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!

Dresses and Vintage Buttons (the best kind)

This week have been hard at work travelling around near and far and got heaps of colourful finds to share, the vintage fair is on next week but dont think my budget will stretch to buying anything there so I had to stack myself up with some bargain goodies to keep me happy...

50s 'Jonathan Logan' Blue Dress and 'B. Altman Paisley Dress

I love this blue dress, such a pretty shelf style bust and made of polished cotton, so shiny and soft! I am also chuffed with the B. Altman dress-they where a big department store in New York and they had a huge fabric department where you could pick out what fabric you wanted your dress made in-back when it was all bespoke! The second one of these in my collection. How I get stuff like this for $15 I do not know.

60s Cream Scallop Shift Dress and 70s Liquorice Stripe Ruffle Dress

I think both of these are fantastic, the first one is so girlie, and reminds me of Audrey Hepburn or Bridgette Bardot. Very fitted with thick textured wool, metal back zipper, its just the perfect winter dress! The next one is a rather dramatic collared dress, I just quite like quirky things like this, need to research labels but as normal finding anything on Australian vintage brands before the 80s is near impossible.

1930s/40s Wool Crepe Lace Trim Dress

Okay, one missing button (I have got heaps to replace it) slight fading around collar, and discolouration to lace (which is easy to retouch) and only slight remains of a label to show it once had one, my 5th pre 50s piece to be found for less than $5. When people tell me they want $3 for something like this you swear in your head, then want to head off quickly before they realise what they have done, even though that sounds stupid. Its always good getting home and looking at it all properly!

60s Floral Shift and 70s Apron Skirt

The purple dress is made of a very thick, almost linen like cotton with metal zip in back, the skirt is pleated so flairs a little, but my $2 apron is one of my top finds, just so cute! Cut longer in the back with ruffled edge and embroidered top, just wish my partner deserved cookies so could bake but still on strike.

60s Blue Pocket Dress and 70s Sherbet Block Mini Dress

Photos do not do justice to the little blue dress, its edged with white stitching and has pretty buttons on the pockets, the matching belt has no buckle just a tie so looks much better as a head band. The Sherbet dress is funny, looks quite old with a metal zipper in the back, I didnt think we got colours like this till the 80s but rethinking that with this one-it must be earlier.

80s 'Botties' Hawaiian Shirts

The lady told me that Botties back in the day was where all the celebs and rockstars headed for a loud shirt, and I picked up 3 for $10! This first one is my favourite, just as cut really long in the back. Just like I could see the pucci signature on my scarf across the room, I can do a similar thing with old Hawaiian shirts, and can spot the good from the naff a mile off.

70s Terry Towel Bikini and 50s Blue Pinup Bathing Suit

I have always wanted one of these fantastic old swimsuits (who hasnt?) but even 'cheap ones' tend to be over $50, so was very chuffed to come across this in mint condition! Summer is nearly over but got to give this a trial run before the hot weather goes.

..and the rest- Heaps of Colourful Finds!

A heap of fun colourful finds at a $2 garage sale, best ones are rainbow stripy cardi and the 'onion and pepper' print dress both in the center.

Spanish Leather Bag, Bambi and Brooches

The big leather backpack was bought by a lady in Spain about 30-40 years ago, its really solid and well made, with stud feet on the bottom and cute carry handle, I think its something to do with bullfighting but it will make a quirky handbag! Next my very own Bambi with some cute brooches I found. It belonged to someones Grandma-thats always the best stuff-and has such a nice face!

The BEST Chocolate Buttons EVER!

Okay these are so much better than glass buttons I got last week-a pressie from my mum, she told me she found them and didnt believe her! The prefect gift for a vintage/chocolate fan!

Blog done and racing to Byron Markets to get the AMAZING pizza Loca before they close. Hope everyone had a great week! Cant wait to check out the other finds at Sophies! Be there or be square as they say...

Vintage anchor wool swimsuit

Here we go, a little late but as promised, my mustard wool swinsuit! I thought it might be a 40s one? Did they still make wool ones in the 50s? Does need darning in a few spots from the moths but otherwise in pretty good condition. The other one I have below is a more modern fabric but still looks very oldand a gorgeous pin up style-just too big for me which is a shame!

Jantzen Wool Swimsuit!!!

I love this original Jantzen suit! 1930s I think, I have always wanted to own one, and like most things I find is now my 'new favourite' (at some point I will face reality there is only a favourites wardrobe, no one item!)

I have another slightly later wool swimsuit in mustard yellow with brown trim and has little anchors on the front. Something about vintage wool swimsuits I love, I think its the whole knitted thing. My mum had a wool shop when I was very little and still is obsessed with hanks of yarn now!