Fun, Fear and Fabulous Finds at the Fleamarket - Rosebowl that is!

Miss Bamboo's recent trip to the States took her to the Rosebowl Fleamarket in Pasadena, California. Featuring over 2,500 vendors and 15,000 to 20,000 buyers every Month. The Rose Bowl Flea Market is one of the most famous and largest markets in the world.

Armed with sandwiches, water, sun parasol and trolley in the form of our empty hand luggage, Miss Bamboo and Big Bamboo set off  with hopeful anticipation in the Pasadena sun. What would we find, visions of fabulous 40s hawaiian 2 pieces, glamorous 50s dresses, mid century homewares filled my mind. 

Tackling the market was like a military operation, where to start? Lovely Holly of Temperamental Broad gave us good advice in terms of taking sunscreen and water and we followed her instructions of 'keeping left'. Incidentally you must check out Holly's blog which is one of Miss Bamboo's favourites http://temperamentalbroad.blogspot.co.uk/

Heading for the  left did indeed do the trick and after 5 hours we left with some fabulous finds. Not before Miss Bamboo got lost however! She only left Big to go down one aisle and meet him at the other side but where on earth was he. Last seen stood by a 50s mexican (overpriced) skirt, where ever did that skirt get to. Have you ever had that creeping feeling of terror. Poor Miss Bamboo felt like handing herself in like some lost child. Every stall ended up looking the same (there were 1000's dont forget!!!). After some frantic running around, (not a glamorous scenario), Miss Bamboo eventually found him by the said 50s Mexican skirt. What a relief, as she had been travelling light, no mobile, no emergency supplies! Big had also been frantic and thought Miss Bamboo had got waylaid by some amazing dress, if only!!

You could never hope to get round the Rosebowl in day but Miss Bamboo on a mission managed to cover some pretty good ground that day!

I would say overall the clothing was disappointing as there was an abundance of 60s-80s.However we got some great bits and pieces including some initial purchases from a $1 box, some vintage mexican earrings, a 50s brooch and cherries millinery trim.

Here are some of our best -

Gorgeous lucite  purse in immaculate condition for only $70 (about £44) which i later wore at  the Royal Hawaiian hotel in Honolulu....

Cute 50s picnic set in its orignal box and complete. $20 or £12.50 We are looking at 50s trailers and caravans at the moment and this will be just the ticket...

Tiki mugs, set of 3. $10 each  (£6.25). They would be double this cost or more in the UK.

Tiki coffee mugs set of 4 $25 (approx £15) and 1950s melamine and rattan mugs set of 3 $10 (approx £6) (we later managed to get 2 more at another market.) Great for the anticipated caravan!

                       Hawaiian shirt (An Original Avanti) for Big Bamboo $30 (£18.75)

If ever you're in California you really must experience the Rosebowl. Commitment and dedication really will lead to some great finds! All in all a successful shopping day, we met some lovely people from the 40s and rockin' scene too who imparted further information on vintage shopping opportunities....Orange County vintage quarter here we come.......!

Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it is a national holiday. The celebration takes place on November 1, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day  and All Souls Day (November 2).

Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.

Miss Bamboo would like to join in the celebrations by offering 10% off her Mexican and Latino collection at  http://www.missbamboo.co.uk  until the close of Friday 2nd November using code MEXICO

                                            Saucy Senoritas in Betty Dresses and Fan Skirt

                                          Trashy Diva Senorita Dress in Sacred Heart Print

                                                            Hair flower with chillis

                                                                        Tropicana shoe

       y feliz Dia de Los Muertos from Miss Bamboo

 

Rockabilly and 40s weekenders

Miss Bamboo has been very busy of late attending various 1940s and Rockabilly Weekenders. She has had a fabulous time running her pop up boutique and meeting friends and customers old and new.
Miss Bamboo has been seen at Haworth 40s Weekend, Hemsby Rock n roll weekender, Rockabilly Rave and finally having fun away from her stall at Hepcats Holiday.
Here is a few snippets from these events!

 Miss Bamboo's Pop up Boutique

                                             

  Big Bamboo enjoys some 'poodle fun' with Tia the pink poodle in aid of breast cancer.

 

 Elaine 'Misstiki' and Si Miles

 

 

          Miss Bamboo often sells Misstiki's fabulous hair flowers and jewellery at her stall. You can check her designs out at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150280762362302.349556.642737301&type=3

Shoe Love at Haworth 40s weekender

     See Miss Bamboo's fabulous shoe collection at  http://www.missbamboo.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?CatID=1347191

Miss Bamboo's stall at Rockabilly Rave

 Pearl harbour 40s dress  shown here is available at http://www.missbamboo.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=8673158 

 

 

 

 

 

Caroline of Rose and Co and Amy of Hebden Bridge WI  always find time for afternoon tea

!

Miss Bamboo adores Rose and Co vintage style  beauty products so check out her lovely ranges at http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/index.html

You can also  tweet Amy @HebdenBridgeWI

 

Tropical Fun at Hepcats Hawaiian Night

See Miss Bamboo's  range of tropical and hawaiian dresses, shoes and accessories  at http://www.missbamboo.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?CatID=1347270

                                             

Miss Bamboo looks forward to seeing you all at Rhythm Swing Revue, Twinwood 1940s weekend and Rhythm Riot x

DIAMOND JUBILEE DELIGHT AT MISS BAMBOO

This year we celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee with an extended bank holiday on the weekend of 2nd-6th June. So whatever you may be doing, be it a street party, garden party or afternoon tea, Miss Bamboo's 'Jubilee Collection' will help you celebrate in style. 10% off with code JUBILEE at www.missbamboo.co.uk

Check out our 'Jubilee Collection' at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.419257761427659.94166.227209553965815&type=3

 

                                                 40s  style dress in 'Pearl Harbour Print'

                                                         'Carnivale' shoe in red

 

Red Lucite Bag

 

Red/white/blue hair flower

 Queens Coronation - 1950s glamour at the Palace,

Miss Bamboo photoshoot at The Liars Club - behind the scenes!

Miss Bamboo is very excited to have just done her first  photoshoot. Hair and makeup was by Bethany Jane Davies of The Vintage Beauty Parlour http://bethanyjanedavies.com/vintage_beauty_parlour.html and Bethany also modelled along with Carla Marques. Both girls are stunning, Bethany is a stunning voluptuous 50s pin up and Carla a latino beauty who  looked amazing with her 40s up do. Carla has a shop Kustom Korner in Afflex Palace and designs fab t-shirts and jewellery, check her out if you're in manchester. http://www.afflecks.com/our-shops/stick-em-up-art/

Photography was by Madame Boudoir  www.madame-boudoir.com but the finished photos are a secret at the moment!!! Naughty Miss Bamboo did manage to get a couple of her own snapshots though just to give you a little taster!

                                        Betty Dresses in Mexican prints Las Senoritas and Frida
                                http://www.missbamboo.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?CatID=1306578

                                                  Hawaiian Ruffle Dress in Bird of Paradise
                               http://www.missbamboo.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=8668112

 

                                              Hawaiian Ruffle Dress in Cream with Tiki shoe
                          http://www.missbamboo.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=8673864


We were so pleased to be able to use The Liars Club Tiki Bar and are eternally grateful to Captain Lydon! This is such a cool bar with lovely staff, great music and atmosphere and a huge range of rum and tiki cocktails. Just love it!
www.theliarsclub.co.uk

We also did some shots on what i like to call 'tiki' roundabout but after a few days of quite Spring like weather, it was absolutely freezing. We must have looked funny, 3 vintage girls in tropical birds dresses running across the road, dodging traffic to get on the roundabout!!! We sure did get  a few beebs from the passing cars. It was too cold to think about a sneaky snapshot though so you will have to wait for the real thing. Hope Madame Boudoir can get rid of goose bumps!!!!

ITS CARNAVAL TIME - ARRIBA!

 
Carnival is a Mexican celebration running between 16th-21st February and is  time for wanton revelry before the absence of Lent! Miss Bamboo is partial to a bit of revelry herself and is offering 10% off her Mexican and Latino range between these dates. Code MEXICO http://www.missbamboo.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?CatID=1306578
                                                                                                                            

                    Miss Bamboo adores Carmen Miranda, the epitome of 40s latino glamour

                              When in Mexico find yourself a  mariachi band to join !!!




See some of Miss Bamboo's Mexican inflenced collection.......

Lovely Betty Dress in Frida print

Senorita Dress in Sacred Heart

Orchid Mexican style wedge with ric rac

Hair flower with chillis

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR FROM MISS BAMBOO

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival and a public holiday in China. The Chinese New Year 2012 starts on January 22 (Chinese New Year' Eve). It is the year of dragon  and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day, February 6th.

 
Miss Bamboo loves all Pacific styles and one of her favourite is her Asian Pacific collection. In celebration of Chinese New Year on January 23rd Miss Bamboo would like to offer 10% off all items bought from the 'Asian Pacific' section on her website until the festival end on February 6th 2012. Use code ASIANPACIFIC http://www.missbamboo.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?CatID=1347274

                                                            
            Asian dress in Pearl Harbour Print, one of the gorgeous selection in our Asian Pacific section.