The Brotherhood helps you look luxe – for less

You don’t need to blow your budget to look amazing during this year’s Spring Racing Carnival.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence’s chief stylist has put together a stunning collection of race day looks, using garments and accessories sourced exclusively from the organisation’s 24 Community Stores or “op shops” and Hunter Gatherer vintage fashion outlets. As well as being totally fabulous, every outfit is supremely wallet-friendly.

By ‘liking’ your favourite outfit on the Brotherhood’s Facebook page before 15 November, you’ll get some racy inspiration for your day at the track as well as go into the draw to win a $100 gift voucher to spend at a Brotherhood of St Laurence store.

Stylist and merchandiser Ariella Mata Luque says a Brotherhood store is the perfect place to unearth unique race day attire and accessories.

“If it’s accessories you need, our outlets are great for finding one-of-a-kind bags, hats, fascinators and jewellery – they can lift an existing outfit and really make it pop!”

“The Hunter Gather stores are flooded with vintage and retro items, which are really hot at the moment. You can walk in and walk out looking like a 1950s socialite in no time.”

The image gallery on the Brotherhood’s Facebook page showcases a variety of looks that will appeal to a range of tastes and age groups. They’re not only perfect for the races, but will carry over to many other occasions, such as Christmas parties.

“There is a vintage gold sequined dress which I model in one of the shots,” says Ariella. “I absolutely adore it - it’s fun yet classic, and completely individual. Wearing something like this, you’re guaranteed not to be caught in the same outfit as someone else at the track.”

According to Ariella, op-shopping for your race day outfit is not only good for your hip pocket but also for your conscience.

“You’ll be doing your little bit for the environment by keeping perfectly good quality items out of landfill. And by shopping at a Brotherhood store, you’re helping the organisation fund its programs, services and advocacy which help disadvantaged and vulnerable Australians.”

Visit the Brotherhood’s Facebook page to view the gallery of pre-loved race day clothes and accessories.

I'm still here!

Just read Gina E's post from a little while ago wondering where everyone is... I am still around and have even been op shopping but just have not had time to get pics of my finds and manage a blog post about them! Also, I have discovered the joys of hard rubbish... does that kind of count as op shopping? If you want to see what I scored recently on a kerb crawl (plus one op shop find!), you can have a look here... and I also took part in National Swap Day, which I've posted about here.

High Street Ashburton.

Those of you who know Lyndel from "Vintage Retro and Simply Cute Shopping" may be wondering where she has been lately. I met her for coffee today and she told me she is in line for a new computer, as her old one can't handle lengthy downloads anymore, so reading and writing blogs is out of the question. I'm going to offer the use of my computer for her to use while she is waiting for a new one, so don't give up on her blog just yet!

I was in Lyndel's territory today, and visited three of the opshops over there. I didn't find anything at the Salvos, but at the Community shop I found this little elephant for $7. Ken has a slightly bigger version on our mantelpiece; it was his grandfather's. I put this little one beside Ken's, and when he came home I said "Look! Your black elephant has had a baby!"



Across the road at Vinnies, I found these goodies:
A set of four hand embroidered napkins for $4. I was excited to find these, because I have a card table cloth which matches them perfectly!

This is a tapestry or embroidery frame - $2.50.. I've got a bigger one which I rarely use because it is awkward to hold for any length of time.


Hand embroidered supper cloth - beautifully stitched, for $6.50.


And coincidentally going along with the elephant theme, I found this stunning Thai Silk scarf for $3...

Brotherhood buys, Monday.

I was chuffed to see Mim's comment on the previous post; she came into our opshop last week and bought a rather unusual item that I couldn't make sense of, until she explained it to me!
I filled in this afternoon for one of the regulars, and found these items to bring home.
Cross stitched hand towel. OK I'm not a Mum and I don't have a Mum to give it to, but for $2.50 it is so beautifully stitched...


Little bag in Japanese fabric, 50 cents. I could pull it apart and use it for patchwork, but it is lined nicely, so I can carry my small items of stitching.


Old but unused diary, 50 cents. Delightful little vintage pictures, recipes, etc.


I've always loved the Japanese Hello Kitty products! This was $1 - just couldn't leave it behind. The little Kitty fits inside the big one. How cute is that!

Where is everyone???

A friend told me yesterday that she thought this was MY blog. I assured her that is not the case - I didn't initiate it, and it is open to anyone to post their opshop stories and photos. But when I came on here tonight and noticed I'm the only one who's posted anything since October 12...no wonder she thought it was just me! C'mon you guys - I can't be the only person opshopping in Melbourne! I've seen other blogs where people post about their opshop finds, but it is much better if it is on here where we can all read about them!
In the meantime, I brought these bits and pieces home from the Eltham BSL on Friday:
Stretch cotton Miller slacks in dusty pink (not white like this photo)$4.50.


Two lots of printed Xmas stocking fabric to make up into quilted Xmas stockings $12 for both. These have been lying around our shop for months, so I finally decided to bring them home and make them up for charity groups.



Length of brown fabric which will be useful for a future patchwork project, $3.


Dark blue leather shoes $4 - a perfect fit! A rare find for me:-)

Savers in Mill Park.

It doesn't seem like six weeks since I had my hair done and went to Savers over in Mill Park, but it must be, because there I was today. Mondays are the best day because I get the 20% seniors discount.

Two as new arch file folders to replace the old grey ones I have magazine clippings in. 99 cents.

Stunning square pure Thai silk scarf - hand painted I think. $3.99


Four ties various prices. From the left: Diamond Silks Teddies design $7.99; Rene Chagel, silk,Penguins design $7.99; Vivace, Silk Chickens design $1.99; Pierre Cardin Polyester $2.99. I have given the makers name here, and the fabric, to see if anyone can make any sense of the widely differing prices!

Total $26.93 less discount came to $21.60

Savers in Greensborough.

You might wonder why I'd go to another opshop when I now work in one, but did any of you ever stop at one opshop??? A friend wanted to buy some plates to smash up for a mosaics class, and I suggested Savers as they have a huge range of crockery. Naturally I had to go with her to supervise - lol!
Here is what I found:
Sunglasses, $5.99. I needed a spare pair to keep in my car in case I forgot to take the ones I have at home.


Craft mags. $1.99 each, which I thought was a bit dear; most opshops sell them for about 50c, or $1 at the most.


Gorgeous butterfly scarf, $2.99


Three ties, $3.99 each - also a bit expensive compared to other opshops, but these are such beautiful fabrics, they will come up well in a future patchwork project.


Two pieces of fabric. The light floral cotton is 36" wide, 2.75 yards long -$4.99.
Dark blue batik is 43" wide, 2.25 yards long, $2.99