Friday 19 September 2008

Those Who Thrift Together, Stay Together (How to Manage a Husband When Op Shopping)



So our first full day here. What did it hold in store for us? For me? Well, given I missed the bin, I decided to hit the oppies hard. I left the kidlins with their adoring Ollie (my Mum) which was rare. I love being able to go op shopping without the smalls, for the simple reason, it's easier to go fast without going crazy!

First stop and before midday, I sent the cash registers spinning with a grand total of $11 spent. Whoa Nelly. I am a crazy cat. Two awesome blouses for $2 each - and they both fit perfectly. Totally, absolutely, 100% perfectly. Can you feel the joy? Two small water karafes for a phenomenal $3. Some pillowcases. A chocolate brown clutch.. Oh gosh, it was like opening Pandora's Box if she'd been into vintage goodies instead of wreaking havoc on people.

After lunch I hit the shops again. This time I had my husband in tow. What kind of husband wants to come to the op-shops? Mine! I had to manage this, so I gave us a maximum of five minutes in each shop. I didn't feel the heat. No siree. I'm a seasoned op shopper and know which sections will hold the most fruit. So many vintage sheets, pillowcases, and aprons to pick up.

Matt came out empty handed, disbelieving that I had managed to pick up so much in such a short amount of time. He was also scoffing out how we were actually going to get all this stuff home, in light of the fact that our car was completely chockers driving up.

Am I the only one talented enough to completely fill the car with absolutely everything before heading off? I'm guessing it's a Mum thing. Gosh I am hoping it is, otherwise I have no explanation (other than it must be hereditary). Every trip away I can guarantee I get hassled by Matt for how much stuff we're taking. Hmph.

Third op shop and this one is usually the banana in Carmen Miranda's hat. While I did find a cool piece of fabric and a sweet little crochet piece, there wasn't that much fruit to be eaten here. Maybe it had been harvested already. Who knows, but it wasn't like I was disappointed. We still had one to go - so off we trot, Matt still hoping he was going to find something exciting.

We rolled up to the final oppy for the day. We got out. I still was optimistic. There's nothing like the quiet thrill of country op shops. No. Nothing. All that pre-loved goodness just waiting to go to a new home. Hmm. We walk up to the door - and boooooom! A big fat sign tells us they close at 2:50pm. A big fat reminder that we're not in the city anymore Toto. We had arrived at 3:05pm. Oh the pain. The heart ache. It was almost as bad as fretting for my bin.

Fear not. It's open at 8:30am tomorrow. And guess who's going to be staking it out.

Tomorrow more pics of the loot.

13 comments:

Sarah said...

Good oping girlfriend! Nice pillowcases. Is the garden looking all springtime pretty? Mmmm....I can smell it now. Eat an orange for me!

Liesl said...

Good luck at the 8.30am opening this morning. May the Op Shop Gods be looking down on you ...

Don't you love a driving holiday where you can keep stuffing your loot back into the car? I have been on trips where the children have to travel with their feet up on the way home! Its always amazing how much you can get into a foot well ...

Michelle said...

You can always find room in the car for new thrifted treasures when you're away, it's like magic.

Good luck thrifting today.

Cindy said...

May the thrifting gods smile on your overloaded car and bring you good luck. You could always travel home on the roof rack, and that is a whole couple of square meters of extra space!

Mrs.French said...

yay...I can't wait to see the other photos...and maybe you should get there around 8:20 just in case...

Taccolina said...

Driving holidays are wonderful for the stuff-it factor, as in, stuffing the car until the widows nearly pop out, nevermind the family. I have every confidence that you'll cram it all in...

Taccolina said...

Oops! I meant windows, not widows! (That brings to mind quite a picture!)

Fashion Serial Killer said...

cute! I used to love thrifting with my old boyfriend. Hopefully my next man will enjoy that also. Is oppies short for something?

Kirsty said...

I LOVE out of town Op Shops. They always have the best stuff.

BUT their opening hours are a bit strange. My favourite down the coast only opens Wednesday, Friday, Saturday...most annoying!

Looking forward to seeing what you pick up.

Anastasia said...

haha your Opshop adventures made me smile...how cool your man came along, mine just rolls his eyes when I come home with thrifted finds!! you did great...cant wait to see what you find tommorow!

flossy-p said...

Sounds like you're having a fantastic time! Those Op Shops will speak of you in legend once you've gone... ;)

p.s. you won my give-away! Send me your postal address when you get back from your country sojourn :)

Claire (ethel loves fred) said...

Oh I do love a pussy-bow shirt, specially in a sheer fabric! Just gorgeous, makes up for the missed bin dip!

Dzintra Boyd said...

2:50! Who the heck closes at 2:50?! Madness, simply madness...