Braving the crowds at the famous Portobello Road Antique Market in London can be somewhat daunting.
Come Saturday morning, the street is jam-packed with shoppers hunting for that very special item or simply taking in the sights and sounds. It's a lot of fun, but also a little bit crazy at times - as my husband and I often find ourselves literally grasping onto the girls for fear of losing them in that sea of people!
Finding a clear path and making your way into an actual shop can require some pretty fancy footwork, but it's all totally worth it just as long as you find these waiting for you inside...
Aren't they gorgeous! The most perfect, delicately frayed, vintage millinery roses. Who could resist those linen and velvet petals? And that pink!
They are from France circa the 1940's and are truly exquisite. Now, this slightly smooshed, faded pastel bouquet dates to a bit earlier (probably the 1930's) and it is the true definition of shabby chic...
So very beautiful with it's pale pink and blue velvet blossoms and trailing crumpled ribbons. The craftsmanship in those days was just incredible - I mean, just look at the tiny floral buds and those silk-wrapped stems...
Yes, definitely worth getting your feet stepped on a few times. :-)
XOXO
Jessica
HELLO! My now fiance, future husband and I are planning on making a stop in London on our Honeymoon. If you don't mind me asking would you mind me asking, what did you pay for the vintage millinery roses? I am just curious if items were priced well or over priced a bit. Were you able to bargain at all?
Posted by: kelly marie | March 12, 2013 at 11:35 PM
Gasp! Those roses are beyond perfection! Lucky you! Im wondering how you will display them? Enjoy!
Posted by: sharon | March 13, 2013 at 10:22 AM
perfect descriptions and i know this because i was there!!! sigh ...
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | March 14, 2013 at 10:29 PM
Oh my Goodness, Wonderful!!! I want to be there! WOW! LOVE those photos of where you all were, & LOVE the Vintage flowers! I just bought some fabric flowers myself (& some paper ones). Tiny, delicate things, so Pretty! But, Alas, I just got them at the local dollar store. But WOW, they are Wonderful! Not quite sure what I'm going to do w/them - I will figure something out, though! They are in little packages & just seem to glow a bit - or they did for me when I saw them, so Dazzled was I by the impressive amount of colors & styles to chose from. I purchased all kinds of flowers in all kinds of hues that I Know you would love, as do I! Lots of pale dreamy pinks, pale delicate blues, lovely lavenders, pale minty greens, sparkling little silver rosettes, pearly white flowers - just Delightful stuff - and to think I could buy it all at a dollar store! The ambiance of a dollar store is Not Much, to be sure! Dollar stores lack even the character of the old-time Woolworths department stores that I remember so well back in the day but heck, my flowers are just so Pretty! I have a new addiction: Dollar Stores! Someone please help me! Lol! It's difficult Not to be addicted when each package of flowers were only 1.00 Each! I spend too much at dollar stores - but I spend a Lot less at them than I would at Michaels! So Many Pretty things to find at my local Dollar store, from holiday decorations to crystal bead bracelets & necklaces to cool stickers to really nice flowers that look not too different from your vintage ones (they really Can't compare to your Excellent & Authentic vintage ones - but I will be keeping my eyes peeled for such when the local summer flea markets open again)! Even so, the price is right, the flowers are just lovely & they hold up well for crafts! Thanks, Jessica, for sharing these so Great images & descriptions! I think you are very talented in the photo-taking area, too! Keep on Keeping On (Being Creative)! :D
Posted by: Zell | March 16, 2013 at 12:07 PM
I know, right!?! We were in London in March 2003. Portobello Road was awesome but crowded. I covet those sweet pink roses! SCORE for sure! :)
Posted by: Rebecca | April 01, 2013 at 08:14 PM