7 Pointers for Op-shopping/Thrifting

A.K.A thrifter

01 | I've found some of my best items in the 'larger sizes' section

Among other things, there always seems to be decent tops here, just tuck them in - or not - simple as that!

02 | If you haven't got the sewing machine out in the past year you probably won't now

Unless it's an item you've completely and utterly fallen in love with and know that as soon as you get home you will grab out the old machine and alter it, I've learnt to put anything that I would only wear if it were altered back and forget about it.

03 | Always, always search the jeans section

You never know what high-waisted, mum jeans you could come across that actually fit your waist - 
these are rare gems. If the legs are showing your ankles you've got the go ahead for comfortable cut off shorts, and if they do have nice skinny, long legs - perfect!

04 | Check often

Ask what days the new stuff generally gets put out and go go go! Probably once a week, even if it's a quick skim through to skip past what was there last time and see if there's anything new jumping out. You may also have new eyes on something you didn't notice before.

05 | It's worth a try

If you decide once you bring it home that it really doesn't work for you, just realise that the $3 you spent on it will help someone else (particularly if it's an organisation) and return it to the collection bins for someone else to find. Just don't keep it sitting around like all the items waiting to be altered!

06 | Keep your eyes open

For those little holes and stains. I like to do a scan of the front and back, look at the underarms, belt loops and along some of the seams particularly if it's a fragile fabric, there's nothing worse than getting home and realising your favourite piece has an imperfection which is unfixable.

07 | Look past the clothes racks

Sometimes I go into an op-shop with only clothes and accessories on my mind - remind yourself to look at the other second-hand objects and household items (or under the glass counter tops!), even if you aren't looking for anything in particular, you might come across that thing you imagined owning months ago and forgot about. You never know what you could find!

Do you have any other tips for op-shopping / thrifting?

Weekly Notes

So my big plan to blog a lot over the holidays hasn't happened yet (sometimes I have to try not to get downhearted and tell myself that I can still have a blog, it doesn't matter!) and neither have some of the other things, BUT I can say I have ticked off some mighty refreshing and long-time-coming ones, which makes these other ones I've missed -so far - (I still have 2 weeks!) not seem too alarming.

And because I'm happy with what I have achieved, without further ado, here's my list of this past weeks favourites...

1. Finally, I rearranged my bedroom, bought a desk, bought new curtains, and am in the process of telling myself to be more ruthless than my sentimental side usually allows me. Three cheers! I am loving where my room organisation and presentation is for the first time in many years.

2. I went for the chop! Long, awful-condition ends are gone and my hair is at its shortest point since it first grew past this length (makes sense?). A decision that has been consuming me just about every day for the past few months, not to mention on and off for the past 5 or so years. I finally did it and although I'll miss some things about having extra length, this was such a good decision.

3. I've been on 5 movie dates this month, 4 with the boyfriend and one with mumma. Firstly, The Hobbit/Battle of the Five Armies wasn't as good as the first two, but still, it's The Hobbit, and J.R.R. Tolkien's imagination along with the artistry of movie makers is just wonderful. Big Hero 6, The Imitation Game, and Paddington were all quite good. But I saw American Sniper tonight and boy did that leave a big lump in the throat.

4. Grateful to be given the opportunity to get into a career which will help me help other people (to be honest I've been feeling a little lost as to why I'm going into nursing lately, and it was something in American Sniper that reignited the spark). Hopefully this year is a good one. One more year and I'll be an EN. I can do this!

5. I can't think of much to write for a 5th, except that I went and bought some embroidery supplies to give me a bit of a different art goal - now to start the creating process!

What is something that has made you happy about yourself this week?

I have a busy 11 more days to get things done before the homework and learning starts again. Have a nice week!

Christmas Favourites

I could say so much about Christmas and all the past years of traditions and experiences and things which made it feel like complete magic when I was young, I could also say how much Christmas feels different now, how you try and grab hold of that spark but it disappears before it touches your hand. The perils of leaving childhood. Ultimately though, I love Christmas, I love seeing people put effort into decorations and lights, I love the colours of Christmas, I love the thought of snow and pine trees, but I also love that our Christmas usually consists of sun-kissed shoulders and warm summer nights of light-looking.

As it is now the week before Christmas, I thought I'd write a little list of some of my favourite Christmas things; if you've written your own similar list, comment the link below as I'd love to read them. If I don't get to say this before Christmas, I hope yours if filled with wonder and blessings. xx

Drink | Considering I don't know what the typical American favourite of eggnog even tastes like, I'd probably just have to say wine, we drink wine at Christmas, and when I was young or if I have to drive it's the good old "fake wine" on the menu.

Movie | 'Mickey's Christmas Carol' because every Boxing Day growing up we would finish the night watching or falling asleep to this, spread across the lounge room floor with all my siblings and cousins. I also kind of love The Grinch.

Food | The roast, the Christmas pudding and the brandy butter (mouth is definitely watering).

Album | A couple of albums which were always put on at Christmas when I was growing up, I think they're one of the things which really send that Christmas feeling through me. I'll have to try and find what they are and put them on - I haven't listened to them much the past couple of years.

This Year | We are having Christmas lunch at home, with the smallest group of people since forever. But I'm actually really looking forward to that, simple with just some siblings, Ben, and Mum. Dinner will be at Ben's parents', Boxing day afternoon/evening will be out at my Aunty's hobby farm (a tradition where a bunch of traditions happen and we can catch up with all of Mum's side of the family). Then the morning after Boxing Day, Ben and I are off to Apollo Bay until the new year!

Best Things About Grey Days

We are nearing the end of spring in Australia, but today is a welcoming break from the heat we're having leading up to the hot, dry summer. I thought I'd share some of the things which make you feel good about a stormy day.

No pressure | You don't feel guilty if you're inside all day

  

Rain | It smells and sounds nice when it rains, thunder is even better, rainbows are a bonus

Comfy | You're allowed to snuggle in blankets and snooze whenever being lazy gets all too tiring

Photograph | Perfect lighting for getting the camera out and taking some shots

Catch-up | It's a good chance to get up to date with anything - blogging, work, housework, etc.

Read | You can finally pick up that book you've been eyeing off

Tea | Particularly if you're only an occasional tea drinker, these are the perfect days

Music | You know your favourites for gloomy days, put them on

Rainy day dates | Cook some hearty warm food and have some quality partner time

Fresh air | Open the door and take a deep breath, you'll be grateful

A Shortlist of Places

It's normal for me to get in a worldly mood where I begin thinking about all the places I could potentially visit in my lifetime. I try and think of the top ones, but once I start, it understandably becomes impossible - particularly for someone like myself who has spent many hours growing up researching what I could one day see with my own eyes (the result: an overwhelming amount of wonder). So I've compiled a stripped down list of my current top favourites I find myself constantly day dreaming about, without reading too much into it.

Canada | for the wilderness and mountains

United States of America | for the diversity

Iceland | for the colour and formations

United Kingdom | for the past and greenery

New Zealand | for the fantasy and proximity

Iceland image used in this post is by the ever inspiring Manchik's