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. 

The Garage Sale Trail:: 26th October

I'm fan-girling Sally Seltmann, ambassador for The Garage Sale Trail 


Let's talk about vintage stuff. Pre loved stuff. It's the stuff of my dreams. Remember way back when I went skip diving for weeks on end. My friends, that was some kind of Utopian experience. Honestly. A high point in my life - and I know for many readers, it was a favourite period of PMM too. 

So a garage sale is high on my dream to do list. If I see a garage sale, I must pull over. It's like when it's hard rubbish and I spy something with potential goodness. Must pull over. Much to my husband's disgust.

Thankfully the last few weeks I've been getting a little ruthless tossing things out. Well actually just sending them off to other people, charities, and maybe hoarding for my own 'one day garage sale'. 

If you're like me, it will warm the cockles of your heart to know that The Garage Sale Trail is on the approach. Empty your shelves and coathangers my friends, and get ready to declutter, recycle, upcycle, and get shopping! 

You can register your own sale, and you'll be added to the map! Or if you're like me, you can map out the hot spots and get on the trail. My heart's palpitating just thinking about it. You can customise the sale, or search for something you're looking for. Is this all your wishes coming true? Sigh. Me too. 

My tips for hitting The Garage Sale Trail?

Get organised: Check out what sales are happening in your neighbourhood via the site. Then you can map your day out. Plus you need cash. Not necessarily lots of it, but don't take $50 notes and expect people to have change. I try and take a mix of notes and coins, and I set a budget. 

Take some bags: I always take a couple of bags when I go to garage sales. Then I can shop without stuff in my hands, and I have a bag to take home my purchases

Look carefully: When I go to sales, I get all panicky and think I have to grab things and buy. Bad move Lexi! Think about what you really want to buy - and keep that top of mind. When you find something you like - check it out, look for cracks, stains, missing buttons (are you really going to replace them?),  does it fit?

And lastly - but most importantly, do not WHATEVER YOU DO take your husband or your children. If you do, you will rue my words. Trust me my friends. 

The Garage Sale Trail Ambassador - Stylist Jason Grant 

Stop! It's Thrifty Time

On Saturday, when I was meant to be packing more stuff away and tidying our abode, I snuck off to a flea market as only true flea marketing warriors would do. Warrior? Why warrior? Well my husband was grumpy, but due to the fact I was grumpier, I won and escaped the throes of house chores and ran away for 1/2 hour to join the thrifty circus.

I gave myself a budget of $10. And I stuck to it.

In amongst some other stuff I scored, I got these three pretty plates to add to my collection.

And those bromeliads? I bought a bunch of those for 10 tiny dollars too. Ok so I went over budget. But not by much. Just double or nothing folks, double or nothing!

How was your weekend? Anything to report?

Come join me on Facebook too. I set up a Facebook page today. It's fresh and precious.

Hats Off

Since I had a near riot on my hands yesterday with all two commenters wanting to see the hat block, here it is. Take down your placards girls, I'll put the riot squad back to bed, here it is.

It needs some moisturising. Maybe I'll wax it.

Speaking of waxing heads, George is back from Masterchef. Won't you join me on Twitter for live tweeting?

That was an awesome segue, was it not?

Here's said hat block sporting a panama. That is too small for my head. But it's a beauteous thing.

Cheap. And Very Cheerful.

I have restarted frequenting the local garage sales, and I must say, I've rebooted with great results.

This weekend I found a hat block. Awesome. Wunderbar. Ace to the power of spades. It was only $35. Thirty five clams. That is all! Until I went to pay for it and the woman said, 'Do you realise this is $85?' Shocked and in fear of rigor mortis setting in, I replied, 'Er no, I thought it was $35, I misread the label.' The lady then kindly said she would go and ask her mother how much she was willing to reduce it.

I have a growing and yet completely unvaluable vintage hat collection. I love hats. I love hats in the Spring time. I love hats in the Fall. I love hats in the Winter when it drizzles. I love hats in the summer fo' shizzle.

The lady came back seeming despondent and said, 'Oh she will only take it down to $50'. Of course I took it. I would have been a fool not to. Ordinarily there's no way I could buy one of these babies.

Hat blocks are GO! Enough about the hat block - I'm not here to bang on about the darn hat block.

I also snaffled a range of children's books for the grand tootin' sum of $3.00. And I saw a cork pinboard. Which I didn't get..

And yet, later in the day, after my brain had birthed an idea, I went back and found that pinboard and snaffled it for the Doctor's room (for about $1).

I gave it three coats of 'Passionate Blue' (do you ever have passionate blues?) and have resurrected it to be a new addition for the Doctor's special things. For approximately $10 for a customised pinboard, we likey.

Who Put the Rage in Garage?

After a wee second birthday party we drove home, with a detour following some fluoro signs that blasted GARAGE SALE. It was an instruction we could not ignore. It was a command. Where there is a garage sale we must follow.

I got a little perturbed when the trail to the garage sale turned thin. I started to do a U-turn, and Matt piped up that we should keep going. So we did. Thankgoodnessforthat.

What we discovered was a garage sale on the brink of closing down. Ten minutes to go. I got a few choice linens (the cross-stitch, though silverfish fodder, is unfinished, perhaps I should help it realise its full potential). The frog hidden in the depths of an ugly vase.

And a big box full of linens. Which some (un)charming woman told me she had just purchased so I could not look. Thangsverymuchcowabunga.

However I did snaffle these two delightful angels, perfect for Christmas decs, a wooden elephant reminiscent of the ones my grandmother had (minus the tusks - did someone use those for toothpicks?!), and that cool Corningware dish (minus its lid, but I am ok with that).

Matt scored a wooden bowl which was thrown in as a freebie..

And almost my favourite thing, I do believe, how fortuitous. I had just taken out my knitting last night. I spied this stool/table thing and asked the lady what it was. A knitting stool. You put your knitting in the middle, and sit on it. Sit and knit baby. The fabric has definitely seen better days, but will be easy to replace. And she told me it's almost 100 years old. For $10 it was mine.

Perhaps tomorrow I will share my spoils from my mid-week op-shopping adventure. Tiny and I. We wike shopping! Actually, we both hate it. But op shopping calls, and it's a duty that we must obey.

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.

Bits & Bobs

A little while ago I went flea-ing and found some unloved button boxes going begging. I bought the two of them for the sweet song of $4. Ah hello friends. Four measly dollars and for so much delight.

The Doctor and I sorted them into colours. Then pretty-ness. Then Tiny had a hissy fit and threw a large pearly white one on the ground. Clearly it is missing from this picture because of Tiny's hissy fit.

PS - Tix are on sale for Sydney Festival. If you're planning a trip to Sydney, may I suggest choose January? It's the time the city comes alive, it feels like holidays and the place is really a-buzzing. Laura Marling. Patrick Watson. Dirty Three. Magic. I was lucky enough to win tix so Matt and I are going to see Al Green. ACE!

My Place and Yours: Blog Headquarters

Ahem. Being incredibly late you'd think that my blog headquarters might be particularly tidy. Or particularly awesome. But alas, it's not to be. I work in the middle of the Doctor's 'art gallery' on an old breakfast table I scored at auction for $20 (including four chairs). I have all kinds of random stuff on this table. Because it's at my fingertips. And I have an incredible talent for knowing where things are. Some may call me a genius. At least that's what my reflection tells me.

And now I might go and tidy my HQ because of the shame.

Go visit the Theme Queen's space - Ninon - because she is one heck of a creative genius. Or visit Pippi to see who else is showing off their place. And your place. And their place. And yours. Oh I could go on.

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.

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.

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?

I Got A Little Dog

So he's not real, but I think he's cute. Right? He's ceramic. No need for walks. No picking up poopies. No brushing required. He's hanging in our bedroom and I think Matt is a little scared of him. Sorry Matt. Having a dog is a lifelong commitment.

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!