Vintage Designer Bargains

Its when you see a combination like this that your heart stops. I had a huge pile of luck behind me when I went vintage hunting this week, and everything was such a bargain! So this might not be my personal style, way too conservative and Queenish (the monarch not the band or lifestyle). I seem to have particular luck with this brand, as score 3 pairs of the bow shoes for under $5 about 2 years ago. 

Salvatore Ferragamo Metallic Knit Skirt

 I had to leave the evidence on there and onto my next designer bargain...

Vintage 70s Merivale Jacket

 Its 'Australian Biba' (but minus one of the 0's on the price tag) for the bargain price of $2! Spotted the label a mile off even though flipped round the other way-was so proud of that one.

60s Maxi Dress & Velvet Smocked Dress

Quite fond of the label on the maxi! It has really nice bright colours in the skirt too! This cute little smocked velvet dress was too good to leave behind.

70s 80s Stephan Galloway Full Skirt Party Dress

Simple but so gorgeous this 50s style chocolate brown party dress was apparently by a famous 80s designer but not got chance too look it up yet in my books!

Mint Psychedelic Tunic & Aussie Hand Knit Sweater

Now the tunic was all colourful and glittery and new looking- I'm like some magpie, there is a reason Hoarders is band from my television. The jumper however is mine to keep forever, and is extra special as was from a local couple who I know well. She knitted it for her daughter but was never worn as allergic to wool so I got it, hooray! I love the little echidnas on the arms!

80s Vintage Flowery Trousers

Im not sure if these are good or bad, but I like them. Yes they are pretty cheesy but would probably look fantastic on one of those chic French or California boho type girls. My style is either joggers and a random t-shirt when just doing house stuff, or I look like I got dressed in a fancy dress store, I never look very vintage-more comical.

Heaps of Vintage 80s Knits

Lots of wool and angora knits, the rainbow vest is my top pick. Cute little crochet knit dress too.

Groovy Tops & More Eccentric Trousers

 I love the trousers, $2 from some Japanese girls selling all their gear at the youth hostel. They look so comfy, and perfect for Spring. Retro 70s tops and a bright neon shawl-cant believe how much I found today!

Vintage Dresses

80s party dress,and from the 60s a metal zip spotty dress, and a psychedelic halter dress.

Lots of Vintage 80s Tops

Sparkly gold cardi, ruffle collar shirt, bird curtain print t-shirt and a beautiful rose print delicate sheer blouse!

Now I am exhausted and broke so I am tucking into my favourite Yalla Vanilla yogurt and watching a film while I clean iron and hem some of my finds, I love Saturday afternoons!

Cant wait to see everyone elses finds 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!

50s Fete & Cupcake Competition

Okay so this really happened about 2 weeks ago but been to busy to remember blogging about it, very slack I know. Anyway turns out that the little country 50s fete with cupcake competition at a little village hall has rather high standards when it comes to bashing out some sweet treats to raise money for the school playground. I have to admit here that this is probably the fanciest place in the area, hence Zumbo quality offerings, however I think my favourites- the little sushi cakes with chocolate dipping sauce (nice) - was probably the hard work of a Japanese Au Pair for sure, they are so detailed, rolled in sprinkles to look like sushi rice-WOW!

 So after the excitement of this it quickly turned into my worst nightmare. Competition means I cant go and buy them and eat them NOW. They should have seriously had a greater range of cupcakes to keep me satisfied as was trying to convince my partner to get the getaway car ready so could thieve some. This is my heaven, I could have happily eaten half the table So what other goodies...

 Just loved the little retro apple on this one, and the fact that has huge sugar decorations. I buy packets of those to eat like sweets, same with jars of caramel sauce and cookie dough- I probably shouldn't admit that.

 Well these are just so pretty! Nice pastel roses making you think of vintage tea shops. Why are not half of the Byron mothers starting up cake shops-or at least producing more regular bake sales with skills like these. You would have a good customer in me!

 Now this was unique, love that they used the little plant pots too. However bigger cakes people, I could have downed all 3 in one mouthful. Cakes on the right are very pretty and sparkley too.

 Now how about these for a sugar hit, lots of yummy looking frosting and a flake too-bonus, I think I might be giving these ones ago, look fancy but nice and simple for me. Now some VERY creative cupcakes....

....yes please, I would love a naked doll bathing in my cupcake! There is just something very uninviting about these ones, certainly went all out with the colour. Just the likely hood of finding a pube like hair wrapped around your marshmallow would be very high.

Well I certainly learned something that day. After being proud of my baking skills since I was tiny, mine are for pure enjoyment with no frills, and 'speed' is not a quality most people will care about in a cupcake unless your a student with the munchies looking to eat half a tray, but I'm looking forward to getting as creative as these guys. Shame I havn't got any children to blame it on if it cocks up.

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!