[The Brooklyn Flea Market. Photo via NYTimes]

Anyone that knows me knows how big of fan I am of flea markets. Some of my greatest finds have been in the summer markets at the Native American way up north in Minnesota, by the beautiful boundary waters. Seriously the jewelry I have found has consistently been show-stopping...not to mention I once found a vintage Hermes scarf in a box of them that I think I paid less then $10 for. The best part about finding treasures at flea markets is that, if you have any kind of imagination like me, you will be able to create brilliant stories about the eclectic souls that owned the pieces before you. Their tales become part of yours. When I wear my orange and gold beaded chocker, or my crystal chandelier necklace, I am automatically reminded of the circle of life. It's magical really. My affair with hand me down jewelry has gone so far that when buying a new piece of my own (rare) I actually think about if it will be able to transcend the test of time for whomever may pick it up after I am gone. (A bit morbid perhaps?)

Flea markets are magical in and of themselves. I can think of few other public events that run in such a comradely fashion, at least most of the time. People seem to all be working for the common good of matching the most suited owners to their new treasures. Now, my love of flea markets has manifested itself into what is sure to become a new favorite past time of mine: The Brooklyn Flea Market on Sundays. What's even better about this particular flea market (besides it's proximity to Manhattan), is that it was founded by one of my favorite bloggers: Jonathan Butler, the mastermind behind the Brownstoner. What's so cool about Jonathan is that he's a Princeton grad who gave up his big job on Wallstreet to do cool shit like start flea markets in Brooklyn. I can not wait wait wait to find my new old treasures. On second thought, I might wait a tad bit longer, over 20,000 people showed up on opening day last Sunday. We have yet to hear how orderly that turned out....