My trunk. No, it's not the most amazing photo, but you get the idea.

I just scored the ultimate find! Wednesday evening I was browsing Craigslist when I happened upon a listing for a “Black Foot Locker” in Allentown for only $28. Curiously, I clicked, and right before my eyes was the photo of a lovely vintage trunk just perfect for my new living room.

I quickly bookmarked the site and called about its availability on Thursday. Fortunately for me it was still there! Following work, I drove to ABE Used Furniture & Antique at 1801 Union Boulevard. I was greeted at the door and shown directly to the trunk. After my quick inspection (it was rather dusty and had a few scratches–nothing major), he hauled it to my car and plopped it in the trunk. I handed him the cash (cash and check only, folks) and away I drove with the biggest smile slapped across my face.

You see, for the last two months or so I have diligently searched for a vintage trunk that could double as storage and a coffee table for my new South Side Bethlehem apartment. I’ve come across several, but the prices just weren’t right or I wasn’t quite thrilled about the colors. My find has it all–great price, great condition, working latches, and the perfect colors. Persistence certainly pays off!

A great interior space for storage.

Speaking of persistence, I have persistently worked to get my things together for my move from Allentown to Bethlehem set to happen this weekend. I have way more things than I ever thought! The garage is currently out of commission because it’s filled with my stuff–lots of stuff.

In an attempt to get rid of some of that stuff, my sister and I held a yard sale last Saturday. Boy, there are some hardcore yard salers around here! A decent amount of items sold and the remaining things were donated to a local thrift store. I spent Wednesday evening packing and shredding my life away. Who knew I kept so many receipts?

Packing and moving can become tiresome, but I’m incredibly excited to become an official part of South Side’s community. I will literally be living in the middle of it all; another awesome score on my part. My second-floor apartment is cute with spacious living areas and original hardwood floors. And yes, I have a roommate.

Stay tuned for the tales of my newfound freedoms and life as a roommate… Plus, I’ll have to upload photos of my pad. I have so many decorating ideas up my sleeve! The trunk was just one of them.

Last Saturday I spent the better part of the late morning and early afternoon at Renningers Antiques and Farmers Market in Kutztown with my boyfriend, Mike. Did you know Renningers is world famous and has even been mentioned in some of the industry’s most touted fashion mags? It’s true!

From a very young age, I have wandered through flea markets and antique stores browsing timeless odds and ends, touching interesting objects, and observing the folks that sell these items. I suppose that is why I still love antiquing–something Mike will probably never understand.

It’s been about a year since my last Renningers trip. This time around I highly anticipated my stop with the jewelry lady (that’s what I call her; she sells jewelry for $0.50-$5), but had another goal in mind: antique furniture and interesting décor for my new Bethlehem apartment. (Yes, big news, I’m moving! I’ll save that blog post for another week).

We meandered among the other market-goers, zigzagged through booths, and stopped to pick up items like spring mix flowers for mom, assorted trail mix, candy cigarettes, and homemade chocolate caramels.

I spied a great vintage black and orange trunk that would make the perfect coffee table and storage unit. It was listed for $75, but the seller brought the price down to $60. I passed, although my conscious is telling me to return. Atop a rickety, old library card catalog unit sat an interesting Buddha head. I couldn’t believe my ears when the guy told me it was $100 and some dollars but would part with it for $75. No way! It had a chipped ear, after all. I jokingly told him I would spend $20, but he didn’t seem very interested.

We stopped at one of my favorite spots for vintage silk scarves and handbags. I scored a $2 large brown leather clutch with a wrist handle. It has a couple of minor scratches, but for two bucks I couldn’t pass it up. At another booth I found a cute floral pendant necklace for only $1. Yes, please!

As Mike and I finally approached the jewelry lady, I could hardly contain my excitement. Let the marathon begin! Expecting to leave with a handful of finds, I sadly turned to Mike, apologized for taking so long, and disappointedly left empty handed.

While we made our way back around the market, I began thinking how beneficial it might be to create a list of antiquing hints for you. Flea markets can become overwhelming, and sometimes you think you might be scoring a rare find when in actuality it’s fake. For your next trip, keep these tips in mind:

• Always remember cash. You can usually find an ATM on the grounds, but you’ll most likely be charged a service fee. Most sellers only accept cash.
• Wear a hands-free bag or purse: something that can be slung around your shoulder for easy access.
• Bring reusable shopping bags to help eliminate waste.
• If you don’t like the price, bargain. “I’ll give you X dollars for this.” Many times, sellers will bring the price down without you having to say a word. If you still think it’s too expensive, say thank you and walk away.
• If it looks cheap and feels cheap, it’s probably cheap. This especially goes for jewelry.
• Ask the seller if he or she has a certificate of authentication especially if the item is one of a kind or rare.
• Don’t waste your time looking at every item. Browse booths for colors, shapes, and sizes and only stop to investigate items that truly catch your eye.
• If you don’t need it, don’t buy it.
• Take a small tape measure along if you’re furniture shopping.
• Ask to plug in electrical items to test if they still work.

Do you have any other tips to add to the list? Have you ever stumbled upon a great flea market find? Leave your comments!

I’m not naïve to the economic crisis. It’s clearly evident in daily headlines, newscasts, and the lack of shoppers at our local and name-brand retailers. In fact, I just finished glancing headlines: Starbucks and Boeing will cut jobs and the government is considering discontinuing Saturday mail delivery. I’m sure you’ve heard Freeman Jewelers in downtown Allentown has closed its doors after nearly 100 years in business.

That said, I was speaking with a celebrity makeup artist and she mentioned this term that struck a chord in my brain. She said women today are turning into “recessionistas.” Try saying that three times fast! Recessionistas, eh? Is that an elegant term for women who are bypassing the Bergdorf Goodman’s for the Bon-ton’s? Or perhaps that’s what we’re calling women who are hitting the clearance racks more so now than they ever have before because regular-priced items are much too unfeasible.

I recently did a Google search (I admit, I almost said “Googled”) for recessionista and alas, the term exists and has been used by Times Online, New York Times, The Huffington Post, and it’s even a blog. Apparently, as Times Online states, a recessionista is a “marvel who’s a magnet for a good deal” and a “style maven on a budget,” according to New York Times. I’m gathering that recessionista is replacing the ever-popular expression fashionista.

This brings me to my next question: Is it fair to glamorize the stress and hardships some of us are enduring by calling us recessionistas? I mean, I thought a savvy bargain shopper was exactly that–a savvy bargain shopper. Sure the term recessionista rolls off the tongue much more eloquently than savvy bargain shopper, but I’ve been a budget shopper for years now and don’t ever intend to consider myself a recessionista simply because our economy is declining.

I’ve been complimented on many an outfit and I’ll be completely and 100 percent honest with you, that outfit was definitely not full price. Rarely do I ever purchase fashion at retail price mainly because you do not need to spend oodles amount of money to look good. In fact, I consider bargain hunting an art form because it requires some talent to walk into a store, peruse the sale racks, and walk away with a top-quality, fashionable look.

So go ahead, girls. Be that savvy bargain shopper and call yourself a fashionista. It’s a-okay in my book.