Bargain High
You know, I'll be honest - the current economic climate really gets me down, like I'm sure it does to everyone. Money isn't stretching as far as it used to, everything seems either ridiculously overpriced or ridiculously undervalued in this current climate. And for someone who spends (at least) two hours a day on international websites, purchasing something online to be shipped to Australia is most commonly a costly/disappointing experience - either stores WON'T ship to Australia or it will cost an arm and a leg to get here - hardly anyone's fault but it makes my wish list seem more and more far-fetched.
But I'll tell you one thing I can be thankful to this economic climate: I have learned to bargain shop, something I hadn't given enough time or thought to in the past (I'm a convenience shopper and I've learned the error of my ways!). It started with checking out the 'cheap shops' rather than regular stores for things that didn't have to be name brand, and being very pleasantly surprised at what treasures these stores can yield. And then there is thrifting, which I am quickly becoming addicted to. I came home with some really wonderful items today and it cost me less than half my budget for the trip, something I am really thankful for.
Here are some pictures/details of my finds (most are going to be used for my expo stand!):
I purchased the ribbon above, and quite a bit more, for just under $20, which is a bargain compared to other places I've shopped in the past. At 15c a metre for most of it I really couldn't go wrong!
This had a pretty terrible picture in it, but I thought the frame was so cute, I had to have it, and luckily, I can swap it for something else I have in mind... $1!
The silver tray and blue bowl were 50c each and will be perfect for housing some little mementos!
These silver bells were 25c each.
I just love this mini jar - my love of yellow glass continues! My mum had a similar styled blue jar (much larger though) so they must have been common! I picked this up for $1!
These cute letters (above) were $3 for 40 and are made from a neutral cardboard.
I also recently purchased these two things from their online retailers and I loved these products so much, it made it worth the hefty postage costs:
These gold postcard stands are from Sadie Olive - Sara could not have been more accommodating to me when I was inquiring about purchasing these, and she has some really beautiful items in her store - you should check it out, you'll fall in love with about half a dozen things like I did! I first saw these holders used in a Martha Stewart article and I've been on the search ever since, and I'm very happy I found them.
A glowing report can also go to Nicole of Pink Loves Brown, who shipped my beautiful blue suitcases so quickly! They are even cuter in person/paper, and I really look forward to getting to use them!
Ahhh... okay, now that I've indulged my Bargain High, time to get back to some real work!
But I'll tell you one thing I can be thankful to this economic climate: I have learned to bargain shop, something I hadn't given enough time or thought to in the past (I'm a convenience shopper and I've learned the error of my ways!). It started with checking out the 'cheap shops' rather than regular stores for things that didn't have to be name brand, and being very pleasantly surprised at what treasures these stores can yield. And then there is thrifting, which I am quickly becoming addicted to. I came home with some really wonderful items today and it cost me less than half my budget for the trip, something I am really thankful for.
Here are some pictures/details of my finds (most are going to be used for my expo stand!):
I purchased the ribbon above, and quite a bit more, for just under $20, which is a bargain compared to other places I've shopped in the past. At 15c a metre for most of it I really couldn't go wrong!
This had a pretty terrible picture in it, but I thought the frame was so cute, I had to have it, and luckily, I can swap it for something else I have in mind... $1!
The silver tray and blue bowl were 50c each and will be perfect for housing some little mementos!
These silver bells were 25c each.
I just love this mini jar - my love of yellow glass continues! My mum had a similar styled blue jar (much larger though) so they must have been common! I picked this up for $1!
These cute letters (above) were $3 for 40 and are made from a neutral cardboard.
I also recently purchased these two things from their online retailers and I loved these products so much, it made it worth the hefty postage costs:
These gold postcard stands are from Sadie Olive - Sara could not have been more accommodating to me when I was inquiring about purchasing these, and she has some really beautiful items in her store - you should check it out, you'll fall in love with about half a dozen things like I did! I first saw these holders used in a Martha Stewart article and I've been on the search ever since, and I'm very happy I found them.
A glowing report can also go to Nicole of Pink Loves Brown, who shipped my beautiful blue suitcases so quickly! They are even cuter in person/paper, and I really look forward to getting to use them!
Ahhh... okay, now that I've indulged my Bargain High, time to get back to some real work!
