Community Service Announcement: Less Stuff Needed

Well, as you all probably know, I live in Victoria, where the bushfires have left a trail of devastation and there has been an amazing outpouring of community support from Everyday People , who’ve been donating their time, money, and second hand goods to help people affected by the fires.

I’m also a vollie at the RSPCA, where we got so many pooch/kittie/barnyard-animal-related donations that we filled over seven shipping containers with the booty and had to put signs up all over the place thanking people for their support but letting them know that we were now inundated (!) and to try to donate the goods to another charity. There are still calls going out to find additional volunteers to sort through everything. The generosity has been unbelievable. The problem for the organisation, now, is that there are a lot of logistical difficulties involved in sorting everything and getting it out to those who need it, pronto.  

And apparently, the same thing has been happening to op shops near bushfire affected areas.

Free Sampler? Not Likely

Another barely-relevant fact that you don’t really want/need to know about me: I’m a volunteer at the RSPCA, in quarantine, which means I spend a lot of time scrubbing shit (i almost wrote ‘poop’ then – why?), herding kittens and smelling like disinfectant. But, while lining litter trays with old pages of newspaper a few weeks ago, I came across a fascinating article on an aspect of collecting that I know next-to-zero about: embroidery samplers.

(PS: am I the world champion segue-maker or what?)

Now, all youse hipsters out there, groaning because I’m not blathering on about the return of Reebok pumps and how much your original Sir-Mix-a-Lot cassingle from 1992 is now worth, be patient. I didn’t think I was into embroidery either. Every time I so much as think about folk art I get this constricted, claustrophobic feeling, like I’m being smothered by dried flowers and decoupage and calico dolls with corkscrew hair. The Horror. But trust me – framed embroidery is a whole other board game. It’s hot. And the prices for this shizzle are rapidly getting out of control.

Five Ways to Get Vintage Stuff for Free

There’s only one thing better that getting awesome vintage wares on the cheap from your favourite op/second hand emporium. And that’s getting stuff for free.

It’s been a long time since I wandered out of my house early one summer morn to find a gorgeous (though black varnished, d’oh) dining chair just sitting there on the street, free to a good home (I hope, otherwise the fuzz might be after me). 

Quirky Detective

I’ve been tagged (i think this is the correct terminology – as the ‘minimalist chic’ of this here blog shows, I’m not exactly au fait with Cutting Edge Trends in Technology. I don’t even have a computer at home. This may go some way towards explaining irregularity of posts etc etc) by Trish at Trish Hunter Finds to reveal six unspectacular quirks about myself.

How to Get Out of Savers in Five Minutes Flat

I’m a fairly honest sort of a lady, so I’ll tell you straight up that the title is a lie – there’s no way known that yours truly is getting out of savers in five minutes. or ten. or…you get the idea. I’m a hopeless case. But here are my best strategies for getting in and out of a huge op shop/second hand emporium as quick as you can.

It will be especially useful if, like me, you can’t go past an op shop, even if you’re running late/your parking meter has run out/you have a house bursting with crap. Here we go:

Stakeout: Williamstown Antique Fair, 18-20 July 2008

I have a soft spot for this fair – partially because it’s in my hood (with da pimpz and da honeyzz etc etc) and partially because it was at this fair, once upon a time, that my interest in all things old and ridiculous passed from ‘moderate’ to ‘out of control’.

That said, this fair was pretty much what you’d expect if you’re a regular at these things. Same dealers, same grumbles (a tip for antiques fairs – go late in the day to hear whether the vendors are grumbling at each other over the amount of sales they’ve had. About an hour before closing time it’s like they forget there’s other people around and start pissing and moaning about how crowds are down due to the football &c. It’s what i call ‘the witching hour’. And it’s a great time to haggle).

Happiness is Next to Vintagey Detectiveness

Something really delightful happened last week – I was awarded a ‘Tree of Happiness’ by the lurvely livingisdetail from One Little Detail. This entails three things:

1. I graciously accept the award, thanking my many supporters and possibly jesus in an overlong and cheesy speech which I later regret (I am most likely wearing a hideous bubblegum pink ballgown at this time).

2. I list six things that make me happy on this here blog (so no vintagey love today…well, maybe a little bit)

3. I pass the love on to six other blogettes.

The Vintage Detective: Now Broadcasting From NZ

The title really says it all, but if you’re up for some serious wafflage TVD style, then read on.

Fashion on the Ration: The Way We Wear Fair This Weekend!

For those who haven’t heard about the ‘The Way We Wear’ fairs, they’re vintage clothing, textiles and accessories fairs that happen around Australia throughout the year (mostly in Melbourne and Sydney). And, well, they’re pretty awesome. There’s stall after stall bursting at the seams with all manner of glittery, tactile, glamorous and outrageous clothes and other finery, and much of it is very affordable.

Remebering the Legacy of Yves Saint Laurent

I’m sure you would have heard on the news that Yves Saint Laurent, a legend of the fashion world, has died aged 71 after a long illness.

Saint-Laurent was one of those truly great designers that don’t just concern themselves with aesthetics, but with the broader political and social implications that fashion can have.

His support of feminism and women’s lib is well known;