Shirts and Scarves

Some nice finds this week. This lovely scarf is just the right size for tying round a ponytail. I love the mix of blue, purple and green.

This scarf pattern is just lovely, and will go with my purple tops. It folds out to make a huge scarf.

This pink skirt looks brand new, and has a lovely relaxed fit when on, skimming loosely over my tummy and hips. Looks great with jeans.

This striped top shows no signs of wear either. It looks like a cardy/shirt but it's just a t-shirt.

Both tops are soft cotton and casual, which is exactly what I was looking for to add to my summer wardrobe.

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Another Vintage Case

I'm so excited! My mum has found another vintage case for me. My last one was picked for $2, and I did a post about it here. This one is not a hard case, it's stiff, but movable. The blue colour is much prettier, and it's a bit smaller than its friend.

It came with these bottles and a tiny key. The inside is so pretty. My mum gave me this one, and said "So now you'll be getting rid of the other one?". No way Mum! Now I have a collection. :-)

Beads and Bandanas

This is the second part of my shop last week, and boy did I get some goodies. This bag is a lovely shade of blue (the colour is a little darker that the photo) and which I bought specifically to go with a dress of a similar colour.

 These beads are so pretty! A dark red bracelet, a blue-green set of beads which looks like woven silk, and a set of retro red beads.

I love the cheery robots on the bandana. The long pretty flower scarf is perfect for a headband, or tied 50s style on a ponytail.

 This cardi is perfect for the warmer weather, and such a pretty knit, with its scalloped bottom. I tend to veer away from pastel colours, especially white, but I thought a soft cream might be doable.

May your op shopping adventures be just as fruitful as mine!

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Toys

Hi all, I just had a fantastic haul at the op shop, so I'm going to divide it into a few posts.

This post is kids toys, next post will be clothes and jewelry.

A Diego doll and a motorbike. Mr3 is enjoying Diego, and both boys are loving the motorbike.

This is my favourite find of the shopping trip. A wooden chess set, with all its pieces, $5. Mr 6 has been interested in chess, but I only have a small glass chess set, which isn't ideal. This set is perfect.

A set of marble runs with the marbles. My boys already have more of this set at home, so now they will have more scope to build their marble runs. It came in a plastic container, with a little container full of marbles. This basket is also from the op shop, and I thought it looked better in it.

That's all for today, see you next week with some more goodies!

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I'm Back

Hi guys, sorry I've been absent, life has been getting on top of me.
But I'm back to my usual weekly post, and there should be one coming on Monday.
I have some lovely goodies to share with you all!

In the meantime, have a read of my clothing review over at Fat Heffalump's blog:
http://fatheffalump.wordpress.com/2011/08/09/guest-review-by-bek-no-exceptions-clothing/#comments

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Holiday Finds 3- Kids stuff

Finally, the last of the holiday finds. This little baby doll was $4 (I thought it was a bit steep, but they only charged me $2 for the vintage case so I figured it evened out). The baby came with the hand-crotched dress and undies, and her eyes close when you lie her down. She has a soft squashy body which I liked. Now my boys have 4 babies to play with, so I'm hoping there will be less fights. All 4 of the babies were from op shops. :-)

Long sleeve shirts for my 6 year old, he needed some for winter. I averaged around $2 a shirt.

Some long red pants for my 6 year old, for winter. They're cargo pants with adjustable drawstring, $2. I realised later that these were the perfect pants for his winter school sports uniform.

This lovely velvet skirt I spotted and thought of my friend, it fits her beautifully. I love the little frill on the bottom.

This jacket was $2! A lovely fleecy lined jacket with flower embroidery. This is for my friend's daughter, who is my son's best friend.

This jumper is for my friend's son, who is my 3 year old's best friend. I have a bunch of iron-on owl transfers that I picked up from Etsy. I gave one to my friend to put on his jumper, looks fab I think. :-)

And that is the last of my holiday shopping.
Linking to Selena's Thrift Share Mondays at Apron Thrift Girl. Go check out other people's finds. :-)

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Books and Bits

My holiday treasures continues this week with a book post. I'm trying to buy less fiction books these days, due to space issues. But I couldn't resist these non-fiction books. 

Another journeys from the past book! This time about Ancient Rome. I love ancient history, and I was so excited to find this book in fantastic condition. $2.

My Ancient Rome book can join its friends, both of which I've found in op shops. I've finally got enough to call them a collection. :-)

These books were with the Ancient Rome book on the shelf- I'm thinking the same person got rid of them all? These are textbooks for high school. I love the middle ages.

I have a collection of Sing books, being a teacher. For those of you not familiar with them, these music books were published by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) for children, and have a collection of songs inside.

And last of all, a set of scented drawer liners. I've been using brown paper bags in my son's chest of drawers, so it will be great to have some proper liners that don't move around.

Linking over to Selena at Apron Thrift Girl for her Thrift Share Mondays.

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Holiday Treasures 2

Here's another installment of my op shopping in the holidays.

Did I tell you that I didn't have to pay for any of my op shopping these holidays? My lovely mum offered to pay for my op shopping instead of giving me Easter eggs this year. A pretty good bargain for me!

This week I'm showing you some clothes I picked up for me.

I love this knit- it is so soft and goes with so many of my clothes. The sleeves go down to my elbows, which is great in the in-between weather. I've been experimenting with belts and brooches and they both look great with it. I can't pin down the colour- it's not quite red, it's not quite pink, it's definately a cool shade. $3.

This top wasn't a holiday buy, I bought it a month ago and forgot to show you. I love the polka dots, and the blue. It looks funny on the hanger, but it's very flattering to wear. That wide strip across the middle rouches up when I put it on, skimming over the tummy very nicely.

Another top that looks much better on. It's a light cotton, 3/4 sleeves, and hangs nicely, skimming over tummy instead of clinging on. There are sequins sewn into the coloured pattern, which gives a fun twinkle to it when on.

Love the bright colours of these two tops. I bought them for layering underneath other tops, as they do grab all my lumps and bumps. :-)

A brown elastic belt, $1. Wasn't sure if I'd use a brown belt in my wardrobe, but at $1, and in great condition, I figured it couldn't hurt.

Next week I'll be showing you my book finds. :-)
Linking over to Selena for her Thrift Share Mondays.

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Vintage favourite

I'm back from my week long holiday at my parents, and a lot of op shopping was done. I have yet to take photos of the majority of it, so today I'm sharing with you my favourite find of the week- a vintage vanity case.

I found it at a church op shop which is only open in my parent's town on Thursday and Friday mornings. It was tucked away near a bunch of books, I spotted it immediately, and got very excited while my bemused Dad looked on.

It's got a few scuff marks on top, particularly on the top left. I was thinking of sticking something over the top there, perhaps a paper vintage flower? What do you think?

Its in lovely condition inside, and still has all its keys, as well as an extra key and padlock.

I love its blue colour. I'm still thinking about how I'm going to use it in my house, any suggestions? Besides looking at it admiringly?

And the best part of it all- it only cost me $2.

Linking to Selena for her Thrift Share Monday.

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Thrifty Finds

All my items were found at the Salvos on Newcastle Rd this week.
I was so excited to find a pussybow blouse, it has pretty little multi-coloured flowers all over it. The material is soft and flowy albeit see-through, but a black cami underneath fixes that issue. I feel very dressed up when I wear it. I noticed that the brand is Woman (a Best and Less plus-size brand) that I seem to do very well with.
The crotcheted coat hanger in the photo is also an op shop buy this week- they hold the shirts on so much better than the plastic ones.

Some new size 1 sandals for my 6 year old. He's showing them off for you in the second photo (yes I know sandals and socks, a great look lol). $3.

I had a rush of nostalgia seeing these dominos- I used to play with these kind when I was a child. Still in their original box with original instructions on how to play. I had fun showing the boys how to set up them and knock them over. And they were only $2!

My 6yo needed a new overnight bag, his old one had worn through on the bottom. This bag seems barely used, it looks new to me.

My mum has a set of these silver looking trivets. This will replace my old cork circle. :-)

I love the retro feel of the blue dangly earrings. I have already worn them with my new red flower print skirt featured on my blog last week, and they look fab. The blue clip ons are an experiment- I have the idea of attaching a necklace chain between them and make a set of sweater clips. Not sure how it will go.

Next week I am heading to the country to stay with my parents for a week (school holidays). We always hit up all the country op shops there, so be prepared for lots of goodies when I get back! My mum has suggested she pay for my op shop purchases instead of giving me an Easter Egg. Haha! I've certainly got the good end of that bargain! :-)

Linking to Thrift Share Monday over at Apron Thrift Girl.

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Belts and Pretties

I hit up the Mayfield op shops recently, namely Salvos and Vinnies. I was disappointed to see that Vinnies no longer has a plus size section for their clothes, but I got some good scores on belts there. Salvos had its usual collection of fancy and average brands.

Fabulous belt scores from Vinnies, $1 each. I've been experimenting with wearing skirts with tops tucked in, and a belt. I think it looks good on me. The one belt I had doesn't cinch tight enough around my waist, so finding these belts were a great score. I like how the black one has an elasticised belt for a firmer fit.

This skirt was my favourite find of the morning. I love the cheery red flower pattern, and the little touches like the edging around the waist, and the frilly bottom. It was $6, with the original shop tags still attached.

A long-sleeved purple top for the cooler weather. I like the lace edging on the v-neck. This was marked at $6, but the lady offered it to me for $3 when I pointed out the stain on the bottom. I think it's an oil stain, which doesn't bother me, I can wear it tucked in, or around the house, or layer it under something.

Isn't this pendant gorgeous? I'm not a fan of gold colour jewelry, but I couldn't pass up the lovely green stone. I'm wearing it as a pendant at the moment, but as the back is flat, I could glue a brooch back to it if I change my mind. It was $2.

This bowl was 50c at Vinnies. I like little bowls I can put in the microwave, often I use them to melt a little butter or chocolate for baking.

This baby doll was a previous purchase at the same Vinnies, for 50c. It has been a fabulous buy, my boys adore playing with it. Now we have an op shop collection of 3 babies, and they all get played with. :-)

A few books. Space Demons is the first book in a young adult trilogy by Australian author Gillian Rubenstein. I loved the series in high school, and now I have the whole set, having found the other books at op shops over the years. The Dr Phil book I bought to resell, we'll see how it goes. Live Better on a Low Budget was an interesting read. An Australian book written in the 80s.

How adorable is this set of stacking boxes? $1! The pictures are lovely. All the boxes sit inside each other to pack away. I have a play school set that R got for his 1st birthday, 2 years later they're still going strong! I'm very happy to add this set to the collection.

Linking to Apron Thrift Girl for her Thrift Share Mondays. If I could figure out how to put your Thrift Share button in the sidebar Selena, I would- sorry!

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