That's the spirit

I'm always on the lookout for old linen teatowels in the oppy's. I found this great one at the NCJW Opshop on Hawthorn Rd in Caulfield. It features retro graphics and recipes for old-school cocktails- the kind that Mad Men's Don Draper has his young daughter mix for him! Now if I ever need to make someone an Old Fashioned, a Tom Collins, a Sidecar or a White Lady, I'm set.

Also, I'll know just what's required if someone tells me they want a... Monkey Gland?

Op shop tours - Melbourne

Not sure if you are all aware of a second group organising op shop tours. I came across this link and really like the idea that the travel is environmentally friendly and the tour size is limited. I would like to do some of those out of the way areas that I am not familiar with.
http://www.melbourneopshoptours.com.au/

seeking the cruel sea

Hello fellow op shoppers,

I'm searching for a Cruel Sea or Beasts of Bourbon (as in the bands with Tex Perkins in them) t-shirt, preferably black. If you happen to see one at an op shop, would you let me know?

Many thanks!

Amelia

Disappointment on Glenhuntly

A friend and I were looking foreword to a day of fresh opping along Glenhuntly rd. We started at St Johns, just next to Glenhuntly station, which had a few surprises in store, particularly a cute pair of t-strap sandals. Also, they had a regular flow of customers and donaters while we were there. After making a few finds, we moved along to the 'posh' op shop, on the corner of glenhuntly and grange. Despite the suggestive tittle, the shop was far from it, aside from the glamorous prices.It was very messy, not in that intriguing 'sort to find the treasure' way, but dingy, dingy and dirty ( However, the book and crockery section was in much better condition then the clothes). I found a fantastic blue and white, gold embellished and detailed,buttoned cardigan, but for $35!!!! noo way. I appreciate that some things may be worth the weight in gold, but i just didn't feel the price of this cardy, or many other items, were justified, with no name brands, often marks or rips. Maybe it is just my bitter resentment that I wasn't able to afford my eyed-off item, but I wont be returning to scourage through the posh mess. I look foreword to other endeavours along Glenhuntly, particularly some more towards elsternwick area, to improve my mental reputation of the Glenhuntly rd op shops.

This week at The Brotherhood.

My friend G. and I paid our usual weekly visit to the Brotherhood opshop today, and as usual, we both came away happy little Vegemites! G. scored a complete set of soup tureen and bowls for $5, which she'd seen there two weeks ago for $25!

I found this assortment of goodies, all for $3.

I wouldn't have bought this magazine if it wasn't for these great transfers! They are not actually iron on transfers, but I'm planning to use several for embroidery patterns. Hens, teacups, cats - all in my line!



For 50c, I picked this dish up for Val, as she is very much into Japanese household stuff. If she doesn't want it, I won't mind keeping it.

Another UFO for my collection. Normally I would have left something like this, as the design to be embroidered is nothing special, but the drawn thread work around the border is gorgeous.

Bits of bling to have on hand.

I couldn't believe my luck when I found this apron for $1 - a Ken Done design! These are VERY popular, and I am sure it would fetch a lot more than $2 if it was sold or auctioned somewhere else.

Speaking of Brunswick. If you're after plain, white cotton T shirts, I saw a heap of them at the Brotherhood in Brunswick for about $1 each. New, mid weight and not seconds. Good for tie die, sleeping in, or just wearing. Can't beat that price for pure cotton.

Coathangers + Green Collective + Introduction!

Hey everyone! I'm coldlight, a new contributor to this lovely blog!! I am a student and a crazy op shopper so hopefully i'll be able to post my findings quite regularly from now on :)

Last week I visited the Green Collective, which has a store at 318 Victoria St, in Brunswick just off Sydney Rd. It's relatively new and used to be called Eekos. I don't think it's on the op-shop list yet. Anyway it has a big range of environmentally friendly/sustainable products, things like fair trade coffee and chocolate, and also handmade items and items made locally. It also has a nice selection of second hand clothing, shoes, books, toys, etc.
I ended up buying a whole bunch of plastic coathangers they were getting rid of, they were 10 for $1. I bought 10 normal ones and also 10 ones that have clips on them. I have way too many clothes in my closet, and a girl can never have too many coathangers! I went there again today and there are still some left if you get in quick :)

I also went to the Don Bosco Op shop on Sydney Road and I found quite a few of these hideous looking yellow tops, for $1 each. Normally I wouldn't look twice at these kinds of tops, but I thought they would be perfect for a costume that I was making! My friend's 21st was on Saturday and she had a "Superheros and Supervillians" theme, so I decided to go as the Silk Spectre I (from Watchmen). The yellow tops I found were surprisingly very similar to part of the character's outfit, so I bought 3 of the tops so I could use the fabric. Love being resourceful and it was cheaper than buying yellow fabric! (pics of the final result of the costume will be up on my blog soon!)

When I got home I checked the original intact price tags and the tops were originally being sold in stores for $109. Yes $109! They had then been reduced to $55, then $25, then $5 until the poor things finally ended up in the op shop selling for $1 each. No wonder, really! But it does make you think about how expensive clothes can be priced as, even when the design and quality is not that great at all!

Well that's all from me for now, hope this first post was appropriate enough.
You'll hear from me again soon and feel free to check out my blog Sweethearts and Celebrations!
Love, coldlight