op-shop show-off

Things have been all quiet on the op-shop front around here lately. Partly because when you are in throwing-out mode, you don't want to ruin all the good work you've done by filling up the empty spaces with more stuff.

The other reason is that I was spectacularly un-successful in my forays into op-shops overseas last month, and I think it has put me off my game a bit.

I came across MANY op-shops in England (I do have a radar, it's true):
three in Bath,four in Stratford, and four in the Knightsbridge-South Kensington part of London. Even found one in the Stanley Markets area of Hong Kong. None in Paris - walked passed a beautiful second-hand shop in Rue du Bac on the way to the war museum. There was a tiny painting of a bunch of old roses displayed in the window - would have bought it regardless of the pain of transporting, or the cost. The shop was closed until the middle of January so we were long gone by the time it re-opened. Oh well.

I'm digressing. All the English op-shops were Oxfam, or in aid of other charities and called things like "The Dorothy Perkins Hospice Shop", and they were all extremely up-market and kind of expensive. For example - sweaters: seven or eight pounds, skirts for five pounds. The books were amazing - only a year or two old, looked brand new.
They didn't seem to sell kitchen stuff, or old pillowcases or any china except for a few very new looking items. I'm wondering if they are bound by health regulations of some sort? In Bath, I bought a copy of Austen's Northanger Abbey because it was fun to read it there and I didn't have a copy at home. My daughter bought a little M&S cardigan for four pounds, also in Bath. But there were none of the fuggy, slightly dusty treasure houses you find in the Melbourne suburbs.

The op-shop in Knightsbridge near Harrods was hilarious. There was a Chanel suit in the window (no price, the only person it would have fitted is someone as tiny as little Kylie Minogue) and a pair of Jimmy Choo sandals inside for a hundred and forty pounds. Only one shoe was out, you had to enquire about the other, in case of thieving I suppose.

Probably the reason I wasn't looking at clothes is that you lose interest in trying on when you are wearing five layers to keep warm. Yes, I was, and I was warm.

So I'm thinking I was due for a win when I went out op-shopping today.
Paydirt.

3 Kathie Winkle cups and saucers for TWO DOLLARS (total). The drought is broken!
A set of Willow tin kitchen cannisters for $20.
A handful of books, too.
Excellent.