With last Sunday being the coldest day yet at the flea, the crowd still poured in. Me wrapped in a the tapestry that usually serves as the table cloth for my shoe table, braved the cold. It was my first day back at the flea since my trip to Argentina and my booth was full of fun goodies that I brought from the San Telmo market. This time I decided to focus on accessories...jewelry, handbags, and shoes.

I brought back a few special clothing items but very little. I strayed off course when I saw a pair of high-waist electric pastel blue stir-ups (who new that pastels could be electric), complete with permanant creases.

I also snagged a fitted lime green mini and an acid wash pencil skirt. Outside of that it was mainly leather bags that filled my suit case as I came through customs. One bag in particular is the probably the most perfect leather bag that I have ever seen. The straps, the shape, the pockets, oh the craftmanship. I payed a bit more then I normally like to spend but this is bag is as close to perfection as any vintage leather bag gets. It was the most coveted thing in the booth on Sunday. Women stopped to touch and smell it constantly almost as if it bought them good luck to stop and rub it. It is priced abnormally higher than my usual price points but it is well worth it. Going at $135 it did not sell on its first day at flea. A bag like this does not last long..its only a matter of time until a lucky lady makes it hers.

Some other styles:







I also brought back a handful of fun jewelry that at a second glance is even better than I remember. The excitement is in the details. Part is a of series of satin ribbon necklaces that I made with various vintage charms. Styles include a tiny bottle within a glass block, a tiny vintage pocket knife, a mini revolver, and rams head made of 100% silver, and vintage skeleton keys. They go for $25 bucks a pop and make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season.

There is also this AMAZING necklace with oversized evelope charm that opens into a purple velour interior. Perfect for stashing whatever you like if stashing is your thing.

I must also call attention to this pefectly tailored menswear tango style loafer. The mulberry leather is so beautiful that is almost sickening. Another expensive item that is well worth the price. $110 size 8 1/2. Handmade by a tango shoe legend in Buenos Aires....Me Gusta!

The flea gods were on our side today as the torrential downpour came at 5:30pm just as the flea vendors were closing for the day. As I packed my last bag the rain came and hence I remained stranded underneath my tent for the next half hour until I could make a dash for home. Prior to that the day was magnificent at the tents as tons of fun customers came pouring into the flea. For those of you who visited the tent today and did not see me I had to dash away briefly to be photographed for an exciting art project curated by one of my dearest friends. In the mean time my friend Winnie worked the tent for me as I returned to find her spinning in a booth full of customers. Thanks to all you guys for supporting the store and I hope that your fun finds make you smile all week long. Today was about fun things like an all over heart-printed red & white short set, floral MC Hammer pants, and floaty dresses.

As usual there were tons cute trendsters with their effortless glamour beams turned up to high. High-waisted everything, more half done corn-rows, big roman style braids, oversized leather sacs, and boots, boots, boots. Military princess' knocking about with a boy that looks this guy on her arm.

No one wants to be caught dead in a military jacket (out of fear of being too literal) but the tall leather boots, the metal hardware, and pre-war boyfriends are commitment enough to hint to the military inspiration....funny, but I totally dig it. Anyway in other news Samantha Brown from the travel channel stopped by the booth today and did an extensive photo shoot for a segment of Passport to a Great Weekend. I am not sure when the Brooklyn or NYC episode of the show airs but lets hope that we make the cut.

I think I may have put up and taken down the tarps at least 4 times today. I have it down to a science at this point. Regards it was a another great day at the flea. BK dance party 2008 is what it felt like as the record vendors blasted ol' sckool jams all afternoon long. Some of the vendors danced in their tents as others migrated towards the aisles for more room to "get down". I did a little of both...this vendor was one of my dance partners.

Anyhow along with the rain came a rainbow of inspiration and good sales. YES!...I SOLD the Italian leather boots that so famously graced the shoe table for the past week. It went to a great home. This lady was happy.


I sold tons of leather bags today $22-25 and this lucky chick scored the last of my oversized fedoras $15. She also bought a suede oversized slouch sac with the most amazing hardware ever. She put on her new finds immediately after her purchase.
Also I tried a to mix it up a bit and introduce a bit of housewares to the NiLeA' P mix. At $15 this tea kettle sold instantly. I was kinda sad to see it go but I think in my case that having four kettles in one kitchen is overkill.
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Anyway I made a few more sales to a few more customers. This vest being one of my favorite pieces. At $25 this woman scored something really special.
In addition to selling trends I also spot them as I believe the flea to draw out some of the most stylist street crawlers in New York. Tons of ripped up denim, half corn-rowed coiffes, boots of anykind, roman style braided hair, and MC Hammer pants like you have never seen before in your life. Not a bad day at all BK... Not bad! PS: This woman is a stroller pusher...Whoa...way to keep it stylish. Her and her boyfriend?/husband?/babydaddy? are so cute. They should go to Caroll Gardens and teach a class. They are welcome in my booth anytime!

So todays Flea was super duper hot. The humidity was off the charts yet people still came out at the risk of heat stroke to shop the flea. Thanks guys...you were all worth it. This week was all about hard leather accessories.


I sold through alot of leather belts, leather handbags, and created buzz with one particular pair of Italian canvas and leather tall shaft boots that some people were willing to trade in their first born in exchange for size 9 1/2 feet. Those boots along with a pair of red duck shoes were the most tried on thing at the market today.
Lots of cute people. These people in particular made me smile. The guy tried on a vintage YSL white button down that was too big for him but the perfect oversize for her. She bought it and a faded black bodysuit with red buttons. They were adorable.


The great thing about the super nasty weather is that you get to see how creative people can get with their heat wave wardrobes. For me its all about bathing suits, shorts and my huarache sandals (I can never commit to having my toes painted so these are perfect.) Anyway I have got tons of high-waist shorts, body suits, and light weight tops to help you through the summer. I have noticed that chicks want boots to knock about in this summer. Not big stupid boots but rather fun demi boots, sleek combat boots, mini rain boots, and 80's Jordace looking boots. No worries girls I will keep them coming! They are pairing them with denim shorts and oversized silk tops, like the kind your aunt wears when she is lounging around....FUN STUFF.
I have also decided to take this whole west coast moccasin thing out for a spin. Its not my personal style but I get it. This week I have loaded up on tons of vests that fit with that whole vibe. The girls are gonna love it.. I'll stick em up front with the shorts so you can't miss it.
THIS WEEKS OBSESSION:
My new obsession of the week is oversized leather backpacks. I am on the hunt for some...this girl is so cute.

I am also into floral patterns at the moment and even though no one picked up a awesome knee length floral number that I had on the racks last week, I still like it. Right now I think that I may be the only one but thats okay I can be a solo floral pattern lover for the moment.
Lastly I have seen some really great and really bad tattoos...but I am inspired to get another one. Stay tuned.
See ya next week.

Today was a beautiful day at the flea. Windy but good. Since I have had a lot of interesting gals stop by the flea over the past few weeks, today I decided to bring my camera and share my sights on the blog. For those of you who do not know today was only my third week at the flea and every week has been a new adventure. I have met some of the cutest doll faces in New York. Where are these people crawling out of? Not even in Willamsburg a.k.a "hipster homeland" have I seen such a group of people concentrated in one area. Some are overly hipster but most are refreshingly cool and smart-looking. Suprisingly the stroller pushers have not taken over the isles as much as I anticipated before joining the market. It just a great mix of old and young, smart and dumb, and distingushed and trashy. A healthy exchange of inspiration from them to me and visa versa. Anyway, sold plenty of shoes today...more amazing lace ups and booties on the way girls so keep coming.