Ok sorry this post is a week or so behind what I had planned for some reason, I think it’s to do with a dog having an operation and a husband being home off work and on Holiday. Anyway, George our dog is now mending and the stitches are coming out on Saturday and then I have to start Physio on his leg which will be interesting to say the least. He hates the Vets or any meddling what so ever, I can’t even begin to tell you about the barking which occurred when the bandage was removed on Monday, it as like a bark-a-thon and he hasn’t barked for about a week since he injured himself, bless his little cotton socks.

So onto other things…..

……..Your usual Australian loves a bargain.

They love Op shopping or as I used to know it back in the UK, charity shopping and here its pretty good. There always seems to be a selection of furniture, quite often there is a lot of crochet doilies and tablecloths, lots of kitchen ware, quite a few baskets and all the other stuff you might expect to find.

I am on the hunt for a nice trunk, or old suitcase you might call it which has been thrown out, but I won’t be charged $60 for one which has been found by someone else and then put in a trendy shop, no thanks I’m not stupid!

I’m also on a mission to collect some baskets, some wooden things and maybe some white things. Whilst on Pinterest looking for new home inspiration I found I loved this combination of these things. I love wood as its a natural material but mixed with modern white gives it a more contemporary look which will work great in the house we’re in.

Collecting things has not really been of interest to me although I love looking at other peoples collections, like my friend Anjas collections of baskets, coloured glass, enamel, tins and also the rather well known Sibella Court. I have her book ‘Etcetera’ and I have flicked through ‘Nomad’, and just yesterday her new book ‘Bowerbird’. It fascinates me how people collect things, I have something built within me which says if I don’t need it or have a use for it then I shan’t have it, I don’t know where it comes from but it annoys me sometimes, maybe it’s because I have moved around quite a bit so I don’t feel I should collect stuff.

Anyway, whilst on my mission for trunks, wood and baskets I found a big basket with lids either side & pull up loops which I think is a great find for $15

An old picnic hamper $5 currently houses some shoes, some other basket bowl things which were $1 each, and some dresses.

I tried the dresses on, I ALWAYS try stuff on no matter if I know the brand or whatever, its my only tip when buying stuff, you have no idea if it will look good on or if it fits unless you try! Anyway these fit fine and I loved them, so I snapped them up quick.

In fact I think I have just answered my own question, I love clothes more than things and I’m always collecting clothes!

This first dress was something I’ve been looking for. I’m learning that living on the Sunshine Coast can and will be hot and what’s nice to wear is an easy t-shirt dress which you can just chuck on to do anything in. I found this one for $9, it’s slightly twisted due to having some Tencel in the fabric but it looks great, my Steve thought I looked hot all weekend so thats not bad for $9!

The second dress was not really a dress, its a playsuit and I think its an original 1950′s one. Inside the label says classic wear, Hawaii and it’s made from pure cotton, and luckily it fits like a dream, fitted at the waist and not pouffy around my bum, and it was only $7! Thats how much 2 non overpriced cappuccinos cost here, or if you’re back in the UK thats 1 cappuccino. I’m thinking of taking a pattern off it so I can make another one, it looks pretty easy to make, so thats another thing on my ever expanding list of projects.

Since my Op shopping I have been hunting down some other bargains, the prices here are crazy and I’m getting annoyed by it, I’m sorry I can’t justify $170 for a bikini, and I won’t pay $70 for something that doesn’t fit or is coming apart, striking that balance and finding something here is pretty tricky. However I had some luck ad found a bikini in between which fitted, a sports bra and yoga bottoms which I found for $20 each instead of $65 each, so it’s been a pretty good couple of weeks for bargain hunting down here.

Other than shopping there have been lots of other things going on, which involve some skateboards, some surfboards, some fruit, a juice press, yoga, a Birthday, an idea and some knitting….

…….I’ll update you next week hopefully.

Oh, the message from yoga for the week is “I am open to a miracle”

Fantastic, I love it  :)