Ramblings of a fevered brain

My poor blog has been neglected lately. I haven't been sewing much as I caught an innocent headcold which evolved into a raging throat infection. I've spent the better part of the last week lying in bed feeling like hell. Ergh.

I've also been thinking about shopping. Before I caught the plague, I bought this cute little bag.


I found it at Claude d'Alban, aka, "one of my cheapo shops."


I've been needing a new bag for some time. My old bag is leather, floppy and shapeless and everything falls out of the inside pockets. I like the big buttons on this new one.


This morning, I found these little beauties on ModCloth.


ARGH. To buy, or not to buy? Polka dots! Blue! I don't know whether whipping out my credit card whilst in a state of mental confusion is a wise idea though.


Besides, I just bought these.


They are by Pin Up Couture (image from Pleaser USA). I had to buy them for a party I'm going to in a couple of weeks. They go with my outfit. Which I am going to make and will blog about soon.

And speaking of shoes, how glorious is this fabric??


I saw it in the window of Clegs in the city a little while ago and had to ask them to hold the display piece for me, as the rest had all sold out in about a day. I'm thinking about turning it into this dress (minus the ruffle) from Vogue


So now you all know, when I'm sick in bed, these are the things I think about. Thrilling, yes?

Favourite op-shop buys

Since I bought my green coat the other day, I've been thinking about all the great items I've found in op-shops over the years. I prefer the term 'op-shop' as opposed to 'vintage shop' etc. Because let's face it, a lot of 'vintage' shops are just other people's pre-loved items.

So here are a few of my favourite things...

Weird chunky necklace. Bought at a market... somewhere. Basically a stone cast in a lump of metal.


I think this necklace also came from some markets, but I've had it a while now so I'm really not sure. I just like the leaves and dragonfly pendants.


Black shawl from Chapel St Bazaar.


Mustard suede and faux fur coat from Retrostar Vintage


Bunny fur coat from Queen Vic Markets


My old favourite Pinky. Bought 9 years ago in a shop in Newtown, Sydney. It had arrived in the shop just hours before me. We were meant to be.


Amazing 1940s coat from Chapel Street Bazaar. Slight rip to the velveteen on the collar. The buttons were held in place with safety pins when I bought it and I've left them that way. Fits like a dream. (colour is slightly off in the photos - close up of buttons is most accurate. It's a real emerald green.)


Floral t-shirt style dress from Carlisle Street Bazaar.




I'm not sure where I got this one but it's a Sportsgirl dress. It's silk and extremely delicate. As it's now slightly damaged, I doubt I'll ever wear it. In public, anyway.



Sniff.

Amazing tie-dyed dress from Fat Helens on Chapel St.

Waist-tie detail

Ankle boots, also from Retrostar.


And finally my pride and joy...

...1970s velveteen house coat. Bought at either Chapel St Bazaar or Shag.

That's what was written on the tag when I bought it. I adore this thing. It's big enough to wrap right around me. It flows beautifully on the floor and I simply love swanning around the house in it. It's comfortable and soft. The colours are almost hideous. When I wrap it tightly around my waist I like to think I look like a 50s starlet with a tiny waspy waist.