Stuff I Do

This weekend was wildly exciting. WILDLY! 

You will never, ever in a million years guess what I did this weekend. And you're going to be insanely jealous when you find out.

Because guess what.

I cleaned out my kitchen cupboards.

I know. I am wild. I am a party animal. I have such a compelling social life. 

But to be completely honest, it was quite satisfying. 

We live in a small rented house. It's actually no bigger than a Kleenex tissue box. When we moved in, in order to be able to move around, we just put things away - thinking "We'll come back to that and organise it once everything's unpacked."

And it's been four years. And we never did. Until this weekend. 

I sorted out my vintage vases. Yes. I have a collection. I found all this old paperwork, warranties etc, I find little pieces of family history. I tossed out some things. Like vitamins dating back to 2009. I made a few cupboards look pretty, yet I am still not finished. 

BUT on the way home from doing a little family walk, I saw an antiques store closing down. This is basically like walking a cat past an open tin of sardines. I had to have a look around, though the words from Matt rang in my ears. "Lexi, we're meant to be decluttering. You can look, but you can't buy anything. AND we don't have any money."

Well that bit was true. And yes the other bit was true too. But vintage things are my weakness. I love other people's old stuff. This is well documented from my bin diving days. 

So Tiny and I went for a quick snoop around, and in just 35 minutes I fell madly in love with these vintage shelves. Well I knew we barely had any money in the bank. But they were pulling at my heart strings. 

Everyone got really mad at me (everyone in my family, not the shop) so I took everyone home. Then (shamefully) asked Tiny if I could borrow some money from her money box, and pay her back with interest. That little dolly let me. 

So I snaffled one row of those tin shelves. And yes, Matt told me they were dysfunctional, nothing fits in them properly, but I got them. I know I am ridiculous. 

But I really love them. 

Op Shopping: Utopia

I managed to squeeze in some op shopping this week. I've not been for ages, and it was one of those times when I thought I was certainly not going to find anything. But I did party people! I did! 


It's been a long time between op shop utopia, but I finally struck it this week. What a way to buoy me!


I even found someone else's doll's bed in their hard rubbish. Hellz yeah. When Lexi got her groove back, this is what this is all about. 


Hello friends. My name is Lexi and I'm a devoted op shopper. 

Day 6: Frocktober

We're away from home at the moment, and I have taken the bull by the horns and gotten in a bit of op shopping. I haven't indulged in op shopping for a really long time.

And HELL-O! The Op Shop gods shone down brightly, despite the big chill and the rain, it was a fortuitous meeting of my money and vintage dresses.

All hail the new-to-me dresses. Can't wait to get these babies on in the next week. And you shall have photographic evidence too. I promise.

PS - thank you to every one of my sponsors for Frocktober. Together we've raised $150 for Ovarian Cancer research. High fives!

What Happens When Baby Doesn't Love Vintage?

If you're reading PMM, then I'm guessing you like vintage stuff and things too. It's for this reason that I am issuing a warning!

The next scenes may be disturbing for some. If you are easily distressed, please click away now. We advise anyone who loves thrifting, vintage, and op shops to click away immediately.

Alrighty then. For those still here, here 'tis.

My Tiny does not love vintage. Nope. Tiny loathes vintage. I can perfectly illustrate this from earlier this week with the bowl that was smashed.

Disturbingly, it looks like a trend that Tiny is perpetuating in her angsty vintage loathing behaviour going down here at Chez PMM.

Take this example. I put her in a ridiculously cute (and cool) vintage cotton top (hail spot). Look at the response.

And tonight, well I am royally peeved. I went in to find out why she wouldn't go to sleep to discover that as per usual she'd poured water all over her bed (this is standard for Tiny).  

Let's back track a little. Last year I was overjoyed to discover this vintage Santa book (circa 1980) at my local oppy for just 50 cents. I popped it in the special 'Christmas shelf' and let it be. Unfortunately Tiny wouldn't let it be. She learnt how to say 'San' (for Santa) and requested it as her bedtime reading, just before lights out. She'd looked at it previously with no problems.

Unfortunately tonight was a different story. Once I discovered her bed was all wet, I stripped the sheets and blankets. And discovered this. My beloved book (which mind you, every time I looked at it, took me down memory lane as I had the same when I was small) had been paper-crafted right into the bottom of her cot. Right, right down the end. What might look like flowers crafted out of vintage paper (if you squint your eyes really tight) looks to me like some small punk tore up my book in a gleeful fit of vintage loathing.  

Sadly, Tiny does not love vintage.

Blogtoberfest Day 13: The Grand Ol' Oppie

really cute vintage tea cup - made in England

a wee vintage children's mug. made in Japan. of course.

gorgeous old dish, totally crazed, but i'm totally crazy for it; small Royal Albert saucer with spots

I haven't been getting to the op shops much lately, mainly because the one closest to me, I hate to say it, is a complete rip off. I realise it's a charity shop, but seriously, I have to think twice before I buy something because it's not so price-friendly these days.

But today it is so Spring-tastic, the junior burgers and I went for a walk, and I worked in a visit to the oppie before heading to the park for a spell.

I hit the jackpot. I got all of this, and two kids books for $10. Have you found anything fab at the oppie lately?

PS - Did you catch the stellar sunset last night? So pretty!

Something I Found In A Bin

It's been almost a year since my epic affair with someone else's bin, and so it seems only fit that I show you something else I found in a bin. A long time ago, but I've never mentioned it, until today that is folks.

Would you believe someone had tossed this little beauty out?

Along with this, I found a bag of fabric scraps, which was intermingled with a whole bunch of panty-hose (fancy crafty bank robbery anyone?) - which I declined to hold onto for fairly obvious reasons, a letter dated August 1971, and an awesome child's armchair which has gone to my brother-in-law in the hope that he might one day find some time to reupholster it for me, because damn fool, it's positively darling.

From the Adventures of Thrifty the Wonder Mama

I found some other cuties the other day on my thrifting adventures. It's funny. Well not laugh out loud funny, maybe not even funny, perhaps just peculiar. I do the rounds of the shop, then go for a second round. Usually on the first round I come up empty handed. The second round is when I yield the goodies. I get bamboozled on the first round, second round I'm calm, I know the field I am playing and I can relax and really look.

I found these beauties for just 2 clams.

I was thinking of making them into something (because let's face it, when it comes to making things I am *ahem* the bomb with my exemplary track record), given whoever made them put so much work into them, I wanted to continue their journey, but then my sister gave me the super idea to frame them. Enjoy them as they are. They're pretty spectacular no matter which way you look at them.

Spooning

I haven't posted for a while about thrifting. I'm here to make it up to you. I promise you something and then I don't deliver. I'll punish myself later, but for now, here's something I found on the weekend that I couldn't resist. I didn't even try, I just wanted, had to have and hey - they were cheap.

I bought them for my smalls. And for anything really. Tea. Coffee. Me. Today I am just one big walking cheeseburger. But these spoons - they be the shiz.

What's your hidden talent? Can you play the spoons?

Sunshine Blogging

I'm sitting by the window with the sunlight streaming through. The windows may be dirty but the sun knows it's way by rote. Some asked for proof that Spring is coming. Packing its bags from one part of the world, to wing into our part of the world. If this sunshine isn't enough, I don't know what is. But here you have a list that I am busy compiling:

- the birds are singing

- the cherry blossoms are starting
- the camellias are still blooming
- the magnolias are on their way in
- shy jonquils and daffodils are making an entrance
- I can stand to be oustide for longer, even hanging the clothes out is becoming more bearable
- the sun is hanging out with us longer

I found these books on my recent sojourn. They were 20 cents a pop, part of that haul. I didn't take them all, I didn't want to be greedy, but the illos are so very good. And the content? Timeless.

Let's Find Out About Spring - Martha & Charles Sharp, illustrated by Laszlo Roth (published 1963).

Here, let's take a peek together, shall we?

'When is spring? Spring is when it's warm enough to put away winter coats and hats and ...go out in lighter clothes.

Spring is when you can ride bicycles, go skating and play ball.'

Hey - it sounds pretty good to me.

Have you noticed any seasonal changes in your 'hood? What are they?

Backyard Circus

As it turns out, we did wind up finding a circus while we were away. 'Backyard Circus' - a vintage book for a whole 20 cents.

I found a whole stack of vintage kids books and at that price, I could afford to get the ones I really wanted. I can't argue with 20 cents.

As far as op shopping went, I didn't buy that much. In fact, I spent only $3.20.

And July.. Well, once we got to my Mum and Dad's place, things were bound to turn around as soon as we were greeted. Someone left their partially used parking ticket on the machine, and this was as good an omen as any that Ugly July had left the building, and all that was left was sunshine and sleep.

I think sleep deprivation helped turn Ugly July into Even Uglier July. I hadn't been sleeping very well following the attempted break-in, then Tiny got an ear infection, and one round of penicillin hasn't cleared it up, so we're on to round two of that. But I can feel the sunshine, Spring is coming, and as much as I enjoy Winter I'm very much looking forward to the magnolias blooming and the cherry blossoms scenting the air. There's so much ahead.

Thank you for all your thoughts, comments, prayers and overwhelming McLovin'. I have appreciated each and every one.

I Don't Get Out Much Pt 2

It's been months since I last scavenged some rubbish from the side of the road. Some readers may think I've gone into rehab, but I'm just starting to get the cold sweats. Hallucinations (is that a Parker sideboard in the park?!). I'm wearing tracksuits twenty-four-seven. I haven't washed my hair in weeks. Make-up..? What's that?

The cold hard facts are people, that even the rubbish has been hit by the recession.

No one is throwing anything out these days. Not even the rich people. Not even the people who inherit stuff. They're just shoving all the excess up their un-used chimney flues. They're sewing their old teddy bears into clothing. Pretty soon previously fashion-savvy business men are going to start wearing teddy bear couture as opposed to Zegna. And what about the crockery? I used to find mountain loads tossed out. Now what are they doing with it? I hate to think they're... using it. I'm blocking my ears at the very thought.

Times are tough, and you know who's feeling it the most. Me.

People. I need your rubbish. It gives me unexpected excitement. Cast your mind back to the days when I'd wait for rubbish night to go rummaging through the bin. Baying at the moon. Those were the days my friends, I thought they'd never end.

I'm like a wild hyena sniffing around in the bushes with no fresh furniture carcasses to haul back home. What's going down? What's a gal to do for fun?

I've been continuing my decluttering phase and taking some of the bin paraphernalia to the op shop. Maybe this will set things right again in the world and I will stumble across the next big haul.

PS - Image totally unrelated. Since so many of you* have been asking about the Doctor's scarf I started six years ago, here it is. Getting more scarf like by the minute. Oh and a small vintage belt buckle that I found (in a shop - doesn't count) a few weeks ago. You can't see here but a tiny, tiny, dainty diamante is in the middle. Love that inky blue.

* Read... no one. Ok ok, no one has asked about the scarf. I shake my fist!

Jean Genie

If you're like me, then your jeans are a favourite item in your wardrobe, nay - they could even be the item du jour. Every. Single. Day. I love that familiar softness that just eases you in. That denim - it has the capacity to woo me. And is wildly utilitarian. I can go from playing on the floor with the smalls, wipe some random baby food and have it camouflaged in the denim. Then commando roll out the door to go out dinner (ok ok, like that ever happens - the dinner out thing).

Jeans are an old comfort to me. I keep a few old pairs (just in case I ever revert back to my pre-baby body anytime soon - or maybe they're just in the wardrobe to haunt me, taunt me), but I definitely have my favourites. Lately my they're a pair of Wranglers. Old school cool. None-of-that-ridiculous-mortgage-your- children-to-buy-one-pair-of-denims for me.

Considering denim jeans started life as the hard wearing, low cost fabric in the 18th century, why have the prices spiralled out of control - and more importantly - why do designers think it's ok to charge a Bombfunk MC for this favourite of gold miners and cowboys. Yeeehaw!

Giddy up! I don't think so. I'm not going to be duped. The most expensive pair I own doesn't even fit me properly - it gapes at my derriere (I'm sure they're not the only ones gaping at my derri) and borders on being quite rude! The cheaper ones - like a glove, baby.

So in the interests of recession busting, you can always go to the op shops. That's if you are one heck of a cool kid and love high waisted and/or acid wash and have the cool factor to rock 'em like they oughta be rocked. I myself have never been lucky enough to score a good fitting pair of denims at the oppy. I have to go fresh off the rack. But some people have all the luck. So worth a shot.

But what I'm wanting to tell you about is this. Finally - hooray - she's here at the crux of her denim essay. Cheap Monday. You probably already know about them. If you do, I'm reminding you. If you don't, listen up.

Seriously good quality denims for next to nix. We likey! (Plus they're also doing a mean range of cool sneakers too.) They created a range of denim to sit comfortably amidst a range of higher priced fashion. It works people, it really does.

Here's a great vid about the gang behind the label (Swedishly cool). Here's their website.

Looking to hook yourself up with some new denim delights? Stockists include:

Sydney's Tuchuzy stores, Melbourne's Fat stores. Or you can buy online from Tobi.

Doing An Oprah

Once upon a time in a galaxy, far, far away I read that Oprah put all her kitchen utensils in a box. Ground breaking I know. Oprah has a box? Who woulda thunk it?

Well it gets better.

Over the next month, when she was cooking (she cooks!) whatever utensil, tool, gadget etc that she used, it got put back into the drawer.

If, by the end of the month, certain utensils weren't used, they were given away to an op shop.

Sounds good. Yes?

What's good enough for Oprah is good enough for me. She hasn't married Stedman. Neither have I. She has her own talk show. I sometimes like watching it (preferably when they're doing makeovers). She appears on the cover of her own magazine. And so could I if I was rolling in money and had my own magazine. Well if it's good enough for Oprah, it's good enough for me. Will you join me in evicting errant cutlery and utensils cluttering up your drawers? Let's face it friends, I am kerrrr-azy.

image via (clearly not mine, I'm not that organised... or bored)

There's Always Time For Thrifting

Even though the house was a mess, even though I was still to do a little baking, even though I still had a tiger tail to stitch, I still had to go and do a quick spot of thrifting. Duty calls!

Duty calls and booty spoils!

There was a lot of elbows in my way this weekend when searching through the goodies. People -there's plenty to go 'round. Did you leave your manners at home??

Beautiful old crockery. Check.

A matching tiny teacup and saucer with beautiful crazing. Check.

Beautiful hand covered coathangers. Check.

A knitting thingie where all my knitting as gone to...die. Check.

Some small sewing baskets. Check.

Some other old stuff. Check.

Change from a 20 dollar note. Check.

And then home in time to get it started. A party awaited.

To Sew, Or Not To Sew

I am in two minds peeps. Sewing resumes tonight, but I don't know if I can be bothered - not just for tonight, but re-committing for the entire term. Bad, isn't it? I am feeling a little stressed about it. But then, I could continue building on my newfound sewing skills. Or stay at home and enjoy some hand sewing. What to do, what to do?

I went op shopping. Kind of a way to forget the thoughts. Sew or not to sew. Op shop or not to op shop. Well that last one is a noooo brainer!

I found a few cute things. In particular, this Humpty Dumpty mug kept in the 'special' cabinet. And the little glass jar.

And an ace vintage men's David Jones trench in classic navy with a zip out wool liner. Pity it was too small for Matt.

Sew.. To sew or not to sew?

Magical March: Day 19

The hot lunch date was super good. Recharged our love batts, remembering dates from long ago, ate a sandwich together, uninterrupted conversation. Ok there was not much conversation during lunch because these were big sandwiches. And delish too. But it was fun hanging out, in the big shiny city.

And we did manage to capture our first date in a long time on film. Or photo paper at least. Matt and I used to routinely seek out photo booths during our courtship days (I love the word courtship and try and weave it into as much conversation as possible) and have collected loads of strips of photos this way. So we snuck into a booth and captured ourselves. Dodgy photo of photos, but you get the drill, capiche?

And you asked for more of the doily delights, perhaps I can do daily doily delights (or not, how much doily can you bear?). You know I counted over 80 doilies in that choc box, so you know, it could keep me blogging a lot more.

this one's my favourite. if i were a bride over again (fear not Matt, just thinking if we did our wedding again), I'd be working this baby into my dress somehow. heavenly deeelight!

Waving A Very Magical Wand: Day 18

She was right. I did succumb. I did go back and make the purchase. It wasn't until 4pm, but I gave in to the lacy daydreams, and the stitches of time long ago. Crankypants was still manning the shop but I went in. I bought that booty load of doilies and beautiful embroidery, and boy oh boy, I am so pleased I did. I've been going through the box over and over - it's all so beautiful. One woman's handiwork is this woman's treasure. How could anyone just give this up to the op-shops? I will never know, but I am so glad they did.

Today I'm doing some work 'things' so I am out all day and the smalls are staying with my kind sister who has volunteered to babysit for me. I'm particularly excited because I have two hours break - so my lover (read: my husband) and I are going on a lunch date. We've not been on a date in yonks, so I can't wait to dazzle him with my charm and wit (or really just eat a sandwich together and loll about in the sunshine).

Back to something interesting. Here are just part of the loot I scored.

And in case you ever wonder, I do give back to the looting fairies. I just put a whole bunch of stuff out on the street for council collection tomorrow. I hope someone gets into it and finds some treasure.

I May Have Done Something Really, Really (Exceptionally) Stupid. Thoughts?

Tiny and I went for a quick op-shop this morning. In fact, we didn't just go to shop, we went to deliver goods. First off we were greeted by the rudest woman alive. With babe in arms, I was struggling with a large box of glassware etc under the other arm. She instructed me to put it on the floor. Without forcing Tiny into some mad sort of contortion, I declared that I couldn't physically do it - you try it, it's not easy unless you've been doing some sort of exercise (me - nil - youch). Then I asked (very nicely mind you) if she'd mind if we came in the back door rather than pounce right around the front of the shop. We had just made two trips backwards and forwards from our car that was parked about 50 metres away, juggling all sorts on our return trip on the pram and in my arms. No mean feat. So it was easier if I just came in the back way, with me?

"I don't think your pram will fit."

"Oh righto, I'll just leave it out here then."

"You know, I'd prefer if you didn't leave it out here, I'll get in trouble." (From who, the pram police?!)

"Right, ok, well I'll give it a shot."

---> Rudest lady alive just watches me pull the pram in.

"Thanks very much for your help."

So I do the rounds. Find a few things. Put a few things back. Struggle to get some soft toys from Tiny's grip (because, you know, I struggle with secondhand soft toys, all that saliva and oddments of old food - eek). Just after I had paid, I spy a ginormous chocolate box. Vintage. Bigger than a shoebox. I read a small label on it:

Contains embroidered linen & doilies - the lot for $50.

Work with me here people. My heart is ga-goong, ga-goong (BTW - did you know that Jennifer Grey had a nose job and subsequently vamoosed her career?). I went through the lot totally beautiful. Incredible. Clearly a woman's life work. Amazing. So many gorgeous pieces, tatting, embroidery, oh wow. And then I left it there.

You see, I'm trying to spend less, save my clams, declutter, and stop buying things that I really have no need for.

But now I can't stop thinking about all that beauty just sitting there.

The Doctor's Appointments

The Doctor starts pre-school next week. Oh man, he is soooo ready for it, but am I?

He's so ultra excited - whenever we talk pre-school his ears prick up and he raves about the friends he is going to make. The games he's going to play. The white buses he'll look at (he remembers them from orientation day). So sweet.

Me...? I'm feeling a little nervous. I think he's going to be fine. I think he's going to soar in fact. But me. Well I've been home with him for the whole of his life. What am I going to be without my trusty sidekick?

It would be like Laurel without Hardy.

The Two Ronnies minus One Ronnie (remember this scene from Extras?).

Itchy without Scratchy.

Posh without Becks.

Ginger without Fred.

Bangers without mash.

Tea without a biscuit.

Chocolate without a cavity. Ok - scratch that one.
A flower without a petal.

I know by now you're getting my story. I'm going to feel a little lost until we hit our stride again. For now we're enjoying our Summer days. Catch ups in the park with friends. Painting in the afternoons. Evening swims. Cuddles a-go-go. It's love.

I promised I'd post about another find from Sunday. So here it is. The Doctor's own little chair. Perhaps he might like to pop it in his waiting room. It needs a little love - maybe some new upholstery, a little tinkering, but for the most part, it's just dandy.

We also found a totem tennis thing (or as the Doctor likes to call it 'toe tap tennis') which I had wanted since pre-Christmas, so that was a total SCORE - even if I do always lose.

A Good Weekend Junking: Why My Husband Is Worth His Weight In Beer

This weekend I yielded more from other people's junk. I am like a pig in mud. I love junk. I'd roll in it too if I could.

Even my son now has the taste for junking around the neighbourhood. We picked up some things this afternoon (which I'll blog about tomorrow), so excited he was the Doctor said, "Come on Mummy, let's go find some more junk. We need to get other people's junk." He still looks for the bin house and wonders why they don't have any junk out the front. (And when I served cake to my MIL recently, he proudly declared - "Mummy found that plate in the bin." Ah yes, a proud moment indeed. I can assure you, my MIL's reaction was pretty darn funny too.)

While Matt is not totally sold on the idea, I do have to thank him for my favourite treasure from today.

We were innocently driving to do the big grocery shop for the week. The boys were heading to the skate park across the road. Tiny and I drew the short straw and were heading straight for slow trolley pushers who aisle-hog while they decide whether they'll get homebrand biscuits, or splash out on some brand name. Exciting stuff.

But before we had even driven one minute, I spotted a pile of garbage. I slowed down. And it really was garbage. Keep rolling restless travellers!

Not two houses on, more garbage, and this time - two old chairs, an old mirror that belonged to a dressing table - and this chest of drawers. We have a wild shortage of storage in this house. Matt was vehemently saying, no no no, it was almost a chant. But luckily I was in the driver's seat. I did a lap, emptied out our boot, and whilst doing so, struck a deal with Matt - if he helped, I owed him a six pack of import beer. Now kids - this is how bargaining is done - watch Mummy and Daddy and learn. Deal!

We drove back to the junk and I confirmed that this set of drawers was indeed destined for great things.

The bummer is it didn't fit in our car boot. I had already pre-imagined Matt weasling out of our deal and saying - too hard, let's go shopping. Thankfully given his next stop was the skate park, we loaded the car up with the drawers, and the actual chest onto his skateboard and he wheeled the darn thing home. I'm damn sure it was a funny sight.

Stamped on the back 1945, and a Mark Foys piece, someone's had this for an age and loved it - and we in turn will love it too. Cute, innit it?