Since discovering this blog, I've reflected a bit on how I came to be a committed op-shopper. It started as a necessity - moving to another city with no furniture and no money - but then somewhere along the line, it turned into something else. Now I find myself quite happy to walk out of an op shop empty-handed, satisfied because I know there's nothing in there for me, at least for now.
Is the art of op-shopping about intuition or developing a practised eye? Or a bit of both? For example, on my last visit to Mitchell Salvos I knew almost as I walked into the shop that I would find some clothes for my daughter, but nothing for me, and that is exactly what occurred.
But of course, the other great thing about opshopping is getting a lovely surprise, and that's what happened on the way to the counter to buy the clothes. This lovely gentleman's travel kit caught my eye (I think I have already accidentally uploaded the picture): an English-made leather case full of grooming devices, including shoe buffer, extra shoe laces, a nail file, and moustache comb!
My husband really loves these relics from an earlier, gentlemanly era. For years, I have tried to find him an old-fashioned tinderbox, but without success. But one day, I know I'll walk into an opshop, somewhere, and just 'know' that that day IS the day when I find one. For now, he is chuffed to bits with the grooming kit - I just hope he doesn't grow a mo to warrant the use of the comb...