Category: Op shopping

Op Shopping – My Super Power

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I’m really sorry to those who live in Cambridge and love to op shop.

I fear I have bought all the good stuff.

Op shopping is like a super power to me, I love it, I love a bargain, I love finding amazing weird items, vintage clothes, shoes, fabric, jars, kids clothes, pretty much everything in my house.

People ask me how I get time, I really don’t have time, I’m a busy person but I pop into an op shop for 10 mins here and there. I can’t commit a whole morning to it like I wish I could but I manage to find amazing bargains and rehome items that call my name.

Op shopping is good for many reasons

  • You’re rehoming unwanted items
  • By shopping secondhand we are creating a circular economy
  • Supports charities
  • Saves you money, so.much.money.
  • The thrill of finding something you didn’t expect to find
  • Rediscover gems from your past ie: Grandma’s crockery
  • Relive the 70’s
  • Find items to support zero waste without buying them new.

 

To give you an example of my latest op shop gems, here is me heading to a wedding last weekend in an outfit that was entirely secondhand.

Shoes $3 Salvation army

Dress $6 Jumble around op shop

Jacket $10 Jumble around op shop (Bought quite a while ago but as it’s linen and in excellent condition, I knew it would be handy one day)

Brooch $0.50c Hospice shop

Grand total $19.50

 

I understand that my outfit isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I purposely bought items with this look, not everything in op shops is vintage looking, there are plenty of modern clothes, the best things to find are outfits someone has worn once to an occasion and sent to the op shop, you can tell things are like new or even actually new with tags still attached.

I’m a strong believer in “Someone’s trash could be someone else’s treasure”

If you take your time, don’t go in with high expectations, be ok with leaving with nothing, you’ll be just fine.

You need to be patient for the good stuff to come along.

Small changes, could shopping second hand be your new way of doing things?

Slow fashion is quite a beautiful thing

Let me know what you find

 

Lara x

Zero Waste is Simple

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Zero waste is simple if you can be a bit organised. Keep things in your car/bag so you won’t be caught without what you need. Don’t be nervous to take a container into the bakery or sushi shop, they will be grateful you did. What’s missing here is my keep cup, currently in the dishwasher. Once you start swapping disposable for reusable you’ll start to see the change in how slow you fill you bin compared to before. ✅

ps. Green bag and floral bulk bin bag both made by me, so simple if you have access to a machine.

Shopping plastic free

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Op shop finds (again, yes) – Easiyo machine, wooden utensils to replace plastic ones that have worn out, wall paper to use as wrapping paper and for art for the kids. Super rad jar for bulk foods and neat baskets for ya know, stuff. $13 spent.

Shopping second hand, Reducing plastic use, reducing waste and finding ways to make things at home without having to buy them. ✅

 

 

Op Shop Treasures

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Do you have a favourite op shop? The one you always find the best treasures in?

Mine is the one my Mum volunteers in and I go there once a year, I have been known to walk out with a bag full but as time goes on, I’m shopping less and less, selecting items more carefully and making sure I’m choosing things I know I will get a lot of use out of.

Here is what I found this time round:

Witchery top, this was exciting as I was sure it wouldn’t fit until I tried it and it was perfect! I check everything to make sure it’s in excellent condition, this one feels like new and it cost me $6.

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Seed Dress, this one I got for working in but I can see it being casual wear too. This one was $10 !

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Lastly I found this dress which still had the original tags attached, I will use this for going out and formal occasions. Bargain for just $10.

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I use to treat op shops as a place to get loads of stuff for a dollar here and a dollar there, but now I seem to want to get the really good stuff and am happy to pay a bit more for the quality.

If you’re keen to go op shopping but don’t seem to have much luck, just remember you have to look hard, accept that you may leave a shop with nothing and on a different day you’ll find some treasures from that same shop.

What’s your favourite op shop item or bargain you love and wear all the time?

Lara x

PS. Here is my son when I first attempted to take photos of my little haul.

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