Today’s op shop: Vinnies (St Vincent de Paul) at 56 Station Place, Sunshine

I haven’t been to Vinnies in Sunshine for a long time. I’ve picked up some fab tops and games in the past and was happy to see the place is still large and well spread out. There’s a big selection of games and puzzles for kids but I didn’t get pics. I also resisted the temptation of the wooden pineapple napkin holder for $2 with a “Greetings from Surfers Paradise” sticker (which would have been removed STAT) but I’m regretting not buying it. Because, you know, retro wooden pineapple thing.

I had to do a super quick browse (family were in the car, I’d told them I was just dropping stuff off, but you know how it is with op shops…)

Spot the wooden pineapple napkin holder below:

There are those moments when you know your time is limited so your senses are on super high alert. Which is how I was instantly able to find this jug for $4:

I found this apron in my sister’s team colours. She was the lucky recipient of that jug too:

I only got one thing for myself (I KNOW, right?). Actually I got two things: this apron and an unused looking retro dishcloth for 50c. I love this apron. I’d call it my Carol Brady apron… except she never wore one:

Okay, off to focus on my training for the upcoming National Op Shop Week.

Today’s op shop is the Dorothy Impey, or Dot’s Op Shop located at 238 Sussex Street in Coburg North:

What’s better than going to an op shop? Going to an op shop and seeing HALF PRICE SALE SIGNS ON THE WINDOW. And how can one resist a shop named Dot’s?

As soon as I walked in, I had a feeling I’d find something good.  Problem was I didn’t have much time to look around so I skipped over the clothes (don’t need any more of those!) and got the camera out to take some quick snaps:

I did a really quick browse through the dresses (ha, SEE? “Last thing I need…” but I still look anyway. And would have bought something):

The book section is quite a decent size. I saw a copy of the Sharp Carousel Microwave Cookbook which is what most people seemed to have when microwaves were all the rage.  Aaaand most people, like my family, probably never actually made anything successfully following those hideous recipes:

Dot’s Op Shop even has its own bunting decorating the shelves. Eeeeeeee!

Fortunately for my storage space, there was nothing for me in these sections (though I did linger over those two old glasses with the yellow bands that you see. 25 cents each):

Okay, so this is what I bought for the grand sum of one dollar. This old doll with an amazing hairdo was at the bottom of an assorted toys and dolls basket.  A pity she doesn’t come with a wiggle dress:

This cross stitch thingy for all the cross stitch I do.  Can you guess how much cross stitch I do by my reference to this as a ‘thingy’? Yeah, ZERO. But I figure it will come in handy one day.  Like when Costco opened here and a tv news reporter was interviewing some shopper about all these doormats he’d bought. And this shopper says “I don’t really need them but at that price I couldn’t resist, THEY’LL COME IN HANDY ONE DAY”.  I also found this half size ladle.  Perfect size for pancake batter, I get sick of using my bigass size ladle and trying to get the amount of batter the same:

My favourite find of the trip: this vintage patchworky pot holder slash pot rest! Love love love it:

I’m a bit late posting this because the half price sale was for all of July. The lemons were 10 cents each and I felt scummy taking more. I’m loving that doll though and thinking of naming her Donna Draper  😉

Today’s Op Shop: Sunshine Hospital Community Op Shop, located near the main (non-Emergency) entrance of Sunshine Hospital, 176 Furlong Road in St. Albans

DeeW had a checkup at Sunshine Hospital recently, which of course meant visiting the Sunshine Hospital Op Shop (aka Sunshine Hospital Community Shop).  I like how the ‘OP SHOP’ sign with the arrow is written in that hospital lettering. Unfortunately it wasn’t for sale, gahhh. Clothing racks are located under cover outside the op shop entrance, as well as a table of toys. There are more clothes inside. There’s a large display area of glassware, ceramics, shoes, VCR tapes and general home decoratey things:

For children there are mostly clothes, soft toys and a few games and puzzles:

Book area and changing room:

I only spotted a couple of vintage (1970s) dresses not in my size and admitted defeat overall. DeeW however scored big with her $5 budget and bought a few soft toys, like Donkey from Shrek for 50 cents and a battery operated puppy that I secretly hope doesn’t work.

The Sunshine Hospital Op Shop isn’t a large op shop. There were no prices, you just ask the volunteers how much something costs and they’ll give you a price. Because it’s near the hospital entrance there are no parking options (I think the parking outside is more for quick drop offs and pickups and where taxis wait). However if you’re visiting the hospital, the op shop is certainly worth a browse every time as stock changes. Don’t let the small size put you off! I’d go back again if I was in the area– that’s the magic about op shopping!  There might be nothing today but probably something great next time. Maybe that sign…