Bargain Buys

Do you ever find that when you aren't looking for something, sometimes that's when you manage to score the best bargains.

Weeks ago I happened to be walking through Myer and spotted this fabulous handbag, originally $129 marked down to $80, better than that it was on a table with a sign that stated there was another 75% off the already reduced price. 

Hmmmmm $20, done. I can always use a new handbag.

However I was pleasantly surprised when the lovely lady at the checkout gave it to me for $5 explaining that the remaining items were about to be reduced again so I could have it for that price. 

Yay!!!!

Then today after my doctors appointment (everything is going really well so far with the pregnancy so far, so thanks again for all of your prayers and support) I ducked into Kmart to buy a gel cover for hubby's bike seat. He has started riding again and it is proving to be a little uncomfortable, given I can't join him on the rides I thought I would try and make it a little better for him.

Anyway as I was about to leave I decided to check if they had anything nice in their maternity range, unfortunately not but on my way I spotted another bargain - a 3 pack of underwear for $1, stop, go back grab 5 packs, 15 pairs for $5. Maybe I don't need that many pairs of new underwear but I won't need to buy any for quite a while!

I also managed to get 3 new bras for $3 each, wow... bargains galore!

If you need new underwear and you have a Kmart near by it might be worth your while to pop in and see what you can find! 

I didn't look at anything else but Michelle mentioned that she picked up some cushions for $3 each and a few other goodies at great prices too. 

Have you stumbled across any great bargains lately?

xx

Before & After - Footstool

School holidays are over, it is nice having a break from the usual school routine but it's nice to get back into it too.  

I am finally feeling well enough to get back into my walking and even tried some yoga today, though I might have overdone it starting both on the same day :-)

We had a pretty quiet weekend here making the most of the last few days before school went back resting and just hanging out.

I finally got motivated enough to complete a really little project that I am ashamed to say has been waiting for  almost a year.

We bought this cute little footstool from a Second hand store in a little town not far from Orange. 

Nick really liked the patina on the stool as is, so I resisted my urge to paint it white and just gave it a quick sand to clean it up.

See, not much different

I even bought the material for this project months ago, 

I have just been so slack!

I did make an attempt about 2 months ago to finish my foot stool so I stopped in to our local upholstery store only to discover that they no longer sell foam, they only use it for their own work :-(

There is no where else to buy it from in Orange so I had to leave it until we were next in Bathurst, Sydney or Dubbo at a time when the store was open. 

Then on the weekend I had an idea to use a cushion insert instead, not quite what I originally planned but it worked and it was actually easier as I didn't have to sew anything!

I just used the very handy staple gun and voila! 

all done, and in less than 3 minutes!

When I need a change I can paint it white and replace the top with a square cushion, add some piping and it will be like new again.

What do you think? 

Easy and very comfy.

xx

Hitting the Shops

Op shops that is! We have three decent op shops that I like to check out when I get a chance and in order to make my holiday projects I decided to see what I could find.

I had a great day and found some bargain items that I can use for some of my planned projects and some of the other things will get a quick makeover and a new home.

Queen size bedspread for $6. It does have some stains and if I can't get rid of them I will just use the material to make some cushions etc. 

120 x 120 table cloth in excellent condition for $2

I loved the shape, size and colour of this serving plate and for $1 it was a steal.

Footed silver tray for $3. I might paint it white or I may just leave it as it is.

Beautifully scented, unused candle for $2.

Set of six small placemats for $1. Smaller thanI was hoping for but all that I could find. Good practice set.

Bookends for $4, a little bit of work on these and they will be perfect.

Cute little bud vase for $3, a clean and a few coats of paint and it will have a new lease on life.

Lovely little white bowl with lid for $1, perfect for my version of a salt pig

$4 for this cheese dome with board



I don't plan on going to this many weddings in the near future but I do like to make my own cards and these will make a great base to work with.

So far my holidays have been pretty productive with my bargain buys, a visit to the accountant to complete our 2011 tax  - very early but given it was Nick's first full year with his own business and he hasn't paid any personal tax through the year I figured we should bite the bullet and just get it over and done with : )

I have made a start on the ruffled bag and I have a whole new appreciation for the amount of work that goes into ruffles and would never be able to make these to sell them unless someone was willing to pay me hundreds for each bag!

Fingers crossed that I can keep this up and hopefully I will have some finished projects to share with you soon.

xx

Garage Sales

I have been so inspired lately by everyone in blog lands talent at transforming bargain finds into beautiful and useful items for their home so on Saturday when I had some spare time (I was meant to be doing my assignment.....) I decided to check out a few garage sales. I really wasn't expecting to find much because it was quite late in the morning when I went out but seeing that I was procrastinating I went anyway. Look at these great things I found that needed nothing more than a good clean.

Clown Skittles

Scales

I loved the wrapping on this soap, I wrapped in some clear plastic to try and preserve it for a bit longer.

Sunbeam Mix master (works perfectly)

Roll of wallpaper

Container

Putt putt golf game

Crate

Some of the things I found needed a bit of work...... BEFORE

AFTER BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER I didn't end up finishing my assignment but I had fun being creative and playing around with my new old things. Hope you had a great weekend.

UPDATE: I forgot to add the best bit. All of my finds totalled $44

Disappointed

Unfortunately, I didn't have any luck today so I do not have any bargain finds to share or find new places for in our house this weekend. Oh well, all is not lost I will be catching up with friends this weekend and that is something to look forward to, so heres to pretty, girly get togethers......

Have a great weekend.

Photo source:

#1 - carcat.wordpress

others - sorry unknown

Another day off...

I am so blessed, this week I have two days off and I am planning on doing some bargain hunting at second hand shops tomorrow. I thought I would refresh your memory of my last day out shopping for bargains..... Before: After: Before:

After: I really enjoy finding unsual items that I can use to create a point of interest in our home. I enjoy the challenge and the element of unknown, the unique and most of all getting something for a really good price. Hopefully I will have had a successful day tomorrow and I will have some interesting finds to share.Photo source: McCarthy Designs