A long awaited and highly deserved Return to Op-shopping (oh and blogging - hi!)

As part of my reward for not op-shopping for about 3 months, I went to my favourite strip in Belmont and went crazy! Over the five-all-next-door-to-each-other adventure, I managed to get some real gems, including these super kitsch teensy swan vessels. The biggest vases at the back are only about 15cm high, and the rest are just for jewellery and Tchotchke's (daym I love that word). They are all very lucky little things as soon they will be filled with adorable succulents and cacti, and apart from the plastic apricot guy on the right (can't part with him!), will be making their way to Osier customers! I'll post here when they're available on my facebook page, and due to there being plants involved, they'll only be available to my local fans here in Perth - sorry dudes!

p.s. I find it hilarious/awkward that the one on the left is a tourist momento from Cronulla... obviously it's back from before the place became famous for all the wrong reasons...

Moving Out #3

Part three of my intrepid adventures into the world of cheap, eco-friendly home & furniture ideas...

Re-covered retro chairs.

I bought a really good quality, great nick dining set from the op-shop recently, but the chairs are partly upholstered with a hidious brown vinyl. I'm gonna change that!!! Design*Sponge's before/after archive has been soooo inspiring.

The above picture is from Apartment Therapy.

xx Lauren

What I Wore Today

Well not today, really, a while ago.

Sometimes I marvel at how many new friends I've made through the craft world, and just how special some of those friends are to me. We've shared deaths, births (a freaky amount of twins actually - another reason for me not to procreate!), separations/divorces, and marriage.

Annie is one of the women I identify most with in our little group. She lives a creative life and has lived overseas for long periods of time - some of my life goals. On top of this she's a wonderfully warm, kind and giving person, and despite our rather signifiant age-gap, I really do relate to her easier than a LOT of people my age. So when she invited us all to her re-wedding ceremony this month, I couldn't stop grinning like an idiot the whole time.

Love you Annie dearest!

And here is a pic of me at the wedding just so I don't melt into a pile of love-mush. Haha. The dress is an op-shop find for $7, which the other craft-ladies in attendance told me this was a exxy myer brand. While that does explain the expert lining and beautiful pintucks, I really love it just because it suits me and now has the extra special memory of Annie's wedding attached to it - its old life as a designer dress isn't even really a sweetner for me, I've just accepted it as part of the story that most second-hand clothes have to offer. The ring (which you cant really see) is an old thrifted wing charm glued to one of my ring-bases, and the glasses are the most expensive peice of fashion I own (by a LONG LONG way) at $350 dollars or so ...eep. The shoes are just op-shop buys that were new at purchase - original pricetag and elastic still attached.

SUCH a beautiful setting. And the bride looked very gorgeous and "freo" in a bright floral print top, hand-dyed orange pants, a flower wreath in her hair and a GORGEOUS button bouquet by Liza, a very talented (and busy) lady in our group.

p.s. thanks Niina for the pic! xx

Moving Out #2

Part two of my intrepid adventures into the world of cheap, eco-friendly outdoor setting ideas...

The table made from a door.

Luckily I'm quite a handy girl, otherwise this would be a bit overwhelming, but I reckon I can do it :)

I'm terribly modest too.


xx Lauren

Moving Out #1

Hey!

Well I'm moving out in Feb with a lovely chickie I've known since I was 6, and I'm really excited!

I'll finally be a proper grown-up!

So of course this means I've been looking at all the interior design blogs... soaking up all the cheap ways to make things look awesome.

And my fave so far is mismatched chairs... which is useful considering I'm pretty much going to buy all my furniture form op-shops anyway.

On a Sunny Crafternoon

Recently, I have taken to having Niina over for playdates, and we get up to all sorts. But I think we have come up with the perfect formula. Craft activity followed by Studio Ghibli movie with the inclusion of hommus, crunchy soy thingies and lavash bread... yuuuuummmmm.

First I taught her to make coin purses (lookie here!)
And then we made wrist pin cushions together via a tutorial of which escapes me at the moment... (Niina let me know wont you?) and the good old teacup ones with some teacups I bought recently at an oppy for 50c each. Good quality printed glass ones at that!

Here's the results of my days work.



I'm not super pleased with my black and white one, its a bit ghetto-fabulous-bling-bling for my tastes, but nevermind. Its just for sticking pins in afterall. Next time I think I will make sure to add some steel wool, it sharpens your pins while they store!

xx

$4.99 Op-Shopping

All items via The Salvation Army.

Hello, I am Really Really Busy.

... and really, shouldnt be blogging about being busy as it is just one more thing to do, but have decided to show you tidbits of what I am up to and will continiue to do until Saturday arvo!

Pretty please come to visit me, you can do your X-mas shopping in the city at the same time.

Just hop off the train in the city centre, and head over Roe Street into the Cultural Centre, and keep an eye out for our fake grass floor marquee!!!

New Button Creations

The number of things that inspire me is rediculous at times, and I tend to flit to and fro and onto new ideas quicker than I can create. But one of the things I will ALWAYS be inspired by is the materials I work with, and in particular vintage buttons. Their history, charm, and colour always makes me smile, and I can sit for hours just looking, matching colours, and sorting a pile of buttons.

No really, I can! I picked up two jars when I went shopping on Monday, from my local Vinnies, and this is what I've done so far, we'll se how they go at Made On The Left this Saturday...

What do you think? A bit weird? It's a necklace and a brooch, just in case you can't tell :)

You're Just My Type

Coming to the Acorns Vintage etsy store soon!

Found these beauties along with a vintage recipie card set and other goodies at one of my local digs yesterday.

xo Lauren

New Things that are Old

You know how yesterday I was whining about being tired... well I forgot to mention that it was also because I had been to uni, printing poster/sign stuff for Made On The Left in addition to poster bombing AND I also went op-shopping on the way home at my very favourite bunch of op-shops (which I'm going to keep secret, sorry!)

And although I didnt find as much as normal (being tired makes me not see the "potential" of a piece so easily), I came away with items that are probably part of my Top Ten Things I've Found At An Op-Shop.

A beautifull camelia ring that is REALLY good quality and will be easily moulded for future OSIER adventures, and some spunky Art Deco style 80's enamelled earrings!

Oh how I love a good find.

Sad side to the story: There were 12 or so AWESOME orange vinyl stackable dining chairs in the furniture section of one of the shops... for $2 each. I had nowhere to store them and it made me sad that I had to leave them behind. I stood there staring at them and patting them for a good minute or so trying to justify buying them, but I just couldnt do it. I cant wait to decorate my home with op-shop finds when I move out. Maybe by the time that happens the set will have found its way back to the op-shop again, albeit with a few more knicks and bumps. Who knows.

Op-shop finds for my vintage store... second edition

Hi All,

Went "opping" on Saturday, and thought I'd give you a little hint of whats coming soon to Acorns Vintage, my etsy store full of things from the past. Theres even some guys stuff in there! And is that sailor dress detailing I see?

Mark the month of November in your diary boys and girls. Its gonna be HUGE.

xo Lauren

I Love Old & New

Old: My latest bunch of finds from op-shopping, destined for my vintage etsy store.


New: My spiffy business cards that my Mum got printed for me in Bali, 1000 for 35 bucks. Gold. Thanks Mum!



Old & New: My new blog banner, made from old items! I'd love your opinions on it.


xo Lauren