My vintage guide to Belgium - Weggeefwinkel Leuven ( Huisje van Overvloed )

Today I went to the Weggeefwinkel in Leuven and I loved the experience! Weggeefwinkel translates as the Free Shop and the concept is very simple: you give some things you dont need and you take home as many things as you want from the shop, no money involved. The picture above shows all the things I "bought". Everything is in really good shape and for instance the scarf and the white sandals -very 40s style ;) - are unworn. The people working there were very friendly and they sort the goods in categories, fold them and hang the clothes. I was amazed of how clean things were.

This is what their Facebook page says:

Je kan hier kosteloos een object uitkiezen (of enkele) en zelf spulletjes achterlaten waarvan je denkt dat je er iemand anders een plezier mee kan doen.Bedoeling is overvloed te delen, samenhorigheid en sociale contacten te versterken, het milieu te sparen en ... vreugde te brengen! 

Wie kent dat niet? Van die spulletjes die al jaren onaangeroerd in of op de kast staan, zaken waaraan je gehecht bent maar die je nooit gebruikt of cadeautjes waar je niets mee bent. Er is goed nieuws: je kan er iemand anders blij mee maken!!

Breng ze binnen in de weggeefwinkel (kringloopprincipe) en bouw mee aan dit initiatief waar iedereen beter van wordt . 

Iedereen kan iets uitkiezen. Voor een geliefde, voor zichzelf, of zelfs -waarom niet- voor een wildvreemde. Kijk thuis ook even rond of er iets is dat je zelf graag aan iemand anders schenkt. 

Je mag zo vaak komen als je wilt! Je hoeft niets binnen te brengen, om spulletjes mee naar huis te nemen!!!

Translation (not very accurate since my Dutch is not so good): 

You can choose an object here (or a few) and leave some stuff that you think can do someone else a favor. 

The aim is to share, abundance and togetherness, protect the environment and ... to bring joy to others.

The stuff that has been untouched for years in your closet, things you never use or gifts which you dont like. There is good news: you can make someone else happy! 

Bring them inside the free shop (circuit principle) and contribute to this initiative, which benefits everybody. 

Anyone can pick something. For a loved one, for himself, or even, why not? for a stranger. 

You may come as often as you want! You do not need to bring anything in order to take something home!! 

If you live in Leuven or nearby dont hesitate to pass by. Me? Can´t wait for the next one!

Photo Credit: Weggeefwinkel Leuven Facebook Page

WHEN AND WHERE ?

Twice per month. Dates announced on their Facebook Page and their website

Brouwerstraat 47. Leuven, 3000

CONTACT

Facebook Page

Website

Tip: Take your own shopping bag/tote or trolley...

Petticoat Lane Market

PETTICOAT LANE MARKET

Good for bargain clothes, accessories and souvenirs/aldgate east/bus & tube/$/sundays (best day).

Petticoat Lane was established over 400 years ago by the French Huguenots who sold petticoats and lace here. The prudish Victorians changed the name of the Lane and market to avoid referring to woman's underclothes! Although the street was renamed Middlesex Street in the early 1800s it is still known as Petticoat Lane Market.
Monday to Friday Petticoat Lane Market is on Wentworth Street, but on Sundays it spreads out much further. The area is well-known for its leather goods, plus you'll also find chain store clothes at bargain prices, watches, junk jewelry, london souvenirs (best prices you can find) and toys.

Leather jackets is the specialty at the top end of the market, near Aldgate East, but the rest of the market is full of bargain clothing. Market traders buy in bulk end-of-season lines and sell them on at great reductions. Women's fashion is always popular here. Cds and DVDs are also popular with stalls full of caribbean music that fills the atmosphere and makes the street lively and warmer even when it's cold.


PETTICOAT LANE MARKET

Bueno para comprar ropa barata, accesorios and souvenirs/aldgate east/bus & metro/$/domingos (mejor día).

Petticoat Lane fue establecida hace mas de 400 anos por los Hugunotes franceses quienes vendían armadores y encaje allí. Los Victorianos puritanos le cambiaron el nombre para evadir usar el nombre de la ropa interior femenina! A pesar de que la calle fue rebautizada como Middlesex Street a principio de los 1800s, todavía se le conoce como Petticoat Lane Market.

De lunes a viernes el Petticoat Lane Market queda en Wentworth Street pero se esparce mas los domingos.La zona es muy conocida por los artículos de cuero pero ademas encontraras ropa de tiendas de cadena (tipo zara, french connection, h&m) en rebaja, relojes, bisutería, souvenirs de Londres (a los mejores precios) y juguetes.

Las chaquetas de cuero son la especialidad en la parte mas cercana a Aldgate East, pero el resto del mercado esta lleno de ropa en oferta. Los vendedores comprar por bultos la ropa de las cadenas cuando se acaban las temporadas y las venden con buenas rebajas. La ropa de mujer siempre es popular aca, ademas de Cds y DVDs de música caribeña que llenan la atmósfera de alegría y te dan calorcito inclusive cuando hace mucho frió.

london markets 1

PORTOBELLO MARKET:
good for antiques,china and food/notting hill/$$$/but & tube/ saturdays (best day)


the market has been around for 300 years or so, located in notting hill (a beautiful area). it is a good option for a saturday afternoon. it can be pretty hectic but it is worth going. the market stalls are open from dawn and its a destination for the tourists and vintage enhtusiasts, you will find the most amazing china, magnifying glasses,local food, letter openers, military uniforms from wars past and other artifacts of eras gone by. Sellers are required to subscribe to a written code of ethics so prices are under control.

PORTOBELLO MARKET:
Bueno para comprar antiguedades, porcelana y comida/ Zona:notting hill/$$$/bus y metro/mejor dia: sabados.

El mercado ha estado en la zona de nottinh hill por 300 anos mas o menos. Es una buena opcion para hacer algo un sabado por la tarde. Es bastante movido pero vale la pena ir. Los puestos del mercado abren muy temprano es un destino turistico por excelencia y apara los entusiastas de lo vintage, encontraras porcelana maravillosa para tomar te, lupas, comida local, abridores de cartas, uniformes militares de guerras pasadas y cualquier artefacto antiguo. Los vendedores deben suscribirse a un codigo escrito de etica asi que los precios estan bajo control.