Everything I: Bought in Mexico City
A treasure hunt through CDMX's most iconic Sunday market.
Hi kittens! Miss me? Lord knows I missed every last one of you. After a two-week hiatus (I was on vacation, sue me), I’m back (!!!) with a new series I’m calling “Everything I: ______”. Think of it as a multi-hyphenate listicle that could be a travel guide, shopping diary, restaurant recs, things I bought, things I regret not buying… the list (haha) goes on.
For the first edition, I’m diving into the treasures I found at Mexico City’s iconic La Lagunilla flea market.
If you have a pulse and plans to visit CDMX, you must carve out time for La Lagunilla. Open only on Sundays, it’s massive—stalls as far as the eye can see. While a good chunk is wholesale, there’s a tucked-away corner full of antiques and ceramics (my wet dream). The key to finding it without getting hopelessly lost? Enter on Paseo de la Reforma… here’s a pin to make your life easier.
Once you’re in, it’s game on: rugs, art, ceramics, accessories, etc. It’s a dreamland for antique lovers like yours truly. Ugh, just thinking about the digging, the negotiating, the THRILL… *sigh*
And with that, here’s Everything I: Bought at La Lagunilla.
Nautilus Vase:
At first glance, I thought it was a silver cornucopia, which, in my defense, is on brand for someone who’s legally blind. But up close, she revealed herself to be a nautilus, not Thanksgiving’s most obscure little basket (honestly, very Jane Birkin of the holiday). Lately, I’ve been straying from my usual ceramic obsession and getting into vessels made of pewter, silver, brass—anything that feels a bit more triumphant, like a tiny trophy. And since I’m a total sucker for anything nautilus-shaped and it was only $15, this one was obviously coming home with me.
Search Terms: Vintage Nautilus Shell Bowl, Brass Shell Vessel, Brass Nautilus Centerpiece, Mid Century Brass Bowl, Seashell Decorative Object, Brass Conch Planter, Sculptural Brass Shell, Coastal Brass Decor, Shell Footed Bowl, Nautical Brass Accent, Brass Shell Catchall, Vintage Coastal Home Decor, Ocean Inspired Brass Object.
Anchor Chain Bracelet:
I’ve had an anchor chain bracelet on my wishlist for what feels like forever. My friends Louisiana and Zoe both wear chunkier versions, and the lesbians I run with tend to favor daintier takes. I like my jewelry to sit at the extremes—either whisper-thin chains or oversized, statement-y pieces—so when I spotted this chonky little number at the market, I knew she was mine.
Search Terms: Mariner Chain, Vintage Silver Link Bracelet, Bold Chain Bracelet, Sculptural Silver Jewelry, 1980s Statement Bracelet, Modernist Silver Link, Dome Link Chain Bracelet, Polished Silver Tone Bracelet, Retro Silver Chunky Bracelet, Heavyweight Silver Plated Bracelet, Art Deco Revival Jewelry, Vintage Costume Jewelry Bracelet, Industrial Style Link Bracelet, Chrome Finish Vintage Bracelet.
Novelty Clock:
Given my aforementioned blindness, the fact that I even spotted this was a miracle. At the center of the clock is a scene (I think?) of an angel hammering away at metal, maybe forging a sword? His arm, aka the second hand, ticks up and down in time with the clock’s rhythm. It’s oddly hypnotic. My girlfriend said it was too special to pass up… so now it’s ours.
The only issue? The TICK. It has become an all-consuming force in our home. In the quiet of night, it doesn’t tick, it screams. We had to relocate it to the living room, aka the farthest possible corner from the bedroom.
And here’s the creepiest part: the second hand, the one hammering away, sometimes just… stops. Randomly. The rest of the clock works fine, but he’ll pause mid-swing, only to start again just as suddenly. My theory? It’s haunted. Some witch trapped a soul inside. Eternal damnation via swordsmithing. Anyway.
Search Terms: Vintage Square Mantel Clock, Mid Century Illustrated Clock, Cherub Blacksmith Clock, Cupid Workshop Clock, European Folk Art Clock, Graphic Dial Table Clock, Old World Decorative Clock, Retro Mechanical Mantel Clock, Angel Themed Clock Face, Illustrated Scene Timepiece, Antique-Inspired Mantel Clock, Romantic Figurative Clock, Vintage Novelty Table Clock.
Antique Mexican Pottery:
If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t buy these because I needed more bowls (God knows I don’t). I bought them because some bleach-blonde Danish twink (I’m a lesbian don’t @ me) was clearing out the entire booth, and something primal just kicked in. I’m not usually competitive, but the second I saw him pillaging, I blacked out… and next thing I know, the vendor is carefully wrapping the last four in newsprint and packing tape. Mine now. Sorry twink!
Search Terms: Vintage Mexican Pottery Bowls, Hand Painted Mexican Ceramic, Mexican Folk Art Bowls, Tonala Style Bowls, Rustic Mexican Kitchenware, Oaxaca Pottery Bowls, Multicolor Mexican Stoneware, Hand Thrown Mexican Clay Bowls, Vintage Guadalajara Ceramics, Mexican Studio Pottery, Mid Century Mexican Dishware, Traditional Mexican Earthenware, Mexican Brushstroke Bowls.
Hand Painted Acrylic Ring:
It’s giving Lizzie McGuire, no? While it isn’t a profound purchase by any means, when the world feels like it’s burning, a tiny spark of childhood nostalgia is much appreciated.
Search Terms: Polka Dot Resin Ring, Handmade Acrylic Statement Ring, Black and White Spotty Ring, Y2K Style Chunky Ring, Bold Graphic Print Ring, Playful Dotted Jewelry, Retro Plastic Ring, Whimsical Fashion Ring, Contemporary Art Jewelry, Funky Mod Resin Ring, 2000s Style Costume Ring, Sculptural Acrylic Dot Ring, Black Spot Statement Accessory.
Nut Box:
I love a good piece of kitsch, a fun little oddity or a knick-knack with real character. When I spotted this nut box, I knew I couldn’t leave without it. I’d seen something similar in Matilda Goad’s apartment (hers was a pear-shaped version), so I was thrilled to snag mine for under $10. She currently holds all of my jewelry—my daily drivers, if you will—and I get a real kick out of telling my girlfriend that my jewels are “in the nut.” It’s the little things.
Search Terms: Vintage Brass Walnut Trinket Box, Hinged Brass Nut Box, Brass Walnut Jewelry Holder, Mid Century Brass Keepsake Box, Sculptural Brass Container, Brass Fruit Shaped Box, Walnut Form Brass Case, Vintage Brass Object with Lid, Brass Box with Hinge Closure, Hollywood Regency Brass Accent, Brass Nature Inspired Box, Vintage Brass Curiosity, Brass Nut Shaped Storage.
Drippy Urn:
Feels like a cookie jar, looks like something from a medieval pantry.
The drippy glaze! The tiny floral relief! The adorably perfect handles! I have no idea what it was originally meant for, but it now lives on as a home for rogue charger cords and loose tea bags. A perfect little monster.
Search Terms: Vintage Mexican Drip Glaze Jar, Handcrafted Mexican Pottery Canister, Yellow and Brown Barro Vessel, Lidded Mexican Folk Pottery, Oaxaca Style Ceramic Jar, Rustic Mexican Kitchenware, Talavera Style Lidded Pot, Traditional Mexican Glazed Pottery, Double Handle Barro Jar, Mid Century Mexican Stoneware, Decorative Folk Art Cerámica, Mexican Floral Relief Pottery, Handmade Terracotta Storage Jar.
Hand-Painted Vase:
Some pieces are just nice to look at. This one’s weird, formal, and a little too ornate—but I love her like a suburban mom loved Rococo in 2006. The hand-painted motifs? Obsessed. She’s big enough to hold your cooking utensils, but I’ll be keeping her empty. Just a vessel for beauty and maybe the occasional bouquet.
Now, because I could never lie to you (forehead kiss), I have to tell the truth. This vessel wasn’t found at a market stall, it was purchased at a proper design store called Rufina. The rec for Rufina came from Eduardo Luque, our tour guide and the son of the original owner of the Gilardi house. Eduardo grew up in that iconic Barragán home, went on to become an architect himself, and now preserves his family’s legacy by serving as the primary tour guide for the Gilardi House.
Search Terms: Vintage Spanish Pottery Vase, Hand Painted Talavera Vase, Spanish Ceramic Urn, Baroque Style Spanish Pottery, Twin Handle Glazed Vase, Andalusian Ceramic Vessel, Rustic Spanish Earthenware, Spanish Revival Pottery, Antique Style Spanish Vase, Hand Thrown Spanish Clay Vase, Decorative Spanish Terracotta, Vintage Spain Ceramic Home Decor, Ornate Spanish Pottery Piece.
It’s pretty incredible how much my people (you) love my girlfriend. Every item that she linked in our first collab-post sold out (you go, girl). So, by popular demand, Jane is giving you her two cents, which, in this case, is a list of her market treasures from our little adventure. It’s also important to note that Jane is my emotional support shopping buddy—there is not a single purchase that I do not run past her little ojos. Thank god for her and her good taste. See it for yourself:
Giant Lighter:
I don’t know what else to say about this other than that if you saw a lighter that was bigger than your hand, and then found out that it works, wouldn’t you buy it too? After a minor tiff with TSA, she found her way to my home. It shouldn’t also surprise you that the flame is to scale. Which is slightly terrifying, but effective (?). If you ever find your way to my home with a joint, you’re welcome.
Search Terms: Vintage Brushed Steel Lighter, Oversized Metal Flip Top Lighter, Brutalist Table Lighter, Industrial Design Lighter, Retro Modernist Lighter, Silver Tone Zippo Style Lighter, Heavyweight Chrome Lighter, Mid Century Modern Tabletop Lighter, Stainless Steel Lighter Collectible, Sculptural Metal Lighter, Vintage Smoking Accessory, Minimalist Metal Lighter, 1970s Desk Lighter.
Silver Oil Paint Pendant and Chain:
Keeping in a similar theme, I happened upon this oversized, 3 inch, silver pendant of a tube of oil paint. The tube opens up for you to hold in it, your wildest dreams. The chain itself was so beautiful, and long, and the proportions feel so incorrect that it works. I wore this in Mexico like a crossbody bag over a navy tank top and let me tell you, I felt like a million bucks.
Search Terms: Sterling Silver Paint Tube Necklace, Artist Pendant Jewelry, Sculptural Silver Charm Necklace, Vintage Studio Art Jewelry, Painter's Tube Pendant, Whimsical Silver Necklace, Art Lover Gift Jewelry, Figurative Sterling Pendant, Creative Tools Necklace, Handmade Artist Jewelry, Solid Silver Charm Necklace, Surrealist Pendant Necklace, Modernist Art Object Jewelry.
Clay Vase by Perla Valtierra:
So, because Jules cheated I thought it would be OK for me to do the same. No, I did not find this at the flea market. One of my favorite stores to visit in Mexico City is Perla Valtierra, the gorgeous artist behind this vase. All of her pieces are hand-made, rich in color, and manage to both stand out and blend-in in a room. Even if you’re not interested in ceramics (criminal), this store is worth visiting. Ring the bell of this huge gate, and you’ll find yourself in a gorgeous courtyard. Just up the stone steps is Perla’s showroom, along with other small businesses. Anyway, I recommend.
Search Terms: Mexican Studio Pottery Vase, Oaxaca Style Ceramic Vessel, Handbuilt Mexican Clay Vase, Rustic Terracotta Art Object, Mexican Folk Art Pottery, Sculptural Brown Ceramic Vase, Mexican Modernist Pottery, Artisan Clay Loop Vase, Traditional Mexican Cerámica, Earthy Mexican Pottery Sculpture, Barro Marrón Decorativo, Vintage Mexican Decorative Vase, Hand Thrown Mexican Claywork.
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endlessly inspired and grateful for your good taste