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

Thrifted Tuesday

Posting things I got on Saturday :) These are the things that Mr Honi bough for me. He hates all my clutter, so it meant a whole lot that he bought these things for me!!

Japanese salt and pepper shakers. they look like Coalport, but they've just got "japan" on the bottom.

Rose beads. They look like celluloid or ivory, but they're just plastic. but I lOVE them

a very cute dress (BNWT!!! seems my Vinnies is taking on a lot of unsold stock from clothing retailers- even Wedding dresses!!)

Thrifted Tuesday (but on Sunday, posted Monday)

The thrifting gods were shining down on me yet again. I found sooo many things to buy, and as I was just putting a few things away (as the wedding budget doesn't allow much spending) i saw the sign. 50% off all items.
Yes, FIFTY PERCENT OF ALL ITEMS!!!!!
So I walked away with...


A needlepoint book (which Darling Mr Honi found for me)

A gorgeous blue elephant that I passed up the week before, but I reckon if it lasts a week in Vinnies, and is there when I go back then it's fated to be mine!

2 lovely pillow cases, and a piece of material

and then this little beauty. I couldn't resist it.

And I got the whole lot for $12!!!! Could I be any happier??

Thrifted find and a thrify helper

I popped into my favourite local Vinnies with the thought that I would just look.

No buying, just looking.

I don't know who I was trying to fool really.

Of COURSE I couldn't walk out empty handed!! When Mr Honi came in he found me struggling with 2 arm fulls of stuff. He spent 5 minutes putting everything back but we agreed that our budget could stretch to this doona cover. I simply adore the fabric!



Then we went into Myer to do our bridal registry (using their electronic scanner things was sooooo much fun!) and I found this book and HAD to buy it.





BUT....they listed my Vinnies, yes MY VINNIES as the top one in Sydney! I was devastated. No wonder it's been getting busier and busier.
Then I realised that the book has "outed" a lot of peoples favourite vinnies and secret squirrel shops. I kind of feel like a bit of a cheater now. It's so much more fun scouting for op shops or stumbling upon them when you're out.

I do love this book, but i think I'll use it sparingly. I don't want to encroach on other thrifters territory!

Thrifted finds

Some pretty napkins and on old bed sheet I picked up from my local, reliable Vinnies. I live in a place that is densely populated with "older" people so there are always some great finds there!

These goodies are destined for a summer dress!

Thrifting in my own house...

....yes, it sounds weird, but i did it the other day. My darling Ma is getting a new kitchen and took some boxes of old bits and pieces into the storage room under the house. That's when all hell broke loose and an avalanche of boxes and bits and pieces rained down on her.

So, I offered to take a day off work to go around and help her start to clean it out (which I've been saying I'd do for YEARS)

So just to set the scene - I rocked up at 7.30am to a room the size of an average bathroom completely filled floor to ceiling with boxes. I've never really thought about what's in there until we started tro clean.

And OMG, did I hit the jackpot!!! Turns out my aunty, great aunt and grandma are ALL Hoarders and don't appear to throw anything out- they just store it at Mum's!!

So infront of me were boxes FILLED with Vintage goodness! We only managed to get through about 10 boxes (theres about another 30-40 to go!)

and just look what I found......

About 30 odd "old fashioned peg doll" kits my mum made up about 20 years ago (Now I know where my craftyness comes from!!) I remember going to a market with her and she only sold ONE kit. She was so upset that she boxed them up and never tried to sell them again, which was so sad.

So I made one up, and thy are SUPER cute. So I'm going to sell them on Etsy for my Ma :) Just need the time to load them!!!

the most gorgeous mini Swan Lake pictures (now on my inspiration wall)

and about 10 big eyed girl/boy pictures! This was my fave.

Plus sooo much stuff I am yet to take pictures of including Figgjo Dinner Set, orange floral 70's tea set, 50's gloves, 70's cluster rings, vinatage cake plates...oooo soo much!!!

Thrifting gloriousness..

I took a few things into vinnes today and I thought I might as well have a little look-see inside while I was there. I was delighted to find a few vinatge patterns (all from around the early 1970's) which I think I might sell on Etsy - once I actually get around to loading things on there properly!! If anyone is intereded in any of these patterns let me know and I'll load them on a bit quicker

this one for dollies is my favourite i think!!