Thursday Thrifted Treasure

Today's item I found at a local op shop. It may have been at the Salvo's but not 100% sure.

It's a lovely black, hand beaded tunic top. The beading was what got me. It's divine.
The sleeves are sheer and are a little big I must admit. But I'll find a way to work it.

I payed more than I usually would for this item, AUD$21.99. It definitely was an op shop splurge!

ML

A bitter sweet farewell to my Filofax Topaz

I have officially moved into my personal Amazona.

Its the first time my first FF personal Topaz has been emptied. I felt a tinge of guilt putting my Topaz into storage after 6 years of use. I mean she is still in great condition given her age and rough handling.

So I offered her to my sister. 'No thanks. I have an iPhone' was my sisters' reply.

I offered her to a friend. 'No thanks. I have an iPhone' was my friends' reply.

Do they not know the privilege of using a Filofax?!

I offered my FF one last time to another friend. Her response 'I have a cheap diary I bought from Singapore but it doesn't really work for me. So yeah I'd love to try yours'. Eeeek she said yes!

My planning started. I showed her the WO2P and Dodopad set up. She has three kids so she thought the Dodopad would be more functional. Dodopad ordered and received. I had some FF dividers and inserts left over so I gave her those aswell. I placed a couple of sticky notes on her fly leaf, calendar stickers in the card pocket and added a black fountain pen and blue ball point into each pen loop. She was ready to go.

I handed my friend my basic fitted Filo. My Topaz is now on loan. A bitter sweet moment. But my first will be back home.......someday.

ML

Filofax - Personalised front page

A small project for me - to update my front cover of my FF.

 

I dug through my stationery to see what I could use. I love this Cristina Re baroque paper which I have had for years. It's pretty flimsy for its purpose so instead of laminating the cover I stuck it on thick black cardboard. The baroque pattern actually has a suede feel to it and I didnt want to lose that if laminated.

I placed my name and contact number in the frame. I also have my full info page behind this cover (in case I happen to lose or misplace my FF - my worst nightmare!). I don't like the idea of opening my FF and having all my private information displayed on the front page. My cover is simple and minimal but oh so pretty!

I'm also using the flyleaf to put a couple of "post it notes". These ones aren't very sticky so I had to stick them on with double sided tape.

I'm happy with the way it has turned out. Do you have a personalised front cover for your FF?

ML

Stationery purchase

I'm not sure about you but I love looking through brochures that come through the mail. It's "window shopping" without the need to leave your couch.

I'm sure most of you are familiar with Aldi and their weekly specials right? Anyway - this week they had Aldi branded gel metallic and glitter pens for sale. Ten pens in each packet for $1.49. What a bargain!

I bought a packet each - as you do when things are on sale - even if the colours were similar. Below is a picture of how the pens write, which I tested in my Filofax planner.

The metallic wrote well and looked lovely on paper. The glitter pens weren't so "glittery". You needed to look very closely to even see any hint of glitter. But for that price it doesn't really matter...to me anyway. Also, if you're wondering, I am currently using medium diary refills from Kikki K in cream.

Below is a picture of all the colours mixed up. I've also placed them in my Minnie Mouse mug - agift from a friend who has recently returned from their trip to Disneyland.

Have you ever found an stationery bargains at Aldi?

ML

Thursday Thrifted Treasures

Today I will show you a bag I thrifted a while ago. I love leather bags and I don't think the leather now are as good as the vintage ones. So whenever I go op shopping or visit the flea market, I will at least have a quick skim through the bags.

I found this vintage beauty a while ago at a local op shop. It's a lovely rich dark brown color with gold hardware. Inside is lined with a caramel velour material. The tag states " you now own a real leather handbag by NOVA" Made in Britain. Googled this brand and they are still around today!

The bag is in excellent condition. I assume only used a few times. The leather is so soft and I love the simple and basic design. Another thrifted treasure!

ML

Wallet move

Firstly a big shout out to my first followers Steve, Op Shop Mama and Cat!

Tonight I'm doing a quick post on my wallet move. I currently carry a bifold wallet given to me last Christmas. It hold loads and loads of cards and divisions. I used to carry a lot of cards - store cards, health cards, loyalty cards etc. I would also keep receipts  and other items just because I could and had the space for it. I did a huge clean out a few months ago but still find the wallet heavier than what I would prefer.
 

Anyway, whilst rummaging around my mum's stuff I came across this Coach wallet. It's pretty slim and doesn't have a coin pocket. I like! It's simple and has limited space. It will force me not to hoard. I'll be "borrowing" from mum.

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Since the new wallet doesn't have a coin pocket - I have taken out from hiding my Oroton coin purse. Again - this purse can't hold much but suits me fine.  

Definitely a lighter load.

 

ML

Thursday Thrifted Treasures - Dresses

Thrifted Treasures will become a weekly feature on my blog. You see I love items  which are second hand. Whether I buy these items from thrift stores (op shops as Australians call them), garage sales, flea markets or hand me downs from relatives and friends. The adventure of hunting through the racks and piles of items then the thrill you get when you find something is priceless. Not only do I try and shop second hand for the sheer excitement but also to reduce my carbon footprint and to satisfy my frugal tendencies.

Moving on.

Today I visited one of my favorite Op shops. Church op shops run by little old ladies are becoming less common and has been taken over by places such as The Salvation Army (Salvos) and The Brotherhood of St Laurence. Nothing wrong with that as they all give back to the community. But there is something special with op shops run by little old ladies - don't you agree?

I didn't have much time to mosey around today. However, in the 8 minutes I was in there I found these two dresses. The first is a paisley maxi dress which is a great addition to my wardrobe for the coming summer. The second is a black tunic dress with a beaded neckline. I confess - I have a "thing" for  black clothing. No I am not goth or emo. 

 

 

Until next time....

ML

Christmas preparations

Who else is super organized this year and have started their Christmas shopping? I'm halfway there....I think?

I started buying gifts a few months ago for the kids. The young ones are easy - its the grown ups that  I find more difficult to purchase for, especially those who have everything. Do you know anyone who is extremely hard to buy for?

So what would I use but wouldn't necessary buy it myself *thinking hat on*
Movie tickets! All I need to do is write in the card and place the vouchers in the envelopes and I'm done. No fiddling around with wrapping paper or sticky tape - totally minimal effort. What a brilliant idea!

 

More names I can cross off my Christmas list. Have you started your list yet?

ML

Progress notes

The last week has been pretty hectic. I have been in and out of the hospital everyday visiting my little man in SCN. Everyday he continues to get stronger. 

I'm pretty useless at journaling but wanted to keep note of his progress. So I've been using my Filofax to do this. The main reason why I totally love the Filofax.......for it's flexibility! Time planner one week, my son's progress notes the next. 

It's amazing how far he has come in just seven days - he's a little trooper alright!

ML