Fairfield Salvos books

I had some time yesterday so went to the Fairfield Salvos on the way home from Northcote Pool. I was really happy to pick up a couple of books. Fallen by Lauren Kate, described as 'sexy, fascinating and scary'. I hope to read this over Easter while I am away in the country for a few days. The big score of the day was the box set of The Sweet Potato Queen's Big Ass Box of Love which contains 3 volumes. 'Equal parts Erin Brockovich, Erma Bombeck and Dr Ruth. Do not pick up the books unless you have a sense of humour.' I had one volume of this series so was really happy to get this set for only $1.99. The staff member at the shop said it had been wrongly priced and I was lucky to get it.
Sorry about the dodgy photo

Vintage Couture Find

This is my first blog...so I hope it works!

I am a True Op Shopping Addict - I'm in an opshop nearly every day of the week and scour all of Melbourne's best shops to find my "gems".

My best find lately is this mid 80's Yves Saint Laurent Silk & Leather Safari Dress. It's so on trend for this seasons fashion. It was purchased from Red Cross. It was in Never Worn condition - just incredible.

I purchased this Trelise Cooper skirt from The Salvation Army.... I adore all New Zealand labels, but Trelise Cooper in particular. This skirt originally retailed for over $700!

I don't buy much vintage clothing (apart from my amazing YSL find), but tend to stick to more modern Australian and New Zealand designers.

Well, that's my first ever post done!

Megan

DONCARE Op Shop moves... ... ... but not far

I sometimes pop into the Doncare Op shop in Macedon Plaza, corner Manningham Road in Lw.Templestowe [it's on my way to or from the Austin Hospital].

Drove into the carpark yesterday to see it had GONE!, empty shop!!  then I noticed the sign, they have moved out of their tiny, cramped shop, into a much larger one [SHOP 4] further away from the supermarket, towards the end of the shops.

New shop is larger, better layout, neat and tidy, but still lots of shelves and bins to rummage in and find a treasure,  including their always popular Craft Bookcase, full of patterns, needles, ribbons, zippers, embroidery threads and lots more.

I found a lovely bag of Patons Mohair, and a few knitting patterns,.... JOY!

It's all about boots and bags!

Hi

This is my first post on this blog so please be gentle!!  Most of my finds come from SE Melbourne where I get to participate in two of my favourite things, op shopping and spending time with my toddler.  We normally head out on the train (part of the fun for him!) and I get one maybe two op shops in exchange for a trip to the park and fifteen hours pushing him on a swing.

You can spot me anywhere on the Frankston line between Cheltenham to Frankston on a dry day normally with a cheerful cheeky chap, on a bad day I can be identified with a stash of edible treats to pacify him and a coffee to see me through the morning.

I am now finding a few like minded people locally and online and thought it was about time to share some of my finds – bit slow on the techie front but better late than never!

This week it’s about old boots & bags!! These were all found from my two local op shops in Chelsea St Chads and Family Life (see their website for more info http://www.familylife.com.au)

I did a double take seeing these boots in pristine condition – gorgeous leather knee length boots from Nine West – perfect for the autumn and winter

I’m also partial to a bag or six!!  The first one is a cute black floral tapestry bag and its partner in crime that caught my eye is a 70s glomesh style bag by Pierre Cardin in white and gold.

I love vintage bags so you'll probably see more from me on that subject in the future

Thanks for taking the time to read!

Vicky – Dogstar Bazaar

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!

Op Shop Guide Victoria

I received a press release yesterday for a new Op Shop Guide being published by Kelly Lainson.
It said
"Kelly Lainson, a resourceful and ethusiastic bargain hunter, has compiled an extensive alphabetical listing of Victorian Op Shops.
The 'Op Shop Guide(Victoria)' is a stylish, practical and easy reference directory to locating and shopping at these valuable outlets.
There are over 380 pages detailing 773 Op Shops. It delivers an overview of the stores' purposes, location and operational details."
There's a bit more but that's the basic idea. I haven't seen this guide but it does sound good although I think the postage for a $24.95 book - $12 postage is a bit much. I will probably still buy it. I guess it could be ordered from a bookshop as the ISBN is 978 0 646 54626 1.
For more information contact
Kelly Lainson on 03) 59980017
kelly@opshopguidevictoria.com.au
P.O Box 1049
Blind Bight
Vic 3980

Two-dollar treats in Ashburton

I love it when I find several op shops within walking distance of each other. Did you know that there are three on High Street near Ashburton station? Salvos, Vinnies and the Ashburton Support Services shop. I got all of these things there, all $2 each!

Gold and black earrings:



Woven scarves, one of which has "Timor Leste" woven into it (I only realised when I got it home!). Also some lace-up sandals.


A Lahu bag from Thailand (the Lahu are one of the ethnic groups living in Thailand):

Look at the hand embroidery!


Thanks to Lyndel for the tip about Ashburton!