Op Shopping in Rotorua

Hello Blogland!

About a year ago, while my husband tried to work out a way to save the education system (NZEI conference) Stan and I spent 3 BLISSFUL days in Rotorua  sleeping, wandering aimlessly and op shopping. It was Absolutely brilliant.

We're doing it again in a week's time! (which was what inspired this post!)

Firstly a shout out to a blog called Rotorua Travel Secrets for the opshops info! I didn't necessarily agree with her/his opinions about the best op shops (that's subjective of course) but it was SOOOO good to have the heads up about where to find them all!

Nice little church one in the city centre.

Also in the city centre.

That's Stan, as he was. He's a year older and bigger now obviously! 

This was a little beauty, with the friendliest, loveliest staff. 

My utter and total favourite. I absolutely LOVE this one. It's out of the way in an industrial area off Lake Rd, so not as obvious.. but an absolute gem. My favourite type of op shop is junky ones like this, in which you have to literally treasure hunt and rummage. And heaps of heaps, everywhere. And the woman working there still wears her actual specs, funky ones from the 50s. May this hospice shop NEVER change!!

This was next to nothing. 

A bit more than I like to pay (coz I'm a cheaparse) but I couldn't resist these from the Habitat for Humanity store. 

My basketry obsession continues.

Makes weighing oneself a little more pleasant.

When I showed the kids this, and they asked if it works, I confessed that I didn't know but for 50c it was worth a go. Of course my oldest son popped up with a line from my favourite Macklemore Song (having technical issues  can't link it!)
 "Saw a broken keyboard, I bought a broken keyboard." Crack up. 

Old toys are best. Actually. 

Cute bags of cheap Christmas kitsch stuff. #stash

Clothes, linen, fabric obviously. 

A different colourway of this pattern to what I already have. Score. 

I obviously had to get this, because of the Irises. (and because I ALWAYS buy these if I see them and they're a good price!) #collectALLthethings

Cute winking dog. 

Look out Rotorua - I'm coming at you again!

HAPPY DAYS!

My Name is Linda and I like Stuff

I HAVE FINALLY added a directory (which is actually still in draft form but it's a start!!) on a page, as you'll see on the tabs above this. If anyone wants to know where the oppies are at in Hamilton New Zealand, click on it!! Contact me if you need a tour!

You might think I op shop all day long, every day. Dreams are free!!

But on that topic, my dream job would ACTUALLY be to go to op shops and Garage Sales and hunt for stuff to meet my clients' needs  - a bit like a personal op shopper! Or buying/ sourcing props for a particular film or TV thing or magazine..   anyone out there want to employ me?!!! 

I am digressing! I have spent about a week trying to get this post together. That's how life is! I think today might actually be the day I manage to hit the publish button on this! Yay me!

These are some recent acquisitions, in no order at all. Randomly and chaotically, a bit like my life right now!

I hope y'all in blogland are in a good and healthy space. 

Peace.

Colours=amazing

Off the 20c shelf at Vinnies in Frankton. Hairline crack in the inside - but perfect for holding tooth brushes or something.

Crown Lynn bowl for Stan (very old)
Kewpie
Love the old candle boxes!
among other things..

Squeakers. Somebody obviously must have dropped these all to the Sallies in a bunch as that's how I found them.

 Fabric finds from the last wee while. I am gearing up - slowly - for a sewing attack.

 I am sentimentally drawn to these type of coathangers. Strange but true.

A bit of an internal squeal when I happened upon this at my local and favourite oppy. $2.50. It's large. After we renovate I will work out where it goes!!

 For those that don't know I love Sindy Dolls from the 1970s/ early 80s, just like the ones I had. I collect them whenever I chance upon them,I also love fruit and vege salt and pepper shakers.

Linen. Because...

 .. you can never have too much. cough, cough. 

Phone book cover, done in my favourite NanaTechnology style. Exquisite 1950s wallpaper on the inside. Yes, we still have a phone book in Hamilton!

6 soft brushed flannelette hotty covers, exquisitely made - 20c each. Perfect! I bought the HWBs brand new!! Lol

New* dresses for me.

$3 total.

STUFF!
I don't pay much for op shop stuff. I generally only get clothes if there is a half price sale or something.. and I just can't adjust to the prices on some things these days. So these things would all have been $2 or less. Most would be much less. I wouldn't pay more than 20c for a sewing pattern, for example. Or $1 for a teatowel.. 

There is a new op shop in Frankton, in the main drag. These were from there. The woman lets you pay what you think it's worth. She is into bartering. PLus she sews and adjusts things as you shop. Very cool.

She still has her 50c tag on - but I'm fairly certain she's worth a lot more.. from what I can work out, she is one of the earliest Sindy Dolls.. before real eyelashes. Made in Britain. ANyone know anything about that? Iris is defo NOT playing with this one!

Prisk St oppy. Pyrex tea set. Yes, $3. I bought it for a friend.

Happy Days!

Happy Place

Going to the Op Shops and Garage Sales are most definitely my favourite form of recreation!

These are some finds from the last few weeks. (Despite what it might look like I actually DON'T spend all my time at op shops!! I will pop into one on my way elsewhere usually. Occasionally I will go on a spree/op shop crawl, if I have a. the time, b. some spare cash and c. my kids can cope!! 

As for garage sales, I generally only go to the bigger fundraising ones at churches or schools... I like to go most weekends, if I can! 

Apols to my instagram friends who have seen some of these photos already.. (I am finding instagram quite a useful/fun sharing space these days!) linda_opshop is me! 

Various cute and a bit kitsch things. And two very huge and very useful 70s trays.

My kids LOVE these spoons. I've had to limit it to only buying ones with 'dangly bits' plus any that feature trains or the royal family. 

I always buy old Fisher and Price toys when I see them.

We have SO MANY books in our house. Almost every single one has been thrifted. You can find some absolute gold.

I had to buy this record for the cover. It's going on the wall in someone's room.

I gave this tin to my sister-in-law who LOVES hydrangeas. I do too. But she does more. Plus I filled it with baking as she is a huge help to me. 

This coaster is bigger than my head. Also going on the wall. (the coaster, not my head lol)

fabric, dresses, 70s glasses.

I absolutely LOVE this fabric, which has been cut into the pieces for a very small dress unfortunately. (adult size small)  But I'll think of something for it!

I've found a few very cool old duvets lately.. 

$2

I don't photograph all the stuff I buy. Like the clothing for the kids, the shoes, etc etc... I usually only show off the interesting stuff.. But this was a pile that demonstrates how cheaply and effectively you CAN clothe all the kids... This was a fill-a-bag-for-$1 jumble sale. Sometimes they are $5 a bag. But still amazing value. That stuff is cool stuff my kids actually like, a lot of it current season fashion. (so it seems!) I even find school uniforms that are in perfect condition. Win.
Just sayin.

Bad hair, don't care. 

And this was yesterday. One shop. Sheets and pillow cases on left, brown dress, blue and white towelling 70s shirt, make up box and kitsch wall thing. Maybe $8 total.

Happy Days!