Shopping and Tea

I needed to spend some time by myself yesterday. Angel was at school and the Monkey was at Kindy. I will admit that I was supposed to do the 1000 steps with some friends, but I REALLY needed to hang by myself and do my thing. I was going to go home and have a kip then clean and tidy the house, but that didn't happen...at all!

I only intended to pop into my favourite shopping centre for a couple of hours, but ended up being there the whole time. I was armed with birthday money and some David Jones giftcards and a desperate need for some new clothes.

I don't normally shop at DJ's and after browsing the racks yesterday I remembered why. All designer brands. Most of it too expensive. Maybe that's why most of the other shoppers that were there yesterday were heaps older than me. They're the ones with the money to burn. I have to say, I felt young shopping in DJ's.

Moving on...

The entrance to DJ's is smack bang inbetween a Louis Vuitton store and a Prada store. I've never walked into the LV store cos their stuff just doesn't appeal to me, but I've been in the Prada store. Gorgeous stuff! Not everything has a price tag on it though, so it's a case of 'if you need to ask the price, you can't afford it'.

I had to snap some shots of the Ralph Lauren windows. These shots turned out badly cos my camera doesn't have a 'no reflection' function on it.;-) These windows were decorated so beautifully. I must wander into that store some time soon to have a browse. I'm sure there must be something in there that I can afford to buy. A hairtie maybe?

 You can see how high end this part of the shopping centre is by the other stores that are in the window reflection...Miu Miu, Gucci, Tiffany's...

So sorry about this shot. I should have taken it from the other side of the window.

Anyway, enough ranting about shopping and how the other half live.

I've just made myself this cup of tea. It's from T2, another glorious shop that I could spend lots of money in. Much more affordable of course. So many teas to choose from. So many pretty teacups and teapots. But I digress. I actually wanted to tell you that this particular tea is called Melbourne Breakfast. I really like it! You can also get Sydney Breakfast and Brisbane Breakfast. I'm sure they are nice too, but not being a black tea drinker normally, I really like this one.

Thank you Missa for the gift of different blends for my birthday.

Ya gotta love a gift that you wouldn't normally buy for yourself. Especially a gift that allows you to experience things that you wouldn't normally have experienced.

I shall now end these ramblings and go and get on with my day now that I've enjoyed a cuppa.

Hope YOU have a great day too.

AND I'd like to say a very BIG thank you to each one of you for your kind birthday wishes. They made my day. Every single one of you made my day!

~ Ky x

ps. I'd like to add that shopping with gift cards and birthday money is so much more fun than normal shopping with your own money.

Jonquil Joy

I've been cooking up a storm and cleaning and tidying the house today...busy little beaver that I am. And every time I walk from the kitchen to the rest of the house via our shortest of short hallways, I am pleasantly enveloped in the scent of jonquils. I absolutely, positively luurve the smell of jonquils! It's such a happy fragrance! You can not help but stop for a split second to enjoy them. They are such a happy, little flower!

Every week when I do the grocery shopping I see them in the flower stand and have been tempted to get some, but I never do. So, yesterday, I treated myself and I'm not regretting it in the slightest! I might even treat myself again next week.

I thought I would share them with you. I'm sorry that you can't smell them, but you can just pretend that you can.

Have a happy weekend and if you get the chance, grab yourself, or someone that you love, some jonquils. It will put a smile on your face, that's for sure!

Photos By Monkey

I love to look at photos. I sometimes sit down at the computer and look through photos of when the kids were younger, or when we did something fun etc, etc. Well, thrown in with all the 'good' photos that adults have taken are a few that the Monkey has taken when he has been able to get his cute, chubby little hands on my camera (that isn't really hard to do seeing as I keep it in my handbag). So, I thought I'd share some with you.

A picture tells the whole story. A little boy, sitting in a shopping trolley has found mum's camera in her handbag.

Mum is clearly shopping for shoes while said little boy is in his shopping trolley jail. It keeps him quiet and I know where he is...that's the bonus.

Proof that Mum is looking at shoes.

Mum is looking at bags while the Angel lounges with boredom.

Keeping occupied while waiting for the show to start.

Self portrait.

Sister loves having her photo taken too.

Dad playing the bass guitar in church.

He just had to take a photo of the ceiling fan at kindy. He's always had a facination with things that go round and round...still does.

Mum took this one of the Monkey trying to get the camera back. He wasn't very happy that I wouldn't give it back to him. He really loves taking photos.

There would be heaps more, but I have deleted most of them...just too bizarro!

~ Ky x

This Weeks Bargain Finds

                                                                                     
                   Just a few photos of this weeks op shop finds. I have been banned from visiting any op shops for the next couple of weeks because I can't seem to just browse. I can't help myself. If I find a bargain, I have to buy it. Anyway, I found this aluminium pot for the grand total of $1. I think it will make a lovely pot for a plant. Maybe even a little herb garden. We'll see.

These shoes looked brand new and I knew when I saw them that they would be great to throw on with a pair of jeans to do the school run or pop into the shops. They are very comfortable and warm. I actually bought them last week and have worn them a lot since then. I quite like them!

I have a light blue jacket that I love to wear with a white, collared shirt and jeans and when I found this jacket I knew it would look great too. Who wouldn't love a nice jacket for only $6? Actually, it will go nicely with a knee length skirt and my new high heeled, knee high boots that my darling bought for me as a Mothers Day gift.

And last, but definately not least, a very cute, 100% wool hat for the bargain price of $4. Seriously, I may never shop retail again! Oh, except for underwear. Gotta have new underwear.

Ladies Room Treasure

I've never really taken that much notice of the vending machines on the wall in the ladies room at shopping centres, but I did today. There are more things to choose from other than just sanitary bits and bobs. Curiosity got the better of me and these are the little treasures that popped out the bottom when the correct money and correct buttons were pressed. Yes, Monkey had to press the buttons and took great joy in doing so.

We have here, a survival kit, lip gloss, perfume, breath freshener and mints in a cute little tin.

All very handy items to have in ones handbag and they are very cute too. I will have to hide them from the kids.

                                                  

Savers

I am learning the joys of op shopping. The joy of finding a treasure! A bargain! I op shopped when I was living in Brissy, but I'm enjoying it much more here in Melbourne. There is an op shop here called Savers. It is an op shop superstore. There are several of them in Melbourne and on Sunday after we had finished at the zoo we popped over to Brunswick so I could check out the Savers over there. It's an op shoppers heaven. Racks and racks of clothes, shoes, bags, scarves, bric-a-brac, underwear, toys, books, furniture, manchester, all in an orderly fashion. Everything is hung in type of clothing, size of that type and then in colour of that size. Very well organised. I was only supposed to be browsing but walked out with 7 items of clothing and a pair of shoes, all for the princely sum of $50.02.

These are two of my purchases. A vintage denim, fitted jacket and a fitted cordaroy jacket. The cordaroy doesn't look much until I put it on. It's a great cut and I love it! I love both of these jackets and I'm sure I'll get a lot of wear out of them. I also bought another cordaroy jacket. It's a UK brand that is fitted and lined. Really nice, but sadly it is a size too big for me. I'll have to try and find a home for it, but am not sure who will fit it.

Monkey even scored some new clothes. A cuddly, warm hoodie, a pair of Milkshake jeans and a cute, green cordaroy shirt. I just can't believe the treasures you can find when  you look through everything. All the clothes I bought look barely worn, if at all. Seriously, nothing gives me more of a thrill than a dead set bargain!

Cute Head Warmer

While browsing at the Queen Victoria Markets on Easter Sunday I found this cute little 1940's inspired beanie. It would be nice if it was an original vintage piece. I'll be keeping my eye out for similar hats made from good quality felt. If I'm lucky, I may even find an original in the right size and colour. If not, then maybe I can buy it anyway and begin a collection of items to start my own Etsy store. Food for thought anyway.

Such a shame my knitting skills aren't up to this standard, or I would be knitting up a few more in different colours and with matching scarves.( Now I've just inspired myself to try and find some knitting classes.)

What do you think? Cute, huh? You know you want one too!

I'm beginning to think the hat and beanie collection is going to grow somewhat this winter.

The Desk

This is my computer 'desk' at the moment. My daughter's toy kitchen. It's not an ideal desk, but it's doing the job for now.
I have begun looking for a desk to put in this corner of the loungeroom. My own little desk to put my computer on. I have been looking in vintage stores, op shops, second hand shops and even an antique shop. I found the perfect desk in the antique shop, but of course it was more than I was willing to pay.
Yes, I could probably find one in Ikea or one of the other furniture chain stores, but I have in mind the kind of desk I want. Something already used, with a bit of character. Something vintage. A wood desk or small table would be perfect.
When I find 'the one' I will show you. Until then I will have fun looking.

I'm Cold

It's a rather cold, rainy day in ol' Melbourne town. I'm getting a glimpse of how bitterly cold the winter will be. Today is equivalent to a cold winter's day in Brisbane and it's only just autumn. My toes are cold. My legs are cold. My hands are cold. Even my nose is cold...no big nose jokes please.
It's about time to hit the stores and buy the family some really warm clothes. None of us have the kind of clothes that are needed to keep warm in this cold climate. I'm sooo going to hate shopping for new clothes and shoes...not!
Anyway, I was warned. Still, I do not miss the sticky, sweaty humidity. Not in the least.