It’s almost August, and here on the east coast it’s only just now starting to feel like summer. Which really blows since it’s going to be Labor Day in about two seconds. Our friends on the west coast have not had such issues.

And the kids at Cheap Monday are in full summer swing. Tomorrow afternoon and evening, they’re hosting a massive sale and good old All-American BBQ in downtown Los Angeles.

It’s got all the makings of a very good time complete with beers, hot dogs, DJ Dirty Talk, and jeans that only cost $35.

Have a dog for us! Details after the jump.

I used to be such a great flea-market shopper. I had the touch for finding the perfect (and cheap) mid-century modern table to hold my TV or the most genius antique jewelry.

And don’t even get me started on the joy I would get on that one Sunday a month at the Rose Bowl Flea Market during my SoCal years. Lately, I’ve lost my passion and haven’t been to one in ages.

But I plan to change that this weekend by heading over to the Brooklyn Flea in Brooklyn Bridge Park and checking out, among all the vintage and trinkets, Time Out New York’s booth. They’ve got Tauk, Cheap Monday, Heather Huey, and lots more, all at discounted prices.

This summer I’m finding my treasure-hunting mojo if it kills me. What’s your favorite flea market and the best thing you ever found there?

At 12:22 today, I got a text from Natalie: “Hey, are you dead?”

I ignored it and shoved my cell back in my pocket.

At 1:07, she texted: “Just let us know you’re ok! It’s not like you to be late and not call”

So finally I had to admit where I was. I tapped out: “Hey. Sorry. Cheap Monday sample sale! 5 minutes, i swear! It was a fashion emergency.”

I felt terribly guilty, shaking as I handed the checkout person my money, and yet I was filled with the same jittery excitement I always get when I see slashed prices and fitting rooms made from bed sheets.

The stats: Cheap Mondays for 20 bucks (they even have the really exciting pair flecked with dots, and the turquoise ones that look like Ksubis), Rogues Gallery T’s for $15, Vena Cava blouses for $100. Too good to miss. They had every size, even though this is the last day, and random boxes of clothes marked $10.

There was even Shipley and Halmos stuff, but it was all pretty expensive. And the women’s Vena Cava was golden, as was all the Wayne (especially this white dress splattered with black that is totally giving us Cynthia Vincent for less).

Seriously, go.

495 Broadway, near Broome

This may be my last post for a while. Natalie is really concerned. She’s sending me to rehab, though secretly I think she’s really hoping I’ll run into an Olsen.

—BRETT KANE