A Day in Goulburn

Firstly, a reminder to enter my latest Giveaway if you haven't already (open to Aussies). It's closing soon :-)

It has been just over 12 months since I was last in Goulburn, and I know this for a fact because I went last year on Canberra Day, and returned on the same day this year. Canberra Day is a Monday public holiday in Canberra, which is not a holiday in NSW - the perfect time to visit op shops across the border. Last year I posted a review of the op shops in Goulburn, and not much has changed this year, except that the Salvos is currently closed due to flood damage :-(

I don't think I actually save any money by going to Goulburn - maybe my car is inefficient, because it takes half a tank of petrol to do the round trip = approximately $30 in petrol. I know someone who commutes to and from Goulburn to work in Canberra every single day, he must spend so much money on fuel!

Goulburn is a very quaint town with lovely old buildings and cute little cafes. The locals are so friendly and I always enjoy chatting with them. It has 5 op shops all within walking distance of each other, and as in any country town, they have very cheap prices.

Here are the day's finds:

 Pyrex mixing bowl ($3), 2 retro glasses ($1 each), Johnsons mug (50c) - I love the design!

 Anise dress ($12.50) - this was from the Smith Family store, which has the best range of fashion items but is also the most expensive op shop in Goulburn.

Handpainted Japanese pot ($1), Pyrex casserole dish ($3), Corningware pot with lid (50c!) and vintage pillow case (50c).

If you're in Goulburn, the Coffee Bean serves fabulous coffee (with beans freshly roasted on site) and the owner is lovely. We had lunch at Lunch Box on Main which serves a delicious Mediterranean lamb burger, huge club sandwiches and great freshly squeezed juices.

I took some snaps of the inside of Trish's Trash and Treasure to share. This is a recycling shop linked to the tip, and everything is dirty and dusty but you can find some great treasures. The prices are a bit hit and miss, but it's definitely the most fun to rifle around in for retro homewares:

Finally, here are some of the beautiful old buildings that can be found around the place:

Linking up with Sophie's Flea Market Finds and Apron Thrift Girl.

Perth Thrifty Finds

In my partially crippled state, I still managed to go to one op shop while in Perth. I didn't have luck there on my last trip to Perth, but this time I found some nice things.

The jackpot was this Johnson Australia pottery set. It was $18 for 6 dinner plates, 6 side plates, 6 bowls, 4 cups and 4 saucers in the matching flower design. An extra 20c from the clearance section got me the retro patterened cup and saucer:

I almost have enough crockery to fully stock a kitchen once I move back to Perth now! 

On the clothes front, this super slimming top by Picnic was $3:

This gorgeous hand painted egg shaped box was a steal at $1, and this set of knitted thingies were 50c:

 Any idea what the knitted things could be? My first thought was tea cosies, but they are joined at the bottoms and don't have holes in the sides!

Finally, although I can't yet sew and don't owe a sewing machine, I am 100% committed to buying one and taking sewing classes in 2012. This DK Sewing Book/ encyclopedia is in brand new condition, has excellent step by step pictures and was 50% off... It cost $3.50!

With basics like these, it could very well end up being my sewing bible:

What a great day, there's nothing like hitting the op shop jackpot at one store!

Linking up with Sophie as usual :)

Op Shops in Rockingham and my purchases

Happy new year to you all. I hope that 2012 brings joy, good health, new experiences and whatever else you are hoping for.

On our recent long weekend in Rockingham, I checked out a few op shops that were surprisingly open between Christmas and the new year. Rockingham is op shopping heaven because there are an unbelievable amount of op shops in close proximaty to each other. The prices aren't amazing, but they are better than Perth on average. It's a great idea for a day trip! {Here I am helping out the Rockingham economy, I should get commission - LOL}. I have listed the stores and some photos so that you can have the benefit of my research, and use this as a guide to taking on Rockingham!

We drove up to the Rockingham Beach Salvos stores the night before to see if it would be open the next day. I was disgusted to see a lady had opened the donation bin, and was sorting through bags behind the bin. She was stealing what she wanted for herself, and throwing the rest on the floor. I don't know if there is any excuse for stealing from charity, no matter how desperate you are.

I also noticed a sign at Rockingham Beach Salvos advertising $2 clothing Mondays - all clothing $2 a piece on Mondays! No wonder the store had very slim fashion pickings compared to Good Sammy etc.

Here is a Guide to Rockingham Op Shops:

Salvation Army Family Store - Rockingham Beach
6 Patterson Rd, Rockingham

 

Uniting Church Op Shop, Rockingham Beach
169 Parkin Street, Rockingham

 

Good Sammy

8 Livingstone Rd, Rockingham

 

Vinnies Rockingham Centre

15 Livingstone Rd, Rockingham

Vinnies Furniture Depot

17 Hurrell Way, Rockingham

Salvos - Waikiki

78 Charthouse Road, Waikiki

 Salvos - Port Kennedy 

23 Saltaire Rd, Port Kennedy

The Salvation Army Rockingham Corps [Run an op shop every 2nd Saturday morning]

Cnr Read Street & Willmot Drive, Cooloongup

 

And now, on to my purchases!

I really only wanted a couple of these Pyrex plates and the milk jug, sugar bowl and cups, but as usual, they were only sold in a set. The whole set was marked down to $6.50, so it was still very worthwhile. Also pictured are 2 Johnsons pottery mugs which were 50c each:

The  retro pillow case pictured above was a steal at 20c. 

These black heels are both genuine leather and new or as new. They are the perfect height for work, and cost $5 and $6 each. They are Diana Ferrari and Portland brands:

The clutch bag is also leather and I just thought it was so cute.... it was $6.50:

If anyone knows anything about this bag, I'd love you to comment - it doesn't have a brand and I'd like to learn where it was from :-)

Linking up with Sophie's Fleamarket Finds.