Vintage silk dress

I bought this dress from an op-shop when I was at uni (about 1994/5) for $40. $40 was a lot of money for me at that stage and I tried to bargain them down but they stuck to their price and I simply couldn't leave it behind so I bought it. Unfortunately it's never fit me. You can't see in this photo that it's waaaay too tight around my bottom (the only reason I can get it on is that the zipper is broken) and the top is too big (I'm holding it back with my hands). So it sits in my wardrobe where I can admire it every now and then and imagine where I'd wear it if I could :)

BTW, if you know anything about the brand "The Compass Rose" could you let me know? Ta.

Vintage dress

Vintage dress

Vintage dress

Vintage dress

Vintage dress

melbourne showgrounds market

just wanted to let everybody know about a new "trash & treasure" style market starting next weekend. i have no idea if it's going to be good, especially the first few weeks, but it sounds promising...

from their website:
"Trash and Treasure, Antiques, Collectables, Militaria, Memorabilia, Pictures, Prints, Books, Crafts, Fabrics, Records, Furniture, Kitchen ware, Toys, Soft Toys, Clothing, Stationery, Tools, Decorator Items, Footwear, Garden Items, Garage stuff, etc. All sorts of 2nd hand goods. Fruit & Vegetables, Flowers, Plants, Nuts, Coffee, Tea, Lollies, Jams, Biscuits, Bread, Cakes......and much much more.

Starting February 8th, 2009
Trading Starts at 9am - Finishing 4pm
Melbourne Showgrounds
CNR Epsom Road & Lang's Road, Ascot Vale
TRAM 57 from Elizabeth Street, City
BUS 472 – Moonee Ponds to Williamstown"

i'd love to hear if anybody checks it out.

With Love, From Italy (& New Zealand)

The great thing of having to walk from Southland to Cheltenham station most days is that you pass two great op shops, the Salvos and Family Life.

Last week I found these beauties:

A scarf made in Italy. Gorgeous pattern. Very happy I decided to search towards the back of the rack.
A sheer dress designed in New Zealand. It's a loose fit, great shape and so soft. Underneath I've just got a plain white singlet. You don't wanna see my underwear, believe me!

I also found an old copy of Confessions of a Shopaholic for 50c. Will read that baby before the movie comes out!

Op Shop Public Transport Challenge

This is something I do every now and then (usually when I'm feeling energetic!) and I thought I'd throw it open to you all to see if anyone wanted to organise a meet-up out of it otherwise this can be done on your own.

Pick a train/bus route.
Check out how many op shops are on that route and work out your most desired mode of attack efficient way of visiting the shops.

I did this yesterday on the Hurstbridge line (yes, in that heat).
After checking out the Hurstbridge op shop I travelled down the line to Diamond Creek and checked out 2 of the 3 listed op shops there.
Now the only problems with yesterday was that the trains ran every 40 mins and the heat, giving a limited frolicking time in the op shops between trains otherwise I would have taken my time if not for the weather which curtailed further exploration at Eltham, Greensborough, etc.
But on a more milder day this could be an all day op shopping route to be enjoyed!

Another idea is leisurely walking from Oakleigh to the Hughesdale op shop, then on to Murrumbeena op shop then on to the Carnegie op shops, etc, or in any direction. You get exercise, out in the fresh air, the chance to stickybeak at some lovely homes and get some great finds.

Oh and the Hurstbridge op shop is a ripper for being VERY reasonably priced, too!

Sheet to skirt

I found this fabulous single sheet in the Salvos in Atherton Road, Oakleigh for a mere $4.99.
It's in great condition, no stains or rips, and the pattern is so cool! I think I'm going to make
a skirt out of it. Or maybe a shirt.

That's not a cutlery drawer...

At NCJW OpShop on Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield, I thought I saw an old kitchen-cutlery drawer...

I blinked and suddenly I saw what it REALLY was....

My new thread-storage shelf for my sewing room!

Do I have an eye?

I found this great bag at the Salvos in Gisborne (15 minutes from Sunbury) for $2.

The more I see it, the more I like the contrasting colours. It's so odd-looking, it talked to me from where it was hanging out with the plain and brown ones.... It said "I'm designer! I'm designer!"

Well, for $2 I thought it would be good reminder of colour inspiration for an out-there quilt. I've got a hen's doo in a week, I will take it along for some fun outfit co-ordination.

Here is the label on the inside.

So, do I have an eye for Kookai? Does it look right? What do you think?

I've been hiding!

Op Shopping Adventures, originally uploaded by Spices for Violet.

It's been an awfully long time since I've posted anything on my blog or this one... I blame having an all-consuming job! Now that I am on holidays, I was able to hit the op-shops in Warragul (country Vic. - 1hr 10 mins east of Melb)
1. Chair - $10.
2. Belts - 3 for $5.
3. & 4. Picture Dictionary - $1.
5. Little Golden Books - 50c each.
6. Children's Picture Book - 50c
7. & 8. Vintage Patterns - 25c - 50c each
9. 10. 11. 16 - All plates $1 each (made in England)
12. Basket - $2 (my favourite of the day)
13. Nanna Dress - $6
14. & 15. Apron - $1

(You can see more detailed photos at my flickr or my blog)

Happy New Year everyone!

Toys and Toys

Hi everybody!!
Just letting you know that in both the Salvos and the other opshop on Watsonia Rd, Watsonia, there is a ton of new toys that have been donated. Toys aged for kids up to 4 years, most brand new. Lots and lots of them.
:)

Update

Vinnies in Glenferrie Rd Malvern is closed for renovations till I think end of Jan.

Salvos in Clarence St East Bentleigh is now closed and looking for new premises in the area.
Does one person only do the updating of the addresses or can anyone???

Saw some Butterick and Simplicity dress patterns in the Brotherhood store in Centre Rd on Friday.
20 cents each. Not my thing but I have seen a few people on here who want them. Go down the steps towards the back of the store and they are on the right hand wall in a basket on the shelf.
Cheers

Champagne glasses?

I went to a wedding in Mildura over the weekend. In the caravan park office was a brochure for an Opp Shop tour of Mildura! 13 shops all marked on a map with the times they were open! Hurrah! The wedding wasn't until 5pm Saturday, and a lot of the shops were open Saturday morning. Be sure to look out for the brochure when you visit!

These were my favourite buy:

50 cents each. There were two.

I also bought wool tweed jackets from an opp shop marking all clothing at $1 each - they were just too overstocked.

I plan to make wool applique cushion covers and quilts from them. (Normally $15 each at the opp shops, I am very pleased with my bargains!!).