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!

Vintage Deadstock for Winter

I am sure I was missing out on something this weekend, my early morning outings are usually pretty quite, maybe will see another car or 2, but today I was in a traffic queue! I couldn't believe it! I hope it was not too exciting-was asking everyone and not a clue!

Vintage 60s Mod Wool Dress NEW with TAGS

Perfect for winter! A cute little retro wool dress with its original labels!!!! I love a good bit of vintage deadstock, and although its not a terribly upmarket label-its so cute, and wool, and of course in mint condition! Future treasure I am sure!

1930s Beaded Coin Purse

This is a really cute little purse from original owner! Its from the 30s and in really good condition other than slight tarnishing but all beading in place and love the ruching on the inside!

1940s Canns Crepe Dress and 90s Tartan Dress

My bargain of the week, a pretty 40s dress from Canns. Pretty good condition and cost only $15! I love this tartan dress, I think this is a keeper for my wardrobe just because I need new things myself now and again, and I not only keep so little now, but also shrinking the things I actually consider mine to keep too, getting ready for the inevitable move!

POM POM Knit Poncho and New Zealand Jumper

Getting winter things-love this knitted poncho with all the bobbles AND A HOOD. I like stuff with hoods-full outside protection which I am very wimpy over, I cant handle the cold, and I do get a little worried about returning to the UK. Thankfully have an armory of wools, furs and heaps of heavy coats to help me battle through colder days and refined my dressing skills in the last 5 years. The New Zealand jumper just made me laugh, I'm so childish.

Vintage 60s Rainbow Embroidered Rodeo Shirt

Really cool vintage shirt that was being eyed up by lots of the band folk up for Blues Fest but was too small for everyone-sorry boys! I guess its a given considering my obsession with cowboy boots, I love the whole Rodeo thing, I wanted to be Annie Oakley when I was little. I took up riding lessons but gave up as got bored of going round in circles, and realising there was little call in the modern day for catching bandits on horse back and the like.

I can only hope you really do have past lives as I think in the 1800 I was a pirate, in early 1900s I was an explorer late ones a rodeo cowgirl then I could have been the giant woman in the 1920s circus acts, but that would make my current life rather dull.

Vintage Zip Fixer Kit

I don't know if could ever use these which is stupid because for me they are pretty useful, and wish I knew about a modern equivalent but I just love the packaging!

Old Mini Soap Box Cupboard

Nice little dusty old soap box....
.....one day I will put stuff in it.

Rabbit School

So this little set was believed to be long gone. My mum made this for my granny when she was pregnant with me, and made it because my granny used to have a little toy school with rabbits when she was a little girl. Mum found out she had it last time she visited and the only fault is a broken table leg-apparently my fault when I was playing with it. Its all hand made felt animals with so many accessories!

Hope you all had a good weekend and found some goodies of your own! Head over to Sophies site to join in the fun and thanks so much for visiting!

Cowboy Boot Collection

Anyone who knows me (or sees my ebay items for sale!) will know I live in my cowboy boots. I have huge man size feet so narrow little heels don't fit me, not to mention making me look like a cross dresser as over 6ft 2 in heels. My discovery was made over 5 years ago while travelling round Mexico.

After ending up in Chetumal which is in the South of the Yucatan region it was hardly describable as a tourist destination. Pawn shops/banks/jewelery stores had policemen in bulletproofs and guns sat outside 24/7 and I was about 5m away from a guy getting jumped in an attempted kidnapping while on my own-little bit scary. However did find a real authentic cowboy shop, selling spurs, machetes-the lot! There I found the boots that would be surgically attached to my feet for the next 5 years (cost 460 pesos= approx $50)

THE Mexican Horseshoe Cowboy Boots

So here they are-softest leather, fit like a glove and honestly cannot leave the house without a compliment. I worn them once to go put the rubbish out and a cyclist going past said 'Great boots'! I paid nearly twice what they are worth to get them resoled over here, as the bottoms had pretty much disappear which was annoying when it rained.

Mexican Steer Head Embroidered Boots

Never seen anything like them other than finding these on a real auction in Texas and I managed to win them and get them sent to me. Not as soft, and not as awesome as my ones but I still love them-these are the ones I can get a bit muddy at festivals.

Fringed Tan Cowboy Boots

Next up for a bit of a colour change is my tan fringed ones with nice little cuban heel-cowboy boots have to have a woodstacked heel and must be leather, I hate plastic copies.

Eagle Inlay Cowboy Boots

As I needed some inlay ones these are my 'smart' boots with colourful inlay. It has little white inly stars over back but forgot to photograph!

Colourful Cowboy Boots

Colourful cowboy boots are next on the list-just won these on ebay, they dont send out of the states so hope will actually get them! The red ones are my size and the cutest kiddy boots in the world come with them! Tiny inlay cowboy boots-I love them!

Cactus Pony Hair Tipped Boots

So these are the ones going on ebay-a tiny bit too small to be comfy for me too wear. Also the reason of getting inspired to do this post. My mum just broke the news that she has wanted cowboy boots for around 10 years but the leather is often hard and difficult to get a perfect fit. So I am determined to save up to buy her some very posh ones (see below) so listing several pairs of shoes from my personal collection to raise money for it!

MOOSE-O-LODGE Cowboy Boots by ROCKETBUSTER

Checkout these stunning things- if you like cowboy boots you have to check out Rocketbuster Boots, they have the most amazing array of boots and these are what I want to get for my mum. I know it seems expensive but if find it hard to get comfortable shoes, a hand made pair will fit like a glove and last a life time. Just think how much money you have wasted on shoes that just end up rubbing a little too much and you will never wear them. My handmade heels have been with me for 12 years and will never get rid of them!

21 Eyelet Lace Up Leather Boots

These are just so trendy right now, just again sucks my clown feet dont fit them right-so off to ebay they go for some lucky trendy young thing to enjoy.

1990s GUCCI Lace Platform Heels

Anyone a size 39? I am pretty sure these are from the 1996 Summer collection. I have the exact same shoes which I bought on holiday in Milan when I was about 16 I think. Technically I just ordered mine rather than buy them as they didn't have my size. These are a smaller pair I got for a photo shoot but now going to be a sizeable chunk of my mums boots fund!

Limited Edition Sailor Jerry Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars

They are the first lot of Sailor Jerry Converse ever released, limited edition number 456 of 2500-I wish I could wear these, they are just so cool in the best colours.....
....................................................and just check out the soles!!!

I have always wanted to be cool and grungy enough to wear converse, but just too tall and lanky and make me look daft-even these which are a size too small-which is why I have worn them once and just enjoyed staring at them the rest of the time-I feel mean and selfish stopping someone who could rock these to perfection from wearing them, but it pains me greatly to be putting these up for sale. but again, stare at these, or a happy mum with awesome boots? Mum wins each time on that one :)

Of course once mum has her boots I am saving up for a pair of my own!

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!

Vintage Easter Bunny and the usual Dresses!

So big apology for not visiting everyones blogs last week, I love doing it just like I love reading my favourite magazine and always like to save a bit of time aside, make myself a nice drink or snack and fully enjoy the process. However half the staff walked out on the day job, its been very unpleasant at work and have gone from 2 days to 5 at the moment, not to mention Easter being one of the busy ebay times for me so in work eat sleep mode.

Looking forward to life getting less hectic, but not looking forward to being overlooked at work again, despite asking for more hours for 2 years they have already hired more staff rather than give me hours! If anyone wants to tell them that I rock and give great reptile talks you can have something free from the shop!!!

Hand Made Felt Bunny

This remind you of anything mum? I cried my eyes out for ages on a holiday to Switzerland when I was little because I lost a little hand made jointed felt bunny my mum had got from her dad who made it. This one is not quite as special as that one but reminds me of it. Everytime I see something like this I grab it and get so excited people always turn round and say just have it, but had to give them a bit of change. Perfect timing for Easter!

Cute Floral Wood Carved Beveled Mirror

Cutest little tiny (fits in palm) hand held mirror with floral carving. I have a fixation with 30s-70s alpine vintage stuff so goes right in with my collection perfectly!

80s Party Dresses: Geoff Bade Rainbow Floral & Glitter Strapless

I love these 2 dresses, especially the colourful Geoff Bade one, so 80s! But the unlabelled one is just such a great cut with a super dramatic skirt!

40s 50s? Farmers Long Slinky Dress & 90s Laura Ashley Wool Bow Mini

A classy dress from Farmers (the Original Myer I think) just needs an iron to bring it too life and a chic little wool mini dress from Laura Ashley perfect for Winter!

Prue Acton Silver Pleated Dress and 60s Bright Orange Plaid Coat

Adding to my Prue Acton collection this fun little 80s number which is bright silver with sequin shoulders but the stunning bright plaid wool coats is one of my top finds of the week!

Thanks again for stopping by and always LOVE your comments, and hopefully have some free time this week to check everyones finds, cant wait for a day off!

In the mean time check them out yourself at Sophies site and join in the fun!

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!