Finds BEFORE My Blog Days!

So I had a shit week. Everything was going well, all on top of my work, looking forward to joining in the new listy thing on Mondays but then....my hard drive dies. Beware those of you with automatic updates as I am not alone-it over loaded hard drive and ended up costing a fortune. I hate Microsoft so much right now. I know hating is not a good word to use but feel its very justified here. So I didn't manage to get much time to go out hunting, I found a few treasures but thought I would also share with you 5 of my best finds before my blogging days.

Vintage 80s Chanel Dress

I was so close to really crapping myself when I saw this dress. It does not fit me, I am far too broad for something so pretty and dainty but tried to photograph all the little features on it! It just feel nice to own one, for now!

30s Navy Crepe Lace Trim Maxi Dress

I don't like using the word Maxi to describe such a nice old piece, it feels too trendy. At the same time what are you supposed to say? Full Length? I don't feel that does this justice either, sounds too stuffy. I love this dress and apart from the tiniest tear on the lace collar its in perfect condition!

Fabric has a nice heaviness to it so drapes very well, a really beautiful fit with all the gathers!

Vintage 40s Stud Smocked Novelty Print Dress

Check out all the stunning details on this beauty! Very unusual little round studs allover bodice, with quirkiest print and really nice original knotted belt...

The wide shaped waistband again fits like only 40s dresses do and these photos do not do it justice!

Vintage 40s 50s? Miami Robes Dress

This piece is a real stunner. I have never got around to repairing the zipper but at some point I will as frozen up and so cant try it on-which is VERY annoying but this one cant be a rush job-its worth much more time invested to try and save current zipper or find a perfect replacement!

Vintage 50s Hawaiian Playsuit

This was and insane bargain and looks unworn, totally mint condition. I wish I could tell you how much these cost but its at the risk of you all hating me and you wont come and visit my blog anymore which would suck.

Now onto my bargains for the week...

60s Floral Embroidered Pink Dress

How cute is this! Love the bright psychedelic flower embroidery, very 60s! The perfect party dress I think!

70s Sheepskin Coat

This is my best find in a while and its all mine. I hate the cold so this thick fully lined coat will keep me warm all winter long and will probably be so conditioned to Australian temperatures that will end up wearing it in Summer back home in England.

Vintage 80s Neon Garden Jumper

Just couldn't say no to this because its just super loud and colourful and warm. I like colourful things!

50s Roulette Bag

Okay so its a little bit tatty, but its so darn cool. It has little pearl counters and rhinestone studs as counters and the fabric looks quite old-must be 40s or 50s. I always appreciate if anyone else knowledge about these things or can correct my dating skills!

Vintage 70s Green Leather Bag

Well its just so disco, I love bright green too! If I happen to go to a 70s disco BBQ I can also take these along....

Vintage 1976 Meat Tenderiser and Seasoner Set

Not sure how much meat will be left after giving it pound with this one but they look cool don't they!

Old Sewing Needles

I say needles like I have more than one in there, I don't-which is a bummer but the packet is still aesthetically pleasing.
And next the reason why I don't like to model clothes over winter??

Vintage 80s Vivian Chan Shaw Jumper

Its just so warm and I cant take it off! I love oversized jumpers, especially in cold weather!

As I enjoy the wonders of not having lost my entire years worth of computer stuff I can now get to see everyone else finds (touch wood) at the weekly blogs of:

Sophie @ Her Library Adventures on Flea Market Sunday
Erica @ Fashion Recycled on Thrifty Friday
MissieLizzie @ Me and My Shadow on Magpie Monday
See you there and thanks for stopping by!

Old & Gold in Brunswick

Today was my Christmas, the Old & Gold event in Brunswick Heads. It is AMAZING and probably why I thought Ballina Garage Sale Trail was such crap. After some very busy weeks at work covering for people on holiday I have hardly got to any op shops or markets so was hoping this was a good year, and I was not let down! Held each year in June it has all day events from over 60 garage sales, collectors stalls all over town- check out the list of what was going on here-and make sure you dont miss out next year!

I am sorry though, other than few items from last week, everything photographed on the floor as I'm freezing and wearing a nice warm jumper and dont want to take it off.

HUGE (36" +) Vintage African Tribal Leather Bag

I cant call this a bag really, its a thing, in a positive way-not like I cant be bothered to describe it, but more like 'it came from outer space', there is a very high chance that my death will be the result of the tassels eating me alive Little Shop of Horrors style. I am in love though. Hand painted leather, so many thick long tassels, it is supposed to be used as a backpack looped over each arm but I am going to devise a leather strap to connect handle to it will be come the most overly pretentious shoulder bag in the world. Its stupidly huge (put a cd next to it to show size), but so am I - a perfect match! I have great fears as a girl from a small town will not be able to keep up with the chic fashion set in Paris and London when visit soon, so weird and loud is the way to go!

40s Farmers Irish Linen Dress

This gorgeous dress just needs 2 bits of elastic in the sides spots where its gone and will be perfect again. The lace is layered and very detailed. I didnt do it justice in the photos.

Chipie Prairie Circle Skirt and 60s Hand Knit Rose Cardigan

I used to have a pair of chipie trainers in pink suede and they glowed in the dark (I was 13). I think the skirt will out last the trainers in style but I still want my pink ones back. The hand knit cardi matches perfectly too!

60s Patchwork Velvet Jacket and Alpaca Peruvian Jumper

The patchwork on the jacket is a print, not real patchwork, but love the cut of it, very retro and has such a nice label. My alpaca knit is a true classic, so warm and soft with a brilliant pattern of little people and alpacas.

50s Floral Bathing Suit

Totally scored with this gorgeous little 50s swimsuit in a really nice print too! The back is all smocked and has old size tag, just no label, but beautiful all the same and in excellent condition.

Nice shape to bust and pleating down bodice! I also found this one that looks a little later but cute too.

50s 60s Blue Nautical Swimsuit

Very nice shape to seams with little tie at waist and button shoulders.

60s 70s Huge Angel Sleeve Mini Dress

Very pretty dress with the best huge sleeves!

70s Tailored Satin Shirt

Bit of a sucker for a tailored shirt with long sleeves and groovy cuffs in a colour that goes with everything! Yay!

60s Rhinestone Mod Mini Dress & 70s Sheer Floral 2pc Playsuit

The floral bit is sheer but comes with a little waistcoat jacket too, I thought it was a dress-I never realise things are playsuits till I get home but love playsuits so not a bad thing!

40s 50s White Leather 'Audrey Hepburn' Swing Coat

The people selling this knew me, just from seeing me hunt around vintage clothes at op shops and garage sales round town and she went and got me this coat. It had been stored under the house, I could understand if it was a cut off bit of naff carpet, but its not-why do people do that its just cruel. Anyway I gave it a bath and cleaned it up-turned water black, conditioned it with leather and although is not perfect-some cracking on edges and some very light marks, it looks a million times better. Getting some white leather shoes stuff to try patch up marks a bit more so is gleaming-but here is a sneak peak at the label and lining.

More Vintage Letterpress Blocks

I am truly addicted to these, love the deco lady in the swimsuit!

Vintage 70s Coconut Bag

Cute little retro coconut bag, my mum bought one of ebay which turned out to be miniture and in the same week I found one that really is the size of a coconut!

Retro Wristwatch

I cocked up and dropped it and broke the glass. I should care more but I don't, I just like it because it was weird and cost 50 cents. As this did too-which I cant even understand, its just cute.

Mini French/German Dictionary

60s Squatter Board Game

This made me laugh when I read the instructions and I had to buy it. I consider myself a smart person, I have a high IQ, but this very Australian game in which you take sheep to market, totally confused me. I have no doubt that had it to a kid living on a sheep farm in the middle of Australia they would totally get it. It comes with a little box full of sheep head counters to make your flocks.
Thanks for stopping by and especially for leaving your comments! Hope everyone has had a good few weeks and pop over to Sophies site to join in the flea market finds game on Sunday!
Dont forget to check out the brand new link game from Erica at Recycled Fashion-Check it out now!

Collecting Colourful Velvet Dresses

Hello everyone, hope you all had a great Easter and enjoyed many chocolate treats!

This weeks top find is not mine, but again its mums. She got this for £6 at a UK charity shop. I am sure its 40s and in mint condition with a label!!! It must be in the genes or something. Cant wait to see it when I get home in July!

1940s Beaded Shift Dress

80s CUE Dress, 70s 'ORANGE' Layered Rose Dress & 60s Rainbow Floral Mini

My best finds from last week which I at least got to photograph properly. The Cue dress is fantastic, all of them perfect too!

60s Royal Blue Velvet Party Dress

So I have a red one, a green one, a fushia one, a black one and now a blue one! Hooray! I love velvet so much.

60s Daisy Mod Dress-So Cute!

I love this Dress-Daisy trim on the collar cuffs and waist, really nice tailoring, super bright blue-all the bells and whistles!!!

Vintage Silk Priest Cape

Has anyone ever really gone there with religious inspired fashion? Or has it been a bit taboo? Who cares-Im going to rock this as a mini dress, may take a while to catch on as a mainstream look though!

80s ZOZO Dress and Mondi Pink Star Blouse

I love zozo since I found my red spotty dress many blog posts back, know nothing about the brand but its 70s-80s Australian I think, any info from those of you that lived here/where alive then would be much appreciated.

50s Nude Illusion Lace Dress and 70s Cord Jumpsuit

Gorgeous Nude effect 50s lace dress with bow waist, and bright cherry red cord jump which just make me want to go hang at a service station and fill peoples cars for them.

English Hunt Cotton Curtain Fabric

Just because one day I will have the best dress from this fabric, in a very British mood due to royal wedding (how amazing was that dress!) and so could not say no to this print!

Thanks for stopping by and for your comments! Head over to Sophies site to see everyone elses!

Garage Sale Trail in Ballina

Was unfortunately a total let down, got there super early and everyone had started but was like a ghost town with goods to much. I am pretty surprised with over 100 garage sales the best thing I managed was a old matches collection but then on the drive back home struck gold with some fab vintage clothes.

Anyway after my inks and sample papers arrived this week it wasw all fun and games of playing with my new print blocks, although not too happy with the ink I got, too heavy and sticky so need something lighter and more user friendly as spent half a day cleaning black ink spots of everything in the house including myself and my little carpet print trail.

Using hand made papers and got sent a bunch of samples from itspaper.com.au who make beautiful natural papers and card!

Labels for my clothes!

Business cards-to be refined when new ink arrives!

50s Stripy Dress and 60s Paisley Dress made of WOOL!

The stripy dress was an ebay score but got this little paisley dress and they are both made of a fabric that feels like a cotton but is very fine wool! Really nice and perfect for this season!

80s Abstract Playsuit with pockets!

Thankfully more fashionable folke closer to home that where selling this cute little 80s playsuit! Made up for the early start!

60s 70s Mexican DEER ROSE Leather Tooled Bag

It comes with a long strap but just needs to be repaired on the side, which is very cheap down at my local shoe fixer upper. Love the deer design and big roses and although has no stamp it looks identical to other ones I have seen made in Meixco!

New Matchbox Collection!

My only find in Ballina, someones old collection of match boxes. My aunty had the same 'naughty lady one' which I remember always finding funny when I was very little, and although nothing special the swallow hotels is where my mum went swimming and took me along when I was about 8 or 9.

Karen Walker Tortoise Sunnies

My find of the week though is my Karen Walker sunnies for $15. I have always wanted some Karen Walker sunglasses but way out my price range! Good things come to those who wait!

Check out Sophies site to join in the flea market hunt and see what goodies where found this week! Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Posh AUSSIE Op Shopper!

Well this weekend have been picking up lot of Australian vintage including an amazing piece from Vivian Chan Shaw, a legendary knitwear designer in the 80s. First ever find of hers and its a beauty. Its a 2pc with amazing long cling maxi skirt and layered top to make a dress, however the pieces are so striking its great to wear as separates I love the skirt!

1980s Australiana: Vivian Chan Shaw Purple 2pc, Dickie Ney Kookaburra Jumper, A-HA Floral Strapless Dress

I love the cute little Kookaburra Jumper and a classic floral strapless party dress with boning in it!

1950s Rockabilly CHERRY Knit Cardigan

My favourite find of the week, I love this cardi! Covered in cable pattern and big bobble red cherries over front arms and neck. Just so cute!

Stunning 1950s EMERALD Velvet Party Dress

Love this dress too, really bright emerald green and its in mint condition (dirty mirror again not dress!) I love the shaping to the bust-very bullet style with pretty check pattern over skirt.

1980s/90s Vintage Silk PARIS Dress

This dress is just so well made and fit perfectly, have to look up brand later but is very well finished and just feels expensive, my theory is if you can afford to have a Paris address you cant really afford to make crap clothes.

Vintage 30s? Crocodile? Bakelite? Purse

I found this, and its in very good condition with what looks like crocodile leather and a bakelite clip, could be wrong about this-no bag expert, any ideas anyone? Would guess early 30s from art deco style clip.

50s? Rhinestone Metal Purse

Again no purse expert, but seen so many things like this, but this was different. Inside looks hand sewn silk, very good condition. No label but the whole bag is very heavy and you can tell there is layers of fabric between inner and outer, rhinestones look similar to 30s/40s buttons with a surround to each on, nice working clip too. only about 4 missing rhinestones overall, easy fix I think. Any ideas on age? It looks to be of pretty high quality but no labels or anything to help.

1970s Italian Leather Platform Heels

So so pleased with these! I cant believe I found some vintae heels in my size, and they are groovy 70s platforms!!! I love the square toe on the, make my feet look dinky from above, plus they go well with my every growing collection of hand knitted socks from mum!

Thanks for stopping by, and for all your nice comments, I really love reading them, thanks so much!

For more finds and to join in the flea market finds head to Sophies page!