What's on: Polka Dot Vintage Market (August 15 - 16, 2015)

Photos courtesy of the Polka Dot Vintage Market Facebook page.

The only thing better than hitting the weekend market is stumbling across three at once! If you have a penchant for perusing stalls packed with vintage wares, crafts and antiques, then the 3 in 1 Market at Claremont Showgrounds is not to be missed.

The 3 in 1 Market makes a return for the second time this year, showcasing a range of handmade crafts, antiques and collectables. For lovers of all things vintage, this huge two-day event with over 300 indoor stalls will be a sure hit. The 3 in 1 Market is made up of Handmade Crafts, Antiques and Collectables and the very popular Polka Dot Vintage Market.

The Polka Dot Vintage Market will be the place to pick up a few goodies. Expect to find a range of eclectic and on-trend quality vintage clothing from the 1930s through to the 1990s, vinyl records and more. Retro clothing and accessories, collectables, retro homewares, vintage jewellery, up-cycled handmade wares and pre-loved designer fashions will also be a key feature across the weekend. A door prize of $2,000 is also up for grabs - don't miss out!

The 3 in 1 Market opens on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 2015 from 9.30am to 4.30pm daily. Adult tickets are $7, children under 10 go free. The event is held at Claremont Showground's exhibition centre.

How to get there: Transperth trains will stop at the Showground Station for this event. Make sure you visit the Transperth website in advance to plan your journey.

More details at the Claremont Showground website.

What's on: Men's Night at Vinnies Retro Shop (Thursday, July 30, 2015)

Ladies, here's a chance to send your man out on the town for the night. I'm appealing to you as I realise my demographic here is largely women :) And men, if you've managed to find this blog of your own accord, good on you (and thank you for stopping by!) Vinnies Retro Shop (Shop 2 / 142 High Street, Fremantle) is running a Men's Night, this Thursday, July 30.

The event runs from 5 - 6.30pm and celebrates the arrival of new menswear. Help Vinnies improve its men's section. Drinks and snacks will be provided on the night. Sounds like rollicking good fun. Why not go along with your man?

Vinnies Retro Shop in Fremantle is one of two in the Perth area and, as the name indicates, is affiliated with St Vincent de Paul. Specialising in vintage secondhand wares, this shop really is a must for anyone wanting to find some classic vintage pieces. I've shopped there myself in the past and have found a number of really nice pieces. They might be a little more pricey than your average Australian op shop, but the clothes, books and accessories have been handpicked, making the job of trawling for goodies that little bit easier.

Stock at the Vinnies Retro Shop is constantly being replenished, so if you're a regular visitor to Fremantle, this is a spot to return to again and again.

Other op shops to check out in the area (if you want to make a day of it) include the Red Cross shop at 37 Market Street, Down Town Rags at 45 High Street, Dufus Clothing Shop at 130 High Street, Good Sammy at 142 High Street, Anglicare at 181 High Street, Salvos at 3/5 Josephson Street and Boutique Unique at 197 High Street. As you can see, you could easily get through a few within seconds of each other! 

How to get to Vinnies Retro Shop (Shop 2 / 142 High Street, Fremantle): According to the Fremantle website, there is 30 minute free parking available on High Street (west of Market Street), but longer term (paid) parking is also available around the area.

If you're taking the train in and don't mind a short walk, exit the Fremantle Train Station and walk north-east towards Peter Hughes Drive, turn right onto Elder Place and then turn left onto Queen Street. Go through two roundabouts. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto High Street and Vinnies Retro Shop will be on your left. It should only take 5-8 minutes to walk from the station.

What has been your favourite retro find? What sort of pieces do you look for when you shop retro specific? Leave a comment and let me know! 

Thrifted find: Vintage rose print mirror

While this little gem might not be an enchanted object, the lovely rose print on this old hand mirror certainly gave me a wave of nostalgia for a youth spent watching - and re-watching - Beauty and the Beast.

"Ashamed of his monstrous form, the Beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world." - Narrator

I thought it tied in nicely with the Enchanted Rose, the now trademark symbol for the 1991 Disney flick. Don't you just love the detail on the rose print and the ageing gold edges? It's nice to have in my bedroom for those moments I need to check the back of an up-do!

Flatlay: Blue jean baby

If there's one thing this winter is doing to me, it's making me quite nostalgic over goodness knows what, and pushing me towards my sensitive self. Aside from sitting by the window with coffee in hand, watching raindrops trickle down (perfect daydreaming weather) and bumping into the occasional tree, it's quite great. So even the most basic winter look has me going miles overboard with moods that have no common ground to the look, per se. In a break between the rain yesterday, I took a stroll through a local shopping centre - a rather uncommon move for me these days - and I was pleased to see so many shades of blue on display.

But whether blue clothes are a thing this winter is not important. Though, truth be told, I tend to lean towards greens, purples and burnt oranges, blue is definitely having a major movement. What matters is that the colour looks great on you. So why not give it a try?

Alright, enough daydreaming. Something about this colour is seriously stunning. Adding a blue jacket, top or dress to your daily look is beautiful. It has a quality of fresh luxury. It can be sophisticated, rich or Mediterranean. Put your love of clothes and style to good use by implementing certain colours into your wardrobe. I always dress for myself, but it never hurts to know what colours look good on you. More on that later!
Lauren xox


What colours do you most often incorporate into your wardrobe?

The look: 
Chicabooti dress (new with tags) - Scroungers Day Garage Sale - $8
Vigorella jacket - Salvos - $4.25
Heramay white lace crop - Vinnies - 50 cents
Girl Express blue boots (new with tags) - Salvos - $2.25
Blue drop earrings - Salvos - $2.25
Blue / white stripe brooch - Vinnies - 25 cents
Rockmans necklace (new with tags) - Salvos - $2.25

Event coverage: Scroungers Day Garage Sale

Shenton Park's ParaQuad building was overflowing when I dropped in on Sunday morning. I was determined to face the crowds and find a few bargains at the July Scroungers Day Garage Sale, which I posted about a little over a week ago. To say the event was big would almost be an understatement! With my mother in tow, we joined the seemingly endless queue, curling its way around the industrial building, took a deep breath, and we were in!

There were literally thousands of items for sale in the main area, set up on beautifully ordered tables, each with their own area sign. For the discerning, not to mention early attendee, bargains were aplenty. The event was a collector's paradise under one roof - everything from bottles, jugs, tools, games, bags and buttons to ornamentals, cameras, dolls, pottery and glass.

I think even Imelda Marcos would have reeled seeing the enormity of the shoe rack on Sunday. Were it not for my enormous feet, erm, my hard-to-find demands for size 9 (40) shoes and dislike of stiletto heels, I would have done a lot better out of this part of the sale! Nonetheless, I did take home a cute (and new) pair of brown tie-up flats, which I'll post a photo of later. 

One of the best organised departments had to be the Book Bazaar, adjoining the main hall. Every book held its rightful place in the building, organised alphabetically by author surname, by genre and topic. This really appealed to my love of order and literature. I had the most fun browsing the books that they hadn't been able to categorise. Some of my favourite titles ranged from The Upside of Undertaking, Teach Yourself - Collecting and French First Names :D

Those four books (above) were what I ended up taking home from a section that could have been titled 'Very-very-very-old-books'. A few highlights from The Young Man's Companion or Friendly Adviser to Educational Knowledge, Worldly Council and Gentlemanly Deportment - based on works compiled in 1866: 

"To excel in conversation: Never talk much unless solicited to do so. Suit your conversation to company and occasion. Do not be over fond of telling stories. Do not look at the ceiling, look out a window, play with a dog, or handle a book. Nothing discovers a little, futile, frivolous mind more than this and nothing is so offensively ill-bred."

aaaaaand...

"Before going to a ball or party, it is not sufficient that you consult your mirror twenty times. You must be personally inspected by your servant or a friend. From want of this precaution, I once saw a gentleman enter a ballroom, attired with scrupulous elegance, but with one of his suspenders curling in graceful festoons about his feet. His glass could not show what was behind."

I love finding these old books, graced with small insights into the opinions and mannerisms of years gone by. You may well be thrown a few of these in coming weeks as I get a chuckle out of the rest of this book :)

Want something to do next weekend? Check out the Golden West Collectors Fair, running across Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26.

What has been your favourite find at an event like this?

Thrifted find: Genuine leather Avelar vintage bag

I fell head-over-heels for this bag at the Salvos last week. It had been sitting on a shelf behind the counter on my first visit, but a phone call had forced me to leave earlier than I planned. What luck to find it on the bag rack only a few days later! (And for only $25!) 

This is a wonderful, genuine leather handbag made by Avelar in Guadalajara. The bag's interior is roomy and comes with three separated pouches, plus a pocket that comfortably fits my phone. The outside is made with a beautiful tooled leather in an abstract flower pattern.

It's clear some fine Mexican artisan craftsmanship is behind this bag. It's made in a beautiful refined shape and sits well and has been lined with a soft suede. On the whole, a very practical and beautiful vintage bag - I'm a firm believer that good design never goes out of style! 

I've done a bit of Googling since, and I get the impression these bags were doing the rounds sometime in the 1970s - a few different designs are doing the rounds on the internet today and they're valued between $100-350! That being said, I think I was very lucky to find this one - this bag has little-to-no wear on the outer edges and the inside is in great condition. I think it has kept its beautiful vintage charm and will likely last me for many years to come <3

The look: 
Avelar leather bag - $25 (Salvos - Greenwood)

If you know anything else about these bags, I'd love to know! What was your favourite bag find at a secondhand store?

What's on: Golden West Collectors Fair (July 25 and 26, 2015)

Gorgeous finds will be up for grabs at this month's Golden West Collectors Fair.

Beautiful coloured glass.

Ever wondered how much that Royal Doulton piece might be worth nowadays? If you're unsure whether to keep or sell your collectables, you can have them valued in Perth for free next weekend!

Across July 25 and 26, all roads will once again lead to South Perth Community Centre for the acclaimed Golden West Collectors Fair.

The fundraising event, run up to three times a year by Retina Australia WA (RAWA), is part of the Seeking Treasure Series and is set to feature handmade crafts, antiques and collectables and a vintage market.

RAWA will run a 'valuation trail' across the entire weekend, inviting treasure hunters to bring along their coins, carnival glassware, antique metal, Royal Doulton, Wembley Ware and more for a free valuation.

The local charity is committed to raising funds for research that will enable treatment, prevention and cures of Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRD).

RAWA fundraising and events manager Renae Loftus said when someone is diagnosed with an IRD, there is little doctors can do. "The newly diagnosed can expect a progressive, relentless loss of sight, and ultimately, irreversible blindness," she said. "It can take years or decades, but it will happen."

Ms Loftus said RAWA's goal was a simple one - to cure Inherited Retinal Disease. "We know this is a big goal," she said. "But we also know that we can get there. Heart transplants, a cure for smallpox and immunisation against cervical cancer were all difficult to picture once."

Doors open at 9.30am sharp on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26. Entry costs $6, children under 16 go free. Free parking is available onsite. The South Perth Community Centre is on the corner of Sandgate Street and South Terrace in South Perth. 

For further information, check out their website or call 9388 1488.

Photos have been used with permission of RAWA.

Have an event coming up? Email centsofdiscovery@gmail.com 

Vintage finds like these will be on sale at the Golden West Collectors Fair across July 25 and 26.

OOTD: Homestead ruins

The weather and light can be unkind at times in the Australian winter, but we're pretty fortunate in Perth to be graced with cool, bright days most of the season. Style-wise, I find myself drawn towards something emanating warmth. Mustard yellow has endless possibilities and is a beautiful colour for the autumn / winter months. But the colour often gets a bad rap because not many people know how to wear it. I love yellow, but find my fair complexion is much better suited to warmer or burnt colours like mustard. With that in mind, I love this top, it's bright and warm and the texture is delightful! Good job, mustard blouse. I will appreciate you, even if no one else does. Plus you were a steal at only $1.50 from Vinnies! It was nice to team it with the thick Sportsgirl skirt (Salvos - $2), tights and faux-leather Rubi Shoes boots (Salvos $3.25). 

What about you, lovely readers? Are you pro or anti-mustard?

A little history for you: Perry's Shed ("linhay") was built before the death of George Shenton Snr in 1867. The linhay at Perry's Paddock is now referred as Perry's Cottage and Stables and was listed on the State Register of Heritage Places in 2000. Though the linhay is now in ruins, it's a beautiful example of the vernacular Georgian architecture of England, adapted to local conditions and built with local limestone. Perry's Paddock was named for John (Jack) Perry, who bred racehorses and held race meets on his property at the site. The paddock is part of the Yellagonga Regional Park, with a number of pretty walking and cycling paths open year round to visitors. Nice spot to take a few photos!

Photos © Reg Vardy

The look: 
Suzanne Grae mustard blouse - $1.50 (Vinnies)
Sportsgirl grey/brown skirt - $2 (Salvos)
Tights - my own
Tree of life necklace - my own
Rubi Shoes brown boots - $3.25 (Salvos)
Vintage-look ring - $1.50 (Salvos)
Brown shoulder bag - $3.25 (Vinnies)
Bird earrings - $2.25 (Salvos)
Total damage: $13.75

How to: Freshen your thrifted bags and purses

A leather handbag could cost $100 or more in the store, but find that same gem at a thrift store and the price is likely to be less than $10. Such is the beauty of shopping secondhand! This is one of the best ways to find high-end labels for less than clearance prices at a typical retail shop. Don't miss out on taking home a great bargain because of the discomfort of buying a product that has been used by someone else. With a little tender loving care, it's easy to make bags feel (and smell) like new again.

Here's one I worked on this week...

I picked this bag up at Vinnies this month for just $4! I was taken by the old upholstered style. The bag was in great condition when I found it but needed freshening up.

Meet Mickey, our family cat. He honed in on the possibility of something soft and went for it!

Cats... Definitely time to throw this one in the wash! (The bag :p) 

I immersed the bag in a bucket full of warm water and half a lid of eucalyptus wool mix to give it a proper clean. After a few minutes soaking I rinsed the bag out in clean, warm water before hanging it on the line. Best to leave it out to dry for a few days if the weather is as damp / cold on your end it is here in wintery Perth!

Depending on the material, cleaning can be quite a process, but I think it's worth it - especially if you've found a nice vintage purse. When it comes to hand-washing, use your discretion and always check the labels on the bag for tips before you get too water-happy with a bag that might not take it!

Ditch the dirt Even the best bag owners will find tiny particles of dirt, dust and paper accumulate in their bag. Once these are donated to a thrift store, more dust is likely to accumulate while your bag waits for you to take it home. So this is an important step. Use the wand attachment on your vacuum to suck out any crumbs, lint, etc. It may be easier to turn the bag inside out, or turn it upside down and shake it to get rid of all the residual dirt. 

General cleaning for most bags Use a damp (not wet) cloth moistened with soapy water. Wipe lightly over the whole bag, inside and out. If the fabric gives you cause to worry about water damage, skip this step. A good way to make sure you've caught all the little bits of dirt is to take a damp Q-tip and reach into the corners of the bag. You'll be surprised what you find! Use baby wipes to clean up those little marks that have been left on the lining of the bag. 

Cleaning leather bags If you want to clean a leather product, invest in a proper leather cleaning product to shine up the exterior. Chances are, vintage leather bags have been stored in attics and cupboards and likely need a good clean and condition. For your leather and leather-alikes, use the leather cleaner and follow up with a conditioner, if you can find one. The important thing is to keep the bag's leather soft and avoid losing the quality due to drying and cracking. Use a fresh cloth until there's no more dirt coming off. And remember: Follow the directions on the label - you will be surprised just how beautiful your bag will look after some love.

Cleaning patent bags You can use Windex on patent bags, but always do a test spot first. Whoa, hold up. Don't spray Windex directly onto your bag either. Best way to do it is spray onto a cleaning cloth first and then wipe lightly. If the bag is slightly soiled, use something like a Magic Eraser (and again, test it on the bottom of the bag). Note: Magic Erasers can sometimes dull patent leather bags if they're used too vigorously. If you want to add shine to your patent bag, use a steam iron. Hold the iron about two inches (roughly five centimetres) from your bag and apply a few bursts of steam onto your purse. Take a soft cloth afterwards and buff the surface. The steam should heat the patent and smooth the finish - and voila! Shiny! 

Be careful If you try any of these tips, I would highly recommend you testing a small (hidden) spot to make sure it won't ruin the material. Again, not all fabrics are the same so use your best judgment before hand washing.

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Above all, use your bags and enjoy them!

Lauren xoxo

What's on: Scroungers Day Garage Sale (Sunday, July 19, 2015)

If you consider yourself a bit of a Womble, then the Scroungers Day Garage Sale could prick up your ears and make your pointy nose twitch. These events take place in Perth only three times a year, meaning there'll be plenty on offer on the day. There are hundreds of bargains to be had for the devoted scrounger, with quality furniture, bric-a-brac, vintage clothing, white goods and household items touted to feature at this year's event. 

The Scroungers Day bric-a-brac paradise is waiting for you

Even Imelda Marcos might face some tough competition with this shoe collection

Both photos have been used with permission of the Spine and Limb Foundation Inc.

Even better, it's all for a good cause. All money on the day will head to the registered charity, the Spine & Limb Foundation, of which ParaQuad Industries is a division. The goods you see displayed on Sunday, July 19 have been received through the network of charity bins throughout the Perth Metropolitan area or through their on-site donation point. 

While you're there, Book Bazaar will be open, with a large number of quality used books. Opportunity Knocks, the retro and pre-loved clothing store will also be open for the discerning scrounger to hunt out hidden gems.

If you'd like to volunteer, you're welcome to help set up or run a stall. Give them a call on (08) 9381 0195 for more information.

How to get there? When you arrive at 10 Selby Street, turn onto Ellis Griffiths Avenue. The ParaQuad building is about 300 metres along.

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Event notices are something I'd like to look at doing more of in the future.

Have an event coming up? Let me know. Email centsofdiscovery@gmail.com and we'll take it from there.