Never Again … maybe

Yesterday I got up at 3:30am (yes AM) to go to Brisbane with the parentals to a swap meet. I wasn’t feeling the best as I had indulged in a bit too much wine that night but was looking forward to all the potential goodies that could be coming home with me. It was still dark when we got there.

Anyway, let’s just say I was the mayor of disappointment town. All I managed to pick up was a XXXX beer tray for the boy’s collection and a couple of items of clothing. I got up at 3:30am for that?! Crazy I know but you win some, and you lose some. Unfortunately I lost about 5 hours sleep. At least mum and dad got some stuff. So who knows if this has put me off. Maybe it has, maybe it hasn’t.

Oh and we did manage to go to the car boot sale on Saturday only to find it had been cancelled due to the horrible rainy weather we’ve been having for the last week or so. Not cool. We visited a few other garage sales and got a couple of things. I also had the pleasure of taking a workmate down to Vinnies on Friday. She picked up a cute pink scarf (perfect for the 10 degree weather we are having) and said she’d love to join me again on my thrifting adventures! Yay, I love an op shop convert!

Heading to the Gold Coast this coming weekend. Have already mentioned to the boy that I’d love to stop at the Lifeline warehouse near Harbourtown. I’ve only been there twice and you have to do quite a bit of digging but here’s hoping he has the patience to let me look.

Pics of what I picked up last week will be up soon.

Over and Out XOXO

Too many visits

Maybe I’m reading too many blogs of fellow crazy op-shop fans. Seriously, every lunch break where I’m not at the gym I feel the urge to pop out to an op shop. I’ve totally neglected my former regular lunch pals and feel terrible but after seeing what other people find around the place I’m convinced there has to be something down at Vinnies or Lifeline with my name on it. There are really only 3 shops within a reasonable driving distance which I can visit in my lunch break and I’ve already visited all three this week. I am still thinking though that I will go back to Vinnies today after the great haul I got earlier in the week plus i HATE going there on Saturdays. During the week you mostly get your regular, polite people searching for a bargain and actually respecting the place. On a Saturday there are people laughing as soon as they walk in cos all they are looking for is a fancy dress costume and they wouldn’t fathom that you can actually get amazing quality stuff for a fraction of the price of a retail store. There are also the people that have newly been introduced to op-shopping and think they might just give it a try and I am in two minds about these people. I kind of think, good on them for checking it out but I am also a bit jealous because they have the potential to find and buy the stuff I am supposed to find and buy!  I also can’t stand people who have no respect for personal space. Dude, if I’m looking at a rack DO NOT try and play hands-ies with me!!!!

On another note I had thought that I’d skip garage sales tomorrow as the boy has been out of town all week and we are heading to a swap meet in Brisbane on Sunday. However, my curiosity got the better of me and I had to check out the early advertised sales on the net. And what do I see ….

Car boot sales come in second place behind Church sales so definitely warrant a visit. The last one I attended I was so bummed cos I missed out on the most awesome Malvern Star blue retro bike. It was only $15. I blame my dad for stopping at another garage sale on the way to the car boot sale. Boo.

 

And since I will be going to this, I might have to go to this one:

GREAT Big Sale!! 15 Memory St, Sat & Sun 8am-4pm for The Shed Project: furniture, rocking horse, quality clothing, bedding, electrical, toys, bikes, books, videos, Star Wars collectables & more!!

Cannot resist quality clothing although what I perceive as quality clothing and what others perceive as quality clothing sometimes leaves a bit to be desired.

Anyway, hopefully I can report back on Monday all the amazing stuff I’ve found over the last couple of days.

Looking forward to after work drinks this afternoon!

Over and Out XOXO

Vinnies rarely disappoints

Popped down to Vinnies in my lunch break yesterday and picked up some lovely items.

a gorgeous mustard coloured Sportsgirl clutch for 50c

A Lorna Jane black lightweight hoodie for $4 – my buy of the day!

Some cute sandals to wear with maxis for 50c

a Marco Polo cardi/wrap thing for $4 … not sure whether to keep this or not as it’s a size M and a little bit big but totally comfy and a pair of excellent quality black pants for mum for $2.

I also picked these up. I thought they looked cute and rustic but who knows what I’m going to do with them. Oh well, it was only $1.00 for the pair.

Last week I picked up this super cute lili shirt from my fave Lifeline. It was $4. It’s a bit preppy and a bit country and I love it.

 

And if you were wondering, I did get sucked in by the Diva Sale. These are some of the items I got. 

 

The boy is out of town this week so I made a lasagne to last me all week. I think it turned out pretty damn good!

and lastly, i couldn’t resist taking a photo of my baby boy Rocky sound asleep. Isn’t he cute?

Heading to the Capalaba Swap Meet this Sunday with the parentals. We are leaving at 4am so here’s hoping I get some cool stuff.

Go the Maroons!!!

And the heart started to race

Just received this in my inbox.

My heart rate has increased.

Can I resist the temptation?

Would it be okay if I just popped in to have a look?

Could I get a new pair of earrings since I won't be buying any new clothes for upcoming parties?

Stay tuned ...

XOXO

Treasures from the past in a house from the past … moving towards the future

To say the boy and I have differing opinions on home furnishings is a slight understatement. We live in a 1970’s era house which we have been slowly modernising.
for example

Lounge Room Before and After

Kitchen Before and After

I am constantly visiting op shops and garage sales and see things that I think are cool to hang, or display but know if I take them home that the boy will turn his nose up at my not-so-modern homewares.
I have managed to sneak a couple of my treasures in and here are some of my favourite pieces.
This Asian hut/shack lamp I picked up at a Garage Sale for $5. It gets so many comments. I love it and the boy thinks it’s pretty cool too.
This cool dude was picked up at a garage sale for $10.00. I bought his lady friend at my favourite twice-yearly church sale for $1.00.
These are just a few of the cool prints I’ve picked up. I love big eye prints but unfortunately the boy doesn’t think they are so great. Boo!
Got this vintage circus clown ages ago for around $2.00 and Curtis Stone and Gordon Ramsay Cookbooks for $4 each.

The KEY to successful bargain hunting is to be persistent. DO NOT get discouraged if you find nothing! I spent 5 hours garage sale hopping on Saturday and only came away with a pair of earrings and a Tupperware container and yet my urge to do it all again next weekend is unwavering.

Oh how i love a bargain.

Cannot wait for Sex and the City 2 – due out in 2 weeks!!!

Did the RSPCA million paws walk on Sunday. Here are some pics of the other man in my life.

as always would love to hear any comments!

Over and Out XOXO

Vintage Boots & Style Stalking

I don't know how long ago I got these vintage boots but I'm guessing I picked them up at a local op intending to list them on
eBay but after style stalking fellow bloggers like
Kani I wonder if I'd be able to pull them off ... maybe with maroon coloured tights. Do you ever get
envious of other people's style and wish you could pull off something that they are wearing cos they look 'rockin in it?

Yes, I get jealous and I'm
happy to admit it.

I don't really have one particular style. A co-worker actually told me that a group of them had discussed me at a farewell lunch they recently attended. My style ranges from casual to
corporate, boho to rock, sassy to vintage, sporty to surfy and anything and everything in between.
I do like good quality clothes though and you'd be amazed at what you can pick up at charity stores. Some great finds can be found in Toowoomba and some of the better labels that can be found quite frequently are Cue, R.M. Williams and various brands sold at Myer.

I got this preppy R.M. Williams pale pink shirt from my local Lifeline yesterday afternoon for $4.00. I love how the collar and cuffs are contrasted in white and it is in fabulous condition.

I also picked up this owl candle holder the other day at Vinnies for $1. Isn't he cute?

Currently listening to: THE E.H.D - Black Eyed Peas

Currently wearing: Roxy long sleeved top, Miss Sixty via Op Shop black pants, Siren black leather studded ballet flats

Currently loving: Ugly Betty

Over and Out XOXO

 Would love ANY comments if anyone out there in Cyberspace is reading!!!

Clutch Mania

Probably my favourite section to head when I first enter any op-shop is the bag section. Here are some of my faves that I've collected over the years at various ops and garage sales.

My top 3

	$4 from the Lifeline vintage wardrobe Toowoomba. This was a semi-'Yes!' moment. I just loved it
	$4 from Lifeline Wyalla (Toowoomba) - this was a total 'YES!' moment - 100% leather and hand made
	Around $3 - I think from Vinnies Toowoomba. I use this one a lot and it is quite roomy.

Other
notable mentions

	Pink leather envelope clutch from a garage sale
	a 70s tooled leather shoulder bag - I think $4 from Salvos
	Quilted look vintage clutch - around $3
	And a growing collection of authentic, Oroton and fake glomesh goodies

Attempting to make a lime and ricotta cheesecake tonight. Will post pics if it turns out okay.

Over and Out XOXO

Saturday was my first trip down to the local shopping centre and I must admit it wasn't as hard as I would have thought. We didn't go in to Myer at all which probably helped and there was only two exclamations of 'love, love, love' ...

I totally am loving these tights from Sportsgirl but wondering if I could do them justice ala Blair Waldorf (I wish!!)

The other loved item was a cute little skull scarf in Dotti marked $9.95 with another 50% off the marked price. My friend however killed my excitement by trying to 'diss skulls questioning me why would i like something with a skull on it. Do I have to have a reason?

On other related tight-talk I was in tight-heaven at Target on Saturday when I saw 200 denier tights! I had only ever seen and bought 120D tights (best place to buy - Coles on sale) and seriously considered buying them but remembered my no-retail challenge.

I picked up a few things this week at various op shops - to be posted soon.

A big shout out to the bf - happy 25th birthday honey puff xxx

love, love, love

If I wasn't on a retail ban I'd be making the trip to the Charlie Brown store at DFO to get this gorgeous lili dress. I am in love.

Over and Out XOXO

No, I won't do THAT

I learnt something so very valuable on
Spicks and Specks last night. Something that I'd wondered for such a long, long
time ...

What Meatloaf wouldn't do for love.
According to Adam Hills I've never really listened to the song.

Let me tell you friends, Meatloaf is the
kind of man you want.

MEATLOAF WON'T SCREW AROUND.

♫ it will all turn
to dust and we'll all fall down. Sooner or later you'll be screwin' around

♫ I won't do that
... no I won't do that

Man I love a good power ballad.

Over and Out XOXO