Leather Retro Handbag and a New Op-Shop in Logan City

For those of you who don't know, I've been off my feet lately and in hospital for day surgery at Greenslopes Hospital here in Brisbane.  But the recovery has taken a few weeks; and today was my first time out and about on my own shopping here in Logan again.

Today, I caught a bus to do my grocery shopping and found a new Op-Shop had opened around the corner from the Life Line Charity store.  This Op-Shop Store was in aide of the blind and so I thought to take a quick look at their gear before walking on to Life Line - as it was on my way to my usual place.
I liked a lot of their stuff; but I couldn't try on anything seeing I wasn't really well enough to be changing clothes all the time.  So, I'd have to wait for a few weeks until I'm feeling better.
The same went for Life Line.  I wanted to try on clothes, but couldn't because of my stomach muscles were still healing.  So, I looked handbags and other things around the place.  And I did find a lovely leather retro handbag!  The moment I laid eyes on it, I wanted it.  It's the kind of handbag I've always wanted to have and now it's mine, I don't ever want to let it go!  I scored this lovely beauty for around $15 - down from $25 when I used my discount card.  I'm very happy with my purchase and will use it on Saturday and let you all know how it goes.  
So, what kind of bargains have you scored recently?  Do let us know.  Until my next post, happy bargain hunting.

Seventies Florish

While I was out shopping yesterday, I thought a quick look into Life Line would do me some good.  I wasn't planning on buying anything - as Halloween is just around the corner and I didn't wish to break the budget on anything big.  So, I looked at the handbags; and nothing really caught my eye.  I found a nice green dress that tied up at the back and had a zip too; and was made in Australia with its tags still attached!  So, I tried that on and it fitted me well, so I thought to buy that.  Then, I found this lovely little purse.  It has a 1970's kinda feel to it; however it's where it's made that caught my eye.  I looked inside to see the wear and tear on it and found it's brand new and made in Finland.  How cool is that? 

Audrey Hepburn Bejeweled

This week, I found a few little things that were lovely in the handbag arena; but to find this wonderful purse was something I didn't expect.  This Audrey Hepburn bag was hiding at the back of the lot of the bigger display of bags; and yet she looked just lovely all bejeweled the way she is.

So, I picked this up, looked it over and decided right there that if I didn't take it, I'd regret it later.  Just look how lovely those jewels are; how could I walk past a bag that looks this good?  It's as lovely inside as it is outside too.  And I'm so glad I did buy it.  Now, I look forward to adding it to my 'Tested' list soon.

Patterns of Difference

Out of the three I received for Christmas from my cousin, Kate, I found this one the most different and unusual.  It's made of vinyl or plastic and has stripes and spots on it.  But it's cute all the same.  It's small enough to hold coins; and yet not big enough for folding money.

I haven't tested it out yet.  When I do, I'll add it to the Tested listings.  It ought to be soon though when I do; after the public holidays of Christmas.

(NB:  I'm afraid to say that the image isn't coming up right at the moment.  It keeps coming up sideways and stretched out of shape.  So, I'll wait until another day to upload it when Blogger isn't having a tantrum).

All The Colours of the Rainbow!

I have loved finding great bags wherever I go; and today I one that looked like something from a 'Lifesavers' commercial.  It's a crocheted one and it is just the most lovely bag to take places as it's bright and cheery.  It's a rainbow bag.  I loved it the moment I laid eyes on it and will test it out soon and let you all know how it goes in life.  
The handle is long enough to sling it across me and wear it down on my hip.  It's got a lovely little zip-up affair and a little zip on the inside pocket too.  Quite bright and eye-catching bag if I do say so!

Tested: 9, October, 2010
Test Site:  A dinner at my brother's house.

This little bag was the most colourful thing I wanted to take with me last night.  It suited my outfit nicely, didn't drag at my clothes and fitted in my mobile phone, meds, house keys, MP3 and coin purse (but alas, not a wallet, it's too bulky).  What a great little bag!  My niece loves it and thought it was the coolest little bag she's ever seen.  So, it looks like I'll be keeping an eye out for another just like it soon.. as she'll want one as well.  Seeing it's crocheted, it didn't take long to dry out when it got damp, and I liked that it didn't feel heavy either.  A great purchase for an evening out; will most definitely use it again.

Tiny Apples

Last Wednesday was a great day for coin purse hunting.  I came home with quite a few purses and wallets; and this one with tiny apples all over it was one of them.  Isn't it just the cutest?  I love the vibrant colouring of the apples with the silver background!  It's the shine that caught my eye first and then the apples with the smallest hint of the green quick on the top so perfectly drawn there.

I've yet to test this one as well.  I might yet use it this week while I'm out and about doing my usual shopping around the ridges; then let you know how it goes. 

Betty's Purse

I was out and about last Wednesday in my usual haunt of a charity shop when I came across this lovely little purse with Betty-Boo all over it in a very cool, arty way.  Despite its size, I loved how it was set up and didn't know why somebody would throw it out.  

This cool little purse was from a time of bright colours and absolutely not of a person who is shy and reserved.  And this is why I bought it.  Once I wiped it over with a damp cloth, the colours really came out.  I haven't used it yet, but I'm sure I'll find an event to soon.

Sweet, '80's and Flowers

Well, I love a wallet at just about anytime to take anywhere; this one is without acception one that will stand out in the crowd, if I want it to.  

I bought this one at a Life Line and thought it looked a little tired until I opened it and found it was bright green inside!  What a difference this would have made to somebody's day when they were looking for that

receipt or some spare change to give to a charity.  And it's that type of green that you either liked or you didn't.  This one is the colour I like; but it has to have the right handbag to go with it.  So, I may yet test it out next week while I'm shopping and let you know how it goes!

A Unique Purchase

I do love it when I happen to see a handbag and it just speaks to me.  And this happened on a day when I was feeling horrible and sick.  You see, if you follow my other blog 'The Book Craze' you would have read that I had an allergic reaction to a generic medication.  Well, it took a little while to get out of my system; and this happened the day before my usual shopping day.  

So, there I was in Life Line looking around and I found this lovely, very retro handbag.  It was in absolutely gorgeous condition and the price was right at $8 or so.  And I found the inside of it was just lovely too; and clean.  I had a handful of coin purses as well to buy. 

Well, last night, I used this handbag and it was perfect for where I needed to go for dinner; however not so perfect for the pub we went to afterwards.  It fits everything well and stands up just nice with the handles exactly where I wanted them (at my knee) when I needed to pick up the bag.  So, when it was time to leave, I wasn't fumbling around on the floor for the handles of the bag.  The main top zip was nice and tight and didn't jam up or break and there was plenty of room for not only my phone, but also my make-up bag and my house keys and meds.  So, this bag certainly passed the test in the early evening.  At The Boundary Hotel, there wasn't anywhere to put my bag as the handles either got in the way or the floor was grotty; so I had to hold onto the bag.  Oh well, I guess you can expect everything out of one handbag.  It is a great bag and was a great find.  I'm glad I didn't pass it up.

Pretty In Pink

The other week, I was at Life Line and couldn't find a single coin purse.  But I wasn't discouraged.  I kept digging to the bottom of the box and found a lovely pink vinyl wallet instead (actually, I found a few wallets there).  And as I inspected it, I found its design really spoke to me.  It's very lovely and retro and usable.

However, the only small problem that was wrong with it was that the main clip that did up the whole thing - and thus

kept it all together - was very much warn and the vinyl was cracked.  The previous owner had loved this lovely pink wallet very much and had upgraded to a better - most probably a bigger - model.  This one has enough space for credit cards and I.D, money and a little bit of coinage (but not a large amount).  However, seeing I've used it, the

coin area isn't all that reliable in the way of opening properly.  Yes, it will do up nicely, but on opening, it's difficult and - if I'm not careful - it will spill my money everywhere.  This is most probably why the wallet was donated to Life Line.

However, I bought it because of its beauty and what decade it came from; not because of its badly designed coin ompartment.  Otherwise, it was a great find.

Elephants in the Bag

I love it when I find two of the same bags in the same condition and would love the bring them both home... but I can't afford to.  And this is what happened to me today.  I found a lovely little bag for my Aunty Helen (who loves elephants) at my local Life Line store and it came in two colours - tan and gold, and black and gold.  And so when I put the two next to each other, I found that there was no competition:  it was the black and gold one that won out!
  
And just look at it!  Isn't it lovely?  I'm sure I made the right choice for her.  Also, it'll fit the lovely little souvenir I purchased for her from Mooloolaba of a little jeweled elephant with his trunk up!  I can't wait to give them to her.  What a find! 

Art Deco Lady

Last week, I was at the Redland Bay Life Line while my Mum was off doing something else. While there, I rummaged through their box of small items and came up with this darling little purse. Her imaged jumped straight out at me as something I just had to have. The inside of the purse is in beautiful condition and I have been using it for a few days and have found it holds a lot of money.

I'm so please I found her; and she cost under $4.00. I do love little purses like these ones when they're in this kind of condition and I don't have to do too much to them; except use them, of course.

A Little Gothic

I found this gorgeous handbag lurking on a shelf at one of the many Red Cross Shops. It was around $12.00 and once I walked past it, turned around the looked at it again, I knew I just had to have it! And since I bought it a little over two years ago, I have found so many places to take it!

Being black, this little number goes with a lot of my retro outfits as well as my Chanel dress. It's mixes and matches so well that I don't have to worry about what I wear with it, just the occasion that I take it to. And the greatest thing is that it fits my mobile, house keys, a pill box (if needs be), tissues and pen and paper inside it quite neatly and still does up! Very practical and very hot!

Pretty In Pink

I bought this lovely Roxy one in a charity shop during a shopping day; however I hesitate in purchasing it. The reason behind this was because it's not in the best of shape. The fruit on it is pealing and it's a little dirty. However, its rarity was what convince me to buy it.

I looked it up on Google today and found that it's no longer sold in any shops; and nobody's trying to sell it on e-bay either. So, this little gem of a Roxy wallet has found a home with my collection. As far as I can tell it's from around the late 80's early 90's. The stitching in the Roxy name and emblem are both still in very good condition and clean; so the person who owned this before me looked after it. I've yet to tidy it up properly, but this wallet usable in its current state; which I do look forward to doing soon.

The Mouse

This has got to be the cutest one out of the lot! I bought this one at Oxfam when it was on sale for $3.00 recently only because it was beautiful; and I was looking for a green one. There were plenty of black and blue mice there, but I wanted a green mouse; and this one was bigger than the others as well.

I've used this coin purse and its only drawback is that it's big enough only for smaller coins and not folding money. So, seeing that's the only problem with it, I guess it's still usable. And so, I'll be slotting only the barest amount of $2 and $1 coins into its darling zipper back for emergencies and using another coin purse for proper usage. Now, that's not a bad idea.

Jaffa Surprise

I love this one; and yet, I don't really know when I'll use it. It was bought just last pay and appeared very boring when I picked it up; however it was inside that caught my attention. The jaffa colouring of the inside is beautiful, so I couldn't pass up this one!

I've seen a few of these before and wonder where they come from. The last one I had was silver and it contained sweets/lollies for Easter. However, I'm sure this one was used for something different. I'm not sure. Nonetheless, it's in my house now and will be used in the future some time.

1960's Retro-style

I bought this groovy little number at my usual haunt; which is a charity store - along with around ten other purses. Sometimes this happens. I'll wander into a charity store and find ten coin purses; other times just one. But then, on other occasions, I'll walk out empty-handed. It's just how it all goes.
Anyway, this cool little purse jumped out at me from the whole lot I was struggling with as the purse to use for the day. Its colour and size was very interesting. It may not look much, but this purse can hold a lot of money and I'm always using it when I'm out and about.

Thing is, I'm on the lookout for either a green one or red one in the same design. They're just the coolest little things in vinyl. And I'm sure there's more just like it in other colours out there in the world waiting for me to collect and use and care for.