Happy Christmas!

Just want to wish all my fellow Opshop bloggers a merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year. I am on a friend's computer at the moment, as dear Telstra have stuffed up bigtime, and although we can send and receive emails, we can't browse the internet. So I don't know when I'll be back online but I'll be reading blogs at the library or at my friends' homes whenever I can.
Cheers!

Oakleigh Centre Opportunity Shop

I haven't ventured into the Oakleigh Centre Opportunity Shop (in Poath Rd, Hughesdale) for awhile now as their prices were getting a tad high but I popped in briefly on Tuesday (thinking I was only 'looking') and was pleasantly surprised.
Not only have they rearranged the rooms but the prices are greatly reduced with an obvious higher turn over of stock as the over-crowded, dusty clutter is gone.
Each room is easily navigable, appears bright and tidy with objects well sorted.
I managed to find a double audio cassette of David Jason reading A Breath of French Air by H. E Bates, brand new, for a Christmas treat for my Dad for only 50 cents.(sorry no pic, it's wrapped for his Chrissy stocking!).
They have closed as of 23rd December but I'll definitely be having another 'look' in January when they reopen for 2011 :)

Lilydale lode

Recently my friend H returned home after several months of flying around Europe with her boyfriend in a plane they built themselves. The obvious thing to do after such an adventure was to head back to H's family residence in Melbourne's outer suburbs for some R&R, and it was there that I visited her earlier in the week. She seduced me out into that untamed territory (ie Lilydale) with promises of toasted sandwiches, but I have to admit it was when she started talking about hidden treasure (ie lots of op shops) that I really took the bait.

Lilydale turned out to be everything H said it would be, with op shops aplenty AND an NQR store (which is sort of like an op shop for food!). The usual characters are there, ie the Salvos and Vinnies (which is where I got this chain for $1)...


... but I found the best stuff at a place called The Mustard Tree which has its own cafe and also seems to work as a relief agency of sorts as I noticed there was a basket that had been filled with free bread for the needy. I got some sewing patterns and this kangaroo fur clutch bag (still feeling guilty as I'm anti fur... is it OK to make an exception for vintage?).

One of the patterns was very grotty but it's got Jaclyn Smith from Charlie's Angels as the model and I couldn't resist. Plus, check out the gold suit!

The pattern must have put me in a shiny mood because I also found this... I think it would be the perfect top to wear when you need to win an argument as your conversation partner would be so dazzled that there is no way they could think up clever comebacks. Sort of like a weapon of mass distraction. Oh, and it was only $1!


In fact ALL the clothing is only $1, apart from some better quality leather jackets up the front. There were also dining chairs for $5 each and toys for 10c (from memory). So I'm not sure why the accessories were so expensive (well, 50c, $1, $2 etc... only expensive by comparison with the other stuff).

I ended up spending $16 or so all together, not bad for this huge haul! Enough to put me in the Christmas spirit, anyway. Hope you all have a great one!

Stuff I found on Friday

I've been looking for a kettle like this for a few months now and I finally found one in good nick, at the right price of $5.99 at the Salvos in Mt Waverley this week. I love how it looks on my stove top.

I'm not someone that ever goes for novelty mugs, but this one was in the window at the RSPCA op shop at Burwood East and it really struck a chord. It made me feel quite nostalgic and we all know that us ladies live life by the way we feel. Yay that it only cost $1!

Maxwell and Williams jar for only $4 at RSPCA Burwood East.

I have no idea what I'm going to store in it, but it doesn't matter cos I finally have one.

I'm collecting mismatching pieces of 'Made in England' crockery for my 'good' crockery set. You know, shabby chic style. It seems to be taking a long time, but that's ok. This bowl was $5 at RSPCA Burwood East.

Found this Ken doll in a basket of toys at the Salvos on cnr of High St and Warrigal Rd. He's in perfect condition and only cost $4. My almost 6 year old daughter had never seen one. She has renamed him Sam cos she didn't think Ken was a good name for him. Fine by me. Now she insists that I have to find some more clothes for him. Heeeeeeeelllp!

B.S.L. weekly visit

I had half an hour to spare whilst doing other messages, so what better way to spend it than at our local opshop? I found some nice goodies!

Just what I need for hot summer nights - a pair of cotton baby doll pyjamas - $3.


Just what I DON'T need - another cross stitch kit! But this frog design is so cute, and for only $4.


Two more beautiful silk ties to cut up for patchwork, 75 cents each.


This plate was marked "Collectors plate, $15. Ken and I love Aust. Aboriginal art, so it had to come home with me.


Nice piece of lace for $1.20 to send to my lace loving friend in USA.


Like I need another tablecloth, but for $3 I couldn't leave this behind!


All-up total of $27.20, but when I got to the cashier, she informed me they were having a half price day, so I only had to pay $13.85!! (I gave her $15 and said to keep the change).

outfit made from oppies

i got this outfit all from an opshop
but the dress i recieved from my aunt from the 80's

if you like my outfit plz follow my other blog: photosfrommescrapbook.blogspot.com

Today's purchases, Sunbury Salvos

A future gift for my brother-in-law, who appreciates all sorts of quirky objet de junk: a brass key holder made out of a gun made out of ducks, $5.99

The one on the left is for my boyfriend, a bargain at $1.50. The one on the right is for my present cabinet, which I keep stocked with stylish infotainment books for gift-giving emergencies. $1.

Flat Django & Juliette shoes to wear with very short skirts, $6.99 (I like very short skirts but very short skirts and high heels strike me as a bit slutty)

More to read on my blog.

Easy Rubbish

This desk chair was left, with a pile of other hard rubbish-like items, out the front of a house around the corner the other day. I nabbed it. Husbandido thinks its tan vinylness is ugly. I like it.

And I found this clock a while ago in the hard rubbish and cleaned it up yesterday. It's kinda cool, non?

geelong rd

i like to fit in an op shop visit a week, if i can, and this week, despite a complete downpour, i managed to visit the brotherhood of st laurence on geelong rd and the lighthouse op shop a couple of doors down.


sweet little red bedside table for my toddler, $10, and a wee vintage abacus for 50¢.


some super cute flannel fabric for 50¢, a baby wrap that will become pj pants for my baby next winter.

as well as an armload of good quality basics for both kids (tshirts, singlets, etc) for 50¢ each, seven books for me at $1 each and a vintage, well worn but still lovely, floral sheet to help keep the toddler cool on these warm nights. a very good haul, indeed.

A real gem in Forest Hill

To atone for the sin of promising pics of the Savers warehouse and then not delivering, I bring you scanned pages from Happy Tops in Gem Crochet. I am guessing you might laugh so hard that you forget you didn't get to see the behind-the-scenes stuff from Savers. How could you not giggle at this matching father and son get-up? They're obviously hooked on fishing - and on crochet too... (hooked... get it??).

The only thing more amusing is this mother/daughter outfit suggestion. AGGH, MY EYES, MY EYES!!!

I found this crochet book at Forest Hill Salvos a few weeks ago for 25c, I bought it because I like the little girl's top on the front cover (which can be done in adult sizes too) but goodness knows when I will get around to making it.

Me and my big mouth

... so I went to Savers as I had said I would last Wednesday, but did not get to look in the storeroom. Sorry to get your hopes up (and mine)! And sorry if you are a size 9 or 10 in shoes as I took nearly every pair... well, it's your own fault for having model-sized feet, I took them because I need to use them in the fashion show for Fair@Square this coming weekend.

I get to do another Savers raid this week as us fashion show coordinators are also styling the mannequins for the Savers tent at the Fair@Square festival. Please come and check it out, it would be great to see you at Fed Square!

Brotherhood Eltham and Vinnies Briar Hill.

Two opshops in two days left my wallet empty, but who cares when you come home with some great bargains?

Brotherhood of St.L: Pink Giordano $2, Dark purple tee with no brand name, $2.


Green tanktop Target $2, White Hawaii Tee (American brand) $3.

Patchwork book $3, Table linens book 50c.


Vinnies Briar Hill, (23 Sherbourne Road, Briar Hill, for those who have been asking. It's a part of Greensborough)
Sandals $4, Rivers thongs $2, white socks $1.

Family Circle book $1, Di Morrissey novel $1, magazine 50c

Laces $3 each card.

Retro Philippines Glass Jar Figurine Souvenir

Retro Philippines souvenir made from a recycled 'Kraft' jar containing figurines tending a fire in front of tree. Estimated age between 40-50 years.

A bit tacky for Australian tastes (that's why it was waiting for me) but the price was right and it will be treasured in the Philippines by someone who is interested in this sort of thing.

Source: All Saints Anglican Church Op Shop Rosebud
Price: 50 cents
Destination: Philippines

Austin Hospital Opportunity Shop

Quick heads up on some opening time changes for the Austin Hospital Opportunity Shop in Diamond Creek:

Monday: 9.30am - 3.30pm
Tuesday to Thursday: 10.30am - 3.30pm.
Friday: 10.30am - 2.30pm depending on number of volunteers available.
Saturday: 9.30am to 1.30pm
All money raised goes to the Austin Hospital for MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ONLY.

We have a vast array of goods on sale. All the usual, clothing, toys, shoes. books, magazines, records, jigsaws, games, kitchen utensils, crockery, cutlery, glassware, basket ware, tins, light shades, photo frames, picture frames mostly with pictures & paintings still in them, baby goods, linen, curtains, drapes, sports gear, furniture from wardrobes to coffee tables, bookcases, beds, futons, lounge suites, recliners, mens business section, dog blankets, rags, bikes, exercise machines, craft, material, wool in winter. If you can't see it, ask, because it just might be hidden somewhere.

If we have not got what you want, come back again the next day, it usually comes in 10 minutes after you left. Occasionally we have a Garage Sale in our back yard.

Three oppies in Watsonia.

I took my disabled friend J. to Watsonia today, to visit the Salvos, The Red Cross, and the Church oppie over the road. We had a ball! J. didn't buy much, but she enjoyed looking, and I got lucky with a few bits and pieces:

I've been looking for a white bag for months and found just what I wanted for $5 at the Red Cross shop.

The Red Cross shop also had some lovely ties for $2 each - a bit more that what I pay elsewhere, but these were lovely, especially the blue one.


This little Chicken Man ($5) at the Salvos begged me to take him home!


The Salvos have a great range of books, and although they were a bit pricey (between $2 and $3) I'm going to enjoy all of these (except the cricket one which is for my BIL).



Nothing very special about this bowl for $5, you're thinking? But I just happen to have three other dishes in this set at home, all of which I've found at opshops.



If you've got this far, and noticed the date on the photos, maybe someone who has a Casio digital camera can tell me how to change the @#$%& date! I've tried everything, including trying to turn off the date altogether, but it always comes back. technology...Grrrrr..

Inciting envy in the hearts of op shoppers everywhere

Another short one from me, and no pictures at all! The reason for this is because this is a teaser post... tomorrow I get to live the dream and visit the Savers warehouse in Brunswick. I will get to cruise the racks in the store and the warehouse to pick out outfits to use in a fashion show and stall at the Fair@Square festival (Dec 11 and 12 at Fed Square in Melbourne, it is free so come along!). Hopefully I will be allowed to get pics of this momentous occasion and post them for your vicarious enjoyment!!

i'm sew obsessed

I have dozens of vintage sewing books already, but whenever I come across another one at the oppy there's no way I can leave it on the shelf!

I just love the illustrations. This book was published in 1949.

This one is from 1969. Retrotastic!

Both books were found at Salvo's St Kilda on Carlisle St.

Dandenong Vinnies

Dandenong Vinnies is having 50% off all of their clothing!! The sale just started yesterday and according to the lady I asked in store, it will go for a week! They're meant to be getting a heap of new stuff in as well, though there was already quite a good impressive selection! Just to give you an idea, I picked up several items and my total only came to $12.. it is a great time to grab some bargains. Many of the items I picked up were literally brand new with their swing tags from the retail store still attached!!

Mahoneys Road moccasins

Last week I was at the Lion's Den in Mahoneys Road, Forest Hill, when I found these black suede Wittner moccasins (as close to brand new as you could hope to get) for $5. Naturally, I bought them. How could I not, when they are comfortable AND have fringing (anyone who reads my blog would know I am just slightly partial to fringing!).
Strangely, the last time I was at the Lion's Den, I passed up another pair of practically new over-the-knee boots with crazy fringing because they were $30 and I didn't know how much wear I'd get out of them, despite them being exactly my size. Seems there's someone who is trying to clear their wardrobe of faux-native American footwear in Forest Hill!

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.

B.S. L. weekly visit.

Actually it has been more than a week since I dropped into our Brotherhood opshop in Eltham. Today, I took my disabled friend J with me. She said she used to go there a lot, and would love to go again, so that's where we went today. She found some clothes in her size, and also pointed this blouse out to me. I tried it on, and bought it. 'Laurentino' brand, $4.


Vintage card of unusual lace $1.


Cute patchwork wallhanging kit - a bargain at $7! Kits which include everything usually cost around $30.


Just one book for 70c - something to read when I get tired of sewing!


And saving the best till last: this gorgeous Chinese dinner/bowl set for $5!!