Je regrette...shopping the Paris flea market

Clignancourt, the enormous Paris flea market (also known as Les Puces, featured in Lucky's Paris shopping guide) is one of the most amazing places I've ever seen. Instead of a huge parking lot with a zillion cluttered tables--the way we often experience flea markets in the U.S.--it is actually an entire thrift VILLAGE of lanes and alleys filled with tiny shacks, each decorated by the purveyor according to the shop's theme. It's like vintage shopping heaven. It's also completely overwhelming, especially if you're jet lagged and/or A.D.D. There were so many things my husband and I wanted, ranging from sleek mid-century luggage to antler chandeliers to the most awesomely large clock from an old French barbershop. My biggest regret, however, is that I did not buy the Chanel bag I saw at a stall run by a glamorous-but-cranky old woman who scoffed at my flat sandals (and perhaps my whole outfit) when I walked in. The purse--a classic quilted style with a chain strap, priced at 210 Euros--is usually not my thing, but subsequent to our flea market day, I saw hordes of beautiful French girls rocking it messenger-style with skinny jeans, fitted blazers and worn-in flats and realized it is the most perfect bag of all time. I seriously must own one, from eBay, though it looks like I'll pay a heckuva lot more than 210 Euro. C'est la vie...