What has become of Vinnies?

Japanese donkey S&P figurine - hidden with my other treasures

I know I’m selfish and a hypocrite but I loathe it when “MY vinnies” (well, my local one) becomes a hot-spot for every man and their dog when they have their 50% off sales!!

I adored my Vinnes a few years ago. Quiet, cheap and a cornucopia of precious items from local deceased estates. I’m an area that is evolving from an aged population to a younger, trendier one- a population that is cluey on thrifting.

Gone are the days where I would spend an hour trawling through wonderful linens – cross stitched table cloths and floral printed sheets. I was in my own little sanctuary with the only interruption from the kindly man from the front desk asking me if he could be of any assistance. Last weekend there was a QUEUE to look at the linen section – people were actually looking at their watches whilst make coughing noises in an attempt to intimidate me to move on.

I watched as people picked up delicate plates and then chucked them carelessly back on the pile. Another woman knocked over a whole basket of items simply scooped them all back up.

True, I managed to score these 3 treasures – and it WAS wonderful that with %50 offer they came to a total of $20 but I left the store sad and disappointed that my little treasure trove haven had been ‘raped and pillaged’ by vultures with no care for what they man-handled.


"Enchanted" patern Royal Albert Teacup (with my Gram Shirley in the background"


1973 Simplicity pattern

It’s beginning of the end for clutter!

Vinnies scored big-time this weekend with about 30 pairs of shoes, 20 or so handbags and wallets, 10 pairs of jeans and 3 boxes of other clothes and towels. I have started my “de-clutter = de-stress” project and it feels sooo good!


Now, my shoes all fit on my shoe rack! (click to enlarge image -I ADORE this vintage floral carpet that lines the cupboard. My grandparents brought it with them from their old home)


My bedside table is now visible, and not strewn with tarnishing $2 jewellery, bobby pins, magazines and newspapers! My African Violet also has a chance to survive now!

I was watching the Foxtel show “Hoarders” and I had a sickly reminder of myself (ok, well not nearly to the same extent) I keep EVERYTHING and it’s bumming me out big time! I didn’t realise just how much the clutter was stressing me out. I want a nice, clean house, where everything has a place- not just shoved somewhere random. It made cleaning a hassle and putting things away a nightmare.

If you’re short for time, you can stop reading now, as the following is just a bit of a rant…..
I’m also trying to buy less useless junk -do I REALLY need an avocado cutter when I own a knife? And why do I need a swiffer, a dustbuster, and a pusher thingy when I own a vacuum cleaner?? I find myself sucked into buying items that will reduce time, make my life easier when in reality all they do is clutter up my home after only being used once. I hate the fact that we live in such a “disposable” and “single purposed item” world – disposable wipes for your bathroom- MULTIPLE cleaning solutions that do the same thing 1 bottle of cleaner for shower, 1 for the sink cleaner another bottle for tiles. I’ve started to use a mixture of Lemon Oil, vinegar and bi-carb soda and it cleans BETTER than said cleaners. I think that’s why I hoard things though – because I hate to waste anything. But if I BUY less, then there’s less to waste. I know, I sound like a hypocrite when I’ve just posted the other day about buying copious amounts of glitter – but I make those things last and don’t waste them. Case in point: I still have my Derwent pencils in used, but perfect condition, from when I bought them from my hard earned pocket money at 13 years old.

This is thw pile for Vinnies and some recycling too..
If you’re still with me, thankyou for reading my rant. I feel a lot better now! Moral of my story
More quality + Less Crap= No clutter and LESS STRESS!! YAY!!!