Frugal Fairfax fashions

This is Los Angeles, shopping is what we do.  Or at least it's what everyone expects us to do.  So where do you go when you're tired of Forever 21 and H&M because you feel like you look like a clone? The Melrose Trading Post, better known as the Fairfax Flea Market, occurs every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fairfax High School and boasts nearly 200 vendors, live jazz bands, and a cheap entrance fee of only $2.

The admission fee goes directly towards organizations and support for programs and clubs at Fairfax High School.

While rummaging through the various clothing and jewelry stands, it is possible to find an incredible item that is sure to be one of a kind.

The Flea Market has a different club or student organization sponsor it every week, and they spend all day prepping, hosting, running, cleaning up after and finally, tearing it all down.

Pierson Blaetz, co-founder of the Melrose Trading Post, explains that the flea market first opened in 1998 and was originally intended to "bring the community together and find a new way to have students of the high school involved." Blaetz adds that he once witnessed a "vendor selling coffins that were made into beds."

Rachel Day, a vendor at the market, sells hand carved tropical wooden animals that have visual appeal as well as auditory accompaniment appropriate to each animal.

"They come from Thailand and for $12 you can have a medium sized wooden frog that sounds exactly like the real animal," said Day.

Jewelry, furniture, vintage clothes, vintage copies of books, and even dinosaur bones can be found at the trading post.

Amidst the vintage clothes, eccentric people, old records, crazy hats, and good vibes lies the multicultural heart of Los Angeles. Whether it is finding that perfect present or revamping your look, the people have spoken and it is evident that the Melrose Trading Post is the perfect place to do almost anything.