Monday, 4 June 2012
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Out and About Opping
When it comes to books and magazines Vinnies in Mont Albert is a great place to go. These magazines are filled with terrific ideas and were four for $1 and the book was also $1. Vinnies has a long term boook sale offering four books for $2. Not every book is part of the sale but the choice is very good. The shop has recently opened after renovations and is looking spic and span.
The thermous is from Ashburton Support Services Op shop and at only $1 I had to have it. It is light and compact and holds enough for one person.
This watch was my most expensive buy this week. It is new and has a lovely clear face that I can read without wearing my glasses. It is from the Rotary Op Shop in Blackburn South and cost $15.
Brenda
Friday, 1 June 2012
Friday at BSL Eltham.
When I arrive at our opshop for work on Friday mornings, I have a quick scan around to see what's new. Funny thing is I rarely find anything straight away; it is often when a customer comes up to pay for something they have discovered, that I go and have a closer look at the shelves. Today a man bought a stack of videos he'd found on the shelf, and was so pleased to find they were only 50c each. After he left, I went over to see what else was there, and found a heap of comedy videos; someone must have had a big cleanout of them after replacing them on DVD maybe? But I bought the lot! Five Mr Bean, one very old Charlie Chaplin doco, and one of The Two Ronnies. Lots of laughs coming up at our place over the next few weeks!
I also found some more gingham (I use a lot of this in my patchworks) for $3.50, a pair of dark green track pants which fit perfectly, $7. And this tiny little pack of cards for $1. I am a sucker for miniatures of anything!
Friday Adventures
I had the day off today so my husband Rene and I went Op Shopping, of course.
We managed to get to 6 shops before declaring it a day.
1. Vinnies in Mont Albert - Bought a beautiful doily embroidered with a budgerigar, which I am going to give as a surprise gift to a fellow OpShopper
2. Kindilan Society Op Shop, Mont Albert - Rene bought a old book for $2 and a navy blue spray jacket to wear when he walks the dogs for $5
3. Salvo's, Ashwoood - bit disappointing - a big fat zero here.
4. Ashburton Support Services Op Shop, Ashburton - we missed their 'Garage Sale' this morning - first Friday of the month, but got some great things anyhow. I bought an oval doily for $4, a large red ceramic platter for $7 and 2 matching dip bowls and 2 othersmall bowls. They had almost a complete red dinnerset, with rectangle platters, normal plates etc. - all up I spent $21
5. Vinnies, Ashburton - Rene bought an old book by Winston Churchill for $2
6. Epilepsy Op Shop, Blackburn - I found a lovely cross stitched table runner, a queen sized quilt cover and 2 pillowcases for $5 and a Lindt mug with gold bunnies for my daughters hot chocolate for $2 and Rene found an old book on Electricity.
We also stopped off at the NQR supermarket/store in Ashburton and picked up tons of great specials.
All in all a good day.
We managed to get to 6 shops before declaring it a day.
1. Vinnies in Mont Albert - Bought a beautiful doily embroidered with a budgerigar, which I am going to give as a surprise gift to a fellow OpShopper
2. Kindilan Society Op Shop, Mont Albert - Rene bought a old book for $2 and a navy blue spray jacket to wear when he walks the dogs for $5
3. Salvo's, Ashwoood - bit disappointing - a big fat zero here.
4. Ashburton Support Services Op Shop, Ashburton - we missed their 'Garage Sale' this morning - first Friday of the month, but got some great things anyhow. I bought an oval doily for $4, a large red ceramic platter for $7 and 2 matching dip bowls and 2 othersmall bowls. They had almost a complete red dinnerset, with rectangle platters, normal plates etc. - all up I spent $21
5. Vinnies, Ashburton - Rene bought an old book by Winston Churchill for $2
6. Epilepsy Op Shop, Blackburn - I found a lovely cross stitched table runner, a queen sized quilt cover and 2 pillowcases for $5 and a Lindt mug with gold bunnies for my daughters hot chocolate for $2 and Rene found an old book on Electricity.
We also stopped off at the NQR supermarket/store in Ashburton and picked up tons of great specials.
All in all a good day.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Better than new, nappy bag
I called into the Salvo's in Mt Waverley while I was in the area on Tuesday and found this AWESOME leather bag!
Mind you it didn't look like this when I bought it. It was pretty manky. It was very dirty and had some white powdery patches which I think were some kind of mould. It didn't smell though and the leather seemed in pretty good condition, ie still flexible. I nearly didn't take it, it was $25 which I thought was a bit steep for something that needed a lot of work.
I've been looking for a largish bag to use a nappy bag though and this looked like it'd fit the bill so I thought it was worth the risk. Who needs the fancy nappy bag that Angelina Jolie has!!
It took a lot of elbow grease to clean it up. I cleaned it with the leather cleaner I use for the sofa and scrubbed it all over with a toothbrush :) Then cleaned the brass hardware with brasso and finally applied two coats of (sofa) leather conditioner.
Very pleased with myself now :)
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
My version of the Nine Opshops trip!
That was such a great post, Jess! I felt like I was reliving our day all over again, grinning to myself as I was recalling the fun we had! I would not have been able to recall all those details without writing everything down as we went, but that's the advantage of being on your home territory. Sadly, my camera is stuffed. I took it to two camera shops and they told me the same thing - the message on the screen about the stabiliser meant that a little electronic device inside the camera was broken and not worth fixing. The quote for fixing it was $160, which would be silly to spend, considering that the camera as good as it was, is now about 5 years old, and I could buy a new one for under $100 which will be far superior to the old one. So I did. But that's another story for another blog. Suffice to say, I haven't learnt enough about new camera to photograph my goodies from yesterday, so I'll just write about them.
This N That opshop was as good as everyone has said. I bought two ties for $2 each, and a handbag for $3, to replace the one I was using until the zip broke. (I'm not really happy with it though, and it's going to the BSL on Friday).
YES opshop was also fanastic. I bought a paperback novel for $2.90 (my SIL had recommended it just last week), a quilt magazine $1.50 (bit expensive I thought), some stabiliser fabric pieces (for use in patchwork) $3.50 and a length of patchwork fabric for $3.50 which was a bargain considering it retails for about $23 a metre.
The Epilepsy Opshop was good. I bought a book on calligraphy for $2 and a pair of white slacks for $6.40 which had been reduced by 20% for some reason. I have been after white pants for ages but could never find anything that fit me, so when I tried these on and they were a perfect fit, I would have paid double the price for them!
The new Mission Opshop which we discovered as we walked past it and I saw the sign on the window, was tiny but interesting. I bought an apron with Aboriginal art print on it for $3 and an interesting looking book for $5.
At Animal Aid I found four more ties that I can use in my patchwork, for $1 each (that's more like it - This N That could take a hint on the pricing of their ties), and four sheets of gift wrap paper for $1.
All in all a very productive day and not TOO expensive ($39.80 is not a lot for me, lol). Our next day out will be at High Street Kew, where there are six shops all within walking distance, and some very nice cafes to stop for lunch.
This N That opshop was as good as everyone has said. I bought two ties for $2 each, and a handbag for $3, to replace the one I was using until the zip broke. (I'm not really happy with it though, and it's going to the BSL on Friday).
YES opshop was also fanastic. I bought a paperback novel for $2.90 (my SIL had recommended it just last week), a quilt magazine $1.50 (bit expensive I thought), some stabiliser fabric pieces (for use in patchwork) $3.50 and a length of patchwork fabric for $3.50 which was a bargain considering it retails for about $23 a metre.
The Epilepsy Opshop was good. I bought a book on calligraphy for $2 and a pair of white slacks for $6.40 which had been reduced by 20% for some reason. I have been after white pants for ages but could never find anything that fit me, so when I tried these on and they were a perfect fit, I would have paid double the price for them!
The new Mission Opshop which we discovered as we walked past it and I saw the sign on the window, was tiny but interesting. I bought an apron with Aboriginal art print on it for $3 and an interesting looking book for $5.
At Animal Aid I found four more ties that I can use in my patchwork, for $1 each (that's more like it - This N That could take a hint on the pricing of their ties), and four sheets of gift wrap paper for $1.
All in all a very productive day and not TOO expensive ($39.80 is not a lot for me, lol). Our next day out will be at High Street Kew, where there are six shops all within walking distance, and some very nice cafes to stop for lunch.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
9 op shops, 2 pooped women, 1 broken camera
Howdy folks. Today Gina and I op shopped ourselves silly between Forest Hill and Blackburn. My intention was to visit 8 op shops, but we fit a bonus NEW op shop in, so that took us up to 9:
1 - This 'n' That Community Store (Brentford Square), Forest Hill
2 - Doncare Op Shop (Brentford Square), Forest Hill
3 - YES Op Shop (Youth Education Support), Forest Hill
4 - Salvos Store, Forest Hill
5 - Animal Aid Op Shop, Blackburn Sth
6 - Mission Op Shop, Blackburn Sth (!! new op shop, just opened !!)
7 - Rotary Recycled Treasures, Blackburn Sth
8 - Epilepsy Op Shop, Blackburn
9 - Salvos Store, Blackburn
First stop, This 'n' That, and nothing there tempted me enough to buy it. I ummed and ahhed over a pretty wooden frame, but decided the size was too impractical and put it aside. Am pretty sure Gina found some crafty bits and bobs here though.
Strolled up to the Doncare Op Shop and again, I was out of luck. No goodies screamed 'buy me'. Gina found a nice soft leather bag here.
Next, a short drive over to Mahoneys Road and the two op shops there. As we were getting out of the car, Gina finished transferring her stuff from her old handbag into her 'new' handbag. She noticed the new handbag didn't have a zip, only a flap, but made a comment about how she never drops her handbag so it shouldn't be a problem.
So onwards and into the YES Op Shop we went. Ahhh, the fabulous YES shop - it never disappoints. We spent a fair bit of time here. I tried on a couple of pairs of pants (too short, DRATS), drooled over some of the furniture in the shop, and ended up buying these....
....2 tall jars. Discovered when I got home that one of them leans a bit like the Tower of Pisa due to a wonky bottom. Oh well, it's character, I say. $3.50 each.
....plus two bracelets, $1.50 each,
....and a ballerina-pink t-shirt for the odd price of $4.90.
And while Gina and I were at the counter, what do you think happened? Aha, crash goes Gina's bag down on the floor. Never tempt fate! Fortunately I think everything stayed in the bag, but Gina's poor camera had a hissy fit and decided it wasn't going to take any more photos. Gina, I hope you managed to figure out what was wrong and fixed it when you got home!
OK, so after the drama with the bag/camera, we carried on down the road to the Salvos. I never have much luck here, and today was no exception. Don't think Gina found anything here either.
Back to the car and a short drive down Canterbury Road to Blackburn South. Into the Animal Aid shop we popped (ahhh, my favourite place, bliss). I found a large, new, Maxwell & Williams tomato-red glass platter thingy for $3, artfully placed in the crack between 2 sets of drawers. (Maybe hidden there for later purchasing by someone else? Muuuahahaha, it did not escape my roving eagle eye.)
...plus 4 bits of wrapping paper for $1.
As we were walking from the Animal Aid shop to the Rotary shop, we spotted a new op shop having a 'Grand Opening' (not so grand in reality, but hey, I'm not complaining!). It's an eensy-weensy Mission op shop, in one of the side streets just round the corner from the Animal Aid shop. I snapped up this super long nightie for $4. I like the groovy tulip-type print it has.
A rummage through the nearby Rotary Recycled Treasures (where I didn't find anything), and I was stunned to find it was 1.30 pm. We headed on up to Blackburn for lunch (hellllloooooo Mr Baked Potato) and to rest our tired feet.
After lunch we walked up to the Epilepsy Op Shop (found nothing there for me, but had a giggle at the electric mug warmer that was on sale there).
Our last stop was the Salvos in Blackburn. I lingered for a while under the nice patio heater inside the shop (Mmmm, warmth), and purchased a necklace for $3...
...as well as top that was on the bargain half-price rack for $2.50. Not so sure about this top - it's a bit odd as it's a fake top and cardigan... it's just the front of a top sort of sewn into a cardigan. But for $2.50 I thought I'd give it a go as a top to wear to work.
Gina and I were well and truly stuffed by this time, so we called it a day and resolved to do it all over again on her side of town in about 3 weeks time. Silvia, we just didn't have time to get to Balwyn. I'm thinking that I'll lump the Box Hill / Mont Albert / Balwyn op shops into an opping trip one time, and we'll try and seek you out then.
1 - This 'n' That Community Store (Brentford Square), Forest Hill
2 - Doncare Op Shop (Brentford Square), Forest Hill
3 - YES Op Shop (Youth Education Support), Forest Hill
4 - Salvos Store, Forest Hill
5 - Animal Aid Op Shop, Blackburn Sth
6 - Mission Op Shop, Blackburn Sth (!! new op shop, just opened !!)
7 - Rotary Recycled Treasures, Blackburn Sth
8 - Epilepsy Op Shop, Blackburn
9 - Salvos Store, Blackburn
First stop, This 'n' That, and nothing there tempted me enough to buy it. I ummed and ahhed over a pretty wooden frame, but decided the size was too impractical and put it aside. Am pretty sure Gina found some crafty bits and bobs here though.
Strolled up to the Doncare Op Shop and again, I was out of luck. No goodies screamed 'buy me'. Gina found a nice soft leather bag here.
Next, a short drive over to Mahoneys Road and the two op shops there. As we were getting out of the car, Gina finished transferring her stuff from her old handbag into her 'new' handbag. She noticed the new handbag didn't have a zip, only a flap, but made a comment about how she never drops her handbag so it shouldn't be a problem.
So onwards and into the YES Op Shop we went. Ahhh, the fabulous YES shop - it never disappoints. We spent a fair bit of time here. I tried on a couple of pairs of pants (too short, DRATS), drooled over some of the furniture in the shop, and ended up buying these....
....2 tall jars. Discovered when I got home that one of them leans a bit like the Tower of Pisa due to a wonky bottom. Oh well, it's character, I say. $3.50 each.
....plus two bracelets, $1.50 each,
....and a ballerina-pink t-shirt for the odd price of $4.90.
And while Gina and I were at the counter, what do you think happened? Aha, crash goes Gina's bag down on the floor. Never tempt fate! Fortunately I think everything stayed in the bag, but Gina's poor camera had a hissy fit and decided it wasn't going to take any more photos. Gina, I hope you managed to figure out what was wrong and fixed it when you got home!
OK, so after the drama with the bag/camera, we carried on down the road to the Salvos. I never have much luck here, and today was no exception. Don't think Gina found anything here either.
Back to the car and a short drive down Canterbury Road to Blackburn South. Into the Animal Aid shop we popped (ahhh, my favourite place, bliss). I found a large, new, Maxwell & Williams tomato-red glass platter thingy for $3, artfully placed in the crack between 2 sets of drawers. (Maybe hidden there for later purchasing by someone else? Muuuahahaha, it did not escape my roving eagle eye.)
...plus 4 bits of wrapping paper for $1.
As we were walking from the Animal Aid shop to the Rotary shop, we spotted a new op shop having a 'Grand Opening' (not so grand in reality, but hey, I'm not complaining!). It's an eensy-weensy Mission op shop, in one of the side streets just round the corner from the Animal Aid shop. I snapped up this super long nightie for $4. I like the groovy tulip-type print it has.
A rummage through the nearby Rotary Recycled Treasures (where I didn't find anything), and I was stunned to find it was 1.30 pm. We headed on up to Blackburn for lunch (hellllloooooo Mr Baked Potato) and to rest our tired feet.
After lunch we walked up to the Epilepsy Op Shop (found nothing there for me, but had a giggle at the electric mug warmer that was on sale there).
Our last stop was the Salvos in Blackburn. I lingered for a while under the nice patio heater inside the shop (Mmmm, warmth), and purchased a necklace for $3...
...as well as top that was on the bargain half-price rack for $2.50. Not so sure about this top - it's a bit odd as it's a fake top and cardigan... it's just the front of a top sort of sewn into a cardigan. But for $2.50 I thought I'd give it a go as a top to wear to work.
Gina and I were well and truly stuffed by this time, so we called it a day and resolved to do it all over again on her side of town in about 3 weeks time. Silvia, we just didn't have time to get to Balwyn. I'm thinking that I'll lump the Box Hill / Mont Albert / Balwyn op shops into an opping trip one time, and we'll try and seek you out then.
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