I don’t often experience the ick factor with the things I buy from op shops. This coffee machine was just $3 at the church op shop in Kilmore. The coffee baskets and holder were in very good condition, but there was water in the tank which would’ve been there God knows how long, and a component of the top lid showed some signs of metal corrosion. I haven’t been able to bring myself to use it. Would you? More on my blog.

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.

A little perk

Where? Salvation Army Opshop, Station St Box Hill.
When? Several weeks ago
What? Well, that had me stumped for a moment. But I figured it out- it's a stovetop espresso-maker! It's 15 centimetres high and makes 2 standard espresso-size coffees. The tiny little Italian espresso cups I scored months before at another opshop en route to Geelong fit exactly on the little ledges. Works perfectly.

The only problem with it? Well, my designated coffee-partner and I need more of a hit... we currently use a Bialetti 24-cup espresso-maker for our morning cups of joe, and this little guy could only supply about 8% of our required caffeine. So it's sort of going to be an emergency coffee-maker I guess. I might even store it in the first-aid kit.