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Thursday 23 February 2012
What's on at WAC
One of my favourite places to shop in Brisbane - The Wollongabba Antique Centre. Check out the upcoming event this weekend. Miss Posh Poodle's Vintage Extravaganza! Clothing and Vintage bric a brac staring at $1!! (This makes me happy) Make an offer and nothing over $30. Hop along for a bargain! Friday 24/02 until Sunday 26/02.
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Thursday 2 February 2012
Kitschie Cute Fings
When I was little I had a shelf with all kinds of collectible ornament bears. I had ballerina bears, bears with honey jars, sailor bears, cute mum dad and bub bears. I loved them so! Mum would buy me a new one every time we visited the chemist. I love the thrill of collecting sets of things and things that talk to me. Looking back now I have no idea what happened to those bears but I do miss them and hope they still have a home and a shelf to sit on.I guess this may be where my love of ornaments comes into its own. There is something so peacefully beautiful about presenting your treasures on a shelf, in a hutch or cupboard. In my home I have my treasures on display in cabinets, bookshelves and shelves. I love to place little things in special places like a vintage teapot filled with flowers by the bedside table next too a tiny pink cat ornament. Or a teacup and saucer by my dressing table filled with lip gloss beside a pink vintage jewelery box! I find little things delight me more as you sort of forget they are there - you remember them and get excited again.
I have always been fond of elephants. I started collecting them when I was around 13 years of age and now I would own over 100 different kinds. Some are from junk shops or found in thrift stores. My dad recently went to Thailand and brought me back some beautiful ones. There is something so fun about an Elephant. Weather he is a traditional one or a whimsical looking one. They all look like they tell a story. They take me back to childhood - looking up at these massive animals they become a thing of wonder. Every time I look at an elephant I can see the kindness in their eyes. They are without a doubt a favorite animal of mine.
Lately I have been focusing on finding antique or kitsch looking elephants. I have found some very cute ones but given that they are ornaments after all they do come with cracks or chips. You really have to search among thrift shops to find these sorts of nick-knacks because they can be hidden amongst the brick-a-brac or in the baby section even with the booties and photo frames. My last shopping trip lead me to Wynnum where I visited a few thrift stores. I was able to find a really cute kitschie elephant that was hiding amongst the teacups. He was very different from any other Elephant I have in my collection. He was on a rocker similar to a rocking horse. He has a hole in his back I'm not sure if he is a vase or a holder of some sort as the hole is too wide for him to be an egg cup. He has the cutest pink, love heart shaped ears, two beautiful little eyes with 3 long lashes on each. His trunk is up so he is good luck too. He is a treasure and one of my favorites in the collection I have. He is stamped with Japan underneath.
When I first saw him I skipped by him but on closer inspection I had to have him! He was a steal at 2 dollars. A few teeny-tiny chips but in overall great condition. He resides not with my other elephants but in a little cabinet I have with all my favorite treasures. I will been on the hunt for more like him to add to my collection in the future.
All my Love
Kate xxx
I have always been fond of elephants. I started collecting them when I was around 13 years of age and now I would own over 100 different kinds. Some are from junk shops or found in thrift stores. My dad recently went to Thailand and brought me back some beautiful ones. There is something so fun about an Elephant. Weather he is a traditional one or a whimsical looking one. They all look like they tell a story. They take me back to childhood - looking up at these massive animals they become a thing of wonder. Every time I look at an elephant I can see the kindness in their eyes. They are without a doubt a favorite animal of mine.
Lately I have been focusing on finding antique or kitsch looking elephants. I have found some very cute ones but given that they are ornaments after all they do come with cracks or chips. You really have to search among thrift shops to find these sorts of nick-knacks because they can be hidden amongst the brick-a-brac or in the baby section even with the booties and photo frames. My last shopping trip lead me to Wynnum where I visited a few thrift stores. I was able to find a really cute kitschie elephant that was hiding amongst the teacups. He was very different from any other Elephant I have in my collection. He was on a rocker similar to a rocking horse. He has a hole in his back I'm not sure if he is a vase or a holder of some sort as the hole is too wide for him to be an egg cup. He has the cutest pink, love heart shaped ears, two beautiful little eyes with 3 long lashes on each. His trunk is up so he is good luck too. He is a treasure and one of my favorites in the collection I have. He is stamped with Japan underneath.
When I first saw him I skipped by him but on closer inspection I had to have him! He was a steal at 2 dollars. A few teeny-tiny chips but in overall great condition. He resides not with my other elephants but in a little cabinet I have with all my favorite treasures. I will been on the hunt for more like him to add to my collection in the future.
All my Love
Kate xxx
Friday 27 January 2012
Raindrops and Raffia
I love my friends and spending time with them. I enjoy my job and do like going into the office. However I love a day all to myself to shop, sip coffee and browse ze shops. I decided to treat myself and go hunting for special treasures today despite the wet weather we are having in Brisbane. I slapped on my jeans and lace ups and hit the streets of Wynnum. When me and I my husband first moved in together we lived in Wynnum. It's a nice spot near the bayside with a thrift shop on just about every corner, no lie.
I find that these thrift stores are really picked over and you really have to look hard to find what you want. But it's all part of the thrill really isn't it! I had a look at all of the thrift stores and also a few second-hand furniture stores. They have heaps of clothing, shoes, bags, books and general brick-a-brack. They also had a cute shop with a retro diner style table setting, unfortunate for me it wasn't open but would love to go back and look. I found myself flitting around these stores really searching through everything, turning things over and pondering on what to purchase. When I go thrift shopping I don't like to spend over 10 dollars per item but I will go over that depending on quality and if it's a must have piece that has caught my eye. I have noticed some thrift stores do jack prices up for things that are rare or popular picks, other stores you can get beautiful things dirt cheap I guess it's a score when you find these shops. I did see some beautiful desert dishes but they were an incomplete set and they wanted 20 dollars. It's all about spending your money wisely but also letting your heart win by purchasing these beautiful items aswel. Give it time and you will learn to know what you like and what you don't. In the long run it will save you money and save you from too much clutter! (but we all love clutter:)
Back on subject... I did find the most adorable raffia bag. I was looking for a small green bag to go with a floral dress I purchased. I was looking through the salvos store at Wynnum, glancing up at the rows and rows of bags and a hint of color shone down on me and I spotted the cutest lil bag. It reminded me of the little Cain basket I used to have as a child. It has the most beautiful raffia flowers and buds. It may not be vintage but it caught my eye and I had to have it! I was 7 dollars which I think is a steal. It's very whimsical and reminds me of a spring garden. The little details on the flowers are so petite and feminine. I can't wait to take it out to our Mary Poppins musical on Sunday.
All my love
Kate xxx
I find that these thrift stores are really picked over and you really have to look hard to find what you want. But it's all part of the thrill really isn't it! I had a look at all of the thrift stores and also a few second-hand furniture stores. They have heaps of clothing, shoes, bags, books and general brick-a-brack. They also had a cute shop with a retro diner style table setting, unfortunate for me it wasn't open but would love to go back and look. I found myself flitting around these stores really searching through everything, turning things over and pondering on what to purchase. When I go thrift shopping I don't like to spend over 10 dollars per item but I will go over that depending on quality and if it's a must have piece that has caught my eye. I have noticed some thrift stores do jack prices up for things that are rare or popular picks, other stores you can get beautiful things dirt cheap I guess it's a score when you find these shops. I did see some beautiful desert dishes but they were an incomplete set and they wanted 20 dollars. It's all about spending your money wisely but also letting your heart win by purchasing these beautiful items aswel. Give it time and you will learn to know what you like and what you don't. In the long run it will save you money and save you from too much clutter! (but we all love clutter:)
Back on subject... I did find the most adorable raffia bag. I was looking for a small green bag to go with a floral dress I purchased. I was looking through the salvos store at Wynnum, glancing up at the rows and rows of bags and a hint of color shone down on me and I spotted the cutest lil bag. It reminded me of the little Cain basket I used to have as a child. It has the most beautiful raffia flowers and buds. It may not be vintage but it caught my eye and I had to have it! I was 7 dollars which I think is a steal. It's very whimsical and reminds me of a spring garden. The little details on the flowers are so petite and feminine. I can't wait to take it out to our Mary Poppins musical on Sunday.
All my love
Kate xxx
Monday 23 January 2012
Where my heart is
For what it's worth this blog will be a tribute to my love of all things vintage. Call it all what ya'll want: retro, kitsch, vintage, nostalgia, antiques, collectables, paraphernalia - I want it. Anything 50's, 60's, 70's, one of a kind, rare, beautiful, feminine or odd - I just gotta have it.
I guess my love of old wares stems from childhood. Skipping along with my mum, little white Cain basket in hand ready to tackle the antique shops and thrift stores of Brisbane. My mum was very into the "shabby chic" scene. Everything from Laura Ashley to green and pink Nally Ware. Mum was particular and only purchased pieces that jumped out and said something to her. I remember sometimes walking the aisles of these shops for hours while my Ma made up her mind over which Vintage treasure to take home. The thrill and excitement of finding a rare treasure or something you had been dreaming of finding was overwhelming. Even today just walking into a thrift store and not knowing what you will find is somewhat addictive.
Just like my mum I have developed a keen eye and a keen interest in treasure hunting. These days you can always find me at markets, antique stores, thrift stores, nik nak shops, browsing on eBay, looking through a weekend shopper, knee deep in a garage sale or any kind of rockabilly shin-dig!
As my collection of things starts to grow I would love to share with you my findings. Even if only one person reads this blog I wont mind. It's something for me to invest my time in and express a passion of mine. So please come with me and enjoy a trip down memory lane as I search high and low for vintage treasures.
All my love
Kate xxx
I guess my love of old wares stems from childhood. Skipping along with my mum, little white Cain basket in hand ready to tackle the antique shops and thrift stores of Brisbane. My mum was very into the "shabby chic" scene. Everything from Laura Ashley to green and pink Nally Ware. Mum was particular and only purchased pieces that jumped out and said something to her. I remember sometimes walking the aisles of these shops for hours while my Ma made up her mind over which Vintage treasure to take home. The thrill and excitement of finding a rare treasure or something you had been dreaming of finding was overwhelming. Even today just walking into a thrift store and not knowing what you will find is somewhat addictive.
Just like my mum I have developed a keen eye and a keen interest in treasure hunting. These days you can always find me at markets, antique stores, thrift stores, nik nak shops, browsing on eBay, looking through a weekend shopper, knee deep in a garage sale or any kind of rockabilly shin-dig!
As my collection of things starts to grow I would love to share with you my findings. Even if only one person reads this blog I wont mind. It's something for me to invest my time in and express a passion of mine. So please come with me and enjoy a trip down memory lane as I search high and low for vintage treasures.
All my love
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