What I Didn't Buy at the Flea Market: Tempting Mugs, Robots, Knick Knacks...

With my antique mall booth stuffed to the brim (another expansion hopefully coming soon!) and my vintage stock finally dwindling a bit and organized I'm wary of bringing in new finds. My rules: no more wall hangings, mugs, beer steins, knick knacks that aren't of the incredible unique big-eye sell-fast variety, try to stick to true mid century modern, nothing that's not unique and incredible. Of course, I keep breaking my rules, but there's progress! Here's what I left behind this past frosty Sunday morning:

A beautiful beer stein! In green! I have the strangest vintage beer stein/mug fetish, totally unjustifiable. These souvenir types are especially risky so I exercised all my will power to leave behind another slow selling dust collector.

Unicorns! Unicorns actually sell really well for me and these have neon-spray-paint potential but I'm still iffy about that process. Exercised more will power to leave 'em. Go away! Out of sight knick knacks, sick of storing you!!!

I'm not letting myself collect anymore toys for the moment so I didn't even dig. Witness the requisite nude Barbie doll pile. People these days, I kept my dolls so pristine they're still looking like new in my parent's attic. Treat your toys nice, kids! You're turning me into my mom. Do you think money grows on trees?!

My "ceramics guy" (I'm a regular, often-known as "The Girl with the Camera" and frequently asked if these photos will end up on TV or my "next book"... I wish) was there as usual but I've already got so many planters from him to sell. And cookie jars and decanters sit too damn long.

I found an adorable matt brown version of the same exact cookie jar that sat forever before it sold at one of my antique mall booths for less than I would have liked.

And right next to him was my favorite "toy guy", Nick. His den must be wall-to-wall pop culture toy galore, he always brings out new goodies and lets me photograph his set-ups like a crazy person. He enjoyed the old toy collages I used to make.

M.A.S.K toys and Transformers aplenty, lots of goodness this time around! Look at the huge Metroplex! Want!

Wait and who's this!? Rodimus Prime!? I liked Hot Rod better but damn I still want a Hot Rod of Rodimus of my own. One of my favorite Transformers.

That's what he said, I heard it...

I really want the MASK van and this glorious Retro Go-Bot! Isn't he glorious! Too bad he was $20.00. Boo. My hunt continues. I will dream of this Go Bot tonight no doubt.

My "other" toy guy has an equally neat set-up with toys organized by type.

I enjoy the sight of these pill-guys grouped together.

And Transformers kept following me and haunting me. I want you all to live with me my beauties. I loved the juxtaposition of "battle scarred" Unicorn next to pristine Unicorn. He lost the battle of time and rough play with kids.

More Robots! Power Rangers HO! I still have that same red guy in the top left there to sell on eBay. It's HILARIOUS to scare your pets with them. Give it a try if you find one, I'll have to upload a video of Yuko being terrorized by it. I'm evil.

I really wanted these cute wall hangings and maybe should have took 'em home? What do you think? The only wall hangings I bought home cost pocket change so I could justify them sitting around for a while, but these ones had selling potential to me.

And a mug, of course! What the hell is with me and my mug fetish?! Loved this crab one.

Turtle Pile! The neon turtle coin bank was hyper close to joining my shop but had a small chip at one of the mouths. Boo!

This table set was absolutely incredible! Wouldn't mind putting that one in my apartment. Didn't even ask about the price, furniture is too slow moving for me to bother. I only have my apartment for storage, no room for anything to sit. And I hate lugging it around. Up and down stairs in and out of trucks, bah hum bug.

I also enjoyed this small child-sized 1960s groovy rocking chair. It's seen better says but the fabric is far-out.

Holy Smexy Trailer, Batman! Stopped to take some shots, and when I came back there was another surprise...

It belonged to my "sign guy", I met him at a yard sale where I learned he does that installations at our local Urban Outfitters. I may collaborate with him on building shop installations if my brick and mortar ever happens! He told me his trailer's going to be transformed into an on-the-go coffee truck! He's agreed to let me document the process so stay-tuned for posts on that.

He had a great set-up and loads of quality goods. I bought the epic robot lamp in Monday's post from him and some nice wall hangings I'll show next week, ran out of time to photograph them this time.

He had a lot of temptations going on there! Eek!

I wanted almost everything on this table, Io love canisters and cups but kitchenware sits forever for me.

I'm on the prowl for a record player just like this one, this one didn't work and had water damage so I had to leave it. The hunt continues!

Also tempted by this vintage Lite-Brite with all the lights included! Sexy! The packaging alone is beautiful.

And one final glorious sight, it took a while to get a great shot of this squirming puppy. Those eyes! One of my favorite elements of flea market/yard sale hunting are the critters you'll see. I've seen a pet MONKEY, Lizards, Giant Birds and dog galore. A regular brings around sister-dogs that look like Coyotes that I want to steal...but this one! It's so cute! It's like an anime mascot; it's a Pokemon! (Actually a Siberian Husky mix.)

Anything you've regretted leaving behind lately? What would have tempted you in this post? Sound off!

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