Mar 16, 2007

Flea marketing in Belgium!

Oh if I could only take you all with me the next time I "cross the pond" and go flea-marketing. Why? Because then I would have loads of people to haul my goodies to the van! Okay, also because we would have more fun than you could ever imagine. Please enjoy the following photos from the Brugge flea-market located in northern Belgium. I feel the need to remind you that these photos were taken during my pre-SLR camera days. All photos were taken with a point and shoot camera. Plus, I was much more interested in buying than shooting. Please enjoy!


While in Belgium, you must have a pancake! These warm cakes are the "popcorn and cotton candy" of European vendor food. If you are north enough, such as in Brugge, the treat of the day is dried fish, such as below. I forget the name of these, but they are eaten right off the string. Nope, I did not try the Belgium fish - I am more into Swedish Fish - as in the candy!















You have no idea how much I wanted to snatch this chandelier up. But, it was a little pricey, and my budget (as always) was limited and I knew I could find two or three chandeliers for the price of this beauty. I did find several very cool chandeliers though.









Yes, I bought all this silver in the box - I was so excited to come across them. I actually used them in a wedding reception that I designed for a friend of mine, Tricia. She had a wonderful reception in her home and I was honored to pick all the flowers and greenery. I used these silver pots all in a row, filled with flowers, and lined them up on her antique buffet. And below, this was just too good not to shoot. She looks like how I feel on some days!
























I bought all of these French collars! I have used them for several projects and sold them in my store. The next posting, I will show you how I used them. My project was also featured in Romantic Homes. Never pass up a French collar is my motto while flea-marketing! :-)





While I could show you more, for now this will have to do. I promise to show you photos from Brussels and Tongern - true eye candy - so don't be dieting! I hope you enjoyed the photos of the Brugge flea-market. I must tell you that while walking around the beautiful town, it was very common to walk past buildings and homes with dates written over the doorways. The dates? Many of them dated in the 1400's! Belgium flea-markets always have flowers, food, fish, fresh air, and French collars - what more could you ask for? Except for more euros?

May your flea-marketing adventures bring you treasures to behold, memories to share, and if lucky, pancakes to munch on!

from my house to your house,


Elizabeth
www.elizabethhouse.us







21 comments:

cathypentonatelier said...

Kirstie and I would love to make the trip with you any time and we would be more then happy to carry your bags and hopefully a few of our own. Thank you for sharing as always...

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Cathy - what a fun time we would have and how I would love to meet Kristie - who knows? Maybe someday I will organize a trip for a few of us!
Elizabeth

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Oh how I love flea markets--especially anything like pitchers, tea services, cups, etc...the wedding reception spread sounds fab. Any photos of that?

I have an insatiable sweet tooth, so do bring on the candy :)

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Oh my goodness! My heart beat faster with each scroll down to see your gorgeous photos! Treasure hunting in Belgium - what a treat! Thank you for stopping by my blog. I will most definitely be back to yours! (I used to live just outside of St.Louis in my late teens!)

the tattered nest said...

thank you for sharing these photos...what a wonderful trip!

Gypsy Purple said...

Oh my...what fun that was...will go with you anytime......hope you have lots more to show...can`t wait

stadtgarten said...

Thanks a lot for your comment on my blog - so I could find yours.
What a coincidence, we love to travel to the belgian and dutch coast and so we often visit Brugge, which is a wonderful town. And Ghent is one of Wiesbadens twin cities and through my job I have a lot of contact there.
So your two last posts were perfectly made for me!
Unfortunately we have never been to the fleamarket in Brugge, but I am sure we will next time we are there.
May I be curious? Where did you live when you were in Germany? (I am asking because we have a big american community here in Wiesbaden)
Have a nice weekend and best regards from Germany, Monika

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Guten Tag Monika! My ex and I first lived in a little village called Schoeneburgkuebelberg about 40 minutes outside of Kaiserslautern (K-Town as the Americans call it). We lived above a carpet store, in the center of the village with very few Americans in the town - most thought I was German or Dutch.

My ex was stationed at Ramstein AFB and we lived "on the economy" as the military American would say when they were living in a village and not on base. While in Germany, I performed on stage at the very well-known English-speaking theater, Kaiserslautern Performing Arts Center (KPAC). I performed in numereous productions, directed a couple, and worked on set construction. Are you German or American? Been to Weisbaden many time. Miss, miss, miss my dumpfnudel rolls from the bakery (not sure how to spell it- the big heavy rolls that are fried in butter on the bottom). Please write again!

Auf Wiedersein! (sp??)
Elizabeth

Christine Crocker said...

oh Elizabeth, I can almost smell those wonderful pancakes & the excitement the in the air while imagining a leisurely walk through the flea markets, examining every little thing that catches the eye...such beautiful things!
I,too, would be most happy to see it all...the very thought of you organizing a trip has me giddy!

Anonymous said...

What a dreamy post! Would have loved to hide in your pocket...

stadtgarten said...

Hi, Elizabeth, from time to time I am in K-Town visiting a friend who lives there. She is the widow of an american officer and is currently working in Ramstein. I have been there on the base several times some years ago, for brunch, but not at the theatre. Do you still perform?
We also have an American Theatre here in Wiesbaden at the former Amelia Earhart. I have been there twice and they were very good.

I just saw the pictures of your apartment which you posted some weeks ago, they are gorgeous!
Kind regards from Wiesbaden, Monika

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hello Monika!

Thank you for the compliments. I believe KPAC is now closed down. No, I don't really perform anymore...however I do act all day long...I act like I know what I am doing! Haha. Actually, last year, on a whim, I auditioned for Steel Magnolias and got casted as Truvy, the hairdresser. It had been 13 years since I performed, and I must say, once I step foot on stage, it all came back. But I don't have time right now.

So glad you wrote! Will visit your blog too.
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Oh - what a lovely post and lovely pictures! I would die for some of those chandeliers!

Deb said...

Thank you for sharing your amazing pictures! It has been a dream of my daughter & I to go to Paris - and visiting flea markets will definitely be on our agenda. Thank you also for your nice comment on my blog re:Benny. Your story about your Winston was adorable. Hope you visit again.
Deb

savvycityfarmer said...

How did I forget a post (or may you haven't enabled it yet..)

For Love Of Home said...

I love that you shared your trip with us, it was great to see the photos and was almost... like being there. I can't wait to see what you did with the collars, you won't believe how many I have passed up and said what in the world would I do with them? Keep up the charming and encouraging blogs, I really look forward to them.
Cindy

Anonymous said...

I live in the beautiful woods of wisconsin,,, but enjoy seeing the world.. I found your blog about a month ago and have enjoyed every one( I love archives!!). thank you for all the pictures

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Here's to more Euros! (raising glass)
Great photos. Hard to mess up though in a setting such as that...

oldflowers4me said...

oh my every thing looks so good, so romantic.

Anonymous said...

Ooooh...what a fun day that must have been! I especially like the children's furniture - and I don't even have kids!

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Brugge is about my favorite city in Europe! (other than Paris)

I always tell people, if you only had ONE day in Europe, Brugge would have to be it. I love everything about it, especially the brocante markets. Thanks so much for taking us with you!
Lidy

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