Half way there. Not half bad

Recently, I decided to go a fortnight without shopping. For those of you who know me, you know that this is somewhat of a challenge. For those of you who don't know me, it's like any other time in my life, really. I shop only occasionally, and when I do, I make sound investments in staple items that will take me from season to season. Oh, you wont catch me experiencing wardrobe-regret. I really am the model of discipline and frugality. Just don't ask anyone who actually knows me. They all lie.

So halfway through my perfectly reasonable, attainable goal, I decided to reward myself for making it halfway. By shopping. Ahem. Actually, it wasn't a conscious decision on my part (shopping rarely is). I had some time to kill between spending money on sensible things like a new bin and hand wash and having a hair cut, so I popped into Red Threads. Just for something to do. I barely had enough time to order and drink a coffee, and had already hit Haighs, so it was the next logical step. 

"I'll just have a quick look. I don't need anything, and I'm saving money" is what I should have said to myself. In stead, I get this: "Heeeeeeeeeeyyyyyy. 5 buck rack!" Useless. Did I mention it had been a long day at work and I was really tired? I feel as though that's important in some way...

So while I was in there, "browsing", I thought I might as well find something to wear to this wedding on today. Of course, I had already done this a few times in the lead up to my friend's big day, and have more that enough dresses to choose from, but these thoughts were quickly dismissed. Something shiny caught my eye, no doubt. After engaging in rapid-fire flick-through of all the dress racks, I emerged triumphant with several to try on; all very different, all very lovely.

After trying them on to the sounds of the very nice staff reminding me how many minutes before closing (and hence to my haircut), I settled on a slightly unusual but quite striking Country Road dress and an elegant Dada & Co. frock with pretty shiny business going on just under the bust. 

New hair, new frocks, full of Haighs chocolate. I was one happy lady. While I was bragging to my husband (who was smiling politely but porbably thinking about soccer scores), I discovered the HORROR of all HORRORS. A stain on my new, pretty, all-silk dress. Silk. Stain. Shit. I had ignored my own rules, too certain of my finely-honed, expert skills to go back to fundamentals. Rule mumblerandomnumber: always check for stains. Even if the shop assistant is vacuuming, or calling out, "sorry, we're closed" to anyone who walks past. 

I had waited a whole week to spend that $22.95 (yes, second hand, but it's silk, and I look really cute in it). I was so disappointed. I could have spent that 10 times over. I was being frugal. FRUGAL! At first I was annoyed with the shop for selling a dress with such a large stain on it, but then I realised I only had myself to blame. Also, begrudging a charity saves you a spot in hell, so I decided to take it on the chin.

Bugger. I seriously considered wearing it out, hoping no-one would notice the rather large water mark on the bottom. But late last night, seized with the notion that the dress was practically ruined anyway, utilising some Sard and throwing it in the washing machine seemed like a reasonable option. I mentioned it was pure silk? I suppose I could have tried hand washing it, but I feel the same way about that method as I do ironing: heeeeyyyyylllllll no!

I'm so pleased it work. Sure, the silk is a little bit crushed, and it isn't as soft as it was, but if I hang it in the bathroom and hope for the best, things may work out. I'm sure not going to iron the damn thing.

It's a bit hard to see, but it has a bubble skirt. Also, it's navy blue and white. I'm still waiting for that new camera, Santa...

90s fashion statement back to haunt me

Remember when the humble bum bag (or fanny pack, if I may) became a fashion statement? It happened somewhere between the first episodes of Blossom and the death of the Commodore 64 (for those of you under 30, that's around the early-to-mid 90s). Once the sensible accessory of middle-aged tourists in white socks and sandals, it was suddenly the epitome of cool. All you needed was an over-sized jumper, your hottest pair of stirrup pants (demin, if you could get them, but jersey worked just as well), 3 pairs of layered, slouchy socks, and a pair of white trainers (Apple Pies), and you were hot-to-trot! Oh, and you didn't wear the bum bag on your waist; it was slung over your shoulder.

So why was I looking for a bum bag? Was I planning to rock my exercise gear as a fashion statement? Er, no. I needed one for dog training, so we would have easy access to treats (I make Nath wear it. I think he likes it). The nice lady at the dog training centre recommended cut up hot dogs, but the thought of them festering in a bum bag is a little too much to bear, so dog biscuits it is.

Let me tell you, though, bum bags sell like hot cakes in op shops! I know, weird, right? Have I missed an important fashion revival? Oh, wait - I have. The 90s once was enough, thanks Supre. I've been a bit pressed for time lately, so I went to ol' faithful on the way home. As luck would have it, they are having a sale on all bags and shoes this week (ends Saturday. Sorry for the late notice). After hunting around, I asked the lady at the checkout, who informed she had sold all of their bum bags that day. All of them. Surprised, and a little miffed that I would have to actually spend some real time looking for the darn thing, I bought a white silk frock with lovely black crochet detail on the neckline ($6.99), a pair of as-new, comfy slip ons ($3.00), a few things for my nieces, and made my exit.

The next day I tried the Red Cross on the way home, making sure I finished work on time so I could make it there before 5pm (seriously, I know you're a charity, but can't you push it to 5.30 closing? I promise you'll get more out of me!). I wasn't holding my breath, as it's quite a well-maintained store with little room for things that aren't going to sell. Of course, it may be that all of their bum bags sold out, as well. Anyway, needless to say, my venture was fruitless, apart from a lovely Basque wrap dress at half price ($7.50), a long singlet with a big heart made up of tiny hearts on it ($3.95), and a lovely rose print scarf ($3.00). Not an entirely wasted trip, actually. The Basque dress has a gorgeous pattern of tiny red berries and leaves on it. Lovely.

I was running out of close-at-hand, open-after-I-finish-work options, when I had a light bulb moment. There is an op shop at my work, a real nanna one with some decent items, but also a lot of things that really should just be put out of their misery. It's a little known op shop, so I was certain whomever has been buying up all of the bum bags across town wouldn't have thought of it! If this one didn't pay off, we were going to have to spend real money at Kmart to get one. Any more than $2.00 is crazy talk, in my mind.

Well, I was not disappointed. $2.00 for a multi-pocketed bum bag (sadly, no fluro detailing, but one must make do). But that wasn't the highlight. I also picked up a medicine chest ($5.00), a tomato saver ($2.00; there was no way I was paying more than that, thanks Tupperware) and - my favourite - an amazing pair of black Steve Madden heels with beautiful embroidery, in awesome condition. Sigh. Love! And only $5.00. That put a spring in my step for the rest of the day! They were missing their ankle straps, but I had a plan: the shoe sale was still on at the Salvos, and I was sure I would find something there.

I nipped over and found a terrible pair of strappy sandals from - you guessed it - the 90s that should never have seen the light of day in the first place. But the straps were worth the $3.00 alone. I'm a little ashamed to say it, but I turfed the hideous heels as soon as I salvaged what I needed. Had I thought someone would actually want them, and gone to the effort of finding replacement straps, I would have given them back to the store. Seriously, though. There was no love for those babies. I should have taken a picture before I binned them, but I really just wanted them out of the house. Wrong. So, so wrong.

Shop Here:
Salvos
1507 Main South Rd
Darlington
Open Mon-Fri 9-5.30pm
Sat 9.30-5pm

Red Cross
1267-1269 South Road
St Marys
Open Mon-Fri 9-5pm
Sat 11-5pm

Friends of the Repatriation General Hospital Op Shop
Repatriation General Hospital
Goodwood Rd Entrance
Daw Park
Open Mon-Sat 10-3pm