Etsy Stalker Guest Posts

Today I have the pleasure in bringing you a guest post from Violet of Etsy Stalker.  Thank you very much Violet for taking the time to compile a post for us.  

Last month I was shopping for a dress for my daughter's bat mitzvah service.  

(Well, let's back up.  I had bought a dress in December but it was met with lukewarm approval from my daughter.  While she doesn't have the final say over my wardrobe, she pointed out that the bow on my dress "looked like sad bunny ears" and I couldn't un-see it.  Sooooo, back to the store it was.)

I found a second dress I loved.  It was navy blue and proper for a religious service but with just enough style to make it interesting.  All it needed a little hit of something shiny.  The lines of the dress were so clean and classic that I automatically thought a vintage brooch would make an exquisite accent.  I was right!

Here's what I bought from Belladejour

With its starburst design, sparkly purple rhinestones, and retro feel that played beautifully against my dress, it was the perfect focal point.  Oh, and did I mention I got it for just $8?

If you're looking for a vintage starburst brooch to call your very own, might I suggest one of these?

From Brooches the Subject

Edgy design softened by a large faux pearl

From New Vision VCJ

Art deco style and only $6.50!

From Goodwill Vintage

Matte silver petals against shiny gold spikes

Happy Stalking!

Curator V.