4.6.13

more op shopped stuff!

 If it's not useful or so cute that it make my heart sing, leave it for someone else to enjoy. This is what I tell myself now whilst Op shopping. Amazingly I've still found quite a bit. Here are my most recent little bunch of goodies...
 
 
A new head scarf
 
 I'm enjoying drinking Chai tea from this sweet cup!!
 
Strawberry Shortcake cuteness
 
A set of 4 of these bowls
 
Beautiful cushion, so much handmade detail.
 
boots for me!
 
Fun little purse
 
a handmade dress for little Miss 
 
A sweet hanky which may get turned into a birthday present for a precious nephew!
 
 Vintage floral tea towel
 
Old school wrapping paper
this dress
 
I have an unhealthy impulse to buy cute bathers whenever I find them in op shops. Hard to resist these at $3!
 
another vintage floral pillowcase

I couldn't work out what this was, the nice lady at the Op shop showed me it was a very cute and handmade little shirt.
 
high wasted denim skirt (crappy pic, sorry!)
 
books!
 
And I was also lucky enough to receive lots of fabric and clothing hand me downs recently,
 thanks Taz and Louise!!
 
 
We have  just done a massive clean out and donated and handed down a whole lot of stuff, so believe me, we are putting out more then we are bringing in!!! I'm aware that displaying everything that I buy is kind of a bad look, and I do apologise. Please know that this is not so much about "look what I bought!! yay, shopping is awesome!!" and much more about celebrating the art of living a second lifestyle. Turning our backs on all things new, shiny, massed produced and way too cheap. Finding everything we need second hand is fun for us as we all love Op Shopping in our family, but it's also much more then that. It's a simple form of political, social and spiritual activism. It is recognising the consumerist lifestyle that we are all caught up in, questioning what it is that we actually need in this life, and considering other ways outside the norm in which we can gather what we need for ourselves as a family. (This includes making as much stuff as we can, buying second hand, using Freecycle, swapping stuff with friends, accepting people's hand me downs and living with less)

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, feel free to leave comments below.

Linking in once again with  Op Shop Show Off!

Toodles friends,

Mezz xx
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21 comments:

  1. ButterandBuntings5 June 2013 at 00:29

    All such great finds...that red purse it a favourite as are the bowls.

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    1. Mezz5 June 2013 at 04:05

      hiya taz, yes me and little miss are currently fighting over the purse!

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  2. Max5 June 2013 at 00:58

    couldn't agree with you more Mezz. I've had a second hand lifestyle since i was 15. think of the huge space in landfill made by just little old me reusing and not buying much new over 26 years! think of the mortgage we paid off 6 years ago after just 14 years, and of being able to work part time and survive, and then stay home with my kids because of that freedom from debt. I think of all the money i've spent in charity shops and the good that has been done with those monies, and, well the list just goes on doesn't it.
    and not forgetting the cool stuff you find that you just can't buy down the local mall! i work on the theory that showing off cool finds is what lures the doubters into giving second hand a go, and your finds this week (that pillow! that purse! that kids dress!) are certainly making me lust for a spot of second hand shopping!

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    1. Mezz5 June 2013 at 04:06

      hi max, thanks for your comments..yes, there is just so much to ain from going second hand, isn't there> xx

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  3. Ladybird Diaries5 June 2013 at 02:32

    What fantastic finds! The child's dress is adorable and I am quite in love with the strawberry shortcake vase!
    M x

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    1. Mezz5 June 2013 at 04:07

      thanks, yes I cant resist strawberry shortcake!!!

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  4. The Faerie Factory5 June 2013 at 02:39

    I couldn't agree more. We seem to want to surround ourselves with possessions if it's not pretty or functional we really don't need it. I'm so sick of being surrounded by "stuff" I'm always having clear outs. We should all try to recycle, reuse and repurpose (maybe not a word!!!) I hate the High Street and these big stores that all look the same. Give me a Charity Shop, a craft stall or a farmer market any day. Sarah x
    PS Still no parcel :(

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    1. Mezz5 June 2013 at 04:08

      I agree!! thanks for your comments...i'll send you an email re the parcel xx

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  5. Vintage Sheet Addict5 June 2013 at 03:24

    I think it's great to try and make as little a dint on the earth as we can, one way is to buy second hand, it's a great thing to do, don't ever apologise! :) x

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  6. Flora and Paws5 June 2013 at 10:46

    I love your op shop treasures - you find such wonderful things. Strawberry Shortcake is a blast from the past - I am sure I used to have a stationery set of hers and Victoria Plum!

    I agree with your sentiment about reusing and recycling. I try to buy books and DVDs in charity shops and I use my local library a lot. I get most of my work clothes on eBay, very cheaply too and usually they are in great condition and I use freecycle (it is amazing what people don't want!). I am venturing into the world of allotments soon and want to grow my own food as I think it will taste so much better.

    I think we have lost the true meaning of happiness under a deluge of products that we just don't need. Having "stuff" doesn't make you any happier.

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    1. Mezz6 June 2013 at 16:38

      thanks sara, yes I love my library...aren't they amazing places!!! I don't use ebay much, but I might have start getting into it xx

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  7. thismumrocks5 June 2013 at 18:18

    I find that by op shopping I get the quality and workmanship I long for in material goods. I love how the things I purchase are unique from today's mainstream products. Love the purse btw

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    1. Mezz6 June 2013 at 16:39

      yes you're right1 often when you buy something old and its still good, you know that it was made really well as its stood the test of time! thanks for the comment. x

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  8. Hannapat6 June 2013 at 02:47

    Awh what a great idea!!! I wish I could join in, but hey ho not for now. I love the stuff you found, especially the very darling hanky and also the lovely tea towel. You look rather gorgeous in that frock my dear. Enjoy this linky, I look forward to seeing heaps more xoxo

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    1. Mezz6 June 2013 at 16:40

      hello lovely hannapat,, yes that hanky was too wonderful! im hoping to use it to make something cute for my nephews 1st birthday. not sure what though!

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  9. OP SHOP MAMA6 June 2013 at 03:15

    I'm with you!! I hope that in my blog people might get inspired (unless I'm only preaching to the converted!) to give the op shops a go. We get pretty much everything we wear, decorate the house with, our furniture and even quite a few gifts @ the op shops/garage sales.. It certainly is a way of life for us too.

    I LOVE so many of your new finds here...

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    1. Mezz6 June 2013 at 16:41

      hiya op shop mama, yes well you are truly the best op shopper i've ever come across so your encouraging words mean a lot! x

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  10. DIAN7 June 2013 at 02:40

    Love this post and your approach. I have been an avid op shopper for a while now and find it very satisfying as well as economical.

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  11. Mezz8 June 2013 at 21:42

    Hi Dian, thanks for popping by. I think I've read some of your posts on "I op therefor I am."...is that you??

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  12. Unknown8 June 2013 at 23:10

    What a lovely post! I'm really trying to live more like this too, though I'm not as expert at it as you yet - seriously great finds!

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