A typically overcast but warm November morn at the Alameda Antiques Faire
with views of San Francisco's skyline on the horizon
Photo: Chronica Domus
with views of San Francisco's skyline on the horizon
Photo: Chronica Domus
Last weekend I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Lisa, the prolific author of the blog Privilege. Lisa writes primarily of fashion and style for ladies in their 50's, peppered with thoughtful musings on her gardening exploits, and the occasional travel adventure. She has also written extensively about her personal background examining its societal context. If you've yet to have the pleasure of reading Lisa's blog, please do. She can turn a phrase like few others can.
Our visit materialized from a blog post I had written back in September about some early English creamware plates I unearthed at the Alameda Antiques Faire. Lisa left a comment explaining that although she had absolutely no experience with "The Hunt", she would dearly enjoy it, especially as she was on the look out for some older items to add to her home. Naturally, an invitation was swiftly dispatched requesting the pleasure of Lisa's company at a future faire excursion. I was charmed when she graciously accepted the challenge of navigating the broad and muddy waters of this enormous market with me and my dear friend Jeanette. Now, let me tell you, it takes a sturdy gal (or guy) to wade through the vast assortment of flotsam and jetsam in this place. Of course, Lisa proved her mettle and performed swimmingly with the sheer overload of "stuff" jam-packed into the eight-hundred or so stalls that could very easily make most people's heads spin.
I shall not divulge too much more on our adventure because Lisa has today published a post on our day out. I encourage you to read it by going here.
We trio of hunter gathering gabbers had such a swell time of it that we promised to plot another excursion to the faire in the not too distant future. It can take several visits to find exactly what one might have in mind to bring home, making each visit a unique experience as offerings and stall holders constantly change.
Lisa, Jeannette, and I chit chatted so much that when it was time to bid our adieus, we knew that the day had been a roaring success, not necessarily because of the trinkets and keepsakes we managed to unearth, but because we had found something even more precious, a new friendship. What a wonderfully enriching experience it was to take a virtual friendship to the next level and turn it into something three dimensional.
Thank you, Lisa, for being such a fun sport. Your enthusiasm and easy company were a joy. I very much look forward to our next adventure, wherever that may take us.
Sounds a lovely day out and I did visit her post ( Lisa - my comments are going into spam again!) but I think a day out like that doing something fun is a great way to spend the day too.
ReplyDeleteI took you out of spam, I am so sorry!
DeleteYes, it was a lovely day and one made more special knowing that Lisa finally bit the bullet and discovered the lures of a good treasure hunt.
DeleteIt was a splendid day, that term, "easy," describes it so well. Thank you very much for the warmth, the comradeliness;), and the expert guidance. Here's to next visit.
ReplyDeleteIt was an absolute pleasure, Lisa, and one that we'll no doubt repeat soon. The Great Table Hunt is most definitely on!
DeleteAm heading over to 'Privilege' now to read more...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lord Cowell. I'm sure you'll find Lisa's writing style very insightful.
DeleteCD,
ReplyDeleteI have read a few posts about the Alameda Antique Fair and have it on my list of "must visit". How fun it must be to wander through the aisles and search for treasure. I'm headed over to your friend's site.
Thanks for the lead,
Karen
Karen, I'm sure you'll love the faire as much as I do. What keeps me going back (aside from the goodies I bring home) is the fact that it is also a fun place to people watch. Often one sees women and men dressed in outfits from the 1940's or 50's. Vintage clothing sellers abound so perhaps that is where they shop for snappy attire.
DeleteAhhh, the far-away adventures I'll never experience! What a fun day that must have been, with meeting a blog-friend (I've met two of mine, and meet them halfway a couple of times a year, to just talk and try new restaurants and catch up on whole days of en-suite conversation and laughing. And two more, I've met via phone, and they are lovely people, as well).
ReplyDeleteAnd to share all that with an old friend, too---navigating all those hundreds of centers of temptation, and the piles and tables and tents and booths of stuff---mind you, since this electrician thing has lasted two weeks now, I'm skirting quite a float of flotsam and jetsam every day just to get my coffee---fathoms of mathoms to stumble over. But on the HUNT---now THAT is a pleasant foray.
So glad you got to experience the joys of sharing a common interest with the comfortable company of an old friend and all the bright promise of a new---that's LOTS of frosting on the Friendship Cake. What a lovely day.
r
Hello racheld,
DeleteYou say it best, yet again. " ...frosting on the Friendship Cake", indeed.
I've left two comments on Privilege, but they haven't gone through, so perhaps you might share this---I'd read years ago in some book or article by a writer of the Dorothy Parker/Ilka Chase era and persuasion, that a hostess was so given to one-upping even her own parties, that she had a long tray of sand down the immensity of the dinner table, in which were buried precious stones and gold nuggets, for gleeful guests to delve and dig with tiny silver shovels.
DeleteI do remember, too, that perhaps the same hostess on another occasion ushered the guests out to the driveway, where were lined a fleet of sleek touring cars as party favors. And the sentence "she handed round keys with a kind word," lingers, but that's probably because I have always been such a glutton for the gilded age of sarcastic wit..
http://historyspaces.blogspot.com/2011/11/robber-barons-
and-newly-rich-three.html
rachel
Rachel - Your comment was in spam, I've fixed that as clearly you are no such thing:). Nice to meet you!
DeleteHello racheld,
DeleteLooks like Lisa has rectified the issue of your comments, and yes, I now need a silver shovel to emulate the eccentricities of such a wild hostess - just kidding!
Thank you for the story, which is new to me.
Hello CD, I have never done much antiquing in California--it seems that I am usually en route to Taiwan, and so in non-acquisition mode. Besides, there is so much great sightseeing in the Bay area that takes priority. However, I did literally find a few older souvenirs, including an old 1916 San Francisco mint penny, in a flower bed (remember your Pennies from Heaven post?).
ReplyDeleteDid you get anything for yourself at Alameda? I'm surprised at you and Lisa for letting that Tiffany shovel get away!
--Jim
Hello Jim,
DeleteThe Bay Area does does indeed have much in the way of sights to be seen for visitors in a hurry so you must come back time and again to absorb it all in.
I would have been thrilled to have found a penny as a souvenir of a trip in a favorite city so you are lucky to be sure.
As you asked, I found some vintage ribbons, an early American yellow ware food mold, and a few ornaments for the Christmas tree which shall make an appearance on this year's tree.
I am pea green. Did somebody say Tiffany shovel? I have found that it is easier to navigate those markets if I have something specific in mind. The trick is to leave a part of your mind open for the treasures you see that are not on your list. I have to put this on my bucket list CD. what fun to go with you.
ReplyDeleteYes, that Tiffany shovel was a little treasure and the asking price was very reasonable indeed. Not quite sure why we let that one go!
DeleteI agree, it would be so much fun to tour the market with you so keep it on your list and let me know when you'll next be in town. Just know that much walking is required to get through the labyrinth of stalls. On the plus side, you'll have a raging appetite when it is all said and done which can be satisfied by the numerous food trucks that abound.
I am on my way to Lisa's. The very best thing is blog friends getting together, it makes our quests and ventures so much more meaningful!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Hello Karena Albert,
DeleteYes, it was a real pleasure to meet a virtual friend in the flesh, and one that I look forward to repeating.
What a fun day. I love IRL blogger meet ups. It's always lovely to put a person to an online voice.
ReplyDeleteHello Jen,
DeleteYes, such a fun day, and meeting bloggers IRL is a singularly 21st century experience that is an enjoyable aspect of our technological age.
Looks like a lovely day and with a nice view of San Fran in the background too. I've never been to the Alameda fair. One day.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I will run into you, Chronica, at one of the Bonham's previews.
Hello Diogenes,
DeleteThe Alameda Antiques Faire is worth a visit but is nothing compared to the previews at Bonhams. They've changed their schedule as of late so I'm all confused as to when the next art and design auction is. Hoping they sort it out for next year.