Glass Half Full

I love a good Saturday morning Op-Shop.

However, it has become increasingly difficult since everyone caught onto the trend and started heading out to the local St. Vinnes, snapping up a bargain and selling it for triple the price at the local markets.

Hence why I've given up on clothes and am getting into more homewares and antiques like a really cool nanna.

On Saturday I actually overheard a lady trying to bargain with the elderly woman working in the Red Cross over a $6 piece of crap! 

I think people forget that the money from op-shops goes to charity so trying to bargain at an op-shop is like taking money from the collection trays at church. Or stealing someone's wheelchair. 

At the moment I'm a bit obsessed with throwing an awesome High Tea so that's probably why I'm into kitchenware and glasses etc.

I've started to collect teacups and I've got a High Tea Pinterest board which is where I'm keeping all my inspiration!

I'm trying to only collect Royal Albert or Doulton teacups but they're hard to find.

At the moment I live with a housemate in his flat and it's furnished with all his stuff, so I'm trying to collect stuff for when I move out on my own. Eventually.

Tips for Op-Shop Success

1. Do Your Research
If I'm looking at some china and I don't know if it's a good brand or what I should be paying I usually just Google it on my phone to see if it's worth the money. Ebay is also great for this which leads into...

2. Is It Worth It?
Try and buy good quality vinatge stuff not just cheap and nasty crap. Leave that stuff to the people who actually shop in op shops for real.

3. Think Before You Buy 
Don't buy something just beacuse it's cheap. Even $2 is $2 too much if you're never going to use/wear it. I am the worst impulse buyer ever. If you're no sure about it, leave it and come back.

3. Make Sure It Can Be Salvaged
While there's a lot of thing a little soap and water can fix, you don't want to catch hepatitis from eating out of dirty silverware or lice from some homeless person's coat. Not cool. 

A Day At The Races

There's nothing that makes you feel quite like a proper lady than getting dressed up and going to the races. 

Unfortunately after a couple of sparklings and a few cocktails at this year's Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup, my ladylike behaviour went right out the window.

I woke up the next morning with permanent texta writing on me, so you know it was a 'good night'.

However, I did not commit the ultimate sin by taking my shoes off. They stayed right on my painfully sore feet all day. I'm very proud of myself about that.

But back to where it all began. Last Monday I put on my gorgeous Liza Emanuele dress and headed off to the Adelaide Cup at Morphettville Racecourse.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Adelaide Casino Chandelier Bar, which had the best view of the track (and of the most smoking hot bartenders) in the whole vicinity.

I felt very 'Pretty Woman' in my giant hat, polkadots and red lipstick. Without the whole prostitute thing...

I got a lot of compliments on my outfit and being the bargain hunter that I am, every single item of clothing I wore was on sale. If I had bought everything full price I would have an $800 credit card bill on my hands. Luckily though my wicked shopping skills meant all together I only spent about $190 on this outfit! 

I don't believe you have to spend a lot of money in order to look expensive and I feel like this outfit is proof of this.

  

Photos by Alice Healy

Tips To Dressing For A Fancy Event On A Budget

1) Plan In Advance

I knew Adelaide Cup was coming up so when Liza Emanuele had a sale I bought my dress and saved it for the big day.

2) Outlet Shop Your Heart Out

Harbour Town in Adelaide is honestly the best place to find shoes and accessories. I know that outlet shopping is seriously uncool, but I never would have been able to afford a designer hat and shoes otherwise. I also love sales and op-shops. Seriously.

3) Borrow, Borrow, Borrow

I live next door to two girls and so I practically have three wardrobes. As long as you're happy to lend your stuff out in return and you know your mates will take care of it, why buy something when you can borrow it? 

4) Make Friends With Benefits

My friend who is a makeup artist did my makeup on the day for mates rates.