~Op Shop Finds~

Who doesn't love visiting op-shops.  They are a treasure trove for vintage items, furniture, handmade goodies, pictures and sometimes even the kitchen sink.  I am supposed to be good and not buying but instead thinning out my collections.  Temptation is too great I am afraid, and I again found myself drawn in by the lure of rummaging to find that elusive 'gotta have' bargain.

My favourite from this treasure hunt would have to be the ballet pictures.  I had a set of these on my bedroom wall as a girl.  The Baby Planter is a rare find also...dont see these around much any more and I love the pastel colours. 

I am pretty pleased with my vintage finds........what sort of things do you look for in the op shops?

~A Place called Home~

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮My home is full of memories, those objects that remind us of another time,  another place and of the people we hold dear to our hearts....here are just a few of those memories.....╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

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╰⊰✿✿⊱╮My dad bought this to hang his hats and footy scarfe on, in their laundry,,,,it now hangs in my bathroom for me to hang my towels on.╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮A shopping day with mum and a bargain print for $5╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮A few vintage Pink towels and other pink pretties.  That gorgeous round pink box is from the Body shop and full of Rose Smelling pamper goodies...a gift from my son last Christmas and the other small box contains rose soaps.╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮Vintage Goodies sit on a shelf which happens to match Dads coat hook, the pomander is Avon, bought for me when I was a child and the powder duster and the little pink jug were mums╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮This gorgeous mirror is another wonderful memory that was a wedding gift to my mum and dad 65 years ago, unfortunately,  Dad passed away just before their 60th wedding anniversary. It always hung in our hallway at home.╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮Unique Vintage Ceramic bathroom Cannisters ...one that fits a single toilet roll and the other for good old epsom salts for those tired aching bones were found while shopping with a dear friend.╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

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╰⊰✿✿⊱╮No memories for this jug but a sweet find from a local charity shop....its not an oldie but very pretty in pale pink with gorgeous roses.╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

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╰⊰✿✿⊱╮A purchase from a facebook friend.....with rose fragrance soaps╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮A gift from a neighbour left on my doorstep because she knew I liked Pink.  Complete with matching soap dish.  It sits in an Antique iron wash stand in original chippy condition.╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

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╰⊰✿✿⊱╮Laundry Shelf╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮Another family memory, my mum used to do all the washing on this old board, but it wasn't pink back then╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮Pretty pink toilet roll holder made from knitted lace.  Best 35 cents I have ever spent at a charity shop. For me it reminds me of the old Dolly toilet roll holders ╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮My memory that hopefully, one day will remind someone of me╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮This corner shelf used to be in the craft room and you could not longer see it with everything piled up on it so I cleared it off and now it sits in my guest toilet.╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮Artificial flowers in a vintage Rayneham Vase that was mums╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮Angel love bought for me by my son.╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮Another bit of family history, mums shopping basket she would carry down to the local shop...no plastic bags back then....now it keeps my toilet paper tidy (oops better fill it)╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

╰⊰✿✿⊱╮Family treasures and the memories they invoke will possibly be a thing of the past in a throwaway society.  I just hope one day my kids come to realise that these links to their past are worth hanging onto for future generations to come to enjoy.╰⊰✿✿⊱╮

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~Weekend Away In Renmark~

~Hubby and I have just returned from a weekend away in Renmark and it was here at one of the vintage shops I found this sweet photograph.  I picked it up and put it down several times before concluding I had to buy it....I am not sure why as it is def not something I would normally buy but I am so glad I did...she is a little darling.~

~Look at that gorgeous smile, twinkling blue eyes and golden curls~

~We went to Renmark to visit our dear friends and while we were there they gifted me with these amazing vintage scales.  I have had my eye on these beauties ever since I saw them in her home 30 years ago (see all good things come to those who wait) so to say I was over the moon was an understatment.    The scales read:  "The Computing Scale Co.  Dayten Ohio U.S.A. Pat Apr.24-1900, May19-1903, Mar.27-1906, style no 166. They are in perfect condition, although I don't think the colour is original but when I searched google it was impossible to find any similar in original colours but I must admit I like the gold so no matter~   I am feeling a little bit spoiled~

~I would think they are sweet scales as they only go up to 1 lb~

~Now on first glance I though this was a trashed houseboat but on closer inspection it was one full of character.  From the old Hills Hoist sporting old bras, to the toilet ontop of the chimney, to a couple of chooks and pots and post of geraniums...it was a delight to hold.  For a gold coin donation one could go aboard and check it out.......as I am scared of everything on the water I was happy to stay land side and admire from afar.  The lovely gentleman who's houseboat it was presented me with a "Rose" which infact was a humble geranium, but pretty none-the-less~

The lush grass and beautiful shady trees next to the river were quite delightful considering we decided to walk from the motel all along the riverfront and down the main street for over 2 hours in 30C heat.

~This sweet little duck had the right idea to cool off~

~Houseboats were moored all along the banks~

~On our way back we stopped ina Garden Center known for its exotic and rare plants and it was here I discovered this beauty.  They had one growing up some old wire and it was lush with beautiful white trumpet shaped flowers, fragrance with a heavenly perfume~   I couldnt help myself and had to buy one....can't wait for mine to flower now~

~Well that was our trip....great company in a great town~

~Pinterest.....a Hoarders Dream~

~I am a hoarder.....there I said it out loud!   

       I grew up in a time where we didnt have much, and what we did have was either a gift or a family hand me down.  We had bought stuff too but it was chosen with great care for durability more than looks.  Christmas and birthdays were a one gift item and often of the pratical nature and not for fun.  Nothing was thrown out if it was still usuable...often passed along to the next person to get their use from it.  Thats how I became the family hoarder......from the time I moved out of home my mother would pass things onto me with the words......   "don't you throw that out!"  So here I am ...50 something still hanging onto all the "Don't you throw it outs"  I did learn at a young age that all those pieces often came with a story of how they became in mums pocession, so as well as becoming a hoarder I also learned to love those vintage pieces and the history that went with them.  

    Thats what  started my buying of lovely old pretty pieces of other peoples history....no longer content with my own I wanted more....and so it continued until cupboards were brimming over with pretty vintage china, , linens, cutlery, pictures, dolls, sewing machines........you name it...I probably have it.  With each of these pieces my love for all things old grew and a new appreciation of a bygone era was formed.  I not only bought pieces but researched them as well so that I could look at each item with a new found love of its beauty and craftsmanship but with imaginations of who had used it before me and how lovingly cared for it was to have survived being around for how ever many years it had before it was added to my ever growing collections.  

     Then I discovered Pinterest and a whole new love affair with collecting began.  It was perfect....no money outlay, no storage issues, no washing or cleaning and  I could change my collections on a daily basis.  I could share my collections or I could could just lose hours looking and pinning.  It is perhaps the perfect place for all hoarders........so if you get a chance pop over to my Pinterest boards and pin what ever you like.....no limits just help yourself....you don't even have to follow...just enjoy!

      

PS Your also welcome to pin any and all pictures from this blog...all I ask is you don't claim ownership of my images.  Happy Pinning!

You will find my Pinterest page here: http://www.pinterest.com/shabbydelights/

~Saturday Pinks~

Saturdays come around so fast and every week I plan on being organised for ~Pink Saturday~ and before I realise it.....its been and gone and its Sunday.  

I will keep this short and sweet and just share some of my china from around my home.

Thank you to Beverley from How Sweet The Sound for hosting.