There's no flies on you guys, that's for sure...

I know Nick's not the only perceptive one out there, but I do especially love her comment on the grandiose, and let's face it, totally ridiculous statement I made on Friday  ie: I no longer op-shop.

Here's what she wrote


Ah, so you no longer op-shop eh...eh? I dare you to say that to me in six months time with total truth, no sidelong glances...no shuffling of the feet, no changing the subject.

Ummmm, shuffle-shuffle, cough-cough...try two days Nick!

I have to admit, I have had a slight relapse. It's time to 'fess up...yesterday I succumbed and bought this

this



and this

!

In my defence I just want to say that it's not always easy when you volunteer in an op-shop to resist temptation. And I have done a marvelous job (until yesterday) I still haven't checked out the three oppies just minutes from my new job, and I've almost worked there for a month!

So on that note, I think I'd better temper what I said on Friday with this disclaimer: 

I will continue to op-shop when the mood strikes me, but I will be extremely selective about what I decide to buy.

I think that just about covers it...you've seen the garage sale pics...I NEVER want to go there again!

I thought it would be fun to end with a tea towel

Have you missed them?

I haven't linked to Sophie's for ages, here goes... 

A quick word on our Garage Sale...

Picture the Boxing Day sales in your mind and you've got a pretty good idea of what our garage sale was like. I'm not exagerrating. Honestly. For the first hour or so it was crazy. Manic. Frenzied even. There was pathos, tragedy, commedy...our garage sale had it all! We were not expecting the crowds that gathered on our verge waiting for us to open. At all. And I wouldn't be lying if I said there was a bit of pushing and shoving as our roller door opened...I know I can blame some of this behaviour on those green and white bakelite canisters. They were cheap, very cheap, but it was a garage sale after all, not a glorified vintage shoppe...and things are meant to be cheap at garage sales, arent they?

Anyway...we sold heaps of stuff, made a tidy little sum and at the end of the day still had enough left-overs to fill at least five good-sized boxes with treasures for Vinnies. We were brutal here and didn't keep anything (almost anything, see below) It was good stuff too, but we wanted it gone and out of our lives (and sheds!) Anthony tells me that alot of it is on display in their front window but because I no longer op-shop (I can't believe I've just typed that!) I am yet to see it for myself.

The nicest part of the day was meeting some lovely bloggy friends...Caroline, Sarah and Em (sorry if I missed anyone, but if you were there you know how hectic it was x) and neighbours we hadn't met before. We also loved giving things away (love doing that) like this basket of "grannies"

which we gave to a neighbour who cares for severely physically disabled children. They are just the right size to keep them warm while they are sitting in their wheelchairs. Lovely. 

I'm also having fun sending a few little parcels of vintagey goodies to people I think might like them...there were some treasures that I just couldn't donate to Vinnies when I know people (maybe you're one of them???) who would love them.

I'll end with this

x

Garage Sale...



thank you and goodnight x

A word on John Waters: BRILLIANT.

We haven't laughed so much in ages. It was shocking, without a doubt, but very funny.  The only downer was that I forgot to bring my camera. This was v. silly because not only did Mr Waters do a meet and greet after the show (how many celebs do that these days?) but also because I was unable to take any pics of The Perth Concert Hall, a beautiful Modernist building I had almost forgotten about.

This photo isn't mine...it's not a particularly good one either (this coming from me!) but it's better than nothing...

The Perth Concert Hall, construction completed 1972

image from here

And while searching for C.H. pics I found this one, here 

I couldn't believe my eyes! It's one of our favourite buildings! Anthony and I have driven into the city (Northbridge) on many occasions just to check it out. On our last little "pilgrimage" (not so long ago) it was still a functioning electrical repair shop. We could see the little old man working away inside through the front window. Now it has been abandoned, probably awaiting demolition...we had dreams, as you do, of buying it and making it our home. Well, that's one dream that's been shattered. Sigh.

Anyway...I am over. Totally. Our garage sale. So no pics today. Instead I'll end with a quote from John Waters

you have to remember that it is impossible to commit a crime while reading a book

for someone described as a shock auteur supreme, he has alot of quite sensible ideas.

I promised I'd show you this photo of me when I found it, and today's your lucky day ( tongue planted firmly in cheek here) It turned up while we were sorting through stuff for our garage sale and it's guaranteed to make you laugh. Please don't judge me.

" What the...!"

I wore this to my primary school fancy dress party in 1970 something...

What was I thinking? God knows! (get it) I could blame my...I'm going to call it...quirky...costume on my Mum, but that would be a lie (and good little Catholic girl's don't do that) because it was entirely my choice. All the other little girls went as fairies, brides, ballerina's etc and what do I rock-up as??? Sister Kylie!

All I can say is I must have been a total loser or the biggest suck-hole ever. Probably a bit of both. Look at me though, I think I look gorgeous. I must've been chanelling my inner Soeur Sourire specially for the photographer. I'm serene, radiant and...tragic!

I did give my outfit a bit of style by opting for my black lace ups over my brown school sandals though, don't you think?

Anyway tonight (and I'd better say a few Hail Mary's before we get there) my husband (Anthony not Jesus) and I are going to see this wild and crazy guy

He is one of Anthony's favourite's (think Hairspray, Polyester, Cry Baby, Pink Flamingos) I don't know what to expect really. I'm looking forward to it though...I'm expecting it to be a bit like a car crash - you don't want to look but you just can't help yourself.

To be continued...

Just a few g.s. pics to end

need a barrel for your biccies?

I may struggle to part with this one though...

x



  

Although we're not selling the kitchen sink (not at this garage sale anyway!) we do have a piece of prime real estate for sale. What are your thoughts on Tudor Revival? No, not really my cup of tea either, but this little gem comes fully furnished and would make the perfect home for a young couple starting out, or a more mature couple looking to downsize. It would also be a great investment property to add to your portfolio...close to shops, public transport, schools etc this home will rent quickly.

Ok, that's enough of my (crappy) sales pitch. I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Yep. It's a Fisher-Price Tudor dollshouse circa 1980.

Garage door rolls up and down and door bell rings (Fancy!)

Here's a few interior shots (Inside Out and co, eat your hearts out!)

I think they call this a "chef's kitchen"?

"I'm sorry for being a naughty girl Mummy. I won't do it again. Let me in. Pleeeeese"

you could sit and watch those fames flicker forever...

a touch of Carl Larsson in the master bedroom

and

I love this 70's-ish wall hanging in the nursery

Cheap as chips out our garage sale, well, waaaaay cheaper than the one's I've just seen on e-bay anyway!

(btw, these clever people are making their own dolls houses: Max, Claire and Carmel if you'd like to have a look...)

We've also got one of these for sale

   a 1970's pac-a-pic picnic set, made in England.

(just like those Fisher-Price flames...I could sit and watch this video for hours)

Looks cool, not too sure if it's practical though. It would be the last thing you'd feel like washing when you got home from your picnic! Here's what it looks like inside

four of these all stacked up. A strange 70's take on a Japanese Bento box. Well, kind-of, Bento boxes aren't put together with an "occy strap" like this is

Sticking with orange, what self-respecting g.s. would be complete without one of these?

when I found it in the shed my first thought was these

And before I head back out to the shed to sort through more junk  treasure, we are also selling tonnes of

tapestries!

More tomorrow x

Our garage sale, just scratchin the surface btw, more pics to come...

Canisters anyone?

we've got a few sets...

to

choose

from

See.

Maybe vintage Pyrex tickles your fancy? We've got plenty of that too...

just a smidge to whet your appetite.

We've got ramikens a plenty too...we were slightly obsessed with the humble ramiken at one stage...still to unearth some of the groovier ones...but they will be for sale too.

Not the "Boyd's" though, Anthony says no.

(see here for more info on this) 

 Cat person?

we've got pussies galore!

you knew I was going to say that, didn't you...

x

Thirty five degrees! The perfect day to trot out my pretty new vintage-inspired bikini. Have a look, isn't it lovely...

I never thought I'd wear a bikini at my age, until I bought this one. Not only is it extremely well made, comfy and utterly gorgeous, it does an amazing job of showing off the nice bits, while keeping the wobbly bits safely covered up at the same time (e.g. excellent bottom coverage)

If you're nervous about shopping for bathers, don't be. It's so not worth getting your knickers in a knot over. Honestly. Forget about beating yourself up in front of one of those unflattering change-room mirrors. There's really no need, check out My Sister Pat for gorgeous retro swimwear that fits all shapes and sizes, or better still, do what I did and send lovely Leah from Bells Belles Vintage an email. I bought my bikini from Leah and she was a delight to deal with. I know you'll think so too.

 I love this pic from My Sister Pat don't you?

x

Seen one of these before???

I found it among the junk, crap, rubbish, treasure we have accumulated, hoarded, collected over the years, in preparation for what will be the mother of all garage sales...and believe me, I'm not exaggerating when I use the word mother. It's going to be huge. And good. And cheap.

More details and pics (lots of pics!) to come.

p.s. now that I've rediscovered the Wife-O-Meter, I don't think I'll be able to part with it (how could I?) but there will be lots of other things, just as kitschy that will be for sale. 

Where's the blue arrow pointing on your Wife-O-Meter today?

x

Pumpkin Scones anyone???

Yesterday sweet Em (aka Vintage Sweetheart) kindly gave me three vintage tea towels. My favourite (and if you're an Aussie, particularly a Queenslander I know you'll totally get why) is this one

Awesome in oh so many ways...

The Low on Flo...

Florence Isabel Bjelke-Petersen, member of the Australian Senate from 1981-1993 and widow of the longest serving Premier of Queensland, Sir Joh.

Here they are on their wedding day in 1952

When asked to name the greatest event of her life Flo answered getting married.

"I thought I'd reached the stage where I was going to be on the shelf"

On the shelf! She was only 31!

(Lucy Violet was 37 when she got married btw)

Flo (or more correctly, Lady Bjelke-Petersen) was famous for greeting journalists and dignitaries with a cup of tea and pumpkin scones, yep, this is where the tea towel comes in...I have never tried Flo's iconic recipe, have you? I'd love to know what they taste like if you have.

Flo is 91 years old and she still has her Driver's Licence (amazing!). Here's a pic of Flo and those famous pumpkin scones taken to clebrate her 90th birthday last year

image The Courier-Mail

 I love her secret to reaching ninety "keep your brain working and I do believe that is good, instead of having it rusticating here at home all the time"

Good advice from Flo and I love that word rusticating, don't you?

rus·ti·cate

   /ˈrʌstɪˌkeɪt/ Show Spelled [ruhs-ti-keyt] Show IPA verb, -cat·ed, -cat·ing.

verb (used without object)

1.

to go to the country.

2.

to stay or sojourn in the country.

 

Thanks for the t.towels Em, I love them x

 



I'm dreaming of a...

turquoise kitchen.

(image from, and more here)