Hell's Kitchen Flea Market

Over the weekend, my husband and I took a trip to NYC for a friend's wedding.  We decided to go a day early to enjoy the city and luckily, we had time to check out the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market.

From the subway stop, it's a short walk through the Fashion District.

This guy told us we were in the right place.

We got there just as they were setting up so it wasn't very crowded and there was a lot to see.  One vendor was selling hardware like hinges and these beautiful old door locks.

I can't help but notice blue and white items because of my mom's dining room so this miniature tea set caught my eye.

There were lots of clothes like this slip from the turn of the century.

Not nearly as old, but this nightgown and robe also caught my eye.  I actually purchased something similar at the D.C. Big Flea last year and brought it with me to wear in NY.  It's nice sleeping in something pretty. 

The same vendor was selling LOTS of hats!  See that little blue one on the left?  It was my only purchase of the day and plan to wear it to my next tea.

An old suitcase with travel labels ...

There was one booth that seemed particularly busy and I squeezed myself in there to see.  I found this beauty there.  It would have been a nice compliment to my similar tea cups, but I have several creamers and had to remind myself of my lack of storage space for more dishes.

So many pretty things ...

In that same booth were these beautiful tea cups ...

... and stacks of silver trays.

Pretty chandeliers a couple of booths down. 

This cup was really interesting.  It had the zodiac symbols on the dish and some other symbols inside.  Made in England.

Music player of some sort.  As you can see from the price, best left to a serious collector, but it still works!

I had to take a picture of this old phone because it was also pretty pricey and my dad has one without a dial and with a fabric covered cord.  I believe his is from the 20s.

Prints from the 1800s ...

Pin-ups from the 1940s ...

And, just because there's always something that you leave behind and later say "I should have gotten that."  Here it is.  A Star Trek pop-up book from the 70s.  Tom and I loved it but we left it behind. 

After the flea market, we took a break in Bryant Park for a while before heading back to our hotel in Tribeca to get ready for the wedding.

We had a really great time in NYC and at the wedding later that day.  The next day, Mother's Day, I was back with my mom and girls.

I grew up in NY and it's been a while since I've been there. I miss it and I'm sad to leave every time I visit but it was nice getaway. 

Back to reality!

My Mother's Day Tea

On Saturday, my mom and I had tea together to celebrate Mother's Day at a place we love called The Victorian Lady. 

This is the entrance just as you walk in ...  Its a very old Victorian house and the upstars isn't open to the public, but I always wished I could go up there because I'm so curious about that light-filled room.  It looks like its full of windows.

I snuck into the main dining room before they were serving to take pictures.  The hardwood floors are covered with carpets (presumably to protect them) but from what little you can see of them, they have a really beautiful pattern bordering the room. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one that notices things like that.   Anyway, we got to sit in front of the fireplace. 

This is a sideboard on the far side of the room that has a collection of mismatched teapots and tea cups.  Its much more impressive in person.

All the place settings are different.  This was mine ...

... and this one was my Mom's.

A row of teapots on the mantle ...

My mom admires this set every time we are here and if you saw her dining room, you'd understand why.

There are little tea lights in those holders beneath the teapot that keep the tea hot.  We had strawberry tea and chocolate tea.

No sugar packets here.  Little sugar cubes, of course.

We weren't too sure about cold strawberry soup, but it was delicious!  First course is always a soup.

Second course is always a scone.  This one was white chocolate and apricot (my favorite!) and a slice of orange.

Next is the tower of finger sandwiches and desserts.

I loved the little petit four hat and the white chocolate teacup.  There was a green hat and a tea pot as well.

We went to a few of my favorite shops as well but I didn't have any luck so I don't have anything to share.  I was a little disappointed but the season is just starting so I'm optimistic that I'll have better luck this summer.  I had a great day with my girls on Sunday.  I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day!

There is a Victorian Tea Party at The House in the Roses today.  I posted my favorite tea cup there.  There is a whole collection there on display today.  I spent a good amount of time this morning "oohing" and "ahhing" instead of working.  I'm also participating at the Tea Cup Party on Martha's Favorites.  Take a look!

EDIT:  I've gotten a few requests for the location of this tea room.  I linked to it in the first line of the post but you can also click here if you'd like more information.

Happy Mother's Day

Life began with waking up and loving my mother's face.

- George Eliot

To everyone out there blessed with a miracle ...

Happy Mother's Day