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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New Op Shop discovery

Recently I heard about a new op shop in Islington. I had a spare morning, so my friend and I went to check it out. It's a more upmarket op shop, but there are lots of things to look at, and loads of room. Pricing varied- it seemed to depend on whether you asked the middle aged lady or the older lady for the price. The older lady gave much cheaper prices.

For those of you in Newcastle, the address is 23 Maitland Road Islington.

I went on a Friday, and they had bags full of bread that you could take for free, if you were in need.

The front room (there were 3 connecting rooms). Some lovely vintage gloves there, too small for my hands!

Cocktail dresses- quite a variety of them, in sizes 8-14.

Some dapper hats in the men's section. Except for the village people hat down the bottom.

A display of accessories at the front counter.

I loved how they used an old tree branch to display their jewelry.

Some pretty crockery and glassware.

The second room. This room has cuddly sizes (yes that's what the sign said), and children's clothes, toys and games. My son and my friend are in the background. The children's clothes are mostly the fancy brands. I looked at some of the cuddly clothes, prices ranged from $6 to $15.

The children's section. Books, games, toys. My son picked a few things to take home.

Love the parasol. :-)

The last room, full of home wares, books, crockery, suitcases.

In the end, I bought just one thing for my mum, who collects bells. Its made out of crystal, and has a lovely tone. It was $6 (bargained down from the middle-aged lady who said $9!).

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Flower Fairies

My latest op shop find is a childhood indulgence. I saw this sweet little picture in my local Vinnies, at Mayfield, for $5. The picture is mounted on some lightweight wood, and is in great condition.
As a child I had a little set of flower fairy books, with poems and illustrations by Cicely Mary Barker. This picture is one of her illustrations of sweet pea fairies. You can see a bunch of her fairy pictures here. Just click on the magnifying glass to see them better.

I tried to talk myself out of the picture intially, saying to myself "Bek it's a picture for a little girl's room, and you have no little girls." But it didn't work! I like fairies, and always will! So the fairies are hanging on the hallway wall outside my bedroom. :-)

Linking this over to Apron Thrift Girl for her Thrift Share Mondays.

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Holiday Treasures

Hi all, I've been on a blog break over the summer holidays, enjoying time with my boys, and family and friends.
Here's a few items I picked up in my country op shop, which I rummage in when visiting my parents.

This dress is a Best and Less brand, $5. Very cool, soft and comfortable. I love the bright retro pattern. It's been a handy summer dress. I'm on the lookout for a wide belt, to see how it would look with the dress.

A big glass jar with a screw top lid, $2. Can always use them for storage somewhere.

Power Ranger videos, 50c each. It's been fun sharing my old fav tv shows with my boys.

Another useful kitchen item. Cereal container, $3. Currently being put to good use. :-)

And finally, the award for most creepy children's book goes to...

His eyes not only move, they glow in the dark! It looks way more creepy in person. My mum picked this up at an op shop for my kids. Thanks for the thought mum...

Linking over to Apron Thrift Girl for Thrift Share Mondays.

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