past finds :)

Hey everyone! I haven't posted on here in quite awhile even though I have been op shopping like mad these past few months!
So here are a few of my fave finds from a few months ago, they are from all over the place!
First off: a lovely floral peplum skirt for $8 from a small Care Bargain Centre in Keilor, it's Mink Pink and it still had the tags on it! I've been wearing it like crazy.
I always believe that if you op shop enough, you'll eventually find what you're looking for. I was actually looking for a denim vest for a long time, couldn't find anything and so tried bidding on a few on ebay (didn't win though.) So I was really happy when I found this Gap one in the Salvos in Niddrie for about $7. It's the perfect size and colour for wearing over cute dresses :)
I also found this patent leather Kookai wallet in the Niddrie Salvos for $8, as a replacement for my really old Anna Sui knockoff wallet which was bought in Malaysia.. haha


A cute peach shirt $4 (still with tags) and denim button up skirt $6, Just Jeans denim high waist shorts $6 $and a red belt $3 from the Salvos in Kensington. These are perfect for Summer, although I haven't worn them yet and Summer is over... typical me! (not sure why the photo is uploaded sideways, argh)

And a denim shirt from the tiny Arthritis Victoria op shop in Moonee Ponds. This was probably the best purchase i'd made in awhile, well worth the $3 I paid for it! I wore it every single day when I went on a 10 day camping trip to Tasmania & Falls Festival over the New Years holiday, it was perfect for wearing over a top so you didn't get sunburnt: (After my face got badly sunburnt during a hike on the first day there, I was really slip slop slap conscious for the rest of the trip!)
Unfortunately when I got home, it was put in the wash, and my mum who NEVER separates anything, also put my sister's bright red shorts in the wash... so when the shirt came out it had light pink blotches all over it, and another white tshirt (which I had only worn once!) was ruined. So sad!! So i've been scouring op shops trying to find the perfect replacement but so far to no avail! Haha!
Please check out my blog if you want to see more photos, outfits and ramblings by me. Until next time!

You win some...

I remember the exact moment I fell in love with thrifting. I was at a friend's house and she pulled out a navy blue Chanel cropped blazer from her closet and my heart skipped a beat. It possibly stopped working when she told me she found it for 20 bucks in a Salvo's bargain bin. I've moved states since then and lost touch with her but the image of that blazer is mine forever.

I haven't been so lucky yet but I have collected a few fashion finds over the last few months. Clothes are tricky to sort through and I usually make for the books/ bric-a-brac sections but these beauties caught my attention.

A chocolate brown (in this dodgy pic it looks kind of khaki) tailored blazer still with tags! From the Fletcher Jones female 'Prophecy' collection it was just my size and sits nicely on top of my jeans so not quite cropped :) There's some subtle ruching at the shoulders which I love. RRP $269 (says the tag) but I took it home @ $14.95, Salvo's Coburg. WIN

When I saw these skinny leg jeans I had to stuff my fist in my mouth to stop myself from swearing. Bettina Liano Jeans are usually in the $150+ price range and these were in great condition. I was sold @ $10!!! Vinnies, Epping.

My best find of the month, Steve Madden black flats for a massive $5.99 @ Mill Park Savers. These are amazing. What's more amazing is that this whole outfit cost me less than a birthday cake (try doubling that @ Brunetti's, the things we do for chocolate mmm? :) Puts things into perspective doesn't it?

thrifting days

Hi again! Haven't posted anything in awhile, even though I have been op shopping quite a bit (too much if you ask my boyfriend, haha!)
These are a few things which I bought quite awhile ago but didn't end up posting.
I went to the Care Bargain Centre (on Puckle St in Moonee Ponds) and found this vintage dress for $15, I just couldn't go past the bright red colour and the peplum! I think the design is pretty 80s. What's with vintage dresses and having a drop waist/that extra puffy material above the waist?? It's so unflattering, especially if you have a large bust! XD I also have to cut it shorter... i'm still not sure whether I should keep this or not though because I think the waist looks a bit weird :S
I also bought a leather bag, I think it was $4, a tan belt for $3 and a cute wide brim boater style hat for $2. I can't wait to wear it when it's Summer! I'm still on the lookout for a boater hat with a small brim, please tell me if you've seen one somewhere :D
I also went to the Salvation Army store on Mt Alexander Rd that day, and I got this polka dot blouse for $6, I love polka dots and cute collars!
And I also got this black top with a lace back for $4.
So, good shopping day. I've got quite a few more posts lined up for the next couple of weeks! Feel free to check out my personal blog Sweethearts and Celebrations for photos and random stuff :)

everything but what i intended to buy

Scored these from the Vinnie's in High Street, Kew, along with a couple other pieces you can see at my blog. I was looking for a wooden kid's table for my two year old. Think I'll have to start scouring eBay for one instead.

Everything at the Vinnie's in Kew is a bit more expensive that average op shops (though still bargains), but I usually find great looking designer wear. And it's good to remember that the money goes to a very good cause.

An Op Shopping Excursion

Witchery dress found at St Vincent's in Hampton

I haven't posted here for quite a while.  Not that I haven't been op shopping all this time, of course not!, but if you ever drop by my blog you will be aware of our house moving project.  It has been selfishly hogging my time so that blogging is a rare occurrence. However, I had to share a recent jaunt to some of my favourite op shops with you.  

Two new Melbourne friends (1 from Sydney & 1 from Chicago) are very keen thrifters, but lack a local's knowledge of all the secret haunts where treasure can be found.  So I planned a day (from school drop off to pick up) to share 4 of my favourite haunts. The trip was such a success that a plan is developing for fortnightly jaunts.  Lucky I still have a few secrets up my sleeve.  Here is our itinerary if you would like to go on your own excursion.

1.  Sacred Heart Mission Op Shop - cnr Inkerman Rd & Hotham St, St Kilda East:

great for adult and children's clothes, ties and jewellery.

2. St Stephen's Op Shop - 116 Martin St, Brighton:

run by a lovely bunch of nanna's who will help you find just what you are looking for, and at a great price!

3. Gibney's Gourmet Foods - Martin St, Brighton:

we stopped here for a scrumptious lunch and coffee break.

4. St Vincent's Hampton - 501 Hampton St, Hampton:

large collection of china, glassware, clothes, books and furniture.  I always go home with something from here.

5. Oppe Shoppe - Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield North:

shoes, clothes, bags - they often get Olga Berg and Nine West seconds.

I wish I had photos to share of the bootful of goodies 3 girls can accumulate on one excursion, but well we were just to busy searching!  I'll let you know how the next goes.

Happy thrifting.

Finally found what I'm looking for

Hello, this is my first post here. In AA meeting style, I'm Hayley, and I'm quite addicted to op shops. Although, I can say that I don't go too overboard and my place isn't filled with things that I don't need because I usually think through everything I buy. I've already been down that cluttersome path and have since gotten a lot better (limited space and money helps).

I often shop for secondhand supplies at op shops (fabrics, notions or garments to reconstruct) for my little clothing line, heidi and seek, for which everything is made from reclaimed materials. In future I'll take some 'before and after' shots of clothing I've bought and reconstructed.

In the meantime, here are my most recent purchases:

Overall shorts for my one year-old daughter
Five sewing patterns to use as packaging for heidi and seek
Faux leather handbag, which is in perfect condition

I love the bag, I haven't seen anything quite like it before. I've been looking for an everyday bag with a long strap for a while now and I'm glad I held out until this one. I'm quite picky with bags - it has to be interesting and unique but not so busy looking that it overtakes my outfits. This was a perfect find for me, although it is a little smaller than I'm used to.

You can find out more about me at my blog, heidi and seek and ethical fashion, which includes outfit posts from my largely secondhand wardrobe.

Just sharing some adventures!

Dear, Op shoppers and bargan hunters. How have you been? It's Elisa, again from http://elisasnowfallsonfridays.blogspot.com/
and i'd just thought i'd share some of my purchases! like these metres vintage trim. which look amazing on some clothes i revamped. also this lovely Book about The firendships and follies of Oscar Wilde, by Lewis Broad (i nearly could buy!) $20...! i'll be back to get it next week for sure! don't you just love the cover picture? anyways till next time. Lots of love Elisa

Fabbo op-shop finds in Oakleigh and Glen Waverley

Visited Vinnies in Oakleigh, off Warrigal Road; tricky to get to, but oh, what a treasure trove.

I shall start my show and tell with:
a pair of Stunning Italian Leather pumps! Fitting perfectly; they were molded to my feet by little italian cobblers!



Metres of soft printed corduroy; I really think that it may be Liberty - anyone know?

My favourite find of the year: truly I kid you not, but I found a Kaffe Fassett shirt! Excellently made by hand by someone who knew and understood the quality of his material, pattern and colour.

It even came with a Spare Covered Button!

Gorgeously soft and beautifully printed vintage sheet; photo does no justice


MS Shop in Kingsway, Glen Waverley:
Another embroidered toaster cover; how many toasters do I have?
Two facinating Kuglehopf or Bundt molds; sort-of ugly but cute too. I actually saw one in a Antique store in Flinders, speciallising in French antiques, for $40!

( Anyone who loves the 70s era, there was a pair of really true-to-life iconic table lamps - very orange and brown, so ugly they were cool! oh, and also an crockery set with orange/brown pattern. I'm sure someone will love them again.)

I have turned a pretty but naff skirt from local op-shop into a makeshift cushion cover for Retreat Couch (it's becoming rather pink, with oranges and golds, mainly to hide split material on very old handmedown couch)
(Third last post til 100th giveaway - hang in there lurkers @ whippetgood

trying not to gloat...

Yes, I made it to the Salvos designer the other weekend.  Hurriedly scanned my way through racks and racks and racks of clothes.  I'm sure I missed things, and meant to go back the next day, but didn't make it.  Probably good for the bank balance.  However, I was very pleased with the items I brought home.  Briefly, Nolita sweat top, Art garb skirt, Italian leather boots, silk tie, jeans, and  jag track suit pants(didn't bother with a photo of them).

1. NoLita top, 2. Art Garb skirt, 3. Italian Boots, 4. Silk tie, 5. Insight jeans

Then during the week I stopped off at my favourite little Oppe Shoppe on Hawthorn Rd.  For $25 I snagged a pair of jag jeans, new cute little bag for carrying ripple blanket around in, brand new Nine West ankle boots (crippled my feet with them this morning, but damn they look good!), board shorts for my nephew, 3 Madeline books for Miss Whizzme, a spelling game (never opened) and a wonderful little retro book 'Let's find out about butterflies'. Carried around a nine west handbag for a while, but was only pvc so but it back! (what a snob!!)

1. Jag Jeans, 2. cute tote bag, 3. these boots aren't made for walking!, 4. Charlie's shorts, 5. Madeline
(there are no links for the second line of photos)
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

If you are looking for a pair of nice shoes, this little op shop is worth checking out once in a while, as they often get in Nine West stock that is new but seconds or old stock.

summer holiday finds

1. chinese beaded purse, 2. I want to be a butterfly, 3. overlocker, 4. even more costumes, 5. more costumes, 6. costumes, 7. party dress find, 8. op shop girl, 9. italian shoes

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

finally got my act together and uploaded photos of some finds from the recent summer holidays.  click on the links to see more information.