Chandelier Love and a WINNER!

I have been wanting a chandelier for my dining room for quite a while.  It was one of those things on my antiques wish-list that I wanted to cross off before I left Germany.  Now, I didn't take home one of those massive and gorgeous chandys from Karlovy Vary but I did get one from Germany.  I had so many chances to find one even at the Tongeren, Belgium flea market and Nurnberg trempelmarkt but I always passed them up.

A couple weeks back there was a festival in my little town with a flea market.  I was so thrilled that my little town was having one and they do this every year apparently.  I walked around not really expecting to find anything and then I saw this beautiful chandelier.  It was gold and had crystals dangling from it and looked old.  Now it's obviously not super old because its electrical but looking old is just as cool.  I really wanted it.  So I asked the seller what her price was.  95 Euro was too steep for me.  So I walked.

About 15 minutes later, I told my friend I was thinking about just asking the lady if she would take a lower price, which I normally would at a flea market.  But, I had a dress on with pockets and only had 65.50 Euro in it. I didn't want to low ball the lady.  But my friend insisted that I at least ask.  I can't believe I didn't listen to my own advice, "If you don't ask you'll never know."  But with encouragement I went and asked if the woman would take the money I had in my pocket.  She literally yelled, "Does anyone speak English?"  I know how to ask how much and say prices but my negotiating skills in German end there, so a man came up and translated for us.  "Well how much do you have?" our translator said. I sheepishgly pulled out the remnants from my pocket and showed her.  She almost immediately said, "Okay."  So I handed her the money and took my prize!





So I walked awkwardly proudly through the streets of my town with this heavy chandelier and went home.  Brandon looked annoyed, as he usually does with any of my purchases, but I as usual ignored his disdain and set the chandy on the table.  He sighed but then promptly went and wired it to the light fixture in our dining room and TA DA.  It worked!  Thank goodness, because I never would have heard the end of it haha.  I said, "Now don't you think we look all fancy and sh*t?"  He nodded his head which obviously meant "yes."






So that's the story of the chandelier that almost wasn't.  I have no idea how old it is (I forgot to ask) but it's probably about 20-30 years old if I have to guess.  And this just reminds me that it doesn't hurt to ask!

Have you gotten any super sweet deals just by asking that you didn't expect?

And a WINNER:

Now on to the giveaway winner.  Last week I decided to give away a vintage inspired clutch handmade by yours truly.  Well apparently we are calling it "Vintage Bouquet" because the randomly selected winner is:
Diane @ Diane's Vintage Zest!  

Congrats!  Diane is an awesome blogger!  And thanks to everyone who entered!



Oh and don't forget to check out my interview for Expats Blog which was just posted!  I talk about my life in Germany and tips for incoming expats! You can read the interview here!




Linking up at:






33 comments :

  1. I love it, and the lovely mirror on your wall! Have fun shopping for cool old things (from Grandma 'sTime they are called) while you are in Europe. And don't forget to take it with you when you return to the States. Brandon can rewire the lamp, since that is super simple. Linda @ Wetcreek Blog

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    1. Thanks for reading Linda! I may not have room for everything after 3 years lol but I bet I can make room.

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  2. That is gorgeous! Can't believe you found that at a flea market!

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  3. It is so pretty! I love it. And yes, you do look all fancy and sh...

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  4. What a lovely chandelier and a great find! Thanks for sharing! Xo, M&K at brewedtogether.com

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  5. It's beautiful! And it's great that it works, so pretty with the glass reflecting the light <3

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  6. Your chandy is just beautiful!

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  7. Hi Brittany,
    Congrats on your chandy, it's beautiful! I like your mirror on the wall also.
    Gina

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  8. I know you love having one. I looooove chandeliers. They are so chic!

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  9. ooooooohhhh delightful! BTW: I've been forgetting to mention that if you are in Vienna, take a trip to the Leopold Museum. That's my sis-in-law's husband's family's museum. She is Teresa Leopold and she married Dr. Leopold's first son, Rudolph. They are classical musicians--pianist and cellist-- and profs.

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    1. Sounds amazing Laura. I think we'll go to Austria next year some time so I'll have to keep that in mind!

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  10. That chandelier is gorgeous, great find! I haven't been to any of the flea markets here (Germany) yet but apparently we have a big one in Frankfurt once a month, will remember to try haggling!

    Kate @ http://fattofitgeek.com/

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    1. Oh yes, I still haven't been to the Frankfurt one but it's on my list! Great to meet a fellow expat Germany blogger!

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  11. LOVE the chandy! I would love to find a similar one like that for my bedroom!

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  12. GOR-GE-OUS. I love chandys and you got a sweet one. Love it! Congratulations! Susan

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  13. Congratulations! I am sure it will bring you lots of joy every time you light it up :) Thanks for partying with us.

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  14. Glad it worked out so well! My Waltz effort: http://lauriekazmierczak.com/nursery/

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  15. Oh, I love your gorgeous chandy and it was a bargain! I loved your story, as I sometimes have to walk in with stuff, specially dishes and take them out slowly, but I guess your chandy was obvious. Hubby himslef bought an antique Italian chandy last year and I just adore it and still look at it every so often with the lights on...so fancy for sure! Great buy! Congrats to the lucky winner too.
    FABBY

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    1. Thanks for reading! Ooh this Italian chandy sounds wonderful!

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  16. This is just gorgeous! Wow! Thanks for linking to TTF!

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  17. Nice buy. It's true. You have to at least ask. Aren't you glad you did.

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    1. Rosemary, So glad I did. Rule #1 of flea shopping!

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  18. Your chandelier is gorgeous. I love the bobeches around each candle and all the gorgeous prisms. Chandeliers are so romantic. I like to put mine on a dimmer switch but that is just my preference. Enjoy!

    Kim
    Letters from the Shore

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    1. Kim,

      Thanks! The dimmer would be a great idea!

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  19. You were featured, but you already know that :) Thanks for linking up! http://www.dagmarbleasdale.com/2013/09/thrifty-vintage-finds-link-party-8/

    Have you ever been to the flea market in Bremen, Germany, in front of the Stadthalle? I go there when I'm visiting home.

    Gruss,
    Dagmar

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    1. You are from Germany? That's cool! No, I have never been to the one in Bremen, but I'm going to look into it now, thanks for sharing!

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  20. Amazing chandelier. I love it so much

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  22. Thanks for sharing this blog having the information about krebs chandeliers made your blog more beautiful and attractive.

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I love to hear from readers! Questions and comments welcome. I try to respond to everyone (I respond back to your comments on the comments page so check back for a response). Thanks for reading!

-Brittany Ruth