Huge Rockaway Sale!

Over the last two weeks, there's a been a sale going on at Rockaway at Springwood where they had 30% off everything!  I kid you not!  So, last Thursday was the day I thought to get myself into gear and shuffle my butt over to the place and see what was left for me to pick over.  Okay, so I left it until the second-last day to go, but I found some great bargains!  There were still some bags on sale lining the walls, t-shirts, plenty of vinyls, key-chains and other things - all things - were all on sale for me nab!

I search for - and found - a Joni Mitchell album 'The World of Joni Mitchell' which was $25.00 and had been brought down to $15.00.  Then, there was a New Zealand pressing of The Beatles 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band' that was $45.00 (but I put it back) and went looking for some Queen instead and didn't find anything that I could afford.  So, I grabbed a bag off the wall of The Beatles 'Abbey Road' for $39.99 and took it and the Joni Mitchell vinyl to the counter.  Scott - the owner of the store surprised me with the total - and I went and nabbed The Beatles album after all!  What should have been $99.99 came down to $69.99!  How cool was that???  I walked away a happy customer and vowing to never leave one of their sales to the last minute ever again!  Until my next post, happy bargain hunting!

Tested:  The afternoon I bought the bag, I tested it out and found it worked a lot better when the strap was pulled up short as the bag itself rested comfortably against my hip, no matter what was inside it.  And seeing it has a zip-up section and two front open sections, it's nice and easy to put your purse or wallet into a deeper pocket and your ipod into the shallower pocket and still know it's safe; as the whole front section flaps over it all and seals down with velcroe.  All in all, a nice bag to carry.  I'll use it again soon.

Retro Beauty

I love it when I find a handbag that oozes a personality of its own with an attitude to match... and this one was one I just had to have the moment I clapped my eyes on it.  The lime green is very much the Asian influence along with the bright pinks and lots of metal that clash; and yet, it all mixes in well!  I loved it and yet hated it too, and that's what makes me buy a complete original handbag just like this one here.

Then the next day - Thursday - I had my big chance to test it out!  I took Mum out to lunch.  We spent most of the day out and about around Brisbane.  First at the doctors, then at Garden City where it was was the best little handbag to carry all my cards and purse and everything I needed; and it clipped up well with its versatile little - yet strong - clip.  My mobile was safely stored in its own little pouch, there was plenty of room for everything.  However, I did find it rather squishy if I was in a hurry to find something; and that was its downfall.  

This gorgeous little number is a great little bag to take out, but not for whole days out as it really did become frustrating to dig around in its dark recesses every time I needed something.  So, a great, artsy bag for an art opening perhaps or a dinner out somewhere interestingly chick, but not for a day out somewhere; as it's just not built for rummaging around in.

Thrift Store Bargains

I love going into thrift stores.  You know the ones that are run by the churches and smaller charities; yeah, they sell just about anything and everything.  Well, there's one down the road from me that sells everything from books to televisions, small, portable organs, to clothes, old handbag and shoes upon shoes to kitchenware to beer bongs (yeah, I saw that walk out the door today - a glass one!).  

Today, I thought to take a walk from the post office down to the thrift store to see if it was open; and it was, so I walked inside and took a look around.  The first place I normally go to is the bookcases.  I noticed they had added on another two bookcases - more people are getting rid of their books and opting for Kindles; well, that's okay, more real books for me to read! I knew I was wrong in looking at the cases, but I just had to find out what people were throwing out so I knew what I had to read.  And I found myself three books:  'Liza of Lambeth' and 'On A Chinese Screen' which were two books in one by W. Somerset Maughem; and author I've never heard of.  Then there was 'Hugh Lunn's Head Over Heels' and 'Under the Tuscan Sun' by Frances Mayes.  

On the way out the door - and before I found anymore books I thought looked nice - I almost past a great little bag that was very originally-made.  It was something I thought about toying with but never made a move on because I didn't know how to go about it: a bag made from a pair of shorts or old jeans.  I loved it and found it looked pretty good!  So, once I found the zip worked well and the pockets were deep enough, I knew it was something I wanted to have and added that to my things of purchase.  All up, I spent $3.50... a good bargain!  

On the way home, I stopped outside a place and chatted to a couple of ladies who were sitting outside an old shopfront.  And soon the doors of it opened and it ended up being a food co-op!  What a find!  I went in and asked how it worked - as I've never been to one before - and they explained the whole thing to me.  I ended up buying some Grainwave Chips for $1.50 and coming home.  So, do tell us what bargains you've come across lately?  Did you know the stores or markets were there, or did you stumble upon them like I did with the food co-op?  Leave a comment and let us know about your finds.  Until my next post, happy shopping!

Two Great Bargains

Today was the first time I found something worthwhile to buy at the Life Line store in a while.  And it wasn't just one thing, it was two lovely bags!  

The first is a purple bag which is originally for kids, but I loved the colours and the feel of it.  It also is big enough to pack some of my stuff in and very much the type of thing I'd carry with me around the place.  And it's brand new as well; seeing its tag is still attached!  For $8.00, it was an absolute steal!  

Then, there was the National Geographic Briefcase.  It's small, versatile and very well-made.  I love it as I'll be able to take it around the city with me and still be able to store what I need in it without it feeling bulky.  It's got a nice long, adjustable strap, the body of it has a zip where I can open it out or make it smaller and it's got room for a mobile phone.  However, this bag is an older-style National Geographic Briefcase as the phone holder is much larger than the ones you'd normally find on them.  This means all the clips and zips are metal on this bag; not plastic!  What a great find for $6.00!  

So, these were my two great finds today at Life Line.  I did see a make-up mirror, but something about it didn't feel right, so I left it.  I'm so happy with my purchases.  Until next time, happy shopping!

Today's Bargain Buys

Today, I was out and about on my own after being off my feet with a broken toe for the last month.  Now, that's not the best way to kick back; not in my opinion anyway.  Last shopping day, it was dreary and wet and I did want to go to Life Line, but decided that my folks getting me around in one of those shops in a wheelchair wasn't the best of ideas.

So, that brings us to today.  I had a great time being out on my own again - even if my left toe did begin to hurt a little halfway through my shopping day.  I just took my time and didn't push myself; not until it's completely healed anyway.

I found two great items at Life Life that I bought and do love very much.  The first one was a pair of jeans.  They were a size 10, but very stretchy; stripy and purple and I fitted into them beautifully!  And for $12.00, I thought they were great!  There was another pair of jeans - bright red ones - made by Thomas Cook - that were a size 12 (a small make though) and I decided against getting them as they just didn't feel all that comfortable.

Just when I thought I had done all my shopping, I spotted a bag that looked very cool.  On picking it up, I found it was made from New Zealand Lamb's Wool!  How beautiful!  It's a decent-sized bag too!  So, I bought that for $20!  It still had the cleaning instructions attached to it as well.  What a lovely thing it is... so cuddly and warm too.

Well, that's all I bought at the Life Line today.  What bargains have you come across - do share!  Until my next post, happy bargain hunting! 

Tested:  Lambs-Wool bag.
I went out to Garden City with my bag today.  I packed it with the bare essentials; however, when it came to finding them, I found it difficult to just find them as this bag has no interior pockets.  So, I often found myself digging around when I needed to find my purse or iTouch or anything else; and this became annoying within the first hour.
Also, the little tie that was around it broke.   I was trying to undo the knot when I pulled on it and it snapped... fortunately, I could tie it back up again with a similar knot on the other side (which is what I was trying to do in the first place).  Otherwise, this bag is lovely.  I have to remember to try not to get it wet, sit it in any dirt or anything sticky and make sure that if I want to have it cleaned that it's a dry clean only bag; which makes it a very expensive bag to own.  I think I'll use this bag on special occasions only... and not every day.

Boag's Draught

I looked around Life Line today - before I got in and did my normal day of shopping - and found a Boag's Draught bag.  It's amazing what you find in these stores as when I got somebody to pull it down off the high hook, I found this bag was a lovely canvas bag with a long, wide strap and an area for all your bits and a section for you mobile.  Yes, this bag is modern and up-to-date.  It is something that has been made in the last decade.  

However, I've never seen one around the place before.  I unzipped it and found it was a proper, real, Boag's Draught bag from Tasmania.  It's fully lined so you can carry cold drinks!  How's that for great?  And I bought it for only $6.00!  What a great deal... and I couldn't pass it up!  So, what great deal have you found lately and didn't pass up because it was so good?  I'll be testing this one out tomorrow when I go into the city to see the Matisse Exhibition.  Ought to be a great day. 

Tested:  1st, March, 2012

I took this great bag into the city for the ultimate test... around the GoMA at the Matisse exhibition!  It's passed with flying colours.  The best thing is that the zips can open from either side; but the down side is that these zips are also faulty.  They need to be replaced by a better zip.  The great thing is that because of the insulation it kept my water cool and everything else from getting hot - like my iTouch and mobile too.  So, I give this bag a 5 Star rating. 

Two Great Purchases

Last Wednesday, I was out and about at Life Line when I found two wonderful purchases.  One was was this brilliant Tutti Hat.  Isn't it beautiful?  It's nice and warm and is made of wool; so it'll be great for Winter when those cooler months come by, and it only cost me $10.  What a great deal!

The other deal I got was this overnight bag.  It may be a tiny thing, but I used it on Friday for an overnight stay at a friend's place.  

This little sweetheart of a bag cost me only $8.00 and it carries all my things from a little shower pack, make-up, a change of clothes, shoes, my medication and a few other essentials.  However, I found the main zip a little on the light side for my needs, so I'll be getting it replaced.  Otherwise, this bag was great and not too bulky.

The Big Clothes Clean-Out!

There comes a time in every collector's life that you must clean out your house.  This weekend I began on the next phase of my Big Tidy-Up.  For those who have been following me in 'My Book-Crazy Life' you'll know what I'm talking about; however for you people who don't, I'll explain.  I began cleaning out my two-bedroom townhouse last year and it's turned out to be a great success.  Just this weekend, I began on the upstairs bedrooms and I've been very honest with myself.  So far, one full rubbish bag of junk has been thrown in the bin; and it's not coming back inside the house!

However, the next thing on the agenda was my wardrobe.  Since I moved into this townhouse, I've cleaned out my wardrobe once; unsuccessfully.  This time, it's been very good.  I've been brutally honest with myself and pulled out clothes I haven't worn in over 2 years, looked at them and put them straight into the bag.  I even found a nice dress and a couple of vests my niece might like and put them off to one side for her.

But, it's not over yet.  I've still got a little way to go in the organisational parts of this before I'm happy with how my wardrobe looks.  So far, I have from left to right:  cloaks/shawls, dresses, short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, knitted long-sleeved shirts, dressing gowns & brunch coats and all my jackets and coats.  However, it's still a bit muddled up.  So, I've happily just left it for a little while until I fix it up.  But seeing I've got 2 garbage bags of clothes ready to go, I'm rather pleased with myself that I have come this far in just two days.  

So, have done this kind of clean out recently?  Was it successful? Love to hear about your success stories of either your scores at charity stores.

Lone Wolf Dreaming

While out and about yesterday, I also picked up another piece I'm rather proud of.  However, it has traveled across most of Australia to be with me; and I'm not sure if it's a Dreamcatcher or a Hanger, but I do love it very much and have put it into my bedroom straight away.

How lovely is this piece?  I'm contacting the company immediately to ask them what it is, as it's brand new and still has the tag on it and the original price tag as well.

Beatles-Mania

As some of you know, I'm a fan of John Lennon and The Beatles.  However, there has been a fair bit of things from the Beatles-mania time hitting the charity stores; and I've been jumping in buying it up.  

Today, at Life Line, I found a black long-strapped bag which looked very cool and I bought it, however one of the ladies pointed out a Beatles bag out to me and when I saw it, I immediately wanted to swap it over.  They allowed it as the two bags were the same price.  And it's such a lovely bag too! I love it; even if it's made in Thailand and made of vinyl.... who cares, I love it.  I've yet to test it out.


3rd, February, 2012 - I went out today and tested out this bag.  I loved how nice and big is it and the strap is very comfortable over my shoulder; and doesn't twist either.  The front pocket is nice and large and holds my purse, phone, house keys and iTouch easily - and I'm happy to say - I can run with it and I didn't lose anything from it being jostled around.  Yes, this bag is a good one.  A very good purchase, being good-looking and a durable one as well.