found!

I visited the newly located Lost and Found Market yesterday for some last minute bits and pieces before my trip to Japan (10 days, but who's counting?). I love this place, and was devastated when I thought it had closed down. And equally excited to discover that it had merely moved to a bigger site down the street! So yesterday I was keen to see what I could unearth. Be proud of me, I could have spent oodles of dollars on the amazing treasures you can find there, but I was good. Saving my pennies for Tokyo's second hand stores - I've heard particularly good things about two areas called Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji. The fact that we only had 30 mins on the parking meter probably helped prevent the splurge that was waiting to happen... Instead I left with a booty that I am most pleased with.

Item #1, a tan leather handbag. Embossed all over, beautiful thick leather, plaited handle and leather stitching around the edges. Perfect size, clasp that works, good strap length (none of this underarm chafing). I've been searching for something like it for well over a year, and I'm in love. Every time I walk past my room and see it lying on the bed I let out a little sigh of contentment. I think this will be the start of a beautiful relationship.

Item #2 is a pair of jeans - high waisted, light denim, tapered leg - love. I was super pleased to have something a little roomy and comfy to wear while out and about all day sightseeing. But the cherry on the already towering cake came this afternoon when I was trying them on, and noticed that there was writing on the pocket. Pierre Cardin. Surely not? I thought. But after a quick inspection of the inner tag, it seems that, yes, I did score a pair of Pierre Cardin jeans (Made in Paris) for only 30 big ones. Don't mind if I do.

Did I mention I love Lost and Found Market?

etsy a good place to buy

I've rediscovered etsy.com lately, and I'm loving it! If not for actually buying things, at least for providing plenty of inspiration. For those of you unfamiliar, here are some facts about it. (And yes, I copied them from the website... it's late and I'm lazy).

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade. Their mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Their vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade. My favourite category of goods by far is the Geekery section. Filled with all things kitsch, quirky and cute, it's a great place to find interesting and creative accessories, stationery and other knick knacks. And it's not expensive either, shipping something overseas won't cost you much at all. Below are some examples of my favourite pieces in the Geekery section. Enjoy. kiss hug

too late.

don't you hate it when something you've paid full price for goes on sale?

the shoots?

this season, magazines and fashion blogs have dubbed the slightly-less-than-ankle-boots, shoots (shoe boots). these were left off my wishlist in the last post, but finally go the images working... so let me know what you think. i actually bought the black ones, but i'm considering taking them back if they don't look right with my dresses and stuff... but i think they'll be good to wear through summer and winter, and for both nights out and more corporate occasions. the heel is a really comfortable thickness and height, but they're a little bit roomy because i have a very narrow foot. on second thoughts, i think i'll keep them. haha... it was always going to happen.




the gold boot is coming out at the same store any day now, and rest assured... i'll be waiting when it arrives.


kiss hug

bargains bargains everywhere

oh op shops, how i love thee. i started my holidays by doing the rounds of my locals, and they didn't let me down! $10 got me 3 books, some Little Golden Books, a brown plaited belt, a little porcelain ornament and a pair of high waisted denim shorts!

i was ecstatic with the shorts, who needs to spend $90 in a shop when you can get a pair (that fit perfectly) for just $1??

So much love to give

I've been busy hitting the op shops of late! Dropping into all my local favourites, and coming home with my arms full of treasures.... I love second hand stores! I find it so satisfying to search through other peoples discards to find things that can be reworked, worn or used differently and born again. It gives me a way to be a bit creative and to think outside the square. Chain store shopping just doesnt do it for me anymore.

Some of my most recent finds...


Little saucer - i couldn't resist it, i've got a bit of a soft spot for anything pretty and flowery.


Ceramic figurine - it's pretty kitsch, just as i like it. Quirky little ornaments are my latest obsession.

Golden Books! Stores that realise their collectable quality sell them for $5-$8 each. I got 6 for $1.20.


Love this ooooold book. It says inside it was a Christmas present in the 30s. I found it in an antique store and couldn't resist it. It's falling apart a bit though, have to be very careful.


Bow hooks- I love anything with bows really, and these are so cute! I found them when i was about to leave in a little discount bin for 50c each. Discounted at an op shop. Does it get any better?


Silk scarves - these are an assortment i've found in vintage stores, op shops and my mum's drawers. I've started wearing them instead of necklaces sometimes, to add a little colour. Trying to work out some more interesting ways of wearing them though. Any suggestions?


blue and white checked shirt - i've been searching for a good shirt for a while, and this one was perfect! Looks so cute tucked into skinny legs jeans, or belted around the waist with an old brown leather belt.


BAGS - I have only ever bought myself 2 full price bags. The rest have been presents or second hand. In this pic pretty much all the little ones are from op shops - the navy one, the little brown one, the pale blue mesh one, the bright blue one and the metallic one. They're all I use when I go out at night!

Ahhh second hand is so much fun. i worked out recently that more than half my outfit was preloved. At least I know no-one else would be wearing the same thing!

Can't wait to set myself loose on the local Salvos this week!

kiss hug

bliss.

i ♥ driving around in the sun

added bonus when there are shopping bags at my feet :)

Lightbulb Moments

three exciting revelations i had today:

1. the two-part Alice in Wonderland movie i've been hunting down forEVER, with the jaberwocky, and the fields of talking flowers, and the flood....
that'd be 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' (1985)

it was a 2 part, made-for-television special, and apparently it was released on DVD in 2006! I want it, i want it!!! been searching for oh so long...

2. the reason I haven't been able to find Kids in Berlin on Victoria Street? I've been heading in the wrong direction... it's not on the Vic Gardens side of Victoria Parade, but the opposite side, in North Melbourne. Clever Soph. Might have to head down on Wednesday after uni.

3. the song on the new bonds ad, which shows a group of girls dancing around (in very co-ordinated formation might I add) in their undies...I knew I liked it, I knew I knew the band, and after checking out my album collection I discovered it is no other but Bonde De Role - Gasolina. I've got a slight band-crush on this Brazilian group, their music is so much fun to dance around to. 'Bop' may even apply in this case. Great CD, get on it.

kiss hug

i ♥ shopping

yay i found a picture of the necklace i bought from Hunter Gatherer on a website. I love it, it's by Drink Me Alice, an awesome label that takes images from vintage storybooks and artwork and sets them in a pendant, coated in resin. Such cute designs.


It's a bit more purpley in real life though.

Next thing I want to buy with 21st money I got from my parents, a nice tan leather bag. Something that isn't too trend-driven, so it won't date. Something like this one I found on the Witchery website maybe, but with straps that are a bit longer. Nothing worse than a bag that cuts into your armpits. Ick.



kiss hug

I Shop Therefore I Am.

I'm starting a bit of a rebellion against chainstores.

Finally, some of you might say.

Lack of a job and restrictions on how much shopping I can get out and do (as well as a love of them in the first place) has made me spend a lot of time in op-shops lately. And I've found some awesome stuff! My fave is a cherry red woollen jumper with white pattern around the top. So unlike me, but i love it! and other than my mum freaking out at the start it's gotten a good reception so far. Best $8 spend ever.


Other good buys recently include a navy blue satchel, prefect size for uni - $5 at local op shop
about 5 classic books including Lady Chatterley's Lover and Peyton Place - 50c each at op shop
cute pale yellow 80s longish sleeve top - $29 at Episode
cute 1/2 sleeve cream top/dress - bit more expensive, from Meet Me At Mikes

LOVE LOVE LOVE-ing the Brunswick, Gertrude, Smith, Johnston St square. Hunter Gatherer, Episode, Somebuddy Loves you, Curious Eidolon.. ahhh heaven! and Meet Me At Mike's on Bridge Rd is just torture, I want everything in the shop! retro figurines and vintage greeting cards were teasing me, might have to go back for them at some stage...



I finish uni early tomorrow, might have to hunt down Kids in Berlin on Victoria St. Last time I drove down there I couldn't see it anywhere, but this time I'll arm myself with the shop number and I'm not coming home empty handed!

kiss hug