I haven't posted in a looong time - a full time job that involved almost three hours of commuting did not leave much spare time for op shopping. However, the job is now over and I hear the siren call of the op shop summoning me. Here a couple of finds from a trip to the Salvos the week before christmas:

A pair of burgundy ankle boots that fit perfectly. There are a few small scuff marks that should come off with a bit of a brush, but in otherwise good condition. I take a large size and I don't often find shoes to fit while opping. $4.05 (discount day)

A part bolt of cotton fabric (might be polycotton). It took me a while to work out the text (it's upside down in the photo), but it says "inferno" with the O a ball of flame. There's approximately ten metres - a great find for $4. I plan to use this to test some new dressmaking patterns as it's cheaper than calico and I might end up with something wearable.

True blue bargains

I may have mentioned before how fatal it is for me to visit Oakleigh Salvos. Well, last week was no different. I seem to have gone overwhelmingly for blue stuff, a bit like a bowerbird, haha...

Here's what I got. Blue cardigan, I think $5.

Glass and metal necklace with blue tassel, $5, and earrings $5.

FABULOUS blue glazed ceramic coffee set (I'm guessing Turkish coffee as the cups are so small), $12. It's made in Japan, I'd assume in the 70s - one of my friends explained there was a massive coffee crazy in Japan at that time. I don't really drink coffee but there's no way I could resist this.

I can't decide if the coffee set or this was the piece de resistance... this huge pattern book was $3.

Kind of like the holy grail for me as I love old patterns and the illustrations on the envelopes. This whole book is chock full of 80s amazingness (seeing as it was from 1980, it was before the whole horrible shoulder pad and big hair fashion fiasco). I'll put up more of the illustrations on my own blog when I get around to it, but here are a couple for you now.

... and in other news, you knew that Savers Mill Park is opening this Thursday? The opening party is Wednesday night - and I'm making my modelling debut! I was invited to strut the catwalk in an outfit that I'll choose and style myself from the racks at the new store. I'm pretty excited, although rather nervous too, but hopefully I'll be able to get some half decent shots to show you! Wish me luck!

The Hulk - Oakleigh Salvos

A bargain from Oakleigh Salvos for only $1. It's worn and banged about or preloved as I call it. Best part is that when you punch something it makes a Hulk like noise. As my housemates says "IT'S AWESOME !!!"

More Oakleigh Salvos Stuff

More finds at Oakleigh Salvos. Nothing here cost more than $2. The rooster clock is one of my favorites since it crows when it goes off.

In training on the Cranbourne/Pakenham line

Does anyone else realise the potential goldmine on the Cranbourne train line? There's op shops within walking distance of so many of the stations, including Malvern and Oakleigh, where I shopped today.

I got an H&M denim top for $12 from the very pricey Vinnies in Malvern and a 70s necklace for $5 at that little op shop just up the road from the station in Oakleigh, the one that never seems to be open when I go past but miraculously was yet to shut its doors when I rocked up there today (and guess what I found there.. velcro, which I was looking for in op shops for the past week and then gave up and bought brand new... grrr). I'm wearing the necklace with this beige jumper from the Oakleigh Salvos which was $7 and has a label in Chinese which says "cicada brand" (thanks to my dad for the translation).

One of my favourite things about op shops is reading some of the brand names. I think the best so far is "Alive Girl"... well, you'd certainly hope they design for alive girls!!! I'm also quite partial to those ones that call themselves things like "Trendy" or "Top Fashion" ... because they generally are the complete opposite. Are you a label lover too?
By the way, you can see different pics of these here....

Oakleigh Salvos

I got this a little while ago from Oakleigh Salvos. Because it's a bit water damaged, it was on the way to the big bin in the sky (the skip). However, I begged and pleaded and got it for $1. I took it on the train all the way back from Oakleigh to Williamstown via Flinders Street. Boy did I get some weird looks from people.

Oakleigh Salvos is DANGEROUS!

Do you have an op shop that you sort of try to avoid because every time you go there you end up buying something? Yes, I know, most op shops are like that... but the Oakleigh Salvos is particularly bad, or good, depending how you look at it. I went there the other day innocently intending to browse, but ended up buying a crockery set. You know how it is.
This one was $44.99 and handgemalt (handpainted) in Germany. I can't read the brand name I'm taking an educated guess that it was made in the 70s!
**update... I neglected to mention how many pieces were in this set... please see comments as I've explained why this seems so expensive!