Total outfit for $11? ...only from an op shop!

(Reposted from Fotofraulein...)

Sometimes I find gold and on my last day before heading back to work, I scored gold. I headed out to Salvo's in Fyshwick as I hadn't been to the southside of town for a while and in particular to Fyshwick.

Being a weekday it was quiet and there wasn't a queue for the change room. I'm on the hunt for a crop demin jacket. Do you think I found one? No, but of course I couldn't leave empty handed. On the half price rack was a linen Marks and Spencer skirt for $3. I love the black with the cream and peachy colour block hem.

Not one to usually look at the shoes today I did. And thank the op shopping stars I did! Funkis clogs $5, in size 41? Yes please! And they look brand new!

The thought of ironing work clothes does not thrill me, so during my first week back at work I headed into Vinnies Mitchell, picking up a cute, cool, non iron Liz Jordan top for $3. And to finish off my bargain $11 outfit, a handmade necklace, made by my darling friend Libby.

Liz Jordan top - $3 (Vinnies Mitchell)

Marks and Spencer skirt - $3 (Salvo's Fyshwick)

Funkis clogs - $5 (Salvo's Fyshwick)

Total spent: $11

I'm dreaming of an op-shop run

As the The Shopping Sherpa alluded to in the previous post, I had  an inkling that an op-shop run was needed - and it was not going away.

It is fun to not only have another 'I Op' colleague to work with and being able to pop out for a quick look around in a lunchtime break.

My finds are all from the Salvos at Fyshwick - I don't normally purchase 80s style dresses ($9), it's for my teenage daughter who loves to look like she goes to school with Ferris Bueller and definitely can not remember big shoulders the first time around.

Digging through the vintage sewing patterns, I found my 'score' of the day - vintage Disney cloth patches. The stash of patterns, cloth patches and tapestry threads came to a grand total of $4.

Hopefully more lunchtime trips will be planned.

A lunch run

One of the (many) fabulous things about where I work is the easy lunchtime access to a selection of op shopping ...err opportunities.

This week Teak has been muttering about her growing urge to do an op shop run and last night I had an op shopping dream. So it was clear we needed to head out at lunchtime. We chose the Fyshwick/ Narrabundah option this time.

Teak did well at Salvos Fyshwick (and has promised to share her scores here). I bought a wooden puzzle for $1, inspired by Jan Hogan's work Little Red Riding Hood which is part of the excellent 100% Books by Canberra Artists currently showing at The Watson Arts Centre.

I did very well at Vinnies Narrabundah, scoring a number of finds for my stall at next month's Sydney Miniatures Show. The plastic baskets (one large: $2, four small: $1 each) and the black and white boxes ($2.20 for the set) will be used by shoppers to hold their items while they shop the stall. And the wool (250g 8 ply in yellow: $7.50 and three balls of 4 ply: $4 total) will be used to knit my next colour range of miniature pouffes.

One and a quarter hours later, and $20.70 poorer, I returned to work a satisfied shopper.

Homage

We couldn't get to the Charny Carnie today, but some of our purchases were apposite. Fortunately the only mullet we spotted was $6 a kilo at Fyshwick markets. ;)

Crocs, Vinnies Monster Sale, $3 and Bogan Pride DVD, Vinnies Dickson, $4.

On a classier note, we picked up this Wedgewood coffee pot in the Pennine design for friends who have collected this pattern for more than 40 years. It was $2 at Salvos Fyshwick Bargain Basement.

and if you're not busy tomorrow night

for second hand/vintage clothing.

Easter treasures

Reprinted from The Shopping Sherpa

I had today off and high on my list of things to do was finally get my knives and scissors sharpened for the year (a task which is well overdue.)

As usual, I was asked to come back to collect my knives in a couple of hours so there was only one thing to do: continue on to Queanbeyan and check out the op shops there before dropping into Narrabundah and Fyshwick on the way back.

This collection was strongly influenced by Ampersand Duck's fabulous work at the opening of Three Chords and the Truth last night at ANCA Gallery:($3.50 the lot)

D is for daisy. I seemed to find a lot of them today (plus a vintage set of Cuisenaire rods):(Cuisenaire rods: $10, bag of various fridge magnets including the d is for one above: $4, toy badge making set including daisy blanks: $2, white daisy buckle: $1, vintage daisy doily: 50 cents)

Also in the bag of fridge magnets (and the main reason I bought them) was this and a couple of similar vintage wooden magnets, which will be turned into brooches this weekend:Shown on my "new" trans-seasonal coat ($15)

Finally, I found this set of cards in Vinnies Queanbeyan for $1. I guess it's a game of some sort (there are instructions. They're all in Japanese) but I think the cards would look great hung on dolls house walls...
And remember, being Easter weekend most op shops are closed until Tuesday. If you get desperate it's Portobello Road at The Old Bus Depot markets on Sunday. I won't be there: I've spent my frugalling budget for the month...

Are times so tough?

That they're ram raiding op shops now?

Vinnies Dickson is closed until after Easter because a truck smacked into the side wall. Did I have my camera on me to show you the resulting damage? No.

And in completely unrelated news, Salvos Fyshwick has a range of new with tag bras for sale. Mostly smaller sizes, so if you're a 10 you'll be able to grab yourself a bargain...

Queens of the op shops

(Reprinted from The Shopping Sherpa)

Today was another of those rare times when Taph and I were both off work on the same day and the op shops (except for Vinnies) were open. Plus we had Salvos cards that are due to expire on Thursday.

So there was only one thing to do: chose the car with the most spare space in it and do the rounds.

At (Big) Salvos in Queanbeyan I picked up this shirt for $3.50 (as part of our use of the first card):Yes, I'm well aware it's not black and white but for I figured if I don't wear it it would make great a) hankies or b) dolls house bedding. Besides, when I tried it on it reminded me of my days in student radio back in the 80s. Or Adrian off The Collectors (not that I've watched a complete episode as yet). Enough reason to drop $3.50, I figured...

At Salvos Fyshwick I remembered I was in need of a punk costume. And I spotted this tail coat:
Home made. Green tagged (so $3 instead of the marked $15) and reminiscent of a tail coat I used to wear in the late 80s (see above).

Then there was this vintage Simona tartan shift dress: $4.50 with card:I pulled it out. We (Taph, two lovely op shoppers who we'd been bumping into at every shop we visited (as you do) and the chap working at the shop) agreed it would be perfect under the tails at a punk party. But I put it back. The party is in mid summer. This reminds me more of winter.

Taph rescued it and made me see sense.

Then the chap that worked there came up with this which he said would work perfectly with the tails:Homemade, fits perfectly, would be great for openings and $3.50 with card. Sold!

I was on a roll! Spotty vintage Equipment shirt (I swear I had the matching short sleeved shirt many years ago) $3.50 with card:(I'm starting to feel the need to pull out my turntable and play Hüsker Dü)

But wait! There's more!

While waiting for the fitting rooms I perused the green rack (all items originally marked under $6 for $1, over $6: $3) and pulled out these for $1 each: Brand new daisy T (I plan to remove the pocket)

And Target Veronicas T shirt which, with a little tweaking , might just work under the tails with skinny jeans. And maybe my bowler hat. For $1 it's worth taking the chance...

But we're not over yet. Salvos Jamison Centre has all short sleeved summer tops at $2. This is a little more scoop necked than I'm used to but for $2, worth trying out. Besides, it has spots:
Finally, Taph points out a full wool felted regimental dress uniform:We laugh a bit. We admire it. She asks me to try it on. There's more giggling. Until I try the trousers and discover they fit perfectly. As in the length's spot on. So's the waist. Wool trousers (with a groovy red stripe up the leg) for $30? Sold to the mad woman in the fitting room!

Highlight of the day? The discovery that the larger Salvos stores now have itty bitty carts to fit their shopping baskets: So friends can op shop with a basket each, space on the handle to hang coat hangers, and two free hands to explore the racks. Big thumbs up to Salvos!

Now, as seems a fitting end to a day like this, I'm off to watch Mary, Queen of Charity Shops. (While washing my work shirt for tomorrow, of course!)

Mystery object!

I bought this today at the Salvo's Bargain Basement in Fyshwick. It was a bargain too, I spotted it on the way out the door and was told what I'd paid for a few other bits and pieces "covered that too, love".

It's stainless steel, about 10 cm from beak to tail. The centre flap comes up (as you see) and has a small hole in it. The base says: 18-8 Stainless Steel Hong Kong. So probably not a salt cellar? Some other kind of condiment container? A toothpick holder? Anyone know or have any other ideas?

Salvos Fyshwick Bargain Basement

The Bargain Basement at Salvos Fyshwick has altered its opening hours.

The Basement is now open 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday - no weekend hours.

Op Shop outfit

(Reprinted from The Shopping Sherpa)

In the spirit of perempuan's recent post: Today's outfit consisted of:

Skinny rib: $6, Salvos Fyshwick
Skirt: $6, Salvos Queanbeyan
Shoes: $4, Vinnies Queanbeyan
Wool coat: $12, Vinnies Phillip (not shown)

Just the basics

(Reprinted from The Shopping Sherpa)A lunch date in Kingston today meant a good excuse to check out the inner south op shops for a change. Where I stocked up on some basics:

Black jeans: $5, Vinnies Narrabundah
White T shirt: $3.50, Salvos Fyshwick
96 pocket CD case (to keep my backup discs in): $3, Vinnies Narrabundah
2 stainless steel mixing bowls with measurements on the side: $5 (3 litre) and $3 (1.5 litre), Salvos Fyshwick

While I was at Fyshwick I bumped into Ken who tells me the opening of the new Mitchell store has been pushed back to late September/ early October at the stage.

News from a reader

Hello I am a regular lurker here and on TSS.

I wanted to let you know there is a $2.50 kids clothes sale at Salvos Fyshie. There is also a fabulous caramel coloured Debenams wool coat a la Barbra Striesand in The Way We Were size 10-12 (sadly, or it would be mine now)...

Cheers A

Hello, I'm new here! *waves to the old hands*

Hello, I'm Zoe, a long-time op shopper, somewhat less long-time Canberra blogger (here on food and here infrequently these days) and very new member of the I op therefore I am team of Frugalistas.

Our car is in for repairs this week, so I made the most of clearish day last week to traipse around with traps with my 2 yo for assistance entertainment.

We went to the Salvos and Aussie Junk in Mitchell, to the YMCA in Kingston and the Salvos in Fyshwick. I had an appointment in Belconnen in the afternoon, so we finished up with a lightning raid on Salvos at Jamison, which confirmed its reputation (in my house at least) as the most "dreamin'" overpriced op shop in Canberra. I ended up with a most satisfactory haul that I think's a pretty good reflection of my particular op shopping fetishes - cookbooks (especially the Time Life Good Cook and Foods of the World series, some vintage and modern Australian cheffy type ones - here a TL Foods of the World folder with the Middle East volume), weird stuff about cats, cast iron cooking pots and pans, ($13 for saucepan, frypan and lid that fits both) vintage melamine (50 c), mystery kitchen appliances, some kids' videos (50 c each) and the occasional clothing item (a very nearly new pair of size 10 1/2 shiny patent boots for $25 from Salvos Mitchell).

Score of the day was the mystery appliance, which was $5 at the Fyshwick Salvos upstairs. It turns out to be the Benriner Cooks' Helper, $79 new at the Asian supermarket at Belconnen Mall. Even better, the manual's on the web, so my older son's been having "vegetable spaghetti" in his lunchbox. I love the internet ; )

A quick shopping trip to a foreign country

Taph and i went in to the US embassy sale on the 4th of March. As it was at a site leased by the Embassy, it was technically in another country.

As the photo shows there was a number of people there.

My picks of the day were 10 metal folding chairs that went for $72, or $7.20 each, and a bedroom set of a Tallboy and Nightstand for $100.

Taph and I have previously picked up a sofa for $50 (you can see a photo of it here).

This time we got outbid on everything, but I hope the person who bid $130 more than we did on a LCD monitor is very happy with their purchase.